Unconditionally Loved

I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. 
– Isaiah 49:16

No matter what you do, God still loves you.

No matter how far you run away, God lovingly waits for you to come home.

No matter how disappointed you are with yourself, you can forgive yourself because you are forgiven.

As Jesus hung on the cross taking the sins of the world upon His shoulders, He cried out to God saying, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”  Jesus asked God to forgive the men who were crucifying Him and who were dividing up His clothes in front of the crowd.  Jesus had unconditional love even for the men who were mocking and killing Him. 

Jesus’ love knows no boundaries.  His love for you is deep and wide, high and long. (Ephesians 3:18)  If you draw those measurements out, you’ll sketch a cross.  When Jesus went to the cross, He took your past, present, and future sins with Him.  When He engraved your name upon His palms, He tossed your sins as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12)

As soon as you confess your sins to God, they are gone, remembered no more.  Isn’t that amazing?  Think of all the people in the Bible who messed up big time and God still forgave them.

·             Noah stepped out of the ark, built a vineyard, got drunk and passed out naked. (Genesis 9:21)

·             Abraham lied and said his wife Sarah was his sister. (Genesis 20:2)

·             Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced her father-in-law to get revenge. (Genesis 38:16)

·             David committed adultery with Bathseba.  When he found out she was pregnant, he had her husband killed.       (2 Samuel 11:4, 15)

·             Peter denied knowing Jesus three times.  He even angrily cussed to a servant that he didn’t know who Jesus      was. (Matthew 26:69-75)

All these people were forgiven by God and loved unconditionally.  What they must have struggled with, as we do, is the leap of faith it takes to forgive ourselves.  It’s truly a matter of trust.  Do you trust God to remove your sins?  If you do, leave your baggage behind and travel on, believing you are forgiven and set free.  What Jesus sets free, is free indeed. (John 8:36)

Engage With God - Read and Reflect

DAY 13 – Unconditionally Loved

I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. – Isaiah 49:16

Daily Reminder: 

When Jesus died for your past, present, and future sins, they were removed from you as far as the east is from the west.  Now forgive yourself.  Let go of your emotional baggage and step into the freedom you’ve been given.  If the Son of God sets you free, you are free indeed.

Real Life Reflection Questions:

1.         It is challenging for you to forgive yourself and accept God’s unconditional love?  Why are why not?

2.         Imagine yourself filling up a suitcase with all your mistakes, mess ups, and times you’ve disappointed yourself.  Hand God your suitcase and thank Him for taking it all.  Walk away free… (or jump or skip) What emotions and thoughts are racing through you?

QUICK PRAYER –

Lord God,

Thank you for loving me no matter what I’ve done.  Your unconditional love is the greatest gift in my life.  Help me to accept it, live freely in it, and enjoy my life more fully knowing I am forgiven.  Help me let go of my past mistakes and forgive myself completely.  I will trust in You Lord!

In Jesus’ Precious Name I Pray, Amen

TODAY’S THOUGHTS – You are loved unconditionally!

Personal Bible Study- Read, record, and reflect on these scriptures. Let them seep into your soul.

Psalm 103:12–

John 8:31-36 –

Love in Action

All the believers were one in heart and mind. – Acts 4:32

Many churches today strive to be like the early church Paul describes in Acts.  People are encouraged to gather in homes, read God’s word, pray for one another, eat together, share their possessions, and meet the individual needs of the group.

Last week, I witnessed this kind of church when I shared the needs of a sick woman in our Bible Study.  Women jumped to put love into action, each volunteering their unique gifts as members of “Jane’s Care Team.”

A woman who has an Occupational Therapy degree offered to go into Jane’s house and prepare it to accommodate her limitations during recovery.  Another gal offered to watch her children so this could happen without distraction.  One woman who loves nutritional planning signed up to bring Jane homemade beef and chicken broth.  Several other women are planning to cook and deliver meals once Jane’s appetite returns.  Others enthusiastically jumped at the idea of taking Jane on daily walks around the neighborhood to speed up her recovery.  Lastly, a woman who is a registered nurse offered to give Jane free health care in the comfort of her own home.

These faithful women are an example of a modern day church living like the first church, and both Jane and her care team will be blessed and experience God’s powerful love because of it.

Love in action is revealed in how you spend your time and resources.  Who can you intentionally love this week?  

Let’s be thankful for the opportunities God gives us to touch others with His love. There is hope for the church of Jesus Christ when we love like Him and live like the first church.  With Jesus as the cornerstone, the church can love with an unstoppable power! 

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement

Generational Gratitude

The LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.  

– Psalm 100:5

My heart is overflowing with gratitude and love today.  I am thanking God for the beautiful and faithful women who have been brave and completely honest during the past three weeks as we’ve been studying God’s love.  They have shared their fears, doubts, joys, and tested faith with one another in wonderfully alive, intergenerational circles.  The wisdom I have seen pass from one woman to another is priceless; a glimpse of heaven.

One woman in her 80’s spoke boldly: “Jesus has been right by my side, even when I didn’t know he was there.  He has carried me through all these years.”  Immediately, peace, hope, and joy filled the room as if the Holy Spirit was moving from one heart to another.

A much younger group of women leaned in and shared their deep insecurities.  They wrestled with the reality that if God loves them so much, why is it so difficult for them to like, let alone love themselves?  Sharing their real doubts with one another, each woman realized that she was not alone.

As I drive home from our Bible Study gatherings, my heart is overwhelmed with thanksgiving and love.  (which causes the tears to flow easily).  I have the awesome privilege of being an eyewitness to faith growing and deep friendships forming.  I’m certain God is smiling upon us and reassuring each woman of His love.

Who or what fills your heart with gratitude and love?  Focus on these things and people this weekend.  Each day is a gift from God, so enjoy today and give thanks to God in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  This is God’s will for you each and every day.  

You have the awesome privilege of modeling gratitude across generations.  Your thanksgiving can be contagious and can redirect someone else’s heart and mind.  

God can use you as an agent of change, when you allow thanksgiving and praise to pour out.  Share your faith, hope, joy, and thankful heart with others this weekend.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement