Living Lavishly
“and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 1:14 ESV
As I continue in my Lord’s loving refinery, I am struck by the lavishness with which He poured Himself out for me, for all mankind. He spared no expense or any resource at His disposal in demonstration of His love. In reading the gospels it is so striking, so overwhelming that it convicts me and encourages me to do the same.
He is still doing it. He still pours His all out for me . . . time and time again . . . each and every day. But, I so often fail to recognize it because I have allowed myself to be polluted by the world and the culture around me.
Yet, in His loving refinery, I am able to see that the suffering He allows me to endure is a lavish gift, a fellowship with my Savior, a purification rite. The other gifts, the fellowship on this earth with other souls who love our God so desperately, so full of His presence and joy and glory--sends my spirit into heavenly orbit. And, oh the gifts He allows us to bestow upon others out of His limitless bounty!
"See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children—think of it—and we really are! But since most people don’t know God, naturally they don’t understand that we are his children." 1 John 3:1
1 Timothy 1:14 ESV
As I continue in my Lord’s loving refinery, I am struck by the lavishness with which He poured Himself out for me, for all mankind. He spared no expense or any resource at His disposal in demonstration of His love. In reading the gospels it is so striking, so overwhelming that it convicts me and encourages me to do the same.
He is still doing it. He still pours His all out for me . . . time and time again . . . each and every day. But, I so often fail to recognize it because I have allowed myself to be polluted by the world and the culture around me.
Yet, in His loving refinery, I am able to see that the suffering He allows me to endure is a lavish gift, a fellowship with my Savior, a purification rite. The other gifts, the fellowship on this earth with other souls who love our God so desperately, so full of His presence and joy and glory--sends my spirit into heavenly orbit. And, oh the gifts He allows us to bestow upon others out of His limitless bounty!
Bella, a wonderful teacher at Second Baptist Houston, said something in a Sunday School lesson so powerful once. She said, "We should spend extra time with new Christians just teaching them about all the gifts they have just received in becoming a follower of Jesus. Then, they would be so free to give, having an understanding of the riches they have received as His child."
How beautifully stated.
The Holy Bible tells us in Exodus 20:6, "but I lavish my love upon thousands of those who love me and obey my commandments."
Do you love Him? Do you prove your love for Him by obeying His commands (Luke 3:8, 2 Peter 1:10)?
John 3:35, speaking of Jesus, says, "The Father loves this man because he is his Son, and God has given him everything there is."
We are His sons and daughters, too.
There is no greater joy in all the world.
Goodnight, Runners.
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