"YOU Are Essentially Needed" - 04/14/17 - 1 Kings 6-7

"Now King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre.
He was a widow's son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze;

and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill for doing any work in bronze.

So he came to King Solomon and performed all his work." (7:14)




When I get to thinking about it, there are a lot of things I can do.  

But.  there are even more things I can not do.

If I allow myself to focus on the "can not do", instead of the "can do", I could become very discouraged.  very bitter.  very jealous.  

Our ABBA has given us each gifts and talents.  He has given us each the same amount of time in a day.  He has given us His Word to gain Wisdom.  and discernment.  

He has given us each the ability to "know" where and how He needs us to be in His body.  

It is so easy to fall victim to the game of "compare".  To think what we are able to do isn't worth much.  To look at others and see ourselves as "less than".  Not as "good as".  nor as "talented".  We haven't a clue what goes on in most persons lives, yet continually we put them above us on the comparison chart.  

And then we believe, there isn't anything about ourselves our ABBA is able to use.  

That. is. a. lie.

Each of us is invaluable to Him.   Each of us is an important and essential part of His body.  Each of us  - He uses for His glory.  

Instead of looking at the "can not do", look eagerly for His Divine Appointments which only "you" are able to "can do". 

 

 
He has put "you" in the exact place. 
at the exact time. 
with the exact person. 
and needs all that "only" you "can do".        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"What Do We Ask?" - 04/13/17 - 1 Kings 3-5

"God said, "What can I give you? Ask."            
"Here's what I want:
Give me a God-listening heart,
discerning the difference between good and evil." (3:5,9)


It isn't in the "stuff" we shall find freedom.
It isn't through another person or even our "self" we will live life to the fullest for Him. 

It is only through and "in" Him that we are able to be completely set free.

It is in our intimate relationship with ABBA.

He offers Himself to each person.
He is there, the same as He is for every one.
As we go through life, what is it we most desire? 

Is it to be Christlike.

Serving Him in every breath we take and release.

 Or is it serving "self",  making life all about us?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Our Signpost" - 04/12/17 - 1 Kings 1-2

"When David’s time to die approached, he charged his son Solomon, saying,
“I’m about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you’re made of!
Do what God tells you.
Walk in the paths He shows you:
Follow the life-map absolutely,
keep an eye out for the signposts,
His course for life set out in the revelation to Moses;
then you’ll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go.

Then God will confirm what He promised me when He said, ‘If your sons watch their step, staying true to Me heart and soul, you’ll always have a successor on Israel’s throne.’(2:1-4)


I love our ABBA has given us this promise as well.  We have only to follow the signpost.  The Signpost who is our Christ.  The key to Heaven. 

"He Rescues" - 04/11/17 - 2 Samuel 22-24

'Then David spoke to The Lord

And he said:

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;

The God of my strength,

in whom I will trust;

My shield and the horn of my salvation,

My stronghold and my refuge;

My Savior, You save me...." (22:1-3)

 

 

 

What a man of God was David. 

 

His steps did not always follow in the path of our ABBA's ways, but he always turned back.  Repented.  Redirected himself to focus on our ABBA.  His sins have been written down for the whole world to know throughout the ages, but he never forgot ABBA. 

 

He always knew what he did mattered to our ABBA. 

 

Most of us will never have our sins written out before the world.  And for those of us "in" Christ, "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west."(Psalm 103:12)  We are Forgiven.

 

This doesn't give us a freedom to do as we wish, (once saved always saved mentality) but His Grace and Mercy does give us a freedom when we repent from those times we do not follow in the path of our ABBA.   

 

"Our Savior, You save us...."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Through His Eyes" - 04/10/17 - 2 Samuel 19-21

"The woman told Joab, “Sounds good. His head will be tossed to you from the wall.”  The woman presented her strategy to the whole city and they did it: They cut off the head of Sheba son of Bicri and tossed it down to Joab."  (20:21,22)

 

This world and people are so far removed from the Garden of Eden - our ABBA's  original plan before sin was chosen.

There is so much tolerance today – of what seems "normal", therefore, we become numb to the hugeness of sin,  the destruction.  How it becomes nothing to "cut off someone’s head".  How much we have dehumanized people with the act of abortions, how we treat the elderly, homeless, those who are different.  It isn't only during the act of wars this has happened.  Throughout time, man has chosen to take persons and cast them aside as you would garbage. 

 

"Each" one of us are made in His image. 

His treasure. 

His desire.   

