Welcome friends!! Glad you stopped by for more encouragement on the ways God shows His love toward us! Let’s get started!
John 3:16. “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.”
This verse tells us the heart of God. I have seen a plaque that has an inscription on it that reads, “I asked Jesus, How much do you love me? And Jesus said, This much – and He stretched out His hands and He died.” How much more does He have to show us? If there were no other mention of His love for us this would be sufficient. He need not add anything else, but He goes on with more:
John 15:13. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Just as in John 3:16, this verse in John 15 tells us that there is no greater way to measure the love for someone than to give His life for that person or people. When Jesus Christ gave up His last breath on the Cross of Calvary, He was saying in great huge, box car size letters, “I love you.”
Romans 5:8. “But God commendeth (showed) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
He died for the ungodly.
He died for the homosexuals.
He died for the rapists and child molesters.
He died for the drunken fathers and mothers.
He died for the prostitutes and drug addicts.
He died for the business men, politicians, police officers, factory workers, farmers, military, housewives, den mothers, doctors nurses, teachers, students and YOU!
We are in a system that knows nothing of love.
I want to assure that God does love you. You may not be loved by anyone else, but you are loved by the One who has given all He has to show His love for you. A sparrow cannot fall to the ground without it getting God’s full attention. And there is nothing or no one who is too insignificant for God to love and care for.
God will never withdraw His love from you.
His love for you is not dependent upon your reciprocal love. He loves us whether we love Him or not. God does not just possess the ability to love, HE IS LOVE. Because He is love, He loves us. And because He loves us He has displayed that love through His Son Jesus Christ.
And there is no fear in God’s love! For perfect love cast out all fear. I have experienced these truths personally. I long for you to know them too. So today I’m giving away a copy of my book, An Untroubled Heart!
Leave a comment about how God’s love has changed you or encouraged you—and enter to win my book!
God loves you and there’s not a thing you can do about it!
Lynnette says
I was raised in church. It was never an option as to if I wanted to go to church, it was just a part of our week on Sun morn, Sun night & Wed night. When I was old enough to make that choice, I left church for many years & did my own thing. When I was at rock bottom, I thought I’d better get my tail back to church. God began blessing me, even after I walked away from Him for so many years. God’s love is unconditional & for that, I am grateful!!
Tiffany Brown says
His loved showed me how to forgive, I had a very hard time with forgiving my “dad” and him walking away and never looking back. Once I realized I had a Father who NEVER LEFT and died for me to have eternal life it was really easy for me to forget and to show that love to him. I would love to say that because of that we have a relationship now but that isn’t the case but my relationship with my Father has NEVER been better 🙂
Micca says
Beautiful testimony, Tiffany!
Heather says
God’s love has redeemed a broken childhood and given me purpose!
Amanda says
God’s Love is always with, it never leaves me. Days that I don’t feel lovable, He still loves me. Days I don’t act lovable to others, God is willing to forgive me and He still loves me. No matter what: God still loves me. And you too!
Stacey green says
I was brought up on religion but not until I attended Quest Community Church do I truly know real children of God. I feel in love 6/9/13 and was really let Christ in for the first time…WOW!!! My life has never been the same but the devil is after me. 8/11/13 rushed to ER with blood clots in both lungs and in a very dangerous situation but today I am off all meds but blood thinners and praising God for my fast recovery. Next hit with my son cutting himself last week but after much prayer and talks he feels more loved and closer to me than ever. I am now ready for anything life sends me.
Vicki Wolfe says
God’s love is all around me just like the air I breathe. He surrounds me all the time, yet I am not always aware of His presence. His gentle soothing touch on my face often reminds me that He is there for me. And when I feel the breeze, it brings a smile to my face.
One more tangible way I am reminded of His love is through other Christians that have come into my life at just the right time. For example, He brought a man named Joe into my life during my college years. Joe had very few friends at work because his personality was unusual, but he had the love of the Lord! He preached so much that many people avoided him. The Holy Spirit through Joe wooed me to the Lord. Soon after meeting with this Christian I submitted myself to the Lord, gave up my partying lifestyle, and asked for forgiveness of my sins. (I do not want to go into the extent of my sins, but trust me, there was and is plenty I needed forgiveness for that I don’t want to talk about on a website.)
