“I believe that Jesus would have given His life for just one person. Jesus emptied Himself, He humbled Himself and He so yielded Himself to His Father's love that He had no ambition of His own. He was not looking to build an empire, He did not want praise or adulation or to impress people with who or how many followed Him. He stopped over and over again for just one person, for just one life.”
― Heidi Baker, Learning to Love: Passion, Compassion and the Essence of the Gospel
― Heidi Baker, Learning to Love: Passion, Compassion and the Essence of the Gospel
ZECHARIAH 7-9
REVELATION 19
9Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
10At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”
JOURNAL
To worship God means to obey him. Obeying him means to act in love and care for those who are struggling. Throughout the entire Bible this is the constant command. Obedience is ultimately about serving. Loving others is ultimately where God wants the focus. In order to love correctly though, surrender and obedience to God at all cost is what is demanded.
We are promised that if we seek God and serve him in obedience then we will receive a joy and peace that passes all understanding. The peace of mind and heart in knowing that God is with us and is empowering us with purpose and mission, is the greatest gift I could ever know. No matter the circumstances or the outcome...being able to close my eyes knowing that I served and obeyed God in love and truth...this is the Kingdom come.
It is so simple yet with all the entanglements of this world it is often the first thing I lose sight of. I've often thought that having specific Holidays designated for remembering God is silly. Yet the older I get, I realize how important it is, because we tend to get so caught up in things that we forget the purpose of it all. So grateful that I live in a country and in a time where Christmas is celebrated...yes it gets twisted and misused and manipulated but it still exists and I get the freedom to worship God and reach out in his love. Just as he continually reaches out across time and space to call me his own.
To worship God means to obey him. Obeying him means to act in love and care for those who are struggling. Throughout the entire Bible this is the constant command. Obedience is ultimately about serving. Loving others is ultimately where God wants the focus. In order to love correctly though, surrender and obedience to God at all cost is what is demanded.
We are promised that if we seek God and serve him in obedience then we will receive a joy and peace that passes all understanding. The peace of mind and heart in knowing that God is with us and is empowering us with purpose and mission, is the greatest gift I could ever know. No matter the circumstances or the outcome...being able to close my eyes knowing that I served and obeyed God in love and truth...this is the Kingdom come.
It is so simple yet with all the entanglements of this world it is often the first thing I lose sight of. I've often thought that having specific Holidays designated for remembering God is silly. Yet the older I get, I realize how important it is, because we tend to get so caught up in things that we forget the purpose of it all. So grateful that I live in a country and in a time where Christmas is celebrated...yes it gets twisted and misused and manipulated but it still exists and I get the freedom to worship God and reach out in his love. Just as he continually reaches out across time and space to call me his own.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9
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