Ever been in love or thought you were? Did you question whether it was really love? Did you wonder if it was only infatuation? Or perhaps just lust.

There are some simple ways to tell if it is love or something else. And to make certain the object of your affection shares your emotional attachment, reverse the questions and ask yourself about their outward expressions.

First question: When you are apart do you think of your beloved all of the time? Are your thoughts consumed with not just thoughts of the beloved but of a future together?

Next: Do you listen with rapt attention to your beloved’s plans and dreams? Do you try to fit your plans and dreams into theirs, or theirs into yours?

And: Do you share interests or is your time together spent trying to convince your beloved that your interests are good and right?

And: When you disagree does it devolve into a full-blown fight with no winners? Or is it a discussion/debate where you either agree to disagree, or come to agreement, or one of you caves to the other’s position?

And: Do you give in to all of your beloved’s ideas?

And: If your beloved is offered a job across the country, do you give up your career and follow or demand your beloved stay?

And: If your beloved gets into legal trouble do you stand with them or cut your losses?

And, finally: Imagine your beloved has just been diagnosed with a terminal disease. There is no cure but one – your blood for theirs. A complete transference of blood from them to you and yours to them. The outcome of which means that they live a full life. You, unfortunately, now become the one dying. Do you do it?

I know some of these questions seem trivial and others so extreme they could never happen. Yet, the answers are important. We must understand that true love sacrifices itself for the object of it’s affection. At the same time, true love would never require us to make such sacrifices. Discussion, perhaps, but request or require it, never.

True love does not require us to change, yet true love changes us. True love drives out negativity and agitation and replaces it with peace and contentment. True love wants only what is best for us and is content to nurture us and encourage us along our life path. True love never dies. Real love stories never end.

I think very few people actually find true love because very few of us are willing to give up our right to ourselves for the sake of someone else’s happiness/welfare.

I’m one of the most fortunate people I know in that I have found true love. He delights in me and encourages me to be my very best. He takes interest in my interests and introduces me to his without demanding I participate. Yet, in my love for him my desires have become his and his, mine. We think and act as one effortlessly and he is always in my thoughts. After 30 years I am more in love with him than I was at the first.

This true love is available to you, too. His name is Jesus and more than anything he wants a relationship with you. Invite him in for a cup of coffee. I think you will discover that you want him to stay forever.

Jeremiah 31:3 LORD has appeared of old to The me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”

In my pursuit of God I have encountered many obstacles. Lots of times I blame others (do you?) for interfering with my pursuit. Other times I blame the devil (well, he’s ALWAYS at fault). Sometimes I have even found myself to be a hindrance. Today, however, I made a discovery that has really set me back on my heels. I was reading the beautiful book of Haggai and it hit me right between the eyes – I am my biggest hindrance in the pursuit of godliness and the person of God. I am. Me. It’s me, it’s me, it’s me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer!

I’m sure you are all aware that the Bible is like an onion. We might read a scripture and find it has one meaning today and another meaning or application the next time we read it. And yet again, the next time we run across that same verse, it has an entirely different impact upon us. I love that about Scripture. It never gets old. It is new every morning. And this morning it was REALLY new as I saw myself in a mirror of the words of Haggai.

Like all Christians I want to be about the Father’s business. Part of the business is getting to know Him intimately and sharing our lives with Him in constant communion and fellowship. Another part of that business is the care of other Christians as well as spreading the good news to anyone and everyone about the wonderful love available to them.

This morning I discovered that I haven’t been about the Father’s business at all. I’ve been about my business. I’ve been focused on me me me to the point of yuckism. I read Scripture to learn about the Father (so I tell myself) and yet when the Father exposes a part of me that needs work I justify and rationalize — with words like “you made me this way” and “how can I change that? It’s part of my personality that you created.”

There are times I recognize my sin and confess it to Father and repent, making an honest effort to change. Sounds so holy doesn’t it?

Here’s what I learned this morning: we are all so busy working on ourselves – our outer selves – that we are neglecting the temple of God – the true temple of God – our hearts. Our hearts are His sanctuary (if we have accepted Christ) and we are living our lives as if once Christ comes in the work is finished. Well, certainly salvation is finished. Yet WE aren’t finished. We have heart issues that are polluting the temple, the sanctuary of God. Things like offense, bitterness, envy, laziness, slothfulness, mediocrity, gluttony, judging others rather than ourselves, fear, anxiety, resentment, pride, rebellion, etc. etc. etc. The list of what we carry in our hearts and minds is staggering, and the impact it has on our lives and those around us is also staggering.

