FATHER'S LOVE LETTER

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Psalm 139:1)
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2)
I am familiar with all your way. (Psalm 139:3)
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31)
For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27)
In me you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:28)

For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28)
I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5)
I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16)
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13)
And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6)
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. (John 8:41-44)
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16)
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1 John 3:1)
Simply because you are my child and I am your father. (1 John 3:1)

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11)
For I am the perfect father. (Matthew 5:48)
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17)
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33)
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.(Psalm 139:17-18)
And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40)
For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5)
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3)

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13)
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18)
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11)
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Revelation 21:3-4)
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:3-4)
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23)
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26)

He is the exact representation of my being. (Hebrews 1:3)
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Romans 8:31)
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (1 John 4:10)
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32)

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. (1 John 2:23)
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-39)
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7)
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15)
My question is… Will you be my child?. (John 1:12-13)
I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)

Love, Your Dad.

Almighty God


If today you hear his voice, harden not your heart !

Came to My Rescue

Falling on my knees in worship
Giving all I am to seek your face
Lord all I am is yours

My whole life
I place in your hands
God of Mercy
Humbled I bow down
In your presence at your throne

I called you answered
And you came to my rescue and I
I wanna be where you are

In my life be lifted high
In our world be lifted high
In our love be lifted high

When You Believe

Many nights we've prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood

Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long
Before we knew we could


There can be miracles, when you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe


In this time of fear
When prayers so often prove in vain
Hope seems like the summer birds
To swiftly flown away

Yet now I'm standing here
My heart's so full I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say

There can be miracles, when you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe


They don't always happen when you ask
(Oh)
And it's easy to give in to your fears
(Oh...Ohhhh)
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see your way straight throught the rain
Small but still, resilient voice
Says love is the relief
(Ohhh)

There can be miracles
(Miracles)
When you believe
(Lord, when you believe)
Though hope is frail
(Though hope is frail)
It's hard to kill
(Hard to kill, Ohhh)
Who know what miracles,you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will(somehow,somehow, somehow)
somehow you will
You will when you believe

You will when you
You will when you believe
Just believe...in your heart
Just believe
You will when you believeeeeeeeeeee

Beyonce Knowles
Time To Come Home

It doesn't matter where you been
or what you did wrong

It doesn't matter who you are
you're always welcome
it only matters that your heart believes
and you confess

if you committed any sin you'll be forgiven

callin on all of god's children
time to come home
if you wanna be delivered
time to come home
i've been rescued by the savior
time to come home
if you wanna be in his favor
time to come home

come on home
come on come on home
oooh yeah yeah
come on home

if you cant see your way out
and you're drowning in your regrets

if you have everything you want
but you still cant find happiness

cuz when you feel like you're forsaken
life can be so hopeless

maybe you need to come home
so your life can be planned

oooh

God's children
time to come home
if you wanna be delivered
time to come home
i've been rescued by the savior
time to come home
if you wanna be
you need to be
time to come home

Don't bear the burden all by yourself
(by yourself)
the redeemer's here he's gonna give you help
(give you help)
come unto him and he will give you rest
for any heart that's heavy laden for salvation
ooh

Calling all god's children
time to come home
if you wanna be delivered
time to come home
i've been rescued by the savior
time to come home
if you wanna be in his favor
time to come home

my home
your home
in his everlasting arms
my home
your home
in his everlasting arms
don't you know its time to come home
time to come home
deliver me
i've been rescued by the savior
dont you wanna be in his favor
yeah
my home
your home
in his everlasting arms
my home
your home
in his everlasting arms
if you wanna be in his favor
my home
your home
in his everlasting arms
my home
your home
in his everlasting arms

time to come home

Behold the Lamb- Kirk Franklin


Chorus
Now behold the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
born into sin that I may live again
the Precious Lamb of God (2x)

Holy is the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
Why You love me so, Lord
I shall never know
the Precious lamb of God (2X)


