Devotional: A Love Story

Have you heard any good news lately? It has been hard to come across good news in the last 18 months. But the word of God has good news for anyone longing and willing to hear it. Anyone who has ears, let them hear the good news: God loves you! The Bible is filled from cover to cover with headlines of God’s great love for his people. God’s love is what initiates, drives, sustains, and completes the call of God in our lives. God loves us not because we deserve it, but He loves us just because He loves us (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). And He promised that nothing – absolutely nothing – will ever separate us from His love (Romans 8:39). Isn’t that good news? That’s news worth sharing. 

Questions For Meditation

1. Pastors Chris and Maria Durso were on vacation reveling and indulging in the world when God suddenly convicted them that they needed to go to church. They gave their lives to Christ when they returned home to New York City. Where were you when God called you to Himself?
2. King David took Uriah’s wife for himself and then arranged to have Uriah killed in battle. Yet God calls David “a man after God’s own heart.” Based on Psalm 103:10-14, how can God still call David “a man after God’s own heart?” How is it that God can love you, despite your failures? Is there any sin God can’t forgive if we ask Him?
3. We often talk about “giving” our lives to Christ and “choosing” to live for Him. But John 15:16 says: You didn’t choose me. I chose you. When you think of your relationship with Christ, do you see yourself as the one who initiated it, or Christ? Why did Christ have to initiate?
4. Romans 2:4 says: God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance. Repentance means “turning away” and “agreeing” with God. When it comes to “turning away” from our sin, what does God’s love got to do with it? Are there sins, wrongs or failures that make you feel unlovable and unworthy? Think about God’s love: what does the assurance of His great love lead you to do?
5. Worry is like carbon dioxide. It is odorless and invisible, but it can kill you. But Philippians 4:6-7 says: Do not be anxious about anything. What are you anxious or worried about? What has fear and worry kept you from doing: whether it is serving God, gathering to worship, or anything else? Read Isaiah 54:10: Can you trust God to take care of you? Will you?
6. Read Romans 8:39: what is the proof that God loves you? Isn’t that good news? Isn’t it worth sharing? Will you share it with at least 1 person this week?