After accepting the Lord’s love for me and His forgiveness, my feelings of guilt and unworthiness that kept me from God, were replaced with feelings of hope and purpose. I now know that I am a child of the King and I am worthy. He has a plan for me and I am still a work in progress! Only the Lord can offer this healing power to forgive me of my sins and release me from my bondage. It is through His great love for me that I am healed and have a thankful heart.
Suzanne Gentry says
I have spent years of my life in disobedience, desiring to obey but just choosing to fulfill my own fleshly desires. Today I can say through Jesus my life and desires have changed. It took years of God allowing me to hit rock bottom in areas of my life to be broken, His love for me to allow these circumstances to bring me back to Him and TURN my life over to him has given me freedom of pain, selfishness, understanding Gods Grace and love for me. I spent years not understanding or believing God could or would love me, I thought his love was bases on my performance . Thank you Jesus it is not!! Would love to hear you speak. I attend Long hollow baptist church and I know you know brother David, another person God used to change my life! Be blessed and thank you for your ministry!
Teresa Finehout says
How God’s love has changed me or encouraged me….its pretty simple….the people that have come into my life and have shown me what God’s love really is. It lets me see that I am never in this alone. Its still a battle at times but having people close in my life who are Godly people give me the encouragement that I need when times get hard.
Janel says
Working on getting this from my head to my heart. 🙂
Sherry says
Thank you for today’s message. I “popped” over from the P31 devotion. I’ve been a Christian for nearly 40 years, but still have trouble knowing how to express love. I know I could easily give up my life for someone I love, but I have trouble expressing it during day-to-day life. I’m not giving up; Satan has really been attacking me and I have a hard time not giving in to apathy. Through God’s power, I keep on keeping on!
Angela Stadnyk says
I read your devotional message on the P31 also today. We have been struggling with our son as well, although not for the same reasons. I was intrigued because of this similarity, but as I kept reading, I realized that your message was more meant for myself. God is there, and will always be there. I continually try to deal with things on my own instead of surrendering them to God. God loves me, and will continue to be there for me and support me! Your messages really spoke to me today. Thank you!
Sue says
I’ve suffered the loss of my husband, and recently married and amazing man. There were issues with the kids, but always be open to Christian counselling. God is always there and take one day at a time.
Ricole Rice says
While I forgive others easily, I don’t find it that easy to forgive myself. I’m a perfectionist and hold myself to a higher standard I guess. A good friend has been encouraging me to spend more time in God’s word and to trust in his unfailing love…no matter what my sin/imperfection may be. This friend speaks God’s love to me and through her encouragement I am finding my way closer to accepting that I am not perfect, nor does God expect me to be.
Thanks for your message today…I never tire of hearing how God loves us, continually, constantly and forever!
Mimi says
Not being raised with a father & my biological father denying me.
My Father, Abba, is the only Father I know & need. I will walk through my
pain again & again & again knowing my Father in heaven waits for me!
I pour the love He pours into me back into the youth at our church as a youth leader & I also pour this love into our church through song! Amen…
Lexi says
God has shown me his love in many, many ways, of course. But one of the biggest ways is through my own son, who has autism, and the ways He has been with us through this storm.
Jennifer says
Just read your devotional on P31 website – so beautifully worded! God’s love has changed my life and I can’t imagine my life without Him. He has met my needs throughout my life, and has gently reminded me time and time again that He loves me even when things are hard. Even when it seems life is challenging, I can cling to His promise in Romans 8:28 that He will work all things – even the terrible things that cause hurt – ALL things for my good. He uses them all to mold me and make me more of the woman He designed me to be.
Helen Tisdale says
What a beautiful post! Also, the post you did on Proverbs 31! I just cannot get enough on the “LOVE OF GOD FOR ME!” Having been rejected quite a few times to recall, at the age of almost 63 years, 38 of them walking with the Lord, I am JUST NOW coming into the knowledge of God’s love! Sad to say, but it is so true! Thankyou for your words today!
Alice Meyers says
I always loved Jesus but still did as I pleased-I thought He understood why I made my choses in life and was tolerant because He loved me! His love had to open my eyes and show me my sin. I was saved at age 40 and went through the process of acknowledging my sin and repenting. I had five children, two divorces and two abortions. Now that I saw my sin, I judged myself unworthy to be forgiven. I had caused hurt in my children’s lives so that some did not live for God. I didn’t want to be saved if they weren’t. But I have accepted God’s love through the years(now 70 yrs old). I know that when I judge myself unworthy when God says I am-then I exalt myself over Him. I know He will triumph in my children’s lives and bring good out of the hurts I have caused. I see Him working in their lives and know He has good plans for them because He is good! I pray that God gives all His children the courage we need to stand for Bible truths and be His witnesses in the way we live and speak.
