Do not judge yourself by the world's standards. If you believe you are no longer lovable because you are growing old, then you make the error of worshiping at the altar of human perfection (which is always an illusion) and forfeit the Heavenly vision of the true perfection that is yours in Christ Jesus.
The Song of Solomon is an allegory of God’s love told through the story of a human love. He created human love as a type and foreshadow of the perfection of His desire for His beloved, the church. He desires you corporately, as a member of the body of Christ; and individually, as the unique individual He has created you to be. Come to Him. Come to Him and be satisfied, even now, by His love.
Scripture: "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine..." (Song of Solomon 6:3a KJV).
"He has taken me to the banquet hall; and his banner over me is love" (Song of Solomon 2:4).
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Once Again: Do Not be Afraid!
Fear is a normal response to frightening things. It is not invalid, but it is unnecessary.
Although you may not like its appearance, a snake behind a glass is not fearsome. You would be perfectly safe to lie down and fall asleep with your back to the glass, because the snake cannot reach you.
The terrors you fear in the future cannot touch you today. Like the protective glass between you and a serpent in an enclosure, time is your protector in the moment you are in. For this present day, the future has no hold on you and no power to harm. Fear of the future is unnecessary, because “now” is where you live. Live in your present, and leave your future to the Lord.
Although you may not like its appearance, a snake behind a glass is not fearsome. You would be perfectly safe to lie down and fall asleep with your back to the glass, because the snake cannot reach you.
The terrors you fear in the future cannot touch you today. Like the protective glass between you and a serpent in an enclosure, time is your protector in the moment you are in. For this present day, the future has no hold on you and no power to harm. Fear of the future is unnecessary, because “now” is where you live. Live in your present, and leave your future to the Lord.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
It Will Not Happen a Second Time
Loving others is a risk. It is like lowering your shield and putting away your sword in order to extend the right hand of fellowship. You have been betrayed in the past, and so you fear the possibility of hurt through rejection, particularly a humiliating rejection such as that you experienced before. Believe in the Lord's promise when He says this kind of sorrow will not happen a second time.
Blessings will overtake you; make preparation! It would not seem necessary to prepare for blessings, but it is prudent to do so. It is possible to be overwhelmed by blessing as well as by stress. Be overwhelmed by God's presence and His love, and all will be well apart from any material or physical preparation you make.
The Lord asks you to trust Him and to remember that He is in your circumstances. Go with the flow of His perfect will. God is with you. He acts on your behalf to protect you. It is safe to trust Him. All of His promises are good.
Scripture: "Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again'" (Exodus 14:13).
"And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God" Deuteronomy 28:2, KJV.
Blessings will overtake you; make preparation! It would not seem necessary to prepare for blessings, but it is prudent to do so. It is possible to be overwhelmed by blessing as well as by stress. Be overwhelmed by God's presence and His love, and all will be well apart from any material or physical preparation you make.
The Lord asks you to trust Him and to remember that He is in your circumstances. Go with the flow of His perfect will. God is with you. He acts on your behalf to protect you. It is safe to trust Him. All of His promises are good.
Scripture: "Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again'" (Exodus 14:13).
"And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God" Deuteronomy 28:2, KJV.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Sweeten the Message
God's voice, as it flows through you, becomes flavored with who you are in Him. Sin would taint the final product, but a pure heart and mind only lends flavor, like a teaspoon of vanilla in cookie dough. You actually have the opportunity to enhance His message—not to change it, but to enhance it—when you walk the narrow way.
Although he himself was slovenly, Balaam repeated God's messages verbatim; and the Lord's power is such that Balaam was recognized as a prophet. God's word will stand, regardless of the individual He uses as a vessel or a channel. But how much better if His spokesperson sweetens the message!
God uses those He chooses, and you must not gauge the veracity of a prophet’s message based on the appearance of the prophet. But He has placed His hand on your unique way of expressing your thoughts and feelings. Again He reminds you, do not edit your responses based on the reactions of other people, but look to the Lord!
Scripture: "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).
Although he himself was slovenly, Balaam repeated God's messages verbatim; and the Lord's power is such that Balaam was recognized as a prophet. God's word will stand, regardless of the individual He uses as a vessel or a channel. But how much better if His spokesperson sweetens the message!
God uses those He chooses, and you must not gauge the veracity of a prophet’s message based on the appearance of the prophet. But He has placed His hand on your unique way of expressing your thoughts and feelings. Again He reminds you, do not edit your responses based on the reactions of other people, but look to the Lord!
Scripture: "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).
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