“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

“ – but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

I want you to stop for a moment and ponder this: you are loved.  No matter how difficult the day has been or even how hard your life has been–you are loved.  Even when the world is crashing down around you, you want to cry, you feel like giving up and you wonder if anyone cares–you are loved.  Don’t let the chatter of this world try to drown out this truth; YOU ARE LOVED!

And this isn’t some kind of mushy-gushy, romance novel kind of love.  This is the real deal.  Just look at the best that we as humans have to offer each other.  Our greatest expression of love is laying down our lives for our friends.  And then, Jesus comes and takes that love to the nth degree by loving us even when we weren’t His friend.  He loved us while we were sinners, His enemy.  He loved us and laid down His life for us.  YOU ARE LOVED!

During the best of days, take the time to celebrate that you are loved.  During the struggles and difficult times never forget the fact that you are loved.  And each and every day in between, hold fast to truth and rejoice in the knowledge of knowing that no matter what else may come your way that the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords has called you His child and YOU … ARE … LOVED!

Lord, may we never forget how much you love us.  You displayed that love for us on the cross and you continue to work in our lives each and every day.  Thank you for the constant reminder that we are your children, that you truly care for us, and that one day we will get to be with you forever.  Amen.