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Everlasting Love

This morning, I asked God for a word for His daughters, and then I sat still waiting for Him to reply.  After some time, He whispered, “Tell them that I have loved them since before the beginning.”  I allowed those words to settle in my spirit, and I felt peace surround me. 

Sisters, God loves you!  He has always loved you.  I want you to meditate on that today:  God has always loved you!  There has never been a time when He didn’t love you – NEVER!  No matter how you feel right now, no matter how many mistakes and poor choices you have made, your Heavenly Father loves you with an everlasting love.  You didn’t have to do anything to earn His love.  He loved you before you could do anything.  Sisters, I invite you to bask in His love today.

Jeremiah 31:3 says it so beautifully:

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

I know that while some of you are preparing for a Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart, others may just be celebrating solo (and some feel no need to celebrate at all).  However you choose to spend the day, know that God loved you before the beginning of time.  That alone is reason to celebrate.  You are loved more than you can even imagine.  Take a moment to appreciate the love that your Heavenly Father has for you.

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The Sweetest Reminder

This morning as I was walking and enjoying a brisk breeze outside, I asked our Father, “What will You have me to say to Your daughters today?” He did not respond immediately, so I continued to walk and just breathe Him in. (Have you taken a moment to just breathe Him in? If not, you should try it today. Stop everything, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Open yourself to His presence.)

I simply waited, listening for that still voice, and God’s response made my heart smile. He said, “Tell them that I love them, I see them, and I hear them.” Such simple words, but my heart is so full right now. That led me to Jeremiah 31:3:

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”

I know that God loves me, really loves me. I do. He has shown me that in the most awesome ways throughout my life. The fact that His love is everlasting is truly amazing to me, because I am not deserving of that love. But His love is not based on what I deserve; it’s based on Who He is. He truly has drawn me to Him—even this morning, I could feel Him all around me. But His message today was not just that He loves us.

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Peace, the Road to Rest

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Our theme for today is PEACE.

Peace: a state of tranquility or quiet; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

The work of righteousness will be peace,

And the effect of righteousness,  quietness and assurance forever.

My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,

In secure dwellings, and in resting places (Isaiah 32:17-18, NKJV)

And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.

My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places.  (Isaiah 32:17-18, Amp)

Righteousness leads us to peace and peace leads us to rest.  The place of rest is both spiritual and physical.  You can find yourself in chaotic environments and not be affected because you’ve found your way to the secret place of peace in God.  Psalm 91 reminds us: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”  God is our refuge and fortress, our ever-present help in times of trouble.  He is always there.  That is why we can have peace in the midst of our storms, because we know Who is in control at all times.