I pray you have been feeling the love of God as you’ve prayed for strength to comprehend His love 🙂 In the last post we focused on God’s electing love for us. Today, we’ll dive into another way in which God’s love for us is manifest: our forgiveness. 

In chapter 4 of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul gives instructions about how to walk in the new life. He wrote that we are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds (v.23), to speak the truth to our neighbor (v.25), to be angry without sinning (v.26), and to build one another up (v.29). While all of these commands are challenging to say the least, he concludes the chapter with perhaps the most difficult command of all: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (v.32). 

Let’s think about that for a moment. In what manner did God forgive us? 

He forgave completely. This means there is no limit to His forgiveness. There is no sin that is beyond the bounds of what He can forgive. Murder. Adultery. Sexual immorality. Lying. Stealing. All of it is covered by the blood of Christ.  And not only is it covered, but it is fully forgiven- as in it is never held against us. It’s not even remembered! In God’s perfect love and forgiveness, He keeps no record of wrongs. As Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” 

This complete forgiveness releases us from eternal condemnation and gives us eternal life. And not only eternal life, but peace with God in the here and now. No longer are we alienated from God, but we are brought near to Him. No longer do we belong to the kingdom of darkness but to the kingdom of his marvelous light (Colossians 1:13, 1 Peter 2:9).  

He forgave graciously. While the following two posts will touch on this in more detail, for now, I wanted to communicate that God didn’t just forgive us with neutrality. Rather, the relationship between God and the sinner is one of complete reconciliation. It is a relationship that is fully restored; a relationship in which God lavishes upon us the riches of His grace. 

Of course, the forgiveness of our sin was only possible because a perfect substitute took our place. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, absorbed the full and complete wrath of God on our behalf so that God can look at us and call us fully forgiven.

I encourage you to read through the Scriptures referenced above. Use them as your prayer guides! Praise God for His forgiveness, recognizing that it is out of His love for you that He has given you this amazing gift. 

The last post focused on our need to pray for strength to comprehend God’s love (Ephesians 3:16-19). I hope you have been able to incorporate this request into your regular prayer routine! As we continue to pray for this strength, we’ll focus our attention on specific ways God’s love for us is made known in His word. For today, let’s focus on the word, chosen. 

One amazing aspect of God’s love for us is that He has chosen us to be His. Ephesians 1:4-5 makes God’s electing love very clear: “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” 

Remember: before Christ made us his own we were spiritually dead. This means we were unable to respond to God- unable to choose Him. But God. Because He loved us and chose us, He made our dead hearts alive (Ephesians 2:5) and drew us to Him (John 6:44). Now, before we get a big head, we must also know that God’s choosing was not based on any merit or effort of our own. As the Apostle Paul stated in Romans, it was not because of good or bad that we would have done, but because of God’s will and mercy (Romans 9:11,16,18)

The Apostle John echoes this truth. In Revelation 13:8 he tells us that before the foundation of the world, God wrote our names in the Lamb’s book of life. Think of it! Before we even existed- before we could do any right or wrong- our names were written! Additionally, Psalm 139:16 affirms that He knew us before we came to be; that before we were born, He saw our unformed substance. In His love, He chose to call us His own (Psalm 71:6, Psalm 22:9).  

Spend some time reading the verses mentioned above. Praise God that He is sovereign over everything, including our salvation. Praise Him for His good and perfect will. Praise Him because He is holy and good. Thank Him for setting His love upon you and for writing your name in the Lamb’s book of life. 

*I also encourage you to check out the song “Before the Earth was Formed” by Brice Davis on Youtube or Spotify. This song is a beautiful way to praise God for His electing love 🙂  

If you’ve ever struggled with knowing how to pray for someone, I encourage you to read the letters written by the Apostle Paul! His prayers for his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are some of my favorite passages in the epistles. However, one prayer ranks above them all. In chapter 3 of Ephesians, he lets his spiritual siblings know that he bows his knees before the Father so that they might have strength to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of God in Christ (Ephesians 3:16-19). 

Have you ever thought about that? Paul is telling us that God’s love is so big- so incomprehensible- that it requires God’s strength to understand it! Although our finite minds will never fully comprehend God’s love this side of eternity, our limited minds should not discourage us from trying! Just the opposite- as much as possible, we should set our minds on the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5). 

