He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

By Elaine James –

Do you remember when you were younger and used to pick a flower and pull the petals off saying “he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not—?” When you got to the last petal, you either stopped on he loves me or he loves me not. I always loved it of course when I had a boy in mind. Especially Donny Osmond and it landed on “he loves me.”  LOL!

Recently I was in the mood for either a sunny easy breezy walk or a Calgon “take me away” in my, scented bubbly bath. Both would relax me. I opted for the sunny easy breezy peaceful walk. I passed a blossoming tree that smelled so beautiful. I picked a flower and playfully considered plucking each petal saying “he loves me, he loves me not.”

Memories swept over me, how my friend and I took turns with our flower hoping the last petal would stop at “he loves me.” Feeling younger again, I chuckled.

A soft whisper came into my thoughts “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”

Tears filled my eyes. I don’t have to pluck my flower, He loves me. Those words soothe my soul forever.

When I was young I looked for true love, fulfilled in a person. As I know now, nothing can compare to Jesus’ love. Maybe you are still plucking your flowers and looking for true love. Are you?

Here in Chicago, spring is when you start to feel the warm weather, see the leaves growing back, the green grass fill in, and flowers emerge. May you see heaven and nature singing His glory.

AUTHOR QUOTE:  He loves you!

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness’” (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Elaine James, author of the tract JOURNEY, certified personality trainer and graduate of Christian Leaders Authors and Speakers Seminars. She is a prayer ministry counselor, accomplished actress, and certified Christian storyteller. Her dramatic performances have made many aware of their problem with Major Mind Overload, and their need to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. Elaine is a recycler—nothing God teaches her is wasted. www.elainejames.com

Praying Privilege

By Elaine James –

My friend got the news that every mother dreads from her army son saying “I’m being sent to Afghanistan.”

She was in the middle of enjoying his two-week leave when the phone call came. She knew at the end of the visit he would be stationed overseas but she had tried to put that out of her mind.

She knew full well that this could be over a year assignment. How would they get through this? Crying and panicked she called me and said, “My son is leaving for Afghanistan. Can you pray over him before he leaves?”

I wondered, “If he’s leaving tomorrow, how can we find the time to pray?”

After three attempts to get us together I began to think finding a time was hopeless.

But in the next moment I thought, “The devil must not want these prayers to go forth.”

After three attempts, finally the doorbell rang. I greeted them and got right into praying. I started by praying protection, good health and safe travels for him. When I was done I sensed a whisper from God to tell him this message: “God will reveal Himself in small ways and big ways. Never think of anything as a coincidence.” He thanked me and they left.

As his mom stood in the airport nervous and crying, saying good-bye, a flight attendant came up to her and said, “I will take good care of your boy. I’m putting Him in first class with me.” After she saw the last glimpse of her son, she walked out of the airport and called me, excited. “God revealed Himself to my son by watching over him and putting him in first class!”

I got chills just thinking of how I almost missed the privilege to pray and then I wrote the following list of reasons to pray:

• Dispel darkness
• Dismiss the lies
• Usher God into the center of a controversy
• Bring me joy
• Renew my strength
• Delight my heart
• Restore hope
• Bring me back to truth
• Allow me to feel loved and connected
• Shine like a star
• Rest a Sabbath rest
• Clean my slate
• Wash me white as snow
• Lighten my load

When someone asks you to pray, do you realize what a privilege it is?

PRAYER:  Lord, with much prayer in my heart I cry out to You. I wait on You till You stretch out Your hands and Your plans come to pass.

“But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!” (Jude 1:20 The Message).

Today’s devotional is by Elaine James, author of the tract JOURNEY, certified personality trainer and graduate of Christian Leaders Authors and Speakers Seminars. She is a prayer ministry counselor, accomplished actress, and certified Christian storyteller. Her dramatic performances have made many aware of their problem with Major Mind Overload, and their need to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. Elaine is a recycler—nothing God teaches her is wasted. www.elainejames.com

Conquering the Tower of Terror

By Elaine James –

Have you gone on the ride at Walt Disney World called The Tower of Terror? I reflect on the time when I was standing in the line, asking myself, “Why I am I doing this?”

