“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1
“Christianity is not primarily a moral code but a grace-laden mystery, it is not essentially a philosophy of love but a love affair; it is not keeping the rules with clenched fists but receiving a gift with open hands.” Brennan Manning
- Get a drink, pen, and your Bible. Find a comfortable place to sit and allow God to fill you with His love this morning!
- Psalm 100:4 “ Enter his gates with thanksgiving…” Write three things that you are thankful for in your journal.
- Read Ephesians 3:14-21 and I John 4:7-21.
God Is Love
In college, my English professor gave our class the assignment to write a term paper on a classic book. You can’t have a more “classic” book than the Bible. I chose to write on the theme of love from the Bible, and it was the only time I actually enjoyed writing a college paper. I enjoyed it because the assignment forced me to dig into God’s Word and discover what it said about His love. The more you study God’s love, the more your heart is filled with His goodness and love!
The Creator of the universe loves you…exactly who you are, with all your faults and inadequacies—He thinks you are worthy of love!
Becoming a mom helped me understand God’s love even more than before. Having children opens up a new kind of love: a sacrificial love. I had no idea I could love someone who requires so much of me. But that’s when I began to see how much God loves me. He literally gave everything for me, even His life. I can see how He still loves me when I mess up because I love my children that way. I’m disappointed when they choose wrong because I want the very best for them. I hurt for them and with them, but my love for them doesn’t change.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)
Though I understood love a little bit better after becoming a mother, the love I have for my children doesn’t compare to the love God has for us. God’s love transcends human love. God’s love is unconditional—not based on His feelings or our actions. He doesn’t love us because we’re lovable or because we make Him feel good; He loves us because He is love.
Take a minute and learn from your children. Matthew 11:25 says, “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’”
There are certain things our children understand that we do not. Children never turn down a gift. You hand them something, and they receive it immediately, with no questions asked! They don’t wonder if they’ve earned it or if they deserve it. They just take it. We must learn from our children and receive God’s love like that. It’s a gift! Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
God’s not in love with a future version of you; He is in love with you just as you are. Receive His love today!
Blessings and Love,
Kathryn
Questions to Ponder
- What is love according to 1 John 4:10?
- How did God show us His Love according to 1 John 4:9?
- How big is God’s love according to Psalm 36:5?
Faith-Filled Ideas
If you are having a hard time accepting or understanding God’s love, pray Ephesians 3:17-21 over yourself each morning. You may also want to read The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Begin to search the Scriptures for what it says about love. Read each verse and let the truth of God’s Word fill your heart with peace and love.
God so desperately wants you to rest in His love. He wants you to live your life knowing you are loved. Close your eyes and allow that to sink in. Imagine yourself curled up in your Father’s lap. Listen to Him tell you that He loves you. Do that now. Close your eyes and bask in his love.
Now go about your day knowing you are loved and showing that love to your family.
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