God Loves Like a Mother

 A young Christian woman was going for a walk when she felt a strong prompting from God. She must walk over to a crazy looking, possibly dangerous young man. She must tell him that Jesus loves him.

 She ignored the prompting and walked on, but she could not shake off the conviction that God wanted her to speak to this wild looking man. 

She finally obeyed. When she told him that Jesus loves him, he was overwhelmed with emotion and hugged her warmly. She was more than uncomfortable, but she didn't resist. Then he told her he had come to this place to kill himself, but now he had changed his mind. She had saved his life.

She then sat down with him and explained the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God and he died on the cross to pay the penalty for his sins. If he put his faith in Jesus, and put his whole life in God’s hands, he would be forgiven and have eternal life with God.

He believed and he had a whole new life.

Years later the young woman died of COVID. When she was in heaven, Jesus showed her a crowd of people who had believed and gone to heaven because of the ministry of the young man she had talked to. He had become an evangelist and many people were in heaven because of his preaching. 

Although the woman was happily married, she did not want to leave heaven and go back to her life on earth. But then Jesus reminded her of her 15 year old daughter. Jesus sent her back to earth and healed her. 

She was willing to leave heaven because her daughter needed a mother’s love.

Jesus was in Heaven with the Father, but he was willing to leave the happiness of heaven because you and I needed to know the love of God.

There is no greater earthly love than the love of a mother for her child. This is a picture of how God loves you and me.

God tells us about this in the Bible.

But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” 
Can a woman forget her nursing child or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these might forget, yet I will not forget you. 
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. Is 49:14–16 NRSVue

In the Old Testament, God told the Jews he loved them with the love of a mother. In the New Testament, we see that God loves the world with the same intense love. That includes you and me.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NRSVue

Recently I read news report of a mother whose house was on fire. She rushed into the blazing inferno and rescued her six children. She was terribly burned on most of her body. She was in a coma for two weeks but she survived.

This is how God loves you and me. Jesus not only left heaven to suffer on earth, but he suffered the most painful possible execution to pay the penalty for our sins.
Jesus is reaching out to you and me now. He wants to give you a new life.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NRSVue

You can talk to Jesus now. He is waiting for your call for help.

Disciples are Learners, not Perfect

 A true Christian is a disciple. That means someone who learns and never stops learning.

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Jn 8:31–32 NRSV

Some Christians imagine that they have complete grasp of the truth, so that they never stop correcting misguided people and especially Christians who think differently. People like this are no longer teachable, not open to learn. They are no longer true disciples, but dogmatic know-alls. 
 
If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. 
But if anyone loves God, he is known by him. 1 Cor 8:2–3 CSB

What does that actually mean? 

Bible knowledge is worthless unless we are in a humble and loving relationship with God, unless we are constantly led by the Holy Spirit and allowing God to teach us how to understand what He is saying in His word, the Bible.

If I think I can rebuke other Christians, then I must love and respect other Christians, and I must be teachable myself.

Jesus said we must remain in His Word.
What does it mean to remain in His Word?

Some Christians hold fast to certain beliefs and proof texts, and they use these teachings to rebuke other people. This was the case with the Pharisees who persecuted Jesus and Paul.

Jesus and Paul were able to rebuke misguided people, but their approach was primarily characterised by mercy and helpfulness.

Are you an encourager? If you don't encourage those around you with love every day, you've already gone wrong somehow. Maybe you also have some days that aren't so positive. I do too. Paul also knew that he was still on his journey and had not yet reached his goal.

I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. Php 3:12 The Living Bible, Paraphrased

Do you always focus on doctrines and proof texts and want to teach other Christians and give the impression that you are always right about everything? Then you are on the wrong track.

Paul taught misguided Christians, but he was always humble and motivated by love.

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 
For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel…. Rom 9:2–4 NIV

Jesus also rebuked his Jewish contemporaries with harsh words and threatened them with the flames of hell, but his heart was still moved by love.

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 
and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. Lk 19:41–42 NIV

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Lk 13:34 NIV

When we are indignant because of false teachings, we must always return to this love and mercy of God so that we do not become proud and self-righteous.

Following Jesus with Childlike Trust

 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)  

 Moses was the light of his generation. After forty days alone with God, Moses came down from Mount Sinai a changed man. His face shone. 

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light ... Matthew 6:22 (ESV) 

When a woman is in love, her eyes shine. Her whole face lights up. If we love Jesus and we are living in His presence, we are like young people in love and the world can see it. This love is not based on achievement or good work. It comes from the revelation that God loves you with all His heart. 

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (ESV) 

CHILDLIKE TRUST
How does a child grow up? By experiencing his parents´ love and trusting in their guidance. 

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. Mark 10:15

In a healthy family, the parents exercise sacrificial love and the children enjoy that love. It is in enjoying the love of God, that we shine like lights in a dark world. Nothing makes a person’s face like up like the enjoyment of loving because you know you are loved. GOD IS LOVE. 

If we focus on our own striving to keep God’s commandments, we lose the childlike enjoyment of God, which is our source of love, joy and power. 

But isn’t obedience also important? 

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10 (NKJV) 

Disobedience is not childlike trust in a good Father. Jesus spoke about good works that draw unbelievers to His light. 

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? Matthew 25:37 (ESV) 

And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 (ESV) 

When we heal the sick or carry a shopping basket for an old widow, kindness motivated by the love of Jesus shows the goodness of God to the world. 

The obedience that Jesus loves is not based on an obligation to a ministry. Jesus is not impressed when we strive to win approval, escape criticism or please leaders. 

And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Luke 22:25 

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Matthew 23:8-9  

Preachers who intimidate and control are trying to make people good but they destroy the childlike love, joy and faith which is the real source of Christian goodness.