My latest revelation was resentment. I carry resentment in my heart which Holy Spirit revealed this morning as I read the sweet notes of love in Haggai 1:⁴Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? ⁵ Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

The Lord’s house lies in waste as we focus on everything except His desires. Today I am consciously working on shifting my focus to be on His desires. I am going to do my best to incorporate that into my daily walk, not because I think it will earn me any great rewards or a better ‘mansion’ in paradise, but because it is what He asks of me. How can I do any less? Look what He’s done……

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

What a glorious day! Bright sun, brisk wind, nippy temperatures. It feels like one of the last days of winter with spring trying to break through. It’s a little early for that yet, but this little foretaste is a welcome gift.

It’s one of the many gifts I have noticed this week. I and many of my acquaintances are battling a bug that is running rampant through the community. It feels like an old-fashioned head cold. You know the kind – a week coming, a week staying and a week to depart. Three weeks of ‘ugh’. And yet in the midst of this latest attack I have seen so many little gifts.

The first one I noticed was the gift of being able to just stay in bed: no one clamoring for help or needing me to do anything for them. What a beautiful gift to be able to just stay in bed and rest and take care of myself without having to worry about what everyone else needed. Someone else was taking care of that.

The second gift I noticed was the joy of 24-hour non-stop Christian sermons, classic movies and television shows. While I was so fatigued from the sickness and exhausted from not being able to sleep due to coughing fits, I was blessed by being able to pick up the remote and find something to take my mind off of how bad I felt.

The third gift I noticed was friends and family who checked on me but didn’t smother me. Friends and family who offered food, medicine, transportation, or anything else I might need or desire. Thank you God for those who serve as your hands and feet.

The fourth gift I noticed, and by far the best gift, is the peace of God which passes all understanding. Even in the midst of feeling miserable He is here. His peace and comfort surround me like a soft warm blanket on a chilly evening. I snuggle down into Him and await complete healing. In the meantime, I am content in these circumstances.

There are other gifts that I am aware of – a warm house, hot water on demand, a well-stocked pantry, books to read, and Christian resources to study on-line and in my library. Warm bread, pizza delivery, juice and soft tissues which don’t make my nose raw.

I am awed by the sweetness of the Father. He provides, protects, defends and vindicates. He is ever present and loving, constantly guiding and always cherishing. I am so grateful for this past week of downtime. Yes, grateful for the sickness that allowed me to stop and notice how very blessed I am. Thank you Father, for loving me.

I pray you feel the love of the Father today. I wouldn’t want you to miss out!

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Have you ever been depressed? Grieved? In despair? Sad and lonely? Me too.

Yet in walking with the Lord I have discovered (with His help of course) the secret to not only surviving those periods of time, but thriving in them and through them. It really isn’t a secret – it’s right there in the Holy Scriptures for anyone to find and implement. The quickest way to restore joy? WORSHIP.

ISAIAH 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

JEREMIAH 31:3Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow

PSALMS 30:11You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning

Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness – the garment of praise is to turn your focus upon the Living God and worship Him. Sing and dance before Him with gratitude for your life and everything He is. Praise Him for His wondrous love and amazing grace. Offer the sacrifice of praise and watch Him restore you.

Believe me, I understand that sometimes it is a sacrifice to praise. Sometimes it is all we can do to lift our heads. The sacrifice comes in taking our eyes and our focus off of the circumstances and turning our focus to Him == letting Him have all the glory in spite of, or maybe because of, what we are going through. God is good ALL of the time and He intends our lives to be a bountiful feast for the eyes and hearts of others. He knows we will struggle and have tough times. He also has given us everything we need to prosper in those times and thereby bring glory to His name.

Just this morning I had to remind myself of these promises as I dwelt under the heavy blanket of oppression from the moment I awoke. I headed to my prayer closet and spent some wonderful time in reading, contemplation, prayer and praise. At the end of it I couldn’t remember the oppressive feelings as all I felt was the amazing peace and joy of the Lord. Times of refreshing comes from being in His presence and I am truly refreshed.

This gentle reminder is to bring us back to the truth of God’s Word which has been provided to us as a manual for a happy and healthy life – a love letter from father to child – not a rule book to keep us in bondage. Want more out of your life? Look in the book …… 🙂

Wow. Gray skies, rain, and chilly temps. I love these kinds of days. Here I sit with a cup of hot cinnamon tea and Jesus. Perfection!