Solo1
Now behold the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
Born into sin that I may live again
He's the precious Lamb of God

When I always didn't do right
I went left, He told me to go right
But I'm standing right here
in the midst of my tears, Lord
I found You to be the Lamb of God

chorus
Thank You for the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
Because of Your grace
I can finish this race
the Precious Lamb of God

solo2
Even when I broke Your heart
my sins tore us apart
But I'm standing right here
in the midst of my tears
I claim You to be the Lamb of God

New life can begin (yeah),
for You washed away, washed away every one of my sins
Whom the Son sets free, is truly free indeed
claim You to be the Lamb of God

chorus
Now behold the Lamb
the Precious Lamb of God
born into sin that I may live again
the Precious Lamb of God

Oh Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh

Why You love me so, Lord
I shall never know
Why You love me so, Lord
I shall never know
Why You love me so, Lord
I shall never know
the Precious Lamb of God

Oh Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh

Why You love me so, Lord
I shall never know
the Precious Lamb of God

uh....
uh....oh....
You love me, Jesus
You died for me, Jesus
You shed your blood for me, Jesus On Calvary.


Thank you for Being Born For Me, Jesus
Thank you Jesus
For lovin' me so
Never never never know
For lovin' me so yeah.
Thank you for your blood yeah...
Why you love me so, Lord
I shall never know
the Precious Lamb of God

WHY I SING- Kirk Franklin


And when the song is over
We've all said Amen
And your heart just keep on singing
And the song will never end
And if somebody ask you
was it just a show
Lift your and a be a witness
And tell the whole world no
And when we cross that river
To study war no more
We will sing our song to Jesus
The one whom we adore

True Friendship - Recognition
How can we find true friendship in this often phony, temporary world? Friendship involves recognition or familiarity with another's personality. Friends often share likes and dislikes, interests, pursuits, and passion.

How can we recognize potential friendship? Signs include a mutual desire for companionship and perhaps a common bond of some kind. Beyond that, genuine friendship involves a shared sense of caring and concern, a desire to see one another grow and develop, and a hope for each other to succeed in all aspects of life. True friendship involves action: doing something for someone else while expecting nothing in return; sharing thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or negative criticism.

True Friendship - Relationship, Trust, Accountability
True friendship involves relationship. Those mutual attributes we mentioned above become the foundation in which recognition transpires into relationship. Many people say, "Oh, he's a good friend of mine," yet they never take time to spend time with that "good friend." Friendship takes time: time to get to know each other, time to build shared memories, time to invest in each other's growth.

Trust is essential to true friendship. We all need someone with whom we can share our lives, thoughts, feelings, and frustrations. We need to be able to share our deepest secrets with someone, without worrying that those secrets will end up on the Internet the next day! Failing to be trustworthy with those intimate secrets can destroy a friendship in a hurry. Faithfulness and loyalty are key to true friendship. Without them, we often feel betrayed, left out, and lonely. In true friendship, there is no backbiting, no negative thoughts, no turning away.

True friendship requires certain accountability factors. Real friends encourage one another and forgive one another where there has been an offense. Genuine friendship supports during times of struggle. Friends are dependable. In true friendship, unconditional love develops. We love our friends no matter what and we always want the best for our friends.

True Friendship - Examples of Real Friendship
True friendship stories are found throughout the Bible. In Genesis 18:17-33, we read about God sharing His intentions with Abraham. Abraham responds by telling God his thoughts and feelings about the situation. God and Abraham are able to do this because they trust and respect each other.

First Samuel 20 focuses on the friendship of David and Jonathan. These two men truly cared for each other and had great trust and confidence in one another. David was running for his life from Jonathan's father, Saul. Jonathan recognized that David was innocent. Because of the true friendship they shared, David survived Saul's assassination attempts and went on to become one of Israel's greatest kings.

