Two days ago I was reading a chapter from my current devotional "Completely Irresistible" (by Shannon Ethridge). It was Chapter 16 titled "Live Loved" and dealt with believing (and living out that belief) that God loves every person individually. The author referenced to John, who was referred to very regularly as 'the one Jesus loved'. In this chapter, the author challenged readers to think about how our belief in Jesus' unconditional love affects our lives. She writes, "The God of the universe loves you--passionately, deeply, tenderly, unconditionally. Once you've got that fact firmly rooted and established in your life, it's going to bear fruit."
I don't know how to put it eloquently, but my life does not reflect this amazing love very well at all. And that's because it isn't a truth that I have an easy time believing. You know the feeling when you KNOW something, say...that gravity is holding you down but it's hard to really understand it. It's just a fact to you. That's sort of how the truth of Jesus's love for me is.
As you might imagine, reading that devotional was pretty hard. I kept thinking, "I believe this, I know this, but how do I really KNOW it and reflect it??" Obviously this is a topic God really wanted to pound into my head, because today I opened up my new favorite book "Come Away My Beloved" (Frances J. Roberts. go buy it.) and read this devotional. I am going to post the entire thing, even if it is only for my benefit.
The Blessings of the Pure in Heart
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." - Matthew 5:8
Is not My heart drawn out toward you to bless you? Have I not said that I would shelter and protect you and be your strong support? Yield your whole being to Me. I am your loving Father. I know your need even before it arises. My provisions are not only sure, but also full and overflowing, so that you may confess with the psalmist, "I shall never want." You will see with a vision denied to many, for your heart is pure, and to the pure of heart is given the promise that they shall see God. How much more glorious than to behold the beauty of a thousand sunsets! How much more thrilling than the sight of the fairest faces ever to grace the earth!
Yes, I shall reveal Myself to you and you shall know Me face-to-face, as Moses did. You shall walk with Me and talk with Me, and I will hold your right hand and be a brother and a friend to you. Yes, in joy I will be an added comfort, and in sorry I will be to you the peace that surpasses understanding.
Do not look to people to tell you more about Me. Look to Me directly, for I will reveal Myself to you in a personal way, in ways no other could tell you. I will be as personal and as dear to you as I was to John, the Beloved. I would take you aside as I did Peter and talk to you of things that concern yourself alone. I am not only the God of congregations, but the God of the individual, and I am as concerned for you as I was for Abraham or Joseph or David.
You are never one of many to Me. You are precious and dear to My heart, yes, even as a very special treasure. For I love you more than you can ever comprehend, and I long to gather you in My embrace and hold you close to My heart. Do not hold Me at arm's length because you have a sense of unworthiness. Have you not read that the redeemed are brought near by the blood of Christ? Your sins are not covered; they are washed away! They are not only forgiven: They are forgotten! Don't hold back My love.
Be as the prodigal when embraced by his father. Though he would have resisted for a moment, he swiftly accepted his father's forgiveness and reciprocated his love and affection.
I, too, would bring you into My house and spread for you a feast of blessings and place upon you the garment of praise, the ring of relationship, and the sandals of peace. Come, for all things are prepared for you and nothing shall be denied.
Thanks for sharing that!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Amy