When What We Need is Divine Pruning to Restore Order to Our Lives

The shrubs and landscaping in front of my house were overgrown and threatening to completely block the sidewalk. Even though it looked messy and was rapidly becoming an azalea jungle, I couldn't figure out how to fix it. 

I didn't realize it, but I needed an expert.

My friend, Linda Buchanan, mentioned her new yard man one day. Mr. Bailey was a wonder and a great help, she said, so I called him. 

That first day, I instructed him to clean up the front and trim the shrubs a little.  A few hours later, I walked outside to see an enormous pile of brush. Mr. Bailey had been busy. 

My heart sank as I thought, "My azaleas! He has cut down my azaleas!" 

I hurried around front to find, not destruction, but order. He had trimmed up the mess and brought it under control. Instead of a jungle, I had lovely landscaping again.

Scripture tells us that John the Baptizer's listeners were in a similar situation. They knew they had a mess in their lives and that something needed to be done. That's why they had come out to the banks of the Jordan to hear him. Their heritage wasn't enough to save them, nor their sacrifices. They were in a quandary. What then? What could they do?

And the crowds were questioning him, saying, "Then what shall we do?" (Luke 3:10 NASB)

He began by giving practical examples of sacrificial behavior. It wouldn't be long before Jesus would come for baptism, and John would recognize exactly what they all needed. 

The Lamb of God would take away their sin. 

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29 NASB)

They couldn't do anything to rectify their guilt but Jesus would do it for them and He would soon set them free.

Maybe you, too, are wondering what to do about problems in your life or in the lives of loved ones. You may not realize it, but, like me, you need an expert. 

The answer is incredibly simply. Look to Jesus. He can clean up the mess of your life as well as that of your loved ones. He can clean up the guilt and shame and set you free.

Today, let's pray for a heart willing to accept the help that is so desperately needed. Pray, too, for the divine pruning that only Christ can do. 

___________

In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link:How to Tell Your Faith is Alive? Take a Look at Your Works

If God leads you to help support this ministry outreach, here's the link to give: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

#Jesus #Christian

How to Tell Your Faith is Alive? Take a Look at Your Works

Ryan was home and wanted to check out the Tanglefoot Trail. We wanted Sam to go with us. The only way to make that happen was to take him in a wheelchair, so that's what we did. Ryan happily pushed Sam along, and had a grand time doing it. Our faith influenced our actions.

I thought about that day when I read James 2:17 this morning. 

"Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself." James 2:17 nasb

It's probably the key verse in the book of James. 

Faith, without works, is dead. Ponder that for a moment.

Social media is full of declarations of faith and Scripture memes. Our churches are full of people who, by their presence, proclaim their faith. What's not always so apparent are the works that demonstrate and accompany that faith.

Today, I'm writing to us, the body of Christ. 

How can the world recognize the faith we say we have if they can't see any works? How can they see that Christ has made a difference in our lives if we do the same things the world does?

When there are elderly believers who are lonely or in need, and we never visit or help, how does the world tell we honor our senior adults? 

When there are children in foster care, praying for a "forever" home, and we leave them there, how does the world tell we care about orphans? 

When the divorce rate among Christians is equal to the divorce rate outside the church and we choose not to go the distance, how does the world tell that Christ heals relationships?

When immigrants find themselves adrift in a new and strange culture and we do nothing to help, how does the world tell that we welcome strangers?

I'm not perfect at demonstrating my faith by my works, and I don't pretend to be, but I understand the concept. 

We demonstrate our faith by our works.

In a very real way, we reveal the power of Christ in our lives by how He changes us and causes us to look outside ourselves to the needs of others. 

It's easy to fill a shoebox with toys and send it to a child on the other side of the world. It's not quite as easy to spend our valuable time visiting with the lonely person down the street. It's not as easy to invite strangers into our homes for a meal. It's not as easy to stop by a nursing home to spend time with senior adults who can no longer live alone.

Before we race into the madness of the holidays, let's stop and reconsider our testimony. Our "works" reveal the truth of our faith. What do they say about Christ to a world that is lost in sin and darkness?

