Redeeming Love

I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.

Hosea 2:19-20

     For those of you who have not read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, I would so strongly recommend it! It has helped me to shine light on the fact that no matter how far I wander, the Lord is always on my tail, luring me back in with His unconditional, uncircumstantial love and overflowing compassion. And to think that such an awe-inspiring book was derived from a true story in the Bible, one of Hosea and Gomer, one of God's prevailing love for Israel, and a story of a love that continues to withstand the ages, His redeeming love for us!

     

     Like Angel, the main character in the story, we have a defiance that is transformed only by the love of God, into a graceful humility. Often, we hesitate to fully commit to the Lord, because we know that we are broken and scarred by sin. Just like Angel doubted Michael's love for her, because of her impurity, we too are frightened to face the Sinless Savior, knowing that we are anything but perfect. However, His love and compassion go beyond all measure! Time and time again, the Lord pursues us, never giving up, but acknowledging that it is our choice in the end. Michael was deeply saddened when he lost Angel, because of his immense love for her. It broke his heart, but he only wanted what she desired, and deep down he had faith that the Lord was watching over her. The moment Angel gave over her life to the will of God, He visibly sustained her and gave her an unwavering humility. Through His gift to her, Angel was able to admit that what was left to give the Lord, all of herself, was to be given willingly. Even though the world counted her at loss, Angel learned of a love much greater than even Michael's - God's love. By discovering His redeeming love, she counted all that she was at loss and committed to the Lord. We can learn from Angel, that even though we stagger and fall, the Lord is our shield and defense; He has our best intentions in mind. If we seek, we WILL find; we WILL find a love greater than a life.

I hope this gave you some insight into how that Lord so urgently pursues us, and I hope you would be encouraged to pick up His Word, turn to Hosea, and embrace on a journey that will forever change the course and purpose of your life. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, put it on your summer reading list! Love you all!

ABBY <3



Bring Me Back to the Place of Forgiveness and Grace

   Long time, no see (or should I say: blogging)! Life has been hectic with school drawing to a close, but we can't let any amount of busyness get in the way of truly seeking God, day in and day out! As my good friend, Robin, so wisely says it, "Whenever you see a yellow car or a bug, you get in the habit of reaching over to the nearest person to you and slugging them. Slug Bug! Then, your brain is trained to see yellow cars everywhere. God is the same way. If you seek Him wholeheartedly, you will see Him everywhere, because your mind is trained to look for the things that occupy your thoughts." It is key to pick up your cross DAILY and follow the Lord, in order to see Him in all situations. Or as I like to put it, with my song obsession on this blog: "bring[ing] [yourself] back to the place of forgiveness and grace."

      Let the Lord make this our prayer, that we would not be distracted with the things of this world: the riches, the popularity, the power, and the selfishness. Let us not forget to acknowledge the extent of the suffering Your Son experienced. The cross is what separates us, Holy and blameless and unrighteous and sinful, but it also binds us even closer than ever! To know that the Lord is All Powerful and could have taken on our sins with the snap of a finger, yet He chose to come to earth in human form, to understand our troubles, to be rejected and scorned, and to shed His own blood, in the cruelest way, for His sinful sons and daughters, is UNFATHOMABLE! We get so excited and pumped up about God's magnificence, because our brains are working a mile a minute to wrap themselves around God's undeniable power. Jesus' blood was to redeem us; like a coupon gets you food for free, God redeemed us with His coupon, His blood, so that we could come to Him without cost! - Andy Rauschkolb

     I pray that everyday, we would be drawn back to the place of forgiveness and grace, the cross, so that we can plainly view and act upon the LOVE that the Lord showers down on us! Because Christ paid the ultimate price, to die for such unworthy people, we too should be willing to pick up our own crosses daily, even if it means dying to ourselves and rising up alive and renewed in Him! Thank you for your gifts of grace and mercy, which you extend to us, so that we may say, "SO LONG SELF."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9PKYMDvNB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxMnr0pM78U

ABBY <3