There is a song praising “I love a rainy night”. I guess we all do because it is so easy to sleep. But rainy days? Oh it takes a sweet presence of the Lord to make a rainy day so special.

I have learned to be content . . . .

Isn’t that what Paul said? He was beaten, imprisoned, lost at sea, and suffered humiliation after humiliation all for the sake of the gospel message. Yet he was content. How did he achieve that?

I can tell you will all honesty that he didn’t. He didn’t achieve anything. BUT GOD! Holy Spirit showed up and stuck with him through it all, conversing with him, comforting him, and making promises that Paul could depend upon. And that’s how I am this morning. I have been to the pit. I have been in the snares and traps of the enemy. I have been imprisoned by the enemy’s assaults on my life. BUT GOD!

Holy Spirit has stuck with me through it all. I remember a vision of myself standing on a cliff with hurricane force winds and rain beating me headlong. Yet I stood immovable with someone holding my right hand. Someone. Holy Spirit.

I remember the vision of myself being in a pit, up to my armpits in mire, when a hand reached down and pulled me out, setting my feet upon a rock. The pit of depression and grief that had kept me imprisoned for five years immediately lifted and never returned. The hand? Holy Spirit. The deliverer? Jesus Christ. The outcome? VICTORY over every tactic and wile of the enemy of our souls.

I have learned to be content. I learned it through experiences and the faithful actions of my Redeemer. I know my Redeemer lives and I know that He will never leave me or forsake me, no matter my circumstances. I have learned to trust God. I have learned to rest in His goodness and wait for Him. I have learned, and in the learning I have fallen deeper in love with Jesus.

So rainy days? A delight! Muddy footprints on my rug? No big deal. The threat of death? Ha! Here I come Jesus! The promise of life? Oh so amazing!

I want to leave you today with a message of hope and love and peace and joy …. a message of Christ.

Don’t look on your circumstances: look on the King. Don’t focus on yourself: focus on others. Keep your eyes fixed on Him while you pray for and befriend others. Let your life reflect Christ. He will never let you down.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Two years ago doctors FINALLY uncovered what was causing me so much distress in my digestive system and within two months of diagnosis the surgeons completed a double small bowel resection. Biopsy revealed an extremely rare, incurable form of cancer.

Following surgery and a brief recovery at home I was back at the hospital meeting with an oncologist who explained that the biopsy had also revealed that it was a very slow growing cancer in my case, and so we would just watch it for a while. While it is incurable there is a shot that they can give once a month to try and keep tumors under control and symptoms at bay. My condition wasn’t at that point yet and so I merrily went on my way, returning every six months for either a CT scan or a PET scan to check disease progress.

Six months ago (that’s 18 months post surgery) I was at my “normal” visit when the resident on duty mentioned my ‘lymphoma’ and assured me that I was doing fine. I think I must have been in shock with the word ‘lymphoma’, knowing that my kind of cancer is incurable and then if we add it to the lymphatic system – yikes! Needless to say that by the time my doctor came in I didn’t even have any questions. I just kept hearing ‘lymphoma’ in my ears.

For the next six months I planned to die. You know, getting my affairs in order. Throwing out junk. Donating other junk. Updating my will. Ensuring I had a living will and appropriate powers-of-attorney drawn up for when I could not longer make my own decision. And in all of that, I was fine. I didn’t feel stressed over it. I was actually looking forward to being with Jesus. My life, as it is, is pretty much over anyway. All of my friends have gone on to be with the Lord and my marriage is over and my kids and grand-kids are grown and have their own lives. I was ready to meet my maker and felt pretty certain I only had about another year.

But GOD.

God has His own plans and purposes. Certainly I prayed for deliverance and I had others pray for me too. I mean, I’m not suicidal. And then one evening almost six months to the day of the ‘lymphoma’ statement I had what can only be described as a healing visitation from the Lord. I felt it. I knew it. And from that moment on my entire thought processes changed. The interesting thing about it was that the visitation occurred five days before my next scheduled PET scan. I was flying high that week. I didn’t tell anyone what had happened but I lay on that scan table for 45 minutes without moving a muscle and all the time singing in my mind about the goodness of God.

I didn’t check on-line to read the scan report when the results were ready. I waited to hear it from my doctor. And exactly one week after the scan I visited the oncologist and he said the words “crystal clear”. The scan was “crystal clear”. No evidence of lymphoma or anything else. So I asked him about the ‘lymphoma’ statement and he said it was a mistake.