I don’t know about you, but as good as that last sentence sounds, I often have trouble executing that plan! Paul knew this too, which is why he prayed for the Spirit to empower the believers to know God’s love. 

Have you ever thought about praying this prayer for yourself? For others? Admittedly, asking for God’s help to grasp His love is something I’ve rarely prayed for. But what a beautiful thing for which to ask! Our Father in Heaven desires for us to know His love, and He will not deny His children this privilege. 

Over the next 4 posts we will focus on specific ways God has manifested His love for us in Christ. But for today, take some time to read Ephesians 3:14-19. Pray these verses and ask God to grant you strength to comprehend the depth of His love. I encourage you to keep a prayer journal for this activity! Write out your prayer. And of course, write how God answers your request 🙂 

I wonder when Robert Robinson penned the words to Come Thou Fount if he ever thought, “I bet 266 years from now some 40 something year old woman is going to be sitting at her kitchen table contemplating these lyrics while snacking on Townhouse crackers.”  Probably not. But regardless, here I am, munching away and thinking about those glorious lyrics: Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. 

Sometimes I find it hard to believe that God never runs out of mercy for His children. And more personally, that He never runs out of mercy for me. Yet, from the beginning of it all, He has done nothing but heap His steadfast love upon His rebellious creation. Garments of skin in the garden for those who first rejected His authority; manna and water in the wilderness- along with shoes and clothing that never wore out- for those who grumbled about His provision; a lasting covenant with a king guilty of adultery and murder; and restoration for a people who had been exiled for their idolatry. Streams of mercy, indeed.  

But for all of these streams, the ultimate mercy was displayed at the cross. The cross, a  permanent reminder that the only sacrifice able to pardon our debt was the sinless sacrifice of Christ. He in our place, taking the punishment we rightly deserved. Who could have imagined such a mercy? That God would make a way of entrance into His kingdom for a world full of  commandment breakers? Even so, this is the infinite mercy of God.

Sometimes I make the mistake of believing that God is stingy with His mercy- as if the stream He gives is but a trickle in a dried up river bed rather than the constant rush of Niagra Falls. As Robert Law stated, “The love of Calvary is an ever-flowing fountain.” This fountain reminds us that we are loved and redeemed children of God and heirs with Christ.  

And yet, His mercies keep on rolling. Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” This is an argument from the greater to the lesser: if He did not withhold Christ, why would He withhold what is needed for our good and growth in godliness? Truly, He supplies all that is needed to make us more like His Son. 

The mercies of God have showed up in my life many times and in many ways. Most importantly, in my salvation from a young age. I do not take this for granted and praise God that I have not known a life without Him! Daily, His mercies have looked like protection from harm and blessings in the form of family, a loving spouse, children, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Of course, His mercies have also shown up in the form of trials. While I may not have recognized them as mercies at the time, I can see now how they were used in my sanctification. All of these undeserved mercies are a reminder that my strength is found in the living water of Christ and His Spirit. They are an unrelenting encouragement to turn to His stream rather than broken cisterns that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13).

What’s more, I know there will be abundant mercies yet to come. How do I know this? Lamentations 3:21-23 assures us that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, that His mercies are new every morning. Streams of mercy never ceasing… what an unbelievably beautiful promise. This is the basis of our hope in the present as well as for the future! Because we know He has given us the best mercy of all, we can be confident that He will provide us with the daily mercies He knows we need. I pray we will return again and again to this truth, so that above all, our hearts will continuously call for songs of loudest praise. 

In the Spirit, Moses wrote about one of the most mind-bending attributes of God- His eternality.  “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God”  (Psalm 90:2).

We can hardly conceive of the eternal existence of God, yet we know from His Word that our God is the great “I AM.”  He is self-existent and completely unchangeable!  In his wonderful work, “The Knowledge of the Holy,” A.W. Tozer wrote of the eternal nature of God.  He said, “God dwells in eternity but time dwells in God.  He has already lived all our tomorrows as He has lived all our yesterdays.” 

I’ve been thinking a lot about this attribute of God lately.  And I have to tell you, it’s brought me so much peace.  Because He is outside of time, God sees our entire life all at once.  This means He simulatenously saw my 5 year old self alongside my present and future self.  When I thought of this the other day, it occurred to me that all I am praying for currently has already been answered!  He has ordained all that will come to pass in my life just as He ordained all that has passed.  And just as He has given me grace for all that has already been, so will He give me grace for whatever will be.  He sees and knows my whole life all at once and is actively working all for my good (that is, my sanctification) and His glory.  

