Yes, Jesus loves you. Do you love Him?

Lately I have been really noticing a pattern among many Christians who remain in darkness.

The darkness may lie in depression, family or relationship issues, finances, addictions, and/or emotional, spiritual, mental or physical ailments.

Over and over, in their suffering, I hear them profess how much Jesus loves them.   And then I see the same people  post on their social media sites, that they love Jesus, and trust Him to heal them and answer their prayers. Years go by, and they remain in their same anguish.

When I see and hear the pain they are experiencing, my heart aches for them, and I pray for total healing in their lives.

The troubling pattern is this…many of these same people do not understand that believing that Jesus loves them is only the start.

Even Satan and his demons know that Jesus is God.

Relationship with Jesus is the open, acceptance of His gift of salvation to all of us.

The gift sits there, unopened, until we make the free choice to accept it, and open it. Once opened, do we choose to just let it sit there, or do we interact with Jesus in thanksgiving?

In other words, do we choose to have a relationship with Jesus, or do we just lean on the knowledge that Jesus loves us no matter what?

In a loving, happy relationship, do we just sit back and bask in the love offered to us, selfishly saying “he/she will always love me no matter what I do?”

Do we intentionally dishonor our loved one, by publicly announcing honor and support for another…that is in total opposition or disrespect to our beloved?

Or do we interact with that love…making sure to spend time with our loved one, forsaking others due to our commitment, sacrificing our wants and needs in order to please our loved one, making changes in our behaviors that may hurt our relationship. Thinking of “we” instead of “me.”

Do we do these things in a loving human relationship, however, not so much when it concerns our relationship with Christ?

As Christians, each day brings us opportunities to align ourselves more closely with Jesus.   Many things we are doing that keep us at arm’s length from His total love and mercy. For some reason, we hold back, and look to the world for the answers. We keep looking toward other sources for our happiness, love and “warm fuzzies”.

This is a grave mistake that keeps us from full relationship with Jesus. “Warm fuzzies” do not offer us love, mercy and salvation.

First, let me make perfectly clear, I know that I personally struggle or have struggled with many of these, or other, things. These observations are meant to shine a light on possible ways that we are damaging our relationship with Jesus, thus remaining in “the muck and darkness” year after year.

Little or big doors that we crack open that allow Satan or his demons to enter into our souls, and lives.

Many times we even forget these doors were once opened, or we are unaware at all. I can tell you, that Satan has not forgotten. He uses any point of entry that he can find…he uses our weaknesses, our curiosity, our pride, and our ignorance to infiltrate our lives and souls.

 

Some of the dangerous things I am noticing that are being shared on social media, by Christians, that jump out at me:

Interaction with or sharing of horoscope info

Belief or interest in mediums

Posting memes and/or belief in New Age philosophies

Dabbling in “cute” witchcraft or spells

Claiming to be a Christian, while promoting other World Religions. I am not talking about being tolerant of other religions, which we are called to do. I am talking about treating all religions as though they are one of many truths. In fact, in many cases, sharing quotes from secular sources, and other religions with more ardor than Christianity. As though it is almost an embarrassment to proclaim Christian values, customs, beliefs, and truths.

Worshiping “Mother Earth” instead of The Creator

Taking part and promoting entertainment…movies, books, magazine, games…that are in opposition to God

Spewing hatred, as in labeling and name-calling, toward specific people that we disagree with, instead of simply professing our stand, and praying for and with them.

Professing love for God with words only…and not by showing day to day loving actions and change in our lives

Any of these things, or something I haven’t mentioned, could be part of the darkness you are living in. Confession, and repentance in any area that is in opposition to Our Lord, will allow the light of the Holy Spirit to heal you, inside and out. This total healing may happen in an instant, or may happen gradually, as you grow in faith.  The key is to invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate you and fill your soul with His Holy Presence…and then place your trust in God.

Sometimes, the Lord will allow certain things to remain in your life to help you on your journey to Him, or for His glory. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will live with a deep joy that will help you through any struggle in this life, and you will learn to look to Him in confidence and trust.

Remember, Jesus will always love you! Are you showing your love for Jesus?

 

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy,^[a] drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:19-21

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
 John 14:6

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen.  Romans 1:25

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Become Like Children

And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-4

 

This bible passage has been on my mind a lot lately. Probably because the Lord is using my time with my  grandson, Brayden, to teach me a few things that I need to learn.

Brayden Being Brayden

Spending time with Brayden, and observing him, is one of the biggest blessings I have ever received. As any grandparent knows, this special bond is like no other…there is really no way to describe the love I feel for him. Everything he does amazes me, and when he feels any discomfort or pain, it literally hurts my heart.

“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

 That verse got me to thinking… what does it mean to “become like children?”

Led me to think of the attributes I am noticing in Brayden:

Totally dependent in every way…Lord, help me to open my heart and mind to depend on you to provide for me and to carry me through all that life brings.

 Always learning and growing…Lord, as the years go by, help me to stay open to learning through Holy Scripture and the teachings of The Church, so that I am constantly growing closer to you, and more like you.

Authentic…Lord, help me to become more of who I was meant to be, by allowing me to be transparent. Whether that means sharing my joys and happiness with you, or being honest when I am unhappy, hurt, angry, hungry, thirsty, prideful, frustrated, sinful, confused or weak. For being authentic with you is the way to true relationship.

Filled with wonder…Lord, help me to always have childlike wonder, for you have created most amazing and beautiful things, so that we will know that YOU ARE GOD. Let me never lose the ability to look with wonder at the everyday beauty all around me, especially the beauty of the people in my life.

Intuitive…Lord, as a child has the natural instinct of feeling/knowing when “something is not right”, help me to trust the voice you have placed in my heart, that alerts me to danger and evil. Help me to always stay close to you, so that discernment becomes natural, and I can look to your truth to always guide me.

Learning to trust…Lord, just as a child learns to trust in his own abilities as he learns and grows, help me to trust that I am getting stronger with each step you help me make. Also, just as a child learns to trust those who love him, help me to trust you more and more, as you always love me, and are always there with me.

Persistent…Lord, when experiencing or learning something new, it is sometimes difficult and frustrating. As a child remains persistent in communicating his needs, and also is persistent in trying to overcome an obstacle or perfect a skill, please help me to never give up, and to remain persistent in reaching for you, and the divine purpose you have designed for me.

Seeking comfort…Lord, as a child seeks comfort when lonely, tired, or in distress, please help me to look for comfort in you, and to know that I am safe when nestled safely in your love and mercy.

 

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:10

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3