Category: God’s love

• Does real and unconditional love exist?

  Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on May 24, 2018

  Isaiah 54:20 (NCV) “The mountains may disappear, and the hills may come to an end, but my love will never disappear; my promise of peace will not come to an end,” says the Lord who shows mercy to you.

  I awoke this morning with the words of David Crowder’s song, “He Love Us,” playing in my head (see the verse and chorus at the end of this post or listen to the song now). What a great way for me to start my day…even at 3:30 am. Not sure why God had me up at 3:30 this morning other than to spend some alone time with me and tell me He loves me. I so needed to hear those words from Him this morning – yes even when it’s the middle of the night to some.

  Think about it…the God of the universe…who put the stars in the sky, woke me up to say “I love you.” Truthfully, He loves you that much too. Do you believe it? It’s the truth…the Bible tells us of His love for us over and over throughout its chapters. I have included a few passages in Scripture to reference. So I guess what I’m trying to say to day is when you’re feeling unloved by everyone, God loves you…today, tomorrow and in the future…without reservation, without condition, and without a doubt.

  Psalm 136:1 (NCV) Give thanks to the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever.

  Ephesians 3:18 (NCV) And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is.

  The ultimate display of God’s love for us is found in the next three scripture passages:

  Romans 5:8 (NCV) But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

  1 John 4:10 (NCV) This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God’s love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.

  John 3:16 – 18 (MSG) “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

  Partial lyrics to He Loves Us by David Crowder:

  We are His portion and He is our prize

  Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes

  If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking

  Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss

  And my heart turns violently inside of my chest

  I don’t have time to maintain these regrets

  When I think about, the way…

  That He loves us

  Oh how He loves us

  Oh how He loves us

  Oh how He loves

  Share this:

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Email

  Like Loading...
  Posted in God's love | 0 Comments

• The Love of Jesus Shines Through His People

  Posted at 9:15 am by sneuhofer, on May 23, 2018

  Romans 13:8-10 (NCV) Do not owe people anything, except always owe love to each other, because the person who loves others has obeyed all the law. The law says, “You must not be guilty of adultery. You must not murder anyone. You must not steal. You must not want to take your neighbor’s things.” All these commands and all others are really only one rule: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Love never hurts a neighbor, so loving is obeying all the law.

  When I read over Romans 13:8 this morning, my mind went back to the very first Sunday I walked through the doors at the church I currently attend. That morning, I was just trying to hide the fact that I had seen the bottom of the Jack Daniels bottle the night before but the people in the lobby of the church didn’t see that at all. They saw someone who was hurting and desperately in need of finding hope and healing. As my Dad introduced me to people he knew, they welcomed me like I was one of their own. Instead of a judging glance, they were full of warm smiles and hugs. I could feel the love just oozing out of them…and I must say it felt different. Never had I been to a church where I felt as loved as I did that morning and I couldn’t wrap my brain around the fact that these people didn’t even know me.

  So why would a group of people open their arms in such a manner to a stranger?

  What is “love” anyway? A feeling?

  No, it’s an action. It is something that we must do. We must love because God first loved us.

  John wrote in 1 John (9-12 – MSG) that we are to love because God first loved us. He (God) showed us the measure of His love by sending his one and only son to die for our sin so that we might live through him.

  Jesus also commands us to love one another. John 13:34 says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

  The men and women in the lobby that morning were so full of love for Jesus that it not only came out in the words they said, it poured out of them through their actions and in truth (1 John 3:18 MSG). I was blown away and I knew right then I wanted to get to that same place in my own life. I wanted a life of love instead of the guilt and shame that buried me in the pit I had been hiding in for years.

  This changed didn’t happen over night for me…but it did happen! It all started with that morning with people who loved Jesus and were willing to share that love with anyone who walked through the doors.

  Share this:

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Email

  Like Loading...
  Posted in Christian community, God's love | 1 Comment

• Are you living the plan?

  Posted at 8:30 am by sneuhofer, on October 9, 2017

  Ephesians 1: 4-10 (NCV) “…in Christ, He (God) chose us before the world was made so that we would be His holy people—people without blame before Him. Because of His love, God had already decided to make us His own children through Jesus Christ. That was what He wanted and what pleased Him, and it brings praise to God because of His wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely, in Christ, the One He loves. In Christ we are set free by the blood of His death, and so we have forgiveness of sins. How rich is God’s grace, which He has given to us so fully and freely. God, with full wisdom and understanding, let us know His secret purpose. This was what God wanted, and He planned to do it through Christ. His goal was to carry out His plan, when the right time came, that all things in heaven and on earth would be joined together in Christ as the head.”