Today, let's take a close look at our lives, our faith, our works. What changes do we need to make? Works won't save us, but faith, without works, is not much of a faith at all.

We live in a world in desperate need of a Savior. Let's not just tell them about Christ, let's show them by the things we do.

____________

In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: Working Together To Get The Job Done

If God leads you to help support this ministry outreach, here's the link to give: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

#works #faith

Living Like We Were Worth It

My son, Ryan, is the most precious human in my life. Every drop of blood, every millimeter of sinew in his body is precious to me. If there were something I could do to keep him safe, I'd do it. I'd lay down my life for him. 

There's no one on earth for whom I'd lay HIS life down, however. 

What I can't comprehend is that God loved us enough to allow His Son to die for us. I don't think we're worth it, but God did.

Ponder that truth for a moment. 

God thought we, a band of sinners, were worth saving, worth the blood and suffering of His Son.

If that doesn't fill you with wonder, read it again.

Peter, writing to the church dispersed abroad, said wise words about this very topic:

"And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourself in fear during the time of your stay upon earth knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:17-19 nasb

It cost God more than any of us would be willing to pay to purchase us out of our sin-slavery. We should remember that as we go about our lives, and live accordingly. 

God bought us with the blood of His Son. 

This truth should be burned into our souls so that it's never far from our consciousness. It should inform both our words and actions. Before we speak (or write), we need to consider, "Did Christ die so that I can communicate in this way? Did God give His Son for me to do this? Does it honor Him?" 

If not, then don't do it.

It's that simple.

We were bought with a price. We are to glorify God in all that we do. All that we say. All that we think. 

Christ didn't die for us to live like the world. He died to set us free from the sin of this world. Today, let's let the truth of Christ's sacrifice set the tone for our every word and deed. Let's live as if we were worth it. 

_____________

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Simple Truth of How Healing Begins

If you'd like to help support this ministry outreach, here's the link to give: Global Outreach Acct 4841

#truth #Jesus

After the Election: What to Do When It's Hard

The daffodils in the photo are my "better days are coming" flowers. During one of the most difficult times of my life, a friend gave me a pack of bulbs for Christmas. They were to remind me that God is constantly doing things we can't see. 

I planted those bulbs in faith that God was at work. Every spring since then, I've had daffodils in ever-increasing numbers. They're a constant reminder that God doesn't always flaunt His efforts. Sometimes, He brings out His best when life looks the darkest.

That's what He did with the cross. 

When Jesus was arrested, the future looked bleak for His followers. The situation deteriorated that dreadful night. Things went from bad to worse. Jesus was tried, sentenced, beaten. Nothing was enough to satisfy the mob. Nothing but death.

The enemies of God thought they'd won. What they didn't understand was that nothing could defeat Him. God was mere days from revealing the best gift He ever gave.

On the morning of the third day, the stone moved. Jesus arose. The victory over sin and death was won.

And it still is.

When Jesus rose from the dead, He bought our freedom from death and sin. When He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, He assured us of the victory, if we want it.

The problem, I'm afraid, is that we're fond of sin, and we don't always want victory over it. 

Jesus spent His last hours praying for those who would follow Him. He was praying for us. You and me. The thing He most wanted was for us to be unified. To demonstrate to the world that the love of Christ can unify a disparate people and make us one. It would be so attractive to the world, Jesus prayed, that people would be drawn to Him.

Well, that was the plan. 

It would work, if we would do our part. People will never be drawn to Christ if we take offense at the words of others, if we fight back, if we indulge in backbiting and arguing. So let's stop it. 

Just stop.

It's not necessary to respond to every hard word that's said, to every mean thing that's done. It's not necessary to respond to every hateful thing that's posted on Facebook.

What about turning the other cheek is hard to understand? 

When someone does something that stings, let it go. Don't respond. Don't hold on to it. Forgive. Move past it.

Act like Jesus. Love like Jesus. Choose what Jesus wanted... unity in the body of Christ. Love that astounds the world.

Opinions don't matter. Even opinions about our recent election. Love does.

