Learning To Stand Strong on God’s Extravagant Love

In review of 1 John 4:9-10 it says, “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love … he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”

Bottom Line:

God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. In this act we see what real love is, not in our love for God but rather in his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.

What this means to me:

God showed his love for me by sending his only Son into the world so that I could have eternal life through him. This is what real love is, not in my love for God but rather in his love for me. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which my sins were forgiven.

There is much in life that changes; relationships, jobs, fame. One minute I can be a hero; the next minute I’m a zero. What I’m learning is that the only thing in the entire universe that never change is God’s love.

Knowing that God will still love me, no matter what happens in my life; even in my failures, brokenness, and sin, provides me with a rock solid foundation for my life.

Consider the small word “so” that goes before “loved” in the Bible’s most famous verse: John 3:16. The verse says, “God so loved the world …”

What I’m learning is that God loves me with an extravagant, lavish love that can never be taken away. It’s a love that is beyond comprehension. He loves me on my good days and on my bad ones as well.

God doesn’t just want me to just recognize this lavish love intellectually. He wants me to recognize it emotionally. Love is God’s nature. God created the universe, and everything in it, for no other reason other than he could love it. And God created me so he could love me as well.

In fact, in Jesus, God shows us what real love, his love, looks like: “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love … he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:9-10 NLT, second edition).         

God shows how much he loves me. He loved me so much it hurt as He sacrificed his Son. When Jesus died for me, God was saying he loved me so much he’d rather die than live without me.

And the Bible says that’s what real love; the kind of love that you can build your life upon looks like. Real love makes sacrifices. Real love endures to the end. Real love gives all.

This is the kind of love only God has for me. And he’s waiting with open arms each day to show me.

It’s really easy to know and understand that God loves me when things are going well.  There is however a tendency to wonder about his love when things aren’t going so well.  In my own life, I have seen instance after instance where God has loved and cared for me when I was in trouble.  So if I ever get a twinge of doubt, I only need to think of these times.

God’s self-sacrificing demonstrated in Jesus gives me the model I should follow for how I handle life. I too should practice a real love for others that demonstrates itself in sacrifice and service. I need to practice a real love that endures to the end regardless (in other words I should not give up on someone.) A real love gives all I have, as my life was created by God for his purposes and to partner with him in caring and loving others.

Getting Back to the Basics

In review of John 3:16 it says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Bottom Line:

This is how God loved the world, he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

What this means to me:

God loved me so much that he gave up his one and only Son, so that when I believed in him that I would not perish but rather have an everlasting life.

God never wants me to doubt my or worry about my salvation. To settle the issue, I’ve got to get back to the basics. All great coaches focused on the basics. They never assumed anyone knew the basics.

The basics matter. So regarding the basics about Jesus, I can go back to John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (KJV).

I can easily summarize the entire Bible in this one verse. It’s the Good News in a verse.

In fact, the very structure of the verse points to the Gospel. The verse is 25 words long. The middle word, the 13th word, is the word “Son.” That’s Jesus. The first 12 words are all about God; ”God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten.” The last 12 words are all about me; “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This is a picture of the Gospel. The Bible says that God’s on one side, mankind is on the other, and Jesus Christ came to Earth to bring them together. He’s the bridge over troubled waters. He’s the mediator between God and man. Jesus came to bring God and us together.

And that’s the basics of the Gospel. That’s the most important message in the history of the world. God sent his Son to earth to bridge the gap between you and him.

Today I thank you God for providing me a way, even after my own rebellion and wanting to do things my way, a path back to you. One in which I can spend an eternity with you.

Who Will Be in Heaven Because of Me?

In review of Acts 20:24 it says, “The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me — to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.”

Bottom Line:

Life is worth nothing unless it is used to complete work that Jesus gives us; to tell others the Good News about God’s grace, kindness and love.

What this means to me:

My life should be used to complete the work that Jesus has given me, to tell others the Good News about God’s mighty grace, kindness and love.

Todays verse in Acts 20:24 states, “The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me — to tell people the Good News about God’s grace” (NCV).

It’s worth noting that this verse doesn’t say the most important thing in life is to get married, fund my retirement, travel a lot, become famous, or pay off the house. It says the most important thing in life is for me to fulfill my mission. If Jesus died on the cross for me so that I can fulfill my mission and I don’t, then it was a massive, eternal waste.

God put me on Earth for a purpose. He has a mission that only I can fulfill. Part of that mission is to tell other people the Good News of God’s grace. I know Christ because somebody took the time to invest in myself and my family and showed us what a life was like following him. So, who am I going to tell?

