God is Love

Two days ago, I began talking about why I love Valentine’s Day and why I believe it essential for a marriage. Many know the origins of Valentine’s Day is a celebration of Saint Valentine and blah blah blah. But I have a reason beyond celebrating Saint Valentine and love for my husband and that is God.

I wear a ring on my thumb that simply says “love.” It reminds me that I am loved by an almighty God, my darling husband, and so many people. It also reminds me to love others the way God loves me. One of my favorite verse in the Bible is…

God is love
1 John 4:16b

These three words might look so simple at first glance, but when they are truly pondered, there is incredible depth to them. Without God, we wouldn’t have love for He is love. His love for us doesn’t fade over time. It never changes and is always strong.

The word “love” in the Bible, God’s love, is agape. Agape love is completely selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. It doesn’t need chemistry or compatibility. It endures forever. Agape love isn’t an emotion. It chooses it’s passion. Agape love is redemptive and keeps our hearts pure and whole. It’s the utmost standard of love.

I don’t think we will ever be able to fathom the depth of God’s love. It’s beyond anything our minds and hearts can give on our own.

Of course, God’s love can be extended to all people, not just our spouse, but your spouse should be at the very top of your “To Love” list. When we struggle to love our spouse, we need to turn to God. He will teach us how to love because He is love.

During Valentine’s Day, while you’re showing love to your spouse, children, and others, remember Who loved us first and to love others with the same love as God’s love.

Why Did God Create Sex?

“God created sex to be beautiful and binding. He wrote a whole book in the Bible about it, yet Christians avoid the topic at all costs which leaves children to find out about sex from the world. Let’s look at the reasons why God created sex and maybe, Christians will not be so wary to talk about it.”

Today I am guest blogging at Singing Through the Rain about a topic I love and feel needs to be discussed more in Christian circles: Sex.

Join us over at Singing Through the Rain as we discuss why God created sex!

It's Just Not Time Yet!

When I finally decided to go to sleep last night after yesterday’s blog post, I remembered something I read in “You’re Already Amazing” by Holley Gerth.

Chapter five is about knowing where we are going in our life. A few pages into this chapter, she talks about being encamped in life much like the Israelites after Egypt. So this morning, I re-read that section because that was exactly what I was talking about yesterday.

God’s direction IS clear to us. We know exactly what God’s direction is right now. He just wants us to wait! Just to wait!

We’re being prepared to move forward, but it’s just not time yet. We are being prepared for the future, for the next season of our life, but it’s just not time yet.

It’s just not time yet!

I allowed my emotions to get the better of me this week. I allowed myself to doubt God.

No more!

I know His promises! I know His timing is perfect!

Our bills will certainly be paid through His power. We need to stop doing things in our own power and start trusting His power again.

After all, that’s what my theme for the new year is: Delighting in God’s power!

I’m not relaxing, enjoying, and delighting in God’s power when I’m stressed out and upset with God. Here I am, almost two weeks into 2013, and I’ve ignored my theme for this year. I’m forgetting God’s power.

We know what God is preparing us for, and we know God will work out the details in His time.

Sure, being encamped in the wilderness really stinks; but that’s only if we allow it. I’m going to relax and enjoy the wilderness!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”
Isaiah 55:8

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
Philippians 1:6

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”
Ecclesiates 3:11

“And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”
Exodus 33:14

"God Will Never Give You More Than You Can Handle" Debunked

People will always say to the hurting some well-intended advice whether the person hurting wants it or not. We’ve all done it. I do it more times than I would like to admit.

Sometimes, Christians will give advice that isn’t exactly biblical. The one that really drives me up a wall is…

“God will never give you more than you can handle.”

I hear this on a daily basis. Maybe, even on an hourly basis. I’ll be glancing over my various social media sites, and BAM! There it is.

People, especially Christians, gobble up that line because it makes us feel better and makes us feel like we can stand strong and get through whatever the obstacles are.

But, truthfully, we will fail miserably. We won’t be able to stand through the trials.

God will DEFINITELY give us more than we can handle! 

Because God just wants us to let go of all our issues and hand it all over to Him.

He loves us so much that He just wants us to come to Him all the time for every little problem. He loves us so much that He just wants to take our burdens away.

We need to stop trying to take care of everything on our own because we will fail. When we strive to be strong and handle our own problems our self, we are striving in vain.

Being strong isn’t about fixing our own problems. Being strong is about handing our problems over to God FULLY! 

Our problems aren’t really just our problems, they are God’s too.

You’re probably thinking, “This lady is crazy! It’s not so easy to do this!”

You’re right! It’s not.

Take it slow. Start handing problems to God a little at a time, and, before you know it, it will get easier.

Right now, you most likely feel as if you’re drowning in problems, but each time you trust God, the water becomes more shallow until, eventually, you’re walking arm-in-arm with Jesus on a gorgeous beach.

I Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

God can’t work a miracle in your life until you completely trust Him with the good AND bad. And, dear friend, He desperately wants to work miracles in your life. He desperately wants to take great care of you.

You just have to let Him in.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.