JESUS: The Real 20/20 Experience

(Photo credit: Credit: Timberlake)

Mark 10:21  “Then Jesus. Looking at him, loved him…”  This look of Jesus will require breaking your heart away forever from allegiance to any other person or thing.*

Jesus looked at the rich young ruler and loved him.  Even though he could not let go; He loved him.  How much more could we feel that love if we let go?

Saturday at lunch my daughters and I began praying that Justin Timberlake would know Jesus. Maybe he already does, we don’t know. But he was on our hearts because God spoke to me that morning.  He quieted my anxiety and serenaded me.

 The Lord your God is in your midst,   
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
    he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

Lately, I’ve loved the song “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake. I think every woman desires a man to love them that deeply–to return to them knowing there is no on else like them.

I miss that deep romantic love.

My husband and I are at odds.

I hear songs and ask God, why doesn’t Sonny sing this to me?  Why doesn’t his heart break with undying love for me, the wife of his youth?  I’ve looked too hard at what my husband hasn’t given me.

But Saturday morning God relieved me of that desire. He finally broke through my selfish shell—broke my allegiance that had become an idol—and told me what He’s been telling me for a while.

The hole in my heart, that deep need I have to be truly wanted, will always be there until I find The One.  Men deal with their own issues and cannot love perfectly. Even Justin Timberlake. 😉

But The One and Only Jesus loves me better than any man is able. I guess I knew that. But today Jesus gave me a new revelation—reminding me that relationships on earth are never as important as the love I must…

 give to Him

get from Him

share with others

And He quieted me with His Love. And He rejoiced over me with song.

 

“Mirrors”

JESUS SINGS:
Aren’t you somethin’ to admire?
‘Cause your shine is somethin’ like a mirror

{2 Corinthains 3:17-18  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.}

And I can’t help but notice
You reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone and
The glare makes me hard to find
Just know that I’m always
Parallel on the other side
‘Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there’s no place we couldn’t go
Just put your hand on the glass
I’ll be tryin’ to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

{Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.}

THE BRIDE RESPONDS:
‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin’ back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me

{John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.}

And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making two reflections into one
‘Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

JESUS:
Aren’t you somethin’, an original
‘Cause it doesn’t seem merely a sample

{Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.}

ME:
And I can’t help but stare, ’cause
I see truth somewhere in your eyes
I can’t ever change without you

{John 8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.}

JESUS:
You reflect me, I love that about you
And if I could, I would look at us all the time
‘Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there’s no place we couldn’t go
Just put your hand on the glass
I’ll be tryin’ to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

ME:
‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin’ back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making two reflections into one

{2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory…}

JESUS:
‘Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

Yesterday is history
Tomorrow’s a mystery
I can see you lookin’ back at me
Keep your eyes on me
Baby, keep your eyes on me

{Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.}

ME:
‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now (please show me, baby)
I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin’ back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

{Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side, I shall not fear.}

It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making two reflections into one
‘Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

JESUS:
You are, you are the love of my life

Now you’re the inspiration for this precious song
And I just wanna see your face light up since you put me on

{Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.}

ME:
So now I say goodbye to the old me, it’s already gone

{Colossians 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,}

JESUS:
And I can’t wait wait wait wait wait to get you home
Just to let you know, you are

You are, you are the love of my life

{John 5:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.}

JESUS:
Girl you’re my reflection, all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do
You’re my reflection and all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do

TOGETHER:
You are, you are the love of my life**

{Matthew 24:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’}

 

“One thing you lack…” From Jesus Christ’s perspective, oneness with Him, with nothing between, is the only good thing.*

 

*Chambers, Oswald. “My Utmost For His Highest.” My Utmost For His Highest. RBC Ministries, 28 Sept. 2013. Web. 28 Sept. 2013.
**Timberlake, Justin. “Mirrors.” Rec. 15 Mar. 2013. Mirrors. Justin Timberlake. RCA Records, 2013. CD.

Love Like Jesus: Means Loving Jesus

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40

Loving like Jesus means loving God the Father first. I missed a step when I tried to love another as Jesus does. I cannot start there.