If somebody died for me, wouldn’t I want to know about it? Well, Jesus died for every single person in the world. This weekend, the typical American will sit at home watching TV, with a soda or beer, maybe reading the newspaper, kicked back and relaxed — and totally unaware that Jesus Christ died for him and unaware of the grace that is available to him.

The Bible explains to us in 2 Peter, that the Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. God wants everybody in his family, and because God cares, I too must care.

The way I can show my gratitude for the grace of God is by making my own life count, by living a life of extravagant generosity, and by telling as many people as I can about the Good News.

A good question to ask myself today, “Is anybody going to be in Heaven because of me?”

When God Says I’m Forgiven, He No Longer Holds It Against Me

In review of Isaiah 43:25 it says, “I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am. I will not hold your sins against you.”

Bottom Line:

It is God who forgives your sins, he does this because of who he is. When he does, he will not hold them against us.

What this means to me:

It’s good to know that it is God alone who will blot out and forgive my sins. He does this because of who he is and for his own purposes. The good news is that when he forgives, he no longer holds or uses them against me.

Its tempting to think (even as a believer) that when problems occur, God is getting even with us as a result of what we did.  

It’s like the guy who was driving up to a mountain lake. On the way up it starts snowing, so he gets out to put chains on his tires. While he’s doing this, another car comes along and slams into his car, and he watches in horror as his car goes over a cliff. He continues up the mountain on foot in the snow and sleet, and he’s getting sick from the cold. Then, as he rounds a corner, he sees that his cabin has burned down. He cries out, asking, “Why me, God?” The heavens part, and a voice says, “Because some people just tick me off.”

Like this story, It’s natural to think that is the way God feels about us. We think that whenever we’ve got a problem, God is ticked off. However, the Bible says, “I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am. I will not hold your sins against you” (Isaiah 43:25 TEV).

God will not hold a grudge. When I received Jesus as my Savior, I am assured that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. God will not rehearse it; he releases it. He will not rub it in. He rubs it out!

I believe the cause of my problems can come from my own bad choices or prior disobedience. Sometimes they are just things that happen, that God uses to strengthen my character and build my faith. I should however consider what’s going on in my life. Am I blaming God for any of these? At this point I don’t believe so, however it would be good for me to consider this and clear up any misconceptions.

Overall, some bad things can happen to “good” people. This is because God allows for free will in all individuals. Often this free will, choices and how others handle it can affect us.  The good news is whatever happens to me, God will be there to guide me through it, train me or stretch my faith.  God will never waste anything.

The Holy Spirit Will Bring God’s Truth to Mind

In review of John 14:26 it says, “The Holy Spirit … will be your teacher and will bring to your minds all that I have said to you.”

Bottom Line:

The father will send the Holy Spirit; the advocate, comforter and helper, who will continue to teach you and reminding you of all I have told you.

What this means to me:

God has sent his Spirit to live in me. He acts as the advocate, a comforter and a helper to God. He will continue to teach me and remind of what has been revealed in scripture.

What I’m learning is that God will speak through ideas from the Holy Spirit. I’ll get thoughts, suggestions and impressions or notions. When the enemy talks to me, that is temptation. But when God talks to me in my mind, this is called inspiration.

Jesus says in John 14:26, “The Holy Spirit … will be your teacher and will bring to your minds all that I have said to you” (Phillips).

The Holy Spirit is my teacher and counselor, much like a personal coach!

Notice the verse says, “bring to your minds.” The Holy Spirit will speak directly into to my mind. He won’t speak in an audible voice. He doesn’t need to, He has direct access to my mind. “His Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are God’s children” (Romans 8:16 NLT).

If the Holy Spirit is to bring God’s truth to mind, that means there’s gotta be something in there to bring out. This is why I need to continue to get into the Bible. When I read, study, and fill my mind with God’s Work, I storing the truth in my mind, and then the Holy Spirit can bring it out at just the right time.

It is encouraging to know that I may read the Bible and say, “I didn’t get anything out of it today.” However, I don’t have to get something out each time you read it. Rather what I’m doing is storing the truth in my mind. My mind’s filled with everything else I’ve seen — every billboard, every commercial, every bad joke, every movie. It’s all in there. I need to balance it with the truth. Then the Holy Spirit can bring God’s truth to mind and show me the way I should go.

I’m glad that I have developed a routine of getting into God’s word most workdays. It helps to shape my perspective and outlook for the day. It keeps me armed with the truth.

God Will Give Advice Through Others

In review of Proverbs 12:26 it says, “The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.”

Bottom Line:

A righteous and godly friend will give good advice and guidance to a friend. The path of the wicked will lead them astray.

