made to love and to be loved

Broken.  In pain.  Alone.  This world is so broken, and the enemy, our enemy is doing a successful job of helping us go further down in to depression. 

That is why it is time for a change.  It is time for the truth.  It is time for a lift.  By knowing and holding truth changes things and lives and you and I will change and be changed.  I need that. 

God has changed us.  He loves us and desires to comfort us and give us strength each and every day, yet we often choose to stay alone, feel alone and even to believe lies.  Listen, you are not alone, and God is for you because he loves you.

Our theme for this New Year is MADE TO LOVE.  We are going to strive to make sure all we do in worship and in ministry proclaims these two sides of the same coin… you were made to be loved by God AND you are made to love others.  Jesus said it this way.

1 John 4:19  NASB

We love, because He first loved us.

Romans 5:8   NASB

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

When I didn’t deserve it, God loved me.  When I feel alone, God still loves me.  Nothing can change or remove or decline God’s love for you or for me.

What difference does it make to know you are loved?  It makes a huge difference.  Knowing we are loved gives us confidence and the ability to enjoy life.  To know we are loved we are able to take risks, it will be easier to deal with struggles and gives us perspective on life.

John 3:16-17  NASB

For God so love the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

That is the proof.  We are loved by God.  Nothing cancels His love for me and for you.  There is more to come!

Enjoy it.  Soak it in.