Sometimes we just need to be loved-on a little!

Isn’t that true?

So often, reading and absorbing God’s Word brings conviction – and rightly so  – of those things in my life that I need to confess, stop, start, or change. That’s exactly how it should be. His Word is a Sword that penetrates and cuts out and cleanses. But every once in a while… I’ll come upon a passage of Scripture that captures my heart and mind in such a way that I’m left wide-eyed and speechless ~ and a huge smile is spread across my face.

That happened to me on Saturday. God re-declared to me just how much He loved me for “me.” Not for what I can do for Him. Not for the influence I have on anyone else. Not even for how much I love Him. It wasn’t about me at all. He opened my eyes and reminded me of the simplest of Scriptural Truths: God is Love… and He loves me! {And the truth of it is… Nothing I could ever do is any better than filthy rags before Him.  Nothing “deserves” His love.}

Now, I “know” that God loves me. I “see” that God loves me. I “feel” that God loves me. I “taste” God’s love every. single. day. But on Saturday, it was a fresh revelation. One that I didn’t even know I needed. I wasn’t feeling particularly unloved. I wasn’t searching for reassurance of God’s love… I was just having my morning meal in His Word and He blessed me with this reminder.

I haven’t felt too well lately.  For the past 6 weeks, I’ve battled a lot of “digestive area” pain, which has left me quite fatigued and often out of commission.  It has changed the way I’ve been able to live “normal” life.  On top of that, the “what if’s” have loomed in the back of my mind.  But God…  God continues to remind me not to “go there” – and that my present job – especially when I can not do much else –  is to obey Him today and trust Him for tomorrow.  (I had some tests done last week and am awaiting the results and treatment now.  I’m really OK, but any prayers you would lift on my behalf will always be valued and appreciated!)

I said all of that to say this:

Re-Absorbing the Truth that God loves me – not only when I am obedient to Him or serving Him and being a good little girl – but even when I am doing absolutely nothing that contributes to anyone or anything – that Truth felt like being wrapped in a warm-right-out-of-the-dryer- comfy silk robe on a chilly night.   It enveloped me, and once again, He captured my heart.   I had been on “auto-pilot” in my walk with Him, certainly enjoying the ride and the taking in the view – but on Saturday, it was as if my Heavenly Daddy lifted His little girl’s face and said something like this – in that loving, fatherly tone:

‘Look at Me. What I’m saying to you is true, and you need to be reminded of this.  I love you.  Period.  I loved you before you did a thing in My name.  I love you when you flat out disobey Me and break My heart.  I love you.  I love you.  I love you now, and I always will.  Just let me love on you today.’

No correction this time. Not that it wasn’t needed… it just wasn’t the conversation for conviction.  In that lone moment in God’s Word, the Holy Spirit burned an old Truth into my fleshy heart, and I remain in awe and deep gratitude.

I long for you to receive the same message today.  As I type these passages,  I will be praying for YOU.  I’m thinking that some of you dear friends need a gentle reminder of just how much you are loved by the Father. {And some of you don’t even know that you need it.}

“Lord, Jesus, How grateful we are for Your love ~ and how sorry I am to so often take You and Your love for granted.  Please forgive me, and help me not to ever again lose that awe of being loved by You.  I ask in your Name:  will you please wrap your arms around each reader and warm each heart with your love and a special awareness of your presence in each life today?  Thank you!  I gratefully give you every speck of all that is due you.  Thank you that you love based on YOU – and not us.  I love you Lord.  Thank you for loving me.”

May God’s love wash over you in a fresh way as you read His declaration over you in His Word.  In the text, I’ve replaced the “you/us” with the words “me/I” –  making it as personal for you as possible.  Read and soak in these reminders of God’s love.

from Ephesians 2:4-9 and Ephesians 1:3-8

“But God – so rich is He in His mercy!

Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved me, even when I was dead (slain) by my own shortcomings and trespasses, He made me alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; He gave me the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for it is by grace (His favor and mercy which I did not deserve) that I am saved (delivered from judgement and made partakers of Christ’s salvation)….

For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that I am saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through my faith. And this salvation is not of myself of my own doing, it came not through my own striving, but it is the gift of God; Not because of works… least I should boast. It is not the result of what I can possibly do, so I can’t pride myself in it or take glory for myself.

For I am God’s own handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew that I may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for me taking paths which He prepared ahead of time, that I should walk in them living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for me to live.”

(from Eph. 2:4-9 AMP and adapted)

“…Jesus Christ, the Messiah Who has blessed me in Christ with every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm!

Even as in His love, He chose me, actually picked me out for Himself as His own in Christ before the foundation of the world, that I should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.

For He forordained me (destined me, planned in love for me) to be adopted (revealed) as His own child through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will because it pleased Him and was His kind intent – so that I might be to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy) which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

In Him I have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of my offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, which He lavished upon me in every kind of wisdom and understanding (practical insight and prudence)…”

(from Eph. 1:3-8 AMP and adapted)

My favorite line?  “Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us…”

Just as we (at least these days – I do…) crave to love on little babies or precious puppies, God craves to love on us. Will you let Him pour His love over you today?