What's Love Got to Do With It?

Not too long ago I heard the elderly and well-known prophet, Bob Jones, tell of a time in his life when he actually died and was allowed to see a glimpse of heaven. After waiting his turn, he found himself before Jesus who asked him this question, "Did you learn to love?"

Life is a lot of things, but more and more I'm seeing that it is mostly about learning to love. Our pop culture has so cheapened the meaning of love with songs that contain confusing lyrics like found in Tina Turner's song "What's Love Got to Do with It?"

The journey to love is one that each one of us must travel and the bends and turns in the road are as different as the people who travel on them. But some things remain the same, and that is that a heart that can respond with love is a whole and healthy heart, and a heart that can't needs the healing touch of our loving Papa God.

So, how do you know if your heart is healthy? When you find yourself reacting to people instead of responding to people, you know you may need a heart check-up. Reacting usually looks like that list of behaviors you find in the New Testament where Paul is telling you what you shouldn't be doing. Galatians 5:19 has such a list,..."idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like."

Responding to situations and people calls for us to draw from that deep place within called our "spirit". Gal. 5: 16 says, "Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature". When we take time to "respond" instead of "react" we draw from our spirit which has been renewed and is inhabited by the Holy Spirit who always produces fruit. We know we are responding from our spirit when what flows out from us is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.....the fruit of the Spirit.


Another sign that love has become difficult because of a wounded and hurting heart, is that you find it very difficult to trust. In Tina Turner's song "What's Love got to Do with It?", the following lyrics portray very well where a hurting heart is headed:

I've been taking on a new direction
But I have to say
I've been thinking about my own protection
It scares me to feel this way

What's love got to do, got to do with it
What's love but a sweet old fashioned notion
What's love got to do, got to do with it
Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken


When we cease to trust in relationships it is like we have set aside a portion of our heart and put up a "No Trespassing" sign. We adopt a "wait and see" attitude. The problem with this is that a heart that isn't fully engaged is always attached to a lonely and isolated person who longs for intimacy but never can seem to find it. They may present a "portion" of themselves and on the surface it can look pretty good. But, a closer look leaves you with the feeling that they're not all there.....and they're not. A "halfhearted" way of living is where many people find themselves because their wounded hearts fear the risk of trying to love and be loved again.

I am convinced that it is very difficult for an unhealthy heart to truly love. The person may try, but again and again will experience frustration through repeated episodes of failure to love.

So, what is the journey to a healthy heart? I believe it begins with forgiveness. Forgiveness first of all for yourself, and then forgiveness for others. Unforgiveness binds us and ultimately puts us in a place of torment. As we receive the Father's forgiveness, love, and grace for our sinful patterns, we experience a lightness and freedom that is liberating.

Sometimes the difficult work is forgiving those offenses against us, especially those of abuse and violence. We need to understand the high price we are paying if we hold on to unforgiveness against those who have hurt us. Many are trapped in mental anguish, physical infirmities and dysfunctional relationship skills because of their refusal or unawareness of the necessity of forgiveness. Many will live in denial for years, stubbornly refusing to face the humbling truth, and all the while they leave a wake of destruction to those in their path as well as to themselves.

The process of forgiveness may be simple for some and complex for others. Father may reveal layers of pain/unforgiveness patterns going back to childhood. But, in order to be fully free, the work must be done and the more thoroughly, the better. As you begin to forgive and taste the sweetness of being "out of prison", you will long for more freedom and the process gains momentum.

Another step in the journey to a healthy heart is learning to trust again. Actually, you begin to learn to trust again the moment you are willing to forgive. But, Jesus is calling us to a deeper place in this thing called love. The difficult person to love may be trapped in a cycle that is offensive and we are presented with a choice. Will we love? How will we love?

We, of course, cannot love the sin, and I am not suggesting that a person stay in a place of emotional or spiritual abuse, but I am suggesting that sometimes we are asked to be courageous enough to break our destructive "reactive" cycle by first forgiving and then beginning to love the offensive person by coming to see how Father sees them. Can we be unselfish enough to look past our own brokenness to see theirs? Can we give our whole heart to come into agreement with what Father intended for them to become? Can we join with Him in calling out the treasure? Can our heart be healthy enough to respond and not react to their sin?

