Word for the day “The truth of God’s love.”
Luke 15:23 (NKJV) Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So, they began to celebrate.
BELOVED LEADERS,
The greatest gift we have in our lives, in my mind, is the love of God. As you go about your life and leadership, save today’s message for those times you’ll need the reminder, encouragement, and affirmation.
HUMANITY OFTEN ATTEMPTS TO IMPOSE ITS OWN FAULTY PREFERENCES ON GOD.
This is especially true regarding the nature of God’s love. We think we must negotiate, plead, or try hard to earn the Lord’s favor.
But as today’s reading unpacks the prodigal son learned, the father’s love is unconditional. In fact, the story of the prodigal son, in my opinion, is primarily about the superlative Love of our auspicious God, which we all have a challenging time understanding.
The truth of God’s love consideration: The wayward son expected his father’s love to be diminished. Therefore, he went home, hoping for a place among the family servants.
Imagine the boy’s delight when his dad came running to him and greeted him with a hug and a celebration.
His actions certainly didn’t merit an outpouring of affection, but Jesus’ parable is all about a Father love, who doesn’t give people what they deserve.
The Father gives them, what we all are missing and stands in need of “The Truth of God’s Love”.
There is a misnomer in our culture that love will just show up at our door. In fact, I believe that many people can often sit around hoping and waiting for someone to love them.
But God’s love doesn't work that way. To get love and keep authentic love, you must begin to embrace the Love of God for yourself.
Today’s message of the prodigal son really brings this narrative home for me. In a compelling way the amazing love of the father for his son, is emblematic of the Love of God for all of us, no matter who we are or what we’ve done.
LOVE BASED ON PERFORMANCE WOULD KEEP PEOPLE GUESSING, HAVE I DONE ENOUGH.
Instead, God cares for you simply because you are “You”, and the Lord expects nothing in return. Consider the prodigal’s life after his homecoming party.
He didn’t move into the servants’ quarters and get to work. He was reinstated to his place as the second son of a wealthy man, with all the privileges he originally had.
In the same way, believers are the Lord’s cherished children (II Cor. 6:18). When God looks at His loved ones, the Lord doesn’t focus on past failures, faults, or even our sins.
The Lord of Love sees us as heirs to His kingdom, men and women who love Him and desire to spend eternity in His presence.
The challenge for each of us, the children of God, is to have the right perspective of God’s love.
In our world of loneliness and hurt, there is an enormous need for men and women who know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, cares, that reaches out, and wants to heal all with the “Power of God’s Love.”
Today’s message really drives home some amazing considerations of Christ’s Love for us all.
POINT TO PONDER:
No matter how far we may wander from the Lord’s perfect will for our lives, (Please notice I said we might wander because we all wander at various points in our life), however, we are always welcomed back.
The Bible teaches in the parable of the prodigal that God’s love cannot be lost, regardless of sin or poor decisions (though we may have to live with the consequences). Our Father’s arms are always open with the “The truth of God’s Love”!
Do you embrace the Love of God in your life?
Where did you learn your views of Love?
How are you doing in the area of Love for your life?
Are you struggling with Loving yourself?
What does the “Truth” of God’s Love teach you?
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Kingdom Blessings,