Thursday, February 12, 2009

Responding To His Love


During this time I will share a study series from Women of Faith: Receiving God's Love, that my grandson gave me for Christmas.To find out more about the meme: What are You Learning?, please visit here

“We love Him because He first loved us. “ 1 John 4:19

“Consider the moon. It has very little to recommend – it’s cold, dusty, and airless as it is. The moon’s landscape is pockmarked by craters and is lifelessly gray. Among the celestial spheres, it is a mere pebble, responding to those with greater gravitational pull. The moon has no light of its own – flat, dark, unremarkable. If it were not for the sun, we’d never even notice it. But the sun is there, and the moon responds beautifully to its light. The dull, dusty surface is transformed, and we see a shimmering silvery disk in our sky. We admire the play of shadows across its surface, and trace the familiar rings of its craters with fascination. The night sky is filled with its gentle light.

We are not so very different from the moon. When we were lost in sin, our hearts were dark and lifeless. Our prospects were filled with dusty rubble and pockmarked with pitfalls. We lived in the darkness of ignorance, with no expectations of change. But when the light of God’s love washed over us, we were transformed. In response, we beamed back, and others could see the love of God clearly reflected.”

Just as the moon only glows because the light of the sun bathes its surface, 1 John 4:19 tell us that we love God because He loved us first.

Our love is not to be half-hearted either; we are to love the Lord God wholeheartedly. (Luke 10:27). Joshua describes what wholehearted devotion looks like. “To love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” Joshua 22:5.

We are to respond to God’s love by loving Him back. When we do so, our lives reflect that love. Our heart’s prayer should be as the psalmist prayed, “Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles!” (Psalm119:5).

Think of holding a mirror to remind you that the love in your heart is a reflection of the love of God for you. Your heart responds to the heart of God. You love Him because He first loved you. His love transforms you in visible and invisible ways. Your love echoes His. Your life reflects His place in your heart.

This week, take the time to consider just how long you have been loved. God knew you when you were small. He knew you before you were born. He knew you before He’d even created the first man and woman. He knew you before time had begun. And all that time, He loved you! Thank God this week for this amazing love, and ask that your life might reflect that love.

6 comments:

Denise said...

Beautiful.

luvmy4sons said...

It still takes my breath away to realize that God is truly the source of it all...my ability to love...my salvation...my ability o respond to Him...God IS love...sometimes I can't take it all in!

Angela said...

This week, take the time to consider just how long you have been loved.

Thank you for keeping my focus of God's love, on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit working in and through me. I LOVE how you sharpen me girl. You are SUCH a blessing to my spirit.

Angela said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Beth in NC said...

That is beautiful Michele. What a great comparison.

I pray we reflect our Lord -- the Son, as the moon reflects the light of the sun.

He & Me + 3 said...

I don't deserve His love, but I am so glad it is there...and I don't have to worry about it being taken away or vanishing, because His love is eternal. I pray that I can reflect that love in my own life.