Oceans of Love

 

art beach beautiful clouds

Dear Friends,

As I meditated on the precious love of God, I began to get carried away in deep thought about the vastness of His love and just wanted to share these reflections with you …….

We’ve probably all experienced unrequited love in one way or another – through friends, loved ones, etc. Many of us know what that feels like and how painful it is – giving love, opening the door of our hearts, hoping for relationship, only to experience coldness or rejection – and so does God, especially as He has oceans of love for us.

Even if we have a relationship with God, through Christ, sometimes our erring ways can cause us to actually move away from Him, from that close fellowship we should have, because we know He is holy, and when we fall short we feel we have failed Him .. yet again.

It can be the case that instead of running TO Him, we may find ourselves missing out on those special times of closeness in His presence. The love of God, being unfathomable and pure, reaches out to us in mercy. Again and again, He lovingly calls us to draw near to Him, in so many ways: perhaps through a song, a word of scripture, encouragement from a friend, a sermon, even through circumstances. God patiently waits … with oceans of love … but are we always aware?

There have been seasons in my faith life when things were going along nice and smoothly, then, at some point, a situation may occur in which I felt I’d failed God again in one way or another, and (feeling defeated) would think to myself, `He must be tired of me constantly coming back for forgiveness’. As my relationship with Him grew, however, I became reassured by the reminder that it wasn’t any good that I had done that made me acceptable to God – but the righteousness of Jesus alone. Thank You Lord!

We are encouraged in scripture to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NKJV).  We are saved by grace through faith, and not by our own works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Although we are saved FOR good works, we’re not saved BY them. When we realise this, we can not only ask for forgiveness when we’re in the wrong, but can forgive ourselves and others too. It’s all about the life of Jesus being lived through us. It’s all about Him, not us! Through the everlasting love of God, that same saving grace is available to us for daily living.

When Jesus sacrificed His life for us on the cross, He paved the way for those special words that He uttered to be fulfilled – “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). The transaction was done in terms of God. He “SO loved the world that He gave ..” (John 3:16). God’s oceans of love caused Him to give. He did His part. After that, it was our turn to respond to His gift, so that we could experience this forgiveness and the vastness of His love.

It’s continually our turn to respond to His heart of love which extends beyond the cross, however. As we seek to follow the Lord in our daily walk, we can experience more and more the reality of His love, and continual cleansing and forgiveness, because of our fellowship with Him (1 John 1:7-9). His sacrifice makes us acceptable; His perfection covers our imperfection.

Against the many distractions, trials, temptations and struggles in our journey with God, His eternal and holy love beckons us to keep on coming. God is love ~ rich and free. Love calls us ~ love awaits us. Isn’t that precious?! Tears fill my eyes just to think about this fact. That love is unconditional, forgiving, full of mercy, continually reaching out to all the world, looking for an inlet into human hearts. What a treasure we have in our hearts as believers!

Prayer:
Thank You Heavenly Father for your fathomless oceans of love, shown to us through  Jesus, Your Son, in His sufferings, death and resurrection. Thank You that this precious love made it possible for us to draw near to You, to come before Your throne and find all our needs met, because of Your heart of mercy and forgiveness. May the love You continually show .. fill our hearts daily, and may that love be poured out through us to others also ~ for Your glory and praise, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Here is a beautiful song about the love of God (a song I love) written by Graham Kendrick entitled “Such Love” …..

 

I hope this may have blessed your heart!

Much love,
Christine

 

(Revised Jan 2019)

Copyright © 2014  Christine V. Mitchell

 

Mine Is The Love

There’s a love that’s so precious, so dependable and unfailing
and this poem is about that love … written like a love letter from heaven …

The cross - victory
~  Mine Is The Love  ~

Mine is the love that stands through time
A love that never fails.
Upon the cross, My love lived on
Although My hands were nailed
The pangs of death and hell could not
Prevent love’s burning fire
To see you whole again has been
My Father’s great desire

I rose again, for death could not
Obliterate this love
And now the way is open to
My Father’s throne above
Each day that passes by, I see
The longing of your heart
It’s My desire to comfort you
And My love to impart

You’re precious and I long to give you
Everlasting peace
And reassure you daily that
My mercies never cease.
Mine is the love that stands through time
O come to Me, dear soul
Receive My precious love, sublime
That never will grow old
–oOo–

© 2013  Christine V Mitchell

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”
(John 3:16)

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends”
(John 15:13)
___________________________________

“Mine Is The Love” is published in
Forever Grateful: Inspirational Christian Poetry

by Christine V Mitchell
(Available from Amazon)

God bless you dear friends at this Easter season, and beyond, as we remember the greatness of God’s love, through what Jesus did for us in order to give us the chance of a restored relationship with God.