I pray the eternal, timeless nature of God brings peace to your hearts as well.  As His children, we can trust Him with all of our anxieties and praise Him even now for His providence and future grace.  

About a month ago on an ordinary weekday night I was struck with one seemingly random thought: God sees me peeling these potatoes right now.  I have no idea what else was running through my mind at the time, but that single, powerful thought has stuck with me ever since.  

Because here’s the truth- sometimes we question whether or not God really sees us.    We wonder if He is really watching over us, observing all the mundane tasks of our daily lives; if He really sees each tear and is acquainted with our every sorrow.  We wonder if in fact, we are visible to Him.  

I can’t fully explain it, but I felt comfort knowing that God saw me standing at the kitchen sink peeling those russet potatoes.  There was a strange peace in knowing my heavenly Father bore witness to the ordinary undertaking of preparing a simple meal for my family.  There was a joy that came from being seen and known.  

I was reminded at that moment of the Latin phrase Coram Deo, which means for something to take place in the presence of, or before the face of, God.  This idea is rooted in Scripture as we learn God is omnipresent, seeing all things at all times.  For as God’s Word teaches, our entire lives are laid bare before our Creator and nothing is hidden from His face.  Consider the following: 

 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7, ESV).

 “For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens” (Job 28:24, ESV).

“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13, ESV). 

Truly, everything we do, is done before the God of heaven and earth.  And while this may be an intimidating thought- for yes, He does see our sin- how reassuring it is to know He sees every act of love and service.  He sees every dish washed, every load of laundry folded, every kind word of encouragement spoken to a friend.  He sees our tears and knows our every frustration.  He sees us.  

As a child of God and follower of Christ, the above words cause my soul to rejoice, for I know that I am deeply loved.  I only pray that my response to the eyes of God upon my life will be to live a life worthy of His calling.  

The great pastor and theologian R.C. Sproul once said, “To live Coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.”  What a beautiful reminder that all of life is about serving our mighty God to the glory of His name.  As the Psalmist exclaimed, “Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness” (Psalm 115:1, NIV).  

I praise God for the gift of my potato moment, for the awareness of God’s eyes upon me; for I know that He who created me and redeemed me is the One who sees me. 

Dear friends, we are known by Him.  And we are loved.   May we therefore be moved to live Coram Deo soli Deo gloria– before the face of God for the glory of God alone.   

I know the title of this blog is also the title of a famous movie!  But I couldn’t quite come up with anything else that captured the essence of what I wanted to communicate.  Essentially, this is a post about our identity- and through Christ, our rightful place.  

A few weeks ago, I read a young adult historical fiction called, The King’s Shadow.  The story takes place in England between 1063-1066 and is about a young maimed teenager who becomes enlisted in the service of the king.  Due to his inability to speak, the main character, Evyn, learns to read and write.  This skill combined with his intellect made him very useful to the king.  Yet, the king saw something even greater in Evyn- a kind and loyal heart.  The king grew to love the young man- so much so that he adopted him.  

Just as every young man questions his own bravery, so did Evyn (a prominent theme throughout the book).  In the midst of a great battle, when he was tempted to run away, Evyn gained inspiration and courage from the king’s wife who refused to leave his side.  Her words, “My place is with the king,” struck Evyn in the heart.  It was in that moment he really understood who he was- that he was the king’s son- and that his place was by his side.  

As I read the story, I couldn’t help but think of this as an allegory to our own lives; to our relationship with the true King.  If we have trusted in Christ as our only means of salvation, then we are united to him and have become an adopted child of God.  However, unlike Evyn, our adoption is not based upon anything related to our own merit or goodness- it is purely of grace and God’s perfect will (Ephesians 1:5).  

And while we relate to God the Father as His adopted children, we know that it is Jesus Christ who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He is everything to us- Savior, friend, elder brother, bridegroom, and king.  He is the One who will return someday to judge the quick and the dead and the sons of men (2 Timothy 4:1); the One who is right now reigning at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 10:12-13). 

Like Evyn, we often have difficulty grasping our true place.  How easy it is to gaze upon our own fleshly fears and insecurities, forgetting to whom we belong!  The antidote then is to focus our hearts and minds upon the truth- that because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we are seated with him in the heavenly places.  We are heirs with him.  Truly, the King of Kings calls us his own (Philippians 3:12).      

