Tag Archives: Love of Christ

Little Lotte’s Christmas – Kevin Spencer
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One piece of candy

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

Little five-year-old Lotte had to pee. She had to pee some kind of bad. Unfortunately she was locked in the Spielzimmer, the playroom, with the other children her age. She jiggled the locked door handle. Her head full of red curls bounced as she jumped up to try and peer out the window. She called, but no one came.

Nestled under the Alps in the heart of Bavaria, the imposing four-story Catholic orphanage in Augsburg, Germany was a large place. To the children living there, it was huge. Unfortunately, in the years after World War II there were far more orphans than there were nuns to shepherd them. The nuns did the best they could, but sometimes they needed to be in two or three places at once. They resorted to the only option they had, locking the children in a room for a moment, for their own safety, while they moved about the orphanage.

The number one no-no, as poor little Lotte knew, was to wet her pants. She desperately pulled on the door, but it remained locked. She peeked out the window. There was no sign of a nun’s black habit swooshing and rustling back down the hall.

So sweet little Lotte did the only thing she could. She broke a windowpane out of the door and, standing on tiptoes, reached through to unlock the deadbolt. Little red curls bouncing, she raced off to the bathroom. Lotte crept slowly back from the bathroom but there, standing over the broken glass, was her nun, hickory switch in hand. And poor Lotte had her bottom spanked.

But five-year-olds are resilient, and because it was the holiday time of year, Lotte quickly forgot about her punishment. For it was almost St. Nicholas Day! In Bavaria, St. Nicholas comes on December 6th. For the children of the orphanage this was a truly special day. It was the only time all year they received candy and toys. All the children, Lotte included, couldn’t stop chattering with excitement as the day drew near.

The morning of December 6th dawned. Lotte could almost taste the candy. She hoped St. Nicholas would bring her a new doll. The children gathered, and the nuns began to pass out the gifts that St. Nicholas had left. Finally, it was Lotte’s turn. She was handed her gift and eagerly tore it open. She stared in shock, for St. Nicholas had left her the hickory switch she had been spanked with a few days earlier, with one single tiny piece of candy tied to it. Tears welled in her eyes. This couldn’t be. She looked about her as the other children squealed with glee with their candy and toys. Her heart broke, and unable to control her weeping, she stumbled back to her bed, and eventually cried herself to sleep.

Eventually, Lotte, who in truth had never really liked that name, would leave the orphanage in Bavaria and come to the United States. She would begin to go by her full first name, Charlotte. Every year she would embrace Christmas with all her heart, having known what it was like to miss it. Oh yes, and one more thing, eventually she would marry me.

Not the happy feel good Christmas story you were hoping for? Does your heart ache for sweet little Lotte? Think about this: How does our Lord and Father, who loves us so very much that He, in the body of Jesus Christ gave His life for us, feel when our sins entangle us and bring about our punishment? For sweet little Lotte, it was a separation from the joys of Christmas, and a valuable lesson learned. For us, without accepting the loving sacrifice of Jesus, it can mean eternal separation from the love of God. He offers His love fully. Please accept His gift.

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Kevin Spencer lives in Tennessee with his beautiful wife Charlotte and grandson Caleb. He is a staff writer for ChristianDevotions.us.  A former prodigal son, Kevin is now trying to use the gifts God gave him, and by the grace of God has a life far better than he ever deserved.

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You Clearly Matter – Phil Roberts
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Created for Love

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

I was 100% sure that Benjamin would be crushed.

August 6 was to have been his first day of school…a new school…in a new town. He’d been waiting all summer for it, surpassed in excited anticipation only by his mother. But now his sisters and brother would start school without him, while he served his month-long sentence of staying home to play picc line hooky until his MRSA was annihilated.

Most kids would jump at the chance to miss four weeks of school, but not so much when you’re in the first grade. And definitely not Benjamin. He’s Mr. Social Boy, the one who apparently was born to be schooled. He prides himself in knowing classmates’ names, while all the kids, teachers, and parents think he’s the coolest.

And so when school arrived, we nervously asked Benj if he wanted to ride to the school with all of us . . . only to watch his backpacked siblings go where he could not follow. When he said “Sure,” I braced myself for what was to come.

As his siblings bounded into the school without him, I looked at Benjamin and watched for the tears to form. The “Why me?” moment had to be coming. To my shock, seventeen school days later, I was still waiting.

Truth is, Benjamin seemed to be extremely happy with his life—school or no school.

Now that I think about it, materially there’s been a lot for him to enjoy. He’s been showered with Star Wars stuff, littered with Legos, bombarded with balloons and bears, and covered with cards. There’s been no shortage of stuff in Benjamin’s life since the night we landed in the ER.

I’ve concluded that something even bigger was at play. For the first extended time in his life, Benjamin has received what is called individual attention, a commodity in our house that’s even more scarce than money. Benj is suddenly NOT part of a four-pack, or a set of triplets, or even one of the two boys.

He’s just . . . Benjamin. He clearly matters.

What I love about the love of God is how it affirms our individuality. On those days when it might seem I’m just a face in the crowd, some meaningless particle in a six-billion-pack, God says to me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I actually matter. Even if I happen to be a sinful short man up in a tree or bleeding woman in a crowd. Even if I happen to be . . . just me.

I matter. I am someone unique — an important individual.

And yet, the moment I attempt to remove God and His creative love from my story, that picture drastically changes. I become something instead of someone — random, temporary, forgettable, abort-able, anonymous, a cosmic nothing desperately attempting to claw my way toward futile delusions of significance.

I believe I’m more than that. So are you.

