I am loved by God...
Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD appeared to us in the past,
saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with
loving-kindness."
Romans 8:38,39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 3:17-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and
established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how
wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love
that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the
fullness of God.
I John 4:16-19 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 him. In this
way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day
of judgment, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The
one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved
us.
Encouragement
for Today/KPRZ
March 12, 2010
With All My
Heart
Zoe Elmore
"’I'm giving this to you with all my heart, Daddy.’ Annie
spoke those words as she handed her daddy the wrapped gift. Dan opened the gift
to find a small cardboard box, the lid had been torn off, mailing label still
attached and a rubber band had been secured to fashion a handle. Dan scooped up
his daughter in his arms and thanked her for his birthday gift promising to
carry his new lunch box to work the very next day. Dan was true to his word and
proudly carried the new lunch box to work the very next day.
“Now how many people would actually carry their lunch to the
office in a tattered and torn cardboard box? Talk about showing your love with
your life in a world where talk is cheap and we value appearances over
promises! Dan's tender act of love toward his daughter touched my heart and
brought this verse to mind.
“1 John 4:16, ‘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 him’ (NIV).
“While Dan's new lunch box fell apart within a day or two, Dan's
love for his daughter is real, personal and lasting just like the love God has
for us. God's love sees beyond our brokenness and sin and transforms our
tattered and torn lives into something beautiful and precious.
“Our heavenly Father's love is not based on appearance or gender,
education or wealth; it's based on one thing: Love. It is God's very nature to
love. It is the love of self-sacrifice. God proved His sacrificial love
by sending His Son Jesus to die on a cross to pay the penalty for our sin. God
draws us to Himself by forgiving us of our rebellion against Him, and by
sending His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. God did this in spite of the fact
that we did not deserve it. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in
this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, NIV).
“God's love is personal. He knows each of us individually and
loves us personally with all His heart. His love is a mighty love that has no
beginning and no end. Why does God love us? It is because of who He is: ‘God is
love.’
“If you're longing for the personal and individual love of a
father and have never experienced the deep, rich, immeasurable love of God I
encourage you to stop and follow these five simple steps.
“1. Admit your sin and your need for a Savior.
“2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent)
“3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you.
“4. Through Prayer, receive Him as your personal Lord and Savior.
“5. Surrender your will to His, and ask Him to help you trust and
obey His ways.
“Dear Lord, I believe You are the Son of God. Thank You for dying
on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of
eternal life. I ask You into my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. In
Jesus' Name, Amen.”
What a sweet reminder of how God sees us – as His beloved
child! When we do anything in His name – when we choose to do what’s
right – when we honor Him in obedience, we’re like little Annie, giving our
Daddy the best gift we can offer. And like Annie’s father, God is blessed
by our efforts, no matter how meager! What are you doing to show God how
much you love Him today? Is there an area of your life – your heart –
that needs to be surrendered? Do it now – give it as a gift to the One
who will always love you! Sharon
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