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Girlfriends in God - July 29, 2009

July 29, 2009 
Stars 
Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth 
“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:4, NIV)

Friend To Friend 
A few years back, as my kids were playing with Play-Dough at the kitchen table, they enthusiastically called me over to view their creative masterpieces. I noticed that my son Hunter had used a small cookie cutter to make a bunch of blue stars.  As I looked at the work of his small hands, I was reminded of a Bible verse.  So I asked them, “Did you guys know that the Bible talks about stars?”  I continued, “It says that God made all of the stars in the sky and has named each one!”  Without hesitation, my daughter Kennedy, who was five years old at the time, excitedly responded “Like George, Junior, and Kelsey?”

After the laughter waned, we had a simple, yet special conversation about God’s love for us.  I really enjoy those moments of simplicity … the times when we pause to think about God’s handiwork and His Word as it applies to us.  I can’t help but shake my head when I consider this thought: if God directed His attention to the stars and named each and every last one … how much more does He direct His attention to His children who are made in His image and purposed in His love?

It’s not uncommon for me to watch my children play in the backyard.  While I do care what they say to one another, how they behave, and if they’re safe, I love to watch them just because they’re my kids and because I love them.  Do you know that God delights in you and loves you simply because you are His?  Not because of what you do or don’t do, not because of what you say or don’t say and not because of what neighborhood you live in or what dress size you wear.  He just – flat out – loves you!

Psalm 145:20a says, “The LORD watches over all who love him….” 

I’m so glad that I don’t have to perform for God in order to be loved by Him.  Just like the stars in the heavens, we were handmade by the Master of Life.  He watches over us, loves us, and extends mercy to us through Jesus.  I need that mercy daily.  We all do. I hope that today you will intentionally remember, this and look for opportunities to extend that same attention, love, and mercy to the people in your life.

Let’s Pray 
Dear God, Thank You for loving me just because I’m Yours.  I’ve spent too many days not relishing that simple truth.  Please open the eyes of my heart to how personal Your love is and give me to strength to extend that love to the people in my life. 

In Jesus’ name I pray, 
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn 
Tell your child, children, or a special child in your life, that you love them unconditionally regardless of what they do or say.

Have you extended love to a friend recently?  Call someone today with a word of unsolicited encouragement.

Write God a love letter – thank Him, worship Him and love Him.

More From The Girlfriends 
I recorded a modern version of the old hymn “The Love of God” on my Unsearchable CD. In my opinion, this lyric is one of the finest ever written. Please visit my facebook music page to listen to the song for free and to worship along. Here’s the lyric:

The Love of God

by Frederick Lehman, Addl. Chorus by Mark Harris

The love of God is greater far 
Than tongue or pen can ever tell 
It goes beyond the highest star 
And reaches to the lowest hell

O love of God, how rich and pure! 
How measureless and strong! 
It shall forevermore endure 
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away, 
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall, 
When men, who here refuse to pray, 
On rocks and hills and mountains call

Could we with ink the ocean fill, 
And were the skies of parchment made, 
Were every stalk on earth a quill, 
And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above, 
Would drain the ocean dry. 
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, 
Though stretched from sky to sky.

And my lips will sing of a steadfast love 
For I’ve been redeemed by the Saviors blood 
And my heart is clean, all my sins are gone 
I have been set free by the love of God

To purchase Gwen’s version of “The Love of God” via iTunes, CLICK HERE. 

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Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

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