"Each" one of us.

 

 

 The standards we tend to live by are not His, but our own, and often double standards at that.  Constantly changing as we judge, condemn, and even kill, because someone is not living as we deem they "should" be. 

 

His pure Love is not what most persons are looking through - it is self-love.  It is self-adoration.

Throughout history there have been times when people such as this are given much power and I wonder why.  However did they arrive at the station of where they are at.  

These destroyers are self-righteous, deciding who is a treasure,  who has a worth, even who is worthy of forgiveness, with no regard to God and His ways.  No fear for His punishment.  

How far away so many people have went from Him.

The state of so many people today are cutting off their own heads and tossing them before satan.  
Committing suicide to stand with the side of sin.
Dehumanizing because "they" believe they are god.

And He tells my heart, "Deby, you must watch you do not dehumanize the dehumanizers -  becoming like the world".

I must continually watch that I don't forget. 

"Each" of us is made in His image. 
"Each" of us He desires to be His.
"Each" of us are a precious soul He created.

We must continually be praying 
our heart breaks for what breaks His. 

We must continually be looking
at "each" of us through His eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"All Sizes" - 04/09/17 - 2 Samuel 16-18

compared to that this Benjaminite is small potatoes." (16:11)

There are times when we come up against a piece of life and forget God is bigger than anything. 
Or anyone. 

These are the times we bend down and pick up Doubt, instead of picking up His Word.  

Looking back behind us, the events we turned over to Him, which seemed so big at the time, are sometimes such a distant memory we have to really dig to remember. 

And though He is bigger than all, He wants us to give over to Him everything, even the small potatoes. 

If not, we are in danger of becoming so full of "self" taking care of the "problem", we forget about Him.  We begin to rely and live on/for  "self" - until the next "big potato" comes along - then we run to Him for help.  Or become angry our "self" world has been invaded. 

To escape the trap of self-love our focus needs to be on Him continually, never doubting He will take care of us........
no matter the size of the potatoes. 

"Our Way In" - 04/08/17 - 2 Samuel 14-15

"We all die sometime.
Water spilled on the ground can’t be gathered up again.
But God does not take away life.
He works out ways to get the exiled back.”(14:14)

Isn't it exciting to know our ABBA did just this.

We  - who were living in exile away from Him.
He worked out The Way to bring us back to Him.

The Way.  Who is His Son.  Jesus Christ.  Our Savior.

And all we have to do is enter into His Covenant.
Accepting our Savior.

He is our way back.
There isn't any better news. 

"Being His Favorite" - 04/07/17 - 2 Samuel 11-13

^" King David heard the whole story and was enraged, but he didn’t discipline Amnon.

David doted on him because he was his firstborn. "
(2 Samuel 13:21)


I have often wondered why David took the "ostrich approach" when it came to being a parent.   After the rape of his daughter Tamar, she would have felt worthless, but to have her father not hold Amnon, her brother, her rapist, accountable, I don't know how she endured the pain.  Although Absalom, her brother took her into his home, he told her, "But now keep silent, my sister, he is your brother; do not take this matter to heart"(13:20).  Really??? 

David's "ostrich approach" caused so much pain.  division.  heartache. 

His lack of holding Amnon accountable caused Absalom to wait two full years in seeking revenge for his sister through the killing of their brother.   It is admirable  how he was towards his sister, even naming his daughter after her, but he held onto the anger and bitterness.  For two years he spent his life planning, waiting, growing a hardened heart.  He allowed the sin of his brother to rob him of a life God wanted for him. 

David's lack of holding Amnon accountable most likely destroyed any relationship he had or would have with Tamar.  It also was the beginning of the end of his relationship with Absalom.  I imagine also with the children of Absalom.  The ripples were being felt down the line.  

Throughout Scripture we are shown how favoritism towards another human corrupts the family unit which God created.  He didn’t intend for a parent to love or treat another child superior.   And when a parent does, it creates a monster.  The parent isn’t parenting, they are enabling.   These monsters are a breeding ground for manipulation, lying, division, and sin. 
I know those who are not favored or made the scapegoat, feel they never get a break.  They grow accustomed to having the worst believed about them, and being instructed their behavior must change to conform to those who are favored.  It sometimes seems how everyone is to treat the favored one is much like holding court for royalty.

