Our Father

This month, millions of people will celebrate Father’s Day.  Some fathers will be honored at church, other fathers will be celebrated at home, and many fathers will enjoy fishing, grilling, or quite possibly, doing nothing at all.  And like any good Husband or Dad would, some fathers may even find themselves completing “honey-do” lists or sitting on the floor playing with their children.  But what makes a Dad truly special?  It’s not his willingness to buy a bigger car or a nicer house, or even the way he prolifically mows the lawn or takes out the trash.  It’s not even the way he shows his children how to build the tallest skyscraper out of building blocks.  The thing that makes a Dad truly great is the unconditional love that he has for his children.

Ever since I was a little girl, my Daddy has loved me unconditionally.  No matter what I am doing, he is always my number one supporter.  Whether I am teaching school, singing with the Florida Worship Choir and Orchestra, or writing a new song or blog, he always encourages me and prays for me.  You see, it’s not about what I’m doing.  It’s the fact that I am the one who is doing it.  He loves me for who I am, not for what I do.  Perhaps you have the same relationship with your father, so you know exactly what I am talking about.  Dads love us even when we spit up on their new suit on the way to church as infants, spilled milk on their new house slippers as toddlers, or backed their car into the mailbox as teenagers.  You may wonder why fathers love us so much, even when we make mistakes.  Because from the moment we are born, our Dads become some of our biggest lifelong fans.  We are priceless treasures in the eyes of our fathers.

In the same way, our Heavenly Father considers us a treasure.  In Isaiah 43:4 (NIV), the Lord says, “you are precious and honored in my sight.”  Even before you were born, God knew all about you, right down to the number of hairs on your head.  Matthew 10:30-31 (NIV) says, “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”  You are valuable in God’s sight.  Why?  Because God loves you unconditionally; He cares about you so very much.  I Peter 5:7 (NIV) says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Perhaps you feel alone and long for this kind of compassion.  You may not have a loving relationship with your father here on this earth.  You may have gone your separate ways as a teenager, chasing something you now regret.  Or your father may be abusive, either physically or emotionally, causing you to distance yourself from him.  I encourage you to pray that God will mend the broken bridge between you and your father.  If your father has passed away, you are not alone.  God loves you and He is with you always.  He will comfort your heart, surrounding you with the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Whatever circumstance you find yourself in, rest assured that our Heavenly Father loves you so very much.  No matter what you’ve done, or where you are, you will never be out of the reach of His unconditional love.  Romans 8:38-39 says that nothing can ever separate us from the love of Jesus Christ.  He will mend your broken heart, restore your joy, and reveal His purpose for your life.  Put your trust in Jesus Christ today.  He is a Father to the fatherless.  Call on His name.  Your life will be changed when you call upon our Heavenly Father.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer  


(originally published on 6/30/15)

The Thorns

Earlier this week, as I was cutting back my rose bushes, I was reminded of the love of Jesus Christ.  As I grabbed hold of one of the branches, I felt a thorn gently touch the skin on my finger.  I immediately let go of the branch, making sure to avoid a deeper encounter with this perilous object.  The moment I let go, I thought of the crown of thorns that was placed on the head of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Here I was jerking back with disdain for these prickly branches, yet Jesus had much larger thorns driven into His scalp.  Suddenly, I was filled with a renewed sense of gratefulness for the love that He showed for you and me.  He didn’t let go.  Jesus didn’t run away from an uncomfortable situation.  He stayed, suffering through every agonizing moment.  Why?  He did it out of love for you and me.

As children, we often learn to recite John 3:16.  The scripture reads, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  While this verse is entirely true, letter for letter, there is another scripture reference that I feel is equally important.  I John 3:16 (NIV) states, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”  Right within this single verse, we have a definition of love that transcends any that we find in a dictionary.  Love means being willing to give your life for someone else.  Now this doesn’t mean we need to put ourselves in dangerous situations just in an effort to show someone affection.  This means that we should hold others in such high regard that we would do anything for them, to help them in any way that we possibly could.

Jesus knew that His Father’s will was for Him to die on the cross.  He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for this cup to pass from Him.  But then He followed this prayer with the words, “Not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39 NIV).  Jesus did not want to suffer and die.  But He knew that His Father’s will was more important than His own.  I am also sure that God did not want to watch His only Son suffer and die.  Still, they both knew that this was what must occur for you and me to have eternal life.  In John 3:16, we see God’s love for us being shown through the gift of His Son.  Then, in I John 3:16, we see Jesus’ love for us through the gift of His life.

Think about it.  The God who created the Heavens and Earth out of nothing gives His only Son who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, just to save us from our sins.  Jesus agrees to be mocked and spit upon and abused just so we could be redeemed.  They loved us when we were still sinners.  We were unlovable.  We were nothing.  But because of the blood that Jesus Christ shed on the cross more than 2,000 years ago, we became something.  Individuals who trust in Jesus Christ are now heirs of Christ, covered by His blood, bought with a price.  Our sins have been washed away and we are a new creation in Christ Jesus.  All because of the love Jesus and His Father have for us, a love that is greater than we could ever fully comprehend or imagine.

When they placed the crown of thorns upon His head, I know Jesus was in pain.  But in spite of the pain, He knew He was doing it for you and me.  Perhaps He was thinking, this is for My children.  It will be worth it all.  I know they are special in My Father’s sight and I love them just as much as He does.  I would do anything to grant them eternal life.  Jesus could have called ten thousand angels to save Him from this humiliating and excruciating death.  But His love was too great.  He persevered, knowing that each step toward Golgotha was fulfilling the will of God.  He knew that all these things must come to pass before future generations would have freedom through Christ.  He knew He had to die so that we might live eternally with Him.  Jesus was the only perfect man to walk on the face of this earth.  But He still had to die, so that we might live.  This is love.

Perhaps you are reading this thinking that no one could ever love you.  You may have done things that you are ashamed to even think about, much less talk about.  But I want to encourage you today.  No matter what you have done or where you have been, Jesus Christ died for you.  He loves you more than you could imagine.  He longs to have a personal relationship with you.  He wants you to talk to Him on a daily basis.  He wants to be a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  If you do not have this type of relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to repeat these words aloud, from your heart:

Dear Jesus, I thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  I am so unworthy.  Thank you for loving me when I was unlovable.  I was like the thorns, but I know you can turn me into a beautiful rosebud, transforming my corrupt life into something beautiful.  Please come into my heart and make me a new creation.  Please forgive me of my sins.  I want to live for You.  Help me share Your love with others.  In Your Precious Name, Amen.

If you prayed these words, please send me an e-mail at jennifer@jennifercampbell.net or comment below.  I would like to congratulate you on making the best decision of your life.  I would also like to send you some sources of encouragement to help you grow as a new Christian.  If you are already a Christian, living for the Lord, I would also love to hear what God is doing in your life.

This Easter, remember to thank Jesus for giving His life for you.  He loves you so much.  Share His love with someone else today.  Invite someone to church.  Tell your coworkers, neighbors, friends, or family about what Jesus means to you.  Don’t be afraid of what they will think, as I was afraid to grasp hold of the thorny rose bush.  Jump in there and tell them what He has done for you!  He thought you were worth dying for.  Now that is something to talk about!  Don’t just go to church on Easter, but live your life in a way that reflects the love of Jesus to everyone you meet, every day of the year.  Radiate the infinite love of Jesus Christ.  He gave His life for you.  What will you give to Him in return?

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

After-Christmas Sales

If you’re like me, your e-mail inbox is likely inundated with After-Christmas sales. Take 50% off of this pair of shoes or save $20 on that new smartphone. Just three days ago, millions of people celebrated Christmas and many of them opened gifts on Christmas morning. Yet, the moment after we receive these gifts especially chosen for us by our loved ones, we often rush out to get the latest and greatest items we can afford. While I certainly enjoy shopping, I do find it disappointing that Christmas has become so commercialized. Since when has a holiday meant to celebrate the birthday of a King turned into a holiday filled with questions of “what did you get?” Why should we focus on what we received instead of realizing the overwhelming need to give to others? Giving goes beyond a present tied with a fancy little bow, tucked beneath the tree. We can give love, joy, happiness, and so much more. The very heart of Christmas has nothing to do with something purchased at a store. The very heart of Christmas centers on the One I’m living for, Jesus Christ.

Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday. I love every part of this glorious holiday, from the cookies that tame my sweet tooth to the trees that are so beautifully adorned. I also like the fact that I can walk into a store, greeted with Christmas music and a friendly, “Merry Christmas!” from the store clerk. But the greatest part of Christmas is not the twinkling lights or the neatly wrapped gifts under the tree. Why, it’s not even the time I was able to spend in New York City with my dad. Without question, the most impressive aspect of this holiday season is the fact that God sent His Son to be born in a manger. This gift didn’t need to be wrapped or sent via UPS. It was a gift filled with love. It was the gift of eternal life.

When God thought about what to give us for Christmas, He did not send us the latest technological gadget or fashion forward outfit for Christmas. Instead, He sent us a gift that had eternal value. God gave us the best Christmas gift ever: Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. He knew that we didn’t need another pair of socks in our drawer or another dust catcher on our shelf. And while this gift had the greatest price tag of all, His Son’s life, this gift was freely given to the world. God has granted eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ, to all who confess their sins and believe. This gift is offered not just on Christmas, but 365 days a year. A relationship with Jesus Christ will change your life. I encourage you to put your trust in Jesus Christ today. For tomorrow may be too late.

Just like those limited-time, After-Christmas bargains, our lives will not last forever. James 4:14 clearly states, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14 NIV). Life is the greatest gift that we have ever been given. We need to use each and every moment to our best ability, ensuring that we do not waste even one millisecond of it. Having lost many people close to me, including my Mom, I can tell you that life truly is a vapor that only remains for a short time. We have no guarantee of tomorrow. So embrace today. Don’t worry about whether or not that new gadget needs new batteries. And that sweater that’s too big can be exchanged another day. Instead, spend time with your family and friends, not knowing how many more dinners you’ll enjoy together or how many more meaningful conversations you’ll have.

Cherish each moment you have with your loved ones, both now and in the coming New Year. Give them something more than a gift wrapped in a box or a bag. Give them more than a once-a-year present at Christmastime. Give them time with you, give them a listening ear, and give them the one thing we all need: love. Even on that first Christmas night, God himself knew that we needed love. God knew what the world needed most of all. He knew that we needed a gift that would carry us through every day of the year, not just in the month of December. And despite the commercialization of Christmas, not one single thing has changed. We still need unconditional love. We still need a Savior. We still need Jesus.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer