These were the words I woke up with this morning.It caught me by surprise and with interest.
In this season of isolation we are in with uncertainty that can led us to place of insecurities. I believe both uncertainty and insecurity come from a place where true love is not presence or is mis understood.
I once was counselling a young lady who said her life was a mess. In the conversation she mentioned her dad never loved her. I found this comment interesting as I knew her dad. He was kind, always giving, a reliable loving man who loved the Lord. So why did she think her dad did not love her ? As I knew on several occasions he had provided so much for her in times of need.
I believe the answer was, His way of providing love, was not what she thought love was so she missed it. Maybe both had a mis understanding of true love as a lot of us may do. Many think true love is represented in provision, a hug or being presence. But true Love goes far deeper than this. It can only be found in the heart of a true servant, one that has been first Loved by God then whom Truly understands they are Loved by Him. Only then can they be an expression of True love to others
Jesus represents this so well,
(Passion Translation NT)
17 Then suddenly the voice of the Father shouted from the sky, saying, “This is the Son I love, and my greatest delight is in him.”
In this verse Jesus gets to see, hear, feel and fully experience the Love of the Father and to fully understand how much the Father loves Him.
This was the Fathers first appearance to Jesus we read about in the new testament. It was also the start of His ministry of loving others.
My questions to you today are these !
1. Have you fully experience His Love ?
2. Do you really know how much God Loves you ?
For without a understanding of both of these it is impossible to truly Love others. It’s what allow us to be a real witness and release an expression of who He is !
If you are saying no to either of these questions. Here is a challenge for you. Find a quiet place, without distractions.
I want you to close your eyes pray the follow prayers.
Father God show me your Love ?
Father God show me how much you love me ?
May I suggest you spend time on each of these prayers, for they hold with in them the greatest understanding and invitation to your identity, meaning and Ministry.
Father I pray allow your children to experience your Love and to truly understand how much you love them. That through your Love they will be able to express the true love to others. Amen
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors/ Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
