many are the afflictions of the righteous, but that when the Lord delivers them out of them all the trial of their faith will be found to praise, and honour, and glory.
What is man’s love. It is but a Shadowbrute seeking only to consume. It is a selfish love, a love that longs to be fulfilled. It is a love that desires only fulfillment of itself. It is a love that needs to fill a hole within. This love is not true love.
What is true love? True love is selfless. It lifts up another at the cost of itself. It is willing to lay down its own life for another. It is the love of Jesus. There is only One capable of such true love. Who, but one divine, can fulfill such a role. For man to believe he can begin to fill this role is but self idolatry. It is pride. It is foolishness. Even at its finest, what man can muster is merely self sacrifice that desires to be seen and praised. It is self love.
No, for man to express true love requires the love of Christ. It is only in being filled with the love of Christ and by the love of Christ that man can love at all. So what is true love for a man? Is it not to wishing others would draw near to true love? It can only be. All other love is despicable, even hateful, as it longs to steal away the affections of True Love.
Love, the finest, sweetest treasure in all of existence can only come from One, and can only belong to One. Love is reserved for Him. How dare man, a mere created thing, dare to steal away any affection belonging to the creator, the One worthy of love and adoration.
Before the tidal wave of the creator’s love, man’s love is but dewdrops on a rose petal. In the face of God’s hurricane of unceasing affection, man’s love is but the movement of a butterfly’s wings. Yet this microscopic love of man moves, ravishes, and overcomes the heart of the Almighty. For when the dewdrop meets the tidal wave, it is swept into a current of overwhelming desire greater than the power of a thousand suns.
It hurts. It tears. It rips apart my heart. I flail and struggle, flexing every muscle to persevere. But again and again it crashes upon me. Tidal waves of endless pain. I gasp for breath but my lungs are overcome. Nearly beaten I crawl on my knees. Cuts, bruises, broken bones. I’m bleeding to death one tear at a time. I can’t take much more. I’m crying out to Father. Help me, don’t forsake me. Hear my cry. And again I give it to You. I give it all for You. You are worth it over and over. I give it up, again and again. Until You say the time is right, I’m on my knees seeking You out.
Chirping songbirds praise. Intimate dance rising up. Father sends His breeze.
Bees work: pollinate. Blossoms respond by yielding. Son shine down with warmth.
Heart of worship beats. Dance of love for Holy one. His blessings rain down.
I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.
I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.
All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.
All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.
All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.
I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
How mysterious and wonderful is His divine planning. Last week, at team awesome, our Thursday night street prayer group, we meet a woman who had financial crisis. We prayed for her, gave her some words from God, and led her in a prayer to receive Christ. We left her with one of our phone numbers, as she has no phone, and a Bible, hoping she would call us so we could follow up with her. She did not call, but some of us kept her in prayer. Yesterday, we meet again for team awesome, hoping and praying we could meet her again. We walked halfway through our typical prayer route and stopped to pray for a family who’s car had gotten a flat. Then we stopped to chat with two guys who declined prayer. Finally, we asked a guy to pray who didn’t speak English. Unfazed, we went to cross the street. With 13 second left on the countdown light, I ran halfway through the intersection, but noticed the others were going to wait for the next green light, so I ran back. The light cycled and we crossed the street, eyes fixed and hearts intent on praying for the homeless people who live on the corner. As soon as we get to the other side, a city bus pulls up, the doors open, and out pops our lady from the previous week! We beam excited smiles as we run up to greet her, waving and skipping as we go. Overwhelmed, she shyly accepts our greetings and returns it, a bit confused at the coincidence. Though she does not understand, we know this is a divine appointment set by God because He sees His daughter and loves her deeply. We nearly missed her by 13 second, but Gods plans are greater than time. Long story short, we walked with her, shopped with her at the 99c store, then invited her back to our brothers home for some dinner and fellowship. I left early, but i’m sure some good words and love were imparted to this woman who God has His eyes set on. How awesome is that!
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