A Marvelous Love

God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending Jesus to suffer and die so we could enter into religion.  He sent Jesus in order for us to enter into a relationship with him.  God’s biggest desire is for us to know him as a loving father who would do anything to spend time with his kids.   After all, he didn’t make us robots that mindlessly carry out lists of tasks.  God created us to be the objects of his love.    

His love for us isn’t based on our performance or whether or not we love him back.   He just loves his kids because we are his kids.  And what an wonderful, amazing and marvelous thing it is to be called a child of God!

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!  Just look at it—we’re called children of God!

1 John 3:1 (MSG)

The Love of God

I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you.  Ephesians 3:18-19

The Apostle Paul prayed for the saints at Ephesus, that they would know the amazing dimensions of Jesus’ love for them.  Why not pray it for yourself?  I fully believe that if you get even a tiny glimpse of the love of his for you, you will be stronger and more powerful than anything that can possibly come against you. 

How to walk in victory

‘But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’. 1 Corinthians 15:57

More than anything else in life, a Christian needs to walk in victory.  But sometimes victory seems to akin to a mirage in the desert, especially when you are going through tough times.  However, God is not asking you to create your own victory nor struggle alone in the wilderness. 

I reckon God is asking us to stay close to him. He wants to pour words of love into each of our hearts and sing songs of love over each of our lives.  

But how do we do we hear him when everything else in the world screams for our attention? 

I believe we need to ask the Holy Spirit to give us ears to hear his voice and eyes to see his presence in our lives.  We also need to be intentional about worshiping Jesus and spending time with him in prayer.  And it’s about recognising that we need Jesus to stand up for us when we can’t stand up for ourselves. 

When we walk with Jesus in our everyday lives, then we walk in victory everyday.

God's Masterpiece

 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

I’m not an artist but I really admire works of art and the creativity behind them. 

When you think about it, a painting doesn’t have to actually do anything to earn the love of the artist. The artist doesn’t love it because it receives a special award or earns him money in an auction. No, the artist loves the painting because he created it with his own hands exactly the way he wanted it.

You are God’s greatest masterpiece and you are loved with a passion. All you need to do is remember how loved you are and how free you are to walk in that love.

The Shepherd who loves his sheep

And when he has found it (the sheep), he lays it on his [own] shoulders, rejoicing.  Luke 15:5

Do you ever feel like that you have made too many mistakes or are too much of a sinner for Jesus to even look at you?  I have a suspicion that we all feel like that from time to time.  

One of the stories Jesus told to demonstrate God’s love for the world, was the story of a sheep that got lost and a shepherd who loved him.  When the shepherd realised the sheep was gone, he dropped everything to search for it.  Then, when he found the sheep, he picked it up carried it home.  The little sheep didn’t have to beat his chest or beg for forgiveness...he just had to rest on the shoulders of the shepherd.  And not only that, the shepherd was so happy when he returned home with his found sheep, he had a party.

Next time you feel lost, remember Jesus our loving Shepherd is not only carrying you but he is also celebrating you.

How To Become the Disciple Who Jesus Loves.

I used to think John was Jesus’ favourite disciple, until I realised one day that the phrase ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ is only found in Johns own gospel.    In fact, John called himself ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ or ‘the beloved disciple’ five times.  I’m positive Jesus loved all the disciples but it seemed only John really knew it in his heart because he proudly claimed it as his identity.  

Once you start to get an understanding of what Jesus actually did for you on the cross, it’s natural to want to do as much as you can to show your love for him.  However, I believe God wants us to boast of Jesus’ love for us, rather than our love for him. I’m fully certain he wants each of us to confidently claim “I am the disciple who Jesus loves” just like John. 

Why not try claiming this truth for yourself?  Each morning when you first get out of bed, say “I am the disciple Jesus loves”.  It might feel funny at first, but I’m confident, after just a few days of speaking out Gods love for you, it will sink into your spirit and you will begin to claim your true identity as the beloved disciple.  

If you decide to take up my challenge and start claiming Jesus’ unconditional and boundless love for yourself each day, let me know how you go.