Fellowship

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

 We are saved so that we might know Him in intimate daily fellowship.                                                             Steve McVey/Grace Walk

Growing intimacy defines a deeper relationship. God calls us into community with Him, longs to have intimate daily fellowship with His children. Do we really desire this?

And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us. 1 John 3:23-24 NLT

Love defines this mutuality, His love for us and our love for others. In our obedience to God's love, we find ourselves both loved and loving. We are never alone when we live in fellowship with Him.

READ 1 John 3:23-24

consider this!

- What is the character of Jesus?

- What is required for living in fellowship with him?

- What evidence of God's presence is given the believer?

Spirit of Life - You draw near to me, call me to live deeply in Christ. Let love shine through me however You desire. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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Completely Yield

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

But many Christians have misunderstood the purpose of the law. The law was given so that people might see their own absolute inadequacy to live in a way that glorifies God. Steve McVey/Grace Walk 

We live in a world where anything goes; we live with its illusions of perfection. Success and wealth and beauty demand attention. In our disillusionment, we are discouraged when these self-sufficient attempts do not bring satisfaction.

For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves... We are able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what He said, doing what pleases Him. 1John 3:20,22 The Message

We cannot save ourselves by following a set of rules. Only through Grace can a relationship with God be established. The world exploits the heart and mind by promoting "more and better". Soon the expectations are greater than the reality. When we focus on Christ and His unending Love, our hearts and minds are renewed. Realizing we no longer work for the world, we can live for Christ.

READ 1 John 3:19-22 

consider this!

- What are the lies that the world is telling me?

- When God reveals my heart's true intentions, what do I see?

- Do I depend on God or myself?

Jesus - My heart often settles for "more and better" when You offer me "the most and the best." My mind struggles with greater but You offer enough. My desire is to completely yield myself to You. Let Your work be done through me. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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Love So Real

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

 I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts. John Locke 

The well-known idiom actions speak louder than words is true. If our hearts embrace real love then we will respond with real love to others. Loving is not always easy; it involves time and sacrifice. Some of us believe ourselves to be generous, but do we truly give from a sacrificial heart?

This is how we know what real love is: Jesus gave His life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters... My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring. 
 1 John 3:16,18 NCV 

Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice for us, His life on the cross! Scripture says we should give our lives for others. How can that work? Our giving does not have the power to pardon sin, but with Christ, we are empowered to forgive, to listen, to love, to feel another's pain, to touch another's grief, to celebrate another's joy. With Christ, we speak His name with good deeds and the generosity of a sincere heart. 

READ 1 John 3:14-18 

consider this!

- Have I ever received real love?

- When was the last time I put down my life: laid down my agenda, gave some of my precious time, offered real love to someone else?

- What do my actions reveal about me?

Lord, it is so hard to believe in Love so real! It is hard to accept Love so pure! You are Perfect Love given to me. Words come and go, heard and not heard, written and forgotten, but when I love others in their ordinary days, touching their everyday wound and weariness, dilemmas and decisions, fears and failures - I am loving You and offering Your love to others. Use me, Lord. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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Righteous vs. Evil

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

 Christian discipleship is a decision to walk in His ways, steadily and firmly, and then finding that the way integrates all our interests, passions and gifts, our human needs and our eternal aspirations. Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction 

Love is the message God has given us from the beginning. To love God and to love each other sums up all the commandments. What is the first Bible verse children learn? God is love! Because God is love and because God loves us, we can love, too.

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 
1 John 3:11 NIV

In 1 John 3:12 a reference is made to Cain and Able (Genesis 4:1-16). Cain does not give his best to God; however, Able does, and this makes Cain look bad. In fact, Cain is so angry that he kills his brother Able. Sometimes when we choose to live righteous lives, the world will respond in a negative way. The world always tries to undermine God's goodness. As we read a few days ago, Live deeply in Christ, let His Holiness permeate all areas of our living, even though the world may hate us. While He does not promise an easy path, God does promise to always be with us.

READ 1 John 3:11-13 

consider this!

- Who should love?

- Whom should we love?

- Will you love?

Father of Light - I live in a world that loves itself. Without You, I do not even know what real love is. You are the Love I must choose for myself, the Love that I must offer to others. Give me strength for the long journey through the darkness. Amen. 

-dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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Righteousness of Christ

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

When the heart begins to burn with truth, when it takes root in you and you simply must respond to it, that is when you know with certainty that God is real, that the hope of you calling is genuine, that the power of His presence is available, and that the riches of His ministry through you is manifest to others as well. Ray Stedman, from The Power of His Presence,  www.RayStedman.org

In this season of reflection, we are more alert to Christ's sacrifice and our own weaknesses. While Christians are not perfect, the intentions of our actions should be Christ-focused. Evil is real, and Satan is always waiting for another opportunity to tempt us. Sadly, we are often easily deceived by his interference. As children of God, we must strive for righteous living, finding our Example, our Success, our Intercessor in Jesus.

