Good News and God News About Love
I’m not going to say, I have good news and bad news, since that’s not true.
But I am going to share good news and God news.
And this particular news piece features an extraordinary love story.
Love is one of those loose and hard to define terms we overuse and misuse. Instead of like, we use love for everything from possessions and food to our favorite sports teams and celebrities.
We love ice-cream, brands, songs, books, and our favorite movies.
News That’s Not New
Honestly, I use love to describe my affections for cinnamon rolls, pasta, Chai tea lattes, boots, the Hallmark Channel, and sunsets.
And that’s only a few of my loves.
Still, we struggle to understand love—a feeling or an emotion?
In life’s hard moments, we may lose the loving feeling. For me, abandonment extinguished the emotion. Like when my dad vanished from my life for a few years.
Furthermore, culture woos us with a shallow love from people, things, and false ideas and religions.
Sometimes love fades when hearts break. My heart broke after friendships dissolved and family members died including a baby in utero. I lost hope in love.
Good, Good News
Then, there’s this: For a portion of my life, I wondered, Am I lovable?
Inside chatter tried to convince me otherwise. Internal voices mocked true love. Only the lovely, the best, the deserving—basically, the cream of the crop—meet the standards.
I assumed love only thrived in shiny things and people.
Ever wondered if you are lovable? Or, maybe like me, you’ve questioned what it takes for others to consider you someone worth loving.
How do we secure love without prerequisites? A kissing-tear-wiping-make-it-better-kind-of-love.
There’s good news and God news. Although less outwardly frilly, a timeless love exists that’s unfailing and undying.
Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to earth and died for us on Calvary’s cross. Why? Because…
God loves us, this we know, for the Bible tells us so.
It’s good, good news!
God loves us, this we know, for the Bible tells us so. It's good, good news! #GoodNews #GodIsLove Share on XGod News
This good news exposes God news: God’s love is past, present, and future tense. He loved us in the womb. He loves us today and tomorrow and every day into the future.
Good news and God news: God's love is past, present, and future tense. He loved us in the womb. He loves us today and tomorrow and every day into the future. #GodIsLove #blogger Share on XHis love is a sure love…never lost, only found.
And it gives us hope in a guaranteed pledge of love that’s never eliminated from our lives.
This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. (Lamentations 3:21-22 ESV)
No matter the outcome of our experiences with other types of love. The writer of Lamentations reminds us of hope in God’s steadfast love.
It’s loyal, unwavering, unconditional, dependable, and never ceases…ever.
Regardless of what others say or think or do: I am lovable. You are lovable.
God News in an Extraordinary Love Story
Once in a while, I enjoy sharing a storyline video my husband and I created in 2015. Because I like retelling my story of searching for real love.
*A portion of this post is revised from my free e-devotional on the hope of finding true love.
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Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Kingdom Bloggers/Literacy Musings/Tell His Story/Purposeful Faith/Abounding Grace/Tea and the Word/Welcome Heart/Recharge Wednesday/Porch Stories/Destination Inspiration/Worth Beyond Rubies/Tune in Thursday/Sitting Among Friends/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected/Fresh Market Friday/Faith On Fire/Dance With Jesus and Faith and Friends.
© 2019 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
I have struggled with this quite a bit over the past few years. There were people around me who claimed Christ with their words but loved like the world loves – shallow and selfish. I began to wonder if I wasn’t a good friend, if God truly loved me perfectly like He says He does. But, thankfully, God broke through those lies and revealed to me how much He truly does love me. And that it doesn’t matter what others think as long as I continue loving them and obeying Him!
Appreciate you sharing your experience and part of your story, Emily. Most peole and many Christians struggle with the concept of love at some point in their lives. People and our culture have made so much about love fake…and it’s what God meant to be authentic. So grateful His love is a secure love without prerequisites. And a kissing-tear-wiping-make-it-better-kind-of-love.
We’re so used to interpreting love as a warm, fuzzy feeling that it’s a challenge to inform our brains as well as our hearts about the strong and invincible love of God that will stop at nothing to bring about our sanctification.
So true, Michele. We’re disappointed with the views the world presents to us about love…and rightly so because it’s a love that’s fickle. But God’s love is loyal, unwavering, unconditional, dependable, and never ceases…ever.
Wonderful, thank you for this. I needed it today. I’m struggling and feel like I can’t keep my head above water. The social media, newsletter, blog, and making PowerPoint slides and voiceovers is beginning to feel overwhelming.
Jann, I’m so glad this encouraged you. I’m sorry you are overwhelmed. I know the feeling well at times. May we remember God’s great love and place our hope there.