When His people behave the way Jesus said to behave, He will take those actions and make something beautiful. 

It may take a while. It may not be evident for a long time, but, like my daffodil bulbs, He will bring something good from this very hard time. 

Choose love.

"...for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one, even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me. John 17:20, 21 nasb

____

Like and share this post to help extend my digital reach. Thanks!

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Waiting For the Invitation to Change

If you'd like to help support this ministry outreach, here's the link to give: Global Outreach Acct 4841

#Jesus #love

Waiting for the Invitation to Change

Matthew was sitting at his tax collector booth, taking up the tax money, and likely gathering a bit more for himself, when Jesus and His disciples came by.

Jesus paused long enough to look at Matthew and say, "Follow me."

That isn't the most compelling invitation I've ever heard, but it was enough for Matthew. He got up, left his tax collector booth, and his steady stream of income, and followed Jesus.

Matthew wasn't collecting money hand-over-fist with a happy, contented heart before he walked away from it. That's not how people make life-altering decisions. If you've ever made a major life change, you know. First there's dissatisfaction, discontent. It grows, and you begin to consider your options. You ponder what else you could do. Eventually, you realize a change is imperative. 

When the change you think you've been looking for comes along, you take it.

As a physician, there was more than one night on call when my fellow physicians and I, weary beyond words, would talk about what we would become if we could just leave medicine. Painter. Writer. Long-haul truck driver. Pizza maker. Most of them stayed. I didn't. 

It's likely Matthew had been doing some soul-searching before Jesus called Him. He'd heard of Jesus, probably seen Him walk by with His disciples. That group of friends, laughing together as they walked along, must have been very attractive to a man who was an outcast because of his job.

Before the call came, Matthew probably looked just the same to those who knew him, but Jesus knew. Matthew was ripe for change. He was ready.

How many people we meet every day are dissatisfied and ready for a change, ready to respond to the call of Jesus? Probably more than we think. 

How many of those discontented people are watching those who claim to be Christians to see if we have something attractive to offer? Again, probably more than we think. 

Judging by the response to the election over the last day or so, there are unhappy, discontented people all around us, both in and out of the body of Christ. 

I have good news. We don't have to stay discontented, because Jesus is calling to all of us, and He's still King, no matter who is president. When we follow Him, it won't always be easy, but it can bring a precious kind of contentment, regardless of our circumstances. 

Today, let's choose to live as if we have something wonderful to share because, in Jesus, we do. Let's offer a ready smile, a kind word, a helping hand. When the opportunity arises, let's share the good news of a risen Savior who cares about us, loves us, and is coming back to take us home. 

You never know who's been waiting for someone to say, Come. Follow Jesus." 

And Jesus said to him, "Follow Me." And he rose, and followed Him. Matthew 9:9 nasb
_______________
the photo above is of a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee
In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: We Have a New President. Now What?

If you'd like to help support this ministry outreach, here's the link to give: Global Outreach Acct 4841
#change #Jesus

We Have a New President. Now What?

We have a new president today, one who promises major, radical change. 

The really hard part has just begun.

Our president-elect has a little over two months to prepare for a job that is too big for anyone brave enough to try it. 

This is not a time for gloating or boasting. This is a time for Mr. Trump to settle down to the hard work of learning the law, getting to know the people with whom he will be working, and choosing wise people to surround and help him.

I don't want to discourage anyone in their time of celebration, but there are a few things we, and he, need to remember. 

We are a nation governed by laws. 

Some of those laws are not good. As law-abiding citizens, we, and Mr. Trump, still have to obey those laws until they are changed. There is a way, and a process, to change and repeal bad laws. That process, for the most part, rests in the hands of the congress, not the president. 

Mr. Trump will not have the authority, nor the power, to repeal the ACA or laws concerning abortion, physician-assisted suicide, or term-limits. He can veto new laws, but congress can still override his veto.

If he wants change in law, he will have to work together with congress to accomplish it.

Our constitution provides for checks and balances in the three branches of government: executive, judicial, and legislative. 

