Extreme Love

Love is in the air and all around. There is nothing that can be better, greater, or more epic than love. Love is great, grand and it is, well, epic! Yes, love is the best and it is truly the most powerful thing in the entire world. Still, the greatest love is the love that God has for you. After all, he loved you so much that he sent his only Son to die for you.  Now that is extreme love! God provided you the greatest example of love and scripture to demonstrate the meaning of love. The most famous of these is 1 Corinthians 13. Take a peek at it substituting your name or in this example "you" for the word LOVE and see how close it comes to describing you:

You are patient and kind. You do not envy, or boast, and are not rude.  You do not insist on your own way, are not irritable, not easily angered, and are not resentful. You do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. You always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere.

How did you do? I personally had more than a few gaps. You may have a few as well. The good news is that Jesus has no gaps. He is God and God is love. God loves you not just a little, but more than you can ever imagine. Walk with him each day. Reflect on his love and over time you will find less gaps and more likeness to him.

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. John 3:16

Lord of the Dance

In the 15 years of writing The Daily Journey, I have been blessed with becoming virtual friends with people across the country. One in particular, Derek Rennie, is a man that I have never met face to face. When we first met online he would share stories of the love for his wife as she was suffering with a condition and tell of times they shared in earlier years traveling.  He spoke of when he lived in South Africa and of his great love from his children and later his granddaughter. He loved the Lord and would share devotionals. sent Christmas cards to one another and prayed for each other, he praying for my then teenagers and I his family, especially he and his wife. 

When his wife passed he missed her so. He would say someday they would met again in Heaven and dance. We joked that eventually we would finally all meet there and have a dance together if she would let me join in. Recently, Dee did go to be with the Lord and his dear wife. I just know they are dancing up a storm in Heaven. This Daily Journey message is in Dee's honor. Dee - may you rest well with Isabel and the Lord and dance until your heart's content. 

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Have you ever had a slow dance with someone you deeply love? The kind where the world and time disappear and all you can know is the warmth of each other and your beating hearts? That is the kind of intimacy Jesus longs to have with you. He wants your undivided and total attention. He longs to have you engaged in knowing how deeply He loves and cares for you. He wants you to be in sync with Him on the dance floor of life each step of the way. It's impossible for Christ to have a relationship with you, and support you through your earthly travels, if you never join Him in the dance or when you dance with Him infrequently. 

How are you dancing with Jesus?

Are you.....

- not dancing at all and standing against the wall of life trying to make it through alone or with others that don't know Him

- doing the jitter bug with a quick and fast paced "Lord, just running by to say hello"

- in the midst of a square dance taking turns with Him between all the other dance partners and constant distractions in your life

- line dancing and going through the steps of ritualistic prayers and traditional obligations

- slow dancing with Him every day and knowing His heart and desires for you

If you don't know Jesus or don't know how to dance with Him, you can come to know Him by giving your life to Him. If you follow Him and know Him as your Savior He will teach you all the steps in the dance of life. Soon you will be a graceful dance partner with the Lord. Life, and your heart, will never be the same! So, what are you waiting for? Jesus is the Lord of the dance. Take His hand and follow Him. 

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. Psalm 149:3

What if you.....

     What if you.....

- referenced your Bible as often as you do you cell phone

- spent as much time in prayer as you do complaining

- trusted more and worried less

- loved those that you have differences with

- gave others the things you have stored away and never use

- took the time to say thank you to someone that does what to them seems ordinary

- started a movement to make a difference in even just one life

- visited someone that lives alone or is lonely

- encouraged a young person that is having a tough time

- apologized instead of being stubborn 

- increased the amount of joy in the corner of the world you live in

 - cared for others as much as Jesus does

The impact you have on others and on the world is significant. Don't underestimate your potential or power to take up the mission of Jesus Christ and love your heart out. You will be blessed, filled to overflowing, and have much joy when you do. Spread love wherever you go and leave everything better than you found it.

 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

Joy

It's a great day! The sun may not be shining and it may be the middle of winter but still you are filled with joy. Your joy does not depend on the weather or the season. It is not something that requires a special 

occasion or celebration. The joy you possess is not limited. It doesn't decrease over time or require that you replenish it. Your joy can be tapped into no matter where you are at any time.

True joy is a result of knowing and having a relationship with Jesus. He is the source of joy. Jesus doesn't require you to earn joy or do something to be the recipient of it. Joy flows abundantly from Christ as you fellowship with Him. Soon, you will come to know a joy that is like no other. You will be all filled up and beaming with joy! 

The best aspect of Christ's joy is knowing that you can reach out to Him in any situation. He will provide steadfast assurance that He is in control and has your best interest well in hand. That is the biggest joy of all.

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24

Abundance

 

Isn't it heartwarming when actors winning awards, athletes crossing the finish line and even some brave politicians publicly thank and give praises to God?  Wow! That to me really shows character. Sure it is easy to seek God in times of trouble or hardship but it is even more important to lift our hands and voices to Him when we are blessed and full. Abundance comes from God. He will fill your cup to overflowing when you set Him as your highest priority.

Are you acknowledging God when you are blessed? It doesn't matter the season or reason just know that your gratitude and reverence to God is always something that is important.  When all is well and life is so very full you can easily become so caught up that you forget to spend time in praise and fellowship. Do not lose focus on what matters most.

Father, thank you for all your blessing and for abundance. You are our reason for our lives and we praise you for caring for, loving and keeping us. You fill us up Lord and we love you always. 

When you are full, don't forget to be reverent to him and to serve him and to use his name alone to endorse your promises. Deuteronomy 6:13