Oh, how Jesus loves you! How He longs to wrap you in His arms and hold you, and to wipe the tears away from your eyes, heart, and soul. Would you allow me to draw you to Him, with words of comfort and hope? I pray these words will begin the healing of your torn emotions. Only the love of Jesus can do this for you. Please "hug Him back" by responding to the love that motivated Him to die for you in the first place; the love that allows Him to feel all the pain you feel right now (Isaiah 63:9; John 11:35-36).
"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:10,11).
Only God can teach us what true love really is and how we can truly love others. The Bible says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13). This is exactly what Jesus Christ did for you and me! His obedience to the cross demonstrates the greatest love ever shown to man.
Christians are to be Christ-like; to continue bestowing His love to the world by example. How do we become Christ-like? How may we remain in His love? Jesus said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love" (John 15:10).
The peace of God which passes all understanding is available for anyone who really desires it and the cost is nothing and, yet, everything. To follow Christ effectively means that we must lay down our lives for Him in return. This includes our pride, self-pity, false guilt, inferiority complex, etc. "His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3).
The Word of God to us through the Bible has been compared to "washing" (Ephesians 5:26,27). We can literally cleanse our minds and spirits through the ingestion of this "living" Word. Living, because the words of truth found in the Bible are alive, active and life-changing today as they were the day they were written. "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63).
Through consistent prayer, the possibility of establishing a personal relationship with our Father God becomes reality. As you speak with God, He, in turn, speaks with you.
We really need one with the other as prayer and Bible reading are much like eating and drinking. The combination of reading the Bible and spending time in prayer will allow God to work in your life. "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
It is amazing how clearly you will begin to see yourself, your motives (right or wrong), and any hindrance or sin of the heart which may prevent God's peace and joy to flow in you.
True friendship with other Christians, and even meeting together on a regular basis for worship with a particular group of believers, is a vital ingredient for your ongoing Christian growth. If you have not already established yourself in a home church of your own, please let us know. Our ministry centers are equipped to recommend a good church in your area.
God will bless you as you commit yourself to godly action and right thinking. Do not look back! When you find you have slipped, just get up again, say a prayer of repentance and go on. Refuse, steadfastly refuse, to be caught up in false guilt (Romans 8:1) and choose daily to live in the attitude of forgiveness, both toward others and yourself.
Find God's perfect will for your behaviour and action in your particular circumstances and determine to live accordingly, as a sacrifice of obedience to the Lord (Psalm 40:6-8; Hebrews 10:5-7). Should you fall out of God's "secret place" of rest, get right back in. Persist in godliness, commit yourself wholly to your faithful Creator and continue to do good (1 Peter 4:19), and the God of peace will be with you.
"Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-30).
Serenity
God created still blue lakes, Slowly drifting clouds, Shady glens, and mountaintops Far away from crowds...
So, when you're feeling pressured And you want to feel serene, Just close your eyes and visualize Your favourite quiet scene...
And when you're feeling calm once more You'll feel God's presence near And in that peaceful state of mind Your cares will disappear!
From the book
"Because I Love You"
by Alice Joyce Davidson
Crossroads is happy to help. In fact, that's the whole reason we exist as a ministry. The daily 100 Huntley Street telecast and the 24-hour-a-day Telephone Ministry line are here for the same reason. You may want to call us as you are reading this: 1-866-273-4444
God loves you and we love you! Please give us the privilege of doing our best to help more. For further ministry, you may contact the Crossroads Ministry Centre by writing to:
Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.
Attn: National Ministry Centre
PO Box 5100
Burlington, Ontario L7R 4M2