So let’s take a minute here and give God a praise offering. A thanksgiving offering. A ‘GO GOD!’ celebration!

Nothing there. So now, instead of planning to die I am planning to live! Thank you Jesus.

“I shall not die, but live and declare the works of God.” Psalm 118:17

Our modern culture doesn’t believe that, of course. It is easier to blame God than to acknowledge that there is an evil presence in our lives that is constantly on the attack. It is easier to cry “God’s judgement” than to acknowledge that there are consequences for our actions. And it is easy to be confused about where the ‘bad’ things in our lives come from if we don’t seek the face of the Creator and ask for an explanation. I think sometimes we don’t ask because we don’t really want to know the answer.

Having been at this ‘Jesus thing’ for quite some time I have learned a few things. So today, instead of tackling all of the evil in the world, I want to focus on just one aspect: What happens in our lives when we fail to put God first?

I have watched marriages crumble when one partner places their careers or families ahead of God. I have seen families disintegrate when God gets placed farther and farther down in their list of priorities. I witnessed an instance where an international evangelist put off going on mission trip because of his wife’s birthday! And I heard her anguished cries of “please, don’t put me before God”. She knew. She understood. That mission trip was ordained by God and she knew it. Everything was in place for a mighty move of God and he postponed it. Today they live separate lives, no longer a couple, no longer serving God together. I won’t share what nuclear bomb took out their marriage but suffice it to say that she saw it coming and couldn’t stop it, no matter how hard she tried.

I know another international evangelist who also had his own church. I watched as he began taking more and more trips abroad and leaving his congregation in the hands of associates. Here was a man who served God at home and abroad. Yet he finally lost his church and he no longer travels abroad. He lost every ministry he had. Why?

Do I believe God did that? Do you? Some say God removed His hand of blessing from their lives. Others say the devil crept in unawares. You might say it is a consequence of actions/inactions that forever changed their lives. It is possible that when we fail to be good stewards over the territory God places on our lives, He removes the opportunities for a time of reflection and discipline.

Here’s what I know in my knower: God loves us and wants the very best for us. He is love. He is also justice. He is also mercy. So: the God who wants the very best for us and loves us unconditionally is not beating us over the head every time we mess up. He is a good father who encourages us, trains us, watches over us and, yes, disciplines us when necessary. DISCIPLINE. Something we hate and love to blame God or the devil for. Something we need that we rail against. Something that keeps us headed toward the finish line – His Kingdom.

I want to encourage you today. God creates calamity as a form of discipline. The bigger the calamity, the greater the need for discipline.

“I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me, there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; ⁶ That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, ⁷The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these,” (Isaiah 45:5-7).

It is up to us to respond appropriately and correct our behaviors. And the greatest folly we can enter into is letting something or someone else assume the place of highest priority in our lives. Surely the Lord will discipline us for that, and we would deserve it. If we have asked him to be Lord of our lives and then let something else usurp that position, we deserve whatever befalls us. To be truthful, we all deserve death and hell. Thank you Jesus!

So the next time you are feeling sorely put upon and blaming God for things not going your way, take some time out to be alone with God. Reflect on what is happening and take it to Him. Talk with Him. And be honest with yourself. Whatever is happening, He is in control and only He can see the outcome. Place Him in the position of headship in your life and watch for His Glory on your behalf!

Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither has the eye seen, O God, beside you, what He hath prepared for him that waits for Him.

Yesterday in church I heard yet another message about fulfilling our purpose, our calling. Now I don’t know about you, but for me, those words always leave me with an ache and a sorrow inside. I am well into my senior years and every time I hear these kinds of sermons I have the same reaction: what purpose? What calling? Is there one?

And then this morning I had a repeat performance of what happens to me within 24 hours of every sermon I hear about purpose and calling: Holy Spirit showed up and reminded me what my purpose and calling is and how I have and still am fulfilling it. He also graciously told me to stop feeling guilty every time the enemy steals from me, whether it’s in a church service or everyday life.

Do you know what your ‘purpose’ is? Your calling? As you can see, I struggled with this for many years without realizing I was already fulfilling it. I think that is one of the many fiery darts of the enemy – he keeps telling us we haven’t found it while all the while we are walking in it.

