Tag: GodIsLove

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More Love

That really is an oxymoron. If you love or are loved how can there be more?

With our heavenly Father there is just love for He is love. His whole character, His nature, His very being is love!

We can come to comprehend His love in greater depth but there is never a point where He withholds His love and then releases more of it. He can’t stop being who He is, He is love.

Yesterday while I was looking further into “hesed”, loving-kindness, I found these words.

“Hesed is to love as God loves. When God’s presence passed by Moses on Mt. Sinai and revealed his very essence, God proclaimed his great hesed. (Exodus 34:6) In his book The Bible Among the Myths, biblical scholar John Oswalt describes it this way:

The word hesed…[is] the descriptor par excellence of God in the Old Testament. The word speaks of a completely undeserved kindness and generosity done by a person who is in a position of power. This was the Israelites’ experience of God. He revealed himself to them when they were not looking for him, and he kept his covenant with them long after their persistent breaking of it had destroyed any reason for his continued keeping of it. …Unlike humans, this deity was not fickle, undependable, self-serving, and grasping. Instead he was faithful, true, upright, and generous—always.

Like other Hebrew verbs, hesed is not just a feeling but an action. It intervenes on behalf of loved ones and comes to their rescue.” excerpt from Hesed: Love in the Long Term.

by Lois Tverberg

Contrary to what some teach, our heavenly Father is not the one causing evil and disruption in our lives. He is the One bringing peace in the midst of our storm.

“ For this is like the days of Noah to Me. As I promised that the waters of Noah should not flood the earth again, so I have promised that I will not be angry with you or speak sharp words to you. 10 The mountains may be taken away and the hills may shake, but My loving-kindness will not be taken from you. And My agreement of peace will not be shaken,” says the Lord who has loving-pity on you.” Isaiah 54:9-10 NLV

and we have this promise in Ephesians

“At one time all of us lived to please our old selves. We gave in to what our bodies and minds wanted. We were sinful from birth like all other people and would suffer from the anger of God.

4 But God had so much loving-kindness. He loved us with such a great love. 5 Even when we were dead because of our sins, He made us alive by what Christ did for us. You have been saved from the punishment of sin by His loving-favor. 6 God raised us up from death when He raised up Christ Jesus. He has given us a place with Christ in the heavens.” Ephesians 2:3-6 NLV

A heart of gratitude is established on love. Day 2 in the month of giving thanks. Thank the Father for His unconditional love and then look for an opportunity to share “hesed” with someone.

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You Are Loved

This morning I have spent some time looking at pictures from four years ago. You see, this is a very special day, it’s our youngest granddaughter’s birthday. This afternoon, all three of our youngest grandkids will be coming for a sleepover. I love being a Bestamor.

I don’t imagine that God has photo albums; He doesn’t need them. We are always present in His thinking. From the day we accept Christ as our Saviour and become a part of His family He takes special interest in us, He even knows the number of hairs on our head.

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. 7 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

8 “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.” Luke 12:6-8 NLT

Even before we accepted Christ He loved us.

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:6-8 NLT

Do you see that? Willing to die. There’s a common expression, “that’s to die for”. It’s used to describe excitement over a new car, a good meal, a vacation – but when God used that expression, He was talking about us.

We are that precious and valuable to Him.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT

As a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother I feel I have a big capacity to love but as much as I love it isn’t even close to the depth of the love God has for us.

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT

May your day be filled with the thought of this very thing, you are loved so deeply that you were “to die for”.

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Letters of Love

Don’t you love getting personalized gifts? Something that was made or designed just for you…

It could be something to wear, eat or decorate with but you know that it is specifically for you. Cards made by your kids, grandkids or your spouse are the most treasured items we have.

Now let me ask you this. When you read the Bible is it just a book that you read because you think you should or is it a personalized love letter that you can’t put down?

If it’s the former let’s change it to the latter. God inspired its writing so He could tell you how much He loves you.

Take this passage in Ephesians 2.

“Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you. 6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. 7 God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done. 8 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9 It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. 10 God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:3-10 CEV

Please go back and read those verses again but this time substitute the words I, my, me for the words we, our, us and you. Now, go back one more time and read it again only this time read it out loud. I want you to hear, really hear, the message of God’s love with your own ears.

Personalize God’s word. Let it sink down deep into your heart and let the Holy Spirit begin to reveal to you just how special you are to your heavenly Father.

“You were (I was) saved by faith in God, who treats us (me) much better than we (I) deserve. This is God’s gift to you (me), and not anything you (I) have done on your (my) own. 9 It isn’t something you (I) have earned, so there is nothing you (I) can brag about.” my paraphrase

I have several different places I read in the Bible each morning. Each of them reminds me of God’s goodness and love. I don’t want to start the day without that being my foremost thought.

“This is how God showed his love to us: He sent his only Son into the world to give us life through him. 10 True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.” I John 4:9-10 ERV

Amen!

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What Great Love!

This morning I was thinking about the events of yesterday. Sending and receiving emails with friends and neighbors. Phone calls with the kids. Truly a day bathed in love.

In all of this I was telling the Lord “I love you dearly”. And then I heard, “why”. Why…why do I love you? The answer that first came to mind was because You are worthy.

Wrong!

We don’t love based on worthiness. If we do, that isn’t true love. We don’t love because we “fall in love” because that would mean we could fall out of love.

In our relationship with the Lord we love because we take on His nature and follow His commandments

“Jesus answered, ‘The most important one (commandment) says: ‘People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. 30 You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.’ 31 The second most important commandment says: ‘Love others as much as you love yourself.’ No other commandment is more important than these.” Mark 12:29-31 CEV

“If we truly love others and live as Christ did in this world, we won’t be worried about the day of judgment. 18 A real love for others will chase those worries away. The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid. It shows that we have not really learned to love. 19 We love because God loved us first.” I John 4:17-19 CEV

Love in its truest form isn’t a verb but a noun. As a verb it would imply action and so if I choose not to act, then I could choose not to love.

However, when I recognize that love is a noun – the name of a person, place or thing, then the only way that love would cease to exist is if the person of love, God Himself, ceased to exist.

So let’s ask the question again. Why do I love you Lord?

Answer: You loved me first and Your love never fails or comes to an end. You gave me Your DNA when I was born again into Your family so I take on Your character and nature and I love.

Thank you Father for being the personification of love – for taking love from an action, making it a person (Christ) and for giving me the command and the ability to be a living example of Your love!

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The Love of God

Did you think I wasn’t coming this morning? A little slow in getting started but I have been having a wonderful time of thought with the Father. This weekend the kids have planned a celebration for our 50th wedding anniversary. I sat here for a long time thinking about that day and the joy it will be this weekend having all the kids and their families here with us to celebrate.

As I sat here thanking the Lord for what He’s done in us and for us over all those years, my heart filled with song – yes, a song. This is only natural since I started singing when I was just tiny, about 3, and songs stay with me. I heard the words

“I will sing of Your love forever, I will sing of Your love forever, I will sing of Your love forever”

T remembered so many verses that tell us that the Lord’s love will endure forever. His love is so great – amazingly unconditional and eternal!

“I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” Psalm 89:2

“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1

“For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 117:2

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” I Chronicles 16:34

“I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.” Hosea 2:19

Did you get that last one? I will betroth you to me forever, the Lord has chosen us as His beloved! Wow – amazing!!

We became His betrothed and He gave up His life for us. He loves us as His own body, He covers us with His strength and protection, He presents us spotless to His Father.

I am so thankful that God knew what He was doing when He brought Dave and I together. His goodness has marked our marriage from the very beginning. We’ve been through some tough times, like all married couples, but God’s faithfulness and goodness have been our strength.

As I look back and remember the preparation for my wedding day, the excitement, the anticipation, the LOVE I put that in context to our relationship with Christ.

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” Psalm 89:1

Let the love of God fill your hearts with great joy!

