My nephew sent me this prayer that he found.  So I thought I would share it with you as well.  Let it speak to you as it has spoken to me. 

 

Adorable Redeemer

Adorable Redeemer, you who was lifted upon a cross
and now ascended to highest heaven.
You, who as a man of sorrows was crowned with thorns,
are now as Lord of life wreathed with glory.
Once, there was no shame deeper than yours,
no agony more bitter, no death more cruel.
Now, there is no exaltation more high,
no life more glorious, no advocate more effective.
You are in the triumph car leading captive your enemies behind you.
What more could be done than you have done!
Your death is my life, your resurrection my peace,
your ascension my hope, and your prayers my comfort.

(Take from Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions)

When we women think of a love story it usually begins with a woman and a man meeting.  The plot may be similar to the 1999 movie Mansfield Park, based on the novel by Jane Austen.  Very soon in the story we learn that Fanny Price is in love with Edmund ever since she was a young girl.  You think that he cares for her in the same way.  Yet, enter Mary Crawford and Edmund has eyes only for her.  You grief with Fanny over her unrequited love, how can Edmund pursue Mary and want her to be her his wife?  Does he not see that she isn’t a woman of good character?  Poor Fanny as she has to watch all of this unfolding before her with no one to confide in.  And Edmund seems to have created a woman in his head whom he pictured Mary to be and finally comes to the realization that she was not who he thought she was at all.  In the end, Edmund seems to wake up and realize that the love of his life has always been in front of him.   He recognizes that has been in love with Fanny all this time.   In the movie, when Edmund goes to tell Fanny that he loves her, she thinks he is just telling her in a brotherly like fashion and you can’t help but relish in this a bit as she barely looks up from her book and casually tells him she loves him too.  For we think Edmund should feel at least a twinge of pain that Fanny went through while he was pursuing that other woman.   Edmund then makes his point clear that it is a love between and a man and a woman, Fanny is elated and tells him she too loves him and they live happily ever after.  You breathe a sigh of relief and rejoice with Fanny as she has finally received her heart’s desire, the love of her life. 

As a woman the desire for a good love story to take place in your life is an exciting prospect.  The desire to be loved and to love someone back is what you seem to be created for.  God did create us for companionship and most of us marriage is something that is probable.  Yet, I do not want to write about a love story between a man and a woman, but about finding the true love of your life, the greatest love you can ever know.   

You may remember the popular television show Touched by an Angel.   The angels, Monica, Tess, & Andrew coming to the aid of someone new each week, with their purpose of telling the individual they were assigned to that God loved this individual dearly.   This message of God’s love changed that person’s life forever.   In life this is a very real message for God does love you and me, a love that is beyond measure and does change one’s life forever.  When I think about how much God loves me (and you) I am so overcome with emotions that the only way to release my feelings is to let the tears flow; tears of joy, tears of gratitude, tears that express more than I could ever convey with words.  Even now as I write and ponder God’s love for me the emotions are rising within. 

As Easter approaches, this is a time to remember how much God loves us.  For Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Please take time out to reflect on this verse and to think about this amazing love.  This is your heart’s desire, the love of your life is Jesus. 

My prayer for you today is found in 2 Thessalonians 3:5 taken from the New Living Translation,   “May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”  

Recently, I have been studying the life of Abraham through the life of Joseph.  It has been a great study, even though I have heard and read these stories over and over again.  It is amazing how God’s word always has something new to teach you.  This time as I read the focus was about encountering God rather than experiencing the blessings of God (even though the blessings took place). 

The lives of these men and women are so prevalent to us today.  Like us, each had their struggles such as, marital issues, dysfunctional families, struggled with generational sins, celebrated birthdays, babies were born, experienced loneliness and lack of contentment, prosperity took place, called to leave their families to start a life in a new place, etc.  During all the craziness that went on in the lives of this family, God still showed up.  He showered them with His blessings, His steadfast love, His mercy, His protection, His faithfulness, His provision, His goodness, etc.  However, the most important thing is that they encountered God. 