What this means to me:

I can count on good advice and guidance from a righteous and godly friend. Someone with the wrong intent will lead me astray.

God will speak to me through friends and family, particularly if they are believers. Proverbs 12:26 reminds me, “The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray” (NLT).

Everyone has blind spots. There are things in life that I’m never going to see that need to be corrected, so God puts people around me to tell me the truth. Everybody needs somebody in their life who loves them enough to tell them the truth.

It’s important for me to have someone like this in my life, a godly friend or friends who don’t just tell me what I want to hear but love me enough to level with me and say, “You know what? You’re blowing it right now. You’re making a big mistake. You’re full of pride. You’re going the wrong direction”?

I can not always see clearly. I need to give trusted people permission to get in my face and say, “you’re blowing this. You’re wrong. Have you ever thought about ‘this’?” I can see where this will be really important after my wife and I move away from our current community and settle into a new one. We will need to re-establish a group that we can connect with.

While I need this type of person in my life, I also need to be that kind of person for someone else. I shouldn’t just let people get away with it when I see them going in the wrong direction and not say, “What are you doing? Don’t you see what’s wrong with this?”

One of the primary benefits of a small group is feedback and counsel. These should be people who I get to know so well that I can trust them and give them permission to speak into my life and I have permission to speak into theirs.

God wants to speak through me and use me to help others grow, but it takes courage. And God wants to speak through other people to me, but it takes humility. “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:6).

In my own life, I think it’s easier to not share what’s going on in my life, as someone might point out that I’m wrong or my thinking needs correction. I rarely like being corrected. I need to be open and humble, ready to accept criticisms, and suggestions for improvement.  Given this verse today, I should expect a situation soon in which God will use someone to speak into my life.  I should be prepared for this, be humble and listen intently.

God Is Waiting for Me to Plant a Seed

In review of John 12:24 it says, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Bottom Line:

In order for a single seed to produce, the kernel must be planted and die. When it dies like this, it will produce many seeds.

What this means to me:

Unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it will remain alone. Its death however will produce a plentiful harvest.

What does a farmer do when he’s got a barren field that’s producing no income? He doesn’t complain about it. He doesn’t even pray about it! He just goes out and starts planting some seed, because nothing is going to happen until he plants the seed. He can pray all he wants, but it’s not going to produce fruit. He’s got to plant something.

As I reflect on my own life, I often wait on something, whether its something from God or something from someone else to get things going. What I’m learning that that God is actually waiting on me to plant a seed.

It seems everything in life starts as a seed; a relationship, a marriage, a business, a church. And nothing will happen until the seed is planted.

I believe that God require me to plant a seed, because planting is an act of faith on my part. I take what I’ve got, and I give it away. This type of action takes an act of faith! And its one that brings glory to God.

Jesus described this principle of sowing and reaping when he was trying to explain why he came to Earth to die on the cross. In John 12:24 Jesus said, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (NIV). Jesus was saying, “Millions of people will be saved and go to Heaven because of my death and Resurrection. I’m going to plant a seed, and the seed is going to be my life.”

Here’s the principle of sowing and reaping: Whenever I have a need, I should plant a seed. Whatever it is: more time, more energy, more money, more support, more relationships, more wisdom; just plant a seed. If I need more time, give more time to those around me. If I need more money, give some away to someone who needs it. If I need more wisdom, share what wisdom I have with others. Literally give myself away!

It seems counter intuitive to give away something that I need more of, but that is exactly the kind of attitude that God wants to bless and that will produce fruit in my life. When I have a need, don’t gripe about it, don’t wish about it; just plant a seed!

This morning as I reflect on what I’m wanting God to provide, the following things come to mind;

focus, relief, and sound practice.  When it comes to focus, I think God may be saying that I need to spend the right amount of time outside of work, when everyone else can not easily reach and vie for my attention, so that I can focus on the things that need to be done. I believe with relief, I’m looking for some release of the pressure of needing to find additional technical staff at work due to recent attrition.  And when I think of sound practice, I think of an orderly way to bring new resources on board and to operate my team.

Given what I’m learning in today’s study, I need to plant the seed of: Dedicated quiet time for work related activities (away from everyone else, unplugged.)  When it comes to relief, I need to continue to follow-up on contractor resources and interviews so that a decision can be made.  Lastly initiate the actions to identify the top issues and have the teams develop process and procedures to help on-board new resources.

Just identifying actions and thinking through the steps of planting have already brought some overall relief to me. So today I pray for God’s assistance in helping me plant the seeds I have identified.