IS THERE A GOD OF LOVE?

IS THERE A GOD OF LOVE?

Some days it is difficult to feel God's love for us. Some days it feels there is no God.  At times, we struggle to believe there is a God who loves us and cares about what we are going through.  We cry out to Him, shouting, "God where are you? Why won't you answer me? Where is the love you talk about in your word?"

It says He knows our every struggle and feels all our pain. It says He will never forsake us. But yet, life continues to happen with all its hurts and pains. Often we feel abandoned and even betrayed. We ask, "Where is God is all our trials and pain?"

Yet as we suffer, even every detail of every man's life, who has ever walked on the earth, has not impacted the world as much as the few recorded details of Jesus' life. The Word says Jesus was not just a man, He was God's son, manifesting himself in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16). He suffered and died for us so He could rescue us.

So why do we feel so alone at times...Why does He seem to abandon us? Is there really a God of love out there?

Let's take a glimpse into the life of Christ. In Acts 10:38 Peter gives a very brief, yet descriptive summary of the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus was annointed with power and with the Holy Ghost.

The Word says, He used this power to do good, not evil. This is one of the main characteristics of Christ and is one of the easiest ways to discern what is from God and what is from the devil. God is a good and therefore the devil is bad. So one good say, if it's bad, it's from the devil and if it's good, it's from God. However, this still doesn't help us know if God's love for us is real or why experience so many trials and pain in our life.

If you think of it, tragedy can come from three sources: God, Satan, and natural law. God has used nature to bring judgment to human kind. However, according to the Word, the New Testament believer is exempt from this punitive judgement of God since Jesus bore it for him at the cross.  Christ says, "I have come so they may have life and life more abundantly." He also declares, "I know the plans for you and they are for good not harm.".

John 10:10 NKJV

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jeremiah 29:11 New American Standard Bible

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:10-12 (in Context) Jeremiah 29 New Century Version

I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

Satan is the source of much of the calamity that people often ascribe to God. Many problems arise because people violate the natural laws that God put into motion. For example, if a person drives recklessly and kills himself, it's not God or the devil that killed him. He violated natural law and thus paid the price. God will not push His will upon us, we must make the choice to be in His will and to understand the natural laws. So He allows natural laws to operate on this earth and for us to make choices regarding them and how we interact with them on this earth.

Please understand God is in control, protecting us and proclaiming that He want us to have life more abundant, yet, I ask you, is it incorrect to believe that God takes controls of everything?  I know He doesn't want us to be His puppet.  It is clear He allows us choices...to be in control and interact with the natural laws, as well as choose to follow Him.  Therefore, God surely aches when we make choices that will harm us...He wants to work all things for our good and not bring harm to us. 

Many times, when bad things happen God is just waiting for us to ask Him to intervene, to work the tragedy into something good. However, we must be willing to allow Him to do so. God always has some redemptive design in tragedies. He is there to comfort....reaching out His hand. If we truly listen, He cries out, "I love you my child. I am here for you...just reach out for me and call out to me and I will answer in due time." Often the situation, the pain, and the suffering drown out His voice and we feel alone. He wants to shine light into our darkness.

2 Corinthians 4:6  New American Standard Bible

For God, who said, " Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

1 John 1:5 New American Standard Bible [ God Is Light ]

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

New King James Version 

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

God's love is great for us and that is why He sent is son to this earth as a lowly child born in a manger. He wanted a way to relate to us on a human level. -A way to experience life as we know it, so He can relate to our pain and sorrow. To reach out and touch us on a human level...to make a bridge so we could know His love.  If you have not watched the YOUTUBE video, you MUST see it to understand God's true love for us.  Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tQwI7EY4KM   Please take the time to view it.  It is so powerful.  It helps us understand how God choose His son, just one to save many...it is how great His love is for us, that He gave His only son to reach out in love to each of us.

Be cautious about thinking God has taken control of everything because that will lead us to ignore the devil, thereby giving him a free hand to destroy our lives. We must use wisdom concerning natural laws and not think that things happen unless God wills it. He does allow us to choose. We must remember that God is a good God and God is Love.  He wants us to choose His love, His protection....He wants to help us make wise choices and to be there when we fall.

