As I meditated on the precious love of God, I began to get carried away in deep thought about the vastness of His love and just wanted to share these reflections with you …….
We’ve probably all experienced unrequited love in one way or another – through friends, loved ones, etc. Many of us know what that feels like and how painful it is – giving love, opening the door of our hearts, hoping for relationship, only to experience coldness or rejection – and so does God, especially as He has oceans of love for us.
Even if we have a relationship with God, through Christ, sometimes our erring ways can cause us to actually move away from Him, from that close fellowship we should have, because we know He is holy, and when we fall short we feel we have failed Him .. yet again.
It can be the case that instead of running TO Him, we may find ourselves missing out on those special times of closeness in His presence. The love of God, being unfathomable and pure, reaches out to us in mercy. Again and again, He lovingly calls us to draw near to Him, in so many ways: perhaps through a song, a word of scripture, encouragement from a friend, a sermon, even through circumstances. God patiently waits … with oceans of love … but are we always aware?
There have been seasons in my faith life when things were going along nice and smoothly, then, at some point, a situation may occur in which I felt I’d failed God again in one way or another, and (feeling defeated) would think to myself, `He must be tired of me constantly coming back for forgiveness’. As my relationship with Him grew, however, I became reassured by the reminder that it wasn’t any good that I had done that made me acceptable to God – but the righteousness of Jesus alone. Thank You Lord!
We are encouraged in scripture to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NKJV). We are saved by grace through faith, and not by our own works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Although we are saved FOR good works, we’re not saved BY them. When we realise this, we can not only ask for forgiveness when we’re in the wrong, but can forgive ourselves and others too. It’s all about the life of Jesus being lived through us. It’s all about Him, not us! Through the everlasting love of God, that same saving grace is available to us for daily living.
When Jesus sacrificed His life for us on the cross, He paved the way for those special words that He uttered to be fulfilled – “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). The transaction was done in terms of God. He “SO loved the world that He gave ..” (John 3:16). God’s oceans of love caused Him to give. He did His part. After that, it was our turn to respond to His gift, so that we could experience this forgiveness and the vastness of His love.
It’s continually our turn to respond to His heart of love which extends beyond the cross, however. As we seek to follow the Lord in our daily walk, we can experience more and more the reality of His love, and continual cleansing and forgiveness, because of our fellowship with Him (1 John 1:7-9). His sacrifice makes us acceptable; His perfection covers our imperfection.
Against the many distractions, trials, temptations and struggles in our journey with God, His eternal and holy love beckons us to keep on coming. God is love ~ rich and free. Love calls us ~ love awaits us. Isn’t that precious?! Tears fill my eyes just to think about this fact. That love is unconditional, forgiving, full of mercy, continually reaching out to all the world, looking for an inlet into human hearts. What a treasure we have in our hearts as believers!
Prayer: Thank You Heavenly Father for your fathomless oceans of love, shown to us through Jesus, Your Son, in His sufferings, death and resurrection. Thank You that this precious love made it possible for us to draw near to You, to come before Your throne and find all our needs met, because of Your heart of mercy and forgiveness. May the love You continually show .. fill our hearts daily, and may that love be poured out through us to others also ~ for Your glory and praise, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Here is a beautiful song about the love of God (a song I love) written by Graham Kendrick entitled “Such Love” …..
Happy New Year dear friends!! As each New Year begins, while we look ahead to the new things God has in store, it’s good for us to look back with thankfulness. I would not be where I am today without Him. Through the years, the Lord has been my rock. Just wanted to share this poem of gratitude ~ one of those He blessed me to publish in my book, “Forever Grateful”. Thank You Lord!
Just Want to Say Thanks
I looked through the window of life each day
When the burdens were great and I hardly could pray
If someone would ask of me how I fared
With an answer, I’d smile, but I just couldn’t share
When the tears wouldn’t cease and I felt I had failed
You came through with peace, Your kindness prevailed
You lifted me, Lord, and helped me to stand
On a rock, and You sheltered me there with Your hand
Your Holy Spirit brought comfort and peace
In the midst of my sorrow and gave me relief
Of the pain and the anguish that weighed like a stone
You always were there, I was never alone
Oh Jesus I love You, I love You so much!