Real and true friendship involves freedom of choice, accountability, truth, and forgiveness. Peter and Jesus give us this example: Peter, afraid for his life after Jesus is led away from the Garden of Gethsemane, denies knowing Jesus (John 18). As He is led away by His accusers, Jesus casts a look toward Peter that says, "I knew you would deny Me, and I forgive you" (John 21).

Real friendship looks at the heart, not just the "packaging." Genuine friendship loves for love's sake, not just for what it can get in return. True friendship is both challenging and exciting. It risks, it overlooks faults, and it loves unconditionally, but it also involves being truthful, even though it may hurt. Genuine friendship, also called "agape" love, comes from the Lord. The Lord Jesus calls us His friends and He laid down His life for us (John 15).

Relationships in real life involve different levels of friendships, and that's okay. But humans are designed by God for lasting relationships. Often our isolationist society offers only vague, empty relationships. God wants us to have friends here on earth. Most of all, He wants us to be friends with Him!

God's Word tells us that a friend sticks closer than a brother, and that in order for one to be a friend, one must show themselves friendly (Proverbs 18:24). The question is: what type of friend do you desire to be?

Proverbs 18:19 in the New Living Translation says: "It's harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars." When we've offended a true friend - whether by breaking a trust or by speaking the truth with love - we risk losing that friendship. We must be careful not to break the trust. But when not speaking the truth will cause greater hurt in our friend's life, we must be willing to sacrifice our needs for those of our friend. That is true friendship.

If we sometimes offend a friend without meaning to, God's Word offers a solution. It's called forgiveness. There is no greater example than the love of God for us. It so great that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, in order that our friendship with God might be restored. He did that in spite of the fact that we have offended Him deeply. We have disobeyed His commands, turned our backs on Him, and followed our own path. So the question remains: What type of friend do you want to be? True Christian friendship forgives.

Do you need a friend? God wants to be your true friend. Are you longing for companionship? God is always with you (Hebrews 13:5). Who do you know who needs a true friend today? God wants you to befriend others. He calls us to be His hands and feet in a world starving for true friendship.

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Compiled by Richard A. Kauffman | posted 7/17/2007 08:18AM

BLESSED are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

"BLESSED are those who mourn" is, paradoxically, a more necessary message than "Rejoice in the Lord always," because there can be no true rejoicing until we have stopped running away from mourning.
Simon Tugwell, The Beatitudes

[W]E WILL NEVER experience the angel of comfort until we can enter into the mourning. … The admission of what is deepest within us can be done only with an angel of comfort. This angel comes to us in the appearance of a total stranger or an absolute friend.
Michael H. Crosby, Spirituality of the Beatitudes

[MOURNING] cannot be limited exclusively to expressing sorrow for one's sin … or grief surrounding death. … Rather, "those who mourn" has the more comprehensive sense of Isaiah 61:2-3, an inclusive grief that refers to the disenfranchised, contrite, and bereaved. It is an expression of the intense sense of loss, helplessness, and despair.
Robert A. Guelich, The Sermon on the Mount

THE DISCIPLES bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of him who bears all suffering on the Cross. As bearers of suffering, they stand in communion with the crucified. They stand as strangers in the power of him who was so alien to the world that it crucified him. This is their comfort, or rather, he is their comfort, their comforter. … This alien community is comforted by the Cross.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship

IN THIS BEATITUDE, Jesus praises … those who can enter into solidarity with the pain of the world and not try to extract themselves from it.
Richard Rohr with John Bookser Feister, Jesus' Plan for a New World

HE CALLS BLESSED even those who mourn. Their sorrow is of a special kind. He did not designate them simply as sad but as intensely grieving. Therefore, he did not say "they that sorrow" but "they that mourn."
John Chrysostom, "Homily 15.3"

IT IS NOT ENOUGH for us … within the arena of the world's pain merely to know of a God who sympathizes. It is not even enough to know of a God who heals. We need to know of and be connected with a God who experiences with us, for us, each grief, each wound. We need to be bonded with a God who has had nails in the hands and a spear in the heart!
Flora Slosson Wuellner, Weavings

EVERY SUFFERING can be blessed because it hollows out a place in us for God and his comfort, which is infinite joy.
Peter Kreeft, Back to Virtue

IT IS impossible for one to live without tears who considers things exactly as they are.
Gregory of Nyssa, De Beatitudine

Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today.

