How Much Does Jesus Loves You?

As a Christian you have probably heard of God’s great love for you. There are songs, Bible verses, books and sermons on the topic. Tonight I want to express my view on why we can believe this to be true.

You may be saying, “you don’t know me or what I have done. Jesus can’t love me”. The truth is He does and it is quite simple and really matter- of - fact! When God looks at us, He does not see us, our sins and short comings or past but He sees His son and His blood. If you are a Christian, He does not love you based on the amount of work you have done for Him or your achievements. Before Jesus even began His ministry God affirmed His love for His son publicly, calling Jesus “His beloved son in whom he was well pleased”. Luke 3:22.

This same son, Jesus, after doing all He was commanded to do by His father on our behalf was rejected by Man and died a sinners death by which He put to death our sins and imperfections. He was the guilt sacrifice by which we who believe in Him are cleansed, righteous and adopted into a royal household of the kingdom of heaven. 1Pe 2:9. Now the favour of the Father rests on us as it does on His son, not because of our works but because by the Grace of God, we exchanged places with His perfect son, Jesus!

Now that we have been clothed with the righteousness that comes from faith in the Son of God and His once for all sacrifice for us, how can we then doubt God’s love and forgiveness for us? Remember the woman who had been caught in adultery and how Jesus saved her from the law’s judgement which was death by stoning, simply by telling her accusers that the one without sin should cast the first stone. John 8:1-11. As none of them were without sin, they all threw down their stones and left her there at Jesus’ feet. Jesus then asked her where her accusers had gone, implying that even though He was the only one without sin, He did not condemn her. Jesus went on to clarify it and say, “neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more”!
 
She had not even asked for forgiveness but at her lowest point, seeing into her heart and situation, Jesus forgive her and saved her from the harsh judgement of death by the law. This woman at this point was clearly not a follower of Christ but a Jew bound by the Law of Moses yet she was saved by Grace at Jesus feet. How much more grace, forgiveness and love is there for me, us, we who have received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and His sacrifice on the cross?

God is love and God is also everlasting therefore His love is everlasting. Pride sometimes comes in and makes us believe so much in our own efforts as Christians that we forget that our righteousness has nothing to do with our efforts but rather with God’s grace. “For by Grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of yourself. It is the gift (grace) of God, not of works, lest any man should boast”! Eph 2:8-9. Also, “….while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”! Rom 5:8. It pleased God to save us, love us and adopt us at the price of Christ's’ love! How is it then that we can be convinced that we can lose this love, earn this love or ignore it?

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock....." Rev 3:20!  

Let Jesus in today!
Blessings;-)


Audra

Perfect Apostles? Hardly Not!

Reading the Bible earlier this year, I became overwhelmingly aware of how common and even worldly Jesus 12 apostles were. They lacked faith, they were sometimes fearful, they argued among themselves on matters of status, needed confirmation of Jesus love and appreciation for them and very often did not understand what Jesus was saying to them in plain Aramaic. There was even a traitor among them! For all we know, they may have all worried about money, clothing, weight and we definitely know lack of food was sometimes an issue.

Two things are apparent though. 1. Jesus' love and patience for them and 2. The empowering transformation of the disciples when the Holy Spirit entered their lives!

Today I want to encourage all who read this message by these truths:

1. God fiercely loves you! That makes all the difference and is why salvation is even possible! In God's everlasting love, His grace is sufficient for you, His tender mercies never end and His sacrifice on your behalf has purchased you at a very, very high price. You are God's beloved and nothing will separate you from His Love!

2. Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ...." Philippians 1:6. Yes, God is faithful and will never leave you, forsake you or get tired of setting your foot on the path that leads you to Him!

These common men, in God's time, in accordance with God's will empowered by the Holy Spirit became the rocks and foundations of the true Church of Christ! They stand immortalized pillars forever in the heavenly courts of our Father God! It is unbelievable except that by faith, all things are possible.....

Do you have any worldly concerns, fears and hang ups? Are you less than a perfect Christian! Have you been fully transformed yet into Christ's very image and are the exact representation of Christ's love, beauty and grace? No? Not yet? No worries! Fear not! The work has been done on your behalf!

"I am able", says The I AM.

Blessings;-)

Audra

Psalm 23

1. The Lord is my shepherd....
The Lord looks after me. He is my carer. He is more than able to take care of me and He is 100% faithful, 100% Good and a 100% Love. He is The Good Shepherd.

 
I shall not want. 
How can I be in lack when The Lord Himself is my carer, my shepherd? I will want no good thing!


2. He makes me to lie down…
In the knowledge of His love for me, He causes me to surrender to Him….  I am sold out and all in. He calls me to cast all of my cares, all of my fears, all of my worries and all of my burdens upon Him. He causes me to trust in Him and His Love for me.


In green pastures. 
He establishes me in the right place. A place that has bountiful provision, primarily spiritually.

 
He leads me…
He purposely and intentionally directs me.


beside the still waters
The Lord Purposely and intentionally leads me away from trouble. Away from a violent, tumultuous, or overwhelming flow and other dangers! He leads me to His Peace!!!


3. He restores my soul;
He redeems my soul and saves me from damnation. He heals my body. He heals my mind. He heals my emotions! He heals my soul! He mends my broken heart and sets me free to be who He intended me to be. He saves me from corruption and leads me to know and do His will.


He leads me in the paths of Righteousness. 
The Lord purposely directs my feet by His word and His Holy Spirit. "His word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path". Psalm 119:105 

His word leads me where He wills and desires me to go. Into the purpose He has for me. The Lord who has begun a good work in me, will complete it. He is ABLE!


for His name sake! 
Why? Because I belong to The Lord. I am adopted into a Royal Priesthood and a Holy family. Because I am now a member of His household and am His child and a citizen of heaven! Because I am His witness and His own!!! 1Peter 2:9-10.
 

4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…. 
The Lord has not led me here. Pay attention to the “I”! “I” am here due to the sins of the past and the consequences of sin. I am here because of my mistakes, disobedience and rebellion. Yet, this place is only the “valley of the shadow of death” and not “Death” itself. 

“The valley of the shadow of death” is sometimes a "spiritual desert" where I am molded and shaped by the Lord if I submit and choose to stop going my own way. This can be the turning point towards victory and overcoming!


I will fear no evil for you are with me.
The Lord will never leave me or forsake me! He is with me even unto the end of the age! Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5. There is still hope in this place because He walks with me! When the waters threaten to cover me or when I walk through fire I will not be destroyed. Isaiah 43: 2. The Lord is with me and an ever present help in my time of need! Psalms 46:1. Because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken! I will not fear!


Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Like the prodigal son, the Lord still watches for us and loves us regardless of our imperfections and sins, however because we are the Lord’s, He will rebuke and chastise us if we need it. If we were not rebuked or chastised we will be lost because there will be no one to correct our paths. Revelation 3:19. 

Even in the Valley of the shadow of death however, I know you are with me because your word says so… I hear your Holy Spirit direct me to seek your face and repent! You reveal your word to me and your Holy Spirit teaches and comforts me! You hold me and you will never let me go because of your great love and faithfulness! Lamentations 3:22, 23.  

I am comforted because I know you are chastising me as you do your legitimate children who you love. Revelation 3:19. You are using this time in the “shadow of death” for my own good because YOU LOVE ME!


5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
The Lord openly and generously blesses me with physical and spiritual blessings and gifts. He does not withhold good from me even though I have just passed through the “Valley of the shadow of Death”. The time spent "in the valley of the shadow of death" with the Lord has enabled me to recognise and receive the Lord's blessings. With a Father’s love, The Lord provides all of my needs.


You anoint me with oil 
The Lord prepares me for the gifts He gives me and prepares me to do his good work! He enables me to receive the blessings He has bestowed upon my life and creates in me the heart and mind to do His will with the time and resources He has provided.


My cup runs over! 
God gives me more than enough and I have enough to share with others. I am a cheerful and generous giver. I can be because I rely on His never ending supply.


6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life! 
For as long as I live on this earth, God’s goodness and mercy will chase me down and catch me over and over! It will not fail me! I will share God’s goodness and mercy with others!


And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever!
As a result of God’s constant goodness and mercy following and chasing me down all my life, I will be transformed and transported from sin to righteousness. From death to live. From bankrupt emotionally and spiritually into a blessing to others! He will enable me to show forth His goodness and mercy to others. 

Being thus transformed, when my time on this Earth is at an end, I will go to Heaven and be with the Lord for all eternity!!!

Amen 
Let it be so!


Blessings;-)

Audra