love

When I look at Gods valentine, the cross,
How can I help but count all things loss?
It was on that stump of wood,
Jesus suffered all the things I should. 
He knew all my evil, that there was no good in me,
Yet He willingly hung there on a tree.
The Almighty Creator, the Lamb of God so fair
Was dying for me, who crucified Him there. 
Oh love so great, oh love so free
What have I to offer Thee?
All thats in me is sin and despair,
And a heart thats in desperate need of repair. 
Then I heard my Savior say,
My child, thats why I died that day.
Will you just give Me your heart,
And let Me my life and love into you impart?

learn

Entering the passenger side of the car for the first time with my child behind the wheel was an eye-opening experience. Id heard many stories of teaching children to drive, but nothing had entirely prepared me. I grabbed my seatbelt as my son floored the accelerator around a tight turn. 

What are you doing? I gasped once my breath came back. Slow down! 

But Mom, you take that turn like that, came his innocent reply. 

I panicked as I realized that my son, without any formal instruction from me drives exactly like me. And as I thought about it, my daughter drives like me too. I suddenly realized that both my children had been learning to drive from me for years. Every time we got in the car together theyd been watching me. Theyd learned all my maneuvers and fears, right down to my unreasonable fear of parallel parking. 

Children are constantly learning. Every day, every hour, and every minute your children are watching and mimicking your actions. A scary thought when we remember that the Bible tells us even our righteous deeds are as filthy rags! 

Our sinfulness should make us eager to buckle ourselves and our children into Gods perfect hands. Sadly, we often try to become the perfect moms and teachers ourselves. We end up teaching our children to cover their sinful hearts in self righteousness instead of Gods righteousness. 

How much better to teach them to run to God constantly! Traveling in Gods strength instead of our own is the only safe way to travel. So buckle up and rest in His care! 

carry

Daniel loved to carry things. As a toddler, gigantic stuffed animals twice his size often filled his little hands. As he grew older, he carried larger handfuls of toys and just about everything else he could find. His tendency to carry everything himself caused him to constantly drop something, fall, or bang into a wall. Black and blue marks often dotted his body. Despite the bruises, Daniel never allowed anyone to carry anything for him. 

Daniel and his father crammed a tent and as many supplies as they could into their backpack. They were going backpacking together, and Daniel could hardly wait to begin their hike. He had been looking forward to this special time with his father for months. His mind raced with the anticipation of seeing the breathtaking mountain peaks and listening to the constant chatter of the forest creatures. 

Daniel and his father finally stood at the base of the mountain. Every bit as obstinate as ever, Daniel insisted on carrying the backpack, though he could barely even lift it to his shoulders. An onlooker might have wondered if he had even heard his fathers offer to carry the backpack for him. 

At first, Daniels shoulders hardly sagged under the immense weight. But soon the constant pressure made Daniels neck ache. Daniel tried to ignore the growing pain. 

A few miles later Daniel and his father paused at a small hut a few yards off the path. There Daniels father purchased fishing supplies and some last minute items. Daniel again insisted on carrying everything. He made a pitiful sight stumbling after his father, trying to juggle a backpack, fishing pole, and bucket on his tiny 9-year-old frame. But still Daniel ignored his fathers constant offers to carry his burdens. 

As they hiked to the campsite, Daniels little mind, instead of thrilling at the beauty around him and the opportunity to be with his father, dreaded each new step. His arms felt like they were going to fall off any moment, and his legs ached terribly. Daniel could think of nothing except his fatigued body. 

Father, Im so tired. I dont think I can go another step, Daniel moaned. He loved his father and wanted so desperately to do a good job carrying the supplies, but he felt so tired. Tears threatened to overflow his eyes any moment. 

I know you cant carry all those burdens. Wont you let me carry everything for you? Daniels father repeated for the hundredth time that hour his offer. My shoulders are big enough to handle it all. 

But Daniel marched on as if he hadnt heard his father. He continued to moan and complain and ask his father for help, but refused to let his father take the burdens from his shoulders.

Miserable mile passed miserable mile. Finally, Daniel couldnt stand the strain another second. Take them, Daddy, he whispered. Im not even strong enough to put them into your hands. 

Quick as lightening, Daniels father whisked both Daniel and all the supplies into his strong arms. As Daniel rested his weary head against his fathers strong breast, he wondered why he had ever insisted on carrying anything. From his fathers arms, he could again notice the breathtaking sites around him. He could hear the robin singing and could relish in the invigorating mountain air. Best of all, he could feel his fathers love around him. He felt certain there couldnt be a happier place on earth than in his fathers arms. I will let my father carry all my burdens and me too from now on, Daniel whispered as he drifted into a sweet slumber.

warm

From the moment I opened the door the frigid air and biting wind chilled my entire body. I wanted desperately to be warm againto leave this cold behind and bask in the warmth of a fire. I raced into the car and shut the door, still chattering. Out my window I watched the snow fall on the already white ground. Everything around me testified to the freezing temperatures. 