Tamela Mann lyrics,
Take It To Jesus lyrics

I was down so low, there was no where to go
But Jesus heard my plee, and had mercy on me
He lifted my head, and raised me from dead
Healed my mind and steped in on time

Bridge:
No matter what you might be going through
Take it to the master and he'll see you right on through

Chrous (choir):

Take it to Jesus, Keep it there
Cast on him, all your fears
Take it to Jesus, Keep it there
Cast on him, all your fears

Mary lost her faith, cause her brother has died
Jesus came forth and said lazerth be untied
No matter how bad you think it is
If you leave it at his feet he'll give you peace

Bridge:
No matter what you may be going through
Take it to the master and he'll see you right on through

Chrous (choir):

Take it to Jesus, Keep it there
Cast on him, all your fears
Take it to Jesus, Keep it there
Cast on him, all your fears

Don't let nobody turn you around
Give it to Jesus
He'll never let you down

Chrous (choir):

Take it to Jesus, Keep it there
Cast on him, all your fears
Take it to Jesus, Keep it there
Cast on him, all your fears

Tamela Mann lyrics,
Father Can You Hear Me lyrics

Father can you hear me We need your love today I know that you are listening you hear men everyday Father please hear us and we will be ok father we need you to heal families today Father can you hear me I'm calling on your name Not budda nor muhammed but it's jesus we cry out loud Father just forgive us Hear us when we say We'll give ya, give ya, give you everything our lifes and souls today Father you know we need it I've never seen so much pain We have the faith for now Your victory we will gain father you know we mean it there's no more heart of stone were ready for your power now the sin is gone Lead:Father Choir: Can you hear me now (REPEAT 4X's) Choir: He will say Lead: He will say yes Choir: yes, yes, yes, yes Lead: say yes lord Choir: yes, yes Lead: yes to your will jesus, yes to your will Choir: yes, yes Lead: come on say yes Choir: yes, yes, yes, yes Lead: say yes Choir: yes, yes Lead: come on raise your hand an say yes Choir: yes, yes Ooh Lord can you heal even me lord see I'm comin to you lord just as I am I'm in need of the blood of the lamb oh my oh my soul say yes ad lib and the choir continues with "yes,yes"

You scored as Blue, Your heart is blue. You are a very calm and relaxed person. You are very caring and like helping others. You're grateful for what you have in life, even if it's not perfect. People love you for who you are, don't ever change that- it's what makes you the great person that you are. Blue 71% Yellow 57% Pink 57% White 32% Black 32% Purple 25% Green 21% Orange 7% Red 4% ~What colour is your heart?~ created with QuizFarm.com

What Wondrous Love Is This

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down
Beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb,
Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free
I’ll sing His love for me,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on.

Beyonce Knowles
Time To Come Home

it doesn't matter where you been
or what you did wrong

it doesn't matter who you are
you're always welcome
it only matters that your heart believes
and you confess

if you committed any sin you'll be forgiven

callin on all of god's children
time to come home
if you wanna be delivered
time to come home
i've been rescued by the savior
time to come home
if you wanna be in his favor
time to come home

come on home
come on come on home
oooh yeah yeah
come on home

if you cant see your way out
and you're drowning in your regrets

if you have everything you want
but you still cant find happiness

cuz when you feel like you're forsaken
life can be so hopeless

maybe you need to come home
so your life can be planned

oooh

god's children
time to come home
if you wanna be delivered
time to come home
i've been rescued by the savior
time to come home
if you wanna be
you need to be
time to come home

don't bare the burden all by yourself
(by yourself)
the redeemer's here he's gonna give you help
(give you help)
come unto him and he will give you rest
for any heart that's heavy laden for salvation
ooh