Carisa says
God is changing me RIGHT NOW. After many years of looking for the “perfect” church I gave up. And the devil latched right on to me and my family during that time. Fears beyond my control and comprehension griped me so hard and for so long I didn’t think I could ever break free from them. Then my husband asked if we could go to church this past Easter and with that fear in my heart I said yes but only if…and I gave my list of demands. LOL Oh, how God must love me as he met each and every one and continues to meet them to this day. It has been almost 6 months and I am slowly learning to let go of my fear and lean into God and not myself. It’s hard and almost a daily struggle. Some days I want to go back to my old self and think how much better it was to have that control and not allow myself into situations that I am afraid of. Well, I pray every single day that God will make me stronger & better in all of my roles as a wife and a mother and a teacher. I pray that one day I will have a huge testimony to share about how He and only He set me free. I would love to read your book as I long to worry much less and just live in the moment for joy. My fears would grip me so hard that I wouldn’t even have joy in those beautiful moments b/c I was fearing what might come next if I did. So sad, but I give God the glory for working in me to change this for myself, my husband and our children. Every single day I have to make that choice and I choose Jesus!!! Blessings to you and thank you for the chance to win your book. 🙂
Carri says
I don’t remember ever hearing my father say “I love you” even when I tell him. Through his perception of humor he has hurt me more times than I can count. Even before strangers and people I know, his remarks have cut me down. I’m trying to forgive and love him past all my hurts and pain but it is a hard struggle especially now with my mother’s declining health. Only because I KNOW that GOD loves me and has told me and shown me that I keep pressing forward. Disappointment will happen to us but GOD isn’t the cause, people are.
Natalie says
God is working in so many areas of my life right now and my relationship with Him has never been stronger! Feeling loved was something I struggled with in the past but Jesus shows his love for me daily and I am so thankful I am able to see it now!
Heather says
Being raised in a home of divorce and bad step father still affects my attitude of God. Happily married with two kids now, but still battle emotionally, I desperately need a miracle in my heart and mind. Disappointed and frustrated too much. 🙁
Janie says
As a newly “empty nested mom” I am struggling with my purpose. I am praying that God will show me what I am now supposed to do with myself.
Chelsea says
God’s love has changed my perspective on others.
Velita Smith says
I can love because He who gave his life for me FIRST loved me, with all my faults even before I was formed!
joy says
I have to constantly remind myself of God’s unconditional love. Having been abandoned by my earthly father as a small child, it’s a constant struggle. It’s only when I look back at the hardest times in my life do I see that he was there all along.
Margie says
God’s forgiveness and unconditional love is beyond anything I could have ever imagined growing up and in my early adulthood. Even now, when I know I continue to sin, when I stray, He brings me back to where I need to be, and I feel his presence. I have so much to be thankful for.
Sheila says
I experience God’s love by experiencing him. The Lord has been so faithful as he has walked me through a dark journey of fear. And the biggest thing I have learned is indeed how high and deep and wide and long is the love of Christ. He has traded my fear for love, my anxiety for peace, my despair for hope and my feeling of facing things alone with the promise that he never leaves me or forsakes me. I have learned that he is who he says he is. He can be trusted. And because of his great love God sent his son to die to so that I might live.
There is no greater love.
Robin Ann Johnson says
It was my first time reading your blog, and it truly blessed me. I was so drawn to your new book title, “An Untroubled Heart”. I have had a troubled heart recently and have been praying so hard for God to walk with me during this time. He is faithful and I know that I will have peace no matter my circumstances if I look to him daily. Thank you for your beautiful devotion.
Holly says
Just so amazing that there is nothing I can do that will result in His ceasing to love me! Have to focus on that when seems like nothing is going right.
Doris says
I’m still working on it. I would love to read your book, An Untroubled Heart.
