dailywordofdestiny

The Greek word for “sees” is theoreo, a verb denoting action and means to enjoy the presence of one. To come into the Presence of Light is to first become Light – something we do.

The definition of “believe” in both the Hebrew and the Greek is: to trust in, rely upon, to cleave to. These are things we do that establish, support, and uphold what we believe. Jesus said in Mark 8:34, “if anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up whatever cross he has to bear daily and follow after Me.” In Mark 10:38 Peter says, “We have given up everything to follow You.” ‘Follow’ means; to cleave steadfastly to, to conform wholly to His example in living and, if need be, in dying. The Hebrew meaning of ‘to cleave to’ is davaq, first used in Genesis 2:24 and it means: to become inseparable; to stick, cling to, to follow closely.

We can say we believe in anything but, if we are to believe Truth; it is what we “do” that determines what we believe. Eternal life does not come by believing “in” Jesus. To believe is to exhibit the faith “of” Jesus (Galatians2:20 and John 17:3). To “know” is davaq.

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 20, 21).

The Bible is filled with passages telling us of God’s love (i.e. 1 John 4) for us; however, I believe that if I were to ask most Christians what they KNOW of God’s love for them, they would recite John 3: 16. I do not think that there are many of us who have learned what it is to be KEPT in His love. Being fully convinced of God’s unconditional love for us all the time (see Romans 8: 37-39) is one of our greatest weapons against Satan’s attacks in our daily life. In saying that, it should then be obvious that the enemy will do his best to make you doubt God’s love for you. There have been times in my own life when I have asked myself, “Do I just have religion rather than a relationship with my Father? Do I know about Him without really knowing Him?” God delivered His revelation to me through His Word and I feel it is worth sharing with all of you.

Jesus’ final prayer on earth (John 17) speaks clearly about the Father’s love; “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou (God) hast given Me (Jesus), be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou (God) hast given Me: for Thou (God) lovedst Me (Jesus) before the foundation of the world” (vs. 24). We KNOW God has no beginning and no end; He IS perpetual/eternal. Jesus was loved by the Father “always/forever” (hard to wrap our finite mind around this) and in His prayer Jesus went on, “That the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be IN THEM (you/me), and I in them” (vs. 26). Jesus is basically saying, “Father, I know You will love those I bring into My body, just as You have loved Me.” Therefore, when the Father loved Jesus in eternity, He loved us too (see Ephesians 1: 4-14)! God has always loved both His Son and us (see Jeremiah 31: 3; 2 Thessalonians 2: 16)!

How long has God loved you, loved me? He has loved us forever, because GOD IS LOVE; it is His nature and He is the Beginning and the End.
When will He stop loving you? He won’t ever stop; “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13: 1).

We need to GET THIS TRUTH deep into our spirit; for the knowledge of God’s love for us is our comfort and our strength in the trials and temptations of everyday life (1 John 4: 15-19). If we “dwell (stay in a state of expectancy) in God’s love,” we will keep ourselves in His love. His love is constant; His mercies are NEW every morning and He is faithful; the LORD is our portion therefore we will hope in Him (Lamentations 3: 21-26). Praise the Lord!

I am doing a study of Hebrews and I encourage you to read/re-read this awesome book. Many may think that because God loves us forever that we don’t have to worry about any sin that may be in our life. Not so, for “whom the LORD loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth” (Hebrews 12: 6) and you can read more about this in Hebrews 12 and other places in Scripture. When our choices lead to negative results we often “blame” God, and feel He doesn’t care; however, it is in our moments of weakness and sin that He will draw us back to Himself. A great example of this is found in Jeremiah 31. Israel is in a backslidden state and yet God LOVES, “Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD” (vs. 20). “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (vs. 3).

So, how does God’s love impact our lives? We have to look to Christ as our example. What impact did the Father’s love have on Jesus? 1 John 3: 16 says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” The fruit (of God’s love) revealed to us through Christ was the sacrifice of Himself for others (Matthew 7: 16-20). To lay down our life for our brothers and sisters means that we must die to this world; to self, pride, and ambition and be totally surrendered to God and His kingdom agenda. We must allow Holy Spirit to do an inventory of all that is in our soul and when He reveals things that need to change, we must willingly go to the throne of God’s grace; knowing that only through Christ’s atoning sacrifice (1 John 2: 1, 2; 2 Corinthians 7: 10, 11) can our lives be made ready for service to our brethren. If I am fully persuaded that God is faithful to forgive and restore me, I have the power to resist all temptation. I’ll know He is with me no matter what I will face and I’ll know He loves me through it all.

The LORD would say unto you…
“I desire the love of man’s heart in abundant measure. Not because I will be adored for Myself and for My own gratification, but because I know that only as the love of man flows out to Me does man obtain his purest and best. That rush of love, which follows understanding and realization of My Love for man, sweetens and purifies his whole being. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” The love you give to your neighbor is the overflow of your love to Me.”