When we begin to partner with the heart of God for the other person I believe a shift takes place in the atmosphere. Instead of perpetually stating the obvious and spotlighting their sin, we begin to hear from our spirit and state something entirely different. Love "always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres." This is love by a different definition. This is I Corinthians 13 love.

And love must walk hand in hand with trust. Not trust in ourselves, or in the other person, but trust in God who is big enough to change all of our hearts.

So, in answer to Tina's haunting question, "What's love got to do with it?", the answer is everything. Absolutely everything.

Living and Active

I get a kick out of reading instructions for things......especially instructions for appliances. Take for example a curling iron I bought recently. Tucked somewhere between how to turn it on/off and how to plug it in were the careful instructions, "Do not use while sleeping".

Some other favorites would be "Do not use while showering" found on my hairdryer cord label, or "Do not drive with sun shield in place" found on the cardboard sun shield that keeps the sun off the dashboard of my car.

If the Bible came with instructions, what would they say?   Could Heb. 4:12 be God's way of giving us some useful instructions for using His word?  A playful paraphrase might read, Warning: The substance you are about to injest is living and active.  Caution!  It can be sharp like a sword.  Once injested it goes deep inside you forever and is able to judge the thoughts and attitudes of your heart.  Prepare to be changed.

I'm so thankful that the word of God is alive and active.  I'm not sure what that means to you, but to me it makes the scriptures a one-of-a-kind phenomenon.  I've had the benefit of having a life-long relationship with the word of God.  I grew up memorizing scripture, playing Bible games, and doing 'sword' drills.  What I didn't understand as a child, and still don't completely, is that the word of God is alive.  Once inside you, it goes to work.  The words on the page are not just ink but the spoken words of God.  2 Tim. 3:16 says that all Scripture is God-breathed.   We know that His words are powerful.  Very powerful.  In fact, the very universe was set into place and now sustained by His words.

But, we can't help but remember the Pharisees. Here were some guys who knew the word.  And yet, they did not experience the life-changing benefits that many of us experience today. The reason? They knew the word, but not The Word. 

It's always been interesting to me and kind of mind boggling, that Jesus is called, "The Word". Surely there could have been a better description of our Savior?   But, a closer more thoughtful look reveals that 'The Word' is an absolutely marvelous and fitting title. Words convey thoughts and a message. Jesus coming and His very life and death here was His message, but even more, it was the Father's message. It was in the Father's thoughts to send His only Son as the perfect sacrifice to redeem His lost children. Set in full motion, those thoughts became words. Not just any words, but THE WORD.  

Though I've been taught that I'm to value the written word of God, I've also been taught that my real relationship is with the Author of the book. But, I'm finding sometimes that the lines get a little blurry. This is no ordinary book, the words are 'active and living'. When we read it and partner with The Word, allowing Him through the Holy Spirit to interpret His message and thoughts to us, the results are explosive. The Word empowering the word in us.  Amazing!

The word of God. Warning:  Live contents enclosed.  May cause radical change in anyone who comes in contact. Use with extreme anticipation and excitement. 



And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14



 

Encountering the Prophetic

I remember the first prophetic word I ever received. A young, single, college student at the time, I was attending a John Denver concert.  Not sure exactly how I developed a love for this mountain loving minstrel, but it may have had something to do with a guy friend I had at the time. That's another story and has nothing to do with this one.

We had sat spellbound through the first hour of music and intermission was underway.  I found myself in the crowded lobby waiting in line to look at Denver memorabilia when a woman approached me.  Her message was simple but I remember it well to this day, "God wants you to know that He loves you very much".  Then she walked away.

I had never had anything like that happen to me before, so I wasn't sure what to think or how to act. I didn't have a charismatic background and was part of a church where people didn't do things like that.   I remember feeling a combination of embarrassment, fear, and wonder.

