Celebrate!

 

Keawala’i Congregational Church, Maui

My Dear Child~

Every mistake you have ever made or ever will make has been taken care of by My Son.  (2 Corinthians 5:21) There is no reason to be sad about anything that you have done because you are free from your past! (John 8:36) You are a new creation! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

You can live joyfully in the present because Jesus came to give you a full and abundant life. (John 10:10) All you need to do is believe and you will live forever. (John 3:16)

Will you accept this gift? The cost to you is nothing because Jesus paid the price. I am waiting for you with wide open arms, so come!! (Luke 15:11-24) Come and dance through life with Me!

 

 

 

 

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Let It Go!

Embrace the Now
Whispers from the Father

My Child~

Please stop dwelling on the past. Thinking about the past will not allow you to move forward and that is what I want……for you to live in the present.

So you made a mistake. Guess what? So do all My Children. Let it go! No parent wants their child dwelling on their errors. You talked with Me about it; you learned from it; so move on!

Someone treated you poorly? Discuss it with them if you can and leave the rest with Me. I will bring good out of your pain.

Don’t keep looking behind you. Don’t live in the past. Don’t beat yourself up over your mistakes. Don’t dwell on your hurts. Don’t use the past as an excuse to stay stuck where you are.

I have forgiven your past mistakes and taken your sin from you. (Psalm 103:12) I will deal with those who have hurt you. (Romans 12:19) I will make all things work together for good.  (Romans 8:28)

I want you to live in the present. I want you to focus on loving others and doing the best you can now, for Me and for My glory. I want you happy. I want you free. I want you living an abundant life. (John 10:10)

So stop looking behind you and concentrate on the present moment. There is a whole wide world waiting for you to embrace. But you need to be free of the past to fully embrace the present.

Are you with Me? I am with you!! Let it Go and let’s move forward!!!

“This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us be glad and rejoice in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

“Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven.”   (Philippians 3: 13-14)

 

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Love Is All That Matters

I Love You
Whispers From the Father

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”   Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus boils it down for us: Love God, love ourselves, and love others.

Do I love God? Yes. I love the creation He made for us to enjoy: the sunrises, sunsets, starry skies, mountains, and oceans. And as I get to know Him through reading the Bible, I see that He is a God that loves us immensely and cares a great deal for people; especially the poor and vulnerable among us. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Leviticus 19: 9-10, James 1:27) How could I not love a God like that?

Do I love myself? I try to. It is so much easier to love and accept myself when I know that God loves and accepts me. If He accepts and loves me, (problems, mistakes and all) surely I can learn to accept and love myself.

Finally, and this is the biggie for me…..Do I love others? I mean, really love others? Do I take the time to acknowledge and talk to people? Do I smile at them, make eye contact, and try to brighten their day? Or am I too busy going about what I consider to be important?

My challenge is to ask myself after every interaction, “Did I show love to that person? Is their day brighter because of me?”

I want to be able to answer “Yes” to both questions. Because, in the end, love is all that matters. (1 Corinthians 13)

 

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“Take Care of My Sheep”

Take Care of My Sheep
Whispers From the Father

When Jesus and the disciples had finished eating, Jesus spoke to Simon Peter. He asked, “Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these others do?”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered. “You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus asked, “Simon, son of John, do you really love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

Jesus spoke to him a third time. He asked, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Peter felt bad because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He answered, “Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”     John 21:15-17

To feed God’s sheep; to take care of others,  to look after them….that is what God asks us to do.

“But,” we respond, “helping others is inconvenient.”  We would rather not interrupt our schedule. (See Luke 10:25-37   especially verses 30-32)

“Helping others is uncomfortable, ” we add. Walking down a long hallway to talk to an inmate via telephone behind glass windows is out of our comfort zone . Stepping into a kitchen that is not ours to prepare meals for the homeless can be awkward (how DOES this stove work?) It is easier to ignore the person on the side of the road holding a sign than it is to reach out to them. Going to a another country on a mission trip exposes you to different food, different customs, different diseases and different bathroom facilities (if you are lucky enough to have a bathroom at all).

“Do you love Me?” Jesus asks.

“Take care of My sheep.”

I ask myself: “Am I caring for His sheep? In the way He wants me to? Using the gifts He has graced me with?”

As I ponder those questions, and the answers, I am certain I can do better than I am.

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Are there Idols in Your Life?

Whispers From the Father

My Dear Child~

I ask you, are there idols in your life?  Idols can take many forms: status, money, power, sex, cars, jewelry, houses, vacations, hobbies, technology or a person. It’s fine, My Child, if you want some of these things. But if your desire for them consumes you or pushes Me or others out of your life, then that isn’t good.

Take a moment and assess your life.  If you feel there is something that is taking your time away from that which is most important (loving Me and loving others)  then it’s time to make some changes. I can help you.

You see, I want you to have an abundant life, and I came to give you that. (John 10:10) Only I can satisfy you and fulfill your needs. Things will never satisfy you. (Isaiah 58:11) That is why I want you to think about what you are pursuing and why.

When you turn towards Me and seek Me, you will always find Me. (Deuteronomy 4:29) Because, believe it or not, I am always seeking you.  (Luke 15)

Turn from the idols in your life to Me and keep My commandments (which by the way can be condensed down to Love Me and Love Others). (Matthew 22:34-40)

When you turn to Me, I will shower you with love…..a love that goes on forever. (Deuteronomy 5:10) And that is much better than what any idol can ever give you!

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Live in Peace

My Child~

When you are upset due to a circumstance or person, take a few minutes and remove yourself either physically or mentally from the situation. Come to Me and let me clear your mind and calm your emotions.