~ ~ ~

My Peace

My Peace

A poem of comfort … based on the words of Jesus in John 14:27, John 16:33 and Matthew 28:20. Time is rolling along fast. Things are happening everywhere, just as the Lord forewarned. The darkness is increasing, but let’s arise and shine! Let’s hold onto the words of our Saviour, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, in this world of tribulation. Be encouraged, dear friend. He promised all who believe that He would never leave us or forsake us. Precious Lord .. fill our hearts with Your peace ~ Amen.
~ ~ ~
This poem, and many more poems of encouragement,
are published in my 2nd book of poetry
“COMFORT & HOPE”
available from Amazon
(ISBN-10: 1500139696)
~ ~ ~

GOD BLESS YOU!

Help Me to Lean

Dear Friends,

This journey called `life’ has its fair share of struggles, trials and battles. As we all know, the load can be so heavy at times. Now when I’m out shopping with my husband, sorry – HE has to carry the heavy bags, NOT ME! If I do it, I’m putting my back at risk. It’s too much. But there are times, during life’s trials, when it can be so easy to try “managing it” – you know, “getting by”, “coping” with it all. Then one day, suddenly, the load is overwhelming.

Too many times, I have forfeited the peace and rest I could have had in Christ, just by giving Him my “heavy bags” and handing my load over to Him. But the precious loving heart of Jesus, once again, melts mine, as He whispers words of peace within, or speaks through someone, or His word, saying “trust in Me”. His precious love inspires me again and again. Recently, He inspired me with the words of this poem: “Help Me to Lean”. I pray this will bless your heart.

HELP ME TO LEAN

God bless you richly!
l
ove Christine
~ ~ ~

I invite you to also check out my website:
http://www.expressionspoetry.com

Rest In The Lord

Truly My Soul


God’s word is sure for us today,

amidst the storms of life.
He says within our hearts “Be still”
with words of hope and light.
We cannot see tomorrow –
or know what He has planned,
but we can know His peace within
when led by His dear hands.

In humbleness before Him, as
we seek to do His will,
His light upon our pathway keeps
on shining brighter still.
He bids us rest from worry –
He tells us not to fret.
All evil He will banish –
we’ll see His power yet.

His eyes are on the righteous and
He listens to their cry.
We only need to trust Him for
His word He can’t deny.
His word is full of healing –
He’ll take away your pain,
restoring all that you have lost;
you will come through again.

He’ll blow upon the waters and
will cause them soon to flee.
Just hold onto His promises;
keep waiting patiently.
This world is full of struggles –
each day may be a test,
but “Come to Me…” our Saviour says
“and I will give you rest”.

–oOo–

© 2013  Christine V Mitchell
All Rights Reserved


Based on Biblical
scriptures:
Psalm 34:15; Psalm 37; Psalm 46:10
Proverbs 4:18; Matthew 11:28-30

~ ~ ~

There are many more poems of comfort and encouragement
in my new book of uplifting poetry entitled
COMFORT & HOPE
now available in paperback and ebook from Amazon
(click on book title above to purchase a copy)

Comfort_&_Hope_Cover_for_Kindle

~ ~ ~

 Dear friends
There is NO LOVE GREATER than God’s love.
We have the promise of eternal life
through His Son, Jesus Christ.

~ God bless you ~
Thank you so much for reading

Come Walk With Me

It’s a New Year, a New Day, dear friend. Whatever yesteryear may have brought, take courage …there’s hope in the Lord. The following is a poem of encouragement from my poetry book, Comfort & Hope, and is written like a “letter of love” from the Lord, as an expression of His compassionate heart. Take a quiet moment to read … and let Him speak to your heart…..

___________

Whatever we go through in life, it’s wonderful to know
that the Lord’s heart of love is always open and
His arms are always ready to welcome and embrace us……
______________

The poem above is the first in my second book of  inspirational poems
Comfort & Hope now available in paperback and e-book from Amazon.
(If you would like to purchase a copy, please click on the book title above)

Comfort_&_Hope_Cover_for_Kindle

 ____________

* * *    I pray that your heart may be blessed and encouraged    * * *

For more poetry samples, my website is:
www.expressionspoetry.com

When He Comes In

file181244230718 (by sssh221)

Purest love is the candle of gold
that burns in His heart for you.