All my Heart: Jesus, quench my need for love and approval. You are the only perfect love. Let me be fulfilled by Your absolute loyalty.

All my soul: Jesus, show me how to strive after your glory. I have moments of shining goodness, but lately I have let worry and fear overtake me. Remind me Jesus:

Be at rest once more, o my soul, The Lord has been good to you.
Psalm 116:7

Even this suffering is bearable with You by my side.

All my Mind: Help me take captive my thoughts, Lord. When distractions pull my thoughts away from you, I succumb to Satan’s trap–dwelling on anger rather than Glory. Align my thoughts with yours.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

Lord, You are so good. You are leading me through fire, but I feel hope. You have allowed reality to crush my expectations, but you have put new expectations in my heart.

I thought there was something I could do or say to force my life back on track. But I am in control of nothing—not even myself. You give self-control (Galatians 5:23). You give worth (Psalm 139:14). You give me a new future (Jeremiah 29:11).

A new day. Beginning with Your love, Your glory, Your light. I bask in You and feel satisfied. Be all I need, so I can love like You. Be mine, Jesus, because no one compares to you.

Heart. Soul. Mind.

AS YOU TRAVEL: Call on Him

The power of Christ–that power that raised Him from the dead–lives in you. With that amazing power, Christ empowers you in ALL things.

But the opposite is also true.

Without Christ, you can do NOTHING.

If you begin your day and forget to ask the Lord to lead you, then you are walking away from Him….encountering your day without accessing His Power.

If you begin a task without asking Him to bless it, you work for yourself or your boss, but you work without the power of Christ prospering you.

If you sit down with someone and neglect to ask Jesus to guide your words, thoughts, and deeds, then you sit before them in your own power and none of Jesus’.

And without Christ, what are you?

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Romans 7:18

If you aren’t consciously relying on Christ, then all you have at your disposal is your own flesh—weak and fallible.

On your own, you can do no good, think no good, receive nothing good.

Do not attempt a step, breath, or word without calling on the power of Christ that is at your disposal. He waits for you to call His name.

So the LORD waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Isaiah 30:18

WITH Christ, you can do ALL things.

Call on Him in the morning–in the daytime–in the dark night. Ask Him to guide your feet, heart, and mind. Jesus wants your attention, desires, and time. He wants to order your days. Let Him. Ask it of Him.

And He will make sure your moments glorify God.

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

He will strengthen you.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

(I love you. I miss you. I praise God because His Spirit connects us as you are away.)

BUILDING THE HABIT OF THANKFULNESS: Hard Times

Click here to read how we began our study on BUILDING THE HABIT OF THANKFULNESS.

My babies, you know I’ve been having a hard time lately. I want this year to be easier than last year. I want to be home more with you and at work less. And then I got some news that made me upset.

But God is in control. Always. So, that means He knew what classes I would teach this year. He planned it.

For I know the plans I have for you” —this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. — Jeremiah 29:11

But sometimes the path He leads us down is hard. We must learn to thank God even when things do not go our way.

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. –Philippians 4:6

and…

[Give] thanks always for everything
to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ….–Ephesians 5:20

When I said that I was “not satisfied” with my job, CSM said, “Maybe you need to decide to be satisfied FIRST, and then God will change the situation.”

You’re right, my girl. I need to be THANKFUL for even the hard times. Jesus still might not change the hard times, but maybe I will truly feel JOY and true THANKFULNESS if I bow at the feet of Jesus and thank Him even for the hard times. Even if my situation doesn’t change, perhaps my heart will.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Thank Jesus for 3 things that you really don’t feel thankful for–things you actually wish He would change for you. In THANKING God for them, perhaps we will feel REAL JOY.

Mine are:

1. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to teach at the same school again.
2. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me something new to teach.
3. Thank you, Jesus, for sending each of us to a different building during the school day.

Maybe I will really begin to feel better if I try to BE THANKFUL for all of that. It is good to have a job. It can be fun to teach something new. And with all of us in a different building this year, we can shine the light of Jesus in many corners of this city.

….How about you?? Can you think of 3 things to thank God for that are actually hard times or things you wish He would change??