I love orange this time of year, and dark red, and the yellow Aspens. The trees showing off their true colors.
Two questions …
Did you come by on Monday to see the newly decorated room? If not, click over to Monday Quotes, a new feature of Echoes of Grace. Words that have spoken to my heart, and I hope will speak to you as well. Please share what you’re hearing? Let’s start a conversation.
And, if you haven’t signed up for the Echoes of Grace community glance over to the right and you’ll see the place. It will help us stay in touch with each other.
For the past 16 years, I’ve been absorbed by God’s love. Almost daily I pray scriptures that speak it to my heart; and with the passing of time, I’m learning to mine its depths. Focusing on His love this month is the subject of Echoes of Grace. This week and next, some of the principles I’m learning about His love.
Principles of God’s love, my first five …
God’s love for me and you has been in the works from eternity past.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;” Jeremiah 1:5
When I started my freshman year at Hope College, I received this advice … Now don’t get too religious. What did the advice-giver see in me that prompted those words? What were they supposed to mean? At that time my religion was demonstrated by that piece of my life that determined my Sunday morning activity – church.
You know, I don’t like that word religious at least when it refers to my child of God status. Christianity is much more than my religion, it references my relationship with God.
This scripture has become more and more meaningful to me. I love that God knew His plans for me even before I was conceived. (I guess that advice was in vain.)
God’s love for me and you is not fickle.
“For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.”
Psalm 26:3
It is HIS steadfast love; it is HIS faithfulness that characterizes His love for me.
Do you ever second guess yourself and your reactions to something? I did it just this morning. Should I have said that? I’m still pondering, but this I know … God loves me. Paul reaffirms David’s words in Romans 8:38, 39 this way. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else (NOT EVEN MY SIN) in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (parentheses added)
God’s love gives us our identities.
“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it – we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.” I John 3:1, The Message
My identity is not up for grabs. It is not dependent on my circumstances. God gave me a new name – child of God – that name defines me. My heart’s desire is to live as a result of this verdict so I often pray, God, what would it look like to trust the truth of my creation as your child today? Sometimes I say amen and I have no idea how God will answer that prayer; other times I know the answer before the prayer has left my lips.
God’s love is His plan for our growth as His children.
“Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.” Ephesians 1:4, The Message
My friend, Bill Thrall says, “God doesn’t want you to change; He already has changed you. Now He wants you to mature out of the change He has already made in you.”
The DNA of godliness has been planted in me, the seed is there. Now it needs God-designed water and fertilizer to sprout to continue to mature me in holiness.
Sometimes that looks like joining a Bible study; sometimes memorizing a certain passage; most recently for me it meant signing up for a course entitled, High Trust Leadership.
“How do I grow in holiness? I live out of my new life, my new nature. I live out of who God says I now am.” Lay It Down, Bill Tell (yup, my husband)
This truth has freed me from any anxiety of how God might design my personal growth program. It is designed by His love.
God’s love is the springboard for our purposes.
“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm 138:8
I’d memorized and prayed over the first 8 words of this verse not considering the last 15 words. It encouraged me that God had a purpose for me. But it wasn’t until recently that the rest of the truth of David’s words grabbed my heart. His purposes for me rest in His love which endures forever. It endures. That gives me so much confidence. Even when I blow it, His love is enduring (it is not fickle).
And then the last sentence, “Do not forsake …” It reminds me of “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24. David made two bold true statements, and then finishes with the plea, “Do not forsake the work of your hands”. He is so human.
(My October 20th post is sharing a personal story springing from this truth.)
“God not only loves you very much, but also has put his hand on your for something special … Something happened in you … Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word,” from
I Thessalonians 1:2-7, The Message
“My trust in God flows out of the experience of his loving me, day in and day out, whether the day is stormy or fair, whether I’m sick or in good health, whether I’m in a state of grace or disgrace. He comes to me where I live and loves me as I am.” ~ Brennan Manning
Next week, five more principles that are gripping my heart about God’s love.
What communicates God’s love to you?