Ephesians 3: 17-19

'I pray that you being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God.' (Ephesians 3 v 17-19)

You !.. Yes You! You reading this., do you know the full extent of God's love for you? Do you know that your photo, your first picture, the day you first walked, talked, your latest school photo is attached to the heavenly refrigerator? Every time God goes to get a drink he has a smile at you. God loves everything about you. You are indeed the crown of His creation. Before you start to say, yes God loves me but look at them, STOP! He loves YOU! Christianity is about a personal relationship with Him and you are as valuable to God as that other person. God loves hearing from you as much as He loves hearing from them. In fact the Bible says He turns His ear to you when you call on His name. How often do you say 'Jesus..?' Next time you do, remember that in that instant your heavenly Father has turned His ear to you, and really cares about the things on your heart and in your life- He listens.

If you don't know this love I pray that you will soon, I want you to know the height, depth, and width of His love; because I know that there you will discover a real peace. In that love you will find all the strength you need for life and a hope for tomorrow. Knowing someone so powerful loves you is so awesome.

I remember so clearly the day I discovered this love; that was the day I said I wanted a relationship with someone who loves me that much, and the day I said if you love me so much Jesus, I want to only go where you send me because I know, every where you send me will be right for me, because you love me.

The day I discovered this love, was the day I looked at the cross and believed that Jesus died for me, it was the day my life was changed forever, it was the day I turned my back on the worlds ways and started to follow Jesus' ways.

It is my prayer today that as you read this Bible study you will start to see the full extent of God's love for you. The world doesn't love you, the world wants you for selfish and greedy motives, it wants you to buy into its plans, to feed its economy, but God wants you simply because He loves you and cares for you and wants to ultimately save you from this destructive system. His grace, His free gift of Jesus was given not for something in return, Jesus was given and gave Himself to simply show you His love for you and to lead you to salvation, heaven. He wants perfection for you.

I was once lost to the world, pursuing its goals, a slim body, a fashionable image, a busy social life and quality education so that I would be accepted. I soon learnt that the world would never except me because it always would want more, what was right yesterday was not right the next day. I was constantly chasing my tail, to the point of exhaustion. I had anorexia, was depressed and feeling hopeless as the reality of life hit me. My mum was terminally ill with cancer, and the world offered me no hope there. Then I discovered Jesus and suddenly I discovered that I was loved by someone for just being me, that God just wanted me to rest, to protect me, and I discovered a hope for life.

Now I wake up each morning and know I have a reason to live and someone to live with forever. I will never be alone, never be unloved because God loves me and promises that if I want Him too, He will walk with me and guide me into life eternal, and green pastures today. I was lost but now I am found, I once ran aimlessly through life chasing the wind, now I follow my leader and life is better than ever. I've been a Christian for five years now and been through many tragedies and God has been faithful. I know God loves me and if I trust Him He will be faithful to me.

Who are you putting your hope in today? Where is your direction in life coming from? Do you know perfect love? If not perhaps Jesus is the one you are looking for. I dare you to receive His love and follow Him!  CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.