Sure of His Love

March 2, 2011

Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.  Ephesians 2:13

Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.  Ephesians 2:18

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.  Ephesians 3:12

Do you see a common theme here?  This week I hear our Abba Father saying that He wants to settle it in our hearts, once and for all, that He wants us in His presence.  He wants us near.  We were far away, but He sent Jesus to bring us near.  Not only that, He wants us coming to Him in freedom and assurance of His love.  That assurance is something we all frequently struggle to find, but enough is enough!  It is time to believe the truth!  It is time to receive with an open heart all that the Father has for us. 

If you have kids, you probably saw the movie Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.  It tells the story of an island where the skies rain down food.  Whenever a new cloud rolls in, everyone runs outside with whatever container they can find to catch the latest treat falling from the sky.  I’ve been thinking about this in regard to the condition of my heart toward the Father.  I imagine my heart like a big mixing bowl.  It can hold a lot, but only if it is turned right side up.  Ever had one of those days when your heart is upside down?  I hate those days!  At other times, my bowl has a lid on it.  The rain of my Father’s love is coming down, but it rolls right off the cover instead of filling up my bowl.  The lid goes on when I choose to listen to the enemy’s lies about who I am and how God sees me.  Sometimes it’s just a film of distraction, like a piece of plastic wrap on my bowl.  I’m too wrapped up in all my activity to allow the Father to fill me.  Sisters, it’s time to turn our bowls right side up and start looking for the Father to fill us up with His love, His truth, and His joy.  It may be cloudy, but there’s a certainty that we will be blessed when we do.  His resources are unlimited and so far beyond what we can imagine:  unending love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, healing, restoration, creativity, provision, peace and so much more.  Whatever we need, He has it.  Come to Him with confidence, and don’t forget your bowl!

I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.  Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.  Ephesians 3:14-18