Sunday, April 25, 2010

Do you believe that I loved you?

I believe this is the third time I posted the following video, and it probably won't be my last, because it is my hope that someone will happen across my blog today that desperately needs to hear what Brennan Manning has to say here. Even if you've seen it before, I invite you to watch it again.


Brennan Manning said:


The Lord Jesus is going to ask each of us one question and only one question: Do you believe that I loved you? That I desired you? That I waited for you day after day? That I longed to hear the sound of your voice?

The real believers there will answer, "Yes, Jesus. I believed in your love and I tried to shape my life as a response to it. But many of us who are so faithful in our ministry, in our practice, in our church going are going to have to reply, "Well frankly, no sir. I mean, I never really believed it. I mean, I heard alot of wonderful sermons and teachings about it. In fact I gave quite a few myself. But I always knew that that was just a way of speaking; a kindly lie, some Christian's pious pat on the back to cheer me on. And there's the difference between the real believers and the nominal Christians that are found in our churches across the land. No one can measure like a believer the depth and the intensity of God's love. But at the same time, no one can measure like a believer the effectiveness of our gloom, pessimism, low self-esteem, self-hatred and despair that block God's way to us. Do you see why it is so important to lay hold of this basic truth of our faith? Because you're only going to be as big as your own concept of God.

Do you remember the famous line of the French philosopher, Blaise Pascal? "God made man in his own image, and man returned the compliment"? We often make God in our own image, and He winds up to be as fussy, rude, narrow minded, legalistic, judgemental, unforgiving, unloving as we are.

In the past couple of three years I have preached the gospel to the financial community in Wallstreet, New York City, the airmen and women of the air force academy in Colorado Springs, a thousand positions in Nairobi. I've been in churches in Bangor, Maine, Miami, Chicago, St. Louis, Seattle, San Diego. And honest, the god of so many Christians I meet is a god who is too small for me. Because he is not the God of the Word, he is not the God revealed by it in Jesus Christ who this moment comes right to your seat and says, "I have a word for you. I know your whole life story. I know every skeleton in your closet. I know every moment of sin, shame, dishonesty and degraded love that has darkened your past. Right now I know your shallow faith, your feeble prayer life, your inconsistent discipleship. And my word is this: I dare you to trust that I love you just as you are, and not as you should be. Because you're never going to be as you should be."

Do you believe that He loves you?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure you posted this for me. I love it.

Louise Gallagher said...

You are one powerful lady speaking One Powerful Message!

PS -- Good question!

Cherie Hill said...

Absolutely loved this...so powerful...a life "surrendered" completely into the hands of God...it's the only way. I awake every morning with one simply phrase, "Just so you know Lord, my heart is Yours."

I'll be dropping by more often, now that I found your blog through Billy...his posts are such a great blessings...but you already knew that :)
Blessings sister, with joy,
Cherie

Shark Bait said...

I am using part of this at my sermon tonight.

Thank you. :-)

♥ Kathy said...

What really hurts is going along thinking you ARE good, you ARE worth something and then having your family tell you you're nothing. Never have been. Never will be. Just the joke of the family. It makes me question if they can be that cruel and not really love me then how can Jesus?

katdish said...

Kathy,
Don't you see that's the lie the Enemy would have you believe? And what more effective way to inflict that lie upon you than to have it delivered by the people who never should. You are loved. Moreso, you are cherished and adored. That is the Truth.

♥ Kathy said...

Thank you Kathy. I love you.

katdish said...

Thanks, Kathy. And ditto.

Jake said...

Do make God so tiny and grumpy. Brennen sounds like he's spent a lot of time with God and as though he's learned how to cut the BS.

Unknown said...

My wife pointed this out to me, and it was perfect for the start of my sitting down to make my lesson for our study group about Crazy Love.

Great video. Powerful video. Great God.

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

Oh boy.

You've just echoed words that God has been speaking to my heart.

God bless you, Kathy.

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

Oh boy.

You've just echoed words that God has been speaking to my heart.

God bless you, Kathy.