As I read about the individuals who are the focus of these stories, I found my attention more on the women who were highlighted.   These women had encounters with God, yet, they did not allow these encounters to affect their lives for the long-term.  It saddened me to read about their dissatisfaction, their controlling habits, and their manipulations each allowed and acted out in their lives.  Their actions greatly affected those around them, especially the behavior of Leah and Rachel.   Granted these two women were thrust into a situation that was not ideal, however, this did not excuse their conduct.  Here we have two women, two sisters, who longed for what they did not have.  Leah desired her husband’s love, but was blessed with many sons were she found short-lived happiness.  To Leah, her sons were meant to force Jacob’s attachment to her.  Rachel had Jacob’s love, but she did not appreciate it and blamed him for not giving her the sons she thought would bring her happiness.  The focus of these two women was on the object or objects they wanted to acquire not on what it should have been.  Each woman wanted what they didn’t have and missed out what they did have; missing out on God Himself. 

How often do we desire the blessings from God or the things we want God to bless us with and ignore the encounters we have had with Him?  Take time out today to encounter Him, not what He can give you on a tangible level.  Believe me you will find that your encounters with Him are far more precious and long lasting. 

Read Genesis 29:31-Genesis 30:1-24 for Leah and Rachel’s story. 

Read Genesis 12-Genesis 50 for the whole story. 

Our new semester for small groups starts in just a few weeks.  The planning is over, leaders have chosen their studies, the brochures are fresh from the copier, and our leaders are praying and gearing up for the upcoming weeks.  Now all we need is YOU. 

I am always excited when we a launch a new semester of small groups because I can’t wait to see who goes to what group and to hear how life is happening for my church family.  Right now some of you are looking at the listing of groups trying to make the decision as to the group you plan to attend.  While others of you are saying, I just do not have time to be in a small group.   Yet, I encourage you to make the time.   God desires for us to be in relationships with one another.

God calls us to be in community with one another.   In Acts 2:42-47 speaks of the new believers doing life together being a part of the body of Christ.  Ephesians 4:3 tells us that it takes both God’s power and our effort to produce a loving Christian community.   A small group provides an opportunity for people to find authentic community and deeper relationships that lead to a closer walk with God through Christ.   There is just no and, if’s or buts, we are to stay connected to one another.   So I encourage you this semester to find a group to part of if you haven’t already.  This coming Sunday, check out your New Life location’s small group brochure and commit to a group for the next 10 weeks.  You will be glad you did. 

Here are 12 reasons to ponder from an article I read by Richard J. Krejcir as to Why You Should Join a Small Group. 

1. Small groups are the perfect place to understand and practice authentic relationships to feel apart of God’s family.
2. Small groups are the perfect place to practice our call to be discipled and make disciples
3. Small groups are the perfect place for Spiritual growth to make His truth come to life in our lives (Matt. 28:18-20).
4. Small groups are the perfect place to understand the Bible and heartfelt prayer and put it into action.
5. Small groups are the perfect place to unwind, release your stress and reprioritize your life.
6. Small groups are the perfect place to have our needs met and dealt with and fulfill those burdens in others is in a stable community. In this way we can handle stress, crisis, changes and the pressures of life better.
7. Small groups are the perfect place to be in study of His Word and to be in prayer, we do this individually but we are also to do it in community.
8. Small groups are the perfect place to welcome your friends into the church and introduce them to Christ.
9. Small groups are the perfect place to develop our skills, leadership and ministry so we can be better servants of our Lord.
10. Small groups are the perfect place to understand how to share Christ with loved ones and coworkers.
11. Small groups are the perfect place to deepen your understanding and practice of worship.
12. Small groups are the perfect place to put into practice the teaching you are receiving from your church, radio, web and your personal devotions. Remember the phrase ”one another” is used over 50 times in the New Testament to describe our relationship to other believers. So, small groups are the perfect place to be with one another!

I am from a small town in the mountains of East Tennessee and lived there for the majority of my life.  I moved to Chicago 14 years ago, and as you might imagine there are some differences within the two communities.  Although there may be differences, there is one thing the two towns have in common, mice. 