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Out of Balance

Several days ago, I was working in the resort office and a lady came in to tell me that the washing machine she was using was spinning out of balance.

Immediately my mind went to the commercials of the Maytag repairman that I remember from my youth. It was said he was the loneliest man in the world. Maytag machines were so dependable that they never broke down and so his services were never needed.

But this day we needed him or at least we thought we did. I directed her to one of the other machines, replaced the coins that were used in the machine that was working improperly and put “the guys” to work on it. It is now repaired and functioning correctly.

All of this got me to thinking. What do we do when the issues in our life are no longer in balance and spinning out of control? To answer that question, I found myself turning to the Psalms.

“God remembered us when we were down, His love never quits.
Rescued us from the trampling boot, His love never quits.
Takes care of everyone in time of need. His love never quits.
Thank God, who did it all! His love never quits!” Psalm 136:23-26 MSG

Unlike the Maytag repairman who never has enough to do, God, the Father, never quits. His love endures forever. That phrase is repeated in every one of the 26 verses in this Psalm. God, in His infinite wisdom, knows that the world is out of balance and so He provides us with His love that never quits!

The Apostle Paul asked and answered the question of God’s love and stabilizing influence in this way:

“Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8:37-39 MSG

Nothing – absolutely nothing – will be able to separate us from the love of God. Staying focused on His love will keep us balanced, grounded, secure.

Remember His love is constantly working – His love never quits!

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Is God Real?

Are you honest – really honest? I’ve had people tell me they aren’t sure if God really exists and if He does He sure hasn’t done anything to prove to them that He is real.

My response isn’t one to condemn them but to ask them to be honest with themselves and with God. I ask them to tell God they aren’t sure He exists, but they are willing to let Him show them that He truly is there and that He cares. Then I ask them to be honest enough to admit it when He does.

You see God is big enough to handle any question or situation. If someone really isn’t sure that He exists, God is certainly faithful and loving enough to prove that He does!

I will tell you that He has proven himself to be my loving, gracious, heavenly Father!

“I will tell of your greatness, my God and King. I will praise your name forever and ever.2 I will praise you every day. I will praise your name forever and ever. 3 The Lord is great and deserves all our praise! No one can fully understand his greatness!

4 Each generation will praise you and tell the next generation about the great things you do. 5 Your majesty and glory are wonderful. I will tell about your miracles. 6 People will tell about the amazing things you do, and I will tell everyone how great you are. 7 They will talk about your goodness and sing about your justice. 8 The Lord is kind and merciful, patient and full of love. 9 The Lord is good to everyone. He shows his mercy to everything he made.

10 Lord, all you have made will give thanks to you. Your loyal followers will praise you. 11 They will tell how great your kingdom is. They will tell how great you are. 12 So others will learn about the mighty things you do, about the glory of your kingdom—how marvelous it is!

13 Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. The Lord can be trusted in all that he says. He is loyal in all that he does. 14 The Lord lifts up people who have fallen. He helps those who are in trouble. 15 All living things look to you for their food, and you give them their food at the right time.

16 You open your hands and give every living thing all that it needs. 17 Everything the Lord does is good. Everything he does shows how loyal he is. 18 The Lord is near to everyone who sincerely calls to him for help. 19 He listens to his followers and does what they want. He answers their prayers and saves them.

20 The Lord protects everyone who loves him, but he destroys all who do evil. 21 I will praise the Lord! Let everyone praise his holy name forever and ever!” Psalm 145 ERV

Today is a day to declare the goodness and the glory of God. His kindness is overwhelming, His ways are just and His judgments are true. He is love! I give Him my heart and my praise.

If you know someone who is wondering if God is real tell them to ask Him to show them His love. He will.

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Unending Love

Whether we’re married or single, a couple or alone, this Valentine comes to all of us from the Father above!

We can never truly love or be loved until we experience His marvelous, wonderful, unconditional, life-giving love!

The love we have, give and experience on our own is only a shadowed comparison of the love that He offers us through Christ.

