Love in LoCo

It’s been twenty years this month since I made the decision to follow Jesus.   At eleven years old, I had a basic understanding of who Jesus Christ is and what He accomplished for me on the cross.   But it wasn’t until several years later that I really started digging into what the Christian life looks like.   One major lesson that I have learned is that sanctification, the process of becoming more like Jesus, is a lifelong process.   Still, there are times when I get frustrated with myself for not being further along in my walk with the Lord.   I’m not sure about you, but it feels like just when I think I've made progress in an area like, oh, say, trusting God with my finances – that He will provide and I don’t have to stress about money – an HVAC replacement and unexpected car repairs within a three week span open my eyes to how much room I still have to grow.   Yesterday I dropped my car off for my yearly inspection and a routine oil change.   When the mechanic called a couple

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 Maybe this verse is all too familiar to you.   Or maybe it’s not.   I have had a chance to spend some time reflecting on these words over the past couple of days.   These words remind me that Jesus transcends time.   He is not limited to constraints of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.   These words remind me how I am to view my past, present, and future.   When I look to my past, I am to remember what Jesus has done for me – dying on the cross to take on the punishment that my sin deserves.  He has saved me from a life of eternal separation from God and instead, given me a life full of hope.  At my small group last week we somehow got into the topic of adoption and how expensive it is.  But really, this is not such a new development.  Ephesians 1:4-7 explains that my adoption into God’s family was quite pricey, after all.  This knowledge of what Jesus did in the past should inform my present, helping me to