CASE CLOSED!

More and more I'm either reading or hearing an expression that causes me to tremble for those who believe it to be true. It's New Age, it's deception, it's a denial of the God who loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. And these people are so blinded they cannot see the forest for the trees (no disrespect intended to the Lord). In other words, they cannot see the Creator for the creation.

What is this expression? "Give out to the Universe and the Universe will give back to you whatever you desire", or some similar phrase. What, exactly, do they believe this so-called Universe is, I wonder? How do they expect something inanimate to have the ability to help them even in the smallest way? To even recognize that they exist, that they have needs, that they are reaching out to it for help and support?

In Bleak House, Charles Dickens has one of his characters, Harold Skimpole, comment that Ada, a young ward of the courts, is a "child of the Universe". Mr. Jarndyce, with whom she lives, responds to his friend that he believes the Universe makes a rather indifferent parent. I agree. Not much love displayed there. At least none that I have ever discovered. No messages have ever arrived from it, no books to guide, no relationships developed, no intelligent communication whatsoever. What kind of parent is that? What kind of benefactor can the Universe ever prove to be?

I'm so glad that "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (John 3:16). Thank the Lord that He has provided us with a Book of instructions on how to become part of His family, how to grow in Him, how to receive all His benefits and blessings, how to prepare for eternity before it's too late. Praise God that He is a true Father to His children, that He loves us dearly, that He has planned our future with our good in mind, that He continues to communicate with His people and build relationships with us.

The Universe? I think not. As Joshua said, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve...As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). And I say, "AMEN!"

WHAT DOESN'T GO IN CAN'T COME OUT

The ability to love and the need to be loved is inherent in every human being from birth. Like the baby bird waiting in the nest with its mouth wide open for the next morsel of food from its mother, so from the time we are babies our souls are wide open, waiting for that love to be poured in.

But what happens to that little bird if the mother doesn't return to the nest? Quite obviously it will die in the safety of its home in the tree. The safe place cannot help keep it alive. So with humans. If love is not poured in on a constant basis, the soul withers. Something dies within. It happens in that place called home where safety and protection is expected. When love is wanting, life is wanting. Where love is not experienced, love cannot be given. As an empty glass is not a supply for a thirsty person, an empty soul cannot give out what it does not have within.

Where children are dearly loved by parents, an inner confidence takes root, a sense of completeness, a feeling of worth develops. When we are loved, we are able to love in return. What comes in can also go out. To love others brings great joy. To be loved is to be blessed beyond measure.

Is there hope for the unloved? Absolutely. Just look again at the scripture for the day. There is not one person on whom the Lord does not pour His love. Whether we realize it or not, even if we are completely alone in this world, we are loved. But we have to open our hearts to this love if we want to benefit from it, if we desire to 'feel' loved. We must open our whole being to the Lord Jesus Christ and allow Him to have the ownership of our lives. As His love pours into us, we can, in turn, pour out that same love to others.

Let love, the agape love of God, flow like a river into your spirit and out again. You will find fulfillment and satisfaction in healthy living by allowing His love to wash over you, fill you and to envelop all with whom you come in contact.