This Is Love

 

It's not our love for God but it's God's love for us that sent Jesus to die the death we deserve to give us what we don't deserve (forgiveness, salvation, eternal life with Him in Heaven). Sin separated us from God. God loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. Because God is holy, righteous, and just, sin has to be dealt with. Out of love, God gave His one and only Son to be the atoning sacrifice (propitiation/the mercy seat) for our sin (to pay the penalty for our sin once and for all/to satisfy God's justice and wrath towards our sin), in order to restore our relationship with Him.

God is the Source of true love (agape). Agape love is unconditional, sacrificial, and selfless. It seeks the highest good for another no matter what the cost may be, as shown by Christ's sacrificial death on our behalf. God offered His Son to rescue us regardless of our decision to accept or reject Jesus, His gracious Gift. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Christ died for our sins even when we're still enemies of God. God loves us first before we turn to Him...before we seek Him...before we love Him. He did not wait for us to love Him first before showing His love to us. God's love for us does not depend on who we are or what we do. God loves the guilty, the rebellious, the wicked, the unworthy, the ungrateful, and the unloving. God's amazing love for us never changes. God loved us to death (literally) before we did anything deserving of love. Christ's death on the cross was the ultimate expression of God's love for mankind. The most glorious display of His lovingkindness! We must follow God's example. Take the initiative in loving others, loving everyone, including the unlovable. Love like Jesus!

"When you love the unloving, you get a glimpse of what God does for you." (Max Lucado)

"We cannot choose whom we will love if we claim to be Christians." (Unknown)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me before I even knew You! Thank You for Christ's sacrifice for my sins! My heart is overwhelmed with Your unfailing & unconditional love for me. Please love through me...help me love others with Your agape love. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

He Made a Way in a Manger

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:16-17
  
"Jesus answered, 'I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" John 14:6
  
"You know the story--an infant, born in a stable, worshiped by lowly shepherds and travelers from the East. Sweet story, but does it hold any meaning for your life today? Consider this. The entire Bible pivots on this single event in history. The Old Testament predicts it, and the New Testament confirms it. The Child lying in that tiny manger was no ordinary child--He was God incarnate, who came to live and die for you. The story won't be fully told until you bow your knee to Bethlehem's Babe and call Him the Lord of your life." ~Rebecca Currington

Nothing But the Blood

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the videos.

Nothing But the Blood (Words and Music by Robert Lowry, 1826-1899)


Nothing But the Blood by Matt Redman

"Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22b
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood." Romans 3:23-25a

Only the shedding of God's Son's blood can satisfy God's justice for our past, present, and future sins.  Christ's blood makes us righteous (have right standing with God).  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your precious blood that makes me white as snow!

"Nothing can for sin atone--nothing but the blood of Jesus; naught of good that I have done--nothing but the blood of Jesus." ~Robert Lowry (from the hymn above (the first song); this stanza was not sung in the video).


Previous Songs:
- Redeemer
- Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
- Faithful One
- Your Love Broke Through
- Until the Whole World Hears
- Take My Life
- In Christ Alone
- Sweetly Broken
- Be Thou My Vision
- God With Us
- Offering- Christmas Version 
- How Many Kings
- Give Thanks
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- He Knows My Name
- Oh Lord, You're Beautiful!

- What the Lord Has Done in Me

- I Surrender All
- Mighty To Save
- Could I Be Called a Christian?
- Cry Out to Jesus
- Jesus, Be the Center
- God of Justice
- Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- I Will Offer Up My Life
- When It's All Been Said and Done
- Knowing You, Jesus

Thankful Thursday #14

 
This week...
1. I am thankful that the best Gift in the world is free to all.  "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)  No gifts can ever compare to Jesus, the greatest Gift of all!

2. I am thankful for any gifts or abilities the Lord has blessed me with.  I desire to use them wisely and for His glory.

3. I am thankful that God never leaves me nor forsakes me (Deuteronomy 31:6).  Praise Immanuel (Matthew 1:23)!  God is with us and in us!

4. I am thankful for running water and clean water.  Water is very important; however, we don't really think about it until we have to live without it.  One of my friends has had no water because of broken pipes.  Daily living has become difficult for her and her family.  Now think about those people in some countries who have no clean water.  Please do all you can to help.

5. I am thankful for Christian writers who are willing to share their stories to help and encourage others.  I am hosting 12 Pearls of Christmas.  Each day until Dec. 25th, I post different inspiring and touching stories written by Christian female authors.  Please scroll down to read what I have posted so far.

P.S. I'm having a book giveaway on my HSB blog. You can win a copy of 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day by C.D. Baker.

His Name Is Jesus

"For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Isaiah 9:6

A few Christmases ago, my kids and I had a great time studying the names of Jesus.  It helped us know Him more intimately and gain more insight into His character.

"She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

May the miracle of His birth, the teachings of His life, the purpose of His death, the triumph of His resurrection, and the hope of His return fill your heart with unending love, peace, and joy that only Christ can bring!!!  Merry CHRISTmas to you and your family!

P.S. I'm having a book giveaway on my HSB blog.  You can win a copy of 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day by C.D. Baker.  I'm also hosting the 12 Pearls of Christmas on this blog.  Please scroll down and take a look.  If you leave a comment, you will be entered to win a pearl necklace.  Come back each day to read different inspiring & touching stories written by well-known Christian female authors.

Previous WFW:

- The Light of the World

- It Is Good

- Worship

- Whatever You Do

- More Blessed

- My Soul Pants for You

- Without Excuse

- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors

- Where Does My Help Come From?

- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge

- Rooted in Love

- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?

- Reflecting the Lord's Glory

- The Rock Eternal

- His Eye Is On The Sparrow