God's Love Never Fails

Your Love Never Fails

As I was listening to this song I was reminded that no matter what happens in this life, God's love never fails. It endures forever. We cannot escape His love. We cannot mess up so much that we lose His love. His love is there even in the midst of our most trying storm. And He's bridged the gap between Him and us by sending His precious son, Jesus to die on a cross for us. If that isn't love, then I don't know what is. I mean, we were God's enemies and still Jesus chose to go to the cross. For us...ENEMIES OF GOD. Do you realize how unheard of that is? Romans 5:7-8 tells us:

"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Isn't that an incredible example of unconditional love? He didn't wait for us to clean up our act. He certainly didn't think that we would ever be perfect in our own strength. And this is probably the most amazing thing to me. For a lot of years I felt that God could never love me because of my imperfections. Even now I still mess up. And I feel so bad about it. Well, the enemy immediately tries to play on that guilt feeling. And then I get this gentle reminder that, no matter how many times I mess up, Jesus' blood was enough. My sins have been forgiven. Past, present and future. And I marvel at the fact that Jesus totally understands whatever I am going through, and has made provision for me to come boldly to the throne of grace. Hebrews 4:15-16 says:

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I don't know about you, but I am pleased to know that nothing I did or can do saved me, and nothing I can do can separate me from His love. 

Okay, so some of you are probably questioning why I'm putting this song on my post. It's not a Christian song. Well, first let me say, I don't listen to just "Christian" music. I love musical styles from all genres. Besides that, I think the lyrics to this song have a meaningful message even for the believer. Let's take a look:

"Drive"

Sometimes I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear 

And I cant help but ask myself how much I'll let the fear take the wheel and steer 

It's driven me before, it seems to have a vague 

Haunting mass appeal 

Lately I'm beginning to find that I 

should be the one behind the wheel 

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there 

With open arms and open eyes yeah 

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, I'll be there 

So if I decide to waiver my chance to be one of the hive 

Will I choose water over wine and hold my own and drive, oh oh 

It's driven me before, it seems to be the way 

That everyone else get around 

Lately, I'm beginning to find that when I drive myself, my light is found 

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there 

With open arms and open eyes yeah 

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, I'll be there 

Would you choose water over wine 

Hold the wheel and drive 

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there 

With open arms and open eyes yeah 

Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, I'll be there

Okay, so did you get anything from that? I think that it has a lot to say about allowing fear to steer our course. And to me, it's also telling us that a vast majority fall prey to the grip of fear. Sometimes I think that when we hang around those who are afraid we too join in and feed off of that fear. Oh, don't get me wrong, we all have struggled with fear in our lives. But it's what you do in the midst of fear that will determine the grip it has on you. I find that if I am afraid to do something, surrounding myself with people who are fearless prompts me to be a bit more fearless myself. Of course, that can work in a good or bad way, depending on the crowd you're running with. The Bible is full of scriptures that say, "fear not." So I would venture to say that fear is not a good thing when we're following the leading of God in our lives. But then, there is a healthy fear. That kind of fear is our warning system that is designed to keep us safe from harm. Like when a rattlesnake is shaking its rattler, about to strike you. Common sense should tell you not to try to pick it up. 

I don't want to be foolish when it comes to ignoring signs that something is harmful. But I also don't want to be foolish and allow fear to prevent me from living out the destiny to which I am called. I want to be obedient to the leading of the Lord, and step out in faith to do all that He has for me to do. 

Over the years I've heard many a message talking about how it's not all about me. But today I had this grand revelation. Haha...well, not really that grand, I suppose. Anyway, I was thinking about how many times I've sat at church services over the years, listening to a message and I thought, "Oh I wish____was here to hear this message." Or maybe I was reading my Bible and thought "This is a verse_____needs to read." But guess what...it's not a message or a Bible verse for someone else. It's for ME. Every word written in those pages of scripture was written for me. Every time I see something that stands out I need to examine my own heart. I need to see where I need to change. I can't change the world, but with God's help I can change me. 

Matthew 7:3-5 says:

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Meditating on that made me wonder if perhaps we need to be a little more "me" focused when it comes to fixing the sin in someone's life. But human nature has this tendency to want to point fingers. Maybe it's our way of making ourselves seem less horrible. We think it's a major sin to commit murder (and it is), but how often do we think about the hate we may have for someone? Isn't that the same as murder in the eyes of God? And what about pointing fingers at an adulterer while we are lusting in our hearts? Doesn't God say to lust is the same as adultery? And what about those sins we seem to sweep under the carpet? You know, the ones like gossip, slander, lying, pride, bitterness, unforgiveness, disobedience to God's word, etc.? "Oh, but everyone does that," you say. Does that make it right? Does it make it any less offensive to God? No, it doesn't. 

