Grace Redeems!

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

 ...[God] makes us passionately and spiritually unbalanced. God steers us in the direction of His kingdom, His purpose, His passions. His desire is not to conform us but to transform us. Not to make us compliant, but to make us creative. His intent is never to domesticate us, but to liberate us. Erwin Raphael McManus from The Barbarian Way (pg. 64)

God's plan for redemption was created long before time. God's redemption transforms us, gives us new life, grants us new freedom. We glimpse eternity now and find the longing for a more intimate relationship with God.

This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us... 1 John 4:10 

God sent His only son to earth and Jesus was betrayed, beaten, and buried. Yet, it is God that always has the last word. Christ lives! Grace Redeems! And all this for my sins and for your sins, for all sinners everywhere.

READ 1 John 4:9-10

consider this!

- Define 'real love'.

- What did Jesus have to sacrifice to come into the world?

- What does 'real love' offer that the world cannot?

God of Mercy, I am not worthy of such love, such sacrifice. You love best of all. At my best, my days are filled with token deeds and worthy gestures but none come near to Your sacrifice. I kneel at Your altar with praises for freedom through Christ. Continue to transform 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

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God is 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

Open your hearts to the love God instills... God loves you tenderly. What He gives you is not to be kept under lock and key, but to be shared.      Mother Teresa

Love is an action that a person chooses to receive and chooses to give. Because the Spirit lives inside the believer, we are empowered to love, to love like Christ. Commentary in the Life Application Bible says it this way: God's love always involves a choice and an action.

...God is love. 1 John 4:8 NCV

God's love is higher and deeper and wider and grander than we can begin to imagine. He loves us, calls us, draws near to us. God chooses us! When our response is to choose God, we discover more than enough. When we choose God, His love overflows into us. Loving each other is the action that demonstrates His amazing grace.

READ 1 John 4:7-8

consider this!

- What is the source of all love?

- Is real love a feeling or an action?

- How well do I really love?

Love Most High, You can only love one way - Completely, Generously, Perfectly. Kindle my life with that tender Love. My heart weeps at such an offering. Forgive me when I hold tightly to Your love, when my selfish soul stops the flow of Perfect Love. 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

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Glory of God!

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 saw the Milky Way in full glory once, while visiting a refugee camp in Somalia, just below the equator... I could not lift my sights beyond that refugee camp situated in an obscure corner of an obscure country on the Horn of Africa. Until I saw the Milky Way. It abruptly reminded me that the present moment did not comprise all of life. History would go on. Tribes, government, whole civilizations may rise and fall, trailing disaster in their wake, but I dared not confine my field of vision to the scenes of suffering around me. I needed to look up, to the stars. Philip Yancey from Finding God in Unexpected Places (pg. 29)

Philip Yancey's words paint a true picture of this world, full of difficulty and full of God. Those who serve the world do not speak of God, do not listen to God. These unbelievers frequently denounce Christians who faithfully witness for Christ.

...because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1John 4:4 NLT

We find ourselves surrounded by chaos and confusion, which always comes from evil; yet, we are never alone, always have hope. The Holy Spirit resides within every believer. How easily we get lost in the negative and forget to look for God's Presence. It is everywhere! Just take time to look, even to the stars.

READ 1 John 4:4-6

consider this!

- Identify evil influences in your daily life?

- How can I give God the "greater" place in my life?

- Is the Spirit abiding in me?

Holy Father - The world speaks a language designed to rob You of glory. Sometimes, the burden of the confusion and disorder almost suffocate me. My hope is Christ! Like fresh air, the Spirit breathes new life into the darkest moments. You are greater than anything in this world. 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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2nd Sunday in Lent - Oneness in Christ - Living as 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

 What the pastor said was so simple that it will remain with me forever. "Each one of us acts as an Antichrist, " he said, "whenever we hear the gospel and do not do it." Kathleen Norris/Amazing Grace

Too often we believe the words that sound good instead of searching for the truth. Satan is clever as there are always threads of truth in all his deceptions. We get tangled in the rhetoric and miss the point.

... do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world... every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist... 1John 4:1,3

Many will try to confuse us, evil spirits and humans that are being used by the evil spirits. Scripture tells us that every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God (1 John 4:2). To acknowledge Jesus requires our words, our confession of faith in Jesus, and our actions, our deeds done in response to our faith. When we say we believe that Jesus is our resurrected Savior but live without loving actions, we act as an Antichrist. Words are powerful, but together with our actions our faith becomes testimony.

READ 1 John 4:1-3

consider this!

- What must a person believe about Christ to be a Christian?

- Why is it important to know The Truth?

- Does the Antichrist live at my house?

Father - I know the world is full of trickery, that Satan delights in my failure to listen for the Spirit of Truth. I desire a discerning heart. 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

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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 ~

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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 ~

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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 ~

MangroveMinistries.org

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