Scripture

“The mountains and hills may crumble, but My love for you will never end; I will keep forever My promise of peace.” So says the LORD who loves you.

~Isaiah 54:10, GNT

Quote

The mystery of ministry is that we have been chosen to make our own limited and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and unconditional love of God.

~Henry Nouwen

As fallen sinners, we are programmed to think that love must be earned. We fail to understand that we are too depraved to earn God’s love. God loves us because that is who He is and what He does. It has nothing to do with our performance or pedigree. We are like Jospeh’s brothers: we are jealous, mistrusting, deeply insecure, disobedient, selfish and when we do something good, it is for the wrong reason. Joseph’s brothers deserved to be hung: they lied to their father and betrayed their brother. Twenty years later, when their wicked plot is uncovered, they bow before Joseph and beg for their lives. They were not truly repentant, they were trying to save their necks. Joseph loved them and forgave them but only because of his superior character. As Jacob knew all alone, Joseph was a better man than his brothers.

God loves you because He chose to love you. He decided before the foundation of the world to love you. This is an unalterable fact that you cannot change. As Junior Hill said once, “Jesus loves you and there is nothing you can do about it.” He has already made up His mind to love you and His love is greater than your foul ups. This is the most liberating news on the planet.

God didn’t love Israel because they were good or better than others: the Jews by nature or stiff necked and rebellious. They may be the most obstinate and obnoxious people on the face of earth, but God loves them and that is not going to change even though they murdered His Son. The point is: if God can love those {Jews} who orchestrated the death of His Son, He can love anyone. It is about GRACE not race. All have sinned and all need grace.

Extra

This has not been a normal week and again today I have to leave early {6:15} to make an appointment with Doc Holladay. I am getting crowned and I also have a cavity.

Christy Clark got to come home last night. She is feeling better and thrilled to be home. Joyce Dotson will be at HH one more day and then is moving to rehab: we think Encompass. Joyce is much better after the pacemaker. She had gotten lifeless, could barely talk and sit up. She is better. I think Mike Garnett may be better. David Mote was promoted yesterday morning around 3:00 am. Pray for David’s wife Amanda and their four daughters. Our good friend Rick Freeman is Amanda’s dad. It has been a hard year for the family; David suffered a lot. I know the entire family is tired and worn out.

I do hope you have a good day and thanks for reading the blog.