Years ago, before my son was born, I was introduced to a study on prayer by Glaphre'.
Her first assignment was, "Ask God to teach you that He loves you."
This study was very timely because I was anxious about this pregnancy. I knew that I was to have a C-section and I was terrified. As a young mother, our greatest fear is that something will happen to us and we fear who will take care of my children. I had a precious little 3 year old daughter that captured my heart, and I couldn't imagine her without a mommy.
So, for three months, I prayed, "Lord, teach me that you love me."
It was during this study that I learned the verse,
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26
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| Photo by Georgia Raiford |
One translation says, And you are of more value than the birds.
A.W. Tozer said,
Whatever comes in your minds when you think about God is the most important thing about us.
For years I walked in fear...
Fear of what God may do to me.
Fear that I was going to hell.
Fear that Jesus would come back and I wouldn't be ready.
Fear of death, disease and sickness.
Fear that something would happen to those I love.
And this fear only intensified when my brother was killed creating a awesome dread of what God may do to me. My faith was shaken to the core.
I think the church is often guilty of teaching FEAR of God as an unhealthy view of what God will do to us instead of the REVERENT Fear of a HOLY God who loves us and desires fellowship with us.
It was only in this year that I have discovered the LOVE OF GOD. Imagine walking with a holy and awesome God for 40 years and somehow unable to comprehend the depth, the height, the width of HIS LOVE.
There is no fear in love for perfect love casteth out fear, for fear has to do with punishment.
1 John 4: 18
So I pray, that you will know the depth of the Father's Love. Remember you are more valuable than the birds.
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| He has enough for us all! By Georgia Raiford |
In Love With My Father,
Bonnie:)
I think at some point and time..we all walk in fear..I know I must be a disappointment at times to him..I have such a bad temper..and at times..I do let it out. Sorry, was rambling..thank you for your post..you sure can me smile. Blessings
ReplyDeleteI believe it is fear that pushes us into faith...fear and faith are standing with toes on the line together...do we decide to have enough faith to step across and trust God...who he is and Who we are in him...or do we stay in fear and never experience that God is able...It can be tough to take that step of faith especially in a world that teaches us to view God according to its standards instead of the Bible..truth.. Good stuff!!! Thanks Bonnie. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteIt's when I am scared that I realize just how much God loves me...he has pulled me through each and every time. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteI have to confess my sin of fear daily. When I see the news, that fear can quickly get out of control.
ReplyDeleteThanks, good discussion.
I too have struggled to understand the love of God. Thank you for this beautiful reminder. - Carla
ReplyDeleteThe holy fear and the knowledge of his love go together. Great post!
ReplyDeleteWe need both don't we, His awesome holiness and his unconditional love.
ReplyDeleteThe birds are such a good picture, and the scripture is full of examples of how God cares for them...Not ONE falls that he doesn't see.
Thanks for a reminder just how marvelous it is that God loves ME!
Oh my friend, I am sorry that you lost your Brother. I have two and can't imagine how bad that must of hurt. God loves us more than the birds:). Love that and oh so true! Sending hugs and prayers your way!
ReplyDeleteOh Yes, Bonnie, God loves us very much - this I know for sure. What a wonderful post today. And I'm so sorry to hear you lost your brother. I also lost my brother a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day, my friend.
Love,
~Sheri
It can be hard to accept this fact sometimes...at least I have also struggled with this some in the past. Praise God, we as believers have the holy spirit to remind us when we "forget". Thank you for this reminder, Bonnie...a wonderful post!
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