Love your neighbor as yourself!

When I get up and show up, God always does something good.  I went to a new bible study last night and had a chance to share with some new people.  As we sat around each of us shared about something going on in our life.  One of the young men shared about being able to help everyone and care about everyone, but when it came to himself, he didnt care.  I sat and listened to him and I heard my story and my struggle for so many years.  I could never accept God’s love for me and it caused me to have no drive and no care.  I wouldn’t mind to give my all to help a friend in need.  When I was around people they laughed and we had a good time.  It was as if people were drawn to me.  I didn’t care I just wanted to be alone and not deal with anyone.  I never had suicidal thoughts or anything like that, I just didn’t care nor did I think I was worth the time.  Then I was told my love for others and my service was done in vain, because of this very commandment,

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

The question asked to me was how can you love someone else if you cannot love your self and you say you are a Christian, a believer in Jesus Christ.  I didn’t have an answer and it stumped me, but I continued to stay home more than socialize.  It was in my aloneness that I thought I could hide from my darkness, but in truth, alone covered me in that darkness.

Then last night I am listening to this young man speak and it was like looking into a mirror.  My heart tightened up as he spoke because God spoke and said listen, he needs me and it will be through you, Anthony!  I heard it, I heard him speak to me and I asked if I could share.  When I explained to him that his story was my story there was a look of relief on his face and of concern.  It is hard to hear that God LOVES YOU, YES YOU and accepting that when you never have held yourself in his arms.  Every whisper becomes a scream of how unworthy you are to even think God could love you.  That lie seems so true and as it digs into your feelings you become your own worse enemy.  We had a chance to talk more after and it was awesome.  God is so amazing and as I still fight this battle moment by moment, he will do things like this.  A reminder of How Much He Loves All Of Us, but especially how much Jesus Loves Me!  Even in my reconstruction, Jesus is my strong divine foundation, that never gives!! Amen

One Love, One King, All Christ!

Jesus Calls Me Friend

During a recent bible study I read John 15:15

John 15:15 (NIV)
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

He says there clearly I no longer call you servants!! We have been covered by his Grace and in that shelter we are now friends. What is a friend?  I have thought for a long while that I was a good friend, but it wasn’t until God placed someone in my life 10 years ago, that I am slowly becoming a good friend by his example.  There is sacrifice and trust that comes in true friendship.  A willingness not to judge a darn thing and just be there.  You can just be you with a true friend, no secrets, no hiding, no mask, just you!  When I think of my closest friendships it stops at about 4 maybe 5 , which is a huge blessing, because I know many people with 0 or maybe 1 close friend.  In these friendships that I am talking about they call me on my bull crap, they sit with me in my struggle and pain and most importantly they laugh with me.

Now take all that trust, loyalty and commitment and realize that Jesus is more than enough of a friend for you, your best friend.  He desires to know us, his beloved, he wants to make us smile and wants to know our favorite foods.  Does he know this already? OF COURSE!! but the point is he wants a relationship with us.  Even when you know there is a surprise party for you before you get there, when the crowd yells surprise you still feel good.  Jesus knows us, but our GOD wants to spend time and talk with us and walk with us.  Oh, how jealous I am of Adam to be able to walk with Jesus in the garden.  I know he calls me by name and I know his love for me never stops.  I always picture a parent watching over their child that is asleep and how the love overflows from their inner being as they watch.  When that baby wakes up there is like an explosion of wonder that comes from the parents who see their baby, their creation made by God.  The cherry on the top is Jesus doesn’t say call me Savior or King, but he says he calls us his Friends.  As we are molded into Jesus’ image and way of thinking, we are transformed to show our true face with no shame, Our reflection is His!  When I was coaching football a few years back one of our coaches came up with a saying for our athletes to respond to.  Now as I am drawing closer to Jesus I can hear him responding as the players did.  I yell ” Who Got My Back?” and Jesus’ reply is ” I Got Yo Back!” Amen

One Love, One King, All Christ!

Sinner to Saint

A friend of mine gave me a book to read a few months back.  He wrote it and self-published it and was in the process of distributing it when he gave me the copy.  Well, I did what most books do in  my house it sat around.  I picked it up a couple of times and started it, but was never consistent and always had to start over.  A few days ago I picked it up again, but this time I started to search through the table of contents.  My finger froze on chapter 7 as I was scrolling down the list.  The chapter was titled “Discovering Your True Nature.”  I decided to start here and I believe God placed these words to cross my path.  God has been molding me intensely over these past few months and this chapter was an UPPERCUT to the jaw, WOW!

I have preached what I have read in this chapter so many times, but now I finally believe it for myself.  The truth for all of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior is that because of the Cross, I am no longer a sinner, but I am a Saint!  I am aware of my sinful nature but it has been put to rest.

Hebrews 8:12 (NKJV)

¹² For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds^[a] I will remember

no more.”^[b]

He will remember our deeds of unrighteousness NO MORE! I have lived thinking, praying and asking for forgiveness, begging and pleading for freedom.  Then reading a few paragraphs into a book, in God’s timing, my life changes.  My faith in knowing God DID IT is what Freedom is, not hoping he will do it.  My struggle is no longer my struggle because I do not hope for God to intervene, I know HE will! That gives me Freedom as His son.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

The Old things have passed and ALL things will become new. Therefore, understanding that Grace is enough lets me know to continue the path that God has me on now.  Allow myself to receive the help placed in that path and the people because none of that is a coincidence but God ordained.  I am accepting fully that I am a Priest of the Most High in God’s house.  My confidence is in Christ the champion who has already claimed victory and not in the challenger! Amen!

One Love, One King, All Christ!