Love God Love One Another

Has it been your experience that things go better with understanding? In living a God-centered life, we need to understand the "why?, who?, how?, and when?" to praise God. Praise is giving gratitude to our creator. Living for God is more than obedience, it also all-in adoration. Love God like a dog! #praisethelord #messiahyl

Praise and thanksgiving are a response to God's love: we say, "God's love endures forever." Psalm 136 gives us a chance to praise God in unison. God's love covers all people and exists at all times. God doesn't love us less or more because of who we are; God's love for you is defined by who God is and what he has made—you are God's child! #OhGiveThanks #messiahyl

Psalm 23 is a prescription for the problems of today. God is always with us in our unknowing. Hope and good news come from recognizing that everyone's needs are met in the abundant love of God. Are you craving consoling prayers at the end of your words? The Psalms are comfort to fill the gaps. #iwilltrust #ishallnotwant #messiahyl

Sometimes all things in life are good. At other times a perceived Kershaw curve-ball is coming for our head! The lament of Psalm 13 asks, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?" God's reply is empathetic...and life-changing. #CryOutForHelp #messiahyl

Blessedness and happiness are less a physical circumstance and more a state of mind. The pursuit of happiness may be our American right, but it is only God who makes this possible. Happiness is not a set of rules with rewards. It is a process of seeking and moving toward a God-centered life. #AlignedHappiness #messiahyl

Is it possible to rejoice always (be continuously joyful)? Amid suffering, persecution, tough times, challenging situations; joy IS possible and it comes near to us. Leaning on strength higher than the power of positive thinking, discover the power-packed fruits of the Holy Spirit. #RejoiceAlways #messiahyl

For everything there is a season...weeping tears of joy and weeping tears of a clown (when there's no one around). The Lord meets us in our pit. God journeys with us through long nights. If joy seems distant; take heart, the morning is coming. #MorningJoy #messiahyl

How do we fight forgetting? And, especially, how do we not lose sight of what God has done? Nehemiah reminded the Jewish people, then, that God gives long-lasting hope, especially through tough times. As Bible reading and study can educate us, it can also lead us to understand the gifts we've received and help us appreciate God's joyful provision. The joy of the Lord is my strength. #ConnectToJoy #messiahyl

What makes us human? Is it our desire to achieve? According to our creator, what makes us human is our relationships...connections created for our joy. We are made in the image of our creator whose nature is love; we are called to serve the world—losing ourselves in build loving relationships. #JesusOthersYourself #JoyInRelationships #messiahyl

Looking at the Christmas story off-season gives time to ponder other perspectives including the season of the world that Jesus was born into. It was not a Hallmark movie moment. It was filled with violence, swirling political injustice, and social unrest. God's promise of hope was born (and lived among us) in a messy world. God is with us always..right where we are! Unspeakable joy comes to us, especially in darkness. #ChristmasInJuly #messiahyl

COVID has changed our days...these are not normal times. Likely you've already lived through other crisis: shattered dreams, pain, death, disappointment. God's love (and faith in it) can overcome all hopelessness. Are you open to becoming more than what you have been in darker times? #HopeDoesNotDisappoint #messiahyl

Wait for it...wait (a lifetime) for it! There's no immediate, quick escape from troubles. Prosperity is certain, but not on the basis of your faith or actions; rather, on the promise of God's shalom to us through every unrest, struggle, and pain. #LivingInContext #PatientTrust #messiahyl

Happiness might seem like an individual striving; however, the pursuit of happiness is really an obligation to thrive in community. It is our natural tendency (and a false security) to put our hope in something we create: family, finances, government, or leadership. What is important to us is the target of those that don't align with us. It is the Lord who is our strength and shield! We find security and safe keeping as we put our hope in God. #UnfailingLove #messiahyl

We are held together by hope; and hope prevails. Our comfort and our suffering are held together in God's Word. When we study God's statues and commands we find words of faithful promise and confident assurance. Despite any circumstances, we can say, "Your promise preserves my life, I put my hope in your Word." #HopeInGodsWord #messiahyl

Increasing anxiety might be a description of the day; however, don’t be downhearted. Keep your mind on things above. Choose something new, deeper, and certain…choose hope. Our Heavenly Father offers each of us strength to endure. Jesus left his place in heaven to come alongside us: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” #ChooseHope #ConnectToJoy #messiahyl

We can experience God in many ways today: in nature, through other people, in scripture, and in worship (just to name a few). Being connected to God was a forever plan started at creation and extended beyond mankind's fall...through Jesus, who is our Bread of Life. Jesus came to satisfy our physical and spiritual hungers. He is God's bridge over our sin, connection to a life-giving eternal relationship, and source of infinite love to us and all humankind. #BreadForAll #messiahyl

The serious virus we fight today has been among us well before we were aware of it. Our sin virus has plagued our life and relationships since birth...we inherently put our self-interests first. (It is like we can't resist touching what we've been instructed not to touch). Who is in charge of your life? You? or God? If you're all wrapped up in yourself, it's easy to be messed up (alone in your virus). Abide in Jesus, grow in faith, and get well with others. #VirusAntidote. #BackToTheGym #messiahyl

Feeling lost these days? Have you been wondering what’s next? Where you need to go (or what you need to do) may not be so much a physical place or action; rather, it may be a new relationship to life—a new view. Jesus made this statement: “I AM the way, the truth, and the life.” Reorient your understanding of that statement from “THE way” (exclusive) to “the WAY” (how). It is consolation (not judgement), hope (not factoids), and directions (not mystery);. #HolyGPS #messiahyl

In fearful moments and times of grief we wonder, "Where are you God and why haven't you shown up?" If only you had been here, this wouldn't have happened. How then, and still today, Jesus comforts the Mary and Martha cries within us. May our faith increase as unforeseen situations swirl. God knows our needs and comes to us. #FaithBeyondCircumstances #HopeBeyondFear #messiahyl

Reflecting on motherhood may elicit a complicated state of mind. For some it may be blissful, for others it may be painful...for most, it is both. The pattern and model for what we received from our mothers and, more importantly, what we need need in relationships "to be loved by a caring person" stems from a connection Jesus modeled when he described our lives as shepherd led. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, finds us in our need; He cares, protects, nurtures, and restores us to wholeness. There is no place in the heart of God for whereabouts unknown. #ShepherdLed #messiahyl