Related Biblical Scriptures *Psalm 139 * Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for goodto them that love God, to them who are the calledaccording to his purpose“
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” …..
To simply make light of another one’s plight
Is like leaving them out in the rain
But from 0-10, we’re told to say “When”
So the doctor can find the pain
~
While one may get by, another may cry
Not everyone is the same
The soul is a place where we all need grace
Again and again and again
~
One soul may carry a load today
And then shed that load tomorrow
But what of the one who beneath the same
Also carries a load of sorrow
~
Some may be feeble, some may be strong
Some may be slow, or may speed
God knows how much each person can bear
And can help at our point of need
~
He knows our fears .. He bottles our tears
And encourages us to be strong
Forever to put our trust in Him
Believing it won’t be long
~
So whatever it is, whether great or small
Let’s listen with hearts of love
For “Blessed are the merciful” Jesus said
For they’ll have the same from above
Jesus said: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7)
_____________________________________
One person’s sufferings may look light to another,
and in their eyes be minimised,
but who knows the whole picture? Only God.
He knows the capacity ~ because He made the container.
He offers hope to help us cope.
In these trying times in which we live, there is Someone to Whom we can turn…God, our Heavenly Father. He is faithful and true.. able to sustain us, to carry us through – whatever may be the storm in our life, whether literal, emotional, spiritual, psychological, etc. GOD is our refuge and strength.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for your kindness and mercy towards us always. Help us in these difficult days to allow You to be our refuge and our strength. At times, we feel so weak, but You are strong always. Thank You that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we cannot depend upon ourselves, thank You that we CAN depend on You. May our faith and trust in You, and Your holy Word, grow day by day, through Christ Jesus our Lord. Thank You Lord, Amen.
Blessings and love always dear friends
Christine ~
Can we forgive the yesterdays in each other?
Times gone by, when faults and sins were seen?
Have we a heart that’s melted by the Father?
One that knows it too was cleansed from sin?
~
Can we see the best in our sisters and brothers?
Or do we only see through yesterday’s eyes?
There is a better way, that’s like no other
And if we choose to follow, we’ll be wise
~
It’s the way called “Love”; it’s a heart that can forgive
It’s the way called “Love”; it’s the way that Jesus lived
And if we too, ourselves, would be forgiven
Then the way called “Love” is the way we should be living
~
If we choose that way, through faith in Christ our Saviour
Surrendering each day our will to Him
Then the fruit of love will show in our behaviour
And by and by, that love, more souls may win.
–oO0–
It’s encouraging and reassuring to know that what may seem hard for us is possible through the power of Christ, as we surrender our lives to Him. When He is Lord of our lives, all things are possible. It’s a daily walk, not just a one-time surrender. Self always seeks to reign, but as we deny that self and follow Jesus, His love in our hearts enables us – gives us the power to love and forgive. Oh we sure do need it! We surely do (I do!) and because it IS possible, Jesus taught His disciples about it. It helps when we realise that we too – in our imperfection – need forgiveness and, in His love, God forgives us when we humbly come to Him in repentance.
Through Christ, we can do all things (see Philippians 4:13).
Of love, Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13: 34)
Of forgiveness, we read, in the Lord’s prayer: “‘…And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one’.. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you,
your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6: 12-15)
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.
Inspirational poems. Children's poems. Christian song lyrics and recorded songs. Personalized poems. Encouragement for the hurting. Sharing the love of God. THIS IS AN AWARD FREE BLOG.
Christine's Poetry & Reflections 