DO YOU LOVE ME?
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
1 John 4:16 (NLT)
How do you know when someone loves you? Some would say words spoken; others would say actions expressed. Both are vital to someone experiencing love from another. Many will say that they just know that they are loved. They will talk about their feelings, butterflies in their stomach, and just wanting to be with that person. All of these can certainly contribute to believing they are loved.
What’s missing in all of those characteristics is something of extreme importance: motive. What’s the motive behind how someone treats us? Are they in it for themselves? Are they trying to impress us? Or do they have our best interests at heart? Sometimes it is hard to tell at first. But time usually shows us motive. There’s a saying that talks about character being revealed during a crisis. Who someone really is shows up when they’re squeezed. What happens to love when you’re having a bad day, losing your temper, ignoring someone, or not reciprocating love in return? Nobody can be expected to be always loving except one: God.
God is Love. The Bible tells us and shows us that. God’s motive in loving us is simple: because He made us. We don’t have to perform for Him. We don’t have to be perfect. We do need to receive His love and draw close to Him. What’s great about His love is that it never leaves us. His love for us is eternal. So even on your worst day, you can be assured that He loves you because He is love!
APPLICATION: Spend some time thinking about the love God has for you. Write down examples of how He has shown love to you. Praise Him for that love. Share those examples with someone as a testimony.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for loving me. Encourage me to love others the way You have loved me. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?