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MY MUSIC: LOVE KISS

Written By: Dave

How we treat one another is a really big deal to God. I wrote this song a few years ago as I observed myself and others being loved by a person who was using her gifts, engaging with a full heart, and living out what Jesus taught His followers – all His followers.

1 John 4:15-21/the Message
Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day – our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s.

There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life – fear of death, fear of judgment – is one not yet fully formed in love. We, though, are going to love – love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.

Hope you enjoy this song – “It brings comfort when I’m lonely, and leads me to God only. And lifts my eyes to the threshold of my God. The word of a brother in adversity, is worth ten thousands friends to me. The one who cares and comes in Jesus’ Name.”

Selah!
(lift up our offering to become a part of the flowing river of praise which is always before the throne of God Most High)

Love in the Spirit
One Another

BOOK BY BOOK #50 Update One

Written By: Dave

To my friends who are joining me in going deeper in Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther and Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

Observation #1:
What a monumental effort! An entire generation has passed on, and most of the people returning to rebuild the temple and the city walls have been born in a foreign land. Only a few remain who remember the temple of Solomon in it’s pre-destruction glory. Ezra 3:10-13 describes the conflicted feelings of the people, and Psalm 137 is a monument to their bittersweet emotions.

Observation #2
As I have been engaging Ezra and have begun to consider the prophet Haggai (per the post #50 outline/questions last week) I was drawn into my memories regarding the distinct thread of the “house of the Lord” throughout the God Story. God reminded me of several things (so awesome).

– Haggai was concerned about the builders. They had become distracted and had allowed their attention, energy, and time to be siphoned to other things. Can you relate to this?
– This made me think about the now-destroyed Solomon’s Temple which the Babylonians had scraped from the temple mount in Jerusalem.
– I was reminded by the Spirit about Acts 17:22-31. Where does God live – really?
– Which then led me back to the source where David desired to build a “house” for God (1 Chronicles 17 – this story makes me weep because of the deep emotional connection between David and God) which ALSO reminded me that this is PROPHETIC – not merely about David’s son Solomon but about One Who would emerge from David’s descendants and reign as King forever (anyone come to mind?) – and by the way, why did God live from tent to tent, and what in the world does this mean?
– All of which focused me on the fact I am a living stone (vibrating with life) being assembled into the true dwelling of God (1 Peter 2:4-12).

I am in awe.
I can’t wait to dig in more deeply.
Isn’t it amazing how ten minutes can turn into a half hour when you are searching for treasure?

I appreciate your company – feel free to tell me what you are seeing. Encouraging!

Dave

ONE ANOTHER LIVING

Written By: Dave

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Each of us has spiritual gifts. This is a clear woven thread of the God Story (1 Peter 4:7-11). The gifts differ and even the 20 or so which are listed have an extensive number of multiplied effects. This is part of the beauty of being made in the image of God – and of experiencing the presence of the Spirit in our lives.

One of my favorite one another couples each use their gifts in distinct and overlapping ways. Together they practice what Paul termed being fellow-workers in the Kingdom. They activate their gifts to help others experience relational impact upon others. A few months ago they jotted down some thoughts about what helps bring about relational access to others. I think you will enjoy it/click here to access!

One Another
Spiritual Gifts

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Written By: Dave

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Jesus was God’s prophet. Jesus was God’s great high priest for all of mankind. Jesus IS King over the entire earth. Jesus created the world. Jesus will judge the world.

Today we consider the relational depth of what it meant for the Son to leave His glory and visit the earth.
After all, “what will a man (or woman) give in exchange for his own soul?”

John chapter 1 is crystal clear:

“There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the living heart of the Father, He has explained Him.”

Incredible.

The Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus Prophecies
Jesus Miracles
Kid’s Song: Jesus is the King