This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. (Lamentations 3:21-22 ESV)
It is when I approach God’s throne with childlike innocence, wonder, and courage that He allows me to move closer than ever to Him. In those moments, I can crawl into My Father’s Arms and am locked in an embrace that fills me with a depth of love you can experience no other place. What a great picture you paint above Ms. Karen. God’s blessings ma’am. It is Good News and God News for sure my friend.
Thanks, J.D. You painted a wonderful picture as well. To just imagine crawling into my heavenly Father’s loving arms, feeling His warm embrace, and knowing He loves me fully…”a timeless love that’s unfailing and undying.” It’s good, good news!
Hi Karen! I really like your point about how we use the word “love“ in so many ways nowadays that the true and richer meaning of the word is sometimes lost. That’s why I love going back to the definition that God says is love in the famous love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13. Ultimately, I see love as a choice. We need to choose to love God.
Lisa, love’s rich and deep and true meaning seems to be buried beneath all the fluff! Agree, love is a choice and an action. 1 Corinthians 13 plainly tells us what love is…and what love is not.
God’s love for us is the good, good news, Karen, that’s for sure! And I’ve often wished we had more words for love in the English language that actually conveyed the meaning as Greek words did in the NT, i.e. agape, phillo. But it is God’s love, above all, that makes us loved and lovable.
Blessings!
Isn’t it the best news ever, Marhat?! We are loved. We are lobable. And no one or nothing can take if from us! God loves us, this we know, for the Bible tells us so. It’s good, good news! Thanks for contributing to the conversation!
Karen, this post made my heart sing! I can never hear enough about God’s love. And I always “love” seeing your video.
Blessings, dear friend!
Awe, thank you sweet friend. And I’m with you, Beckie! May we never tire of the simple truth and comfort of hearing and knowing, without a doubt, God loves us!
This is incredibly moving. I am the person that uses the word LOVE for everything under the moon. I am really going to start thinking of how I threw the word around.
Jessie, using the word “love” for a host of things comes easy for me. 🙂 And it’s a habit. I just want to remember the greatest love and the most extraordinay love is from our loving God.
There needs to be “Love” button for this one. Satan’s biggest lie for us women is that we are not lovable. I’d like to bash him in the head for telling these lies. Thank God I am Amanda – worthy of love!
Ha! I giggled and wanted to shout about bashing Satan in the head for his lies! Me too! Never heard it put that way before, although I’ve said I wanted to sucker punch him. 🙂 He does lie to us and make us believe we could not possibly be worthy of being loved by anyone, not even ourselves. Oh, how wrong he is! Glad our good news and God news exposes his lies from the pit of hell. God loves us! We are loved!
Awww, Karen. I loved your video storyline. So beautifully done! This post is so, so encouraging. I really loved what you said here:
“God’s love is past, present, and future tense. He loved us in the womb. He loves us today and tomorrow and every day into the future.”
When I began to understand and believe this truth, my relationship with him was transformed. Beautiful post!
Jeanne, thank you about the video and the post. The video still moves me to emotions and happy tears. To think the God of the universe pursued me and loved me and chose me as His own. Wow! May we never lose our sense of awe and wonder over God’s great and eternal and unconditional love!
Oh Karen, this teaching is so needed! Our feelings are not reliable. Ever. And our culture portrays love as something that it is not. God’s love is steadfast. No matter what others do or say. “It’s loyal, unwavering, unconditional, dependable, and never ceases…ever.” Such a comfort to rest in God’s love for us. I pray many people will read and take His love in. Blessings and love to you!
Thanks so much, Melissa. I pray the message of God’s love reaches those who have ever questioned whether they are lovable or maybe even question it now. Thankful Jesus Christ came to earth and died for us on Calvary’s cross. No greater love exists anywhere on the planet! Blessings and love to you, friend.
Thanks for reminding us that we are truly loved by the Master. And, the good news is it is true even when feel unlovable or when we fail Him. I wish more people could understand the depth of God’s love for us. I think It would change the world
Yvonne, even for those of us in Christ, it’s hard to really grasp the love of God. It changes our lives and it changed the spiritual world on resurrection day. And it’s just the kind of love that would change the world if everyone KNEW God’s love. But His love can continue to change our life and the lives of those we come in contact with as we share the love of God.
What a terrific story! Loved every word, you are a special sister in Christ!
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement, Teresa. God loves you. You. Are. Lovable. Blessings my sister in Christ. So appreciate you taking the time to comment. It means a lot!
