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Girlfriends in God - March 29, 2007

 

March 29, 2007

His Love Was First

Gwen Smith

 

 

 

 

Today’s Truth

 

“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

 

 

Friend to Friend

What is love? Pop culture radio boasts titles that say, “Love Stinks,” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.” It asks questions like, “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” and “What About Love?“ There seems to be a good bit of confusion and negativity about this crazy little four-letter word. The world’s version of love is cheap and conditional. It is shallow and frivolous. It tends to be disappointing, self-serving and watered down. In a world of fleeting affairs and fickle affections, it is so comforting to know that the love of God is certain, constant and unwavering. God’s love is different. He is love. He is the source of all love. His love is perfect. It’s counter cultural. It embodies humility, service and sacrifice. It is complete in forgiveness.

 

I don’t know about you, but I get really frustrated when I am bound by my inabilities to love God’s way. I am constantly reminded, by my own flawed actions and words, that I need God’s help to love. Love is not simple. In fact, it’s quite to the contrary. Love is complex and challenging. None-the-less, we are called by God to love all people…not just the ones that are easy to love.

 

In order for us to be able to love others, God must be our first love. We are to love him with all of our hearts, with all of our minds and with all of our souls. What do you think that looks like? What can you do to love him more completely? Can you do that on your own? I can’t. None of us can.

 

 

“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love. Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

 

“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

 

 

All of our earthly attempts to love others will fall short until we whole-heartedly embrace the love of God as our own. Have you embraced God’s love and accepted His forgiveness? He wants each of us to reach beyond where we are right now to love higher, deeper, and wider in Christ.

 

 

His Love Was First
Words and Music by Gwen Smith

 

Angels sang as one before His voice lit the sun
And even then He loved me, though life had not begun
His love preceded all my hopes and dreams
It’s greater than my mind can possibly conceive

 

His love was first
His love will last
His love forgives
Forgets the past
Before my breath
Long after death
He loves me at my best and at my worst
His love was first

 

People, can’t you see, you can live abundantly
There’s something even greater He longs for you to be
The answer’s not that far from where you are
Just take Him at His word and trust Him at His heart

 

His love was first
His love will last
His love forgives
Forgets the past
Before your breath
Long after death
He loves you at your best and at your worst
His love was first

 

When you take the hand that's reaching to you
You'll breathe deeper and life will be new

 

©2005 Audio 31 Music / Sunday Best Music / ASCAP

 

 

Will you will take Him at His word and trust His heart today?

 

 

Let’s pray

 

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for the forgiveness that is available, through the shed blood of Jesus that allows me to receive Your love. Please forgive me for all the times I’ve failed to show love. Help me to love others for You. Help me to trust Your heart and lean on Your strength. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

 

 

Now it’s your turn

 

 

  • What verse was your favorite? Write it down and try to memorize it.

 

  • Is there someone that you are having a difficult time loving? Ask God right now to help you to love that person.

 

  • Have you been hurt by someone who supposedly loved you? Pray that God would heal the wounds in your heart with His perfect love.

 

 

More from the Girls

Hey girlfriend. One thing I am sure of is that the world needs more love. Our husbands, kids, family and friends need more love. Our neighbors and communities need more love. I’m really challenged by this lately. Let’s continue to pray that God will empower us through His Holy Spirit to show His love to everyone we meet.

 

Gwen’s song “His Love Was First” can be found on her BECAUSE CD.

 

 

Girlfriends in God

P.O. Box 725

Matthews, NC 28106

www.girlfriendsingod.com

 

 

 



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