Retirement Lesson 6, Unconditional Love

GOD LOVES ME FOR WHO I AM, NOT WHAT I DO.  For whatever reason, I’ve always been one of those people who feels they need to earn love, to do something so others will like them, to pay my own way and not be indebted to anyone.  I’ve always been insecure that way.  Being a pastor can seem a great way to impress God and others, but through the years I saw the sin in that and have been growing away from it.  Now that I am no longer functioning in the role of a pastor, I’ve had to make sure I know God loves me for who I am, not for what I do.  It’s a great, comforting, secure, peaceful feeling to believe and grow in that truth.

I LOVE GOD FOR WHO HE IS, NOT FOR WHAT HE DOES.  If the above paragraph is true, then the reverse is true as well.  Do I love God because of what He does for me or in spite of what happens in life?  God has never answered all my prayers when or how I thought they should be answered.  In fact, I have some major disappointments, times when God just didn’t seem to be there when I needed Him most.  I’ve had to decide if I will love and serve Him no matter what, even when things aren’t as I would like.  I’m certainly not perfect in that (or in anything for that matter), but I can say, to the best of my ability, I want to love Him and serve Him no matter what happens in life.  I hope you can say the same.

Psalm 103:13-14 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.

Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Do you let God love you for who you are, or do you feel, somewhere deep inside, you aren’t good enough and have to be better for Him to really love you?  If so, confess your sin of believing that lie of Satan and ask God to help you freely accept His total, unconditional love for you.

            Do you love and serve God even though there are things you don’t understand or don’t like about your life?  Do you love Him more when everything is going well and less when it isn’t?  If you want Him to love you unconditionally, shouldn’t you do the same to Him as well?  Pray and tell Him you love Him and will serve Him no matter what!

INDIA UPDATE: One of the strengths of the India church is that they spend much time in prayer.  They pray during their services and have special gatherings just for prayer.  They often fast as well.  They realize their dependence on God and know He answers prayer.  They pray for us in the USA, and for those who help them through CTO.  It’s a special blessing to us to have them faithfully praying for us.

PRAY FOR them as well.  Sit quietly and listen to what God puts on your heart to pray for.  Then pray for it.  Pray also for CTO, that God would give us opportunities to share this ministries with others who can pray and give to help us.  Pray God would bring new people across our path who can help us in these ways.

 

Jerry Schmoyer

C t O Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
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