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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781434705327 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | David C Cook |
| Publication date: | 10/01/2012 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 96 |
| File size: | 5 MB |
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THE SAME LOVE
A DEVOTION
By Paul Baloche
David C. Cook
Copyright © 2012 Paul BalocheAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4347-0526-6
CHAPTER 1
THE SAME LOVE
You choose the humble and raise them high
You choose the weak and make them strong
You heal our brokenness inside and give us life
The same love that set the captives free
The same love that opened eyes to see
Is calling us all by name
You are calling us all by name
The same God that spread the heavens wide
The same God that was crucified
Is calling us all by name
You are calling us all by name
You take the faithless one aside
And speak the words "you are mine"
You call the cynic and the proud
Come to me now
You're calling, you're calling
You're calling us to the cross
MARK 5:21–43
As Jesus recrossed to the other side, a crowd was waiting on the shore. One of them was Jairus, a synagogue leader. Jesus was barely out of the boat when Jairus fell at His feet: Please, please ... my, my little girl is about to die. But I believe Your hands can save her. His words broke Jesus's heart, so He followed Jairus, and the crowd followed Jesus. Of the many pressing around Him, there was one with nothing left to lose: a woman who for twelve years had lost blood plus all her money at the hands of healers whose remedies only made things worse. She snaked her way through the crowd and with a desperate reach brushed just the sleeve of Jesus's robe. She had said to herself, If I can just reach His sleeve ...
All of a sudden she knew her wound was healed; Jesus sensed something too. He halted the crowd and said, All right, who brushed against Me?
The Twelve chuckled. All these people and You're asking, "Who brushed Me?"
But Jesus was focused. He looked around. I'm serious, who brushed against Me?
The woman knew she was the answer to Jesus's question, so she inched out from the crowd, folded at His feet, and told Him her life's story.
Jesus smiled, ruffled His sleeve, and said, My brave daughter, your brush with faith has healed you. Go on now, your life is waiting for you.
Jesus had barely finished speaking when several people ran up. Jairus, it's too late ... she's gone.
Jesus moved between Jairus and the distraction. This moment is about you and what you say you believe. This can end here, or we can keep going. What do you say?
Jairus nodded and they kept on. Peter, James, and John were the only ones allowed to accompany them into Jairus's house. It was splashed with fresh grief, people beside themselves, weeping.
Jesus waded right into it. Why are you crying? She's only asleep.
The mourners found Jesus callous and let Him know it. But He didn't care. Jesus drove everyone from the house except Jarius and his wife and the three disciples. They made their way to where a twelve-year-old girl lay motionless.
Jesus knelt and squeezed her hand. Hi, it's time to get up.
Just like that the girl rubbed her eyes, stretched, sat up, and started jumping around. Her parents' mourning turned to dancing while the disciples stood speechless. In the midst of the joy Jesus cautioned them, All of you, not a word about this to anyone. Now, I bet she's hungry.
* * *
A humble father at the end of his rope willing to do whatever might save his little girl. A daughter held captive by the grip of death itself. A broken woman who'd had years of her life stolen by a debilitating sickness. Three very different people with very different needs. Yet each came into direct contact with the very same love, the love of God.
The same God called out to each of them in different ways. Jairus was challenged by "What do you say?" His daughter was roused with "It's time to get up." And the desperate woman heard the strange question, "Who brushed Me?" Each one answered specifically out of their lives, but each responded to the very same love, the love of God.
Shouldn't we admit, though, that even after experiencing this love, we've entertained doubts? And though we have seen answers to prayers, some questions still remain? In this life we experience the discipline of holiness alongside the inevitable humanity of sinfulness. And between these opposing realities, we're daily called to choose to pledge our allegiance to the God who never leaves us, committing afresh to walk the walk of faith. God's unwavering love for us continues, even when ours falters. He's calling us by name, to remind us that He knows our faults and failures. He's reminding us that the cross bears our sin and shame and the offer is to begin anew. And so we walk with feeble legs toward the cross no matter what we have been through, and there He offers us the same love unconditionally.
My mind immediately goes to Peter, a disciple a lot like us. He was faith-filled and trusting one moment, then fighting with the others over who would be the greatest in the next breath. In the course of the same evening he was prepared to defend Jesus in the garden but then later denied ever knowing Jesus, all in an effort to save his own skin. But the amazing thing is that Jesus said on the life and testimony of this imperfect man God would build His church. The same truth holds for us—we are His church! God has opened up our eyes and revealed Himself and taken up residence in our hearts. And He is building His church revelation upon revelation like a builder builds with bricks. The story goes that Peter remained faithful till the end, even dying a martyr's death. After realizing the depths of Christ's love, he lived with a faith he was willing to die for, not deny.
