God's Love and More

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (II Thessalonians 2:16).

I always enjoy seeing the colorful Valentine’s Day decorations at this time of year, and it’s an appropriate time to meditate on God’s priceless love. This verse is a favorite of mine, because it reminds me not only of His great love for me, but of the other blessings I am given as well.

Love and grace: God loved me enough to send Jesus to the cross for me, though I did nothing to deserve or earn this (Ephesians 2:5). His love is everlasting, and no pain, illness, or difficulty can separate me from it (Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 8:39).

Eternal encouragement: God’s support and help will never end. They are as eternal and boundless as He is, and He always hears my cry (Psalm 10:17).

Good hope: When my hope seems gone, He miraculously restores it through Scripture and the comforting power of the Holy Spirit within me (Romans 15:4, 13). I have hope for my eternal future, and I am given continual daily hope as I face the frustrations and disappointments of my disabilities.

Strength: I am given God’s divine power to live this life, even in weakness, trials, and pain (II Peter 1:3), and I am constantly protected against Satan’s attacks (II Timothy 4:18).

When I feel overwhelmed and unable to keep going, I remind myself of what I possess. Just as the cheerful red of February is a bright spot in the midst of a gray winter, so the comfort of these divine gifts lifts me up on my darkest days. I can make it — through this day and through this life– because of God’s love and more.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, how I praise You for Your unending love, grace, encouragement, hope, and strength. Teach me to live my days in the power of these truths. Amen.


About the Author:

Bronlynn Spindler is a wife and mother of three grown daughters and lives in Fredericksburg, VA. God’s grace and strength give her the ability to deal with chronic back pain, depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. You may contact her at spindler@cox.net and view her blog of devotionals at http://www.aplaceofsprings57.blogspot.com/.

Posted by: Rest Ministries

The Essence of Love

2With Valentine's Day fast approaching, the world turns its focus to "love". But what is "love", really? Perahaps it can best be defined, not in words, but in a thousand pictures God has given us to illustrate His profound feelings for those He created. Love is all around us and in us, if we only open not only our eyes, but our hearts...

The Essence of Love

Love is a sunrise- a radiant kiss

   of life and warmth to all creation,

The heavens' amidst;
   a glorious light of truth and dedication.

Love is a seashore- golden sand
   and silver waves depict the timeless art;
Collecting and sifting, again and again,
   carefully discerning those thoughts of the heart.

Love is a gentle rain shower in spring-
   soothing the thirst of a weary one's soul.
Falling, it makes the heat to sing
   and tenderly urges the flowers to grow.

Love is a mountain- majestic and strong;
   a colossus of truth, changeless and free;
A powerful fortress which all nature bonds
   and holds in its chambers life's key.

Love is a miracle- God’s special gift;
   His perfect plan brought to earth.
Love is the essence of all that is His;
   the measure of life and its worth.

And those who discover this wondrous gift
   hold greater wealth than the world can know.
It is love's priceless treasure that brings hearts a'lift;
   for the essence of love is life to the soul.

© 2009 Angela Hall Dobbins

If you want to discover or learn more about God's deep and endearing love for you, visit True Life Family Ministries or True Living Today- Life Coaching with purpose & passion.