Love, above all

I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.
 By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]. John 13:34

This, I believe, is one of the greatest commandments given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ, yet it's also the hardest. How can you love someone who is not loveable? How can you love someone who constantly pushes you away? How can you love someone who doesn't love you back? I sometimes wonder why God sets such a high precedence for His children, especially knowing that we're just but human beings who have feelings and emotions, that HE HIMSELF gave us! So this is one of the times when I think, God doesn't make sense!

But then each time I ask how I can love when its not warranted, I go back to the cross. Jesus did not have to go to the cross. He could have bailed out and left us to our own devices. How I know that it was no easy feat, is when He prayed in the garden of Gathsemane and asked God to take away this cup of suffering. Infact, the Word says his sweat became drops of blood as He prayed fervently. That must have been some fervency! For one's sweat to become drops of blood! Such agony! Yet the Word also says, The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much! At that point I believe He could have gotten up and walked away from this. He had that choice in the garden. I believe that's partly why He prayed and remained in prayer. I believe that's why we ought to pray over decisions before we make them. Prayer brings clarity and insight.
At this point, I'm sure  His conversation with the Father went something like this:

Jesus: Father, I can't do this. It's too difficult a burden to carry.
 Father: I now my Son. But remember, it's a matter of life and death.
Jesus: I understand that Father, but whose life, whose death?! I have lived a pure and faultless life before You. Why must  I suffer for the rest of them. If anything, they should bear their own crosses. This has nothing to do with me!
Father: Jesus I see your agony, and your pain, but these people are helpless. They need you! You're the only one who can save them. The power in blood can destroy the power of the enemy that's in operation in their lives.
Jesus: Oh, how I wish everyone could live blameless and pure before You!
Father: And they can! Through your sinless life, their lives can be made pure. Through your humility, they can be exalted into heavenly places.
Jesus: Father please tell me why? Why would You go to great lengths for such a people? Am I not Your Son? Have I not been with You from the beginning of time? You know me, I love you! But this! This is more than I can bear!
Father (smiling): Its all for love my Son. Remember that we founded the heavens and the earth, and all that is in orbit on this precept. Love is the greatest! However, Jesus, you have a choice. Are you going  to love them enough into sharing eternity with Us? Or are you going to leave them to thier own devices and watch from heaven while they perish?
Jesus: Father, You have put me in a difficult spot. I love these people as much as You do. In fact, the thought of them perishing is unfathomable! I have a choice to make I know. Either way, I know you will love me and accept me into Your Kingdom. But how can I leave these behind! (weeping) Oh Father, if it were possible for You to take away this cup of suffering from me. Is there no other way?
Father: Take a moment my son and see this race. You are right, whatever choice you make you will still be My Son and I will love you no matter what!
Jesus: Oh Father! Even if I leave them behind, You'll still love me?
Father: Yes! You are my only begotten Son and nothing can separate Us. No matter what you decide, or do you are assured of My love.
Jesus: (drops of blood coming from his brow) If You, the Creator and Omnipotent God can love me so, who am I to say no to them. I love them too no matter what they do. The decision has been made. It's not going to be easy I know, but I will do it..for love alone.
Father: (smiling with tears in His eyes) And I am with you all the way. Whenever it gets hard, remember that I am with you, and that it's all for love. Love covers a multitude of sin Jesus and I'm glad you have understood that concept.
Jesus: Will they understand though? I can't imagine going through all this for them to continue in thier sinful ways.
Father: Well, love is not always reciprocal. You just have to extend your love to them and leave the decision to them on whether they'll take it or not. I gave you a choice, so also you must do the same for them. Forced love does not fulfill. If anything, it breeds rebellion!
Jesus: You are right. I will extend my love to them, and it's up to them whether or not they take it. But it is my desire that they receive it. I am agonizing over them. My heart beats for them.
Father: Be strong and courageous. I am with you.You are my Son in whom I am well pleased, and I love you so!

Tall order right there if you ask me. That question again. How can you love someone who doesn't see your sacrifice and love you back? It sucks! And I bet that's how Jesus felt, but it's not about what I can get out of it. It's about doing it for love alone. If Jesus had made the choice not to go through with it, heaven help us all, we'd have been doomed.
The amazing thing about love though is that even if the person you're giving love to does not realize this at the time, eventually, they will come to the realization of this love. The word says that He loved us even while we were yet sinners. He knew us and loved us before we loved Him. So don't love and expect it to come back to you. Rather love and expect it to change the person's life for the better.
1 Corinthians 13 teaches of all the virtues and qualities of love, and 1 John teaches on how to love one another. Its not about me, but its for love alone.

Now Lord, I pray that You might teach me how to love, even those who are difficult to love. It is those people that you seek out. My assignment is to spread that love freely just as you did all those years ago.....for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5). In all that I do, give me peace and strength, that I do it as unto You. I admit it isn't easy, but You desire my willingness, not my ability. You will work through me to accomplish this. For I have this treasure in this earthen vessel, that the excellency of the power may be Yours and not mine. Your will my Father. Just as Jesus agonized in the garden, here I am agonizing with you. It's no easy feat. I need your strength. And I know You hear my prayer. Teach me now o God. In Jesus mighty name, the name that is given in the earth and all of heaven, that at this name every knee will bow, and every tongue confess the Kingship and Lordship of Jesus Christ. AMEN

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from all of them (Psalm 34:19)! Blessed assurance. It's so easy to see the pain and the suffering and not see the glory of God and the victory he wants to bring through those afflictions. In fact, Jesus speaks of this in John 15:20 and says, 'Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.' So Christ Himself told us to expect these sufferings for the enemy fights the goodness of the Son of God in us. So it's never about me, but the Kingdom that dwells inside of me.