It is my thinking that the more horrific we see our own sin, the less judgmental we become towards others. God's hand is not too short to save even the most disgusting sinner we can imagine. It's a hard pill to swallow at times. But without the blood of Jesus, we would all suffer the same consequence as the murderer, the child molester, and any other sinner. Once again I am reminded of that parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector found in Luke 18:9-14:

To some who were confident  of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God I thank you  that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers,-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Recognizing our own sin is essential as we grow and mature in Christ. We can never get so prideful that we think we've got it all together and no longer need to change anything. It should raise a red flag when we start to think we're above being tempted and caught up in sin. So the next time you hear a message and start to think, "I wish ___ was here to hear this," stop yourself and ask God to show you how that message may apply in your own life. 

When people are hurting, they want answers. And often times they come to the church to seek those answers. While we may not have the answers they are looking for, we can offer our love and support in their time of grieving. In recent weeks many people have been murdered in this city. Paxon Revival Center has been the church to step up to the plate and offer their love, their support, and their facility for the homegoing services of those whose lives were lost. As a result, Pastor Dobbs has received criticism. As much as I hate it, that is to be expected when you are doing what God would want you to do. People will mock you and insult you. They will ridicule you and make accusations about your motives. I thought about these verses in John 15:18-20:

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."

It's bad enough when the world criticizes you, but often times the people who should have your back (your brothers and sisters in Christ) do the very same thing. I think my daughter said it best when she text messaged me earlier (after I told her about the criticisms). She said:

"Instead of criticizing the church that did do what Jesus would have done, maybe the other people should be more concerned with why their church didn't. The problem is shunning other people just because they don't go to your church instead of embracing them in their time of need and showing them love." 

This is not to say that other churches haven't extended love and support. I don't know who has or hasn't. All I know is, people are quick to assume things and they usually don't have a clue. Pastor Dobbs, I applaud you and your church for offering people a place to feel loved, a place to seek comfort and support in their darkest hour. Hold your head high! 

When Jesus had an encounter with a person or group of people, love didn't stop him from being truthful about their condition. But how he presented truth didn't come across as condemnation or judgment. His words were seasoned with mercy, compassion, and genuine love. And this love was without condition. He didn't give you a bunch of rules to live up to before you could follow him.

So many times people who profess to be Christians are quick to spew their accusations and judgments toward those who believe differently or to the lost. They have this misguided notion that it's done out of love. After all, they are trying to keep someone from hell, right? As I thought about that, I was reminded of a time when a man I knew was basically assaulting me with his words about my moral condition. I was so angry, and all he was doing was pushing me further and further from the God he claimed to serve. Having grown up in church most of my life, I knew his methods weren't right. A while later, I was talking to a woman who had been a Sunday school teacher when I went to church as a child. I was sharing some of what he had said, and how he had said it. As we talked she touched on everything he had said. But there was a major difference. She was conveying truth to me, but it was done in gentleness and love. She was extending mercy and hope. It touched my heart. I meditated on it for days after that conversation, and I realized that this was a God I wanted to serve.

There are days when I may not be quite as merciful and kind as I should be. And I think back to how I felt all those years ago and I have to ask myself, "Would my behavior make anyone want to serve God?"  I never want to hinder someone from coming to know Jesus as Lord. So for today my prayer is, "Lord let me love as you love. Let me show mercy, as you have shown me mercy. Give me eyes of compassion. Give me hands and feet ready to serve."

So many times we come to church expecting a dynamic worship experience, an encounter with God. We go through the three fast, two slow songs, led by some really hip musicians and singers (preferably younger people). Most likely a charismatic personality leads the group. Everything is planned out to have an "experience" better than the time before. And while I love a good song service, and believe that many are worshiping, at times I may question if these displays of tremendous emotion that occur in those services are more about what we get than about worshiping God. If we are to worship in spirit and truth, then shouldn't we know the truth? Shouldn't we recognize the holiness and worth of God? Shouldn't we know what Jesus did for us? I'm not saying that an immature believer can't worship God. They can. But shouldn't believers be ever learning about this God we serve? And shouldn't our revelation of who He is and what He's done then ignite a deeper passion to worship. I remember a service once where the speaker talked about the depth of God's love for us. He spoke about His sending Jesus to die on a cross for us. But it didn't stop there. Nope. He went on to tell about the agony of the cross. The physical aspects of it were told in great detail. It was almost like I could see it. As he spoke, I wept. All my life I knew that Jesus died for my sins, but I had never fully realized the depth of the sacrifice He made. Talk about a defining moment. This knowledge of what Jesus went through made me want to worship Him even more. In times past I may have thought, like so many others, that singing a song equated to worship. But at that moment, I needed no song. I was overwhelmed with an emotion that was a direct result of the truth of God's word coming to light. It was like scales that had blinded me were removed from my eyes. I think there is no greater feeling we can experience than the one we get when we have a revelation like that. It's hard to even explain. Humility is a word that comes to mind. Now you may be wondering how humility can be intertwined with worship. Let me assure you, it is. So many of the words used to describe worship reflect that. I was thinking about that passage in Isaiah 6:1-8:

6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah saw the King, the Lord Almighty, and he was ruined. Isn't that how we should be? He recognized the holiness of God and his own unholiness. He was totally humbled. Who could possibly live up to that holiness? In ourselves, we could never attain that kind of holiness. We are flawed, sinful people. So where is our hope? Our hope is found in the precious blood of Jesus, the atonement for our sins. And when we see that it will humble us as well. And notice that Isaiah was spurred into action. And we will be too. We will be willing to do whatever God would have us do. Even go to Africa if that was what He wanted (I had to throw that in). And sometimes doing what God wants will take us far from our comfort zone. But let's get back to humility for a moment. There's a definition that says something about taking the position of a lower rank. For example, a general is a higher rank than a private. With God, He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. There is none above Him. And it is essential to realize this when we attempt to come into His presence and worship. So yes, humility is required when we worship God. 

