There’s “more than that!” (Rom 8:34)

More…and more…and more! At the onset, we can acknowledge with our lips: God’s love is unfathomable. Realizing that it is unattainable can self-defend our lack of courage to actually approach it, but truly we see we are meant to seek out the vista of fathoming the unfathomable. It is indeed our glory to.

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain” (Ps 139:6). Weak resolve in us stretches until it hurts when apprehending these realities….

Consider the lack of worth exposed from the humans surrounding Jesus’ last days. In them we see ourselves.
1) There were those, who JUST to cause trouble came forward to tell lies about Jesus (Mt 26:60).
2) There were the soldiers who JUST for the sport of it gave extra blows to Jesus’ head (27:30).
3) And there was Peter, who JUST to confirm he disowned his best friend in that telling crisis moment, called down curses upon himself (26:74).
4) There were the religious leaders who JUST out of jealousy bribed the crowd to ensure Jesus’ condemnation (27:20).
We’d have to look far in this picture to find any semblance of worth.
Jesus forgives such people.
This is uncomfortable. But there’s “more than that” (Rom 8:34) as we think we may burst inside. But there is MORE than being forgiven. In His being raised, and in His living, He intercedes for us. “How much MORE having been reconciled shall we be saved through His life!” (Rom 5:10).

This is the widest of extremes expressed anywhere in the universe! Not only are such lowlife people forgiven, they are able to be firm, confident, immovable (1 Cor 15:58) in their new position.
If in one small heart we attempt to grasp all this, we will begin to bring life to those around us and to fathom an unfathomable love!—————–

With all the Lord granted in 2011 alongside the unknown of 2012 looming ahead, we decided we ourselves needed a full night of seeking and prayer, so would offer our congregation the sanctuary as well for the night of New Year’s Eve dawning into the New Year.

The personal quest of the night ahead came from a song of Misty Edwards: “What are You thinking? What are You feeling? I need to know.”

Thankfully very soon a direction came on seeking where God IS.  He led to Romans 2:4 and surrounding verses. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?’

Word-by-word was revealing the heart of God: His goodness (causing ease in our movements), forbearance (very strong Greek word on how He is literally having to HOLD BACK, ana = up and back, echo = to have, to hold), plus longsuffering (long temper). All three of these generosities are at a cost to Him day after day on top of the ultimate Sacrifice He won for us in the Cross. These costs to Him ARE MEANT to led us to repentance. When they come to us, they should translate to repentance.

This verse clearly says we are “unaware” of this. We need to BECOME aware of it. The verse also said we show contempt, disdain, despise, think little of the wealth being poured upon us in this continual sacrifice of the heart of God. We feel entitled without even realizing what we are doing. To Him, it is contempt toward His rich goodness.

A picture developed further on “forbearance.” He is holding back on something huge. It has been warned throughout Scripture. The verses following 2:4 reveal this era will change as well. I see this huge holding back no less than the walls of the Red Sea held at bay for a full night. What exertion. What power. What Decision of deliverance! Unlike the hours of that evening, this mighty holding back has gone on centuries up to the present.

This word made us ache for the heart of God and what we are doing to His benevolence.

What does this do to the forecast of 2012?
This was a very relational glimpse into the Father. Being ”unaware,” but now am more aware. Can this be shared to make others aware, too?

He graciously gave me what  we set out to know: what are You thinking, what are You feeling…and now have a better idea.

–
e Lord granted in 2011 alongside the unknown of 2012 looming ahead, we decided we ourselves needed a full night of seeking and prayer, so would offer our congregation the sanctuary as well for the night of New Year’s Eve dawning into the New Year.

The personal quest of the night ahead came from a song of Misty Edwards: “What are You thinking? What are You feeling? I need to know.”

Thankfully very soon a direction came on seeking where God IS. He led me to Romans 2:4 and surrounding verses. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?’

Word-by-word was revealing the heart of God: His goodness (causing ease in our movements), forbearance (very strong Greek word on how He is literally having to HOLD BACK, ana = up and back, echo = to have, to hold), plus longsuffering (long temper). All three of these generosities are at a cost to Him day after day on top of the ultimate Sacrifice He won for us in the Cross. These costs to Him ARE MEANT to led us to repentance. When they come to us, they should translate to repentance.

This verse clearly says we are “unaware” of this. We need to BECOME aware of it. The verse also said we show contempt, disdain, despise, think little of the wealth being poured upon us in this continual sacrifice of the heart of God. We feel entitled without even realizing what we are doing. To Him, it is contempt toward His rich goodness.

A picture developed further on “forbearance.” He is holding back on something huge. It has been warned throughout Scripture. The verses following 2:4 reveal this era will change as well. I see this huge holding back no less than the walls of the Red Sea held at bay for a full night. What exertion. What power. What Decision of deliverance! Unlike the hours of that evening, this mighty holding back has gone on centuries up to the present.

This word made me ache for the heart of God and what we are doing to His benevolence.

What does this do to the forecast of 2012?
This was a very relational glimpse into the Father. I was “unaware,” but now am more aware. Can I share this to make others aware, too?

He graciously gave me what I set out to know: what are You thinking, what are You feeling…I now have a better idea.

–
Together for Him, Cathy

Romantic Love/Bridal Affections

Romantic love afflicts the soul. Traditionally, boy meets girl; girl meets boy. Rarely will a novel, movie be released without this engaging component. It is the pull of every soap opera. The brain retains a place for someone “in love,” the same section as when affected by an opiate. Romantic love changes the rote things of life into a poem.

Did God create this type of love merely to stand outside of it, to be an Observer?

The Bible contains a Bridal Paradigm* throughout. (See OT: Jer 2:2, Hos 2:16-20, Ez 16:8-14, 20-21, 32, 38, Is 54:5-6. In the NT: Jesus, Paul, and ending the age with John the Divine. Among a few: Rev 19:7-9, 21:9, Eph 5:23-25, 2 Cor 11:1-2.)

Throughout His Word, history and martyrdom, those who acknowledge a bridal call to their individual heart towards the King speak such things: “Your love is better than wine.” “Thy loving-kindness is better than life.” “Your Name is like ointment poured forth.” “the Disciple whom Jesus loved” “…the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge…”

In the OT, the word “hesed” is translated 240 times, often by “loving-kindness.” It is the bedrock of the personality our God longs to be known. “Hesed” is an interlocking of strength + steadfastness (loyalty of the covenant) + love. It is like a marriage with love!

As this foundation crosses into the New Covenant, a universal call is extended to each believer!

Such a love interest along with obedience, reverence and worship fills out a love relationship with the Savior. It becomes sensitive to the fragrance of Christ, even filters out grieving the Holy Spirit by pride or legalism in attempts to be spiritual.

By revelation, Paul could see the desired EXTENT as containing length, height, breadth, width (Eph 3:18). Does not this cube-like fullness echo the first and greatest commandment? ALL one’s mind, soul, heart and strength?

How do we fill out such a love with ourselves? Can we ever hope to fill out our whole beings of love for our Great King if we do not embrace this most affecting Bridal love of all!

*phrased by Mike Bickle