“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life".--John 3:16(NKJV)
When I heard the song, "Live Like You're Loved", by Hawk Nelson, I was moved. The lyrics are simple, yet powerful and thought-provoking. Are we living life as if we are loved by the Almighty God, our heavenly Father? Do our thoughts, feelings, words, behaviors, relationships, choices and decisions reflect us living like we are loved? Are we consumed with anger, riddled with guilt, emotionally detached and disconnected? What lies do we hold as personal truth that inhibit from experiencing the love of the Father? Do we even really know what love is?
In John 3:16, "love" is the Greek word "agapao"; means "to welcome", "to be fond of", "to love dearly", "to have a preference for", "to wish well", "to regard the welfare of". These definitions encompass the way God feels about you. In Him, you are welcome (accepted, invited, beckoned), dearly loved, and preferred. God wishes you well and regards your well-being. Even if you have experienced rejection, abandonment, and disregard by a person or people, these experiences do not define you or decrease your worth, value, significance in relation to the eternal love that the Father has for you.
So again I pose the question, Are you living like you are loved? If not why? Are there core beliefs rooted in lies that need to be dismantled in order to accept this biblical truth? What experiences (past/current) need to be grappled with or addressed?
I encourage you today to bring your heart before the Father, the God so loves you.
Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for your love that is immeasurable, eternal, and limitless. Thank you that your love surpasses human hurt, rejection, abandonment, abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Thank you that in your love there is healing, redemption, motivation, and inspiration.
May the truth of your love hit our hearts and move us beyond fear, rage, despondency, confusion, and stagnation. Uproot the things that are causing personal bondage. Dismantle mental and emotional strongholds, in Jesus' name.
We thank you for acceptance and preference of us. We receive the truth that you desire we do well. May we live our lives like we are loved.
Amen and so be it according to your word.
In John 3:16, "love" is the Greek word "agapao"; means "to welcome", "to be fond of", "to love dearly", "to have a preference for", "to wish well", "to regard the welfare of". These definitions encompass the way God feels about you. In Him, you are welcome (accepted, invited, beckoned), dearly loved, and preferred. God wishes you well and regards your well-being. Even if you have experienced rejection, abandonment, and disregard by a person or people, these experiences do not define you or decrease your worth, value, significance in relation to the eternal love that the Father has for you.
So again I pose the question, Are you living like you are loved? If not why? Are there core beliefs rooted in lies that need to be dismantled in order to accept this biblical truth? What experiences (past/current) need to be grappled with or addressed?
I encourage you today to bring your heart before the Father, the God so loves you.
Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for your love that is immeasurable, eternal, and limitless. Thank you that your love surpasses human hurt, rejection, abandonment, abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. Thank you that in your love there is healing, redemption, motivation, and inspiration.
May the truth of your love hit our hearts and move us beyond fear, rage, despondency, confusion, and stagnation. Uproot the things that are causing personal bondage. Dismantle mental and emotional strongholds, in Jesus' name.
We thank you for acceptance and preference of us. We receive the truth that you desire we do well. May we live our lives like we are loved.
Amen and so be it according to your word.
