Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 30

January 30;   John 17:23;   85/260(VI);   ‘You Are Loved’

John 17:23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 

The Lord Jesus, makes an incredible statement in this verse.  He tells us that God the Father, Almighty God, loves you and I as much as He loves Jesus.  We are loved with a love that is beyond comprehension by our Heavenly Father.  Even those who ‘hate’ the Lord and mock Him are loved like this.  Jesus, on the cross, cries out to His Father to forgive those who crucified Him (and everyone else who hates Him), because they do not know what they are doing.  Allow this verse to comfort you and bring assurance of the Father’s eternal commitment to you.  All of the blessings and provisions of the Word are lovingly and freely given to you by a loving Father.  Protection and help are yours.  Religion has done such damage to people.  God the Father is portrayed as angry and condemning.  He is even spoken of as the One who makes you sick.  God’s Word straightens us out.  As you read the Word and see how much you are loved and provided for, faith will replace fear and hostility.  Read the Bible, God’s love letter to you and come to know the Father’s love for you.  As you read the gospels, knowing the Lord Jesus is our Example of how to live, you quickly see the incredible fellowship Jesus had with His Father.  Since we are loved just as much by the Father, you and I can have the same close, intimate fellowship with our heavenly Father.  Jesus lived totally unafraid and victorious and so can we.  What a difference His love makes in our lives.