How he loves us!
What do people mean when they say God loves you? How does it feel to be loved by God? How do I know God loves me and forgives me for all the wrong I have done? These are questions that I asked throughout my teenage years into early adulthood years. Many of us, including myself may have grown up not “feeling loved”. Those who lived feeling rejected, shame, sexually abused, physically abused, suicidal, addicted may still be struggling with the idea of God loving them past all the dirt. If you ever felt like you have no value or importance you may struggle with the idea of not being loved. I know I did. But God is different. His love is different. God’s love is unconditional. His love has no boundaries. God’s love is for everyone...who wants to receive it?
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16
I grew up as the oldest sibling in a home with both of my parents. I did not grow up religious or in a christian home. There were a couple of times I can remember actually stepping into a church, Easter service or something like that. Throughout the years I picked up on other people’s beliefs around me, praying with a rosary or lighting a candle and praying to God. I had heard about God but didn't know anything about him. Like many others, my family went through some rough times. Alcohol, violence and many other things occurred. There were “things” that I witnessed that were traumatic to a child but I was taught to be tough and act like it never happened. There were times that I was called names and degraded that hurt my very being as a young girl but I was taught to forget it and just act like it didn't bother me. I was told I was loved but felt so depressed and hurt that I did not believe it. “If you love me then why did you hurt me?” “If you love me then why did you say that?” This shaped me as a young person into adulthood. Not believing in my very worth because I did not feel loved! I did not feel valued or important. These mindsets were very destructive. This thought process led to bad choices. My choices led to actions that caused more hurt and more pain sometimes to myself and others. I deeply struggled with depression. I struggled with believing that anyone loved me or cared about me for years. If you have any thoughts like these it is time for you to hear the truth of God’s word and silence the voice of the enemy.
I was saved and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior at nineteen years old. I was captivated by a message by Pastor Frank Shoenle at a small non-denominational church about love. He preached about how much God loves us. How love never fails. How love covers a multitude of sin. As a young nineteen year old girl, soon to be a mom, I longed for this love! This is the love I want in my life. This is the love I was missing. This is the type of love that was more than any person on earth would be able to offer me. I want God to love me! I remember walking up to the altar in such desperation for this type of love. As I walked, my knees shook uncontrollably. I felt like my heart was about to jump out of my chest, my vision became so blurry as my eyes quickly filled up with tears streaming down my face. God I don't know you, but I want to know you. God I am a sinner but I want you in my life. God please forgive me for all the wrong I have done to myself and others. I accept Jesus as my lord, your son that you sent down from heaven to die for me because you love me so much! God I need you. God I want this love! I felt a touch from heaven that I have never experienced before and this began the journey of “How he loves me”.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~ John 3:16
God’s love is so great that he sent his one only son to die for us. God’s love is so great that he grants us a chance to repent and be forgiven for our sins so that we can spend eternal life with him. God’s love is so great that on those days where the pain was unbearable he sent his holy spirit to comfort me and give me strength. God’s love is so great that it cast out ALL fear and anxieties. God’s love is so great that he is always with us, never leaving us nor forsaking us. God’s love is for everyone who wants to receive it. God loves you because it is who he is and what he does. Once I accepted Jesus into my heart my journey of loving and forgiving others began. I could not do this on my own. I was too hurt. The Holy Spirit drew me into a deeper relationship with Christ, thirsty for his word, he filled me up. He took all the hurt and shame and replaced it with love and forgiveness. This was a process of inner healing. God loves us so much that he wants to heal all your emotional and physical wounds! He wants to heal the broken and restore relationships. He wants to love you with an everlasting love!
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3
God draws us to his love. Once you have accepted Jesus into your heart and accept him as your lord and savior your relationship with God begins. You allow God to enter into your heart and become part of your life. You accept his unconditional love. You don’t have to earn it. You don't have to deserve it...you just have to accept him! Once you accept him, now you have to accept that you are loved! You are not worthless. You are not a mistake. You are not abandoned. You are good enough! Replace all the lies of the enemy that you have believed about yourself with the Truth and Promises of God’s word! Read the Gospel of John as he writes more about love in action. It is Jesus’ mission to make the love of God known to the world…and so is mine!
Prayer: Father I pray for any lady who comes across this reading, that you may touch her where she is at. That you may pour down your love on her and draw her closer to you! I pray she accepts your love and allows your love to pour through her onto those around her. Lord I pray you heal any broken heart, I pray you heal any negative suicidal thoughts of shame and guilt. I pray against the enemies lies and deception that you may replace that with your true promises. I pray she strive to have an intimate relationship with you falling in love with your presence daily. Thank you lord for your son. Thank you lord for your unconditional love. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10
