"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my…
YOU ARE ETERNALLY LOVED!
“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 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: 9- 10.
Love is the most powerful force in existence. Love can do what nothing else can do, it can tame the heart. Love has the power to change a person. God created us in His image and in His likeness and so we can understand love. God is love, we are creatures of love, designed to love and be loved. God has made His love known right from the beginning; His love is woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture. The character and nature of God is love. God’s love isn’t fickle; His love is not dependent upon us, for even while we were yet sinners, His Son Jesus Christ died for us – a substantial evidence of His unconditional love for us.
Love is the most powerful force in existence. Love can do what nothing else can do, it can tame the heart. Love has the power to change a person. God created us in His image and in His likeness and so we can understand love. God is love, we are creatures of love, designed to love and be loved. God has made His love known right from the beginning; His love is woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture. The character and nature of God is love. God’s love isn’t fickle; His love is not dependent upon us, for even while we were yet sinners, His Son Jesus Christ died for us – a substantial evidence of His unconditional love for us.
We often question God’s love for us. In Malachi 1: 2, the Israelites asked God, “How have you loved us?” having considered the great humiliation they suffered in the hands of the heathen nations like Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar had shown Israel no mercy; the city of Jerusalem and the Temple had been destroyed; then after 70years of captivity, the nation of Israel was allowed to return to their homeland that was a pile of ruins, inspite of so much of God’s promise of restoration.
We are just like the people of Israel. The Bible says, “these things happened to them as example and were written down as warnings for us” (1 Corinthians 10: 11).We are no different than they are; when bad things happen we begin to question God’s love – “What have I done to deserve this? I thought you loved me!” We should learn from Israel’s example when they questioned God’s love for them, He was ready to reassure them of His unfailing love. Our questions do not cause God to love us less; He does not turn His back on us when we shout and blame Him for all of our troubles. God is not threatened by our questions; He is waiting for us to bring our uncertainty, fear and doubt to Him. God is ready to strengthen our weakness, provide peace for our fear, and give faith to overcome our doubt. God will always answer our questions according toHis unfailing love.
When we have knowledge of what God’s love is like, and a right understanding of how God loves us (Hebrews 12: 5-6), we would respond to the circumstances of life differently. Our response to God’s love should motivate us to be obedient to His Word (John 14: 15). We wouldn’t question God, or become angry, instead, we would live with the strength of His love evident in everything we do and say.
When we have knowledge of what God’s love is like, and a right understanding of how God loves us (Hebrews 12: 5-6), we would respond to the circumstances of life differently. Our response to God’s love should motivate us to be obedient to His Word (John 14: 15). We wouldn’t question God, or become angry, instead, we would live with the strength of His love evident in everything we do and say.
Everything that God does is motivated by love and even in love, He remains sovereign. Though with absolute authority and power, in love God calls men and women into fellowship with Him. God reaches out in love, but some continue to refuse to come to Him.
God is not interested in just reaching a few; He is seeking the world (John 3: 16). With the billions of people living in the world today, not one is unimportant to God. He knows each one by name, and is calling to them to come to Him. Each one matters to God. His steadfast and faithful love would continue to work in favour of him/her who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Saviour. God’s love wouldn’t allow Satan to rebuild his evil kingdom in our lives. God will continually work to destroy and cast down every work of the enemy in our lives.
Beloved, when God says, “I love you”, it refers to His character and nature. “God is love.” Love defines who God is. God does not see you for what you are, but for what you can be through His love. The nation of Israel looked at their circumstances and doubted God’s love because of the hardship they experienced. Are you doing the same thing? How have you doubted God’s love for you? Can you stop blaming God for just a moment and see how God is drawing you to Himself through your difficulty? Don’t run from God; run to Him. The love of God is not circumstantial, His is a sovereign love which endures forever.
Beloved, YOU ARE ETERNALLY LOVED AND DON’T ALLOW ANYTHING TO SEPARATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS REVEALED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD (Romans 8: 38 – 39).
God is not interested in just reaching a few; He is seeking the world (John 3: 16). With the billions of people living in the world today, not one is unimportant to God. He knows each one by name, and is calling to them to come to Him. Each one matters to God. His steadfast and faithful love would continue to work in favour of him/her who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Saviour. God’s love wouldn’t allow Satan to rebuild his evil kingdom in our lives. God will continually work to destroy and cast down every work of the enemy in our lives.
Beloved, when God says, “I love you”, it refers to His character and nature. “God is love.” Love defines who God is. God does not see you for what you are, but for what you can be through His love. The nation of Israel looked at their circumstances and doubted God’s love because of the hardship they experienced. Are you doing the same thing? How have you doubted God’s love for you? Can you stop blaming God for just a moment and see how God is drawing you to Himself through your difficulty? Don’t run from God; run to Him. The love of God is not circumstantial, His is a sovereign love which endures forever.
Beloved, YOU ARE ETERNALLY LOVED AND DON’T ALLOW ANYTHING TO SEPARATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS REVEALED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD (Romans 8: 38 – 39).
Have a a love-filled life in Christ.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S. Igein Isemede