I looked at the evidence: others went on and got off and didn’t die, faint or get sick! Based on that, I decided I could do this—I had to experience this. Of course, then I had the bragging rights to say “I survived The Tower of Terror.” I actually laughed myself through it.

When the movie The Passion of the Christ was out, while waiting in line, I knew people who chose not to go see it. Looking at the people leaving the theater, I was left anticipating and asking myself, “Why I am I doing this?” I looked at the evidence: others were leaving the theater in total silence and even crying. In this case I decided I must witness this myself.

As I watched the movie, I was filled with agony as Jesus’ torture went on and on. Only God could survive such torture. Anne Graham Lotz was quoted as saying, “Many want to say the Romans killed Jesus, the Jews, or the government. But our magnificent Jesus gave up His last breath and refused to breathe anymore. He chose to die for us!”

Do you know about James, the half brother of Jesus? At first, he did not want part of the adventure of Jesus. He refused the evidence and stories. He was his own person. Then James got in line for the ride of his life after he experienced the journey of Jesus’ death. He wanted the challenge. He wrote the powerful book of James in the Bible that teaches us how to live the Christian life.

The Tower of Terror taught me to conquer my fears. The Passion of the Christ brought me the profound truth to embrace Christ and understand what He did for me. James learned the same things and from it ended up writing a very direct letter concerning Christian growth. If James were living today, I believe his words to us would be: “Slow down, sit down, quiet down, learn, love and live like Jesus Christ.”

Do you avoid facing the challenges James addressed regarding living the Christian life? Why not get in line and accept this challenge? You will experience the exhilarating accomplishment I did through a new life with Christ.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, please help me experience more of You in my life as I face everyday challenges.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Elaine James, author of the tract JOURNEY, certified personality trainer and graduate of Christian Leaders Authors and Speakers Seminars. She is a prayer ministry counselor, accomplished actress, and certified Christian storyteller. Her dramatic performances have made many aware of their problem with Major Mind Overload, and their need to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. Elaine is a recycler—nothing God teaches her is wasted. www.elainejames.com

Loving Feeling

By Elaine James –

Did you wake up tired? You look around the house and perhaps there are clothes on the floor from your loved ones. Maybe something is lying around that you asked someone to put away. Maybe dishes and wrappers are lying out on the counter, because someone did not put them away. Frustrating, huh? If relationships with those in your home are strained already this kind of stuff adds fuel to the fire.

You may be thinking, I’ll tell her or him this or that. You’re ready to fight. Your argument is rolling around in your head.

This person is driving me crazy. How can I love them the way the Father loves?

Remember it is a command to love one another. It is not a choice. I have heard some say “I don’t feel like being in the relationship any longer.” Or this one: “I don’t want to be nice to him or her because they were not nice to me.”

Here is what God tells me. Love is not always a loving feeling. So take some time to speak to God about the lack of love in your house. If relationships are strained the last thing we should be doing is ordering people around and be controlling.

Maybe the advice to “fake it to you feel it” has some merit, since feelings can be so fickle. Combat the lack of feelings with prayer. Prayer is the way to stay. Wait on God.

What happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard. Things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Make a list and pray the positive things about that person who is difficult to love. I had a relationship that was strained. Things weren’t changing until I changed.

So if you have an ugly relationship put aside: “Well, if they put their stuff away and do as I say, then I will love them.” Say instead, “I will serve and love this relationship (with God’s help) back to life.” The power is in our actions and tongue.

Keep the peace. Stop looking for that loving feeling. Look instead to the Father and ask for help.

PRAYER:  Dear Father, I don’t feel like loving _________ today. I have been struggling with their lack of love and help. I just can’t go on this way God. Help me! Give me the love to love them. Help me to see them the way You do. Give me the feelings to love them. I want to honor and obey You Father, but sometimes I just struggle. Forgive me Father if I have hurt this other person in any way. Help us to get back to joy and our commitment toward each other.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Elaine James, author of the tract JOURNEY, certified personality trainer and graduate of Christian Leaders Authors and Speakers Seminars. She is a prayer ministry counselor, accomplished actress, and certified Christian storyteller. Her dramatic performances have made many aware of their problem with Major Mind Overload, and their need to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. Elaine is a recycler—nothing God teaches her is wasted. www.elainejames.com