I encourage you to play a little hooky from your normal life so you can humbly, carefully bask in God’s individual love from His Word. Just listen to Him say, You matter. He created and loves you. He came and died to redeem you. He has long-term dreams for you. Why? Because you matter to Him. Let someone else know they matter too. Share Christ today.

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Phil Roberts is the senior minister at Colonial Heights Christian Church, Kingsport, TN. He has served as a campus minister, children’s minister, and adult education minister before coming to Kingsport.

He is married to Lisa and is a father of four. Ashley was born in May 2004, and in November 2005 they welcomed Benjamin, Casey, Danielle, and Emily. Emily passed away from a MRSA infection at nineteen-days-old, and the Roberts Family set up a non-profit in her memory. This non-profit, Project Seahorse, was recently converted to The Seahorse Scholarship, an endowed scholarship for the Nursing Program at Milligan College.

Phil enjoys running, creative writing, videography, old movies, and travel. He enjoys sharing the good news of Jesus through preaching God’s Word with passion, relevance, and integrity.

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Let’s Face It – She Said
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In us, others see Christ

The glory of God is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (New Living Translation)

It was only a split second…a moment…and he was gone. One minute I looked into the eyes of a good friend, the next…a killer. Time seemed to grind into slow motion as reality caught up.

I’d never been to a trial. Never listened to real litigation before. Never imagined I’d know a killer. My husband slipped his arm around me and pulled me close. He could see the disbelief on my face…the shock of the truth.

I’d admired Lisa from a distance so when fate allowed, we became best friends. She was multi-talented, a singer, artist and when she and Mark married, folks thought, “Odd couple. But not.” We’d lived in the same apartment building, grocery shopped with coupons and $25 between us; even made a top ten list of questions to ask God once we got to heaven, like which really did come first…the chicken or the egg? The face of Jesus shined bright in Lisa and Mark.

Now I watched the trial of the man she loved…the one who’d snuffed out her light for Christ. As I listened to the attorneys drill this man, his once gentle face wrinkled and twisted in bitterness. And when the judge handed down the verdict of guilty, his scowl hardened. In that moment the once bright light of Christ that had glowed through him, faded. The man I’d known …gone.

There is truth in the fact that when we really love Christ, it shows in our very essence. Folks look at us in our joy and our sadness and wonder what is it that stands out. How, in the midst of hardship, can we possibly seem so…so…different? They don’t understand how Christ literally fills us. How He shines through us and how our love for Him gives them a glimpse of God.

That’s why it’s vital we develop our relationship with Jesus. The deeper we know Him, the more He shines through us and the greater example of how life with Him shows others what brings us through the rough patches.

I try to remember I might be the only glimpse of Christ others might see. At times I fail miserably but praise God for grace and forgiveness. God knows I’m imperfect. He knows I sin but still He chooses to live inside me. He still lives in Mark too.

The glory of God is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. Let’s face it…He is mirrored in us. Now, lift the bushel and let His glory shine through you.

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Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and cofounders of ChristianDevotions.us. They cowrite the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host Blog Talk Radio’s Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! along with Scott McCausey. Eddie and Cindy travel and speak at conferences across the country and they are available to speak at your church or conference. Contact them at cindy@christiandevotions.us.

 

 

 

Do you sense something vital missing from you relationship with your spouse, children, and God? Try He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion. This compilation of 54 devotions includes scripture verses, space for journaling, individual prayers and words of wisdom from two of today’s funniest and insightful Christian authors. This heart-warming collection of stories will inspire you to reach for the true source of joy: a life lived for and through God. These deeply personal devotions offer biblical insights and spiritual truths from the perspective of one man and one woman.

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It’s a Lock – Julie Coleman
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The Love of Christ

I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed. Isaiah 49:23

They looked as if they were out for a lover’s stroll, but in reality they were moving purposefully toward a destination. As they neared the Bastion Hill pedestrian bridge, the young Latvian man reached into his pocket and retrieved a simple padlock, only unusual in the initials and wedding date freshly engraved on its surface. His pretty new wife smiled at him as they mounted the bridge. Together they fastened the lock to the railing, turning the key to secure it in place. After a kiss for good measure, they jointly tossed the key into the water below.

This custom is a charming and romantic way Latvian newlyweds express their unending devotion to each other. The tradition has recently begun to spread into many countries around the globe. I love the graphic picture of eternal commitment it affords.

God has that kind of commitment toward us.

He has expressed a deep love for those who are His. “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” he told Israel through the prophet Jeremiah. “Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.”

God has proved his dedication by investing a great deal in us. It cost the life of his only Son to initially seal the deal. He then gave us a new nature, liberating us from the bondage of sin and creating new life within us. He provided spiritual abilities with which to serve him and the Holy Spirit to teach and guide. He continually strengthens and empowers us as we wait on Him. The list goes on and on, but you get the point. The evidence of His commitment is as palpable as a padlock fastened to a bridge.

Julie Coleman is a seminary graduate, speaker, and freelance author. With contagious enthusiasm, she brings hope and encouragement to everyone in her audience. Her warmly personal and insightful messages make her an effective and well-received speaker. More of her writing can be found at www.juliecoleman.org. While her days of teaching school are now over, her twenty-year career earned her the title of Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Year. Julie is a wife and mother and makes her home in the Annapolis, Maryland area.

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Ann Tatlock15 Minutes a Day in Colossians is the perfect compliment to a morning cup of coffee, this book brings the reader through Paul’s letter to the Colossians in 24 short lessons, unveiling our true purpose in this life. Written in an easy to use, step-by-step format, Fifteen Minutes a Day in Colossians provides an enlightening study in fifteen minute, bite-sized pieces. You will find truths to carry you through the day that will bring you into a closer relationship with God. What you learn in these pages will change your way of thinking and ultimately your life! Click here to get your copy for only $12.