Our forefathers had experience with too-powerful government. They wisely chose to limit the powers of each branch so that one person could not "reign" unchecked. Mr. Trump will be head of the executive branch. He will not be the boss of the judicial or legislative branches. 

He will need to work together with the other branches to accomplishes change.

It is God who establishes the authority over us, and He has established Mr. Trump. 

We don't need to forget that, nor should he. There will be times when we disagree with what our new president does or says. We are to honor his authority. We are not to write scathing posts on social media. We are not to call him names or speak against him. We are to honor the office as that of God-given authority. Because it is. Period. 

Christians are directed to pray for their leaders, and this new leader needs our prayers more than he knows. 

He will experience temptation to a degree he's never experienced before. Pray he can resist. 

He will experience spiritual warfare to a degree he's never experienced before. Pray he can stand firm. 

He will need to make decisions he's never made before. Pray he will be wise. 

He will need to hold his tongue and bide his time in a way he's never done before. Pray he will tame his speech. 

He claims to be a new believer in Christ. He will need to grow in faith, in knowledge of Scripture, in relationship with God. Pray he does.

Christians need to do their part. 

It's time we stop grumbling and start living as we are called to do. We've said we want change. If that is true, we need to be change agents. Get involved in the world outside the doors of our churches. Get involved in the lives of those who are hurting, who are making bad choices, who need the redemptive power of Jesus. 

The "church" was never meant to be a social club. We are to be a family who worships together, learns together, and works together to take the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth. Worshipping and learning are only a part of the mission of the church. 

We need to live like the people Jesus died to save. 

In this country, the ones who have the greatest power to create change are those willing to relentlessly pursue it. Know the law. Learn about the issues. Talk to legislators. Vote. Volunteer. Get involved. Make a difference.

We can have real, substantive change, but only if we, the people, change first. 

We must give up our sense of entitlement. Stop asking, "What do I deserve?" and start asking, "What can I do to help?" Be willing to tackle the hard issues of national overspending. Tighten our belts. Pay our debts. Tackle the issues of runaway health care. Stop saying, "Do all you can do." Start saying, "Do what's best." Start taking responsibility for our own health and quit relying on medicine to do what we should do. Exercise. Eat right. Give up the habits that are killing us.

For all his bluster and bravado, Mr. Trump is not "the change" we most needed. We are. So, body of Christ, we have a fresh start. A new chance. A better day.

 Let's be the change we say we want. Let's be the people of God we say we are.

If we want to make America great again, it takes more than a new president. It takes repentance, humility, and prayer. 

This time, let's do what it takes. Let's make America great again.

"Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." Romans 13:1 nasb
_______________
In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Do More Than Vote Your Beliefs, Live Them 
#Trump #election2016

Do More Than Vote Your Beliefs: Live Them

Today is election day, and I'm praying that the citizens of this country go to the polls and vote their convictions. 

I'm praying that God will not give us what we deserve. 

Judging by the two candidates, I don't know how He will avoid that, but we will get what we have chosen, one way or the other.

Tomorrow, we will have a new president-elect. (If there is not a hanging chad or other crazy problem.) Fellow Christians, whichever candidate wins the election, WE will have a new president. Not for some of the people, but for ALL of the people. 

It will be the candidate God has allowed. If you don't believe me on that, read Romans 13:1.

Regardless of who is elected, I'm going to do what Christians are supposed to do. Pray for those in authority. Whether they are my choice or not. I'm going to be subject to the governing authority, just as Bible-believers are supposed to do. I'll be careful about what I say, because I understand how much damage my tongue can do, just as James tells us.

I hope we'll all do the same.

If we want to change this country, and I hope we do, fellow Christians, we will not change it with grumbling or name-calling or spiteful posts on social media. We will change it by getting on our knees, humbling ourselves, repenting of our sin, and praying, then getting involved and working for good and not evil.

After we vote our beliefs, let's be sure we live them, too.

"Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." Romans 13:1 nasb

__________

In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: Is Your Faith Big Enough to Receive a Miracle 

#Election2016 #liveit

Is Your Faith Big Enough to Receive a Miracle?

Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead as He walked along His way. One day, two blind men joined the crowd and began to follow Him. As they walked, they cried out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." 0ver and over again.

Jesus kept walking. The blind men followed Him all the way to His next destination, calling for mercy as they went. When Jesus finally stopped, the blind men approached Him. 

Jesus didn't ask them what they wanted. He knew. Instead, He asked a question He probably still asks today. "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" (Matt. 9:28)

They did.

His response was to touch their eyes and speak words that frighten me with their implication. "Be it done to you according to your faith." (Matt. 9:29) 

I don't really want God to respond to my prayers in proportion to my faith. I want Him to respond in proportion to His Majesty, His greatness. To do something big in response to my smallness.

Jesus' words to the blind men make me wonder if my lack of faith has limited the answers to my prayers. I'm pretty sure the answer to that is yes, but I want to be done with small-faith-limited answers to my prayers. 

I want God to respond with answers as big as He is big. As profound as He is profound.

If I want big answers, this passage suggests I'll need bigger faith. 

I'm very concerned about the election tomorrow. I want God to do something bigger than I've ever seen before. 

I'm very concerned about my ministry, its direction, God's provision. I want God to do something bigger than I've ever seen before.  

I'm very concerned about family members who are far from their faith. I want God to do something bigger than I've ever seen before.

If I want God to do bigger, I'll need bigger faith.

If you're in need of a God-sized answer to prayer, why not do what I'm doing?

I'm asking God to enlarge my faith. It's as simple as that. Make my faith big enough to expectantly believe for a miracle in our nation, a miracle in my ministry, a miracle in my family. I want faith big enough to receive it.

Our nation is like a runaway train, roaring down the tracks straight into the abyss. We need God to intervene. Stop us. Turn us around. Bring a great awakening. A revival. 

It will take a God-sized miracle, and we need a God-sized faith, so let's ask for both. Faith to pray, and faith to receive. 

We need a miracle that we do not deserve. A miracle of mercy and grace. We serve a God who abounds in mercy and grace. 

So children of God, let's pray big, ask big, believe big.
_______________
In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: What We Should Do If We Want Answered Prayers
#faith #miracle 

What We Should Do if We Want Answered Prayers

I love the "ask and it shall be given you" verse. Lots of people love it, claim it, depend upon it. It's like a shiny gold coin on the sidewalk. We want to grab it and keep it safe, to pull it out when it's most needed.

"Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you " Matthew 7:7

As I read those words today, I realized they were spoken toward the end of the Sermon on the Mount. There's a good bit that comes before the asking and receiving. 

The "part that comes before" is not an accident. Jesus spoke as He did intentionally, so we'd do well to take a closer look, just in case we want to do any asking.

The Sermon on the Mount begins with the Beatitudes, then "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matt. 5:16

There's also the call to right living with right motives, in "... unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:20

Jesus talked about our thought life and the sins we commit in our minds. He addressed how we respond to our enemies and those who are unkind to us, our relationship with our Heavenly Father, our prayer life, fasting, generosity, and worry. 

Just before He talked about asking and finding, He covered the issue of judgmental, critical spirits. "First take the log out of your own eye," He demanded. Matt. 7:5

After all the other issues were addressed, Jesus moved to the topic of answered prayer. It was "after" for a reason. If we want the kind of answered prayers Jesus promised, we have to take to care of those issues covered in the first part of the Sermon on the Mount.

I'm not saying that God refuses to answer the prayers of those with unconfessed sin. If He waited for sinless people to pray, He'd never get to answer any prayers. 

The truth is that our relationship with our Heavenly Father matters. Prayer is a two-way conversation. If we're estranged from our Lord, because of ongoing sin, we can't expect to have a compelling conversation with our Heavenly Father. 

If we want a vibrant intercessory prayer experience, we need to focus first on relationship. 

Seek His face, not just His hand.

Today, let's ask God to do a heart-check and show us anything that needs to  change, then allow Him to heal our "log-eye" disease, clean up our lamp so light can shine, and transform us into the image of Christ.

