Remembering Why I Love Him…

I am so thankful that God spoke to my heart years ago and helped me to see that I was lost and how awful my sin was in His eyes. I'm so thankful He forgave me and came into my heart and changed the real me. I have not been the same since the night that I repented of my awful sin and put all my faith in what Jesus did for me on the cross. I love Him for what He has done for me!

I love Him for never leaving me alone. I love Him for how He is always teaching me things about myself and about Him. I love how He convicts my heart and chastens me when I'm out of line. I love Him for hearing me when I pray. I love Him for giving me joy through heartaches. I love Him for giving me His Word…His love letter to us.  I cannot even begin to explain how incredible God's Word really is!  It's my Light and my Lamp.  I love Him because His love for me never changes. I love Him for being my Abba Father. I love Him just because He is God. If all He ever did was forgive me of my sin (although that is not a small thing), it would be more than enough. I cannot thank Him enough… and I can't stop thinking about Him.

When I remember these things, I can't help but want to tell someone about it.  When I remember these things, it helps me forgive and love those who have wronged me. When I remember these things it helps me love those that don't love me.

This last week a friend of mine was having some problems at her work place. She is hated by some of her co-workers just because she's a Christian. It isn't hard for her to stand up for right and be all she can be for the Lord in her work place. She's not ashamed or afraid to share the gospel. But, when they started lying about her, just to make her look bad and then tried to set her up for failure, it became hard. We talked about her situation for long time.  At first, our flesh got mad and wanted to fight back. But, we both knew that wasn't the right response. We also knew that God was not taken by surprise by what was happening and He already had a plan.

It's hard when you are wronged and it seems like there is nothing you can do about it. Our flesh wants to lash out and make things right. But God... God is the One in charge of making things right. We don't have to do anything!  Just simply trust God and watch Him work.

Romans 12:19 " Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

It's wrong for us to plan our revenge on people when they do things that hurt us. Where is the love in that? How are the lost around us going to know that there is something different about us if we act just like they do when they are wronged? After a lot of prayer we came to the same conclusion. We took a look at what Jesus did for us at Calvary. What a difference that thought made! We were reminded that it's so easy to love those who love us. But it's something all together different to love those who hate us.

But that is just what Jesus did for me. Before I even knew who He was… He loved me.

Romans 5:8  "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus didn't wait around for me to love Him. He loved me first.

I John 4:19 "We love him, because he first loved us."


The Bible tells us how we should handle these kinds of situations in our life.

Matthew 5:44  "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"


Luke 6:28  "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you."


Romans 12:14  "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."

If our goal is to see the lost around us saved, we have to live our life in such a way that there is no doubt in their mind that we are a real Christian. We are to love and pray for those who hate us.  On our own, that is a hard thing to do. But not with God.

Romans 5:5  "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."


When we are so in love with the Lord because of what He has done for us, it can't help but spill out and affect others.
What a blessing and encouragement it would be if that mean co-worker, neighbor or cashier at our favorite store got saved and was able to say all those things I stated at the beginning.

I can see it happening. If God could save a wretched sinner like me-- He can do it for anyone!  I have to ask myself the hard questions. Is my life a true reflection of Jesus?
Could someone spend time with me and see a difference? What kind of love do I have?

It's hard to sing "Oh how I love Jesus" when bitter, unloving thoughts about those around us, are running loose in our minds. I don't know what will happen with my friend and her job, but, I do know that if she lives her life in obedience to these verses, it could possibly make all the difference in the world to some lost soul.  Would it be worth it?

From my heart...Dianne