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Ephesians 3:17b-19 – And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (NIV)
A friend and I were having an email conversation not too long ago and found ourselves sharing about family members with whom we desire to have better and deeper relationships. Due to circumstances beyond the control of us and them, however, we both know that there will always be limits imposed upon the depth of our earthly intimacy with these ones we love.
Facing this fact is not easy, but it is manageable when we trust that God will continue to guide and direct us in regards to accepting and having the best relationship possible with them now and in the future, amidst the boundaries of circumstance.
Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (NIV)
Relationships are important. Everyone longs for the fulfillment that being loved and loving brings into our lives. When such longings and fulfillment with others are limited or thwarted, great frustration, sorrow, pain, and even guilt can weigh us down as we seek to discover ways to improve, heal, or accept the relationship in question. The fact remains, however, that no matter how hard we work, or change, or do, the relationships that we have with others on earth will always be limited. They will never completely fulfill us, for even the best of human relationships are always flawed to one degree or another by sin.
Relationship with God, however, is very different, for we are involved with the Divine, Who loves us perfectly and eternally. For, as the apostle Paul wrote:
Romans 8:38-39 – For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)
Yes, human relationship will never be perfect, but relationship with God is never-ending and ever-fulfilling, for there are no limitations on God's love, only limitless possibilities within it for those who allow themselves to embrace and be embraced by His eternal goodness in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the opportunity of never-ending and ever-fulfilling relationship with You, which is available to all people. May many lonely, hurting, angry, and unfulfilled hearts be healed this day as people throughout the world yield to the power of Your Holy Spirit and choose by faith to embrace and be embraced by Your eternal forgiveness and love in Christ Jesus, in Whose name, we pray. Amen.
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Again Lynne, thanks, very good.
Excellent devotional. Thank you.
Thank you and God bless you. I needed that.
Amen to that Lynne. Praying for you and the family. God bless.
Wonderful devotional Lynne. Very uplifting and on the mark. Thank you.
Another good one Lynne.
Thank you.
To be understood and loved deeply: when met, this need transforms human life. What a difference it would make if everyone could accept this free gift!
Once again Lynne you have a sincere devotional that is all encompassing, just like God’s forgiveness, grace, mercy and love.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
To paraphrase the fish Dory in “Finding Nemo”: just keep praying, praying…
Who knows what God will do to soften hearts and open up the way forward?
Blessings.
“Choose by faith to embrace and be embraced by Your eternal forgiveness and love in Christ Jesus”. What powerful words! Thanks for your devotion today. I pray it touches many hearts. Blessings.
Truly, Greater love has no one than this, than that Christ Jesus should lay down his perfect, holy life for my messed up, fallible, fallen one so that I might live eternally with Him in Heaven.
Yes indeed. No greater love that that!
Dear Lynne,
Hope still in God.
In heaven God will show us new relationships with himself and thus with one another.
Let us trust Him for Jesus sake.
Keep writing.
Thank you, Lynne, for that beautiful devotional today.
We just can’t understand the depth of God’s love for us.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Blessings,
(ON)
Thank you Lynne.
Another inspiring and encouraging message… and something I’ve been needing to hear as I’ve been coping with a sense of disconnection recently. A valuable reminder to re-centre myself in God through Christ’s love.
Bless you
Dear Lynne:
Your devotional today touched a chord in my heart. Like many other families we have those who don’t get along with one another. I find myself trying to fix things, and I am reminded by your wise words, that is not my job. Your words have once again made me realize that the only “perfect” love is the love of our heavenly Father. Thank you.
Good Morning Lynne, and Happy Valentines Day!
May you have a Happy and Blessed day to share with family and friends!
With time, there are only three realms- past, present, and future. Robbie Burns put it wisely in the last two verses of his poem “To a Mouse”. If you are not familiar with them, I shall send them to you.
With the past, we cannot change it, as much as we might wish to. Some we treasure, some we toil to forget. With the future, we cannot sequence it, so we anticipate it, or fret.
But the present is ours to deal with, moment by moment, and search for happiness, or deal with sorrow. We can walk through our present alone or with friends and family. I prefer to pass today with my best friends- the Holy Family, and earthly friends, of which you are one!
Again, Happy Valentines Day!
Lynne, your devotional really spoke to me. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings.