What I’m Learning by Sherry Eifler

 

Happy Valentines! This is the perfect time to consider the greatest love story ever. In my opinion none can compare. It is the story of God’s deep love for humanity— his beloved creation. A story that began as his desire as He…

  • spoke it into existence
  • cultivated the relationship
  • sealed it with a promise
  • revitalized it through sacrifice
  • secured it in resurrection power
  • proclaimed it for eternity

He continues to write his love story on our hearts.

 

What I’m Learning

Descriptions and stories of God’s “deep love” for his people are depicted in various ways throughout scripture. When I think about his “deep love,” a picture comes to mind of a precious stone with many facets.

 

It sparkles brilliantly as light shines on it. The reflection appears different for each of us depending on where we are standing to view the captivating sight.

 

Our vantage point is related to what we believe about God’s love and our love experiences. Each one determines the depth that God’s love will shine into and through our life.

 

Due to past experiences, I have struggled with being open to receiving and expressing deep adoring love with my Savior. I chose to build walls of protection that blocked the light of his love and inhibited my ability to love freely.

Now when I reflect on the amazing unconditional love of God, my past fades

and his love shines through with clarity and brilliance.

 

Adoration is a powerful form of worship. Take time to reflect on how we experience the Lord’s “deep love” in our life, and respond with adoration.

Out of adoration, let’s take it a step further and reflect his “deep love” into the lives of those near to us. These are verses that steady my heart and make me celebrate God’s amazing love.

 

How I’m Learning

Look up cross-references. Finding related verses enables me to soak in the rays of God’s “deep love.”  My favorite way to find additional verses on a subject is to use the concordance in my study Bible.

Consult Bible Reference Websites and Apps. If I’m looking for more in-depth information, I use Biblegateway.com or the Biblegateway phone app. I can read different versions of the Bible, original word meanings, and search key words.

 

John 3:16 -17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”(bold added)

 

Romans 8:38 -39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ”(bold added)

 

1 Corinthians 13: 3 –8a “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails.”(bold added)

 

1 Corinthians 13:11-13 “ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (bold added)

 

 Think About It

The love of God is characterized as: Deep – Enduring – Everlasting – Great – Forever – Unfailing – Rich – Lavish – Faithful – Jealous – Abounding – Sacrificial -Commanding – Fearless – Gentle – Inseparable –

What facet of his love for you do you most clearly identify with? —Thank him for his love!

How are you responding to his expression of “deep love”?

How is he calling you to express his love to those near to you?

 

Pray About It

Thank you; Lord, for your deep love. Fill us with your love so we become an outpouring of your love into a world in desperate need of you. Open our eyes to see your love for us. Thank you for your extravagant love—- your Son, made man, born destined to be the Savior of the world.  And for the greatest love story of all—- eternal salvation!

With adoration in Jesus’ holy name– Amen

 

I’d love to hear how you will express our Savior’s love today.

 

Devoted Army wife and a gracious mother of three amazing young adults, Sherry Eifler has a heart for ministry to military women. Her military adventure began as a soldier, later transitioning to the role of a military wife, mother, and professional volunteer. With over 15 moves and counting her new family motto is “waiting expectantly on the Lord for great things” for they know He will provide as He has so many times before. Connect with Sherry on her blog or @sherryeiflerwrites on Facebook.

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