calling all god's children
time to come home
if you wanna be delivered
time to come home
i've been rescued by the savior
time to come home
if you wanna be in his favor
time to come home

my home
your home
in his everlasting arms
my home
your home
in his everlasting arms
don't you know its time to come home
time to come home
deliver me
i've been rescued by the savior
dont you wanna be in his favor
yeah
my home
your home
in his everlasting arms
my home
your home
in his everlasting arms
if you wanna be in his favor
my home
your home
in his everlasting arms
my home
your home
in his everlasting arms

time to come home

ASKING GOD

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own!
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

Jesus Affirms Us

I know that God cares for me and will meet my needs because I am precious to Him.-Matthew 6:25-44

I know that God is always with me. – Isaiah 41:10

I know that God will take care of me. – Psalm 27:10

I trust my hopes and dreams to God. – Psalm 119:116

I know that today’s discouragement will be replaced by tomorrow’s joy. – Isaiah 51:11

I know that God will give me the desires of my heart. – Psalm 37:4

I know that God will fill my life with good things. – Psalm 103:1-5

I know that God’s unfailing love surrounds me and that I can trust Him. – Psalm 23:10

This is just a taste of the truth that you can pull from the Word and apply to your life as an affirmation. No matter the situation or need, there is an answer in God’s Word for you. Speaking God’s Truth over your life has the power to deliver you from bad situations, heal your body of sickness, renew your mind in the truth and transform your life for the better.

Jesus said: "If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Learning to Wait
READ Psalm 25:20-21
What are you and I to think when God withholds His answer to our prayer? Most likely, you've wondered about this at some point. As creatures bound by time, we can find those ticking seconds very frustrating. God doesn't see us simply in the here and now. He perceives the big picture all at once-where we've been, where we are, and where we're going. And, He knows the exact impact on our lives of every little decision, action, or blessing.

Does God want to bring something into your life that would absolutely destroy you? Of course not! He knows what may be a tremendous blessing later could completely devastate your life now. For this reason, He often pauses to give you time to prepare for that blessing. Learning to wait on God is difficult. Patience successfully demands at least three things from us. First, we must be sensitive to Him. That is, we must nurture our relationship with the Father so we can hear Him when He tells us to wait. Second, we must trust His judgment.

Does God know more than we do? Of course. Then doesn't it make sense to trust Him? Finally, we must be obedient. If we try to accomplish something alone after God tells us to wait, then we're headed for disaster. God blesses obedience, even obedient waiting. The Lord doesn't operate in a vacuum. He works within His relationship with you. Never forget He is actively walking with you, even when He withholds an answer to your prayer. It doesn't mean He's not there. It simply means He's looking out for you even more.

Reasons for the Storms of Life
READ 2 Corinthians 1:3-6

The Lord is never taken by surprise. He knows everything we are going through. And He is orchestrating our circumstances for both our benefit and His glory, according to His good will. One purpose for hardship is our cleansing. Because of our own "flesh" nature, and the self-absorbed world we live in, it's easy to develop selfish attitudes, mixed-up priorities, and ungodly habits. The pressures that bear down on us from stormy situations are meant to bring these impurities to our attention and direct us to a place of repentance.

Our trials are not designed to sink us but to purify us and guide us back to godliness. A second reason we face difficulty is so that we'll bring comfort to others. God's work in our lives is not intended solely for us. It's designed to reach a world that does not recognize or acknowledge Him. The Lord uses our challenges to equip us for serving others. As we experience suffering, we will learn about God's sufficiency, His comforting presence, and His strength to help us endure.

Our testimony during times of difficulty will be authentic. Those we minister to will recognize that we know and understand their pain. What credibility would we have with people in crisis if we never experienced a deep need? Reflecting on the divine purpose in hardship can help us respond to them in a God-honoring way. Take a moment to fix your attention on the Lord. Seek to understand what He wants you to learn.