An awesome word about the state of worship in the church. Give it a listen. 

Today I was thinking about passion. This song immediately came to mind. When we are passionate about someone we are willing to chase after them, to spend our every moment with them. When I first met my husband I was always anxious for him to get home from work just so I could see him. When I was away from him I awaited his call so I could hear his voice. I dropped everything to be with him. I laid aside any plans I might have had. And I would do just about anything to please him. As I type the words, I think of Paul and the passion he had to fulfill his call. It wasn't just about doing something and checking it off of the Christian to do list, however. His passion to fulfill his call stemmed from a deep abiding love for the Father. His primary concern was to do the will of the God. And this is where all of our passions should emerge-a love for Christ and seeking to do whatever He'd have us do. Paul laid down his life to pursue the things of God. He didn't care if it might cost him everything, including his life. He placed that much value on Him. That, my friend, is true worship.

This song also reminds me of that longing for an encounter with God. We should desperately seek to be in His presence, not just to ask for something, but to love on Him, and to have Him love on us. Communication with God is essential in knowing His plans and purposes for our lives. How many of you have ever asked the question, "What is my purpose in life?" Probably a vast majority of us have. And the older we get, the more we may question our purpose. Maybe we're looking back over our lives and we have regrets for the things we never did.Or perhaps those things we did seem trivial in light of eternity. Spending time with God can help us to steer our course.

As Christians our primary purpose in all we do should be to bring glory and honor to God while building His kingdom. Now you may be thinking, "Well, I know that much." The problem is, we often don't know how this ties into what we are supposed to be doing with our lives. God has gifted each of us and placed dreams and desires within us. Those passions to do things can be used in some way to honor God.  Does that mean everything we do has to be done within the church setting? No, it doesn't. But it's nice to use those gifts in the church, to help build up and encourage the body. Churches are made up of more than just pastors and teachers. They need people with technical skills, photographers, those with electrical skills, mechanical skills, crafty ideas, love for teenagers or children, people who are sociable and not afraid to greet others and welcome them, people who have a gift of helps, singers, musicians, prayer warriors, writers, people who can clean and organize, cooks, those who are interested in helping those less fortunate, whether in a foreign country or our own cities, builders, etc. Anything we can think or imagine to do can be used in a way that will show the love of Christ within the church walls, and also outside of those walls. We cannot limit ourselves.

The other day I was reading a post on Facebook and it got me thinking about how many Christians make nonbelievers and immature believers think that God is nothing more than a dictator of rules and regulations. Some believers are so quick to point out all the dos and don'ts of Christianity. But I have to wonder if this is what God intended for us to do.

When a person is not born again our job as Christians should be to preach the good news. And what is the good news? Isn't it telling people about the love that God showed us by sending His son to die for us? Isn't it extending hope to the hopeless? We have all sinned and fell short of the glory of God, but because of Jesus' blood we can now have access to a holy God. And guess what. We don't have to do anything other than receive this free gift. We are saved by grace, through faith, and that is a precious gift given by God. It's not about following a set of rules. It's not about anything we can do now or in the future. I once heard a woman say that a certain young man couldn't possibly be saved because he had tattoos and piercings and his hair was not normal. She was a believer who had served God for more years than that boy had been alive. I was angry when I heard her say that. Shouldn't she know that salvation wasn't determined by those things?

As for the believer, we have the Holy Spirit who can guide us into all truth. That's not to say that other believers can't share what they have gleaned from the word over the years and possibly save us a lot of aggravation if we heed their instruction (after checking it out in scripture, of course). But when a person becomes so legalistic in the rules and leaves no room for God's mercy and grace, then it becomes an overbearing weight placed upon the shoulders of believers who may not be mature enough to handle that. I am reminded of the Pharisees we read about in Matthew 23. They went through all the motions of religion, didn't they? But apparently their motives were not to please God, but to be seen by men. Still, they acted all righteous, all the while making demands on people that they themselves weren't living up to. They were hypocrites. And often times, that is what we find on the other end of a pointing finger. Judgment is reserved for the one righteous judge. Now, this does not mean we can't be corrected. But correction must be given from God's word, and with gentleness. Certainly no one really likes to be corrected, but when we are seeking to do the will of God, we know that correction is for our benefit. And when it's done in a loving, merciful way, it displays characteristics of Christ. Those who gently correct, and who extend a little compassion and mercy are clearly in a relationship with the God they serve. They are seeking to magnify Him, to share His love, and not to be some power hungry minister who tells everyone what they must do.