I am sitting here pondering today, like many before me in the history of this world, the great love God has for us. The Psalmist David often
wrote of God's love and described it in deep and thoughtful terms.
God's love is so far above our thinking or understanding that
putting it in human terms is almost impossible. His love is
everlasting, and never fails.
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies (Psalm 36:5).
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15).
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever (Psalm 136:26).
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
My friends, as I read these verses I am overwhelmed that God would love us at all. We are so fickle, often ignoring him for other interests, and often neglecting our prayer life for days or even devotional time.
As you walk down the street, and make snap judgments about people, I want you to take a second look. God loves the homeless person as much as he does you. He loves all people, every race in the world. He loves the poor, and the rich. His love is abundant and free and the word tells us if we want him, we will find him if we seek him with all our hearts. Proverbs 8:17 God is no respecter of persons, he longs that all of us might come to a saving knowledge, and is speaking to you, calling you by name, and longing for you to have a relationship with him. For this were you created.
But with that great love came a great sacrifice. God loved us so much that he recognized we were sinners, and in need of spiritual cleansing from sins. The only way the Bible ever teaches of atoning for sins was a blood sacrifice. Jesus was born pure, without sin, like a spotless lamb. Born to teach us how to live, and then die to atone for our sins (pay that price for us) , and then rise again to show us we could have eternal life if we received the great salvation of Jesus.
Let me ask you, among your friends, whom do you know that would give up their life for you? Who do you know among your friends that never fails you? Who do you know that you could talk to 24/7 about your problems and get actual guidance that works? Who do you know that constantly loves you and that love never fails?
Read this hymn penned in 1875 by S. Trevor Harris and the music written by Thomas J. Williams:
O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!
My friends, if you have not experienced this love, it is possible today.
It starts as a conversation between you and God. Father God, I have sinned. Please save me from my sins through your son Jesus who loved me and gave himself for me. Cleanse my sins and make me righteous before you. I give you my life, and I will follow you all the days of my life. I will turn away from my sin and my old lifestyle and read your word daily and talk to you and learn of you, and seek to please you first and live as you have called us to live, as disciples, following you always. in Jesus name, Amen.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 ESV
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