Forgiven Much, Love Much

I want you to remember the words of Jesus from Luke 7:47 (ESV),

But he who is forgiven little, loves little.

We can't know what it means to truly love God until we first understand what it means to fear Him. It is a proper awareness of our own sin that allows us to begin to grasp the depths of God's grace. As long we think we've been forgiven little, we will love little. Do we really understand what has been done for us?

Jesus didn't just do us a solid. He paid the ultimate price to save hell deserving sinners from impending wrath. He laid down His life to love us and reconcile us to God. We didn't deserve grace. Jesus didn't deserve wrath. God made an exchange though. Jesus took on our suffering so we could receive His salvation. Jesus didn't just come to give us some morals. He came to give us life. Make the choice today to love God like you're a dead man brought back to life, a prisoner who has been set free, and a prodigal receiving the warm embrace of a father. Your sin wasn't little, and neither was His grace.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8, ESV

Kicking Blind

Dave Kaiser took the field in the final seconds of the 1956 Rose Bowl. He was a kicker for the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans were tied 14-14 with the UCLA Bruins. Kaiser was one of three Michigan State kickers. Earlier in the year Kaiser suffered a leg injury having only attempted 2 kicks that season which both went wide left. Kaiser had healed up by the Rose Bowl but expected to ride the bench. However, the other kicker Planutis, had missed two field goals that game and Kaiser got the call. He took the field in the final seconds of the game to attempt a 41-yard field goal.

As Kaiser was getting in position and warming up his leg, on what was only his 3rd career attempt, the center snapped the ball a few seconds too early. Surprised, Kaiser quickly jumped back, lined up, and gave it the boot. As the pigskin soared through the air, Kaiser didn't watch. He turned and looked at the referee waiting to see his signal. It was good and the Spartans won the Rose Bowl. I forgot to mention something. He kicked the field goal blind. He turned to the referee not because he was nervous. The truth was he couldn't see the goal posts clearly. Kaiser, not expecting to play, had left his contact lenses in locker room and in turn had to kick blind.

  As Christians, we don’t know when our number will be called or when opportunity will present itself, but we must be prepared. Sometimes the circumstances will be unexpected. There’s an early snap. We forgot our contact lenses. We had very few previous opportunities or successes. We are kicking in the biggest game of our life. But remember, there is work that must be done in the practice field of our soul. The Holy Scriptures, God's character, and the leading of Holy Spirit must become such a part of us so that we too, can instinctively, make the kick blind. Without hesitation, doing what needs to be done because our souls have been saturated with God while we waited. What are you doing in the meantime? Will you be ready when God says take the field?

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 1:13, ESV

Following God

My soul follows close behind you, your right hand upholds me. -Psalm 63:8

In this simple yet powerful verse, David described the way he followed God’s lead and relied completely upon Him. The Bible often reports that David inquired of the Lord. He entrusted every area of his life to God. He looked to God for protection from his enemies, provision of all his needs, guidance when making decisions, and victory in battle. David followed God simply because he desired God. Another Psalmist felt the same way.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. -Psalm 84:10

I can remember several instances when I had some tough times, and I did desire to seek God. It seemed like a miracle that God worked it out. It usually wasn’t some big miraculous thing. It was God’s simple way of working things out because He loves us, and we seek Him. What does following behind God entail for you? In what way has God upheld you?

Sometimes, God works things out and we don’t understand why He chose the way He did work it out. It’s not until farther along in our journey we see why or understand better. Here’s a prayer for today.

God, I admit that sometimes I’ve been a straggler, lagging far behind you. Thank you for waiting for me, drawing me to yourself, and upholding me with your right hand. Amen.

God's Not Deaf

A little boy was saying his bedtime prayers with his mother. He prayed, "Lord, bless Mommy and Daddy.” Then with a loud and emphatic shout he added, “AND GOD GIVE ME A NEW BICYCLE!!!" His mother trying to correct his outburst informed him, "God's not deaf, son." The little boy responded, "I know, Mom, but Grandma's in the next room, and she's hard of hearing!”

What do you think? Is God hard of hearing? Jesus puts prayer into perspective when He starts the Lord's Prayer with "Our Father which art in heaven" (Matthew 6:9). As a Christian, do not ever forget who you are talking to when you pray. God is not stingy or uncaring. God is our Father. A giving, loving, and guiding Heavenly Father who by His very nature enjoys providing for and generously supplying good gifts to His children. Take the words of Jesus to heart from Matthew 7:11 (ESV),

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

We also should not forget that there are things that can hinder our prayers and cause a disconnect in our communication with God. These include…

-Sin (Isaiah 59:1-2)
-Unresolved conflict (Matthew 5:23-24),
-A failure to talk to God (James 4:2)
-Selfishness (James 4:3)
-Marital problems (1 Peter 3:7)
-A lack of faith in God (James 1:5-8)

If your communication with God is not going so well, it is not because God’s ears stopped working. God’s not deaf. He can hear you and wants to hear from you. Carve out some special time to get with God. Get the aforementioned obstacles to prayer out of the way. Humble yourself and seek Him with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). Cast your cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). He is your Heavenly Father, and He will take care of you. If ever you find yourself at a loss of words and don’t know what to pray, you can always pray the Lord’s Prayer. There is great power in it.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
-Matthew 6:9-13, KJV