God’s Amazing Grace

Genesis 3:10

He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

The story of Adam and Eve is a story – in part – of God’s love and humanities’ sinful nature.

I believe God’s love is seen in the creation story because I believe that God foreknew that humanity would sin and fall.  The plan of the Godhead was to send the Son to die for our sin long before Adam or Eve ever sinned. John 3:16 was written in the heart of God long before Jesus spoke it on earth or John penned it in his gospel: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  God’s love provided a way for a sinful humanity to reunite with Him before we fell from His presence.

I believe God was not caught off guard by humanities’ sin.  When Eve and then Adam disobeyed God by eating the fruit that He had forbidden them to eat – they displayed what we call the sin nature.  This is that part of humanity that wants to please self.  This is the part of humanity that will rationalize sin to be acceptable.  This is the part that will even sin to keep from revealing sin.

Adam and Even had sinned.  They were found in their guilt and shame and tried to hide from God.  A friend recently mentioned that when he sins he runs from God.  He didn’t elaborate but I assume it is because he knows that in the face of God his sin will be revealed.  When we should be running toward God and His grace – we tend to run away and try to hide.

Adam and Even hid.  When God saw Adam and Even hiding He called out to them.  Can we imagine how silly we are to try to hide from God?  Can we remember the story of Jonah and how he tried to run from God?  How futile it is to try and hide from God?  So God called out to them and Adam answered: Genesis 1:10 – He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

We think of them being without clothing – because when they ate from the fruit they noticed they were naked and took fig leafs to make clothes.  But I think their physical nakedness wasn’t the biggest issue.  They soon found out that they were naked before God – that God could see them wherever they were and whatever they did.  A truth we should remember.  We may get away with sin on earth – but the one who sees us naked before Him – sees it all and sees our hearts as well.

Many times in my life – far more than I wish to share – I have learned the lesson that sin is not something to harbor or hide.  Recently a sin in my life – painfully – was brought to the surface.  I must admit it is not fun to have your sin revealed before God or before others!  But we all know – I believe – the great feeling that comes from the release of sin and guilt – God’s amazing grace.  It is there for you today if you would confess and repent of your sin.  It was there from the beginning of creation in God’s plan and provided by the babe in the manger that died on the cross for our sin!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

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Showing Love to Others Should Be More Natural!

Romans 8:37

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

It is not unusual for some men to have a hard time saying I love you to their spouse – their children – or others they love.  Some women have a hard time as well – but it seems to come more naturally for them.

Along the lines of some men having a hard time saying they love the ones they do love, it not uncommon to hear at a funeral for a dad – he may not have said it very often if at all – but I knew my father loved me.

At funerals I often remind people to not wait to say I love you to those they love – because the opportunities might be short.  We all know of people who died suddenly – and maybe we had some regrets about noting saying we loved them.  Same thing for people holding grudges against those they love.  It is often heard at funerals – the last time we spoke we had an argument and then I find out that the argument was months – even years ago at times.

Why is it so hard to say I love you for some?  God says it over and over again throughout Scriptures – with words and actions.

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:9-10 – 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

So how do you show your love to others?  How do you tell them you love them?  Don’t be embarrassed – it is the most natural thing in the world -  to love others!  Don’t let another moment go by – text them – call them – go downstairs and tell them – you love them.  It doesn’t have to be a special event or day!

We know that in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  We can overcome our lack of comfort– and tell others we love them!  Try it and see what happens.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

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I Love You, Do You Love Me?

1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us.

Loving first is usually hard.  Can you remember the days when you passed notes in school – I like you – do you like me?  It was hard to send that note because – what if they didn’t like you and then they had this note that said you liked them to show everyone.

Most of us want to be liked – want to be appreciated – want to be accepted.  So when God showed His love for us – first – it was amazing.  John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God showed His love for us – He showed how much He cared – way before we decided to love Him back.  God took the risk – the risk of having his note shown to others in the classroom.  He poured Himself out as a love offering – hoping that we would love Him back.

Jesus has given you a note this morning – it says I love you – do you love me?  What will your answer be!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

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Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I just posted this video from YouTube on my Facebook page.  It is Rod Stewart singing “Have I Told You Lately – That I Love You”.  I tagged my wife, Carolyn, and my three daughters, Shelly, Nicole, and Jaclyn – telling them that I love them.  Listen to this class song on the video below.

Suffice it to say – this is not the only way I say I love you – but it is one way.  How many ways can you tell those you love this Christmas Season that you love them?  I am going to try to come up with a different way each day between now and Christmas.

I cannot fathom the love that God has for me (us).  Is it is just me that has trouble understanding God’s love?  I mean – God loves us so much that God offered His ONE AND ONLY SON to suffer and die on the cross for our sins!  I’ve said this before – I love you guys – but I would not sacrifice one of my daughters – and I have three – for any of you!  My love for them is greater than my love for you!  God’s love was greater for us than for His ONE AND ONLY SON.  Beyond my brain power to understand.

Yet – understand it or not – I live in the grace and love of God.  I challenge you to not only live in that grace and love reality – but to share your love with those around you that you love.  As I ministered to a member and their family recently in the hospital – I was made aware of a 35 year-old woman who suddenly had a stroke that put her in a coma and possibly will take her life.  It reminded me of how suddenly life can be taken from us – how fragile this life can be and that we need to tell those we love – time and time again – that we love them.

Join me this Christmas Season finding ways to express the love we have been shown through Jesus to those around us that we love.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

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Love Language

John 3:16

¹⁶For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8

⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

In many, if not all marriage enrichment studies, one of the things they will suggest is for you to learn your partner’s love language.  For some, it might be sweet talk, gifts for no reason, remembering special days, spending quality time together, doing home chores, showing affection,and the list goes on.  According to some studies, there are five basic areas of love language – 1) quality time together, 2) gifts, 3) words of affirmation, 4) physical or meaningful touch, and 5) acts of service.

If you are married or dating someone, it would behoove you to learn your spouse or dates love language.  Showing them love as you see it – is not showing them love as they will receive it.  In other words if getting gifts is how you feel loved, so you bring your partner gifts, and for them, spending quality time together shows love, your message will not get through.  You’ll be busy bringing home flowers, special gifts for no reason, thinking  you are showing your partner your love, while they do not feel loved because you aren’t spending time with them.

It can be tough – even confusing – but once you know their love language – you can show your love often.

I’m so glad that God’s expression of love is plan and clear.  God loves us – He gave of Himself – His Son.  He loves us – He gave this great gift while we were yet His enemies – sinners.  That is amazing love!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.