I made my way back to my seat and though I'm sure 'John-boy' was just as amazing in the 2nd half of the concert, my mind was very distracted.  "Was that really God speaking to me?", "Does He really care about me enough to find me at a John Denver concert?", and "What if it's true?", were just a few of the questions bombarding my mind.  But, my spirit was doing something entirely different.  My spirit was feeling good.  Really good.  It was the first 'heaven-touch' aimed right at my heart that I remember receiving and I desperately needed to hear it.  Though I had felt embarrassed and a little afraid of the messenger delivering the word, wonder began to overtake my inhibitions.

After the last chorus of 'Rocky Mountain High' was sung, we left and made our way back to the college dorms.  As I lay in my bed that night trying to relax enough to sleep, it wasn't the folksy music of the evening that kept running through my mind, but the simple message of love given by an unknown woman.

This was the first of many times that God would interrupt my world with His.  I liked it very much.

Revelation and Expectation

I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.  Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.   Habakkuk 2:1-2

Habakkuk stationed himself at the highest point, a place used for watching, in order to hear the revealed word of the Lord.   

Expectation is part of the journey into greater revelation.  If revelation is 'lifting the veil' on truth, then a life of eager expectation acknowledges that there is 'veiled truth' waiting to be discovered.  Part of the Father's joy I believe is in watching His children enter into this journey of discovery and delight.  If we are not looking for or expecting the Father to reveal anything to us, we will be much less likely to see or experience it when He does.  Our paradigm and experience of revelation is greatly influenced by our expectation.

When we are together with our kids, we tell them secrets that we wouldn't tell anyone else.  Our not-so-frequent times together are usually full of each of us sharing our journeys and 'inside info' that only family would share.  Their relationship to us positions them and gives them access to our family secrets.  As sons and daughters of the Father we, too, are already positioned for access to Him and the secrets of His heart.

With revelation comes an invitation, "come up higher".  Revelation sheds light on what was previously in darkness and we choose whether or not we will step into that light.  Revelation always requires a shift.  The new revelation brings an enlargement of our thinking that often feels uncomfortable at first.  We struggle to find our footing.  The temptation is to go back to the old and familiar.  We often delight in the discovery of revelation, but not always the process.  New revelation must be received, worked out, and stepped into.  Our careful handling of the revelation we receive positions us for more and advancement.

Testing comes in the areas where we have received revelation.  We must demonstrate that we have laid hold of the truth through our tests.  We move upward and onward as revelation is worked out in the day to day realities of our life.  

Much of the modern day church is starved for revelation.  Like gaunt holocaust-like dwellers existing on yesterday's bread, they live unaware of the abundant supply available for them.  Proverbs 29:18 tells us that 'Where there is no vision(revelation), the people perish'. 

The Children of Israel lived off the daily manna given to them with strict instructions not to store it for another day.  Exodus 16:4 says that the 'manna rained down like bread from heaven'.  They were totally dependent on this other worldly supply.  Jesus told us that 'man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'.  Our life source is the word that comes from His mouth.  Without it we perish.  Without it we stumble in the dark.  Without it we resort to man's wisdom and man's best attempts to live in the light.

Man's attempts will always fall short.  Man's attempts leave a hollow void.  A void always cries out to be filled and the temptation is to make up what is lacking with day old manna. 

Our insistence on living on yesterday's manna produces an effect similar to the rotting smell of the Israelites attempt to store the manna(Ex. 16:19-20).  There's just something stinky about it. 

The mark of revelation is the light and life it brings.  Our spirit leaps and responds to revelation because it is the nourishment we are wired to need.  As believers, it is written into our DNA. Receiving new revelation is one of the greatest joys and privileges we can experience.  Like Habakkuk, I want to position my self to look, watch, and expect revelation.

The Call of Wisdom

                                                                         

I love the book of Proverbs.  It's like stepping into a warm bath of wisdom, and I love letting the ancient words wash over me.

It's no small coincidence that there are 31 Proverbs.....just enough to read one chapter every day of the month, and then start over again. This has been my practice off and on for many years.

More than ever before, I am feeling the need to know and walk in true wisdom.  It feels to me like life in general has become so complex.  So many different standards, different belief systems, and blurring of ethical lines can leave us feeling a little lost.   The words of Proverbs are like 'coming home' for me.  Reading, I can be refreshed, challenged, and inspired all at the same time.  But, more than that, Proverbs is like a plumb line. As the Holy Spirit breathes on the words, I find myself pulled back to center and timeless truth.

