Loves Takes Us Home

No one can take us out, as only God can take us home.
I wish reality were different, but it isn’t. The truth is that Jesus promises us a safe landing, never a smooth ride. Challenges await around every corner, but no one can take us out! Only God can take us home. He is the way to peace in the midst of turbulence.
I can’t imagine Daniel ever expected to be taken prisoner to Babylon, let alone facing two separate death sentences. Twice, someone wanted him dead. And twice, instead of instilling fear in Daniel, these situations brought him peace. Daniel sought the Lord and both times the Lord delivered him. Only God could take him home.
We will face many twists and turns in this life. Be secure, not shaken. No one can take your peace from you as long as you keep rejoicing in the Lord; remembering that He is with you; and then, seeking His solution in the midst of them. (See Phil. 4:4-7).
It’s like the picture states: life takes us to unexpected places, but love brings us home. His love.

What’s Said at the End of the Day

Monuments to Man or Life to His Glory?
The Chaplain to the White House, America’s Pastor, Confidant of World Leaders, the Christian Evangelist, God’s Machine Gun (for his rapid fire sermons), Gallup’s List of Most Admired People, are just some of the epithets said about Billy Graham, who died today at the age of 99.
Yet it was one statement he made after the dedication of his library in 2007 that caught my eye the most. Mr. Graham felt the 40,000 square foot building glorified him beyond his desire.
“My whole life has been to please the Lord and honor Jesus,” he said, “not see me and think of me.” His life was driven by one verse, Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” And that is exactly what he did in 185 countries.
Mr. Graham wanted his life to be a monument where people would see Jesus in him, not the other way around. What about you? Hopefully the Lord challenged you with this as He has me. More of you Jesus in and through me!

Just a Closer Walk

Love chooses to surrender.
I received the following from a friend. “Absolute surrender is not about me getting closer to God, but allowing God to get closer to me.” I jokingly threw the card back at the person who gave it to me. Jesus was talking, but I really didn’t want to listen at the moment.
The statement begged the question, “Do I want Him closer to me?” As Jesus believers, we have God the Father, the Son and the Spirit living inside us. Can’t get any closer than that, right? Yet, we all know we can stand right next to someone and be a hundred miles away.
We think various thoughts, say certain words and make all kinds of choices that keep Him at arm’s length. Why?
We don’t believe our lives will be better by having Him closer. We love Jesus, but only so far. Can’t be too religious, right? Wrong. Keeping Him at a distance only hurts us!
If we love Jesus, we will want the length of our arms to shrink. This means giving up control of those choices that drown out His voice from being heard and presence from being felt. Let Him grow your love for Him; and, you will experience the benefits of a closer walk with Jesus.