Because of this great privilege, we fully commit ourselves to him in both life and death.  During his time on earth, Jesus made it clear that to be his disciple one must be willing to die to self and foresake all others (Luke 9:23, Luke 14:33).  One must even be willing to give up his very life.  While self-denial and persecution await the life of the Christ follower, this is but a small price to pay compared to the weight of glory of spending eternity with our king (Romans 8:18).  

If you have been feeling unworthy, unqualified, uncertain- take heart!  Your King is reigning and he has raised you up with him.  Because of his great love for us, we can triumphantly, confidently, and victoriously say, My place is forever with the King.    

We were less than 2 hours from our beach vacation destination when I decided to check the forecast on my mobile weather app.  I instantly regretted that decision.  Every hour for the next 48 hours was littered with the thunderstorm icon.  And not only that, but with an 85% chance!  In the weeks leading up to vacation, I had envisioned white sand and the gulf of Mexico under bright blue skies and sunshine.  This forecast was the opposite of that mental picture and had me feeling pretty grumpy!  

I looked at the clock and decided to give myself 10 minutes to pout.  For several minutes I dwelled on my disappointment.  I imagined my husband, kids, and I sitting around in our rented condo watching old movies instead of playing on the beach.  I let myself be sad and annoyed.  But around the 8 minute mark I decided to pray- though not for the forecast to be changed.  Rather, for God to help me accept with open hands whatever He had for us that week.  As I prayed, my grumpiness quickly subsided.  In its place was a feeling of peace.  

The first evening of our arrival found us eating dinner outside overlooking the ocean.  The sun was shining and the waves were crashing as my daughter and I shared the “Fisherman’s Platter.”  A good start to the week indeed!  The following morning and afternoon were filled with sunshine and plenty of time in the sparkling aqua water.  The day concluded with a sunset boat ride and another delicious seafood dinner.  

When the rains came Tuesday morning I was completely fine with it.  After all, it was nice to be a little lazy.  I could think of a lot worse ways to spend an early morning than reading some great books!  Once the rain subsided we hit the pool rather than chance the red flagged ocean.  After some time, the clouds began to roll back in and I suddenly felt the urge to go for a run. 

I knew I didn’t have long before the rains came, I figured about 20 minutes.  I took off from our condo and ran along the boardwalk.  All the beach goers were hurriedly packing up towels and blankets and making their way to their cars.  I kept running.  I turned around to backtrack my way home at the 10 minute mark.  What an awesome sight to see the thick storm clouds rolling in over the water!   As I took in the scene of the stormy gulf I had to smile as I thought back to my prayer in the car.  I had been grumpy about the predicted storms, but here I was experiencing so much joy because of it!  

As it turns out, my estimate was off by about 6 minutes.  What started out as a sprinkle quickly became a torrential downpour!  My shoes began squishing with each step, but I didn’t care.  Even as an adult closing in on 40, I still love running in the rain just as much as when I was a kid.  It was not lost on me during those moments that I had become thankful for the rain I had not wanted.  In fact, that thunderstorm turned out to be one of my favorite memories from vacation.  

I praise God that His Spirit led me to pray for open hands.  Feelings of annoyance and irritation could easily have reared their ugly heads at the sight of those rain clouds.  Instead, He allowed me to enjoy a blessing I could not have foreseen.  Psalm 36:5 says, “Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”  Suffice to say, these words will forever hold a tangible picture in my mind of this eternal truth.     

We have since returned to our home in Ohio where I sit at my kitchen table typing these words.  The Gulf Coast has been traded for corn fields and the salty ocean air has vanished.  But that run is embedded in my memory and serves as a beautiful reminder to hold out open hands for whatever God has in store for me.  Whether it be sunshine or rain- for I know there will be both- I can trust all is for my ultimate good and His glory.  I praise Him even now for the forthcoming blessings I never could have imagined produced from situations I never would have chosen.  For I know in all things He is so good.

Today marks 19 years since my husband and I said, “I do.” It’s amazing to think how much happens in 19 years- and how it seems like just yesterday that I anxiously waited for the doors of the sanctuary to open. Rather than the usual bridal procession or Cannon in D, I walked down the aisle to a song by Twila Paris called “How Beautiful.”  