As I tried to de-thaw, a question hit me by surprise. Could it be that more than just my physical body suffered from the cold? Had my heart also grown cold? Id been writing and telling others about Gods love, yet in all honesty I wasnt basking in Gods presence like I ought. Could my heart, as well as my fingers, really be turning blue? 

Throughout our lives, we battle cold hearts. The icicles of pride cling to us. The cares and worries of this world drench us in freezing rain. And although our spiritual knowledge glistens to others much like a fresh blanket of snow glistens in the sunlight, our hearts, like that same field of snow, are actually cold and on the verge of freezing. 

The remedy to a cold heart is simple. We need to warm our hearts in Gods love! 

Were all familiar with John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son. But have we let Gods love warm our hearts to the very core? Will we let His love melt away all our pride, fears, and desires? 

Sadly, we often refuse to let Gods love transform us. We see His love from a distance. We talk about the glow of His fire, yet fail to approach it ourselves. We often dont let Gods love transform us because were unaware that we need Gods warmth. Or maybe we dont bask in Gods love because we dont want to see ourselves as God sees us. Gods love, like a brilliant fire, will expose our deepest thoughts. And in light of Gods love, even our good thoughts and deeds appear filthy and sin-infested. Are we willing to admit we have nothing but frozen hearts in need of God? 

Coming to Gods great love involves letting our old thoughts and feelings melt away. Gods love dissolves our fears and pride. His love even brings pain as His feelings begin to circulate through our life. Yet if well only let it, Gods love will impart His life and health to our cold hearts. Why do we insist on freezing when we weve been invited to snuggle next to the fire? 

Next time the frigid wind chills your body, remember that your heart doesnt need to chatter. Warm your heart in Gods love!

time

Olivia steadied herself on the counter. Why was the world spinning? She shook her head, trying to shake away the blurriness and focus again on the task before her.

It was no use. She couldn’t keep standing. Wearily, she sank into a chair, burying her head in her hands.

She just didn’t get it. A few days ago she had so much energy and felt like she could conquer the world. Now, she felt like a complete failure and could hardly keep standing. What was wrong with her?

Olivia’s sister Sophia came to her side, giving her a gentle side hug. “Oh, Sophi, what’s wrong with me?” Olivia cried, burying her head on her sister’s shoulder.

Sophia listened patiently as Olivia recounted the week’s adventures. “I just feel so tired out,” Olivia explained. “I want to complete the tasks before me well, but I don’t have any energy to do it. I can’t think straight at all.”

“When was the last time you ate?” Sophia’s gentle question was the last one Olivia expected, but one she needed to hear. When was the last time she ate? Come to think of it, her last real meal was several days ago now. Her only other food had been small, rushed snacks here and there, along with some junk food.

“I’ve had so much to do, I’ve not really had a good meal in days,” Olivia confessed.

Sophia nodded. “That’s what I thought. My dear sister, there’s no way you can complete what you need to do unless you nourish yourself! And I don’t mean just a quick snack here and there. You need a real meal. Your body simply wasn’t made to run without good food.”

Olivia was surprised that, after a good meal, she could suddenly think clearly again and walk without the world spinning. How different life looked when properly fed! No matter how busy life got, she needed to make time to eat.

“ But he [Jesus] answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

prayer

Today,
For what I am that I ought not to be,
Forgive me.
For what I am not that I ought to be,
Forgive me.
Be with my mouth in what it speaks
Be with my hands in what they do
Be with my mind in what it thinks
Be with my heart in what it feels
Work in me
...through me
...for me
...in spite of me
In the precious name of Jesus,
Amen

key

THE KEY

The key to victory in 2011 is Philippians 3:13-14. Paul was using the illustration of a race to describe his life. He was in the home stretch, but he was still running the race; the race wasn't over. He said, "I have not apprehended it yet." - NOT YET!

Right behind this conjunction is one of Paul's secrets to living: THIS ONE THING I DO! It's the only time this particular phrase is used in the New Testament. Single-minded concentration on the things of God is essential to running the race of Christianity. You cannot be dwelling on other things as an athlete and give your best performance. Therefore, Paul says "this one thing I do."

What is "This One Thing I Do"?

"Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." That's the key for victory in the Christian life. That's the key for victory in 2015.

　

What do we need to forget?

Paul had learned that we have to lock the door on yesterday and throw away the key. Paul discovered that looking back almost always ends up in going back. Let me repeat that... Looking back almost always ends up in going back. In the Old Testament we find the wandering Israelites ready to return to their old ways rather than pressing on. In the New Testament Jesus clearly taught us in Luke 9:62 that "no man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for God's Kingdom."