 

 

 

There is such comfort knowing He is bigger than anything or anyone.  And even when we are “raped” by favoritism, He is in control and His Truth will come out.   It is during those times we must remind ourselves, we are His favorites and unlike humans, He loves us all, nor does He rule with double standards or manipulation.  He does not speak to us in lies, but total Truth.  He is our Caretaker, our Father.  Our ABBA.  Our Daddy.

I love how He is able to actually give us peace in our memories of the mountains we have come over with Him, so we no longer have to "endure" the pain, but be free of it.  Removing all the elements which cause hearts to become hardened, robbing us from the life ABBA planned for us. 

He gives us a life rich in "The Fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)  A life which breaks the cycle of destruction. 

Filling ourselves with Him, His ways, His Words- we are able to not take personal the attacks and look upon all persons in Love through His eyes. To break the cycle and live creating ripples of Him for all future generations.

Our ABBA - loving His as "His Favorite". 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Knows Us Through and Through" - 04/06/17 - Samuel 7-10

"You know me, Master God, just as I am." (2 Samuel 7:20)


 

There are times I pretend to be someone I am not.  When I lift up flowery, repetitive words, and all ABBA desires is raw, nakedness from within our hearts.  How often do I go before Him and think He needs to be bowing before me, preforming my will, demanding, commanding and then going off in a snit when He doesn't respond as I think He should.

The audacity of it all.  

 

He is The creator of all.  He is The Lord of Lord.  King of Kings. 

 

And yet, there are times I struggle, living life as though I am above Him. 

 

We all have this struggle.

 

 It is a battle which comes with being human.  As far back as Adam and Eve, it has and will always be until the end of our time, or His return, the battle of "self" versus "God". 

 

We choose whom to place before all to worship and serve.

ABBA or "us".

How satan wants us to look at ourselves through our own eyes and not on our hope and faith in our ABBA.  he wants us to forget when "in" Christ, we are covered through and through with His Blood.  His Grace.  His Mercy.  His Forgiveness.

It is only through Christ that our ABBA can see us as Holy.  And only "through Christ" are we able to be with Him.  Our ABBA can not be a part of sin.  This is why Christ is needed.

 

Shower time is my best place to converse with my ABBA.  It amazes me how unaware I am of being naked before Him.  (Even though being naked in front of anyone sends me to nightmare city.)  Standing under the water is a reminder of how I am covered in and through Christ.  In my nakedness, He clothes me and I am able to stand before Him without shame.  Without pretense.  In confidence. Focusing on Him and not "me". 

Only because of Christ, our Savior, are we able to be with our ABBA in total freedom. 

 

All that we are is already known.  From Him, nothing can be hidden.  Slowly, but surely, I am believing with all I am,  it is only because of our forgiveness "through Christ" that we are able to experience being totally naked before Him and still He loves us so - regardless of our sins.  

He knows and sees us through Christ totally naked, "just as I am". 

As "His Beloved".  As His "fearfully and wonderfully made" precious treasures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Filled Hearts of Him" - 04/05/17 - 2 Samuel 4-6

   "When she saw King David leaping and dancing before God, her heart filled with scorn."(6:16)


During the times in my life when watching from the edges, the not being included or accepted, blatant favoritism, double standards, it brought about bitterness, anger and at times jealousy. For many a year now it has been my utmost prayer our ABBA would remove these destructive elements from my heart and replace them with the ways of our Christ. There have been close Prayer Warriors lifting me up and He has opened my eyes to seeing and hearing His Truth. 

Often times throughout each of our days, He delivers His Truth through His Word.  Through the actions and words of others.  Pray that your eyes and ears will be opened to Him, for it is with great joy to be finally living without the "scorn" taking over the most of my days.  I have finally started to release the anger and bitterness within my heart to Him as He is helping me not to take personal the attacks.   I am learning to stand firm and know I am accepted and loved by Him and many, many others. 

The  hard part of not having a heart filled with scorn is it becomes open and tender. No longer hard. It would be so much easier if we were able to hate, to separate ourselves and when hurt is inflicted to just have apathy.

I am thankful though our ABBA instead tenderizes our hearts, seasoning it with His Truth enabling us to become more like Him and Love.  No matter the circumstances. For the unlovely are those who need our Savior the most.  He grows us to instead of relying on our "self", our defenses - we rely on Him.  We begin to live not having the things of this world hinder our drinking in The Fruits of The Spirit.

"Michal, Saul's daughter, was barren the rest of her life."(2 Sam 6:23)

This verse is about not having children.

