A Love That Accepts You...Just For Who You Are

Bible readings... 
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
“However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.”
John 6:37
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
​“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
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Hello everyone…and a big welcome today, to Sunday Inspiration…through the Risen Hope Ministries! I am so glad that you came to join me today…and my prayer for you is that you will truly come to experience the presence of Jesus, in a very loving and caring way!
 
You know…I remember a time in my life, when I didn’t feel worthy of anyone’s love, including Jesus’ love. The circumstances I faced at that time...especially the moments I dealt with, while dealing with a past sexual abuse only made me feel like a rag that was tied behind a car, while being dragged down a dusty and dirty gravel road.
 
Isn’t it amazing how Satan not only afflicts us but uses these moments of affliction to bring us so low that we don’t even feel worthy of Christ’s love or help. When I think on this…that is when I see Satan’s plan in action…a plan that can make us feel so put down in life; that we will never turn to Jesus, which only keeps us trapped within a pit of total despair.
 
There was a time in my life, when I felt so down and out; that when my husband would attempt to convince me that Jesus loved me…I would just say… “How could anyone love someone like this?” The overwhelming circumstances that had taken my life hostage, were now dictating my feelings…to the place where I felt as if I would just remain in the muck and mire of my despair forever.
 
For the longest time, I continued to hold onto a thread of hope…my own so-called hope…thinking that I could keep myself afloat, while struggling to hold my head above the troubled waters. Finally one day, my strength failed me and there was nothing more to hold onto…and that is when I began to test the waters with Jesus and see if He would truly listen to my cry for help.  As I looked up from where I was sitting at the time, I began to tell the Lord that I couldn’t do it on my own anymore and from there, I laid my life before Him…just as I was…a woman that had fallen beneath the weight of her circumstances. From there…that is when Jesus came along and picked me up into His loving arms and held me and loved me in a way that I had never felt before…a love that I truly experience, even to this very day.
 
Many times, we can feel so put down by our circumstances…and even feel unloved by those around us because we tend to follow after the feelings that had at one time become so embedded within us, due to these very overwhelming circumstances. When I grew up, the only so-called love I experienced, were two parents that fought continually or lived a life that attempted to hide the dysfunctional life I was caught up in…so I had to learn how to experience real love for the very first time. Later, I came to see that this was why I felt so unworthy of Christ’s real and genuine love. I guess I felt that the only love I was worthy of, was an artificial love…that was abusive…a so-called love that only made me feel like a piece of nothing.
 
You know…I came to see over time that we don’t have to be this perfect person in the eyes of Jesus, to experience His perfect love. He just wants us to come to Him as we are…broken and in need of repair. One thing I know…Jesus isn’t mad at you and He will never be disappointed in you, for your imperfections and weaknesses; but rather, He will take hold of you, in such a loving way and He will lift you into arms that will hold you close and love you through the problem…in a way that you have never experienced before.
 
As we close…let Jesus gently push you through the darkness and deceptive lies that surround you…lies that are attempting to keep you distant from His love, while placing you deeper in despair…and let the light of His presence bring these dark moments in your life to light; that the chains of despair may be broken; so you can experience a love that will keep you free and close to Him…a love that will never let go, for all of eternity. Come now to Jesus…He’s waiting to accept you…just as you are!
Blessings so much on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane