How do I show God love?

How do I show God I love Him? Be thankful, open my heart in service to His people and all creation, seek to see my day through the eyes of the Holy Spirit. 

Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

—Matthew 20:26-28

Today's devotion is inspired by LoyolaPress.com 
https://www2.loyolapress.com/e/39532/tent-lld-utm-campaign-lent2018/85zrl9/654649224

Transform

You hear it mentioned often: the glow of an expectant mother, the dazzle of new love, the “lightbulb” that kicks in when you finally get it. . . and Our Lord, Transfigured in the Full Glory of God. The realization of Love is an amazing gift. When we understand what it is to “know”, and hold that knowledge for ourselves, when we open our hearts in love and trust as God intends us to, all things become possible for us. Jesus revealed the true influence of trust and love to us as He stood in the full presence of God. Let Him touch your life today and you, too, can feel this wonderful glow of transforming Love.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 3:18

Interpret

We are taught that our God is a God of Power and Might. He is Goodness and Light, separated from all evil. Yet in scripture today, I read of Jonah in Nineveh, “…He (God) repented of the evil He had threatened to do…” How, can we say God does not do evil when He had to repent of it? We find questions again in “temptation” verses: James says God tempts no one. He allowed Job to be tempted. In 1 Peter we pray to not be put to the test. Our Lord’s Prayer asks to “lead us not into temptation…”. Why do we ask this of God if He will never do it? The Word of God is meant to be interpreted by the mind and spirit. When we relegate it to earthly intellect rather than divine, we confine the description of God to our own minds rather than His. The scriptures are a gift to mankind to draw us into the essence of God. When we seek Him in spirit instead of the physical limitations of our minds, we find purpose, acceptance and peace in His unconditional Love.

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105

Lost

I’m normally an organized person, but when my routine gets a kink in it, something often goes awry. My major repeat is that I lose something, faced with hours and even days recounting my steps. I miss so much: looking down rather than up; checking and rechecking drawers, pockets, etc., wasting valuable time that could be spent elsewhere. Then there are those moments, that even when life seems to be running smoothly, I still feel that sense of loss; something is missing. This is when truly when I need to stop and see where God is leading. When your life feels awry, stop and rest at God’s feet. Feel His peace as He shows you where you need to be. It is never until I sit and ponder my moment, and search ‘why’ I’ve lost an item that I can remember where it is - or at least understand what I did to lose it -- spiritually or otherwise.

Human pride will be humbled, human arrogance brought low, and Yahweh alone will exalted, on that day. – Isaiah 3:17

Fear

Lately, I have been praying that God will place someone in my life each day that I can reach out and help. This comes easy to me when I see someone in a wheelchair struggling to get into their car, or an obviously homeless person that is in need of a jacket; but, when a stranger approaches me dressed as I am, looking “normal”, I find myself doubtful, questioning, and even fearful. What do they truly want from me? Are there good intentions or bad? And as the fear kicks in, I run. But, what if I, rather than ran, prayed? What if I stood my ground and listened for God’s voice? Yes, we must be watchful of the unknown, but without confidence and faith in God, we can never learn the truth. In striving to seek the truth, let us pray for the safety and protection of our Lord, and, in the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we can choose the proper response.

"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' - Matthew 25:40

Fasting

Bring back memories? Sometimes we would also get pork and beans!

If we are unable to gain control of our physical desires, how much harder will it be to command our Spiritual ones? During Lent, we are asked to stay strong and persevere. Doing this together,  starting small with no meat on Fridays, and surrounded with people of faith to remind us 'why', helps us all stay focused on our purpose: To love God, to serve Him and be happy with Him in heaven.

"Yet even now," declares the Lord, "Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning; - Joel 2:17

Friendship

This Lent, the church’s devotions are teaching “Friendship” with God, Our Father. I think of my friendship with my beautiful daughters, each unique in their own special way: an incredible gift. Likewise, my own Father and I have grown very close in our older years, grabbing as many hugs as possible via phone, email, or those precious visits. Developing a friendship with God opens the door to many new and meaningful friendships with those in your daily life. As you travel this Lenten season, enjoy those moments with God and remember to thank Him for being your friend.

Greater love has no one than this; that he lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13

Love

Today is Valentine’s Day . . . AND Ash Wednesday! What a strange combination of special days.  One is celebrating love and the other is - Oh wait! - Celebrating love! When we think of the special treats and gifts we bestow on our favorite Valentine today, let us think of the beautiful gift we can give our Lord in these next forty days preparing for His greatest gift to us on Easter. Giving love from our hearts makes every moment a truly blessed one.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10

Forgetfulness

How often I forget! I leave my cell phone at home. I forget to bring a snack for later when I know I’ll be out late. I become so wrapped up in my forgetfulness that I forget God is in control. He is beside me in every moment to provide all I need to get through my day. Let us reach out with our spirits and not with our material needs and allow His Grace to fill our lives.

Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, . . . Mark 8:17b,18

Struggle

I am struggling with technology again today. Grrrrr!  But God knows this, so why am I so frustrated? He has it all under control and is leading me through this for His purpose. I will keep you posted and hopefully send out a prayer tomorrow. Thank you to the beautiful reader who, once again, gave me encouragement at church yesterday to keep the blog going.

And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. - James 1:4

Prayer

Prayer: that beautiful place in life where you are suspended in between heaven and earth, wishing that everything in this world was ok and longing to be in God’s arms where you never have to worry about anything ever again.

Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.… 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Faith, Hope, Love

Faith makes you see God in the present moment.

Hope brings understanding that something is good in every tragedy.

Love held in a tragedy brings trust in God’s providence.

---- Mother Angelica

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13

Hope

Someone who has never had trials knows very little (Ecc 14:9). Condolences and advice often are freely offered, yet when one actually experiences a like moment, even opinions can change. Age often helps with this because a longer life has had more opportunities to experience; but none can relate and love as unconditionally than our Lord Jesus, who has endured all for us. Reach for the arms of loved ones and relish their words of encouragement; however, placing your pain and suffering in the hands of one who truly knows, will bring you peace.

The spirit of those who fear the Lord can survive, for their hope is in someone with power to save them.  – Ecclesiasticus 14:14

Commit

You never know the full extent of any moment until you fully commit. The excitement (or sometimes fear) in this knowledge always means more is expected from you. Facing each moment truly invested in the cause builds community, strength and hope. Turn to God. Give Him the glory for every work of your hands and you will find blessings in every endeavor. 

Give thanks to Yahweh, call on his name, proclaim his deeds to the peoples! – Psalm 105:1

Response

Today, people will gather around the hole of Punxsutawney Phil, our National Groundhog, waiting for his reaction to the elements around him.  Will he see his shadow and hide, or stay and enjoy the moment? Many times, when shadows find their way into our day, it is tempting to retreat to the den of familiarity and wait for our situation to change. I pray we remember it is God who set the sun in the sky and He who places the clouds around it. To respond in faith to whatever greets us in our day, be it sunshine or shadows, will bring Glory to God's name and peace to our soul.   

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.    1 Peter 4:12, 13

Redirected

Well, I had a devotion written out, but my computer utterly ate it as it decided to shut down on its own and erase my work. Even my auto save is not coming up. When we have days this, we can groan (do groan), or say, its' ok.  The work is Yours, Lord, do with me what You wish. 

Whenever your day feels chaotic or frustrating, remember to stop and place it at God's feet. The day is His, rejoice and be glad in it. 

Someone who thinks himself important, when he is not, only deceives himself. - Galatians 6:3