My friends, I'm on a love journey. 

When I was a little girl and a teenager, I believed love was the greatest force of all. That love conquered all. Though I can look back and see that this was Abba working in my life in so many ways, I didn't know Him and defined love according to human capabilities and standards, which wound up represented and defined by the flawed human beings around me.

Thus, my definition of love was flawed. Still hope-filled but destined to disappoint. As my faith has grown I've learned that Jesus is our greatest hope, but my understanding of love had a long way to go. 

I shared with you before our week of fasting and praying that Abba had told me this would a "year of intimacy." Well, let me just say, He wastes no time. Quite honestly I'm stunned at what He shown and revealed to me already. Had no idea He'd work so fast!

So, I'm on a love journey again. I've re-embraced my young belief that love was the answer to all things and now understand that IS Jesus. As it says in 1 John 4 that God IS love, Love is our greatest answer, our greatest healer, our greatest defender, our greatest everything.

And the amazing part is that I'm hearing this from so many people all over the place. In fact, I went to an evening worship service last Sunday evening at another church and the pastor's message was all about God's love for us, that He's absolutely crazy about us. This man is on a love journey with Jesus too. 

My friends, this is Abba's heart right now. For all of us (yes, even you sitting there thinking this doesn't inlcude you. It does, trust me.) He is spreading His message of love through so many right now and asking us to share His love with others. He is LOVE and wants to be known for His love. 

Right now I want you to imagine Jesus standing in front of you. Now take every bit of condemnation, thoughts of unworthiness, beliefs of insignificance—whatever trips you up in truly believing you are loved completely by Jesus—and offer it to Him right now. Keep handing this stuff over to Him if you have to. When you're done, ask Him this:

"Jesus, what do you have in exchange for me?" Be still and wait for an answer. He will speak to you—your heart, your mind, an image, a thought—in whatever way He knows you will hear Him. Don't hurry or rush off. You don't want to miss anything, do you?

Then read these words and really receive them. This is God's Word. His truth about you. 

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." — John 15:9

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." — John 15:11

"You did not choose me, but I chose you..." — John 15:16

SUMites, do this as often as you need to with a desire to fully embrace and understand how loved you are. I don't think we'll fully embrace it this side of heaven, but Abba sure wants us to understand a whole more than we do.

During your next quiet time, sit with Jesus. Ask Him these questions, one at a time, and wait for His answers. You may see an image or be reminded of a Scripture. Or you may be flooded with a string of words or feelings.

1. What do you think of me?

2. What do you like most about me?

3. What do you want most for me?

Then what? Tell somebody else that Jesus loves them just like He loves you! Share with them how He has shown His great love for you, and tell them Jesus wants to do the very same thing for them. Spead the love, my friends!

Spread THE Love!

Here are some more goodies I want to share with you:

My post, "God's Faithfulness to a Mother's Prayers," is up over at Choose NOW Ministries. This is a story of my oldest daughter's journey of faith that culminated in a beautiful picture last May. It's the story of God's faithfulness to my prayers for my girls. I pray it encourages and blesses you!

I have another post over at The Koala Bear Writer that just makes me chuckle. Are you a fan of the show The Big Bang Theory? You're probably wondering how that show could possibly inspire me to write a post about being spiritually mismatched. Hop over and read my post, "The Spiritual Disconnect," and have a read and maybe a laugh. You'll even get to watch a small clip of this hilarious show!

And one final goody to share. Lynn and I will be on Joy in the Morning with Naomi Cantrell at 889JoyFM.com Thursday morning between 7 am and 8 am Eastern time. We had a blast chatting with Naomi and shared some stories from our book, Not Alone. 

Image credit: belchonock / 123RF Stock Photo