Bryar says
Your words are very powerful. Through reading this, it is the first time I have been able to truly grasp the concept of His perfect love; that perfect love cast out all fear. This is a result of your words. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Maria says
God shoe me how much he loves me, protect me, and give the strengh I needed when i found out my husband has been unfaithful, before and after we got married with prostitutes and other women. I moved to Phoenix, AZ. with him and my 1 1/2 y.o. son from MExico. I left my job, my own house, my family and friends there. When i moved here after 1 year been married I found out photos with the women, emails and text messages. I was devastated and felt I was going to be crazy because I confront him but he was still lying. I took the wost part of me, IO lost my dignity when I called 2 of the women to just get more pain and found out my husband has an addiction. I try to move on, forgive, forget but I just ling by myself he didn;t want to change. The last 2 years have been a nightmare, he has been abusive emotional and financial. I lost my house in Mexico because I couldn’t afford to pay, my husband accused me to try to kidnapping my son in court, just because he left without money and I told him I wanted to come back to Mexico. He took me to church and what I Found there was hope, a safe place and realize and accept day by day God’s love. I was not a believer but I know since the first time I went to church God touch my heart and when we were worship to him I just started feeling his grace, love, compassion and protection. I found straight, hope and faith. Today I can see no matter what, I trust the Lord, I am taking Bible studies, I am volunteering at my church since 6 months ago and I am going to start volunteering at AWANA, because my son who is now 3 years old is going to start attending AWANA and I am so exited to introduce him to the Lord. My prayer to the Lord is to help me to heal, forgive those people to hurt me, have the strength to stand b y myself, and be wise to rise my son with love but discipline. I praying with thankfulness to the Lord because since I turn to GOd my life is much better and he gave me the opportunity to meet him and love him and receive his love.
Thank you
Pat Parker says
When my husband (to be at the time) first introduced me to Jesus, I told him, “You have no CLUE what I’ve done in my life! He would NEVER want someone like me….” Well, 24 years later, I can say we’ve been married 23 years and my husband has shown me love thru times that I can’t imagine I was very lovable IN. Just as he told me about God’s unconditional love, he has been an example of that to me. I grew up with a stepdad that always introduced “his kids” and then “his step kids.” I always knew I was not really accepted into the family. So it was hard for me to imagine God as my father that loved me no matter what. He has carried me thru hard times and mountain tops. His love is immeasurable. I am so thankful.
Alecia says
I appreciated the devotional and reading others comments. I too struggle with belief in God’s love. But it surrounds me even in moments of doubt. The beauty and simplicity of that thought blows my mind. Oh how patient and faithful is He. Thank you Jesus for showing how to walk by faith every day.
Jana Payne says
God’s love changes me everyday(smell the aroma of the flowers)! When I become discouraged, He shows me things I can be grateful in. I would greatly enjoy your book! Have a blessed day!:)
Becky Combs says
The work of salvation was all Him & no effort on my part. His finished work on the cross gives me rest in Him.
I find comfort in …He could not love me more ; He will not love me less!..wow..guess that s why they call it Good News!
Sandi says
I am a PK (preachers kid) and for years I heard that my father was an extension of my heavenly father; while I believed in God and was saved, (partially because I was afraid of not being afraid!) I struggled with accepting that my heavenly father would love me “conditionally” like my earthly father. It has taken a long long time for me to “get” that my heavenly father loves me unconditionally, completely unlike my earthly father and I have slowly learned that I can trust Him in everything; I don’t need to live in the fear I have lived in for so long of never measuring up or being good enough. God loves me. End of story. But it’s not the end of the story; He continually shows His love and mercy and grace towards me, daily, even when I don’t deserve it. Your book sounds absolutely amazing and I wish I could afford a copy of it; for now I will enjoy your posts. Thank you for sharing and for being open and vulnerable.
Becca Whitson says
God shows me his love often through music. On the days that I struggle to find significance in my life I will hear the words of a song that speak straight to my pain or loneliness.
Lisa R says
what a great reminder of God’s love.
Melanie A says
Over the past year as I walked through a deep depression God deepened my belief that He loves me no matter what lies I heard in my head. God loves me for who I am, who He created me to be, and there was nothing past, present or future that I needed to do to earn that love. God’s love for me was constant, and as I walked in a deepening trust of His constant love, God blessed me beyond measure.
Monique says
Faith is not just trusting in God through the good but also the bad. This is what has kept me sane the past few years. May 25,2011 was the worst day of my life. I had recently moved in with so called friends because my home had been condemned due to a sewage leak. I had two children ages 10 & 7 and I was living on a very limited income. I was told at 9pm that I had to be out of their home by 9 am the next morning because their landlord found out we were staying with them and threatened to throw everyone out. I had $5 in my pocket, no car, and nowhere to go. I texted a church member just telling her the situation and that I had no clue where I would be the next day. That night as I worried, God made some serious moves that ultimately changed my life. The next morning the church member showed up with her daughter and helped me move all of my belongings into a space yet another church member had available. This was already overwhelming enough. She gave us a place to stay and a month later yet another church member put us up in a motel. A week later I had an overwhelming amount of requests to help people from church do various things around their homes. September of 2011 I finally found a home. Another church member fronted me the money I was short for a security deposit, another paid for my storage and moving truck from items I had almost 100 miles away in a previous home, and the day I moved in, I thought it would be just me driving 2 hrs loading up a storage unit that furnished an entire home then driving back 2 hrs. When I woke up that morning, a had a team of 8 fellow church members ready to go with me to load the truck. When we got to my new home, there were 15 church members along with family and employees ready to help unload (35 men total). It took 8 of us 4 hrs to Load the truck. It took them 20 minutes. I have been in my home for two years and I finally have a family and a support system. They introduced me to Women of Faith last year. I took away a lot and recreating Christ’s Eyes by Jesus painter ministries became an outlet for me. The women of my church paid for my ticket and it was the best experience of my life. My heart was heavy knowing I couldn’t go this year. Three days ago a friend called and said she had paid to go to WOF in Philadelphia this weekend. Hotel stay and all were covered but she could not attend and wanted me to go in her place. I have always known that God loves me but through the good AND the bad i can feel his love for me.
Margaret says
God’s love has changed me gradually, as my life goes on, by showing me He is in every detail of my life. When I remember that truth, I see Him at work and ask Him where He wants me to join Him. It was recently reinforced through a sermon series our new pastor had entitled, “Living with a Kingdom of God Lens”.
Marge says
As much as I know that God loves me, I find it hard to accept that He continues to love me no matter what.
Courtney says
God’s love has helped me to forgive my father for not being apart of my childhood after my mother died. His love has also helped me to love and receive love. Growing up my father was never there for me emotionally. He thought buying me things showed love. I grew up thinking that if you loved me, you would buy me things! I would also see other fathers taking there daughters to the daddy/ daughter dance and spending time together. Although I had material things from my dad, I never had his time. God has shown me that He gave His life for me and he’s there whenever I call.
Mary says
I am reading, thanks to a blog giveaway, the untroubled heart! It is amazing and such a blessing. I pray whoever gets it is a blessed as I have been since I received it. What I have learned about the different meanings and forms of forgiveness is amazing. Right now I am working on the shame section and retraining my mind to believe who I am in Christ Jesus. Sometimes forgiving yourself is the hardest of all, and I believe we all carry with us things we are ashamed of and need to let go. God Bless you for reminding us WHO Jesus died for, ALL of us.
Mary T says
Micca, I was touched by your Proverbs31 devotion as well as this blog post! God’s love has given me the strength through faith and trust that is only possible with Him! My journey has been filled with blessings of joy and sorrow. God is my hope!
Staci says
Although I’ve been a Christian for most of my life, I have also been a worrier for most of my life. I know this is a sin, as my fear has not been given by God. My family and close friends have joked that I look for things to worry about, but I do not. However, I have been struggling a lot lately with anxiety, nervousness and the horrible fear of dying suddenly from a heart attack or stroke. I am healthy, but when I don’t feel well, I imagine the worst. I am praying daily that God will forgive me for worrying and replace my fears with peace, calmness and trust in Him. That I will not obsessively think the same horrible thoughts over and over. I want to protect my sweet girls from fearing something’s wrong with mama and save my marriage too (my husband has been encouraging, but he’s tired of my ongoing problem). I hope & pray that my God will heal me so that I can be the mom & wife I should be and help others with overcoming their anxiety as well.
Prayerfully,
Staci
Gail says
A little more than 20 years ago, I was an abused wife. The money who had promised to love, honor, and take care of me was beating me nightly. I had been abused by one of my siblings all through my childhood. I was a scared young woman, seeing no way out, and in fear for my life. I didn’t know how to stand up for myself. Thanks to my Father in Heaven I came to Christ. I was delivered from that situation. I have been married to my best friend for 22 years and we have 3 beautiful children. Gone is the scared young woman who sees no hope for the future. in her place is a confident woman secure in the knowledge that my Father God loves me just as I am. I have facilitated several Bible studies, served in the children’s ministry in several churches, and have almost earned my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Christian Education. My life has truly been transformed by following Christ Jesus. My hope is now in Him!