Each week Lou Lamothe shares his thoughts on various passages of Scripture. Read and reflect on the passages and commentary. See what God's Word has to offer.

March 28, 2010

Psalm 27:10
Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. (NIV)

We are all fakers to a certain extent: quick to say "I’m doing just fine" when, in truth, we are falling apart on the inside. We learn to hide our feelings in a world where tearful sentiments are seen as weakness. We don’t dare expose our wounds to the germs of misunderstanding, the bacteria of self righteous prodding and all other avenues of cruel and of infectious inquiry. Why? Because it hurts to talk about the truth of our condition, especially when we think there is nothing anyone can do to help us anyway.

In one sense we are right to feel like forsaken children: after all, the possibility of human intervention is often very limited. However, at the root of our grief to bear, we must think again this notion that no one else knows what it must be like to be us; that no one else knows what it must be like to feel the pain emanating from the secrets we hold inside; that no one else knows what it must be like to experience all of the emotions of our fragile and defenseless heart.

Friends, Jesus Christ is the "Great Physician" because He has been schooled in all of our pain and suffering, even the most pitiful kind - the anguish of an orphaned child:

"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Mark 15:34 (NIV)

More than we can comprehend, our Savior knows exactly what it feels like for us to be under the blight of sin: rejected, alone and unloved. And that is precisely why we can depend on Him to never, ever, abandon us in our time of need.

Love in Christ
Lou Lamothe

March 21, 2010

Titus 1:1
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness (NIV)

The realization that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior comes to us as a gift, by grace, solely by the Holy Spirit. And this awareness is not for everyone, but applies only to those who truly understand the significance of this prayer:

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 (NIV)

Fully appreciating that we are God’s elect, His Chosen Ones, is the very essence of our faith. It springs from a broken heart and draws us closer to godliness because, as forgiven saints, we know exactly what we have done. And what Jesus did for us.

Love in Christ
Lou Lamothe

March 14, 2010

1 Thessalonians 5:10-11
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (NIV)

Is Jesus along the way; on the doorstep; in the room; close at hand? What accommodations have we made for Him at work, home and leisure? Are we dialed in; do we have His number; can we reach Him at any time?

If we have no sense of the Son of God living amongst us, we can be of little encouragement to the people we encounter on a daily basis.

Friends, the only connection that makes it possible for us to offer hope to everyone we meet is the relationship we have with the Holy One. Together, with Christ, is the only way we are capable of building each other up in a world bent on tearing everyone down.

Love in Christ
Lou Lamothe

March 7, 2010

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5
You, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day (Judgment Day) should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. (NIV)

At the dawn of eternity there will be no surprises: No wants, no needs, no doubts, no fears, no loss, no regrets, no pain, no suffering.

Because of the redeeming love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the light on that glorious morning will prove that we are nothing less than children of our Father in heaven, sons and daughters of the Most High.

Imagine that!

Love in Christ
Lou Lamothe