 While reading it though, God made me aware how easily it could also be about our hearts. I know  He is always preparing our hearts to be a Warrior for Him and to reach the many lost souls who are throwing sin into The Face of God.  Those if they were to die right now, because their fruits are proof that they are living outside of The Covenant and of Christ, will be going to hell unless they have a heart change.

And that is what tears my heart apart.  It isn't their words or actions against me anymore, but how it grieves our ABBA to see such destruction towards each other.   We may be the only vessel for Him they encounter.  We can not allow "self" to get in the way.

Darkness does not like The Light.
We need to be stand firm in Him,  not allowing the darkness to block out The Light in our hearts.

Although this process can hurt so badly, I am so thankful He changes our heart through The Gift of our Savior and The Holy Spirit.  He transforms our heart to one that is not barren, and we are able to Love - even those who are "unlovable". It is at this moment in time they need God's Love and the Love of others more than any other time in their lives.  Not when it is right for "me".  We need to be praying as we live - please may "we" not be seen - but "Him". That all will see Him - not "me" when looking at us.

The blessings continually overflow to be in an intimate relationship with our ABBA.  Not only for this time, but for the all of time.  I pray for others, living with a barren or hardened heart, that they will come to know Him and bear fruit for Him. There are so many in this world who are lost, lost souls. .  Choosing to be living in a world of evil, of darkness and they don't have to.
"Give thanks to God, for His love never quits!"(1Chron 16:42)
This verse grabs my heart  and gives me such strength, comfort, assurance and hope.

His Love never quits for the lost or the saved.

I saw a post which is so accurate, "You can walk many steps away from God, but it takes only one step to go back to Him."  His Love is always pursuing each one of us.

And when "in" Him, no matter the seasons we are in,  at any moment we are able to climb up into our Daddy's lap and feel His arms around us. Knowing His heart is breaking more than ours, because He Loves so much more than we can. Knowing He is holding each of us tightly as we go through this journey together with Him and His family. Knowing that He is/will be using each one of us for His Glory.

Knowing  He loves "all" more than we can ever imagine.  Not just those who are in a covenant with Him - but all persons.  May we see the urgency to Love the lost to Him and allow Him to tenderize our hearts no matter the valleys or mountaintops we are journeying on towards Home.

"His Army of Us" - 04/04/17 - 2 Samuel 1-3

"Joab and his men then marched all night, arriving in Hebron as the dawn broke".(2:32)




I often think about how much God defends each one of us.......and mostly how unaware we are of the different ways, the extent.  When mowing or weed eating along a road, I think about angels guarding our backs against the cars coming up behind us.  With a blink of an eye...........

I think about how He and His army never stop.  This verse brings a picture to my minds eye of His vast army, marching as one, headed for battle - for me.  For you.  His army consisting also of His family.

They say it is always darkest before the dawn.  It seems whenever we are in a trial, or valley, when we feel there is no hope - His army arrives - at the dawn.  Be it through His spiritual presence or physically with our siblings in Him. 

There are times we are so unaware of the spiritual battle raging about us and then we are reminded,
He is always there with each and every step. 
We are never alone. 

For He is always aware. 
He is right there in the thick of it all - guiding, protecting, keeping the peace.
He is The Commander in Chief. 

What a comfort we receive knowing He is on the march........all night long.  
Knowing He always, always arrives as the dawn breaks.  
Knowing in the death of His Son - our Savior - at the dawn He arose and won the battle over the grave - over sin. 
Knowing we belong to His family of many more than just one.


I love knowing we, who are His, are on the side which has won. 
Celebrating living life together, even among the trials and tribulations.
In Him, we belong to an army that is always marching, taking up the call to win others to Him. 
Arriving at The Dawn of Awakening in Him. 

"Our Storm Shelter" - 04/03/17 - 1 Samuel 28-31

"David strengthened himself with trust in his God.  Then David prayed to God"(30:7,8)


 I love David.

His numerous accounts of how often David relied on God.  How often when we become fearful do we react like David did or go running scared?  What a lesson we glean from these verses? 

Life isn't always fair.  Sometimes when you feel like you're "walking in sunshine" the storms will suddenly sweep in. 

One of the many things I love about standing firm in Him is how He helps us be aware of the storm clouds that are coming.  He also surrounds and protects us.

I can remember being young and sneaking out onto the front porch during storms to watch the sky, the effects of the wind.  I love storms.  I think it would be so neat to be a storm chaser.  But, I love storms when I am watching from a safe place.  As an adult  I have learned porches are not a safe place.  Lightening can strike you even while watching from a window. 

