the greatest love

This morning at church I prayed, "Lord, I want to be convinced of Your great love for me.  Overwhelm me with Your love!"  He instantly reminded me of the events of this coming Holy Week.  Jesus was betrayed by His closest friends, rejected by society, publicly insulted, tortured to the point of death, and then finally and excruciatingly crucified.  Look back to a blog I wrote last year titled "greater love", in which I wrote about the events of that week. 

What gets to me is that HE KNEW.  He knew from the beginning that His last week of life would be one of unimaginable pain and grief.  Jesus, the One and Only beloved Son of God, came to earth to live a human life that would end in a seemingly tragic way.  His entire life on Earth, from start to finish, was an act of LOVE!  John 3:16 says...For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  Every moment of Jesus' life was motivated by love...right to the end.  When I think about how He suffered for us, I am truly convinced of His love.   There could have been no other motivation strong enough.

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) all recount Holy Week and the Resurrection.  I encourage you to spend some time reading them and meditating on Jesus great love for you!  The GREATEST LOVE!

Spoiler alert: Each of the 4 accounts ends in the same way...victorious Resurrection!  Jesus knew that was coming too!  His death and His resurrection restore our relationships with God.  Jesus was the ultimate and final sacrifice for our sins.  He shed His blood so that we can be forgiven...and all we have to do is ask Him.  No question...Jesus IS the greatest love!

irreplaceable

You are unique, and valuable, and irreplaceable!  Even when you don't feel it.  Even when people treat you as expendable.  What you bring to this world is special and uniquely you!  In your family, in your job/school, in your relationships...only you can fill the role that was created especially for you!

We have believed the lies that we are replaceable and someone else could easily fill our shoes.  THAT IS A LIE!  (It is one thing to be humble, but believing the lie is an entirely different issue!)  Here is The TRUTH...that we ARE irreplaceable...straight from the Bible...

Psalm 139:13-17

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.  You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.  You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be numbered!

Jeremiah 1:5

I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.  Before you were born I set you apart...

Jeremiah 29:11-14

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you," says the Lord.

Galatians 1:15

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

Are you convinced?  Let these truths sink into your spirit.  Read and reread them.  Think about the truth until it becomes part of you.  (I'm writing to myself too!)  Believe The TRUTH!  You are irreplaceable!   

my Friend

It's been on my heart to share with you how I met my Friend, Jesus.  We moved to Colorado from Iowa during the summer that I turned 9.  I was a very lonely kid.  I had left behind my extended family and the only friends I had ever known.  I was shy and awkward, but even then, relationships were my priority.  I remember walking on the playground at school during recess by myself and wondering if I would ever have friends again.

My parents were already Christians, and they found a non-denominational Bible teaching church for us to attend.  I am eternally grateful for the Sunday school teachers that I had during that year of 4th grade.  Each week, they would give us the opportunity to ask Jesus into our hearts.  I was hungry for love and acceptance and relationship, and one Sunday, I responded.  Best decision of my life!

I don't remember exactly the words that I prayed.  Probably something like, "Jesus, please forgive my sin and come to live in my heart."  Simple, but that is all it takes.  God knew the true cry of my heart was "Jesus, I need a friend.  Will you be that friend forever?"

I'm still a relationship person.  God wove that into the fabric of me from the beginning of time.  Even now, almost 40 years later, I find myself feeling insecure in relationships.  Those times especially are the times that I need to turn my eyes to Jesus, my Forever Friend.  The Friend who loves me unconditionally and never lets me down.  The Friend who gave His human life out of love for me (and you)!

If you are looking for a friend like Jesus, just ask Him.  I promise He will be there.  And He will be your friend forever too!