So, so grateful that even if others don’t think I am lovable, God always does!
Me too, Ava. Regardless of what others say or think or do: I am lovable. You are lovable.
When we’ve been hurt, abandoned, or mistreated by parents, it’s hard to know whether our Father in heaven might be larger but merely more of the same. Our emotions trick us into projecting our broken parent image onto him. But he is NOT like our earthly parents. He is pure love and all of his actions are driven by love. Your post shows this in so many ways, Karen. A powerful presentation!
Melinda, I like how you said God’s love is a pure love and “all his actions are driven by love.” Amen! We humans make many choices that are not driven by love. And I never want to project a broken parent image in the Lord. He way above any earthly parent or person. Thanks for contributing your thoughts.
I am also a surprise twin! (My parent’s 4th and 5th children!).
I also love the knowledge the Lord gives us in His Word that He did form us in our mother’s wombs and chose us before the foundations of the world. That is love never ends and we could go on and on about His love for His children! What a Father He is.
Wow! That’s crazy, Beth. Not sure I even knew you were a twin. It’s comforting to realize that no matter what people do and no matter our circumstances, God is never surprised. He has full knowledge and is still on His throne and in control. His love has been with us since the womb (and even before).
I, too, have struggled to accept my “lovability.” Knowing I am God’s child and crated specifically for Him and His purpose has really helped me accept that. Beautiful blog, Karen! Thank you.
Hey Jessica, I surmise that most of us have wondered about our lovability…I like this word you used. And, true, only a loving Father and Creator would go to great lengths to fashion us in His image, send His Son to die for us, then give us a purpose on top of all that!
Can I say I love this post? Of course I can. It’s about God’s never-ending, unconditional, sacrificial, incomparable, incomprehensible love. And what a wonderful love story He has with each of us. I also love your storyline video. God’s love fills every void.
God’s love does fill every void in our life, Stephen. And He redeems all those love missteps against us from others. I enjoyed all the adjectives you use to describe God’s love that is sometimes indescribable. Thanks for commenting and for you kindness about the video. We each have a wonderful love story!
I never tire of hearing this good news! “It’s loyal, unwavering, unconditional, dependable, and never ceases…ever.
Regardless of what others say or think or do: I am lovable. You are lovable.”
Thanks, Karen!
Lisa, it sure is the best news on the planet. Hands down!
I love this so much! Any time we can remind one another of the forever, unconditional love of God is a good thing! Thank you for sharing His love so well!
Thanks, Rebecca. Oh, yes! Let’s keep talking about God’s love.
Amen-Amein!! Yes, mour ONE TRUE GOD the HEAVENLY FATHER who art in HEAVEN Above is LOVE and HE LOVES us through HIS SON Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua For Today and Everyday Forevermore Everyone!!
( I Peter 4:8 KJV ) “And above all things have fervent CHARITY ( LOVE ) among yourselves: for CHARITY ( LOVE ) shall cover the multitude of sins.”!!
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not Charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of Prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all Faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not Charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not Charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; Charity envieth not; Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the Truth; Beareth all things, Believeth all things, Hopeth all things, Endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be Knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we Prophesy in part. But when that which is Perfect is Come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man ( or woman ), I put away childish things. For now we see through a Glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now Abideth FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY, these Three; but the Greatest of These is CHARITY ( LOVE )”. ( 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 Above )!!
( Romans 8:28 KJV ) “And we know that all things work together for Good to them that 💕LOVE GOD,💕, to them who are the Called According to HIS Purpose.”!!
( I Corinthians 13:13 KJV ) “And now Abideth FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY ( LOVE ), these Three; but the Greatest of These is CHARITY h2 ( LOVE ).”!!
( Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV ) “And thou shalt LOVE the LORD thy GOD with All thine HEART, and with all thy SOUL, and with all thy MIGHT.”!!
Love 💕 Always, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Oh, how He loves you and me, Kristi Ann! Thanks for commenting and sharing the Scriptures!
Amen! God IS love. I work with a lot of kids who don’t understand God’s love, and the way I treat them might be the first glimpse they ever get of grace and God’s great love for them. I pray daily that I don’t mess it up.
I like this, Anita: “…the way I treat them might be the first glimpse they ever get of … God’s great love for them.” So true! Thanks for adding to our conversation!
[…] Good News and God News About Love […]
What an amazing thing to realize that God loves us, has always loved us and will always love His children … even when we were sinners rejecting Him.
It is so amazing. Grateful we have a secure and steadfast love from God!
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