So precious to me is Your comforting touch
Your wonderful peace, You always impart
Just want to say “Thanks”, from a grateful heart –o0o–
Tenderly, You look into my eyes
Lovingly, You help me to arise
And when I hear the words You speak to me
You banish all my fears and I am free
In all my yesterdays, I’ve seen Your hand
And all along, You’ve helped me Lord to stand
Lord, I can face each day because of You
Propelled by love that’s faithful, kind and true
When burdens weighed me down and heavy loads
You gave me grace and strength along the road
You bid me hand them all to You in prayer
What peace I felt when, at last, I left them there
A day is coming, take heart, dear friend A day when trouble at last shall end When Christ shall gather together His own To be with Him ever in heaven’s sweet home
When sorrowful tears He will wipe all away When pain shall cease in that endless day When loved ones again will see one another Fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers
Aunts and uncles, daughters and sons Grands and greats, everyone! Where there will no more be clouds of the night Where Christ, the heavenly Lamb, is the light
Where joy and gladness forever will reign When Jesus our Saviour shall come back again Keep walking with Jesus and never give in Each day, He’ll give you the grace to win
That day is coming. Look up and be strong Hold on to the end, for it won’t be long! -oOo–
Just sharing again this poem from my book “Comfort & Hope”
which I pray may bring comfort to the hearts
of those suffering the pain of loss and grief
~ God bless you ~
We all go through difficult days of testing, when our faith is tried. Perhaps we don’t always come out on top. I’ve had many of those! But I’m so glad for the precious word of God that never fails and is always there to encourage and uplift. I’m so glad that it’s not about me, it’s all about Jesus. Just as parents, if our children falter, we don’t disown them, they are still our children. In the same way, if we falter, we are still God’s children. He still loves us. We only need to bring our need before Him. and allow Him to be enthroned in our hearts again .. to be our focus. Thank You Jesus for your unfathomable love. I wrote this poem in 2015 and …well, I recently had to read it again, for myself!!
~ Sometimes ~
Sometimes we live by feelings
And thoughts we often think
Sometimes we lose sight of the Master
Like Peter, we start to sink
Sometimes we’re plagued with worry
And thrown in disarray
Sometimes disorientated,
When trials come our way.
Sometimes misunderstood, When trying to do what’s right, We realise that the battle Of faith is a spiritual fight But God is saying “Arise
and shine for your Light has come
Don’t see with natural eyes
LOOK UP and see my Son
Remember, I am with you My Spirit dwells within There is no need to fear In Me, you’ll always win Just speak the words I gave you Don’t ever be dismayed My words of life will save you I heard the prayers you prayed
Though you may go through trials No storm can stop my love In Me, You will have peace The peace that’s from above I love you in the sunshine I love you in the rain Keep trusting Me, dear child I’ll help you stand again”
Dark days can never hide Him His power and love break through The sun cannot outshine Him He’s faithful, pure and true When “sometimes” comes around again To throw your soul off track Look up, for the Lord will help you To take your victory back.
There’s a love that’s so precious, so dependable and unfailing
and this poem is about that love … written like a love letter from heaven …
~Mine Is The Love~
Mine is the love that stands through time A love that never fails. Upon the cross, My love lived on Although My hands were nailed The pangs of death and hell could not Prevent love’s burning fire To see you whole again has been My Father’s great desire
I rose again, for death could not Obliterate this love And now the way is open to My Father’s throne above Each day that passes by, I see The longing of your heart It’s My desire to comfort you And My love to impart
You’re precious and I long to give you Everlasting peace And reassure you daily that My mercies never cease. Mine is the love that stands through time O come to Me, dear soul Receive My precious love, sublime That never will grow old –oOo–
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends” (John 15:13)
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God bless you dear friends at this Easter season, and beyond, as we remember the greatness of God’s love, through what Jesus did for us in order to give us the chance of a restored relationship with God.
A poem of comfort … based on the words of Jesus in John 14:27, John 16:33 and Matthew 28:20. Time is rolling along fast. Things are happening everywhere, just as the Lord forewarned. The darkness is increasing, but let’s arise and shine! Let’s hold onto the words of our Saviour, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, in this world of tribulation. Be encouraged, dear friend. He promised all who believe that He would never leave us or forsake us. Precious Lord .. fill our hearts with Your peace ~ Amen.
~ ~ ~ This poem, and many more poems of encouragement, are published in my 2nd book of poetry “COMFORT & HOPE” available from Amazon (ISBN-10: 1500139696)
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Christine's Poetry & Reflections 