You are Loved - Jeff and Alyssa

Thank you for joining us for the Devotional Spoken For Blog Tour! Robin and I are taking turns posting daily devotionals, going deeper into each chapter of Spoken For. We would love for you to study these truths with us and post in the comment section as we are all reminded that we are truly spoken for by our Relentless Lover! If you’d like to order Spoken For click here. SpokenForBlog_Day3_AJB

A few weeks ago I had a rough day. Rough. I don’t know if it was my hormones going crazy (oh hey pregnancy!), fears taking over, or a full on attack from Satan. I cried throughout the day, preached truth to myself and prayed, and then fell right back into the dark. I felt like I was in a pit and couldn’t get out. I was too weak to get out of it on my own. I needed my husband to pray over me, hold me, and ask me how I was doing every hour. Thank you Lord for a patient man. My mom was bringing me before the Lord, reminding me of scripture. It was a battle.

And the battle was that I was doubting God’s love for me. How could He love me? How could anyone love me? I’m going crazy. I’m irritable. Sensitive. Crying every hour. Who would want to love me? My mind sank further and further into the pit. The Lord, in His ever faithfulness, did lift me from the pit- but truly it was Him alone that pulled me up. All I could do was keep crying out to Him, and ask others to help me through prayer and speaking truth to my weary heart and mind. The Lord was near, held me close, and brought me rest.

Have you ever had a day like that? Or a season? I’ve had plenty of days like that, although that one may take the cake.

As believers, we grow up hearing of how much the Lord loves us. We sing the songs at church, we read the verses. We know we are loved. And yet, how many of us actually believe it? Actually let it penetrate our lives, sink into our hearts and change us? How many of us live differently in light of that truth?

Since I was a little girl, I’ve known this truth. However, somewhere along the way I got it twisted and believed that I had to do so much in order for God to love me. Oh yes, I knew He loved me so much that He saved me, but I thought I had to earn His love from here on out. I couldn’t let Him down. Often I looked to others to tell me I’m loved- my parents, friends, teachers, a boyfriend. And yes, we should be loved by those in our lives.  But it’s one thing to be loved, and another to need that love; to put our hope, fulfillment and identity in their love. People will let us down. They can’t love us unconditionally as Jesus does because we’re imperfect people. We’re all learning what love looks like- and we can only fully know by looking at our Savior.

Love is giving. It’s giving of our selves, our time, our energy, our thoughts, our service, etc. It’s laying down our lives for another. It’s denying self, and putting another above ourselves. It’s wanting the highest good for another, whatever the cost. It’s not based on emotions, what the other person can do for us, or the butterfly feeling we hear about in Disney movies. Love is real. Steadfast. Unconditional. Forever. Honest. Patient. Kind.

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And that love is found in Jesus. He is love. And he loves us. With a mighty, never ending love. And He loves you. Stop right there. Read it again. Let it sink in. He loves you. He has given His life for you. His love for you does not ebb and flow, but is constant- it’s based on Him and His character, not on you and what you do or don’t do. You don’t have to earn His love or win His favor. He loves you because He loves you- you are His child, you’re in the family- He’s not your boss, but your Father.

How would your life look differently today if you really took the truth that God loves you to heart? How would it change your thoughts, actions, and day?

God loves you, more than you will ever know. Let’s cling to that truth; may it be our shield as we go out today.

Check out Spoken For here.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014