"Love That Is Not Always Easy, But Continually Worth It"

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13 NIV Bible

This morning, God showed me a picture of him handing me a torch, and then he spoke these words.
"Go forth in dignity, My Little One. Know my love for you. Persistently love me. Care for the little ones that I have given you. Love them. This is one of the most powerful weapons I will ever hand you. In the face of love, the enemy must back off. There is no power on earth greater than love. Receive my love. You will go places in my love. It will be your vehicle for life. My love stops wars. My love heals broken hearts.You are subject to my love. We are a team. Let's go forth and conquer."

Below is a quote from an email sent right after Valentines Day by a young woman, Alyssa, that is fighting a life threatening disease. When I read it, I was so touched that I had to share it with you. In it she is referring to the love of her husband.
"I can't say I'm a big fan of the holiday (Valentines Day), but I am a big fan of love. The kind of love that is preempted by an understanding of God's love and Christ's passion for you. Love that tells you you're beautiful even when you have no hair. Love that wants to hold your hand so he can pray for you before you go to sleep. Love that is centered around the mercy and sacrifice of the Cross. Love that is not always easy, but continually worth it."

State of Being

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:15-16a NIV Bible
You are God's beloved. This is a state of being. It is not based on what others think of you. It is not based on what you think of yourself. You can't do anything to make yourself less loved by him. His love for you is something that you can always depend on. God is love. He has engraved you on the palms of his hands. He delights in you. You are the apple of his eye. Our temptation is to decide we aren't lovable because of how we see ourselves or how man is responding to us. Turn from this lie. Walk in this truth with dignity and joy. If God says that you are lovable, then this is the truth. Know this truth and you will be set free.

Our Purpose For Existence

Our purpose for existence is to be loved by God. One day when I was super depressed, I just didn't understand why we exist. I had always thought I was here on planet earth to do some great work. Well, in my depressed state, I was pretty much just surviving. No good works were coming from me.
I thought of a man that was really strange and had no friends and wondered why he existed. I thought of my mother in law with Alzheimer's disease. She couldn't take care of herself in anyway. What was her reason for being here. At this point I was sobbing. "God," I cried out, "what is our purpose for existing?"
Then I heard God's sweet, gentle answer that changed my life forever. "You were made to be loved by me. If all you do is sit on my lap and let me tell you how much I love you, I will be pleased with your life."