The Love of God

Published on: by GHCC1 Category:Uncategorized

The love of God is the most amazing and powerful love that exists. It is the love that created the universe and everything in it. It is the love that sustains and guides all of creation. It is the love that sent Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, to die on the cross for our sins and to rise again to give us eternal life. It is the love that offers us forgiveness, grace, mercy, peace, joy, and hope. It is the love that never fails, never gives up, never runs out on us.

Human love, on the other hand, is often limited and imperfect. It is influenced by our emotions, feelings, desires, expectations, and circumstances. It can change, fade, or end. It can be selfish, conditional, or manipulative. It can be hurtful, disappointing, or abusive. It can be influenced by sin, fear, pride, or envy.
The Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:81). This means that love is not just something that God does, but something that God is. His love is part of His nature and character. He loves us because He is love, not because we are lovable. He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:32) that does not depend on our performance, behavior, or response.

He loves us with a sacrificial love (Romans 5:83) that gave up His most precious gift, His Son, for our sake. He loves us with a transforming love (2 Corinthians 5:174) that makes us new creations in Christ. He loves us with a faithful love (Lamentations 3:22-23) that never changes or ends.

The Bible also tells us that we are to love God and love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). This means that we are to reflect God’s love in our lives and relationships. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as we want to be loved. We are to love others with a selfless love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) that puts their needs above our own.

We are to love others with a forgiving love (Ephesians 4:32) that does not hold grudges or seek revenge. We are to love others with a humble love (Philippians 2:3-4) that does not boast or look down on others. We are to love others with a pure love (1 Peter 1:22) that does not lust or defile.

However, we cannot love God or others on our own. We need God’s help and grace to love as He loves. We need to receive His love first, and then share it with others. We need to abide in His love, and let His love abide in us. We need to pray for His love to fill our hearts and overflow to others. We need to follow His example and commands to love. We need to grow in His love and let His love grow in us.

My prayer for you today is that this helps you understand the difference between God’s love and human love.

Scriptural Reading:1 John 1:9; John 3:16; John1:12; Romans: 3:23; 6:23; Hebrews: 9:27; Romans: 5:8; Ephesians 2:8,9; Revelations 3:21; 1 John 5:11,12; Romans 3:10

Expectancy

Published on: by GHCC1 Category:Uncategorized

The Old Testament guides us in Jeremiah 29:4-11 and Proverbs 3:5-7.
As the calendar year comes to a close, we naturally enter a season of reflection. Our reflections of the past year may bring a spectrum of emotions such as: joy, happiness, excitedness, or perhaps, sorrow, disappointment, or defeat. Most likely, these emotions are rooted from major events and experiences. With emotions running high, we all conclude our reflection with a “What’s next?” state of mind–a season of expectancy.

It is in a season of expectancy that we are to practice patience, vigilantly. Every event, every emotion is of the plan of God. Jeremiah 29:4-11 is an illustration of the Lord making promises to relieve the Exiles, in His own time. In conclusion, God promises His people, “When 70 years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm My promise concerning you to restore you to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:10-11.

His plans are not to be understood by man. His plans are more mighty than our imaginations. Seeking to understand the plan of God is not His intention for us. This lesson is taught to us through Proverbs 3:5-7.”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”

Patiently await the Lord to unveil His plan for you. For this plan is far greater than any plan we could possibly create for ourselves.