Let's seek His face, not His hand. When we do, many of those "problems" will fade into insignificance and we will be able to ask for those things He most desires to give.
____________
In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Sure-Fire, No-Fail Cure for Whining.
#prayer 

The Sure-Fire, No-Fail Cure for Whining

I sat down for quiet time this morning and an immediate litany of complaints popped into my mind. That's no way to start a conversation with the Lord, so I opened my Bible and asked God to help me past my whining to a better focus.

I didn't have to read far to find it in the Model Prayer.

"Pray, then in this way,

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done, 

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,as we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.

Amen." Matthew 6:9-13 nasb

As I read those words, it became abundantly clear that "I" am not the focus. It's our Heavenly Father. Thy name. Thy kingdom. Thy will. Thy provision. Thy forgiveness. 

The only thing about "me" in the model prayer is my hunger and my sin.

It's a game changer when you want to whine.

Maybe you, like me, are in a season of long days, hard work, and unrelenting warfare. Maybe you're in a season of sorrow or pain. Maybe you're just tired and cranky.

Whatever the situation, the way to relieve our whining is to pray as Jesus prayed, taking the focus off ourselves and firmly on the One who keeps the stars in the heavens and the planets rotating around the sun. He's the One who has a plan for our welfare and not for calamity. The One who has plans for our future and our hope.

Our Lord, God Almighty.

There's a song that sums it up pretty well: 

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 

Look full in His wonderful face. 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim 

in the light of His glory and grace." 

(Helen H. Lemmel, 1922, public domain)

Those words are as true now as they were when Helen Lemmel wrote them 94 years ago. When the things of this world press down and wear away at us, let us turn our focus to Christ. All those cares and concerns will pale in comparison to the precious love of Jesus.

Take heart, dear ones. He has not only overcome the world, He has overcome all the heartache and trouble of our lives, as well.

______________

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Heavenly Perfection

#Jesus

Heavenly Perfection

I've had heaven on my mind lately, and it's sounding very attractive. One moment of Bible study after another has pointed heavenward. 

This is "Conference Week" around our office. Global Outreach's annual missions conference is this weekend, and missionaries have arrived off and on all week. 

They were faceless names until their arrival, even though I'd heard stories about them from the other Home Office staff. One after another, they've walked in the building and I've recognized them from their picture. They've recognized me from mine. All the weeks of praying for them have suddenly come together when I've seen their beautiful faces.

We've hugged and exclaimed, "I've heard so much about you." and "I love you already." We've sat and chatted about life and ministry, hopes and dreams. Every time, I've thought, "This is what heaven will be like," and I've longed to enter those beautiful gates.

Today, I read a verse I've read many times before, but it took on a new, and heavenly, meaning. 

"Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew    5:48

In the preceding verses, Jesus had told His followers to be more than the Pharisees.  Be intentional about getting rid of your sin. Don't resist the ones who are evil, but turn the other cheek. Go the extra mile. Give. Love. Even love your enemies. Do what's hard, and do it to honor our Heavenly Father. 

In the process, a wonderful thing will happen. We will become "finished", complete, mature. 

It's the idea behind "finishing school", in which teenaged girls were (traditionally) taught those things that "finish" their training in preparation for taking their place in society. The rough edges are worn off and they learn to be mature, gracious, kind, equipped for adult womanhood.

When we love as God loves, even loving those who are least lovely, we make a start at being "finished", mature, complete. We begin to be a little more like God.

As I read that verse this morning, I realized that heaven is a place where we are "finished". God loves us all, even at our unlovely worst. Like the missionaries who've arrived this week, He "loves us already". Even when we are unlovely. 

Heaven will be filled with that kind of unconditional, agape love. 

Of course we'll have arrived in a place where there will be no sin or unloveliness, so, if we want to be "finished" for heaven, we need to get started now. Take a look around. There's plenty of unloveliness into which we can take God's love.

Even though we're not yet perfect, let's act as if we are. Let's love as if we've already arrived at maturity. In the process, we might find that God uses our acts of love to rub off our rough edges and make us more like Him.

Mature. Complete. Perfect. Ready for heaven.
____________
In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: The All Important IF
#mature #Jesus