DANGEROUS LOVE

I am so in awe of our Lord. He’s amazingly humble and kind. And in the same breath, the MIGHTIEST Warrior of all time.

A couple days ago, as I was outside painting the manger my friend’s husband made for our upcoming children’s Christmas program, I was praying outloud. As I was saying the sentence, “Thank you for coming to….” my sentence was interuppted by Holy Spirit. What I had planned to say was, “Thank you for coming to this world.” But what came out instead was, “Thank you for coming to danger.” I stopped, paintbrush in hand. And it made me pause. And even as I type, I tear up. It made me pause because I had to really think why would Holy Spirit prompt me to give thanks for that? With that word. Danger.

Then, as my spirit began to agree with the Lord, I said, “Yes, thank you for coming to danger. Thank you, Lord, for coming here. It’s such a dangerous place to be born. But you chose to come.”

And dangerous it was. Along with the glory and the miraculous virgin birth, so many aspects of danger surrounded this precious, one-of-a-kind Christ child that was born. (You can read the story in Luke 2 and see for yourself what Charlie Brown Christmas is referencing.) One of them being shortly after he was born, King Herod, who had the spirit of antichrist operating through him, sent word out to kill all baby boys age two and under. And Jesus would have fallen in that category. (see Matthew 2:16–18) A dangerous time indeed.

As a mom, I look back and remember when our oldest son, who is now 20, was born two weeks after 9/11 occured. I remember watching the television as the horror unfolded, looking down at him and thinking, “I just brought a child into this world.” But do I regret it? No. Does God? No.

He doesn’t regret it either. You know why? The simple answer. God loves you. God loves us.

He wouldn’t have done it any different. He knew that sin had entered the world through man’s rebellion and Jesus knew that he would step into time and set things right for us. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, perfect in and of themselves and in perfect unity and completeness in themselves chose to complete the mission of salvation for mankind out of LOVE and a desire for us to be in fellowship with them. What kind of love is that?

Dangerous love. A love that runs into the fire. A love that runs into the mess. A love that runs into depression. A love that runs into fear. A love that runs straight into your heart that is backed up in the corner in a fetal postion. That’s the kind of the love this is. Dangerous love. A love that knows no bounds. A love that is willing to leave the ninety-nine to go after the one. You are the one. You are the one he’s going after today.

Listen. Jesus laid down his life for you and he’s not taking it back. That love sacrifice has been made and the forgiveness of your sins has already been paid for. All you have to do is receive it by faith. Are you willing to go out on a line for him, becasue he did it for you? He stepped out of eternity into time, so that right now, your path would cross with his. He’s after your heart today. Are you after his?

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hear this. Hear this dangerous love. YOU. ARE. THE. JOY. that was set before him. Did you hear me? Let me say it again… YOU. ARE. THE. JOY. that was set before him. Yes, you. The one hiding in the corner because you think no one can see you, but God does. You can’t hide even if you try. He LOVES you. Even if you don’t love yourself right now. Look up. For your Deliverer is here.

Are you tired? Are you lonely? Are you afraid your life isn’t going to amount to anything? Man, all I have to say is – RUN TO JESUS. He’s running to you. And, yeah, I’m not gonna lie. It’s not always going to be easy. But was his life? Was his life when he was the hero one day and the next they were attempting to push him off a cliff?? Really. But you know what? GOD WILL ALWAYS BE WITH You. Even to the end of the age. But the journey has to start somewhere. It can’t just be, “Yeah, I’ve heard that before. I’ve been to church.” Who cares? Most have been to church. But are you changed? Has Jesus changed YOU? Has there been true salvation or just an idea of this baby Jesus who was born to save but hasn’t saved you?

Jesus came to save. That’s why he willinging became a man. He is known as Immanuel, GOD with us. He had to become a man to pay the price for our sin. There had to be a perfect man to live and die in our place. Jesus, fully God and fully man, accomplished everything God the Father required to bring us back to him. Hallelujah. Worthy is the Lamb. He died and three days later, God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, raised him to life. He appeared to many and then after 40 days, ascended back into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father. (see First Things First)

He departed with one direction. One next step for them. The disciples did as he instructed. They went and waited in the upperroom until the promised Holy Spirit came and was poured out for the empowering of the saints, and so the church was born.

And guess, what? God is still doing this today. You CAN be a part of the kingdom story. Because, Our GOD REIGNS. He is MIGTHY to save. And you, my dear, are not a lost cause. Ha! Indeed, I decree and declare that today, you are found. Found in his dangerous love.

If you want to receive Christ as your Lord and Savior, pray this prayer with me –

Dear Jesus, I give up. My hands are in surrender and my heart is too. You can have all of me. I’m tired of hiding. I’m tired of hunting for things that do not satisfy. My soul is hungry for you. I need you. I want you. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. I turn away from my sin and renounce everything I have placed my faith in that wasn’t you: (say those now: i.e. healing stones, witchcraft, church affliation, the occult, ______________, etc.). Today, I give my life FULLY to you Jesus. Come into my heart and heal me. I reject every feeling of lonliness. Every feeling of rejection and I decree and declare that I am loved by God and chosen by him. He is my rock and my salvation, who shall I fear? Thank you, Jesus, that you are alive and are coming back. Use me to advance YOUR kingdom. To the glory of your Name, King Jesus. Amen, amen and amen.

Now, lift your hands as we ask the Holy Spirit to fill you. Pray this –

Holy Spirit, I am now a child of God, through the blood of Jesus, and I want all that you have for me. Baptize me. Empower me, Holy Spirit, to be used by you to grow your kingdom with miracles, signs and wonders. To the glory of your Name, Jesus. Amen and amen. (Now, wait on him. He’s right there with you.)

I’m so excited for you!! This is going to be a brand new, eyes wide open Christmas for you!

PLEASE reach out and let me know if you received Christ today and/or the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I want to celebrate with you!

For more information on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and other topics, visit the supernatural page.