​ The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
JEREMIAH 31:3

WHAT  CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD'S LOVE

The Bible tells us that absolutely NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!  Do you believe that?  

Can any of you know the things that CANNOT stop God's love?
What about:

• Tribulations
• Distresses
• Persecution
• Famine
• Nakedness
• Peril
• Sword
  
  

None of these things can separate you from the love of God!  The Word of God tells us that, for God's sake, we died and are counted as sheep for the slaughterhouse.

WE CAN LIVE A VICTORIOUS LIFE IN CHRIST

No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, who loves us.  Just read it for yourself in:
ROMANS 8:35-39

​The Apostle Paul states it very clearly, persuaded that neither of the following can isolate or segregate us from God's love:

    Not Death

• Not Life
• Not Angels
• Not Principalities
• Not Powers
• Not Things Present
• Not Things to Come
• Not Height
• Not Depth
• Not Any Other Creature

FROM A DISTANT PAST

Long ago, God's love reached into the future.  You see He
knew those who would come to Him one day, and He chose them beforehand to be conformed to the image of His Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn of a new family of believers.

We  would all be brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.  Again,
 He chose those who would love Him beforehand because He knew who would love and serve Him. 

And He called them to a different  destiny so that they
would experience what it means to be made right
with God and share His Glory.

WHO CAN LEVEL A CHARGE THAT GOD DID NOT CHOOSE THEM

So what should w say about all of this?  If God is on our
side, then tell me: who should we fear?  If He did not spare
His own Son, but handed Him over on our account, then 
don't you think that He will graciously give us all things
with Him?

Can anyone of us be so bold as to level a charge against
God's chosen?  Especially since God's "not guilty" verdict is
already declared.  Who has the authority to condemn?

Jesus is the one who died, but more importantly, He arose and conquered death when He was raise to sit at the right hand of God, where he pleads on our behalf.  Christ affirms it best while on the cross He says, "It is Finished," no other sacrifices are needed.
​
BELOW:

The Love Of God
Sung By:
The Gaithers - Joy Gardner, Guy Penrod, David Phelps

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

A man had just been married and was returning home with his wife.  They we crossing a lake in a boat, when suddenly a great storm arose.  The man was a warrior, but the woman became very much afraid because it almost seemed hopeless.

The boat was small and the storm was really huge and any moment they could be drowned.  Still, the man sat silently, calm and quiet as if nothing were happening.

The woman was trembling and she said to her husband, "Are you not afraid? This may be our last moment in life!  It doesn't seem that we will be able to reach the other shore.  Only some miracle can save us now; other wise death seems certain! Are you not afraid?  Are you mad or something?  Are you a stone with no feelings or concern?"

The man laughed to himself and thought for a moment.  Then he took his sword out of its sheath.  The woman was even more puzzled: What was her new husband thinking?  What was he doing?

Just then, her husband brought the naked sword close to the woman's neck... so close that just a small gap was there, it almost touched her neck.  He then looked at his new wife, whom he loved very much and said, "Are you afraid?"

She looked at him and said, "Why should I be afraid?  If the sword is in your hands, why would I be afraid?  I know you how much you love me!"

Instantly he put the sword back and said, "This is my answer to you! I know Jesus loves me and this storm is in His hands!  WHATEVER is going to happen will be good! If we survive that is good... and if we don't survive... good... because I have put everything into His hands and He can do nothing wrong!  I CHOOSE to TRUST in My JESUS!

Developing trust makes for a long journey at times.  Yet, along the troublesome and uncomfortable pathways... are actually lessons from the Lord... that transcend us to heights unimaginable. 

People everywhere carry burdens that almost seem too heavy to bear!  There seems to be conflict and battle on every side... finances, loneliness, hunger, illness... etc.  However, you can not give up in these times! 

I know first hand... it is not an easy thing to be "put to the test"... to find out "what we are truly made of!" Yet, it brings a whole new level of faith and trust in our Lord Jesus!!  Is anything of more value to us? 

This is a faith and a trust that we need to consume daily... for it is capable of transforming our entire life!!  It is capable of molding us into His divine nature and bringing us closer to Jesus than we have ever been before!! In my eyes... nothing less will do!

