You Bear a Striking Resemblance of Your Father

People often say my daughter resembles me and my granddaughter resembles her, and I resemble my mother. It’s undeniable – we were all cast from the same mold. My son is undeniably, His dad’s son. They RESEMBLE each other.

My word for today is, obviously, RESEMBLE: to have qualities or features, especially those of appearance, in common with (someone or something); look or seem like.

While I love that compliment “You look just like your mother” or “Your daughter and granddaughter certainly look like you” – most importantly I want for them and me to RESEMBLE our Heavenly Father – and to RESEMBLE Him is to resemble His nature and His ways. Ever heard someone say, “The more we live together, the more we finish each other’s sentences and we’re even starting to look alike?” That’s what I pray for in my relationship with God. And the more time I spend with Him, the more I know His plans and purposes for me, and the more I (like to think), that I start to RESEMBLE Him. His nature is LOVE. This is the month of love and what better time to become LOVERS of God and RESEMBLE Him in His love for others.

This life we live is truly all about love. Of course it is, because God IS LOVE and the most important lesson He wants us to learn on earth is how to love. To say “I love you” can sound like a cliché if our actions (or our RESEMBLANCE of God) don’t measure up to those words. We say “I love you” in the same sentence that we say “I love chocolate cake” and there are times when it seems the one saying those words, loves chocolate cake more than us.

Learning to love unselfishly is certainly not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centered nature. That’s why we’re given a lifetime to learn it. God continues to demonstrate His love to us each and every day. And that’s why He is our role model and why those who spend time with Him will start to RESEMBLE Him and His ways. Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

God wants His family to RESEMBLE Him and to be known for love more than anything else. Jesus said our love for each other – not our doctrinal beliefs – is our greatest witness to the world. He said, “Your strong love for each other will PROVE TO THE WORLD that you are my disciples.” John 13:35. He proved to the world His love – and now as we love and serve, we take on His character and RESEMBLE Him.

It’s admirable that we could RESEMBLE our Father within our four walls and in our own families, but love isn’t learned from hiding out with our four, and no more. We must be around people, even those cranky, grumpy and even frustrating people around us, because God's LIGHT of LOVE in us is what the world needs NOW. In Acts 10:38 we see how Jesus RESEMBLED His Father everywhere He went: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good.”

Resembling our Father is to LOVE. It matters most. It takes top priority. So, let’s be LOVE show-offs and RESEMBLE our Dad today!

Walk in Love & Light

Day 254 of Photo Inspirations -- WALK IN LOVE & LIGHT
Ephesians 5:1-2, 8 "Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and WALK in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us. For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: WALK as children of light."

That's what I thought about when we had a family walk this weekend.  Yes, we needed the exercise, but I noticed the conversation and celebration of walking in love and light.  I saw Larry's patience and love as he directed Lexi across a creek carrying her little Yorkie.  She was concerned about the rushing water and didn't want to fall or bring harm to Emma.  But her Daddy knew what was best and with careful guidance and direction, she made it just fine.

Then I watched Staci and her "bestie", Karen Quick Imhoff​, kicking up their heels in all out freedom and abandonment of worries or concerns.  Living our lives -- with trust and confidence that God walks with us, talks with us and guides and directs us, gives us that child-like freedom to run and jump and celebrate because Dad has got everything under control.

Each of those examples explain the above scripture -- walking in love means tolerance, patience, tenderness, and "giving up" our way for some one else's way.  And walking as children of light.  What does that mean?  In the New Testament, “walking in the light” is directly related to following Jesus, who said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Those who follow Jesus are “walking in the light.”

To “walk” is, in short, to live life. Our lifestyle or way of life can be considered a “walk.” And it also indicates progress.  Walking is related to growth; it is taking steps toward maturity.  While on this little walk, Lexi wanted to turn around and go back the way we came because it meant more adventure, but her Dad saw that it was starting to get darker outside and He knew what was best -- it was to go forward the safer way.  And, I loved it, when he held back from his usual faster pace, to walk side by side with his girl.

Isn't that the way it is when we partner with God in our walk with Him.  He wants us progressing, growing, and recognizing what is LIGHT and what is darkness.  Walking with Him is the opposite of evil.   Putting it all together, “walking in the light” means “growing in holiness and maturing in the faith as we follow (walk with) Jesus.”

Psalm 128:1 "Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who WALK in His ways."