  Even before the world was formed, we were a part of God’s plan. He saw each hurt, hang-up, and tear that would and will ever fall from our eyes. He showers our lives with grace and mercy, makes us his children, and wraps us in his loving arms all made possible through the loving sacrifice of His one and only son (John 3:16) Jesus Christ long before we were born.

  Why?

  Because our God is a relational God; he wants to be in relationship with us. Yes! God, who spoke and the world and everything in it was, the Maker of heaven and earth DESIRES a personal relationship with me. He wants me to know how much He loves me and He wants me to respond to that love by accepting it and not taking it for granted. He wants the same exact thing for you too.

  Isn’t that comforting? I know this concept may be hard to wrap your brain around because of the things you may have been through in your life…but it’s the truth.

  He loves me.

  He love you.

  He values me.

  He values you.

  I am accepted by the God of the universe…and so are you! How cool is that?

  The God that set the stars in place has a plan and a purpose for our lives and calls us his own.

  WOW!  I matter to God…and so do you!

  When we come to the saving knowledge of Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit who lives inside us (Ephesians 1:14). As we begin to know and grow in Christ, the Holy Spirit will guide, provide for, correct, and protect us. With the Holy Spirit at work, we continue to grow in grace and knowledge with the same power that was used to raise Christ from the dead. With this power inside us, we can accomplish the plans and purposes God put us on this earth to do – all for His honor and glory.

  Father, I know I blow it…ALOT…but I want my life to bring praise, honor and glory to you my Lord and Savior. Thank you for loving me and accepting me even when I am difficult and unlovable. Help me to listen to and be guided by your Holy Spirit as I walk through this day, for it’s in your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

  Related scripture:

  John 1:12; Romans 8:15; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18; Galatians 3: 26 – 27

   

   

  Share this:

