We Love for He First Loved us.

These are the words I woke to recently and it caught me by surprise but immediately had my interest. ‘WE LOVE FOR HE FIRST LOVED US’.

In this season of separation, isolation and broader pandemic effects, particularly economic and employment, we can understandably fall into a place of uncertainty; if not for our own circumstances for those around us ! This is a place of added pressure and stress that we need to guard ourselves from as there’s a high risk if we allow ourselves to walk into a mindset of uncertainty and insecurity ! I believe both uncertainty and insecurity come from a place where true love is not present or is mis-understood.

When counselling a young lady whose life was a total mess she mentioned in conversation that her dad never loved her. I found this comment strange as I knew her dad and he was kind and generous; a reliable, caring man who loved the Lord.

So why did she think her dad did not love her, as I knew on several occasions he’d 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 ! Possibly both had a mis-understanding of true love as many of us do. Many think true love is represented in provision, a hug or being there at crucial times. However true love goes far deeper than this. It can only be found in the heart of a true servant and one that has been first loved by God. Only then can we be an expression of true love to others because we are reflecting our experience of Him !

Jesus represents this so well,

Matthew 3:17 (Passion)

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 public acknowledgement of Jesus we read of in the new testament. It was also the start of His ministry of Loving others.

My questions to you today are :

1. Have you fully experienced 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 allows us to be a real witness and release an accurate 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. Close your eyes and pray the following 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 within them the greatest understanding and invitation to your identity, meaning and Ministry. Also, if you want to go deeper on this amazing topic read :

1 John 4:7-21

I believe as you read these verses and allow the spirit to bring revelation from it, you will have a clearer picture of this amazing invitation and the opportunities awaiting you ; through the capacity to receive and release His Love to others !

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 and release that true love to others. Amen

Craig Patten

Itinerate Pastors/ Apostolic Leaders

Encounter Ministries