Chapter One
KNOWING GOD
LOVE
With all the people in the world, how do
I know God really loves me?
Have you ever seen the birth of a human baby? The
mother usually arrives at the hospital filled with feelings
of excitement and anticipation. As the minutes turn into
hours, however, tension and unspoken worries arise: Is
everything proceeding normally? Is my baby going to be okay?
You watch pain contort her face during the contractions
and wonder why anyone would ever want to go through
this. But then comes the moment all have been waiting
for. You can see it in Mom's eyes the moment she locks
onto that precious newborn-an unmistakable combination
of joy, relief, and love.
God's love for each of us-for you-is something
like that. In fact, even more so. After all, He created and
"birthed" you, with your unique characteristics, talents,
and gifts specifically in mind. He knows you better than
you know yourself, right down to the number of hairs
on your head (see Matthew 10:30). He's waiting for you
to discover the plans He has for you. He chose you. Most
incredible of all, He sacrificed His own Son so that you
could live forever with Him. That's love!
John wrote, "Everyone who confesses that Jesus is
God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship
with God. We know it so well, we've embraced
it heart and soul, this love that comes from God" (1 John
4:15-16). Even with six billion people in the world, God's
love is big enough to cover each of us individually. He is
love (see 1 John 4:16), and He's ready to overwhelm you
with that love if you'll only open up your arms-and
your heart.
GOD'S ADVICE
This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only
Son into the world so we might live through him.
1 JOHN 4:9
You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my
body; you know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was
sculpted from nothing into something.
PSALM 139:15
You are the ones chosen by God.
1 PETER 2:9
"If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off,
doesn't he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he
finds it, doesn't he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine
who stay put? Your Father in heaven feels the same way.
MATTHEW 18:12-14
First we were loved, now we love. [God] loved us first.
1 JOHN 4:19
Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge
between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way!
Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not
homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even
the worst sins listed in Scripture None of this fazes us
because Jesus loves us.
ROMANS 8:35-37
REALITY CHECK
* Do you ever doubt God's love for you as an individual?
Why?
* Do you believe you could ever make God not love you?
* What does it mean to be "chosen" by God?
* How would your life change if you were fully aware of
God's love for you on a moment-by-moment basis?
Prayer
Lord, I do believe that You love each of Your creations-even
me. Help me to see and truly understand that nothing can
stand in the way of Your love. Thank You for allowing Your
Son, Jesus, to give up His life for me. Enable me to open up my
heart and soul so that I can experience Your amazing love every
moment of every day. I love you! Amen.
(Continues.)
