Asa Counting

Hesed

Hesed is a word "Lovingkindness"

It is best defined in 1 corinthians 13:4 "Love is patient, love is kind"

a deeper definition: Biblical Love is seen when you are in a long suffering (patient) and you decide to still benefit that person (kind).

This may seem like a silly story but this spoke wonders to my faith and it truly is my attempt to stop and think.

Isaiah 44:18-19 "They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. (because) NO ONE STOPS TO THINK"

I was driving to work today and I had a choice to 1) stop at starbucks to get the everything beagle (because it is awesome!) and a coffee (to get the half off receipt for after work), or 2) go to work early and look for parking. My stomach said 1 but my mind said no, so denying instinct I went to work early.

A few hours after starting work, my coworker yells "...starbucks...(mumbles)" so I get out of my seat, running in excitement and ask him "what did you say, you are going to starbucks?" he politely answered, "No, there is starbucks' pastries in the kitchen". Running to the kitchen (I was really excited!) I found myself drooling over boxes and boxes of pastries (including the everything bagel). I started thinking "if only we had cream cheese" and at that exact moment, my coworker (whom also ran) pulled out cream cheese from the fridge! (coincidence?)

Not even an hour after enjoying my beagle my other starbucks lovin' coworker (whom hardly shows kindness to me) came up to me and showed me 2 starbucks receipts and said, "you want?" Not catching on to what she was telling me I said "excuse me?" and she said "do you want the half off for later?" (Yes, God gave me not 1 but 2 receipts....crazy?!)

I was able to take those receipts and spend time with Jesus and also bless another person with a half off drink (love God, love people?!)

As my day went on I realized all these desires and good luck coincidence were no coincidence at all.

...now here is the crazy part...

I, being the stubborn heart that I am, choosing to neglect God to be busy. Choosing to blame God for everything that went wrong and becoming cold in heart. Choosing to be apathetic and not draw near. I did nothing to deserve this act of kindness from Him. He decided to reach out to me when I made no effort to be with Him. He decided to show a since of care and benefit to my life when all I did was hurt and forget about Him. He decided to take the suffering and still show kindness towards my life. He wanted me and He called me with his gentle gestures.

He remained faithful, especially when I was nothing but faithless.

love is long suffering and still is kind.

Jesus suffered long and still is kind.

one for all

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

-Genesis 50:20

Could it just be that God would allow all this heart wrenching stuff for a divine and good purpose, the saving of many lives.

look at Joseph's life: sold to slavery by his brothers, put into prison yet innocent, forgotten.

better yet look at Jesus' life.

sacrificing a life you once had to service the lives of many,

sacrificing one for all

a holy calling.

Stoke the Fire

"My prayer is that my love would be like this fire;

not UNCONTROLLABLE

where it

deflects

people

from

God,

but

calm

and

steady

so that it will

Draw.People.To.God."

-Kendra

You are lights of the world

Isaiah 51:16

I have...covered you with the shadow of my hand - I who set the heavens (eternal) in place, who laid the foundations of the earth (temporary).

When you are about to give up, you are out of strength, you've lost hope, and you are one step from turning away. God says, "I cover you with the shadow of my hand" He gives you strength, hope, and another step to keep going. He has covered your life and protected you and he is still doing it, even now when times are hard.

He says, "I set the heavens (eternal) in place" He called you, by name, to be with him. He calls you from now till eternity and he will not go back on his word.

He says, "I laid your foundations on earth (temporal things)" He has called you to be in ever thing you are currently in, so don't get out. Even though it may not be the best circumstances, he ordained it and he will make sure it works out for the good of those who loves him.

Colossians 1:16

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."

So now what is your response to this information? will you keep doing life the way you see fit? Or will you do it differently, with determination that Jesus (perfection) suffered and died alone in the most horrific and humiliating way (the cross) so that you might receive a love and relationship that is above your own perception.

If he is protecting your every step, if your name is written in heaven, and if he already laid your foundation to succeed for him in this life, why not go all out? why not love the unloved, or lose your life to find a better one? why not sell out on one thing (which will bring all things)?

I will wait

Psalm 130:5

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

WAIT

-stay, be stationed in readiness and expectation

Stay - remaining in the state that God has placed me in, not trying to get out or add on.

Ready - looking for opportunity

Expect - hope in the promise of his word

-delay serving a meal

Delay - postpone for a later time, slower then expected

meal - appetite, desire

-to serve

How perfect is Gods word that the word "wait" would be to remain and also to serve as a waiter. Instead of running after God says wait, wait BY serving others.

LORD

Master, Husband - getting your cue from, tells me what to do. (directed back to His Word).

I will wait for you