What i-s like u-p w-i-t-h t-h-a-t? Does God still love me ....does He love anyone any more? He doesn't follow my directions...when He could so easily. Tryin' to grasp n even think about the last time He did. I have had a good plan all along and have tried to gently lead Him in it, but..is He MIA? He ain't usually following my commands now. Head-scratch. It'd actually be so simple for Him to, but He doesn't even seem to be into doin' the things that I have directed and ordered Him to do. Is He not into answering prayer any more? @kurtwvs : ) Luke 6|46
(Said that this morning to be funny and make a point.. and kinda alarmed a friend. No worries, Jesus is still Lord [not me], He still loves us all, and He still wisely answers every prayer that His child will pray [with a Yes, No, or Wait]. That [above] was just a tongue-in-cheek rant of sorts to get your attention so you will keep praying. It was merely poking fun at how small I can sometimes be. God is still the C.E.D.M. [Chief Exec Decision Maker here] and He really cares - He never ever changes ..even when I do. Do you see my sly snicker-of-a-smile on the end of that rant?)
He ain't mad at ya. He both loves and likes you at the same time, even if He doesn't always like what we do. Yeah, my Father is very fond of me and He is very fond of you! Let it keep sinkin' in. We should probably hear that ever single day multiple times. What does the Bible say? It clearly says...
"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." — Paul 5|8rom.
“We obey God's Law, not to be loved but because we are loved in Christ.” ― Jerry Bridges
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ― John c4|13, 4
“It's not about finding ways to avoid God's judgment and feeling like a failure if you don't do everything perfectly. It's about fully experiencing God's love and letting it perfect you. It's not about being somebody you are not. It's about becoming who you really are.” ― Stormie Omartian
Sure, He really loves you and me this day.. in spite of our past, all of our foibles, our current imperfections, and He will in the future as well.
Agape love is like that. Go check it out in the Bible (zoom in on the red print).
His love is far greater than all those here that love you most. Yup, out of love He wisely answers every prayer (with a "Yes," "No," or "Wait".. don't always feel good about the last two responses) and His love is so superior to the love of any other person.
“Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.” vv.6-8mess.
Legalism says God will love us if we change. The Gospel says God will save us and then change us because He loves us. We turn and trust Jesus.
“When I lay these questions before God I get no answer. But a rather special sort of 'No answer.' It is not the locked door. It is more like a silent, certainly not uncompassionate, gaze. As though He shook His head not in refusal but waiving the question. Like, 'Peace, child; you don't understand.” ― C.S. Lewis
And because God loved us first as the great Initiator, we as the responders can now love each other with His love, and even show that love to those outside of His family.
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." ― Paul 1Tim4:12
Does this motivate you some? I hope so. His words of love edify, motivate and inspire me.
Let us who are of the day walk in the light as He is in the light (be holy for He is). Let us be sober instead of all wasted. Let us be puttin' on the breastplate of faith and of real love everywhere we go (1Th.5|8). Let's continue to receive the love of the truth in Christ - He did and walked in the truth (1Th.2|10). And let's continue to esteem our sound church leaders very highly in love for their good work's sake. It ain't easy in our day being a leader in God's army of love (1Th.5|13).
Yeah, I really want to try to challenge you here to literally stir up real love in the Spirit of selfless love (Heb.10|24), to be reverent, to be temperate, to be sound in faith, in love, and to live in patience waiting for Christ's appearing. I dare you to to all-out pursue righteousness, godliness, faith and God's kind of love (1Ti.6|11), to "hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love.." (2Ti.1|13). This is how God will make you into an effective representative for His Kingdom of love. Who is in? facebook.com/shareJesus
