"I must have done something good?"

That quote (from the title) came from my favorite scene in The Sound of Music. "Here you are, standing there, loving me . . .whether or not you should. So somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good." Julie Andrews is awesome and the captain is so studly!!!!! . . .Anyway, back to the point. Do we often think that way . . .like we have to earn someone's love? I know I do. And thus, a blog is born. . .

God recently taught me a timeless truth through my Beth Moore study,"Breaking Free." I've been going through this bible study with my mentor, Jessica. Moore asked several interesting questions like "Why is it so easy for us to tell others that God loves them, but we fail to believe it for ourselves?" This hit me hard. Do i really believe that God loves me? If I did, my life would be completely different.

God shows his love for us in so many ways. Through teaching, and caring, discipline, and instruction. God cares about every little detail of your life . . .because he KNOWS every detail of your life. Beth Moore also pointed out that "The only safe way to love others is to have your heart totally caught up with God first." We all have people we love, but sometimes . . . scratch that . .. EVERY DAY, we mess up. Relationships are messy. You hurt people you love and they hurt you in return. God's love isn't quite like that. We hurt him every single time we sin, but he still loves us with an unfailing love. There is nothing we could do to make him love us less OR love us MORE! If we could just grasp that truth, life would be grand.

Knowing and believing God's love is part of his plan for your life. This truth is SO essential because it is the essence of God's character and the foundation of our faith. God wants us to know who he is and what he's like. Why? . . .because when we begin to understand our God, we begin to live like his children. A child who believes he or she is loved will feel safe, but a child who doesn't will feel vulnerable. The one who believes knows that he or she can't earn God's love, but a child who doesn't cannot accept it. A child who believes they are loved will give God full reign of their heart, but a child who doesn't believe will put up walls.

God's word reveals the importance of knowing His character.

-Psalm 46:10= "Be still and KNOW that I am God." (Knowing his Character provides peace)

- Isaiah 43:10="You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. (Knowing his Character elicits intimacy)

If you read through the Old Testament, you will find that God uses the phrase "And then you will know that I am the Lord." This is often used after God performs a mighty wonder or brings judgement on the people. When God shows his sovereignty, he wants us to take note of that. Beth Moore wrote "The one who has the right to rule is the one whose rule is right." Take comfort in that! The one who LOVES you is the one who is in control! One of my favorite names for God is "God Almighty" or "adonai yaweh" which means "The God who is master of all things." I pray that you allow God to penetrate your heart and that you will come into a greater understanding of his love for you.

All for his Glory

Lysface OUT