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May
Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make
His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in
love and founded securely on love, that you may have
the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp
with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that
love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
[That you may really come] to know [practically, through
experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far
surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be
filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God
[may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become
a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! Eph. 3:17-19 AMPC
Here's a
topic for us to think seriously about. We all know how we should love
God first with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We also know
that loving others like ourselves is the second greatest commandment.
But how many of us REALLY experience the love of God for ourselves
like we should? It seems easy enough to love the lovable people in
our lives and not so easy to love the not so easy to love people, but
what about ourselves? I mean, do we really see ourselves in the love
of God that is fully and completely in our Lord Jesus? Do we see
ourselves as so precious that He would die for us and go to hell for
us if we were the only person on the planet??
Do we
love ourselves enough to give ourselves a break from unrealistic
expectations? At 69 years old, I have to be transparent and admit
that loving me like God does has been a task that I have not yet
mastered. However, that said, I'm getting help with that and as I get
help and become victorious over that mountain in my life, I always
look to share it with others. For it is through our experience,
strength and hope that we can comfort others with the comfort we
ourselves have received from God.
One of
the ways the devil gets a grip on us is when we have unforgiveness in
our hearts, and that includes unforgiveness of oneself. If you or
someone you know has ever struggled with this, I am here to tell you
there is help. The Word of God is the lamp to our feet and the light
to our path, and as we explore the riches of His Word which never
fails, we will see His undying, never ending love wrapped in the very
pages of the scriptures.
Today's
opening verse is a plea for the people of God to really KNOW the love
of God that is in Christ. Once we get a real grip on this love, we
can rest, be calm and comforted deeply in our inner man, knowing that
no matter what we have ever done or will do, nothing can ever
separate us from the love of God that is in His Son Jesus! Nothing!
So stop
and think of the person you love more than anyone in your life. Think
about how you feel when you think that nothing they could ever do
would stop you from loving them. Then think about the Lord our God
and Father. His love is far more perfect and complete than any human
love, and when we start to think anything less of ourselves, we can
stop and remember that when God looks at us, He sees His Son Jesus.
It's a perfect, unending, "I'm your Daddy in heaven" kind
of love that will one day wipe away all tears and human struggles.
So the
next time you want to crucify yourself for a mistake or seeming
failure, pick yourself up, dust off your Bible and get in there and
see the greatest love any person can ever know. Remember how special
you are to God. Now be that special to yourself. Myself, I am going
to really practice that this year and I plan to be successful at it.
How about you? Be blessed! We love you very much!
If
you want to partner with our ministry, you may go to our website and
click on the "donate" button. All contributions are tax
deductible and will be used to help us reach more people with more.
Our
blog is reaching people all over the world! God is sending His Word
out to the nations! Be blessed and filled dear friend and pass this
message along to others. Let us know how we can pray for you.
We
love you so much!
Denny
& Hanny Stearns
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