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"I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways." Psalm 119:5
"His Love Endures Forever"
by Jodi Kozan
I'm a music lover- always have been, always will be. Throughout my life I've had experiences singing in musicals, an 80's rock band, and took voice lessons spanning various styles from Country to Jazz, and even Italian Operettas. At this stage of my journey, my passion lies mainly with contemporary Christian music and worship songs, but I crank the oldies but goodies station from time to time too.
Now it's confession time. I'm also one of those people who sings full throttle in the van when I think no one is watching until you pull up besides someone raising their eyebrows in displeasure… I sing and ‘jam' with my daughters in the kitchen or while toting them to and fro with their activities. Bottom line: whether I'm singing or not, I simply love the reality and ambiance that music creates. I love the way it fills my surroundings with peace, joy and contemplative thought.
On the flip side, I love the musical art of solitude and silence. When there's a deeper love that comes from within, there's music that stirs up without the use of an iPod, boom box, or instruments for that matter. In essence, this discovery is having an "attitude of gratitude" which is truly music to the soul. Music that leads one to reflect on what's important in life and who is worthy of our attention. As a woman of faith, this place of thankfulness leads to a focused call to worship God.
An example of this attitude is displayed in an Old Testament scriptural account of the life of King Jehosephat. Around 870 B.C., it was a time of great unrest for the people as a war was about to break out. As the king called a fast amidst the people to seek direction, the Spirit of the Lord came upon a young man named Jahaziel. He was given a message from God to share with Jehosephat to consider another action plan to fight their enemies. Rather than relying solely on brute strength and worldly weapons, he was to put the choir before the army and worship God. At first glance, that just sounds absolutely ridiculous and crazy to our finite minds! The verse explains this well:
"After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: "Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!" 2 Chronicles 20:21
Remaining focused by not flinching at their fearful foes, they worshipped God with devoted hearts. Genuine worship focuses on His love and giving thanks for all He has done. By this act of obedience to worship Him when they didn’t feel like it or when it didn’t make sense, they were brought into a place of great spiritual strength. The chapter goes on to explain that the three enemy camps turned against each other and were all taken down by their own demise. We are told,
"When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. So Jehoshaphat's kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side." 2 Chronicles 20:29-30
There is something powerful in praising God with our whole being: not just singing a pretty song or getting the notes right, but worshipping God with full abandon because He deserves our worship. We may not be up against warring armies such as the Moabites, the Ammonites and the Meunites as King Jehosephat was, but we do face our share of enemies along the journey. These enemies could be despair, loneliness, confusion, hopelessness, anxiety……. any number of things to rob us of pure joy.
We become like that which we worship. I have no desire to ‘worship’ any 80’s band icons, current celebrities or anything of this world for that matter. Their temporal appeal entices us to worship them, but we all know it’s short lived. To worship a holy God whose love endures forever is a concept we may never fully comprehend. When we take a step of faith to have that kind of music in our heart though, we too will find rest on every side. Why not break into thankful song this very day, declaring, "His love endures forever!"? Not just in church pews, but in the shower, in the van, in the kitchen…. taking enduring love wherever you go!
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"Growing In Love"
by Jodi Kozan
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10
Being a believer in Jesus Christ opens the door to a worldwide family of faith. Our identity is found in Him, rather than our ethnicity, age, gender, experiences or know-how. A creative rebirth takes place and our entire DNA undergoes a transformation from the inside out. We are a work of art: a 'masterpiece' according to Ephesians 2:10. How many Christian women are facing their journey of faith with this truth embedded in their hearts? It begins by embracing God's love through faith in His Son. It continues with His love flowing in and through us for the sake of others. It's a journey of love that is undoubtedly filled with growing pains, with its goal being a healthy family filled with love. If we walk in this truth, what a beautiful work of art we will be.
"He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ephesians 4:16
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"I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways." Psalm 119:5
"A Walk of Love"
by Jodi Kozan
"Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth." Psalm 26:2-3
Our journey is marked by various pit stops, detours, accelerations and road signs along the way. Each beckoning our soul to experience undiscovered pathways where we grow closer to the heart of God or farther away from our original intent. Through each passing season, our faith walk is tested to confirm our response to the 'real deal' living within who desires to be our true compass for life. One of my favorite pastimes is to go for a long walk- getting away from life's hectic schedule and experiencing both physical and spiritual exercise. With my favorite runners on and Ipod charged up ready to go, I am challenged to reflect on my faith walk with each deliberate step I take. Am I walking in my own strength or in Jesus' footsteps? Am I walking in God's truth or through the lies that choke my soul? Bottom line... am I walking in love? Through 'spiritual breathing' (of confessing sin and refilling of the Holy Spirit), our spiritual journey takes flight, our pathway becomes more clear and most important, our walk is led by love.
"Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, be faithful to him..." Joshua 22:5
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"Love, the Greatest Commandment"
by Jodi Kozan
"Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40
Amidst the numerous blessings surrounding us, many find themselves sinking into "Mrs Grumpy Pants" mode and don't know why. If we are honest women, we have to admit we struggle to some extent with pure contentment. When I find myself in that space, I go back to this verse found in Matthew 22 where Jesus was questioned by the Pharasees what the greatest commandment was. Envisioning ourselves sitting at the feet of Jesus awaiting His answer and contemplating His response... we are undoubtedly faced with the soul searching questions:"Am I loving God with my heart, soul and mind and loving my neighbour as myself?" That's a tough call do do in our our strength. But- (here's the incredible clause..) With Jesus, it is possible as He is our bridge to God. Anyone 'lose it' this week? Anybody snapped at the neighbour, your boss,co-worker, husband, children or the stranger at the grocery counter? Have you had unkind thoughts about another (or more often than not- nasty thoughts about yourself this week.. this very minute?) We cannot impart what we first don't possess. We need to love God- fill ourselves up with His love in order to love ourselves. It's that tried and tested confession of sin and refilling of the Holy Spirit that's required. It's that tried and true act of confession, being grounded in the Word of God and filling of the Holy Spirit that's required. It is in that strength we can love our neighbours without limits!
"Don't seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God." Leviticus 19:18 'The Message'
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"Sacrificial Love"
by Jodi Kozan
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:9-13
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind. John 15:13 describes this as the greatest act of love ever displayed. A once and for all "done deal" sacrifice for our sins. Why? Because He loves us. Sacrificial love that is, because we don't deserve it! We will never be able to repay God for what He did for us, but- we can learn from Christ's example.....What is God asking you, me, to lay down today? What are we being asked to"sacrifice" in order to lay our lives down for the sake of others? Is it time, money, a listening ear? We are called to love each other as Christ loves us. He wouldn't ask that of us if it weren't possible! Busyness robs us of that ‘still quiet place' of receiving. It takes discipline to put first things first. We are to experience that passionate love for healing and wholeness and share that love to others.
That's love without limits!
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4;10
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"Unfailing Love"
by Jodi Kozan
".. the Lord's delight is in those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love." Psalm 147:11
It's hard to fathom that God can be delighted by us. We stumble and we fall short everyday of our original intent. Rather than running into the arms of our creator, our human nature tries to hide or deny our wayward ways. No wonder women struggle then with the proverb "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom". We often equate fear with punishment and isolation which is a tell tale "red flag" sign of our view of God and our relationship with Him. Throughout my journey, I have been on both sides of the spectrum: hiding from and seeking after God's unfailing love. No question in my mind now; He is a loving God. His ways are perfect and His love is perfect. I've learned that I cannot put my ultimate hope in human love because it will fail me. I cannot fear people and their opinions about me either, allowing others to rule and dictate my life. As a follower of Jesus, I need to fear Him alone and all else will fall into place. Fearing God means to be in awe of Him and to honour Him with our lives. Resting, hoping and living in that unfailing love drives all worldly fear away. "Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." (1 John 4:18). As a parent's face beams with delight over their child, that love is still imperfect. Just imagine how incredibly radiant God's face is when He is beaming over His children when we choose to fear Him alone. Not the media frenzy, not the fear of the unknown, not the scale in our bathrooms, not failing, not the opinions of "so and so", and not the fear or evil, the devil and his schemes. Perfect love does expel all fear. When we get that- truly grasp that, we understand that He's got us covered for all that we endure on the journey; past, present and future. Unfailing love.....love without limits!
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. " Psalm 100:4-5
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"Rooted in Love"
by Jodi Kozan
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high
and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)
I'm most assuredly not a master gardener. But-what I do know is that in order to have a healthy plant, you need to have a healthy root system. I'm embarrased to say that I have killed many house plants, container plants, and perennials over the years by not caring about the root system. With my overzealous nature that craves beautiful things in my home and garden, I'd buy a gorgeous plant in full bloom wanting instant gratification, focusing primarily on the pretty flowers to enjoy. Without proper care and being deeply rooted in good soil and nutrients, they more often than not wither away. As most 'wanna be' gardners soon realize, it is key to spend the time in proper care of a plant assuring it is deeply rooted in good soil. As the snow melts away and we long for the beauty of nature, it's best to do our homework to assure the best outcome. Reflecting on the passage in Ephesians 3:17-19, the Apostle Paul may not have ever touched the whole gardening scene, but he did understand full well the concept of "where there is a root, there's a fruit". He reminds the believers in Ephesis that the root of their faith is the love of Christ. Being firmly rooted and established in that love is the journey he treasures above all things. . Out of that love (which surpasses human knowledge), we may find God's wisdom for our calling in life. Out of that love we may have the power to love others unconditionally. Out of that love, we may be filled with the measure of the fullness of God because God is love. This love is indeed without limits. Are you firmly rooted in His love?
"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him."
1 John 4:7-9 (NIV)