As the morning sun arising
opens the door to a brand new day,
Christ – the Son of Righteousness –
makes darkness take flight
in surrender to His light ..
when He comes in.

He closed the chasm
that kept His love at bay,
through His blood,
shed to wash our sins away.

Suffering our pain, He gave His life
to bring hope again.

When He comes in
so comes grace
and love divine, the love we pine;

the kind that’s pure
and will endure.

Do embers of hope burn?
Does your soul yearn within?
Christ Jesus is the
Way in the wilderness,
Living Water in the desert.

He’ll make a way.
He’ll do a new thing.

Call on the Name of Jesus.
He’ll hear your cry.
Your tears He’ll dry –
Watch and see.

Your heart, once again, will sing –
when He comes in.

–oOo–

© 2014  Christine V Mitchell

(Isaiah 43:19; John 7:38; John 10:9; John 14:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Free Kindle Promotion (2 days!!) Forever Grateful

 

FG Kindle Cover (Purple)

Dear Friends

I’m excited to let you know that I’m running a 2-day free promotion for my first book of inspirational poetry FOREVER GRATEFUL (available from Amazon – published Jan 2014). Forever Grateful is a collection of 40 poems full of heartfelt words of comfort, encouragement, praise and appreciation of the love of God that I found through Christ – a love that has sustained me during difficult life experiences, and which is the inspiration behind my writing. This will be available FREE on KINDLE for 2 days:

THIS FRIDAY – SATURDAY
(28 – 29 NOVEMBER)

Normal Amazon Kindle price, currently
(US)$4.13 / (UK) £2.64

Here are the links for US and UK:

UKhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/149369247X
US http://www.amazon.com/dp/149369247X

or you may use the following link which will also transfer you to Amazon  – http://smarturl.it/comfortandhope (then click on the Kindle link).

I pray that you will be blessed and enjoy reading as much as I have enjoyed writing the poems. If you have obtained a free Kindle copy of Forever Grateful, I would very much appreciate a review on Amazon, if you would be so kind!! 🙂 (Or here on my blogsite).

My new book of poems, Comfort & Hope has now been released (published Nov 2014). Details in my next blog 🙂

Thanks so much for following me!
God bless you,
Christine 🙂

Victory In Your Praise

In the midst of trials and challenges, it can be so easy to live by our emotions. We all have feelings … and sometimes they can get the better of us, plunging us into despair when someone causes us hurt, or during testing times and lonesome valleys, times when it seems everything is going against us. But what if feelings get in the way of our relationships with others and most of all with God, our loving Heavenly Father, the One to Whom we can turn in the midst of the battle, the One Who truly understands?  Thank God, there is something at our disposal which can lift us in trying times and draw us into His Presence ….. it’s called praise!   (I’ve written a poem on this – below 🙂). I’ve had to remind myself of this truth at times when things have happened that left me feeling I had every right to mope for however long! I’m sharing these few words to encourage you, just as I’ve had to encourage myself (and still do!!). It’s nice to read  in the Bible of how the psalmist David “encouraged himself in the Lord”!! (1 Samuel 30:6). Our God understands all things and ALWAYS, ALWAYS has a word for us. We can literally have His presence fill us, as the scripture says, through “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs…” (Ephesians 5:19). Oh there are battles on our journey, but how WONDERFUL is the promise we have in God’s word that “we are more than conquerors” through Christ. We may not be perfect and don’t always get it right, but “greater is He Who lives in (us) than He that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). He (Jesus) is ALWAYS right – so, once again, we have hope!

sparrow

 VICTORY IN YOUR PRAISE

At just the time the storm is getting closer;
when the road seems dark and the journey’s far from over;
when all your friends have gone their separate ways,
know this – there’s victory in your praise!

At just the time you feel like giving up;
when you have had to drink the bitter cup.
He’s there with you throughout the nights and days.
Know this – there’s victory in your praise!

You may not feel like praising God right now.
Considering all, you may just wonder how.
Remember how Paul and Silas spent their days?
Behind those prison walls were songs of praise!

Just one step closer, praise will draw us near
to the Lord, Who heals our wounds and calms our fears.
As we exalt and lift Him up always,
He will draw near, for He lives in our praise.

—oOo—

 Copyright 2014  Christine V Mitchell
All Rights Reserved

Psalm 22:23; Acts 16:25-34; Romans 8:37
~ ~ ~
I also share poems on my website:
http://www.expressionspoetry.com