As a family we are being intentional with reading our way through the book of 1 John which is a book in the New Covenant (New Testament) portion of printed Scripture.
*Many reference the Scripture I refer to and consider Holy (because I believe it to be the living and active WORD of God) as The Bible. You will find in my writings I refer to the collected and printed Word of God as Scripture, not The Bible. I do this because Jesus referred to it as Scripture. There is nothing wrong with The Bible being what folks refer to, I simply choose to imitate Christ in this way.
So anyway, back to 1 John… it is one of my favorite books. There are many reasons for this, the point for today is, as we talked about 1 John 4 (a favorite chapter of mine with a very special verse in it, 1 John 4:16) and myself still in the posture of asking Jesus what, if anything, was meant to be shared today in this blog, this is what I was brought to.
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1 John 4:16
penned by the apostle John, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit being part of the Holy and Triune God whom I have faith in.
To me this verse defines love, which then reminded me of some sharing intentions I had last February (the first through the fourteenth). Those fourteen days I shared “a heart a day” to those within our home. At that time, it was Ryan, Audrey, Spencer, Caleb and two special and lovely international university students (whom we housed for about 3 weeks). On each daily heart, which was cut out of old and barely still colored construction paper (with the help of a friend, thanks Deb), I wrote a truth unique to them, a truth about God’s love, and a short prayer of blessing. Maybe I did it because we were hosting two international students who are not aware of the only love I believe to be perfect, the Love of Jesus. Maybe I saw it as an opportunity for us all to be stirred into action remembering love so often has a sacrifice associated with it, which is not what our culture teaches. Or maybe it was just so my kids had a bookmark for their current read. At any rate, this is what I remembered so I wanted to look back and see if I had journaled specifically about this experience and would share that. Following is my only journal entry from that time frame! Writing those hearts took a lot of time each morning (insert “eek” emoji here). This entry is not specific to the “hearts” but indeed it holds truths around the Love of Jesus and God our Father — for me, for you, for them. Remember dear one, you are fully loved.
February 13, 2019
This is crazy. The slightest change brings change! Jesus you are my King and Lord and I’ve journaled and noted in Scripture and on hearts, but boy, I miss penning here <3
This the 13th day of February I’m nearing the end of “hearts” being shared with our flock.
Your willingness to go to the cross Lord, this is love. There is no thing, no action, no story which can even come close to this gift and display of perfect love!
I do praise You. I will praise You. I do believe You are who You say You are. You got to say it after ALL the years of prophets saying so. You also let them nail you to the tree after You were mocked, flogged, beat, spit upon, humiliated, rejected, scorned, and ridiculed. You willingly remained in this, through it all, THIS is Your example of power, authority, and LOVE. You lived out Your life as the prefect example of “letting” Your Fathers will be done. Because of You, Your Kingdom IS come and one day, will be fully accomplished.
This is love. I see it. I know it. I believe it. This is a gift from You. Thank You. Thank you for leading me. I only trust You for the fruit of that which I sow. I know You know all and everything is perfect in Your plan. You are LORD, my LORD, I love You and have hope only because of You. May my moments of lived life point to being fully abandoned to You. Do not let me put any yoke upon myself. This is known to me and will only steal. Empower me because greater is the gift of Your Spirit within me than the lies of this world which lead me to death. The lies are always here with me, fighting for my heart, my mind, and my soul but I am sealed with You and Your promised presence is mine. You ARE with me. You love, lead, and free me. Thank you.
You have made it so we have today. Today I will taste and see the goodness of who You are to those who love You and You love. Let me live as You say [period]
Father God for Your Glory, in and through the name of Jesus, the name Higher than any other name, my maker, creator, and sustainer… I lay down and leave lie at Your Feet these requests, may it be so. Your beloved.