Not everyone is ‘called’ to street evangelism or pulpit ministry. Not every ministry is noticeable – like food banks and clothing drives. Some sweet brothers and sisters walk so closely with the Lord that they are in constant communication with Him, and consequently spend most of their prayer time praying for others. These sweet intercessors carry the burdens of others and bring relief and miracle through their efforts. Yet, you will never see them take a bow or get accolades for their ‘ministry’. They are fulfilling their calling every day. I wonder if they think they have missed it?

A lot of believers are filled with angst as they search for a place for their hands to be put to work (or their mouths!) I would encourage those to relax. Take a deep breath and rest in the love of God. If He has called you, He will ensure His plan is completed. I believe you will find that when you relax and leave it to Him, your place in the Kingdom will just sort of appear. You will realize where you are supposed to be or what you are supposed to be doing, or perhaps, as in my case, you will realize (with His help) that you are ALREADY fulfilling your calling.

God loves us. He wants us to fulfill the calling He has placed on our lives and He will help us do that. God, forgive us for thinking it is all about us fulfilling a calling when it is really all about YOU implementing YOUR PLAN.

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me: thy mercy, O Lord, endures for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Yesterday in church I was blessed to have the Holy Spirit use me to give a short encouraging word to the congregation. It followed the normal pattern for me, from when the Spirit is moving and wants to speak…..until the end. As I neared what turned out to be the end of the message my heart began a slow burn within me. When I paused to await the remainder of the message, the burning increased to such an intensity I thought I would burst into flame – a PHYSICAL BURNING as if it were on fire. And when I say ‘heart’ I mean the center of my body at the bottom of and directly beneath the breastbone. As pastor began to speak and move the service onward with more worship, I wasn’t sure the Spirit was finished. Nevertheless, I let it go, and as the program of service continued the burning ceased. In hindsight I believe it was supposed to be a time of laying-on of hands, but I will never know in this life.

I didn’t really think much more about it yesterday except when my grandson – who had been standing beside me — asked me about the experience on our drive home – he often experiences things spiritually yet doesn’t discuss it. Yet this morning, it is picking at me, and tugging at me, as a seamstress tugs and picks on a seam trying to open it. And knowing after all these years how the Holy Spirit nudges and tugs and pulls and woos me into walking with Him instead of around Him, I delved into different commentaries on the story of the Emmaus Road. Here’s what I found, centering my study around Luke 24:32.

According to Ellicott, the tense used implied a continuous burning and not a momentary state or act.

MacLaren couldn’t contain himself to looking at the one verse and expounds on the entire story, with a mini-sermon that completely ignores the ‘burning hearts’.

Benson counts the burning as a ‘glow within us, with love to God and our Divine Instructor’.

Henry says that ‘Scriptures which speak of Christ will warm the hearts of his true disciples’.

Barnes also believes that the hearts burning expression denotes ‘the deep interest and pleasure which they felt in his discourse’.

Poole counts the travelers as disciples who had not yet had the fire [of evangelism] kindled in their hearts, but once Christ departed they were alight and had to go spread the word.

Gill concludes that the words that Christ shared with them ‘caused their hearts to be warmed and glow as they became fervent in spirit and their affections were raised and fired; they found the word to be as burning fire within them, and they now knew somewhat what it was to be baptized with fire.’

Meyer transcribes the verse to read ‘Was not our heart in an extraordinarily fervent commotion?’

Bengel acknowledges that it was an ‘actual continuance of the burning sensation’.

So….which was it?

Well, having been the one having the actual experience it was, as Bengel acknowledges, an actual burning sensation. Was it a continuous burning? YES. Was my heart warmed as in an emotional experience? NO. Was I quoting Scriptures? NO – at least I don’t think so. Was I meditating on my love for God and my Divine Instructor? NO. Was it my interest and pleasure in the discourse? Given that I don’t remember what was said, a resounding NO. Do I now feel different as if I have been changed with a light to run and spread the word; a light greater than I already had? NO. Was my heart in an extraordinarily fervent commotion? NO. And, finally, was I baptized with fire? I DON’T KNOW.

Here’s what I do know: I want to be all that God has called me to be. When He uses me, I am blessed. When He uses me like He did yesterday, with a new experience, I want to know what it means, and if there is something more I need to do for Him or with Him. And, in the case of a new experience, I want to find other believers who have had similar experiences so we can compare notes and, iron sharpening iron, keep one another headed in the right direction – toward the finish line.

Here’s what I think: It was the truth of God which lit my heart on fire. What do you think?

If you’ve had a similar experience, I’d love to hear from you.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Peter 1:20.