Lately, I have had some pretty creepy experiences with mice.  Some of you may think, oh brother, its mice live with it.  But you see, I don’t think you have to or should have to live with those creepy little intruders.  I did not invite them into my home, my house is clean, and there is nothing for them in my home.  Plus there is a perfectly good field across the street.  (I mean they are called field mice for crying out loud.) 

Until recently I did not realize the phobia I had when it came to mice.   It all started with finding two dead mice in the same spot two weeks apart.  I thought is someone trying to drive me mad.  Then I did not have any sightings for some time.  However, about two or three months ago, four intruders decided that they were going to be resilient and hang around.   I had the Orkin man out three times in one month.  Yet, these little creatures would not leave.  It seemed to be immune to the poison and traps.  I was unable to feel comfortable in my home and had terrible time sleeping; the noise they make at night does not leave one feeling well rested. 

Anyway, I begin to pray and asked others to pray for these nasty intruders to be gone from my home.  I mean God can do anything and he does care about all things that take place in our lives.  However, He also uses things to teach us something.  As I begged God to take the nasty things away, send them to the field across the street, just remove those vermin’s from my home.    God begin to place on my heart the meaning of being thankful.  I began reading Philippians 4, reading again how we are to pray with thanksgiving and to learn to be content no matter the situation.   I found myself beginning to pray with a heart of thanksgiving, for the provision God had for me with where I lived, with my job, my friends who were praying for my situation, and for so much more.  As my prayer changed, I began to see things differently and began to be content in my situation.  I will say in no time the intruders were gone and have not returned.  I have been mice free for one month now.   Praise God.   He cares and he hears our cry. 

I leave you with this wonderful reminder from Philippians 4:4-7:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Last night I was glancing through a Bible Study to see if I wanted to lead it for a small group.  As I was skimming it, I noticed the author posed a question that seemed to leap off the page and demanded my attention.  So I stopped and took time to reflect on this question.  I am so glad I did for I found this to be a wonderful time of praise.   It was such a good time, that I felt I had to share this with you. 

Here is the question:  “What are some of your favorite promises from God’s Word? “

Let me share a few promises that I began to contemplate:

“I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful.” 2Timothy 2:13

“His love endures forever.”  Psalm 136

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” “Romans 8:38-39

During this Christmas season, we celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promise of the Messiah; the birth of our Lord and Savior.  “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders.  He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.  The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end.  He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now and forever more.” Isaiah 9:6-7

God’s Fulfillment:  "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

God keeps His promises.  Spend time rejoicing in His promises, for He is faithful.  His love endures forever.  Can I hear an Amen!  

What about you?  What comes to mind when asked this question?  What are some of your favorite promises from God’s Word?   Today, please share with someone your favorite promises from God’s Word.

In 1994, I moved to Chicago to attend graduate school.  My plan was to be here for 2 years with the possibility of going oversees or moving back to Tennessee. Now it is 14 years later and I am still in Chicago.  Who knew? 

When I first arrived, I looked at this city and thought, “How in the world am I going to make friends here?”  It seemed like it was going to be an impossible task to get to know people. I did not know a soul in this city and I didn’t know my way around. I mean, Chicago is huge compared to my hometown in TN.  Yet, I am amazed at how many people I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know in the past 14 years, as well as experience what the city has to offer. 

Looking back at when I first came here with my 2-year plan, I would have never thought that the plan would change and evolve into me working for a church and continue to live in Chicago. The biggest and most pleasant surprise is that I would have never dreamed that I would have so many people in my life that mean so much to me. It has been my privilege to attend several churches here in Chicago and have been richly blessed by them. Yet, New Life Community Church has become something more.  It is not only a place where I worship and work; New Life has become a group of people that has developed into my family. 

During my years here in Chicago I have changed jobs, addresses, and my place of worship many times. However, I have never had the desire to change my city fromChicago to somewhere else (well maybe when it is 30 below).  Chicago has been my home for 14 years and New Life Community Church has been a part of my life for 7 of those years. Both have become a place filled with family and friends, a place for me to experience community in a way I never could have if I had stuck to my 2 year plan instead of God’s.  Who knew?