Many scholars believe that the 'Wisdom' talked about in Prov. 8: 22-36 is actually Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  Verse 30-31 says that He was 'the craftsman at His side and was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in His presence.  Then in I Cor. 1:30, Paul describes Jesus as 'the wisdom from God'.  

We know that Jesus was the exact representation of the Father, and in His own words said, 'If you've seen me, you've seen the Father.' (John 14:7) True wisdom comes from God.  Anytime we veer away from truth, or anytime we start isolating ourselves from God or hiding from relationship with other believers, we have begun a journey away from wisdom.

Wisdom is portrayed to us in Proverbs as more precious than rubies. We are told that when we find wisdom we find life and receive favor from the Lord.  Those who resist wisdom are portrayed as harming themselves and loving death.  

So how can we pursue after Wisdom and run after this most precious gift?

First, is to realize that Wisdom is a person.  When we encounter God, we encounter Wisdom.  Hidden in Prov. 8 are some instructions for pursuing, valuing, and growing in wisdom.  My favorite is in vs. 34, where Wisdom tells us, "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors. Waiting at my doorway."  We are to listen, watch daily, and wait for Him.  We've all been taught the value of having time with Him, but there is a lot to be said for the day in and day out faithfulness of listening, watching, and waiting on Him that cultivates and produces wisdom in our lives.  In fact, we won't have true wisdom without it.  The degree to which we have pursued this lifestyle is the degree to which wisdom will be present in our lives.

It's so easy to lower our standards of  integrity and character, especially if others around us are lowering their standards. The growing popularity of 'loosey goosey' Christianity is a good sign that even our Christian culture has wandered from the lifestyle of listening, watching, and waiting in pursuit of Wisdom.

The other extreme would be to somehow interchange true wisdom with a list of rules and regulations.  True wisdom is not about keeping the rules, but about a relationship with the one who is Wisdom.  Godliness, character, and the fruit of the Spirit are all by-products of our intimate relationship with Him.

What is the hallmark of true wisdom? How can we recognize His mark on people, things, and events in our lives?  James 3:17 gives us a standard by which we can know if wisdom is coming to us from heaven or not. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  This is the wisdom litmus test.

"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her."  - Prov. 8:10-11

     

Not Lacking Anything

                                                                         

My brother-in-law has a company that builds and installs cable barriers along our nation's highways. Before the cable barrier was ever approved for installation it first had to undergo a series of 'crash' tests, the supreme test being an eighteen wheeler crashing into the barrier. The test was necessary to know just how strong the barrier would be, and the barrier withstood the force of the huge truck. The end goal was to save more lives on our highways, and evidently many lives have been saved as a result.

Likewise, the very nature of faith is that it must be tested. Nothing like a good trial (is there such a thing?) to reveal what areas in our life still need the light of the kingdom. But, it's often during these trials that we lose our footing and find ourselves reeling from the blow and wondering what we did to deserve such treatment.

James, in James 1:2, even has the gall to tell us to 'count it all joy whenever you face trials of many kinds'. This is a tall order and in fact can seem almost impossible at times. We're supposed to be encouraged when he goes on to tell us that 'the testing of your faith develops perseverance and perseverance must finish its work'. Feel like partying yet?  Me neither.

But, there is something profound hidden in James 1:4, that can help us in the 'count it all joy' process. James says that perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything'.

It is our Father's desire that we be mature and complete.....not lacking anything. I don't think that Jesus is the author of all our trials or that He delights in sending hardships our way, but I do know that He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is a master at taking what the enemy has intended for our demise and turning it around to strengthen, mature, and complete us.

A crawling baby is urged by its parents to begin taking steps. Time and again the baby may tumble, bumping its head, or scraping its knees. The parents endure the agony of this awkward phase because they have a goal in sight. They know without a doubt that one day their child will stand strong and walk confidently. What parent would keep their child crawling on the floor to avoid the risks of walking?

Our Father longs to partner and parent us through our trials, not as an unfeeling, sinister God, but as a wise and loving Daddy who is willing to help us withstand our current pain so that one day we can exchange it for something much bigger and greater.

