First Be Loved

"We, though, are going to love- love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love.

 He loved us first." 1 John 4:19 MSG

I am completely convinced that until we know how much we are loved by God, we cannot really love one another. I am feeling frustrated lately with the misuse of the word love. We say we love one another, yet we cut one another down, selfishly take from one another, and compete to have more or appear better than the one we supposedly love. That is not God's love

God loved us first. He is the example of love. And until we open up to him and receive his love, we will not truly know love. We will offer the best love we know, but we will not offer real love because real love comes from God. We have to know his character, accept that his word is truth, and respond to his love by offering that love to others. 

GFF's I can't tell you enough how important it is to get an accountability partner and get serious about finding God. You have to go into your Bible wanting him. Ask him to reveal his love to you. Search for scriptures about his love. Read how he loved those that are mentioned in the Bible and apply those same truths to your life. 

For example, Hosea goes out and brings his wife back to himself time and again even though she is prostituting herself to others. God's message to us is that he will continue loving us even after we have gone off and sinned time and again. He is faithful. His love never ends! He will forgive you each time you sin. Once we know his faithfulness, once we've received his forgiveness, he wants us to love others with that same faithfulness and forgiveness. 

Another example is this: God says that he will never leave or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8). You have to recite this scripture in your head until you believe it in your heart. Then you offer that same kind of love to others by never walking out on them. 

How loved do you feel by God today? Are you confident in his love? If so, you will be confident in yourself. You will know that your body, your job, or your past don't determine your worth. If you truly know you are loved by God, you will be so in love with him you won't be able to stop talking about him. You will feel compelled to help those in need and share his love with them. You will stop being critical of others because you know the depth of your own sin and the mercy and grace you are wrapped in by your loving Father. And in response you will have grace and mercy on others.

Dear Lord,

It is my prayer today that you will speak your love directly to my GFFs' hearts. Draw the heart of these precious friends to your heart. Help them know you personally. Give my GFFs the courage to step out and admit their sins so they can receive your forgiveness and healing. Help these dear GFFs to know your love greatly. Amen