Friday, April 17, 2009

Unbelievable Love

by Cindi Wood

Today's Truth
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1 John 3:1 (NKJV)

Friend to Friend
Last week our boys came home. They are grown, married, and live hours away from us, so it was a BIG DEAL that they were coming home for the weekend. The entire week before, I was busy preparing their rooms, shopping for little surprises, baking their favorite foods, and just pretty much consumed with the thought that we'd all be together having fun and just hanging out for an entire weekend. And that, we did! We bowled, ate out, ate in, stayed up late, played games, and sat in the den talking and laughing. For two and a half days, our entire purpose for being seemed to be enjoying each other's company. As we locked hands in prayer before they headed back home to their wives, my heart was about to burst with the wonder of love. Through blurred vision, their dad and I watched them drive away. "It's hard to believe how much I love them so deeply, so unconditionally, just deep down in the core of my being," I said.

Then God spoke softly to my heart. "That's how I love you, but more!"

It really is hard for us to believe God loves us unconditionally, isn't it? How can a perfect and holy God love someone like me? I am learning a valuable and life-changing truth. God does not love us because He is so lovable, friend. He loves us because He is love!

Today, celebrate the fact that you are a child of God, a son or daughter of the King -- and you are loved.

Let's Pray
O Father, I just can't get my mind around Your love. As deep as my love is for my boys, it's unfathomable to me that Your love is deeper. But I know it is. You love me -- even me, with all my junk, my failures, my sins, and my messes. You love me deeply, unconditionally, and from the core of Your being. You are God. You are love. And Lord, my heart bursts with love for You. Thank You, oh thank You!

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Precious friend, it's important that you accept the reality of God's love - for YOU! You may feel unlovable, unworthy, unclean, and undeserving -- but that does not negate His love. He loves you because you are His creation. Right now, you may pray this simple prayer to God your Creator. Dear God, I don't understand how you could love me, but I accept the fact that You do. Teach me more about Your love so that I may love others in the way You love me.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

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