Know that I am in sovereign control of all circumstances. (2 Chronicles 20:5-6) In the end, all things will work together for good.  (Romans 8:28) Be at rest knowing that I am very aware of what is happening to you and I will see you through the situation. (Isaiah 43:2)

If a person is causing you distress, take some time to calmly and lovingly ask him or her some questions. Seek to understand where they are coming from. As you seek to understand them, they may try to understand you. No matter how they treat you, do your best to live in peace with them. (Romans 12:18) Let your actions be motivated by love. Even if you don’t love them, or like how they treated you, they are My child, and I love them. I want you to show them love because all people need love. It is when they act poorly that they need My love the most.

My Child, I am with you at all times, especially when you are upset and hurting. Come and cry to Me. I see all your tears and they are precious to Me (Psalm 56:8).

I will calm you and give you My Peace. (Zephaniah 3:17, John 14:27)

Come.

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Grace and Peace

A Quiet Place
Whispers From the Father

My Dear Child~

Many times in the Bible you will find the following words: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:2) Do you know why it is there? It is because I want you to experience My grace and My peace.

For by My grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:8-9) And by My grace you receive favor and blessings. (John 1:16-17)

I also give My peace freely to you, so don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27)

If you are feeling unworthy, unloved, condemned, troubled or afraid, find a quiet, peaceful place and spend some time with Me.  Allow Me to love you and bestow on you My grace and peace.

Once you are filled, go forth and spread My grace, love and peace to others. They need it too.  (Ephesians 2:10)

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Live Like That

While on a family vacation this summer, our son Matt was the DJ in our car, playing songs from his iPod for our enjoyment. One song became my favorite:  Live Like That  by the Sidewalk Prophets.  (Click on the words to listen to the song…it is well worth your time!)

This devotion came from that song.

My Child~

How are you living your life?

Do you help others and show love when everyone else walks away? (Luke 10:25-37)

Are you taking time to help the least fortunate of My Children? Those without food, clothes, water, or shelter? The lonely? The unwed mother? The drug addict? Those who are sick? Those in prison?  (Matthew 25:31-40)

Do you take time to sit with Me, feel My love, learn from Me and worship Me? (Luke 10:38-42)

When people see you do they see Me? (John 14:9-11)

Do you long for the world to know My love? (Ephesians 3:17-19)

Do you love Me and others with everything you have? (Mark 12:30-31)

Does everything that you say and do point to Me?  (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Are you living your life to the full with excitement and enthusiasm? (John 10:10)

Are you living like that My Child? I hope so! I want you to!

Others need to know Me and My love and they are looking to you for answers. If you Live Like That, you will be pointing them to Me, which is good, for I am the answer to all their questions.

As you go out into the world, remember that you are My ambassador and I am always with you! (2 Corinthians 5:20, Psalm 46:7)

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Love, Joy and Peace

My Child~

You want love, joy and peace in your life, right? Guess what? I can impart all these things to you if you will let Me. If you allow My Spirit to work within you, you will experience more love, joy and peace. You don’t have to work hard to experience them; you just have to cooperate with Me to allow them in your life!  (Galatians 5:22-23)

First, and above all, you need to know that I love you. No matter what you’ve done, no matter if you love Me or hate Me, I love you. (Ephesians 3:18-19, Romans 5:8)

As you experience My love, you can begin to walk in love and share love with others. You will be happier and so will they.

Open the door for the woman pushing the walker. Pick up the jar of mayonnaise that just fell on the grocery shopper’s toe. Make a favorite meal for your family. As you walk in love you will know Me more for I am Love. (1 John 4:8)

As you realize that I love you, you will have joy. And that joy will bring you strength.  (Nehemiah 8:9-10) Have you noticed how negative emotions sap your energy and strength? Don’t focus on negative thoughts, focus on positive ones! Walking in joy instead of negativity will increase your strength. Try it! Spread happiness and cheer wherever you go and you will notice a new light in your eyes and a bounce in your step!

If you want peace in your life, you can take it from Me; for free. You do not need to be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27) Isn’t that wonderful? There is no need to toss and turn on your bed at night. Turn to Me and realize that I care for you more than you can imagine and I will always be there for you.

Come to Me now. Allow Me to love you. Feel My love surround you and wash over you. Feel your sadness turn to joy and your anxiety turn to peace. Just experience Me. Know that I am with you, loving you, holding you, caring for you and guiding you. Get quiet for just a moment and experience ME. Then, after you have spent time with Me, go out and walk in My love, My joy and My peace. I am always with you.  (Isaiah 41:10)

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A Light for Your Path

My Child~

I see that you are worried, concerned and confused.  You are wondering what is the best path to take; what is the best decision to make.

First, stop fretting and quiet yourself.  Sit still and think about the fact that I am the God of the universe and I am willing to help you. (Psalm 46:10)

Next, spend some time in My Word for it contains much wisdom. Read it and meditate on what it says during the day and think about it as you go to sleep at night.  Be diligent to do what it says, and you will be successful…..even prosperous! (Joshua 1:8)

Have courage! Try new things and step out of your comfort zone! Do not be afraid of what lies in front of you and do not be dismayed if situations don’t turn out exactly as you desire. Remember,  I am with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

If what concerns you isn’t directly addressed in My Word, then ask Me and I will guide you. (James 1:5-6) My Spirit lives within you and is always available to help you. (John 14:16-17)

What parent would leave their child without guidance? What parent would allow their child to run into the street? Fear not, for you are My Child. I am watching you and I will look out for you. If you are seeking Me and My ways, you won’t go wrong. I will always guide you and bring you back to the correct path if you make a detour. (Luke 15:3-6)

Bring Me your decisions, concerns and requests. Ask of Me and I will help you, guide you, and give you the comfort that you need.

Come now, it is time to move forward. I am shining the light on your path. Do you see it? (Psalm 119:105)

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