By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10 ESV

The world will tell you there is no evil, that Satan does not exist. The Living Word of God tells you the truth - evil and Satan are alive and well and looking for us! As humans we are fallen and imperfect, incapable of not sinning. In Christ we are made new; our new hearts long to live a more holy life. Christians are forgiven and called to righteous living. We are called to live as Christ and love one another.

READ 1 John 3:4-10 

consider this!

- Read 1 John 3:5; compare our sins with Jesus

- Read 1 John 3:8; what do we learn about the devil?

- What do your actions reflect? Righteous living or destructive living?

God - Your goodness overwhelms me as the Spirit draws near to whisper of Perfect Love and holiness and peace. The world distracts me and shouts and lures, but You are greater than anything in this world. I hold to Your Promises. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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Wonder-full Love

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

There is nothing on earth like the love of God when once it breaks on the soul; it may break at a midnight or a dawn, but always as a great surprise, and we begin to experience the uniting of our whole being with the nature of God. Oswald Chambers

The love the Father has for His children exceeds the boundaries of our imaginations. It is both marvelous and wonder-full, generous beyond explanation. We wrestle with trying to define and describe God's love. Believing that God's character is love can be confusing when the world we live in challenges us with loss and loneliness. While all about us constantly changes, we can take comfort in trusting God who never changes. God is love - even when.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!... we're called the children of God. 1 John 3:1  

READ 1 John 3:1-3

consider this!

- Who are the children of God?

- Read Galatians 4:4-7; how is it possible to become a child of God?

- Are you in God's family?

Father, Your love for us is higher and deeper and wider than we can understand. Jesus, You are the hope that makes us holy. Holy Spirit, breathe into us new life. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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1st Sunday in Lent - Oneness in Christ - Live Deeply

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

Whatever keeps me from my Bible is my enemy, however harmless it may appear to me.  A.W. Tozer 

The secular response to Christ, if there is any acknowledgement, is that Christ was a great teacher and a good person. The world says there are no absolute truths, that truth is what you believe to be true. The Holy Scriptures, the foundation of the Christian faith, tell a different story. Christ is the Living Son of God, the will and sinless sacrifice offered for all the iniquities of humanity. He has always been and will always be. Jesus, both humankind and deity, has come to fulfill God's plan of salvation for all people. There ARE truths that must be a part of our faith statement as Christians. Without these indisputable truths, we claim a belief in nothing more than good intentions.

So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will continue to live in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life He promised us... you have received the Holy spirit and He lives within you... For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what He teaches is true. 1 John 2:24,27 NLT

Through careful and continued study of the Scriptures, these truths become more clear. God reveals himself to us today through the living word. The Scriptures are both ancient and living words, telling us stories of old and using these lessons for today. Our struggles with truth in the world are no different that centuries ago, with unbelief then and unbelief today. Time after time, we must stand boldly with faith in our Creator, Redeemer, and King.

READ 1 John 2:18-29 The Message

consider this!  

- How do believers come to more fully understand the character of God?

- Why does the world dilute and deny the absolute truths in Scripture?

- What do you believe about Christ?

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me... Father, Son, and Spirit - three in One, I cannot understand Perfect Love, but I can accept this Gift by faith. Give me the courage to grow in understanding of the Living Word that I might be Your light in the darkness, that I might learn to live deeply in Christ. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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God Calls Us

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

 The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet. Fredrick Buechner 

We search the world for meaning, for purpose, for reasons. When the world does not offer sufficient answers, we blame God; surely He must have forgotten us. If we pray to God for meaning or purpose or reasons, and He does not respond as we expect, we doubt that God is even listening. We crave more and more of the world's tokens, collecting trophies of greed and pride and beauty but remaining empty. And still, God calls to us and seeks us, wherever we are. God has a designed purpose for each of us, a place to serve. God abides with us, in all times, whether we acknowledge Him or not. Perhaps it is we who have forgotten; it we who are not listening.

I remind you, my dear children: Your sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name... And a second reminder, dear children: You know the Father from personal experience... Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him.   1 John 2:12-16 The Message  

In a deepening relationship with God, our wants change. When responding to the Father's love, we begin to develop more compassion, quiet humility, and sincere love. Letting God's purposes fill our heart and mind and soul, we can know His presence. We find deep gladness.

READ 1 John 2:12-17 

consider this!

- When your deep gladness in God merges with the world's deep hunger, what happens?

- How does a growing personal relationship with God change my wants?

- What are my cravings?

Living Word, remain in my heart, guide my thoughts, abide with me always. Forgive me when I ignore You. How often do I stand at the corner of Want and More, uncertain and unsure? Yet You forgive my selfish ways, call me to a place of deep gladness. Take away my cravings for the world and replace them with cravings for You. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

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Loving One Another

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

I live and love in God's peculiar light. Michelangelo 

"To love one another" is to walk in the Light! While we cannot explain God, by faith we demonstrate His love when we love others. Christian love is choosing to treat others with respect, with or without feelings of affection. To say we live in God's light and act with contradiction - with envy or jealousy, anger or criticism, pride or arrogance - we are not being truthful. When our actions offer compassion, peace, joy, humility, and generosity, we are living and loving in God's peculiar light.

