7 Ways God Says He Loves You
On Mother’s Day I shared with all of our moms 7 Ways God Says He Loves You. But you know, the 23rd Psalm is awesome for everyone, not just moms. It is powerfully encouraging for all of us. Let this be an encouragement to you today.
#1: Win Over Worry
- Psalm 23:1—The Lordis my shepherd; I shall not want.
- There are a lot of things to worry about and maybe today there are things on your mind and heart that are making you anxious and feeling overwhelmed.
- How do you win over the worry? By receiving Jesus’ comfort, experiencing His care, and being confident that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Jesus is your shepherd and He wants to comfort you, care for you, and give you confidence. Make it personal… Jesus is MY SHEPHERD.
#2: Beat Busyness
- Psalm 23:2—He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
- Do you ever feel like it would be great to lie down in a beautiful, green, sun-kissed meadow for about… the next year? Or sit quietly… alone… by a refreshing stream or gorgeous lake?
- Jesus wants to refresh and give you rest. Moms are buys: Up all night, busy all day, school, homework, and the list goes on until overextended becomes the reality of the day. Everyone I talk to is busy.
- Extreme busyness can create a cluttered and anxious heart and can run you down. But God says, I want to trade out your exhaustion with rest. I want to trade your weary life with refreshment. Lean into me. Lean on me. Trust in me. I don’t want to be one more thing for you to do or think about… I want to be your everything. I love you and want to give you peace “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives…Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27
#3: Heal Your Heart
- Psalm 23:3—He restoreth my soul:
- Moms are people too. They get hurt feelings, broken hearts, have regrets, have disappointments… they have pain. Their hearts break for their own pain but even more so for the pain of their kids and family. At times, the burdens moms carry can be very heavy.
- Jesus says to moms and all of us: “Cast all your cares on me because I care for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Let me restore you and heal your damaged emotions. Let me repair your broken heart.
- Mother’s day is a hard day for many women… there are many broken dreams and broken hearts.
- Some moms did not have a loving relationship with their mom.
- Some moms are hurting for their kids who are struggling—faith, family, health, other.
- Some moms are estranged from their kids/family.
- Some moms grieve loss—kids, spouse, divorce, other, maybe your mom has passed away this year.
- Some moms have been hurt. Bad.
- Some moms…actually women…who wanted to be a mom but couldn’t.
- Some moms…are broken down with regret, pain, sorrow, sadness, and disappointment.
- Jesus says I want to restore you and give you a hope-filled future. Take heart and be of good cheer. I love you and have a plan for you. That’s not only comforting words for moms. It is God’s message to all of us.
#4: Give You Guidance
- Psalm 23:3—he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
- We all need direction for difficult decisions. Life is full of indecision, tough choices, and uncertainty. I hear from parents all the time about how hard decision-making can be. It’s not always easy to discern what God’s will is in the matter.
- The Bible says:
- Proverbs 3:5,6—Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
- Proverbs 2:6—For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
- Jeremiah 33:3—Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
- You are never, ever alone. God is always with you and He hears your prayers and wants to help guide you whenever you ask.
#5: Fight Off Fear
- Psalm 23:4—Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
- There are a lot of things that can cause fear today: kids getting a driver’s license, dark side of social media, guns, evil people, drugs – opiate epidemic, alcoholism, bad relationships, money problems, health problems, school problems, etc. When we think about it, and we try not to, it can cause us to fear. Our chest tightens, heart beats faster, stomach hurts, and our head aches.
- What to do? When we turn to the Bible, it shows us what we should do:
- Psalm 56:3—When I am afraid I will trust in you.
- Isaiah 41:10—So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
#6: Find Friendship
- Psalm 23:5—Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
- Psalm 23:5 offers a great picture of what friendship looks like – sharing a meal together, anointing, covenant. One of the main ideas in this verse is that Jesus is your friend.
- Jesus is your friend. The closest kind of friend. He is not just a King, Protector, Creator, but He is also our friend. He is the closest and dearest friend you can ever know.
- John 15:13-14—Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends…
- Proverbs 18:24—Jesus is our friend “who sticks closer than a brother.”
- As your friend, He cares and wants to share in your victories and challenges, your hopes and dreams. He wants to help you through the tough times and be there to celebrate the good times.
- Matthew 11:28—Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
#7: Have Hope
- Psalm 23:6—Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
- When all hope seems lost, remember Psalm 23:6. For this life, there is goodness and mercy. And for the life to come, “you will dwell in house of the Lord forever.”
- The Bible offers additional encouragement and hope:
- Jeremiah 29:11—For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18—Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
- Romans 15:13—May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Here are just 7 of the many ways God wants you to know about the deep and amazing love He has for you. Remember today, God loves you more than you know.