“How great is God’s love for all who worship him? Greater than the distance between heaven and earth! 12 How far has the Lord taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance
from east to west!” Psalm 103:11-12 CEV

We’ll never experience a greater love than that of our heavenly Father.

“But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. 9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger.” Romans 5:8-9 CEV

God the Father proved His great love for us when we were the most unlovely. His love knows no depth, no boundaries.

“Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. 13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. 14 And you are my friends…” John 15:12-14 CEV

Jesus demonstrated His love for us when He willingly chose to die to save us! His love for us brought Him to death and our love for Him brings us to life.

“I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:38-39 CEV

We are loved deeply, unconditionally, sincerely and eternally. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Love Forgives & Forgets

Love is… patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not inappropriate or selfish. Love is hopeful, faithful. Love forgives and forgets. Love never fails!

Love is a determination of will; it isn’t a tingling feeling that just overcomes you and leaves you breathless and titillated. It is a lifestyle – one that will stand the test of time when the feelings are nowhere to be found. It is a determination that will overcome hurt and not be selfish.

That’s God’s kind of love. He doesn’t think evil of us when we fail and He doesn’t keep count of the things we’ve done wrong but He looks to see what we’re doing right and always, always thinks the best of us.

One day, I heard the Lord speak so loudly in my heart that I thought others could probably hear it. I was correcting one of the kids and in my frustration found myself bringing up a past infraction; one that they had already been disciplined for. As I did, I felt the Lord say – “I don’t bring up your past. I forget all your sins and shortcomings and I only think the best of you. Don’t bring that up again because they are my kids too.” With that I meekly answered “Yes Sir.” Then I had to apologize to my child. I went on to correct what they had done wrong without making them relive their past.

” 4 This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience—it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance. 5-6 Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails. 7-8a Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.” I Corinthians 13:4-8

Thank you Father for forgiving and forgetting and covering me with Your love!

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Unconditional

This morning my mind is filled with memories; a Montana sunrise, an Arizona sunset, snow sparkling on the branches of a fir tree, a baby’s smile, my husband’s blue eyes, a cup of steaming hot coffee, a plate full of rolled tacos with guacamole. Seeing our daughter as she walked down the aisle at her wedding, my oldest daughter and I as we sat in the middle of a mountain stream in our lawn chairs, our son at the helm of his boat, friends gathered on the deck/patio of our home for good bbq; yes, it was quite a way to wake up and start the day!

Then I asked, “Father, all of these images that I see can be described but how do I describe Your love?” For the most part, I’m pretty good with words but when I try to describe God’s love I am seriously at a disadvantage. However, this morning I heard the answer to my question and it was “You just did!”

You see, every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father. Every good thing that we enjoy comes as an outward expression of God’s love; that’s the way He has always been and that’s the way He’ll always be!

In every circumstance and situation that I live, I can sense the love of God and know that He is there because God is LOVE!

“In the past God spoke to our people through the prophets. He spoke to them many times and in many different ways. 2 And now in these last days, God has spoken to us again through his Son. He made the whole world through his Son. And he has chosen his Son to have all things. 3 The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God’s nature, and he holds everything together by his powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3

Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was to bring God’s love to each and every one of us. He brought the message that God isn’t mad at us and that God desires to have relationship with us – a real, where-the-rubber-meets-the-road, every day, I’m always here type of relationship.

I’m not saying that everything will be perfect in our lives because our lives aren’t perfect! But I do know that in the imperfect, trying, challenging, frustrating, ugly times of our lives that God is always there and He doesn’t abandon us! He’s always there to offer comfort, help, wisdom, peace and joy even in the midst of our storms. God is love!

Jesus brought comfort to those who had lost family and friends to death, He brought compassion to the prostitute, food to the hungry, wine to the wedding, sanity to the demonic and love and forgiveness to all.

“You know about Jesus from Nazareth. God made him the Messiah by giving him the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went everywhere doing good for people. He healed those who were ruled by the devil, showing that God was with him.” Acts 10:38

The experiences we hold most dear are tangible expressions of God’s unconditional love for us!

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