1 Chronicles 16:34 The Message

Give thanks to God—he is good and his love never quits. Say, "Save us, Savior God, round us up and get us out of these godless places, So we can give thanks to your holy Name, and bask in your life of praise." Blessed be God, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then everybody said, "Yes! Amen!" and "Praise God!"

II Samuel 22:29 The Message

Suddenly, God, your light floods my path, God drives out the darkness. I smash the bands of marauders, I vault the high fences. What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him Makes it.

His love is so great that He does not force Himself on us...so during this holiday season when we remember the Christ child in the manger, take the time to listen...hear His cries...He is reaching out to us in love.  He is “loving us” every step of the way and is there when we call.  Let His cry this season touch your heart...Let Him hold you and comfort you...Let Him help guide your life and find the blessings He has given in each day.

Luke 2:12 New King James Version

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Isaiah 9:6 New King James Version

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

So you ask, "Is there a God of Love?" The answer is, "YES!" and He is right here waiting for you to reach out and take His hand...to give your hurt and pain to Him...to know you are loved!

Isaiah 41:13 NKJV

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Psalm 59:10 New Century Version

My God loves me, and he goes in front of me. He will help me defeat my enemies.

Psalm 59:17 New Century Version

God, my strength, I will sing praises to you. God, my defender, you are the God who loves me.

Psalm 107:1 The Message

Oh, thank God—he's so good! His love never runs out. All of you set free by God, tell the world! Tell how he freed you from oppression, Then rounded you up from all over the place, from the four winds, from the seven seas.

New Century Version [ God Saves from Many Dangers ] Thank the Lord because he is good. His lovecontinues forever.

There is a God who loves you...and it all began in a manger...

It's a New Year!

 It's a New Year and so many of us resolve to do something to change our habits, life's journey or follow a dream. What is your resolution? Personally, I have given this much thought and I have come to the conclusion that I can make all the resolutions I want but if I don't have enough motivation and clear goals internalize I will never make it. Bottom line, it all begins with accepting myself as a valuable human being worth achieving my goals. For me that means fully grasping the fact I am a child of God and He would have died ONLY for me if one else existed. He loves me that much. He sees me as that valuable, that lovable and that close to His heart. He created me right from the start and knows everything about me. In reality, He loves you that much too!

The fact is if you go back to the beginning of time by reading Genesis you will notice that God spoke and things came into being. There were the sun and moon, the plants and animals, etc all created by His words. How mighty His words are to perform such wonders! Yet, please notice when it came to "human life" He did not just speak us into being. No! He personally touched us and formed us with His very hands. Then He went a step further, He breathed into us the breath of life and we became a living soul. Just think of that...that time to fully grasp that thought.

So WHY? Why did He not speak us into being like all other life?  He very well could have, but our God wanted a personal relationship with us. He wanted to show His love and compassion with His mighty touch to show His great love for us.  Isn't that amazing? Just think of it...Our God truly loves us and wants to personally be in your life, as well as mine! He could not have shown this more clearly than putting His love into His actions. This was His first step in showing His great love and care for us.

Back in the 70's there was a saying, "God doesn't make junk." Well, take that to heart because He formed you in your mother's womb and added His own personally touch right from the beginning of time. He loves you and cares about you. He wants the very best for you. He wants you to have a life more than abundant. He knows the plans He has for you and they are for good not harm. So remember each time you put yourself down and doubt yourself, it is then you are telling God He made junk.  It is the "evil one" who wants you to believe that...so kick him in the butt and choose to believe God's words for your life!!!

Ok, what does all this have to do with our New Year's Resolution? Well, I realize that if we can't grasp God's love for us and see ourselves as victorious in Him then we will often fail. So I challenge you today to begin the New Year claiming your spot as a child of God and knowing He is the one who makes you strong. He made you in His image and wants the best for your life. So make Him a part of your New year's Resolutions and you will be victorious! resolutions are an inside job. So remember you are God's child, His best! You are His winner! Happy New Year! Be blessed!