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Email

  Like Loading...
  Posted in created for a purpose, God's love | 0 Comments

• Categories

  Categories Select Category abundant life  (3) accountability  (3) Acts 1:8  (1) adulterous woman  (1) anxiety  (1) attributes of God  (1) be on guard  (1) be slow to speak  (1) be still  (3) becoming like Christ  (3) being held accountable  (1) Biblical world view  (4) changing to be like Christ  (2) choosing Christ  (2) Christ loves you  (1) Christ my shield  (1) Christ’s love  (5) Christian community  (6) Christian growth  (9) christian living  (9) Christian living; Christian growth  (6) Christian walk  (3) Christian walk; Christian growth  (3) Christmas  (1) Circumstances  (4) cleansing water  (1) commandments  (1) commercialism of Christmas  (1) compromise  (1) confidence in Christ  (1) conquering current circumstances  (4) consequences of sin  (1) courage  (1) craving more  (1) created for a purpose  (4) current culture  (1) daily devotionals  (1) damaging words  (1) Daniel  (1) darkness  (2) David and Goliath  (1) denial  (1) Discipline  (4) disciplining children  (2) doubt  (4) Easter  (1) Ecclesiastes 3  (1) Empowered by the Holy Spirit  (1) encounter with Jesus  (2) equipping  (1) eternal life  (3) eternity  (1) everlasting God  (1) Exodus 2  (1) faith  (4) faith in Christ  (1) fear  (3) find rest  (1) finding acceptance in God  (1) Flood  (1) focus on Christ  (2) following Christ  (3) forgiveness of sin  (2) forgiving others  (2) freedom in Christ  (3) fruits of the Spirit  (2) Frustration  (1) gaining wisdom  (1) Genesis 9  (1) giving thanks  (1) God cares for us  (3) God gives us what we need  (1) God heals  (1) God in the details  (1) God is Bigger  (1) God is enough  (2) God is my perfect parent  (1) God is my refuge  (2) God is my strength  (2) God is near  (2) God is…  (1) God my refuge  (3) God provides  (1) God restores-  (1) God size dreams  (1) God the gardener  (1) God with us  (1) God working in us  (2) God’s creation  (2) God’s faithfulness  (3) God’s glory  (1) God’s grace; Christ died for our sin  (2) God’s law brings freedom  (1) God’s love  (5) God’s molding process  (1) God’s plan  (3) God’s promises  (3) God’s purpose for me  (1) God’s purpose for my life  (1) God’s purpose is accomplished through us  (1) God’s timing  (2) God’s timing is perfect  (2) God’s unconditional love  (1) God’s will  (2) Godly counsel  (1) Godly friends  (2) Godly relationships  (2) Godly revelation  (1) Godly wife  (1) Godly woman  (1) Gods Love for us  (3) Good Friday  (1) Good Samaritan parable  (1) grace  (3) green pastures  (1) growing in Christ  (1) guard your heart  (1) held hostage by past  (1) helplessness  (1) Holy spirit  (1) honesty  (1) honoring children  (1) honoring parents  (1) hope  (4) Hosanna  (1) humble  (1) humility  (1) hunger and thirst  (1) hurtful words  (1) impact of our words  (4) influence  (1) integrity  (1) Isaiah 40:31  (1) Jesus and disciples  (1) Jesus and the Pharisees  (1) Jesus equips  (1) Jesus frees  (1) Jesus gives life  (1) Jesus in my circumstances  (3) Jesus is all we need  (1) Jesus is the true vine  (1) Jesus is with me  (2) Jesus is with us  (1) Jesus loves us  (1) Jesus saves  (1) Jesus’ first miracle  (1) John 15  (1) John 4  (1) Joy  (1) Judges 13 – 16  (1) judging others; God is the final judge  (1) know God  (1) knowing Christ  (1) laziness  (1) let go and let God  (3) letter from God  (1) life lessons  (2) life lessons; becoming more like Christ; Christian living; God’s love for us  (1) life lessons; becoming more like christ; Quiet time  (3) life storms  (2) living a life of influence  (1) living a life that honors Christ  (1) love  (1) love all  (3) love with the love of Christ  (1) loving and serving others  (2) marriage  (1) marriage relationships; adultery  (1) Martha and Mary  (2) memorize scripture  (1) mercy  (2) more Jesus  (1) Moses  (1) my life’s journey  (1) needs vs wants; Jesus meets our needs  (1) new creation  (1) Noah  (1) not religion but relationship  (1) paitience  (1) parenting  (1) Peace  (4) people can change  (1) persecution  (1) persistence  (1) persistent widow  (1) Peter  (1) Philippians 3:12 – 14  (1) Philippians 4:19  (1) planning  (1) positive attitude  (1) Power of God  (1) praise  (1) praise and worship  (1) praise through current circumstances  (2) prayer  (4) prayer in all circumstances  (2) pressing on  (2) Pride  (1) promises of God  (1) protection  (2) Proverbs 15; Christian living; Christian growth  (1) Proverbs 6  (1) Proverbs 7  (1) Proverbs 8  (1) Proverbs 9  (1) Psalm  (1) Psalm 10  (1) Psalm 27  (1) Psalm 40  (1) Published Works  (1) pure  (1) purpose  (4) Quiet time  (4) reaching people for Jesus  (1) reap & sow  (1) reckless words  (1) relationship with God  (3) relationship with the body of Christ  (1) release control  (2) reliance on Christ  (1) rely on Christ  (1) renewal  (1) repentance  (2) respect of the Lord  (1) rest  (1) reverence  (1) righteous cause  (1) River of life  (1) roaring lion  (1) sacrificial service  (1) sacrificial service; reaching the lost; the Damascus Road experience  (1) safe in the arms of Jesus  (1) salvation  (3) Samaritan woman  (1) Samson and Delilah  (1) sand writing  (1) Satan’s attack  (1) Satan’s lies  (1) seeking God  (2) self assessment  (1) Serving  (2) sharing sorrow and joy  (1) shield of faith  (1) showing Jesus to others  (1) sin  (5) sin brings death  (1) singing praises to God  (1) sisters in Christ  (1) slow to anger  (1) spiritual blindness  (1) spiritual gifts  (2) spiritual growth  (1) spiritual norishment  (1) spiritual nourishment  (2) spreading the good news of Jesus  (1) standing firm  (1) storms of life  (2) strength  (1) stress  (1) strong-willed child  (1) suffering  (1) sunrise  (1) surrender  (2) taking action  (1) tell your story  (1) the armor of God  (2) The Bible  (1) the crucifixion  (1) the Father’s love  (1) the Lord my light  (1) The potter’s hand  (1) thirsty soul  (2) thought life  (1) trials of life  (2) triumphal entry  (1) true forgiveness  (1) trust  (3) trust in Christ  (1) trusted advisers  (1) trusted advisors  (2) trusting God  (7) trusting Jesus  (2) truth  (1) unbelief  (1) Uncategorized  (1) unforgiveness  (4) wages of sin  (1) waiting  (1) waiting for God  (2) waiting on God to act  (1) walking with Christ  (1) wants vs needs; God’s plan  (1) we are not alone  (1) we are the branches  (1) wearing a mask  (1) why Jesus came to earth  (1) wisdom  (5) witnessing for Christ  (1) Woman at the well  (1) words hurt  (1) words kill  (1) words matter  (1) worry  (3) worship  (2) you are lovable  (1) Zacchaeus  (1)

• Follow Me via Email

  Enter your email address to follow my blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  Email Address:

  Follow