Foundations Jan 23, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

SCRIPTURE READING

As a bridegroom rejoices over [his] bride, so your God will rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5
 

Our culture does not understand a God that enjoys people. God has been portrayed in a
variety of ways, but usually as a grumpy old man who looks stiffly on fun-loving humans.
Many believers are not entirely sure that God ever thinks of them.
The Lord jealously desires that we understand and believe He sincerely enjoys us in a
personal way. We were created for this. God certainly forgives us, each time we repent,
but He also enjoys us. He truly desires our fellowship. He desires and delights in us
for reason bigger than our dedication or achievement. The Father has affection for His
children and Jesus has passion for His bride. We can feel enjoyed by God and exhilarated
in God’s love!
Our lives have importance because God loves us. We are defined not by what we do
but by the fact that the God of the universe likes us, this gives us great worth. We have
great worth because of how God feels about us. We are not just the sum total of what we
accomplish. Our ministry may never be large, we may never have a lot of money, or even a
lot of friends, but the fact that He enjoys us answers the greatest need of our hearts. When
we comprehend this and accept this truth, our hearts are set on fire.
The misunderstandings many people have about God have led to confusion about what
it means to be a person of value. We assume that our ultimate value is derived from our
contributions. While we gain recognition from our peers, the value is usually placed on our
work and not our person. This is not true of our relationship with God – you have great
value because you are desired by God. He enjoys you beyond measure.

PRAYER and MEDITATION

1. Ask God to reveal to you how you portray God – is He grumpy, mean, unloving or is He
    full of love for you?
2. Ask God to reveal to you any areas of unbelief in receiving God’s love for you. Do you
    know that He loves you or do you feel His love for you?
3. Do you get your value as a person from your contributions to the world or do you get
    your value from your relationship with God?