1 John 3:18 My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. 19 This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. 20 It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

Love is an action.  Loving is the fruit of living a God-life.  Love is the antidote for self-criticism.  Gods’ love overrides our guilt, shame and worry.  God’s love knows us intimately.

May I keep God’s love central in who I am becoming.  May it flow easily in and out of me.  May I receive God’s love in every nook and cranny of my being so that I can share it with those around me.  May I sponge up God’s love so fully that I leave drops of its overflowing wherever I go.  May my life be a mess of God’s love.

Thank you God for your unending, undesereved, all consuming, and perfect love.

Jeremiah 26:27 After the king burned the scroll containing the words that Baruch had written at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 28 “Take another scroll and write on it all the words that were on the first scroll, which Jehoiakim king of Judah burned up.

Jeremiah was prophesying to the king of Judah and to all of his people.  The king didn’t like what the Lord said, so he burned the scroll, thinking he was then destroying God’s word.  So God instructed Jeremiah to write it down again, only this time, he ADDED more to the prophesy, including a warning to the king.

No matter WHO tries to destroy the word of the Lord, (in this case it was a King, a powerful leader) it will persevere.  Ignoring, fearing, showing contempt or apathy to what the Lord says, will not erase the fact that the Lord has spoken.  If someone tries to destroy God’s word over your life, it can be resurrected, and God will add MORE to it. God’s promises will win.

My friend Kelly and I were discussing this scripture and she added this observation from John 20:21 and 22 “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you!  As the father sent me, I am sending you.’  And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”  Kelly shared that man tried to destroy Jesus, but he returned bringing with him the added gift of the Holy Spirit.  Man CANNOT destroy what God has given, and when they try, He will return it, and then some!

Lord thank you for your wisdom and for your word that promises a return.  It cannot be  destroyed or forgotten by YOU.  Thank you for bringing it back up even if it’s been forgotten or ignored by us.

Jeremiah 29:8 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” …11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 God is speaking this to the Israelites who are in exile.  They are literally waiting to be brought back to their homeland, but instead God gives them this promise.  He actually encourages them to plant themselves where they are, to build relationships, to pray for prosperity in the land where they are, in essence… to LIVE and LOVE. 

This promise has spoken to me and my children more through this season of exile than any others.  My kids can all quote this scripture, and we repeat it to each other when we have those moments of fear and uncertainty.  When our future is not clear and seems bleak, and our hearts are breaking again over what could have been… we remind ourselves that God has a plan for us, that his plan for us includes blessing and hope.  That He has a FUTURE for us!  I am encouraged to not just wait for that future, but to really live and to love where I am now.  God’s promises come true each day.  Each day is yesterday’s future.  I am challenged to pray for peace and prosperity every day, no matter where I am in life.  I am reminded to plant myself, establish relationships, be connected with the people in my life, wherever I am today. 

God thank you for this promise.  Thank you for reminding me again that you know what is going on.  Thank you that I am not in charge.  Help me to continue to learn to trust You in everything, and in the promise of Your plans and future for us.  Help me to truly live each day to its fullest, and not wait until the “right moment” to take it all in.  Thank you that each day is a day of promise.

Amos 9:14-15 "They'll rebuild their ruined cities. They'll plant vineyards and drink good wine.

Amos is prophesying to the nation of Israel.  He’s just reamed them and told them all of the horrible things that they are going to go through, but then… God will redeem them.  They’ll rebuild… implies action on the part of the Israelites.  Their RUINED cities will be rebuilt, but with effort on their part.  Planting and working are also verbs.  Yes, they will have land that they can WORK, and food that they can WORK for.  He will do HIS work and provide for them what they need.  What God is promising them is stability.  An example of us doing our end, He will do His end.

I feel like I can claim this promise as my own.  The kids and I have been working hard, and God has provided.  So many miracles have been present in our lives.  The fact that we still have a home, that my car is paid off, that I have had a banquet of groceries, that I've made my 3^rd trip to Hawaii, my own personal mecca, in the last year.  (after a 16 year absence)  And this time I got to take my kids, which is a dream I have held in my heart since I was 18 years old.  I am encouraged by this promise of stability.  I know that yes, God is our constant, and that no matter what life brings, we are stable in Him.  I am excited, and massively nervous, to be planted, stabilized, and sure in the work that God has for me.

Oh God… I don’t know exactly how you are leading me, but when you’re ready to reveal it, please make it OBVIOUS.  I will keep working hard in trusting you.  Thank you for giving me the tools to rebuild, plant and to work.  Help me to keep developing those skills.  Thank you for providing for us.  Thank you for knowing the dreams in my heart, and for dusting them off.  Give me courage to keep going for them.  Give my kids hearts geared for adventure.  Let them feel stable and planted in our future, wherever and whatever that may be.

Johh 14:16 I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you.17 This Friend is the Spirit of Truth….

The SPIRIT of truth is our friend.  What is a friend?  Someone we can trust, who is with us no matter what, who looks out for us and advises us, someone we want to spend time with.  The term “spirit of truth” is a great awareness and association with truth.  The “spirit” of truth permeates our thoughts, our motives, our decisions, not JUST our words as in speaking the truth.  The spirit of truth helps to mold us into who we are, just as our friends also help to shape us into the people that we become. 

Am I hanging out with my friend the spirit of truth?  Have I invited her to my thoughts?  Have I asked her opinion about my motives?  Have I included her in my decisions?  Have I listened to her when she has spoken?

Lord thank you for providing me with the friend who will always be with me.  Let me remember to be a good friend back and to spend time cultivating this friendship.  Help me to introduce her to my children so that they will want to spend time with her too.  Give me wisdom and patience to listen to her and to take her advice.