Love and Care

 

Love and Care

For me, Mother’s Day is always a difficult subject to address. Not because I had a flawless childhood (or was flawless) but because I had a good mother. Having listened to many others’ experiences of a difficult childhood, neglect, and poor role-modeling, I know this can be a difficult and delicate topic for some whose mother was not pleasant. How I pray these mother wounds will meet care that heals.

All of us are born needing nurturant love and care - mothers and children alike. These needs go well beyond food, shelter, and clothing. They are provided for or withheld from us by friends, teachers, siblings, media, church, etc. Even the evil in this world tugs at our peace.  Putting all these influences together, healing is beyond ourselves and those we encounter in life.

So, moms and ‘good or bad’ homes cannot take all the blame or credit for our development and outcome as adults. Ultimately, we can choose to react to our past believing what we lived is who we are stuck with. Or we can choose change within by transformation through Jesus Christ and become more than we hoped (Roman 12:2).

Followers of Jesus Christ find perfect love and care in a live relationship with the True God. In Matthew 6:30 Jesus challenges us to have faith in God’s care when he says:

“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

Perhaps your answer has been because it is hard to believe anyone could love you fully?

Then in Philippians 4:19, we are reminded of His care when Paul wrote:

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Hope is stirred by believing in the Lord, Jesus Christ and promises are extended to followers of Christ. Every need (not every want) He will supply by His miraculous power. When we choose to believe God according to I John 4:16: “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love'. This is an all-consuming love and care
that has no limits. Letting go of the past pain and embracing the newfound lover of the soul is so healing. This is where mother wounds are healed!

Philippians 3:13-14 (MSG) “Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.”

The only perfect caretaker is found in Christ. His resume:  

Compassionate, Advocates, Excellency referrals, Understands needs even before being told, Effective communicator through the Word of God and provides an interpreter who is the Holy Spirit, Fulfills His promises and meets all needs.

by Joy Pedersen

Here Comes Easter!

 Here Comes Easter!

            For most people in this part of the world, spring and Easter represent new life after a dormant winter. Plant life shows up as buds and blooms pop out and green grass appears proving there is life after death. It is almost like a message and reminder from God that resurrection is real. So where did Easter come from?

Centuries ago, the Jews’ hardened hearts and lack of devotion to their heavenly Father led to subservience in a foreign land. The blood of a lamb on their doorposts brought forgiveness and freedom from slavery. (Hebrews 9:22 [ESV] “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”) Delivery was a reminder of God’s mercy and compassion. Today Passover is a solemn remembrance of that event. He provided a chance for a restored commitment to Him once again.

Easter season in the Christian community is similar to the Passover. Deliverance was provided for all of mankind through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ through His shed blood on the cross.  Jesus, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), has given all of mankind a chance to receive forgiveness from sin by way of salvation. This act paid for our freedom around the time of Passover – our Easter. To all who choose to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, there is hope and assurance of one day being resurrected even as Jesus was for eternity. 

Followers of Jesus, join the family of believers in celebrating Jesus' resurrection on this day. Once enslaved to sin and the devil’s schemes to defy God, we have been released from Satan’s bondage into the loving care of the one true God. This is indeed a day for thanksgiving and praise to the only wise God and forever King Jesus!

I Cor. 15:20-23 (NLT): Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. So, you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

Christmas Peace

 Christmas Peace

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]  
John 14:27 (AMP)

We are barely past Thanksgiving expressing gratitude for the many things that God has graciously provided, and now it is time for Christmas. It is time to celebrate His greatest provision. “Merry Christmas” is on our lips.

With all the adversity in the world, it may make being merry seem out of reach. Distractions abound with busyness and pressure – shopping, partying, entertaining, and decorating. Things will die down after Christmas, but over-spending, loneliness, and/or emptiness –possibly even personal tragedy, medical problems, or unexpected relocation of job or home – interfere with a need for calm - peace.

Jesus made His appearance knowing all our struggles, giving us a clearer understanding of God, showing His deep love for us, and providing a way for salvation. Foretold by Isaiah (9:2-7) of the coming Messiah, Jesus was identified as Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace.  In the ninth chapter of Isaiah some of the purpose for His coming was revealed - giving light in this dark world; defeating oppression; and lifting heavy burdens. Jesus is the One we celebrate at Christmas!

This historic and heavenly event is journaled in Luke 3. Shepherds heard the announcement from not just one but many angels. Sheepherders were invited to visit the baby - to ponder Jesus' lying in a manger. There was adoration, astonishment, awe, and peace around the manger! Their encounter caused them to spread the word of His arrival to other people.

The world needs the Prince of Peace. This Christmas season take time to close your eyes and imagine gathering around that manager where Jesus lay with Mary and Joseph. What would you say, think, feel, and experience? May you know the power of His peace now and year-round as you trust Him and claim the peace that passes all understanding.

Merry Christmas!

by Joy Pedersen

CHECKING OUT MARK 13

 

CHECKING OUT MARK 13

Events of this last week alerted us to the devastating war in Israel. For many minds and hearts, questions and concerns arose. Are these the last days before Jesus’s return? Will God’s justice overturn the conflict against His nation, Israel, in this battle? What lies ahead for our nation and the possibility of wars moving forward? But, only God knows what is in store for Israel and ourselves.

Reading the thirteenth chapter of Mark, Jesus' prophetic words focused on the temple destruction in Israel. This must have created alarm and possibly fear when hearing this news. For us, it may also stir those same feelings as we reckon with current happenings and his forecast for the future.

When Peter, James, John, and Andrew privately inquired about the timing of such a fatality, they wanted to know what sign they could look for to show the coming of this event. However, Jesus began to expound on the tragedies that would grow beyond Israel affecting the whole world. It must have been beyond their imagination! They had barely begun to understand Jesus, His actions, and His deliverance for mankind. This revelation just didn’t seem to fit with all they were learning.

His telling was preparation for the calamities ahead, warning about deeper evil, and yet included instructions for peace.  He warned that deceptions, expansive devastations, persecution, betrayal, and abuse would take place. His words seem heavy. I wonder if it was a blow to their belief in God.

It may seem purposeless and avoidable to us. However, Jesus says it must take place (vs 7). Why? It is our opportunity to tell the world about the good news of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us on the cross and through his resurrection. It is time for us to grow strong in the Lord so we are ready to declare His love, power, and glory in the hard times – now and in the future.

Jesus gave instructions to keep watch (vs 35) for what is ahead. Watch for deceivers (vs 23) staying focused and attuned to Him.  He reminds us to have a mindset free of worry and panic. So what can we do about what lies ahead? Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) gives this instruction: “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

Beginning in verse 24 we are told that the anguish of these days will be followed by the the return of Jesus with angels to receive His followers out of the troubles.  That will be amazing. Clouds ablaze with heavenly beings, Jesus appearing in beauty and magnificence as victor over sin and death.

Let’s remember what Jesus said in Mark 13:33:  “Since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert^!”

Let us praise God for His work on behalf of mankind, and the victory we know He has already won in the battles we face. Let us pray for the salvation of all people – and especially Israel. 

by Joy Pedersen