God is Love

My heart is deeply saddened for those in Newtown, Connecticut—especially for the parents who lost their children in such a tragic way. I don't think there is anything more painful than losing a child.

As I was praying this morning, I thought about how many people tend to blame God for things like this. It breaks my heart to think that people could actually believe that God is capable of such horror.
 
There is a fierce battle raging between evil and good. Our generation is living in an unprecedented time of evil. Many have chosen to turn away from God because they don't know His true nature.
 

God is love (1 John 4:8). 

No one understands why such tragedy can exist. There are things we will never be able to understand in this life until we pass into our heavenly home.  

But there is one thing I am certain of more than anything else.

Jesus loves us very deeply.

Our minds cannot comprehend how deep His love is. It is perfect. It is indescribable.

His love heals.

His love comforts.

His love is enough.

I believe that as we turn toward God wholeheartedly, share His perfect love with one another, and truly live in the love of Christ we will see change in our world.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner most being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And 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 all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3: 16-19 (NIV)

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious; slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalm103:8 (NIV)

“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” Psalm 103:10 (NIV)

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion...” Psalm 103:13 (NIV)

“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” Psalm 103:2 (NIV)

A Prayer

Father, I lift up every person who was involved in the tragedy in Newtown. I know You are filled with compassion for those families. I ask You to comfort them in their sorrows. Fill them with the hope and knowledge of Your eternal love. Keep them in the palm of your hand and fill the hole in their hearts with Your love and peace. Bring to their lives beauty to replace the pain. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.