Lara Love's Blog, page 254

My Glory, Your Growth

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18

When I was growing up, my Mom used to say of a challenging experience, “this will build your character.” My Dad’s response was: “I have enough character.” In other words, enough of this challenging stuff! No more character building! My family didn’t believe in the Lord, but they sure had it right when i...

This IS Sin

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 I met a senior man on a street corner one day who confessed he needed money to get home because he had run out of money coming to New York City to meet a woman. Apparently this was not the first time nor did he seem to plan for it to be the last. He had a habit of coming into the city to meet women. Though...

Paralyzed Dog’s Pursuit – Life Lesson

“As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.” Psalm 42:1

A few college students seemed surprised one day when paralyzed dog Miss Mercy scooted her wheelchair as quickly as possible to them to receive not what they expected she wanted. She was hot – panting hot – and needed water. So I had handed them a water bowl to hold out her water. She hadn’t been drinking enough for a day or two and really needed the water. Any typical dog would have virtually lunged for the...

Unconditional Everything

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can...

When God HAS Spoken

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be  glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21

“Speak to my heart!” I exclaimed silently to the Lord.

“What makes you think I have not?” His Spirit replied immediately. Not audibly. In my heart. The same pl...

When I told a precious friend of mine who helps me with a...

When I told a precious friend of mine who helps me with a certain aspect of my ministry work that I would soon likely need her help with a big project, her answer surprised, delighted, and inspired me.

“Ready and willing!” she wrote in an email.

Even in her written correspondence, though I could not hear her voice nor her tone, I could sense openness, willingness, cheerfulness, humility, eagerness, enthusiasm, readiness, dedication, commitment, devotedness, passion, and, most importantly, lov...

She Is Your Sister

” “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s e...

No Way God Can Use Me

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Cor. 4:7

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Tim. 2:20-21

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the...

Father, I Can’t Do This

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13

“Father, I can’t do this,” I told the Lord.

I was being totally honest, and the Lord knew it. We both knew it. I just couldn’t do it. Not what He’d given me to do. Too much. Too hard. Too needing a break. Too not having had a vacation in years. More than I could handle. Impossible.

Almost instantly, these words came to me.

“But I can do it in you, with you, through you, and for you,” I told the Lord.

That was the plain truth....

Crying Out for Help

“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17

 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” John 13:35

There is nothing more important in the universe that we do when we’re really struggling and in need of help than that we cry out to God almighty through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a life devoted to Jesus. But some of us are holding back from taking another extremely important step. A step we need to take as the Lord leads us to do so!

Jesus is...