Loved by God: Part 2
Matthew 13:44-46 (AMP) “The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself]. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 and upon finding a single pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
How has the Lord determined your value?
Many Christians struggle to see God’s love for them beyond their conversion.
Matthew 10:29-31 (NLT) What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Imagine what could happen if we focused on God’s view of us, instead of our past, problems, or performance?
Amos 3:3 (NLT) Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?
Because God loves me, He…
created me in His image (Gen. 1:26, Ps. 139)
plan for my life (Eph. 2:10, 2 Tim. 1:9)
forgives me (Is. 38:17, 44:22)
gives me a new heart (Ez. 36:26, 2 Cor. 5:17)
gives me mercy and grace (Lam. 3:22-23, Heb. 4:16)
answers my prayers (Jn. 15:7, 1 Jn. 5:14-15)
remains faithful (Num. 23:19, Ps. 89:34)
gives me favor (Ps. 5:12, Ps. 90:17)
gives me strength (2 Chron. 16:9, 2 Cor. 12:9)
gives me comfort (Ps. 119:76, 2 Cor. 1:3-4)
gives me freedom (Jn. 8:36, Gal. 5:1)
gives me access to His resources (Rom. 8:32, 2 Pet. 1:3)
welcomes me into His presence (Ps. 24, Heb. 10:19-23)
protects and fights for me (Deut. 1:30, Is. 43:2)
provides for me (2 Cor. 9:8, Phil. 4:19)
blesses me (Ps. 35:27, 3 Jn. 1:2)
1. Because God loves me, He calls me son/daughter
1 John 3:1 (NIV) See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be [named and] called children of God! And that is what we are!
Romans 8:14-16 (NLT) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
2. Because God loves me, He disciplines me
Hebrews 12:7-11 (NLT) As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
3. Because God loves me, He teaches me
Psalm 32:8 (NIV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
4. Because God loves me, He guides me
Psalm 16:5-7 (NLT) Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. 6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance! 7 I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
“God’s voice is directed to the ear of love, and true love is intent upon hearing even the faintest whisper. So when you are about to say something in conversation with others, and you sense a gentle restraint from His quiet whisper, heed the restraint and refrain from speaking. And when you are about to pursue some course of action that seems perfectly clear and right, yet you sense in your spirit another path being suggested with the force of quiet conviction, heed that conviction. Follow the alternate course, even if the change of plans appears to be absolute folly from the perspective of human wisdom.”
5. Because God loves me, He is always there for me
Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 16:7-8 (NLT) I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
1 John 4:16 (ESV) So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.