Faith by its very definition is belief in that which is unseen. It's believing that the same love that spread the heavens wide and was crucified and raised Jairus's little girl and sent a woman back into her new life is calling to you today. Your circumstances will be unique to you. Maybe the same love is challenging you to choose what you believe. Maybe you're being asked to bravely step out and let everyone see you and your story. Maybe it's an invitation to get up and get back to the business of living. Then again, maybe that same love is simply calling your name to remind you of your worth in God's eyes. Different times, different stories, different needs, but a love that is the same yesterday, today, and forever calling Come to me now.
* * *
Take a few moments and look at the specifics of your story. Not someone else's or some caricature of how you think things should be, but the reality of your life. Then ask Jesus, "What are You calling me to?" His standing answer of "love" will be shaped in a way especially designed for you.
Jesus, there are so many different voices competing for my attention, voices that only know me as a number or category. I want to listen only to Your voice of love, the same one that calls and knows me by name. Amen.
This device does not support the required audio or video format. The Same Love (04:48)
LOVED BY YOU
River flow from your throne
From Your heart through my soul
Healing flood, God of peace
Speak your word and quiet me
I was made to be loved by You
To be loved by You
To be loved by You Jesus
Mercy rain down on me
Hide me now beneath your wings
Hold me close to your side
I am yours, you are mine
Open up wide, your arms and my eyes
Take all I have and make it yours
You've given your life, and now I'm alive
To worship you now forevermore
This device does not support the required audio or video format. Loved By You (04:24)
JOHN 8:2–11
Once again Jesus was in the temple, surrounded by crowds of people. Just as He sat down to teach, a group of Pharisees and keepers of the law stormed in, dragging a woman. They handled her, positioned her in the center of attention, and said, Teacher, as is obvious, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. Moses's law demands we stone her. But what would you do? Their interest in Jesus's opinion was merely a ruse intended to trip him up.
Jesus squatted down and wrote in the dirt with His finger. The woman's accusers pressed in on Him, forcing His hand. He stood up and said, The first throw must be clean; let an innocent step up. He squatted down and began writing again.
The older men walked out first. The younger followed reluctantly. Eventually there were only two, just Jesus and the woman. He stood up. That's interesting. No one left to accuse you?
No one, the woman whispered.
I don't either, Jesus said. Go, forget your sin. Remember, you are loved.
* * *
The great A. W. Tozer wrote, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." It's a fantastic statement, one that causes us to stop and think about what we truly believe. But what if we take Tozer's words and mix the order up a little? We get another statement, one that's just as mind-blowing. Take a minute and consider this:
What comes into God's mind when He thinks about us is the most important thing about God.
There could be as many responses to this as there are people in a crowded room. But there is only one that is true.
Most of us would refer to the fourth gospel as the gospel according to John. But this gospel does not directly name its writer. Tradition holds that John the son of Zebedee is the author, but his name is never mentioned in the text. What we do have are hints that cause us to lean in the direction of John. One of these hints is a descriptive phrase of the writer found in chapter 13, verse 23. It is almost shocking in its intimacy:
One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. (NIV)
Imagine a stranger approaching John and asking, "Who are you?" And then imagine John answering without missing a beat, "I'm the one Jesus loves." John believed the most important thing about God is His love for us. That comes out clearly in the first few words of undoubtedly one of the most memorized verses in all of Scripture:
For God so loved the world ... (3:16 NIV)
What if a stranger approached you and asked, "Who are you?" Your natural inclination would be to give your name, right? Paul or Lisa or Jenny or Tim. But what would it mean for you to give John's answer: "I'm the one Jesus loves"? Can you see your primary identity as one created to be loved by God? Your identity is really not your job or your body image or the possessions you've accumulated. Our highest value and worth is found in who God says we are, and He says we're the beloved. If you can't see that right now, what's keeping you from not only seeing it but believing it?
This song is a simple prayer built around the truth that God created all things for His pleasure—and that includes you and me.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
—Colossians 1:16 (NIV)
He created us to be loved by Him; it's that simple and that complex. Our response to such overwhelming good news is to worship Him, now and forevermore. My hope is that you might learn to receive His love not only in your head but also in your heart and soul—in all of you.
* * *
It's easy to say that God so loves the world. The more difficult piece is believing that God so loves me.
God of peace, I so want to believe that You've created me to be loved by You. I do, I really do. Help my unbelief, please. And even though my belief may falter, may my worship of You remain constant. Amen.
JUST SAY
I will lay me down here at your feet
Save me from myself and calm the raging seas
You will be my ark that floats me up above the storm
Just say
Just say the word
Just say the word
I'll be made whole
Hear my humble prayer help my unbelief
Speak to me Your hope, Jesus carry me
You will be my ark that floats me up above the storm
Your goodness, your mercy will rescue me
Let your power, your blood wash over me
This device does not support the required audio or video format. Just Say (04:08)
LUKE 7:1–10
Jesus made His way to Capernaum. A Roman military officer there had a servant who was a good man but was sick, about to slip beneath the surface of life. This officer knew of Jesus and His words, but he wasn't Jewish. He was part of the hated army occupying Jesus's homeland. So he dispatched leaders from the Jews to ask Jesus to come and bring life to the servant.
