Bathing in God's Love

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! 1Chronicles 16:34 ESV

What does it mean to bathe in God's love? What does that look like? Here are my thoughts. There is no specific order to this, it's just how it came to me.

Bathing in God's love means recognizing who we are in Him. I am His beloved daughter. I am precious to Him. I am loved beyond measure. I have a purpose.

Parking my heart and mind on His love brings stillness and peace. I just close my eyes and let Him wash me with the Truth of His love. I may grab hold of a Bible verse that resonates with me on a given day and marinate in it. New revelation and greater depths of understanding usually accompany these precious times.

One such verse is Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing." 

Humbling. Astounding. Embracing. God's love is all of these and so much more.

Secondly, bathing in God's love means reflecting on His promises. I choose to reflect on the promises in God's Word, The Bible, and the prophetic words that have been spoken over me that God has confirmed. I get so excited it causes me to dance - on my feet or in my mind, it doesn't matter!

I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love--not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! Romans 8:38-39 CEV  

Nothing can separate me from God's love - nothing! Now that is something to celebrate! 

Thirdly, bathing in God's love means focusing on Him. The "stuff" of life has a way of sucking life out of us and diverting our eyes from the One who brought us life. The enemy has us deceived into thinking we should focus on what he is doing. We must be aware and take authority, but our eyes need to be kept on our triune God: our Heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. 

I've known incredible physical pain. I've lived with/through health issues that have drawn my focus to myself. It's a miserable way to live. I have moved out of that place. No "for sale" sign was posted. I just boarded it up and abandoned it. I've asked God to destroy it, that place where I've gone to wallow, to escape, to isolate myself. If I am to fulfill all the purposes He has for my life, I have to be free to focus on Him. So I've flung that prison door open and walked out into the freedom that is only available through Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!  

Finally, bathing in God's love means worship. I love to worship. It is one of my favorite things. There is a connection that takes place through worship, a oneness with God. I was created to worship, we all were. To raise my arms toward heaven with a huge smile on my face, tears streaming down my cheeks, my feet moving to the beat and songs of praise being released from my inner being - woo hoo! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Corporate worship at our church home, Bethel Cleveland, is like being infused. We come away refreshed, ignited and excited for what is next. The classes there have the same effect. We are where God wants us to be. Praise God!

We are bathing in His love! Care to join us?

I Choose Victory!

As I was praying this morning, God revealed how I have allowed fear to bind me throughout my life. A picture came into my mind. I was blindfolded, gagged, handcuffed and bound about my ankles. I was in complete and total bondage due to fear. How effective can I be for God’s Kingdom when fear has me in complete bondage? Highly ineffective!

As tears streamed down my face, I repented of being in agreement with fear. I thanked God for the victory I have in Jesus. Without Him, I can do nothing. (Jesus words: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. “ John 15:5 ESV)

Fear was modeled for me. Don’t get me wrong. I love my parents dearly. I hold nothing against them. Fear was modeled for them as well. They love the Lord. But, like so many believers I know, they are still living in bondage to fear. It breaks my heart and keeps me on my knees.

I grew up on a dairy farm. All the crops we grew were for the cows’ consumption. Milk production was everything. It was our livelihood, the bottom line.

Out of all the occupations out there, farming requires complete dependence on God. He supplies the sunshine. He provides the rain. He determines the yield. To be a farmer who lives in peace, one must be at peace with The One who is in control...of everything.

Much of my parents’ farm is sand. When I was eight, we moved from my grandparents’ farm of rich, dark soil. If there was a problem with that land, it was that it could be too wet. Not so with sand. As I was growing up, we lived through five years of drought. Financially, it takes five years to recover from one year of drought. The fear was palpable. Every day.

For those of you who do not know me, I am a talker. I never knew what kind of trouble my mouth would get me into on a given day. If I said the wrong thing, I would either put my mother into tears or set my dad off. I’ll never forget my father’s reaction when he was lamenting about the condition of the crops and I asked, “Dad, where is your faith?” Good thing we were in the car because I really stuck my foot in it that day! I intended the words in love but I expect my words hit home like an arrow.

Our pets and the beautiful hills were my refuge. I would talk to God as the dogs and I walked the hills. I would lose complete track of time. (I still am challenged by that today!) I knew God wanted to use me, that He had a plan for my life. And I confess, fear kept me from it until recently.

Fear was a constant companion for much of my life. I am no longer willing to allow it to bind me, to control me. I am so done with fear! I choose freedom and victory!

Over the past two years I have undergone numerous medical tests. They have all come back negative, every single one. Fear was taking me down paths God never intended. And to His glory, I am healthy. He has healed me inside and out. Now I have to walk it out. I must stay in agreement with what He says and not slip into the ever-familiar agreement with fear. To God be the glory forever and ever!

In this election year, I see people reacting in fear to nearly everything. I choose not to be fearful. I choose to rest in the Lord, to pray each day for His will to be done. May His mighty hand move across this land. May His Truth prevail. May we experience revival as a nation. Have Your way, Lord!

I do not know who reads my blog. I am sure there are those who think I spend way too much time talking about the Lord. The truth is, I am His child. I have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

I am not only a believer, I am a doer of God’s will. I strive to live a life that honors God. I endeavor to be Christ-like in my dealings with people. I am learning and growing. I am a work in progress. Some days are better than others. I sin. I fail. However, I cannot separate myself from my love of Jesus Christ, my awe and wonder at the Father’s love, and my need for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. My faith is who I am.

I can’t remember if it was the high school yearbook or newspaper staff that wrote the prophecies for the graduating seniors. It doesn’t matter. My prophecy was that I would be a missionary. In many ways I am, from right here in our home. I am humbled.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV