Changed by Love

Found myself agonizing over a situation – battling negative “coulda, shoulda, woulda” thoughts with words of faith most of the night.  Finally, “How Awesome is Our God” (by Israel Houghton & New Breed, featuring Yolanda Adams) started playing in my mind’s playlist, and I was able to find peace enough to drift off to sleep.  The next day brought comfort as well as a rebuke for my doubt, fear and unbelief, leading to repentance and renewed praise to God for His tender grace shown in and through the strong correction. Soon afterwards, news came that the situation I feared had not materialized.  In His goodness, God had been merciful once again.

Lamentations 3:22 (AMPC)

It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

After running around with and for family most of the day, I was just getting ready to rest a bit (finally!) when I received a text asking for help – again.  I must confess that at that point I was not really in the mood (even as the thought came that "God loves a cheerful giver” [2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV]), but I nevertheless sought the Lord as to what He would have me to do.  Sensing that I was to allow the Lord to provide the requested assistance through me, I asked the Lord for His strength to do so.  My attitude changed as I remembered my gratitude for God’s gracious blessings in my life – specifically with regard to the aforementioned situation.  I thought of the verse, that to give to the poor [needy] is to lend to the Lord (Proverbs 19:17) as I went on my way (and now, even thinking of David’s statement in 2 Samuel 24:24 that he would not give to the Lord that which cost him nothing).

Colossians 2:6-7 (AMP, NIV, AMPC, VOICE)

⁶ Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], ⁷ having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established and strengthened in your faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with gratitude and thanksgiving.

Once the task was accomplished, I was almost back home when “How He Loves” (by David Crowder Band) began playing on the radio.  I received the song as a gift, signaling God’s approval and acceptance of my actions.  I just smiled and thanked God again for the magnificent, penetrating brilliance and pervasive nature of His love to change a heart – even my heart.

… and my journey with my Lord continues …