God's Purposes in Our Difficulties

Romans 8:28-29

28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

If we could choose the number of difficulties we want to face in a month, most of us would pick zero. Yet, God sees value in difficult times. Through His mighty power, He uses trials to accomplish His plans. One of God's purposes for us is a growing intimacy in our relationship with Him. But He knows we struggle to put Him first over our own interests.

Many of us place higher priority on family and friends than on companionship with God. For others, finances, work, or even personal pleasures interfere. When the Lord sees that our attention is drifting away from Him, He might use hardships to draw us back so we'll refocus. Another reason God allows difficulties is to conform us to the image of Jesus. Pain is a tool that brings areas of ungodliness to the surface. God also uses it to sift, shape, and prune us.

The sanctification process, the building of Christlike character into our lives, starts at salvation and ends with our last breath. A third purpose for stressful circumstances is to reveal true convictions. Our faith is tested in tough times. It's easy to say, "God is good," when things are peaceful. But when everything goes wrong, what do we believe about Him? Do our words and actions reveal an attitude of trust?

King David endured many heartaches: a disintegrating family, personal attacks, and betrayal by close friends. But through his trials, he gained deeper intimacy with God, stronger faith, and more godly character. Won't you let God accomplish His purposes in your present situation?

Created to Love Others

Mark 12:28-34
28 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?"

29 Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;
30AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.'

31 "The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

32 The scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM;

33AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE'S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.


"Love your neighbor" is a biblical mandate and the foundation of the Golden Rule. But the phrase isn't complete without the two words that follow it. The complete verse reads, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31, emphasis added). We're to be vessels for pouring out the Father's love to others. So, we must treat people the way we want to be treated.

Regardless of our actions or feelings, God is completely in love with us. The proof is in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." And, He did this while all human beings were still His enemies (Romans 5:8-10). No one is worthy of the sacrifice Christ made. But from God's perspective, we are worth it. If He considers each of us that valuable, then we ought to look at others the same way.

Experiencing God's love should inspire us to love our neighbors and everyone else in our sphere of influence—no matter how difficult that may be. Throughout the four gospels, Jesus repeated the command to His disciples. He knew how often His followers, both then and now, would encounter people who are difficult to love. But, the reality is, we are most like God when we serve others and place their interests above our own.

We will certainly come across some people who seem unlovable. But, the commandment still stands: we're to love them as ourselves. This is a powerful evangelism tool. Few can resist the attraction of a loving friend acting on God's behalf. Think of someone in your life today who needs God's love, and put the Golden Rule into action.

The Desires of Your Heart

READ Psalm 37:1-8
1Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
2For they will wither quickly like the grass and fade like the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and [cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.
8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing



You may have heard God's promise to give you "the desires of your heart." But too quick a glance at Psalm 37:4 will lead only to frustration and disappointment. To understand the scope of God's awesome promise, we must explore the conditions He placed around this passage.

First, Psalm 37:1-2 tells us not to fret about or envy "evildoers." In other words, we shouldn't be consumed with the success of unrighteous people. God will deal with them. Your responsibility is to watch your own actions.

Next, verse three instructs us to "trust in the LORD," "do good," and "cultivate faithfulness." God is interested in our maturity. He wants to be able to trust us with life's major decisions, which usually relate to our deepest desires.

In verse four, we are clearly told to "delight… in the LORD." We should seek His desires. If we truly pursue God's good pleasure, our desires will fall right into place.

Then, verse five commands us to "commit [our] way to the LORD" and trust Him. When we focus our steps on His path, we know we're heading in the right direction. God will not bless our sinful missteps. Our duty is to keep to His purposeful plan.

Finally, verse seven calls us to "rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him." Remember, God's timing is perfect. If we see no immediate response to a faithful prayer, we must trust Him enough to wait on His flawless timing.
Are you frustrated by God's response to your desires? Pray through Psalm 37:1-8. Then, ask the Lord to bring your will perfectly in line with His.