David was in a storm of life and he knew he would have to go into the middle of it.  He also knew  He would be safe because he used the most powerful weapon he had - "he prayed to God". 

Most times God does allow us to watch the storms from a safe distance, but sometimes we are required to go into the middle of it.  Being thankful during these times isn't my strong suit.  Afterwards, when reflecting - I am.  Weathering the storms helps us grow in Him and also into becoming whom He created us to be.

I  can remember from my youth living in the country, there were many underground storm shelters people had in their yards.  They were usually quite close to the house, used not only for shelter from the storms, but also for storing their canned goods and vegetables for the coming winter months or if their homes were destroyed during a storm.  The area around the shelters also had to be maintained and cleaned.  Brush had to be kept back from the door for quick, easy access.  I recall moments of helping my great aunt cleaning the inside, dusting of the jars, removal of any spoiled foods, snakes, rodents, etc. 

His Word is exactly that to each one of us.  Our own personal storm shelter.We have it in our heart and it is our spiritual food to live on, to keep our heart clean and organized.  I know though that for years I really didn't utilize it all the time.  It sat there in "my yard".  As I walked by it, mowed, lived around it, I became so used to it being there,  I didn't see it.  How thankful I am He made me aware of it without having to weather a major storm! 

David prayed - how is our prayer life?  How often do we really step down into our "storm shelter" and just pray?  Perhaps that is why He keeps waking us up in the middle of the night.  Our life is so busy now during the day - He knows that this time of morning is still.  Kinda like the calm before the storm - He is preparing us for the day ahead.

"Strengthened us with trust in our ABBA" for any storms that will come up. 

Not may - but will.

"Dead Weight Of Guilt" - 04/02/17 - 1 Samuel 25-27

“When God completes all the goodness He has promised my master and sets you up as prince over Israel,
my master will not have this dead weight in his heart,
the guilt of an avenging murder.
And when God has worked things for good for my master, remember me.” (25:30-31)

 

How easily it would be to slip into the routine of "getting even".

 Instead of turning it over to God. 

 This verse opened my eyes to why God commands that He is to seek revenge, not us. 

The dead weight of guilt.

 

Being attacked, taken advantage of, being treated as "less than", double standards, all these and more, our Christ endured.  More than I shall ever comprehend.

And still.

 He turned the other cheek. 

And our ABBA.

He turned more than that. 

He turned His back on His Son.

Our Savior. 

Our Savior who took upon Himself the sins of mine.  yours.  of this world. 

In becoming The Ultimate Sacrifice,  He had to be separated from His Father.  Our ABBA.

Even though for a short time, it had to seem endless.  To be totally separated from The One who Loves us so much He gave His only Son. 

So, when we are 'wronged", shouldn't it be easy to turn it over to our ABBA when comparing all He and our Savior went through for us?   It is only when our focus is on Him is it possible to do so.  Otherwise, we are all about "self". 

Our way.  Our revenge. 

It is only through Him we are able to keep our mouth shut, when words or actions that slay want to pour out in retaliation.  Words or actions which once spoken, cannot be retracted. 

Time after time I stand amazed when I have spiritually seen Him, standing there in front of me with His Hand held up to hold me back.  Telling me He has this and He will take care of the situation.  In my silence, His Words are loud and clear.  Our world and self has led us to believe if we are silent, we will be walked on.  We will be treated as though we are stupid.  In actuality, we are stupid when we spout off at the mouth.  When "we' are taking revenge. 

In our walk of faith and trust, we have to rely on His time and His way.  Even during those  times when it doesn’t make sense to be silent or to follow His lead and walk away.

As God sent Abigail, He sent us Christ, to intervene, to take from us the dead weight of guilt we put upon ourselves when avenging.  Let Him take care of it.  We have more important things to concentrate on.  Loving Him and making Disciples.  Making our way Home through our journey in life.  A life with less stress, more joy.  A life drinking in The Fruits of The Holy Spirit. 

He doesn't want for us to carry the dead weight of guilt in our heart. 

 

"His Family of Misfits" - 04/01/17 - 1 Samuel 21-24

"So David got away and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. When his brothers and others associated with his family heard where he was, they came down and joined him. Not only that, but all who were down on their luck came around—losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts. David became their leader. There were about four hundred in all."(22:1,2)


I was never part of the "in" crowd. 