Keep trusting my friend!!! Keep believing!!! Keep praying!!!  If you look... you will find Jesus is right there with you and He will bring you through, whatever it is that has you worried and distraught!!!  We can trust "His Will" for our lives!

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  Matthew 5:41

"My Teacher... Mrs. Thompson"
- Author Unknown (A bit long, but so worth the read)

This is a true story, from many years ago about an elementary school teacher whose name was Mrs. Thompson.  As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath.  And, Teddy could be unpleasant when asked to do simple classroom activities.  

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was certainly surprised. 

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh.  He does his work neatly and has very good manners... he is a joy to be around."  His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, he is well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." 

Mrs. Thompson paused and then read what his third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on Teddy.  He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest in him.  His home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."   Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school.  He doesn't have many friends and sometimes he sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself.  She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents wrapped, in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's.  His present, which was clumsily wrapped in heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.

Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.  Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.

She quickly stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on and dabbing, some of the perfume on her wrist.  Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to." After the children left she cried for some time.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic.  Instead, she began to teach children about real life, kindness and loving one another.  Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.  As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive.  The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.  By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class, and despite her lie that she would love all the children the same... Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets." 

A year later, she found a note under her door from Teddy.  He told her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.  He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter saying, that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, stuck with it and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors.  He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Another four years passed and yet another letter came.  This time he explained that after he got his medical degree. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had.  But, now his name was a little longer... the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.

The story doesn't end there -- you see, there was yet another letter that spring.  Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married.  He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did.  And, guess what?  She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing.  She also made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you, Mrs. Thompson for believing in me.  Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference!"

Mrs. Thompson looked into Teddy's eyes and said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference.  I didn't know how to teach... until I met you!  And, for that I am eternally grateful to you!!"

Kindness, compassion and love are not just "feel good" ideas -- they are things that you do!  What would you think if someone told you that they loved you, but never did anything to express that love? 

What if Mrs. Thompson had just written another review on Teddy -- and never changed her teaching habits and routines? 

Do you know someone who needs your love today... and will you love them with simple words or joyous actions??

Love is an action... not just mere words or brief moments of emotions.  Love does more... and love goes the extra mile.  I'm so thankful for the people in my life that went that extra mile, for had they not... I might not even be here!!

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?  Psalm 56:8

I have a wonderful "treasure and memory box" in my closet.  It holds past birthday, anniversary and get well wishes along with small gifts made and given by the tiny hands of my grandchildren.

To me it holds not only treasures and memories, but this box is filled with the love of those I care so much for.  When I am lonely or when I am missing my loved ones, I go to my box and read the wonderful cards and enjoy the precious coloring pages made just for me. 

I know everything that is in my box and exactly who its from and when they gave it to me.  To many, this box is just "stuff", but to me it holds all the love in the world.  No diamonds, no riches... nothing could compare, equal or replace the love in my memory box!

Why I even have... "little white stones" that my granddaughter gave me when she was only a tiny tot.  She would come for a visit and ask to go outside... there by the pool, she would stoop down to pick up the "little white stones," clench them tightly in her hand and say, "Nauna, these are for you!"  Then she would put her hand in mine, as she left the "treasures of her heart" with me.

And, so it is with God's record of love... as He chronicles the lives of those He holds closely.  Christ Jesus keeps our joyful times... as well as our testings, close to His heart.

God very gently bottles the tears and somberly records them in His ledger.  God's heart is deeply touched by the pain and the misery He sees!  His love reaches out to hold close... that which hurts us and He keeps a journal of our pain, while He bottles our tears. 

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."  Hebrews 4:15

Just as you or I hold onto the things that bring sweet memories, our Jesus... our High Priest who has complete and ready access to God our Father, holds our lives close to His heart!  God is not out of touch with what we go through... He knows our realities.

Jesus, himself has been through all our weakness' and testings!  He has experienced it all... all but the sin!  So, we can run to Him with our pain and with all the hurt... including all our tears!!  He is waiting to hold us...to care for us... and to bring His mercy into our exact situation!

If I can completely love and treasure, "little white stones" from a child. Think of the love of our Savior who died for the children He so dearly loved! 

There is no need to go it alone!  Jesus is there for us and He longs to help us right where we are!

Will you open your heart to the one who cares for it?