He's Been Here

God sent His son to earth so that He could experience all that we experience. He went one step further than we will ever have to go though, because He sent His son here to earth to die on a cross, just so we would be forgiven of all our sins.

Don't think because you're finding life difficult or your struggling to carry on, that Jesus doesn't understand how you feel, He does. Jesus understands, He's been here and He's had those same feelings you are experiencing now.

So trust Jesus, trust God, because He's with you all the time.

I Have Been There by Mark Schultz
In a room without a view, a new mother smiles and holds
her tiny fingers on her brand new baby girl.
Her husband takes her by the hand, so unsure about the future
and no money can they make it in this world?

And they pray, Lord all we have to give is love
and they heard a gentle voice like an echo from above,
I have been there. I know what fear is all about.
Yes, I have been there and I'm standing with you now.
I have been there
And I came to build the bridge oh so this road could lead you home.
Oh I have been there.

He's been a pastor twenty years
but tonight he sits alone and broken hearted in the corner of the church
He tried to change a fallen world
with his words and with his wisdom but it seems like it is only getting worse
And he cries, Oh Lord I just don't understand
Then he felt the hand of grace, and he heard a voice that said

I have been there, I know what pain is all about
yes I have been there, and I'm standing with you now
I have been there, and I came to build a bridge
oh so this road could lead you home
oh i have been there.

An older man up on a hill
holding flowers but he can't hold back the tears.
oh he has come to say goodbye.
he thinks about the life she lived,
thinks about how hard it's been to live without her
sixty years right by his side
and he cries, oh Lord i loved her till the end
and he heard a gentle voice say you'll see her once again

I have been there
I know what sorrow's all about
yes i have been there and I'm standing with you now
i have been there, and i came to build a bridge
oh so this road could lead her home, the road could lead her home
oh i have been there, You know I overcame the cross, yes i have been there
so her life would not be lost
oh i have been there, and i came to build
a bridge so this road could lead you home
the road could lead you home

Oh I have been there
Yes I have been there

Checkout Mark Schultz website: http://markschultzmusic.com/home/

A Feeling of Love?

Is love a feeling or is it more than that?

I believe love is more than just a feeling. Jesus said:
I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you - John 15:12.
So love is obviously more than just a feeling.

God requires us to love him and other people is the highest form of love, agape love - love like His. It is a love of the head rather than a love from the heart. A love that is determined to be be concerned first and foremost for the loved ones' well-being in every part of their lives, no matter what the cost is to ourselves or indeed whether that love is returned.

God needs us to love Him and His son. God commands us to love whether we feel like it or not, because we need to demonstrate our love of God. When we serve God our love of God grows.

It is challenging to follow God's command to love one another, but at the end of the day, it's our decision whether we obey God's command or not.

So how do we know that we love God? We know it by being obedient to His will and His commandments.
Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me - John 14:21
This verse is very reassuring as it's sometime difficult to know whether we truly do love God or not, but these words offer the reassurance that as long as we do God will, we are demonstrating our love for Him.

God love me. God love you.
Love God and others in the same way He loves you.

God Knows You

Have you found yourself doubting God recently?
Have you found yourself in difficult situations and found that the last person you turn to is God?

You're not alone in these feelings. I think we all have those thoughts and feelings at times. We often find that when we struggle we completely forget about God because we wonder why he can let these things happen to us. But he hasn't forgot you, he knows everything about you because he made you in his own image.

One song in our Salvation Army songbook which I've always turned to when I feel I'm not giving everything to God, or not turning to Him in times of need:

Knowing my failings, knowing my fears,
Seeing my sorrow, drying my tears,
Jesus recall me, me re-ordain;
You know I love you, use me again.

I have no secrets unknown to you,
No special graces, talents are few;
Yet your intention I would fulfil;
You know I love you, ask what you will.

For the far future I cannot see,
Promise your presence, travel with me;
Sunshine or shadows? I cannot tell;
You know I love you, all will be well.

Love God and put your trust in Him, he will be with you every step of the way.