The doors were kept closed until the 3rd verse, which begins: How beautiful the radiant bride who waits for her groom with his light in her eyes. I’m not typically an overly emotional person or one who cries easily, but when those doors opened, I absolutely sobbed! Even though I cried the entire way down the aisle, it was one of the most beautiful and joyous moments of my life.  

Over the last 19 years, I would like to think I’ve learned some things about marriage; about serving, selflessness, when to speak, and when to be silent. But the lesson I’ve learned most profoundly is how marriage is a representation of the gospel. I knew before June 19, 2004, that in marriage the husband was to love his wife as Christ loved the Church, and that the wife was to serve and honor her husband as the Church serves Christ. And of course, this has been a great challenge throughout our marriage- a great call to love and serve one another with a humble, servant love. But what I failed to grasp then was the higher purpose this illustration gives marriage. Our marriages are to tell the story of the gospel. Our marriages are meant to evangelize! 

Knowing the profound truth that marriage illustrates the gospel changes everything. For instance, what do my words and attitude toward my husband communicate about the way the Church is to speak of Christ, or the way in which she is to honor Him?  Does the joy expressed in our marriage reflect the joy experienced between Christ and His bride? Admittedly, I one hundred percent know I do not always uphold an accurate picture of the Church. My tone can be irritated and my joy stale. But knowing the picture I represent motivates me to abide in Christ and His Word so that I can more accurately show his love to my spouse- and to the world.    

For 19 years, I have been the bride of one man. But if we have trusted in Christ alone for our salvation, then we are His body, the Church, His bride. If we are married, this truth gives our lives a twofold challenge: 1) To live our marriages purposefully. We must remember that we have a great honor- and responsibility- to demonstrate to one another, and to unbelievers, the gospel in action. And, 2) To live purposefully as the bride of Christ. As His bride, we should desire him more than anything, living each day with His light in our eyes.

I am so thankful for these 19 years of marriage and pray for many more! I also pray that God will continue to mold me into a Christ-like bride for my husband, and the Church into a radiant bride for Christ, for whom we wait with eager expectation.    

In June of 2019 we vacationed in Toronto for a few days.  It was a great little action-packed vacation consisting of Niagara Falls, shopping, fabulous food in Chinatown, the aquarium, a Blue Jays game, and a visit to the CN Tower.  Let’s talk about that tower for a moment, shall we?  

The top of the tower offers a 360 degree view of the city.  It also offers a few meters of flooring made of glass which allows you to see alllll the way down to the street!  Now.  The sign there said the glass could hold the weight of 9 polar bears.  And logically, I know that I do not weigh 9 polar bears!  However- it took quite a lot of coaxing from my then 11 year old daughter for me to step out onto the glass.  And even when I did, I was grimacing, nervous, and reaching for my husband’s hand.  My daughter?  She was on her hands and knees taking pictures.  

I have that same mental battle when I read Matthew 6:27-34.  Jesus, knowing that his followers would struggle with anxiety, said, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”  

Logically, I know that.  I know that He cares for every creature.  I see how beautifully he adornes even the plants.  And I know that I am of way more value than they are!  Yet, I struggle to accept the truth proclaimed by Jesus himself- that God will really take care of me.  My faith, I’m afraid, often looks like my fearful glass stepping.  Gingerly- rather than confidently- I place my trust in Him. 

And yet, for all of my doubt, the truth remains: Our God is unchanging.  Malachi 3:6 records these words from God the Father, “I the Lord do not change.”  This means He is forever all of who His Word says He is- good, faithful, and completely sovereign.  Furthermore, Jesus, who is the exact imprint of the nature of the Father, is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 13:8).  If he, as the unchanging Son of God, tells us that we will be taken care of by the unchanging Father, then we have no reason to doubt that He will do even more for us than He does the flowers and birds. 

Additionally, we know that God not only meets our physical needs, but in Christ He has met our deepest spiritual need.  This, more than anything, should be the greatest source of comfort to our souls.  As Paul said in Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”  Truly, Our Heavenly Father has promised to meet all of our needs according to the glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).  

And so, when I catch myself trusting with a grimace or walking gingerly, I will go back again and again to the words our Savior spoke in Matthew.  I will choose to trust in the One who knows the numbers of hairs on my head, the One who does not allow a sparrow to fall a part from His will; the One who tells me not to fear, and assures me that I am of more value than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31).  I will pray for grace to trust, and will walk confidently on the unbreakable foundation of Christ.  With certainty I will say, If the lilies and sparrows don’t worry, than neither will I.