...This commandment - to love one another - is the same message you have heard before. Yet it is also new. This commandment is true in Christ and is true among you, because the darkness is disappearing and the true light is already shining. 1 John 2:7-8 NLT 

When we seek deeper, more intimate relationships, love must be present. Without this component, there is no evidence of a meaningful relationship with God or between us and another. As we grow spiritually, our love becomes an outward manifestation of our inward beliefs. By sending Christ as His love offering, God teaches us how to love by example, by loving us more than we can even understand love.

READ 1 John 2:7-11

consider this!

- How can the message to 'love one another' be both old and new?
- How does a Christian wander in spiritual darkness?
- How do you love?

Holy One - You love me more than words; You call me to love others. The world tells me to love myself most but does not love me at all. The contrast of light and darkness shouts! Jesus, the True Light, guide me through this dark world. Help me grow my love in You. Amen. -dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Grace-Full

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

The fullness of our heart is expressed in our eyes, in our touch, in what we write, in what we say, in the way we walk, the way we receive, the way we need. Mother Teresa

We find in Christ the One who speaks our needs to the Father, the One who pleads our case, the One who intercedes for us. Christ is the sacrifice for our sins, the One with whom we are to become intimately connected, the One we are to reflect in our living. Our actions evidence our heart and define our relationship with Christ.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 

Many translations use the word propitiation in place of atoning sacrifice. It is just another word that describes atonement or forgiveness; it is GRACE! In the Old Testament, the blood of sacrificial lamb is offered for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus has become the sacrificial lamb, the perfect, unblemished lamb. The offering becomes our salvation. Christ is the very essence of amazing grace. Only through Him can we be made righteous.

READ 1 John 2:1-6

consider this!

- In God's Court, Satan is our Accuser, and Jesus is our Defender. What evidence dies Satan have to convict you? Remember - he is seeking the death penalty!

- When you stand before God, what evidence will Jesus have to present on your behalf?

- What will your verdict be? Eternal death or eternal life? What is the cost? Who paid?

Jesus, You are more than an Advocate, You are the Offering. I cannot live the truth of Your righteousness without Your suffering sacrifice. Teach me to become more and more like You. Amen - dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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Ash Wednesday - Living What We Claim

Deus caritas est! “…God is love.” 1 John 4:16

As we enter this season of reflection and renewal, let’s rediscover God calling to His children, revealing His goodness, and transforming each one with Perfect Love. "This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (1 John 4:10) ~ Donna Oswalt

It's tough in the desert. It's bewildering. It's destructive. It's hellish. Yet the testimony of the Old Testament, and ever more strongly, of the New, is that out of it comes new growth, new insight, new certainty that a God of love is a home among us. Charles Elliott 

This is the day Christians around the world come to His altar to receive the mark of a sinner. It symbolically reminds us that God alone is Sovereign; God alone is Grace. Humanity will never find salvation or peace or eternity without Jesus Christ. It is His forgiveness we need, His presence we seek, His love we offer. Today begins a journey of renewal, a time to reflect on our own individual faith-walk.

If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin.  1 John 1:6-7 The Message

READ 1 John 1:1-10

consider this!
- Where does "this Light" originate?
- If believers are forgiven, why do we still stand before God marked as a sinner?
- Does my living what I claim reflect Jesus?

Light of the World ~ You have come that I might love. I am a sinner, but You are Grace. I confess You are Absolute Truth. Dress me in righteousness, forgiven and redeemed. May my words of living reflect the Word of Life. Amen. - dho

All rights reserved; copyright 2017 by Donna Oswalt/Co-Founder of Mangrove Ministries/Christian blogger and author;  Breathing Room For My Soul (blog)~ Follow on Twitter @soulchat

For more information about this ministry visit ~

MangroveMinistries.org

LIKE Mangrove Ministries on Facebook

Deus caritas est! God is Love!

Lenten Season 2017 – Deus caritas est! God is Love!

Beginning this week on Ash Wednesday March 1, 2017 and throughout the Easter season, you can read daily devotions on my blog. You can also sign-up to receive emails each day at Breathing Room For My Soul if you are not currently getting emails. Join me as we reflect and renew our personal relationship with Jesus. Please share this with your friends. The devotions will also be available on Facebook and Twitter @soulchat. 

This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son                               

as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:10)

This year the readings will explore God’s Perfect Love and include topics like “Love One Another”, “The Righteousness of Christ”, “Fellowship Defined”, “Too Full”, and “God’s Testimony” to name a few. Each Sunday we will look at our Oneness in Christ, with topics such as, the “Live Deeply in Christ”, “Living as Christ”, the “Christ Living Through Us” and more.  When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Perfect Love speaks our needs to the Father, brings light into the darkness, and teaches us how to love each other. Let’s take this journey together as we choose this holy love defined by Christ. Deus caritas est! ~ Donna Oswalt

Want other options? You can order my Lenten devotional book, Kindled Soul, Holy Fire from Amazon.com  which has daily devotions from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday! Order now for yourself and some for your friends!!