The leaders did as he requested. Please, please come with us, they begged Jesus. This Roman deserves the best. He is a good man who cares for our people, even going so far as to make sure we have a place to worship.
Let's go, then, Jesus said.
While they were still a ways off, the officer sent other friends to Jesus, to tell Him: Master, I'm not worthy of your time and trouble, much less a personal visit. Just say the word and I believe my servant will live. I am a soldier, I understand rank and authority, and I trust Yours. Just say the word.
The officer's faith caught Jesus off guard. Turning to the crowd, He said, This is beautiful! This Roman soldier understands how it works. Most Jews aren't anywhere close to this level of trust, and they should know better.
When the officer's friends got back to his house, they found it brimming with joy, the servant alive and well.
* * *
In the church services I grew up on, there was a time when we were encouraged to take an inventory of our hearts to see if there was anything sinful that would come between God and ourselves, sin that could keep us from approaching God.
Broken fellowship with the Lord keeps us from fully living. We are broken in so many ways, but if we could lay hold of the truth that Jesus has authority to heal the sick, forgive sin, revive relationships, and restore peace in the midst of troubling circumstances, then we would be made whole again. The Bible records these words in 1 John 1:9—"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (NIV).
There are times when we can't find the words to convey what we're feeling. In those times we can simply lift our hearts to God in humility and whisper, "Jesus, have mercy. Just say the word and I will be made whole." Jesus is our anchor in the storm. He is our safe harbor. He is the ark of our salvation.
Lord, I am not worthy of You, but only say the word. Say the word, and I will be healed. Say the word, and I will be made whole. Say the word, and I can approach You with boldness and a clean conscience. Amen.
CONTRIBUTING VOICES
It didn't feel like we were writing a song, but rather more like a small worship service shared between three new friends. We spent time just sitting and praying for people that we knew in our lives that needed a healing from God. We started to sing the phrase "Just say, just say the word, I'll be made whole." We all felt the presence of God in the room, and the song "Just Say" came out of our hearts as we prayed things like, "You will be my ark, that floats me up above the storm." This song was ordained by God to be heard in moments of struggle, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. If you look to God and believe, He can make you whole again. He can take the most broken life and piece it back together. With just one word from heaven, God really can change a life.
What I remember the most about writing this song is the unity that was present among three new friends. And also Paul's heart for the people and music directed at God. That's what worship draws you into, community with others of like-mindedness. When three or more gather in His name we can't help but pull out some guitars or sit around a piano and sing our prayers to our God.
—The Brothers McClurg
WE ARE SAVED
Who compares to you
Son of God with open arms
Crucified for us
You gave it all to win our hearts
We stand amazed at the work of the cross
We are saved, we are saved
Our sin has been forgiven
You have broken every chain
We are saved, we are saved
From the grave you rose
Turned our shame into your praise
We stand by grace alone
You have made a way where there was no way
All the honor, forever
Jesus be lifted higher
We owe it all to you
This device does not support the required audio or video format. We Are Saved (04:08)
MARK 16:1–8
Sunrise found three women on their way to the tomb—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. They were carrying spices to anoint His body, along with this pressing question: Who will help us roll away the stone that covers the tomb?
(Continues...)
Excerpted from THE SAME LOVE by Paul Baloche. Copyright © 2012 Paul Baloche. Excerpted by permission of David C. Cook.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
DEAR READER,THE SAME LOVE,
LOVED BY YOU,
JUST SAY,
WE ARE SAVED,
ALL BECAUSE OF THE CROSS,
YOUR BLOOD RAN DOWN,
SHOUT FOR JOY,
OH OUR LORD,
MY HOPE,
REIGN IN ME,
LOOK UPON THE LORD,
KING OF HEAVEN,
CHRIST THE LORD,
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS,
SONG CREDITS,
MEDIA,
VIDEO: "THE SAME LOVE",
AUDIO: "LOVED BY YOU",
AUDIO: "JUST SAY",
AUDIO: "WE ARE SAVED",
AUDIO: "ALL BECAUSE OF THE CROSS",
AUDIO: "YOUR BLOOD RAN DOWN",
VIDEO: "YOUR BLOOD RAN DOWN",
AUDIO: "SHOUT FOR JOY",
AUDIO: "OH OUR LORD",
AUDIO: "MY HOPE",
AUDIO: "REIGN IN ME",
AUDIO: "LOOK UPON THE LORD",
VIDEO: "LOOK UPON THE LORD",
VIDEO: "KING OF HEAVEN",
AUDIO: "CHRIST THE LORD",