Fear is the opposite of faith. The fear of man (including church leaders) actually undermines trust in God.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (ESV) 

Should preachers always be soft and comforting? Jesus was not. Godly ministers lead, teach and challenge but they do not control people with guilt, duty and intimidation. 

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 

Any ministry which is not leading you into an enjoyment of Matthew 11:28-30 is not for me and I hope not for you.
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You Long for More

 You long for more.

There is a longing and yearning within you so that you cannot find deep peace.

If your life is not completely devastated, a little joy and peace comes here and there but you want more.

You may find sparks of fire and light in music or friendship but you have no lasting satisfaction because there is a great God who created you for something more.

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. Ps 63:1 NASB95

People who really know this God also have this hunger and thirst, but they know where they can find real fulfilment.

God himself has such a longing and yearning for you, for me and for you.

He created you to be his beloved daughter or son and not just in this lifetime, which is passing, but for eternity, with unlimited fulfilment, which is getting better and better.
You also long for recognition.

We all want to be important in the eyes of others. Some want to be world-famous. Others are satisfied when they are appreciated by their partners and children.

But nobody loves you like Jesus.

He sacrificed his life on the cross for you. He didn't just do this out of compassion, but because he sees you as a precious treasure.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Mt 13:44 NIV

Before his birth in Bethlehem, Jesus was already the eternal Son of God.

In his infinite love and wisdom, he saw you (and me) thousands of years in advance and he saw your life buried in the earth, like the treasure in the field.

He saw how the dirt of this earth would spoil your life, but he still recognised the heavenly treasure hidden in you.

The heavenly glory he saw in you he allowed to remain hidden, but he gave up everything he had to buy the field (this corrupt world) so that he could have you as his child.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

No one Loves like Jesus

 In the Bible we see how some very strictly religious Jews were anxious to obey all of God's commandments.

It is curious that Jesus was cruelly persecuted and his most fierce opponents were strictly religious Jews.

Jesus agreed in some ways with these religious men that we must all obey God's commandments.

But Jesus had a very different view of God's commandments. For the strictly religious people, sin could be avoided altogether by always following a list of rules.

Jesus taught that you could by no means be sinless with this view.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean. Mt 23:25–26 NRSV

Jesus taught that the root of sin is not in external actions, but in our soul or heart.

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” Mt 15:18–20 NIV

If you not only always speak only the truth and never lie, if you always proclaim God's truth and always do so with wisdom, love and compassion, then you are righteous.

But if you boast about your own virtue and criticise other Christians critically and without compassion, then you expose yourself as a self-righteous sinner.

Only Jesus was without sin and no one else. He is our role model.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Mt 14:14 NIV

How should we understand Jesus' deep compassion? In the original Greek text, the word is ``splagchnisthḗsomai‘’.

What does that mean?

The suffering of the sick aroused such compassion in Jesus that it turned his stomach.

If we want to understand what God's justice means, we should recognise that God's love must determine and shape our character.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 Jn 4:8 NIV

If you think you have no sin, you must ask yourself if you love like Jesus.

“...‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
…. ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mk 12:29–31 NIV

No one loves like Jesus. That is why we all need God's grace and forgiveness every day.

God Made You for Love

 You are made for love. How can we say this when we see so much hatred and cruelty around us?

Where does the love between mother and child come from? Why do we long for love when we don't know how to find it?

Our human tendency to love is often corrupted and twisted, but not destroyed.

Who is the source of true love? Only God, who invented motherly love.

But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! Is 49:14–15 NIV

Jesus often spoke about love.

He spoke of the limited love of natural, flawed human beings and the unlimited love of God.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Mt 5:43–45 NIV

Love is generous.

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Mt 7:9–11 NIV

True love is always practical. He who does not want to give does not really love.

God is love. God's heart is open to you. He wants to help you and bless you with many good gifts.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Jas 1:17 NIV

Do you not know God's personal love? You can come to know God today.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

YOUR SPIRITUAL DECISIONS CAN MEAN LIFE OR DEATH FOR MANY

CHRISTIANITY IS A PERSONAL TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND THE GOD WHO LOVES YOU. 

Ephesians 2:8 (TLB) Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God.

• You may belong to a family or a church but your FIRST priority is to know and love HIM, the God who loves you.

The second priority is to discover who HE created YOU to be and to find fulfilment in DOING what He designed you to do.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

For many people, involvement in church activities is the main thing in Christianity. 

• Some church leaders help people to discover their callings and release them into a life of spiritual adventure. 
• Sadly there are others seem to think the purpose of most Christians is to help build church organisations of which they are the leaders.

Bless others by discovering who you are. Find out who you are created to be and what your Creator designed you to do.

• Some Christians are especially gifted and called to build up other believers in their local congregation. 

• Others have a special calling to build up believers in their workplace, on the Internet, in their extended family or in their city.

• Others have special gifts to win unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ.

• Others have gifts to change the thinking and work practices in workplaces, companies or even whole industries. 

• Some have gifts in politics, media, science, or intercession. They have God given gifts which can prevent wars or win wars, change nations or redirect civilizations.

It is so important to know where you are primarily called to serve.

• John Wimber had an apostolic gifting to plant and lead a major spiritual movement. He was also an amazingly gifted personal evangelist. Thousands came to faith in Jesus Christ through contact with him.

• When he was converted to Christ, he was working as a manager of popular singers and entertainers. He was a genuine Christian convert and committed himself to attending a weekly prayer meeting in the church where he was a member. 
• Then he was offered the job of managing The Beatles on a tour of the USA. He turned it down because he felt obliged to attend weekly meetings in his local church. 

What if he had managed The Beatles and God had used him to win them to Christ? 

How many millions could have been influenced for Jesus instead of being seduced by drugs, Hindu mysticism and empty youth culture?