Unconditional Love

In recent weeks, I have often found myself thinking about or reading about prophets of Biblical times.  It has struck me how really hard their lives were.  They were often condemned and outcast.  Their messages were hard and did not follow popular opinion.  Truly there was nothing that was not touched by the very difficult task they were assigned. Hosea is case and point.  God told him to marry a women who would not be faithful. He was to be an example of God's relationship with Israel.  The story is gut wrenching as Hosea perseveres his very difficult marriage with even his children being names according to what God was teaching the people through him.

There are so many stories in the Bible that fit perfectly with where our world is today.  The world still often scoffs and outcast those who speak the truth of God's Word. It is not pretty and fluffy. It is hard.  The world and the enemy make it confusing with all the lies.  But there is hope!

If you read the difficult story of Hosea, then you find a story of unconditional love. Not just of Hosea to his wife but of God to His people!  Praise Him!  He has not given up on us. He is ever faithful and beckoning us to be His faithful bride.

"And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy." Hosea 2:19

It breaks my heart to think of how we break the heart of the Lord our God. He has done so much for us and yet we turn our backs.  Yet. . .He is still there for us.  The picture of unconditional love.

It is not easy and, in fact, I think it is often very hard.  But the power of our God is unimaginable. There is nothing He cannot do.  Not sure of this, then ask yourself.  Why were prophets, like Hosea, willing to do what they did?  The Lord had not only given them an incredibly hard job. . .He gave them all they needed to do the job. I have no doubt that they KNEW that God is able and willing!!!! They knew God!  The question is . . .do we know God? Are we willing to obey even when it is not popular or even makes us outcast?

Say yes, to God who created you and loves you.  Then if you dare, read Hosea.  Fall upon your face and worship God!  Make it an amazing day in your relationship with the Lord! He is waiting. . .

 

Self-esteem Continued - The Tongue

The research for the last post has continued to be a blessing to me. God has been so good and so faithful. Through His word, He has made changes that I could not make.  He is so good to us when we look to Him.  Being on stable ground (LOL), has allowed me to change my position a bit. I have been watching for signs that someone is dealing with low self-esteem.  Of course, my primary specimens are my family since my world as a homeschool mom is small.

So this is a look not at our personal self-esteem but at how we effect the self-esteem of those around us.  I have noticed that it really can be the smallest word, action, or lack of either. So as not to give away all the kids secrets I will be the example again with a little help from my husband.

I started working on a project yesterday that my husband had been after me for a long time to do. It was pushing my field of knowledge and therefore made me nervous (failure is not my friend).  I spent a good portion of the day learning about this project and figuring out how to go about it. I thought my husband would be so proud. He being very practical and technical minded cut right to the first potential problem. It deflated me immediately. I felt done, over, finished.  Now I guarantee that he still doesn't know or understand what his words did. He was simply pointing out a problem.  Yes, he could have gone about it much differently but I knew, as I was reacting, that I was over-reacting. Then boom. . . self-esteem busted.  Thankfully, Jesus always has the last word and He gently reminded me that my feelings were not reality.

I tell you this not to criticize my husband but to say we must guard against the damage we can do.  Each of our children have varying levels of self-esteem but any one of them can be leveled with a couple words.  Our words are so important. Proverbs 12:18 says, "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Did you realize that your words have the ability to damage like a sword thrust of to bring healing?  Proverbs 15:4 confirms this even more saying, "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit."

I encourage you, beloved.  Think before you speak.  How will your words impact those who hear?  Even when some guidance is needed, then how should it be done?

Lord, I pray. . . "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips" Psalm 141:3