When we signed up for Christianity we excitedly signed up for Warriors 101, and Overcomers 201. Why are we so surprised that overcomers need something to overcome and warriors need a battle to fight? It's fortunate that we're not allowed to drop our classes, but as Graham Cooke says, "we just get to take them over, and over, and over....."

So, how will we know when we have passed a test? There is lots of mystery surrounding that question, but I will share a few things I have learned on my journey:

• God isn't looking for perfection, but did my response mostly reveal my belief in Him, or did it mostly reveal my unbelief? 
• Did my response include questioning the character and goodness of God? 
• Did my response cause my heart to harden and my stance to be withdrawal, or did it produce a softening of my heart and a determined advancement? 
• Did I play the 'blame game', or did I allow my heart to be changed? 

I found out from my husband that the cable barrier I mentioned earlier had to undergo crashes from lots of different angles, and if the barrier did give way, it would always happen at something called the 'anchor point'. We're made the same way.  When we don't pass our tests, we undoubtedly need an adjustment at our anchor point.

Passing our tests is much bigger than just getting through the trial and alleviating our current pain.  God is building something within us.  He has to know who He can trust and who will represent Him well. He doesn't get upset or even disappointed with us when we fail.  He is so ready to meet us where we are and help us make the necessary 'anchor point' adjustments so we can try again.  He is very patient.

I've always been challenged by 9 little words found in Job 13:15; "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him". Oswald Chambers says that this is 'the most sublime utterance of faith in all of the Bible', and I think I agree. Many times our trials feel like He is 'slaying' us, but the only thing He wants to slay is our flesh. He wants the real you to live, and live maturely, completely, abundantly.....not lacking anything.

The Fierceness of His Love

                                                                     
Have you ever felt swallowed up by love?  Have you ever known what it is like to be fought for, defended by, and pursued after by God's fierce love?

Fierce might seem a strange word to describe love, but it is a fitting word to describe the love of God.  Fierce, in the Merriam-Webster dictionary means 'marked by unrestrained zeal or vehemence'.   That's it.  God's love is marked by unrestrained zeal.  He holds nothing back.  And vehemence denotes intensity.  He is unrestrained and He is intense in the measure of His love.   He does nothing halfheartedly.   Fierce love looks like the father of the prodigal son, running full speed to embrace his wayward son, throwing a robe around him, and giving a party on his behalf.  Our Father doesn't have to count the cost of his lavish love because the cost has already been paid.  Fierce love looked like His one and only Son dying on a cruel cross.  

It's Father's desire, and Paul prays this for us in Ephesians, 'that we might be rooted and established in love'.   Have you ever seen a tree that didn't develop a strong root system?   The first strong wind that comes along, and it is likely to topple.  We're the same way, but our root system is nurtured by love.  Love is the thing that settles us in place and allows us to grow deeply and securely where God places us.  His love establishes us.  Without His love, we are like the roots of an unwatered tree.  We will always be searching for the thing that we need and many times looking for it in all the wrong places.  

The greatest delight of our journey is this unfolding discovery of the love of God.  Paul continues in his prayer in Ephesians 3, asking that we 'may have power, together with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge....' .  It sounds like a funny play on words when Paul says that we can know this love that surpasses knowledge. But, I don't think he meant that we can know it in it's entirety, for that would take all of eternity.  I do think he meant that we are to experience God's love, and know it intimately.  Love is not meant to be reasoned, analyzed or studied from afar, but it is meant to be felt and known. 

Many times when we have been hurt in this life, we tend to put up walls and numb our emotions.  It's a normal response to pain.  But, in order to experience God's love, it will be necessary to be willing for the walls to come down.  It will also be necessary to admit the deepness of our hurt.  Being honest about our hurt and receiving His healing for our hearts sets us up for a love encounter.  It's in this place of vulnerability and honesty that we can experience His love.  

My first experience of His love was like the dawning of a new day.  The tiniest ray, like my first realization of His love, cut through the darkness and brought hope, security and life.  But He didn't stop there.  His love, like the rising sun, continues to come, and come and relentlessly come.   He pursues, He runs after, He overtakes me with the fierceness of His love.