The Power of God's Love - part 2

Last week we started a discussion on the topic of The Power of God’s Love. I would suggest you go back and read that first blog entry as foundational information for what we will discuss today.

God’s love embodies total spiritual perfection. He wants you and me, His children, to be rooted and grounded in His love because His love has the power to change us and the world around us. Let’s examine a few of the ways that the powerful love of God affects and blesses our lives and the lives of others.

•  God's love removes all walls that may try to separate us from Him.

Romans 8:38-39 -- ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

At the time Paul penned these verses he had suffered rejection from his friends, persecution from the government, and many months in an isolated jail cell. Yet he knew beyond a doubt that no situation could ever separate him from the love of God. Paul says that he is “persuaded.”  That simply means that he is convinced, he believes, he knows that he knows this truth!

•  God's love heals us. His powerful love heals us in many ways. For example He heals our broken hearts. Psalm 147:3 (NKJV) -- He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. God’s love also heals our wounded spirits. Psalm 51:17 (NKJV) -- The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart -- these, O God, You will not despise.
•  God’s love gives us peace. John 14:27 (NKJV) -- Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
• God’s love takes away our shame. Romans 5:5 (NKJV) -- Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Mothers of Nations, it is beyond wonderful to realize and experience that our Jesus is not a hard taskmaster. As we read in Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV) -- ²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

•  God's love blesses us in uncountable ways.

1. With good gifts. James 1:17 (NKJV) -- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
2. With endurance. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV) Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. ⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
3. With abundance. Genesis 27:28-29 (NKJV) -- Therefore may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. ²⁹ Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you!”

Next week we will conclude our discussion of The Power of God’s Love. Until then, I encourage you to look for ways in which you recognize the love of God working in your life and in the lives of others. Let’s intentionally be vessels of His love to those we meet daily.

Dr. Sharon Predovich