There are many memories tucked away of enduring the "joys" of being made fun of, not included and even bullied.  Until the past few years, I still allowed "bullies" to intimidate me.  To fall back into believing what they saw or said about me was The Truth.   God has opened my eyes, not only to myself and how He sees me, but also to those who used to intimidate me. I stress "used to".

Some days there are moments which bring up memories I had buried deep. ( Not deep enough obviously.) In trying to fill a void, to fit in, I have done many things I am so ashamed of. Thankfully, God reminds me I haven't been that person for over 35 years and our Savior's death on The Cross has covered me in His Grace and Mercy.  In Forgiveness.  

I no longer need to wear the "cloak of shame", for through His Blood I have been made new. 

I am Redeemed. 

In the past, all I wanted was to be included with those who treated me as an outsider. Now - I no longer care. It is because He has filled the void and I am His "misfit". 

He has blessed my life and given me so many treasures - Curt, Adam and Ashley, Nichalas and Amber, our grandchildren, Charlie and Ella, and so many others.  My life is very rich and very full. He has surrounded me with those whom I love and am loved back. Those who I am able to be myself, accepted and know - I truly belong in His wonderful family of "misfits"! There aren't enough words to express how very much I love this "family" He has blessed me with. And every day He introduces me to more siblings. How great is our Daddy!

The best part is, I am still a misfit in this world. 

Throughout Scripture,  I look at the people Christ surrounded Himself with and they were mostly the same as the band David had surrounded himself with. Losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts. 

I see now, being a misfit was actually one of the best things that could have happened to me.
A blessing in disguise.

I love how our ABBA is able to take the "losers" and make us into His winners.
I love how He is able to take our shame and remove it from us in His forgiveness, grace and mercy.
I love how He has taken all of our sins, our missteps, and used them for His glory. 
I love how He takes the world's rejected and makes us totally accepted.
I love He how has exchanged the world's measuring stick for His own.

But most of all, I so love knowing - without doubt.  we "in" Christ.
We are one of His "misfits".
His Redeemed.

His Beloved. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Truly, Madly, Deeply LOVING" - 03/31/17 - 1 Samuel 18-20

"He loved David more than his own soul!" (20:17)



 Paul tells us he would give up his own soul, if it meant that the lost would be saved. 

That. is. LOVE.

When I think about giving up my own soul for another, there are names which come up immediately.  They are names of those whom I am in love with.  They are not strangers, but a part of my life and my heart.  Two of them are partly made up of my genes. 

Without a doubt, without hesitation - I would give up my own soul for all of them. 

Thankfully, I know their souls already belong to our Abba. 

Jonathan loved David as I do these ones I instantly think of.   He was at a Y in the road and had to make a decision of whom to follow - his father or his brother, David.  Although David wasn't his blood brother, he was his brother in God.  Jonathan, took the road to walk with David towards our Abba.  He chose the road causing him to leave his earthly father, King Saul. In doing so, it also meant he was giving up being the heir to the throne. 


He did this for someone he loved and who loved him back.

Paul was offering his own soul for the lost.  Those who didn't know him, nor he them.  Total strangers.  He was so in love with our Abba, he wanted others to experience this true, Holy, and life changing gift.  The same gift that Jonathan chose.

Jesus.  Our precious Savior. 

He gave up His life for me.  for you.  for us.  for those who nailed Him onto The Cross.  for those  who spit in His face.  for those who walked/walk away from Him.  for those who are vessels for satan. 

for those who are lost.

for all.

I am ashamed knowing I would hesitate.  I am thankful He is transforming my heart so I am seeing others through His eyes.  I am blessed  He is enabling me to love the unlovely.  To have sorrow and pray for them in love. 

But still, I would hesitate to give up my own soul for them. 

We are to strive to be Christlike - and I am striving.  I acknowledge my weaknesses and am turning them over to Him. 

But still. I am selfish. 

I am so in love with our ABBA.  Our DADDY.  I so love being with Him.  I so, so love being His.  After being one of the lost, living in the world of sin, I can not express how much I love being of His world.  I am so thankful to be walking in His light, instead of the darkness anymore.  I so love being in the palm of His hand, crawling up into His lap at anytime, sharing life with Him.  Living for Him. 

I continually pray He continues to grow our hearts so we may truly LOVE as He does. 

To LOVE all others, more than our own soul.

 I continually pray He takes from us the selfishness of our being His, so we may want others to be His even more.  For our eyes to be open and sense the urgency when seeing those who are not His.  Those who are lost.  For we are all made in His image.  And we are all Truly, Madly, Deeply  LOVED by our ABBA.

All.