God is not a man that He should lie, neither is He a son of man that He should repent. Has He said and shall He not do it?Has He spoken and shall He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)  The God that I serve is far greater than that. He is unmoved and unchanging in all situations. Adversity is His playing field to reveal Himself strong and mighty. My God is a God of war, mighty in battle. The battle is His, and the victory is for me to enjoy. What a mighty God!

While I'm waiting, I will serve you. I will worship while I'm waiting. You are God of truth and love. I trust you Lord. Even when my world looks shuttered i know you hold it together in Your hands. Amazing God, King of glory! Full of splendor and wonder! Great is Your name in all the earth. Who can stand against You? Who has sat on the circle of the earth and can tell You what to do? With whom have you taken counsel?Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him?
With whom did You take counsel, that instruction might be given You? Who taught You the path of justice and taught You knowledge and showed You the way of understanding?To whom then will you liken God? Or with what likeness will you compare Him?

Haha, mighty God. I worship You and I praise you, with all that is in me.....

Just thoughts

I have noticed that from around 3 in the afternoon, there is a certain calm, a peace that comes upon me. Whatever has been wearing me down, just seems to alight! Gosh i love that time of day! Maybe coz its closer to sunset, and i love the gentle breeze that really just seems to whisper my name. I get quite tickled by it...
 Which just makes me think and believe that everything is going  to be OK. I could be hurting and trying to find a way to soothe the dull ache, then it happens, a burst of joy, a whisper of love. I'm just so blessed to be able to experience joy in the midst of a storm. But this only comes when you fully put your trust and reliance in God. He is the only sane thought that passes through my head every now and again.
And man, I feel good when i can just sit here and post something onto my blog. It's such a release! Man i tell you, had it not been for God who holds me ALL the time, i shudder to think what would have become of me. This is my space where i can express my love and gratitude to Him. Man i love my God! There is freedom and joy, and so much love whenever I'm in His presence.
Even as i write this, I'm already feeling it coming on...It's like i can feel Him so close to me, smiling and assuring me that all is well.

Its amazing how He can be God, and friend at the same time; so Magnificent, yet so humble! WOW can you imagine such contrasts! (pause, sigh, and breath).
If i tell you right now that i just feel like laughing, dancing, and crying all at he same time, you'd think i'm crazy, but i'm not. His love captivates me so much. I'm enthralled.
Which brings me to a million dollar question, is there a man who can express this kind of love to me. I can't rely on him, i know, to bring me total joy, but will he encourage this joyfulness, will he pray to God to increase His joy in me, because he loves to see me so happy? Hmmm...i pray so.
Coz i realize now that true joy comes only from God, not a man. I suppose i get why Paul the apostle lived as a single guy. He got to a point where all he wanted was God and was so desperate and hungry for Him that it consumed his time and passions! Wow! I want to be consumed by Him! Engulfed.
That saying that says, i could just eat you up, i want Him to just wanna eat me up, and do!

Lalalalalala! I probably should stop here lest they come for me thinking I'm nuts!

The Love of the Fa

Jewel on the Kings crown: Letter to a perfect stranger

When I first saw you, your beauty took My breath away.I looked at you and secretly hoped that you would notice me. I spent every waking moment think about you. I sent you gifts, but they always came back marked, 'Return to sender'. Then i decided to send you the best of me, all that was precious to me, and you rejected that precious gift. It hurt me to the core, I will not  lie. You shred my heart to pieces. But i would not give up on you. I loved you so much (still do!) I would come around every day to watch you,  just to be near you. You continued to push me further away. Better to see you from afar than not at all. That's how much i loved you. You are my life!

Then came the day when everything changed. You cannot imagine the joy that i felt when you finally said you would be mine. It broke my heart though to see the state that you were in; broken, battered, and left for dead.How could they do that to you! I took you in and nursed you myself. I always took delight in watching you sleep. Oh, such beauty! 

It was the hardest road that brought you here, but finally you're all mine. You are the apple of my eye, my air, and my song. I love you with all that I have (literally). Never forget o apple of my eye.

All my Love

Your Love

This is me

So what! I'm loud. I love being around people.I just love people. But that doesn't mean that i'm not to be taken seriously! That does not make me dull. What you have to realise is that life is too short to live in misery! 

I love myself because i'm loud

I love me because i'm crazy

I love myself because i'm beautiful in every way

I love me coz i'm me!

My beauty doesn't make me a reckless unfeeling woman, it's just the way i'm created. Just coz i'm beautiful doesn't mean that you can have your way with me. There's more to me than just my face and my body. I'm every woman, beautiful on the inside and on the outside! 

Look at me! Tell me what you see. Look at me! 

I've looked at me. Beautiful. Perfect nose, fleshy lips, good teeth, eyes that will draw you in, baby soft skin.

Look at me again. Tell me what you see. Look!

I'm looking at me. Sensitive, full of love, kind, cheerful, and bubbly. 

Never take who i am for granted, because I'm the only one like me. Unique, fearfully and wonderfully made. I do not flaunt my beauty carelessly. I'm more than my face! Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain. 

I guard my heart with diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life. A good and praiseworthy woman, who can find. I am a woman of substance. My beauty is defined by my character, not just my looks. I love me more now because i realize i have more to give than my looks. I have depth. Deep calleth unto to deep at the noise of thy watersprouts...

Hmmm...i think to myself, can i make it? Can i accomplish it, yet I'm strong, even when I'm weak. I'm more than a conqueror! I'm a hero in my own right. I'm my own hero. I will not wait for a prince charming to rescue me. I've already been rescued! I'm a princess. A pearl of great value. 

I'm smiling to myself now. Graceful, favored, and loved. 

This is me!