　

4 THINGS WE NEED TO FORGET:

　

1. YESTERDAY'S MISTAKES

In his book "ENCOURAGE ME", Chuck Swindoll has a chapter entitled, "The Fine Art of Blowing It". It begins like this, "It happens to every one of us. Teachers as well as students. cops as well as criminals. Bosses as well as secretaries. Parents as well as kids. The diligent as well as the lazy. Not even presidents are immune. Or corporation heads who earn six-figure salaries. The same is true of well-meaning architects and hard-working builders and clear-thinking engineers... not to mention pro ball players, politicians, and preachers. What? making mistakes, that's what. Doing the wrong thing, usually with the best of motives. And it happens with remarkable regularity."

Everyone makes mistakes. Everybody does stupid, foolish things. God's Word says: "forget it" - leave them behind you. There are 3 things we should do about yesterday's mistakes:

   1. Learn from them

   2. Determine with God's help not to do them again

   3. Forget them.

Satan will want to remind you and make you feel guilty for your past mistakes – but God says: "Forget Them. I HAVE"!

　

2. YESTERDAY'S HURTS

Life is a battlefield. You're a soldier in God's Army. On any battleground, injuries will occur and soldiers are going to get hurt. Sooner or later, someone is going to

   ... hurt you.

   ... lie about you

   ... verbally or physically harm you

   ... misrepresent you

   ... chop you up in little pieces

   ... slander you

It's going to happen--what do you do?

You have two choices:

   1. Allow the resentment and hate to build

   2. Forgive and Forget

         A. Forgive as Christ forgave you

                  - just as He forgave the Roman soldiers who didn't know what they were doing.

         B. Forget those things that are behind you Phil. 3:13

　

You might say, but David -

   ... You don't Understand

   ... You don't understand what's happened to me.

   ... You don't know how bad I've been hurt.

   ... I was innocent.

   ... I didn't do anything wrong, but they hurt me.

   ... They lied about me.

   ... They hurt my feelings and they didn't care.

   ... They criticized me when I didn't do anything wrong.

   ... They talked about me behind my back.

   ... They cheated me, they rejected me, they hurt me really bad.

God understands. Jesus was innocent, but they beat him, they tortured him, they mocked him, they crucified him. He didn't deserve it, but they did it anyway. On the cross, He forgave them. On the cross, He provided salvation for even those who beat him, who mocked him, who crucified him. In order to press on in the Christian life, we have to lock the door on yesterday's hurts.

　

3. YESTERDAY'S POSSIBILITIES

How often do I see people unable to operate in today because they are still living a "what if" life of yesterday. They keep talking about "what could have been"--"if I had only..."

Quite often they blame someone else

   ... if only my wife hadn't...

   ... if only my parents (children) hadn't...

   ... if only my business partner had...

   ... if only the war hadn't...

They even blame God - "if God would have… or if God wouldn't have…"

　

We can't live on yesterday's promises or yesterday's dreams. Too many people are dissatisfied with life because they've had an expectation that just hasn't worked out. Paul is saying - forget your past hurts, forget your past mistakes and forget living with what might have been and finally...

　

4. YESTERDAY'S SINS

Billy Graham once said that 60% of all the patients in mental hospitals could go home if they would accept the fact that they are not guilty or that they have been forgiven.

Many people are carrying a burden of guilt:

   ... A past mistake

   ... A moral failure

   ... A painful cut to a friend

   ... A physical hurt to someone

   ... A stupid, hateful remark

   ... A poor decision

   ... A sin so horrible that they believe either God will not forgive them or they will not forgive themselves

***There is no sin, no matter how great or small, once it has been confessed and forgiven, that the memory of it should torment us no more. 

Let me repeat that: When sin, no matter how great or how grievous, has been confessed and forgiven, the memory of it should not torment us any more!

　

Notice, Paul didn't say, "I've forgotten those things which are behind. Paul said, forgetting those things. Paul had learned the secret. There are some things in our memory that we will never forget.  We have to keep practicing forgetting...

Guilt will eat us alive. Every time the memory comes back, every time a song or a word or a smell or a picture or a person reminds us, we continue to practice forgetting. How long do we practice forgetting?

   ... until the memory doesn't hurt any more.

   ... until we allow God to forgive us

   ... until we allow God to forgive through us

   ... until the pain is no longer there

   ... until we can use our past to help us grow in the present

   ... until we can use our past to help others in the present

God says in Jeremiah 31:34 "I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more."

　

Psalm 103:12 "I will remove their sin as far as the east is from the west."

　

I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

It's time to:

   Lock the Door on the Past!

   Throw Away the Key!

   Forget Where You Have Thrown It!

-david langerfeld