“He loves me”
”He loves me”
”He loves me”
As the music faded and I sat down, I knew I had just experienced one of those moments. There was no doubt in my mind or my heart, I knew it was real, it was the Truth, my Savior loves me with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms...He loves me...He loves me...He loves me...
Finally, he writes that one of the men said, “Charles, put your head on the table and close your eyes.” Stanley says he did this and quietly the man asked him, “Imagine your father just picked you up in his arms and held you. What do you feel?” The friend knew Dr. Stanley’s father had died when he was nine months old and that his loss had had a tremendous impact on Stanley’s life.
Dr. Stanley says he immediately began crying, and he continued weeping for a long time. Still, Stanley says, he did not understand what was causing so much emotion. The friend again asked, “What do you feel Charles?” Stanley writes, “The feelings were so overpowering, it was a long time before I could answer him. At last I replied, “I felt hugged, like I was warm and secure. I felt…loved.”
He realized that until that day, he had never really experienced God’s love. He said he told others about God’s love, but had never truly sensed it for himself. Stanley says, “That day changed my life. The time with four of my friends transformed my ministry and everything I felt about the Christian life; the Father’s love had become real to me and extremely powerful.”
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. —Matthew 11:28-30 The Message
Whatever stress or chaos may be in your life right now, Jesus invites you, just as he did the crowds he was teaching: “Come to Me. Give Me the heavy load you’re carrying. And in exchange, I will give you rest.” Jesus knows the challenges and deadlines we face and the weariness of mind or body we feel.
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He understands the stress, tasks, and responsibilities that are weighing us down. As we lay all that concerns us before him, His purpose replaces our agenda, and his lightness and rest replace our burden.
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The verdict is final. The case is never going to be re-tried—irrevocable. On that we can rest—we are justified on the basis of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. It is a blessing to know that I am, right now, under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ. Because I have placed my trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, I am redeemed by His precious blood. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. Knowing that God’s love for me and approval of me will never be determined by my performance is the most encouraging promise to which I cling.
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Lord Jesus, Thank You that I can rest in Your finished work on the Cross. Thank You that I can rest as You carry my burdens for me. I give them all to you and I gladly receive Your rest! Teach me Your wisdom that is humble and pure, and help me to walk in the ways you set before me. Thank You for Your mercy and love that invite me to continually experience Your Peace and enjoy Your Presence, living my life resting and trusting in You!
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Look Up—meditate on Matthew 11:28-30
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Look In—as you meditate on Matthew 11:28-30 pray to see how you might apply it to your life.
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Look Out—as you meditate on Matthew 11:28-30 pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others.
Your love is extravagant...Your friendship intimate...I find I'm moving to the rhythms of Your grace...Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place...
Oh Beth....how perfect this is for me today...going to put my head down, right now and spend time with Him, being loved.
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Mary, I'm so glad this was a blessing to you at this tender time. It is encouraging to me to know it was helpful to you. Many blessings to you, sweet friend.
DeleteThis was such a blessing to me right now. I would love to share this feeling of love and tenderness with others today. Thank you for sharing this with us. Such a blessing to my heart.
ReplyDeletePamela, thank you for stopping by my post this morning and leaving your sweet comment...I am praying for you, not knowing what your "right now" challenge may be...your post on your blog today was encouraging to me, also. I love Jesus Calling devotionals, especially the one you shared, and your photos are spectacular! Your description of the kindness of your Daddy reminded me of my own sweet Daddy, who said and did many kind things like your Daddy to help "lift my head." You also might like the book, Hinds' Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard, which takes its title from Habakkuk 3:19, "The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."
DeleteLoved reading this TODAY!
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you for your comment...it is blessing to know that sharing what our Lord has used to encourage me encourages others :)
DeleteThis is beautiful. We forget how powerful it is to remember that we are loved. To camp there for a while and soak in the love of God. Thank you for sharing this much-needed message today and for sharing your gift of writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. It is such a joy to link-up with so many ladies over at Holley's place, who love the Lord, and love to share with others how God is working in our lives through our writing :)
DeleteYes, Jesus loves me.
ReplyDeleteWhen all that's said and done, that's all that will matter.
How simple it all was after all ...
Linda, that is so true...simple, childlike faith, Praise His Holy Name!
DeleteWonderful post. Amazing to think on the truth that He not only loves me but that there is no "He loves me not" with God. So glad to have stopped here from Coffee For Your Heart this morning. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by...so happy to hear you were encouraged this morning :)
DeleteLoved reading this post, Beth! I had a similar experience one lovely summer morning while taking a walk. I looked, really looked, as I walked along and noticed tons of wild daisies blooming by the roadside. I stopped, picked one, and the old school ritual of 'he loves me, he loves me not' came to mind. And suddenly, the love of Jesus flooded my soul and I could hear Him whisper, "I love you, I really love you!" He does love us extravagantly! I love that song too, and I'll be singing it all day now. Thanks for reminding me, my sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteCindy, that's so sweet! Isn't that neat how He reveals His love for us in so many ways, so many places. The reason I chose "Your Love is Extravagant" as the song to include on this post is because that was the praise and worship song we were singing in the service when I looked down and saw that Bible book cover with the embroidered daisy...I have looked for that cover on many web sites, but never found one just like it...it was special...thank you for sharing your experience with me dear friend :)
DeleteI was a Daddy's girl and still love to hear him say he is proud of me. I can't wait to try this exercise! :)
ReplyDeleteSarah, thanks for stopping by and leaving your sweet comment from over at Holley’s place… I loved your post this week…especially your last line… “He will make your face light up.” As soon as I read it, the Lord reminded me of a verse from The Message with the phrase…”He put a smile on my face”…so I did a search on Biblegateway.com and found 5 references with that phrase…thought you would enjoy them :)
Deletehttps://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=smile+on+my+face&qs_version=MSG
I love the way God loves us...thank you for reminding us of this today, Beth!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Holley, I love the transparency of Dr. Stanley's experience, it helps us get in touch with our inner child, the one who is curled up in the arms of Jesus, greatly blessed, highly favored, deeply loved, amen?
DeleteThank You, Beth. I was just a baby when my father passed. This brought tears to my eyes. My Father has brought me through cancer 4 times with a stronger faith each time. How blessed I am. I know He will take care of me, no matter what happens.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your heart with me. I just felt led to post this today feeling that someone might be blessed by it. God is so good all the time. Many blessings to you 💕
DeleteThis sounds like an amazing exercise, putting my head down and imagining the Father holding me. Wow! Thanks for sharing, Beth!
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you so much for stopping by! I felt led to share this post this week, feeling as though someone needed to hear some portion of it. Many blessings to you!
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