Jesus Loves Me
Good Morning Girls! Eleven years ago I gave my life to the Lord. It was so exciting. I remember being at the grocery store zipping along on my cart singing "Jesus loves me this I know......". When people looked at me weird I would say "what?....He does you know!.....and He loves you too." I didn't know how to witness to anyone. I wasn't trying to witness to anyone. I was simply overflowing with the love of Jesus. I loved Him and I loved church. I loved my life. I loved everything. Our lives changed dramatically that first year or two. We bought a house, had our first baby. Tom's income increased tenfold. Every single area of our lives prospered. The more we were blessed, the more I wanted to bless the Lord. I wanted to serve with all my heart. And so it began.........
When someone preached about prayer....I would pray that way. When someone preached about serving.....I would seek out areas to serve. When someone preached about how to study the Word, I would buy a new highlighter and study the Word. I did whatever I heard I was supposed to do in order to "serve Him". I soon became excellent in prayer, bible studying, and serving. I had become the "model Christian". I even had the "proper" responses to questions. Like when people say "How are you?" I respond "I'm blessed". I was the poster Girl for Christian living. Let's not forget....my radio was always dialed to 98.5!
With all of my perfection and "Spiritual growth", you would assume that my life became even more blessed wouldn't you? I mean, if the Lord blessed me when all I could do was sing "Jesus loves me", how much more would He bless me for quoting Scripture, serving, and doing all the other things I believed He cared most about.
Imagine my surprise when my life became less than perfect. At first it was no big deal. I mean, we are told that we will have trials and tribulations. I could deal with that. I stood on my faith and I prayed harder and studied more. I was prepared to stick it out. However, sticking it out turned out to be too long. In the midst of waiting I suddenly felt forgotten about. I suddenly thought "I know God can fix all this, but I don't know if He will". I started to search for what I had done wrong. When I couldn't figure it out, I started praying that the Lord would speak to Tom and tell him what he had dome wrong. "Oh Lord, please draw Tom near to you. Please show him his pride. Please don't let me and my family suffer any longer because Tom isn't doing the right thing." C'mon now, don't pretend like you have never blamed your spouse's lack of spirituality for the trouble's you are in. We've all done it. (it's just that I am crazy enough to admit it)
When my life was not restored in what I felt was a timely manner, I felt really ripped off. I truly believed I had done "everything right", therefore I deserve to be rescued. It took me a long time to realize that in "doing right", I had placed myself under the law. I was trying to earn something that is free. In doing so, I had shut the door on the only thing that I truly needed- the revelation of God's love and grace for me! I was working for my blessing.
So now I am free! Even though nothing has changed in my situation, my life has changed dramatically. My favorite song is once again "Jesus loves me", and I sing it every day. And now when I pray, study, and serve, it is because I truly WANT to- not because if I don't, I fear I will not be rescued! I was blind, but now I see.....God's superabundance grace is for me! And nothing can ever separate me from that again (well, nothing except another works Program......)
Romans 8:35,37-38 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love.
Love you all-
Jen
When someone preached about prayer....I would pray that way. When someone preached about serving.....I would seek out areas to serve. When someone preached about how to study the Word, I would buy a new highlighter and study the Word. I did whatever I heard I was supposed to do in order to "serve Him". I soon became excellent in prayer, bible studying, and serving. I had become the "model Christian". I even had the "proper" responses to questions. Like when people say "How are you?" I respond "I'm blessed". I was the poster Girl for Christian living. Let's not forget....my radio was always dialed to 98.5!
With all of my perfection and "Spiritual growth", you would assume that my life became even more blessed wouldn't you? I mean, if the Lord blessed me when all I could do was sing "Jesus loves me", how much more would He bless me for quoting Scripture, serving, and doing all the other things I believed He cared most about.
Imagine my surprise when my life became less than perfect. At first it was no big deal. I mean, we are told that we will have trials and tribulations. I could deal with that. I stood on my faith and I prayed harder and studied more. I was prepared to stick it out. However, sticking it out turned out to be too long. In the midst of waiting I suddenly felt forgotten about. I suddenly thought "I know God can fix all this, but I don't know if He will". I started to search for what I had done wrong. When I couldn't figure it out, I started praying that the Lord would speak to Tom and tell him what he had dome wrong. "Oh Lord, please draw Tom near to you. Please show him his pride. Please don't let me and my family suffer any longer because Tom isn't doing the right thing." C'mon now, don't pretend like you have never blamed your spouse's lack of spirituality for the trouble's you are in. We've all done it. (it's just that I am crazy enough to admit it)
When my life was not restored in what I felt was a timely manner, I felt really ripped off. I truly believed I had done "everything right", therefore I deserve to be rescued. It took me a long time to realize that in "doing right", I had placed myself under the law. I was trying to earn something that is free. In doing so, I had shut the door on the only thing that I truly needed- the revelation of God's love and grace for me! I was working for my blessing.
So now I am free! Even though nothing has changed in my situation, my life has changed dramatically. My favorite song is once again "Jesus loves me", and I sing it every day. And now when I pray, study, and serve, it is because I truly WANT to- not because if I don't, I fear I will not be rescued! I was blind, but now I see.....God's superabundance grace is for me! And nothing can ever separate me from that again (well, nothing except another works Program......)
Romans 8:35,37-38 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love.
Love you all-
Jen
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