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Week 9 - The Love of God

This was a beautiful chapter to me because so often in the midst of suffering or hurting my heart doesn't feel God's love. I feel so far from it, but we are reminded through scripture that God's love is not a "sentimental feeling nor is it circumstantial. It is an inner confidence in his loving intentions that gives us the security and strength we need for enduring the difficulties of this life." We gain this confidence through studying and memorizing scripture so that when the storm hits and our feelings tell us God is not here, our mind is reminded of what He has told us and done for us through His love.

God demonstrates His own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8

"There is an enemy who seeks to destroy you", and the lowest points in life is when the enemy, Satan, tries to knock you down farther. Rest peacefully knowing that "You are engraved on the palms of his (God's) hands - never off of his mind, out of his sight, or away from his loving care. But through the suffering of this world there is meaning and purpose. In Ruth 1:20 Naomi asks to be called Mara because she felt as though God had "made her life bitter", but little did she see at that point how a string of events all connected would allow her to be the grandmother to the lifeline of Christ. (Read Ruth for more details!) I completely relate with Naomi's feelings, and how in the end she did recognize how God was still with her. In the Reflection part of this chapter Nancy asks "In what situations have you experienced confidence in God's love, and what has caused you to doubt it?" I have the same answer for both, but they were at different times. When I go totally with my feelings from the time I found out Magdalena's diagnosis to now when I heart hurts for her, I wonder where God is, but when I reflect on what God has told me through scriptures, I am reminded of His love for me and His purpose for her life. Because He has been there to sustain me by his love through it all.

Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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Comments

  1. KTElltt8:03 AM

    I am behind on One Year of Hope but I hope to catch up soon.

    "It is an inner confidence in his loving intentions that gives us the security and strength we need for enduring the difficulties of this life."

    I needed to read that line this morning. I'm so glad you continue to post these devotions. I know other people read them to, it's just sometimes thoughts are too tender to express...

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  2. Suzanne12:58 PM

    When one questions in such times of earthly trials and tribulations, as we grow closer to a heavenly Father and who I am than insight and strength are given in the Word of God. Life is ever-changing but God’s love for one does not change {Heb.13:8 {AV}. For me, the story of Job is like no other. Isn’t it comforting to know and accept that one is predestinated (Rom. 8:29-30)? “God’s grace is omnipresent and omnipotent in all things, in all times, in all places. For as awareness is, so is God’s consciousness.” One is given this blessed gift of grace, as found in Eph. 1:4-5. In my novel “Mommy’s Writings: Mommy, would you like a sandwich? such times are humbling and reflective of God’s ever-present love for his creation of which we are his own. Earthly life is a learning ground in one’s growth to whom I am in God.

    Suzanne McMillen-Fallon, Published Author (year-end 2010)
    www.strategicbookpublishing.com/Mommy’s Writings: Mommy, would you like a sandwich?

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