SCRIPTURE

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We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 KJV

DEVOTIONAL
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One night when my son was about 4 months old, I stayed up all night staring at him. I was so amazed by this beautiful gift God had given me, I just wanted to gaze upon him and feel the joy and pleasure that he brought to me. I was so fulfilled just knowing he was mine. And in reality, there was nothing my son could give to me in that moment. All he could do was receive my love.

This is where we must start with God. God loved us first and this love compels and empowers us to love Him back. We do not start the journey by loving God. We must begin by simply receiving God’s love. This time of fasting is about creating space in our lives to experience God’s love and respond to God’s love -- not earn or attain God’s love for that is already settled. The scriptures teach us that God saw us at our worst and thought we were worth the price of His Son. Imagine that!


REFLECTION
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What do you feel, knowing that God loves you in that way? What are your barriers to receiving it?

PRAYER
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Father, You love me so much that even when I was lost and had nothing to offer You, You sacrificed Your only Son so that You could be with me and I could be with You. Thank you for the blessing of not having to do anything to earn your love, but that I can simply receive it…what a gift! Father, show me how to surrender and accept Your great love for me.