God Loves You! 

 from UCB The Word for Today

'How great is the love the Father has lavished on us...' 1 John 3:1 NIV

God knows everything there is to know about you, including your past, present and future. He doesn't miss a thing. He knows your name: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.' (Isaiah 43:1 NKJV) He also knows your address: 'I know...where you dwell...' (Revelation 2:13 NKJV) And here's the most amazing part. With full knowledge of you, He loves you! He doesn't say, 'I love you, if.' There are no 'ifs' in God's heart. His love for you existed before you were born and it will exist after you're gone. 'How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!' Does that mean God doesn't care what we say or do? No, to love without condition doesn't mean to love without concern. Sometimes we confuse unconditional love with unconditional approval. God doesn't approve of betrayal, selfishness, pride, dishonesty, lust, resentment or any other form of sin. These are the opposite of the love God wants to instil in our hearts. God's unconditional love just means He continues to love us even when we blow it; that He waits for us like the father waited for the return of his prodigal son. It's important that we hold to the truth that God never stops loving us even when He's grieved by what we do. 'Why is that so important?' you ask. Because God's love is the magnet that will draw us back to Him every time.



SoulFood: Job 21-23, Matt 5:38-48, Ps 3, Pr 1:29-31