{"id":9478,"date":"2023-01-23T13:33:21","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T19:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abidingfathers.org\/?p=9478"},"modified":"2023-01-23T13:33:21","modified_gmt":"2023-01-23T19:33:21","slug":"how-much-are-you-loved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/af2.musiimes.space\/index.php\/2023\/01\/23\/how-much-are-you-loved\/","title":{"rendered":"How much are you loved?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finding worth<\/h3>\n

Why is it important to tell someone,\u00a0\u201cI love you\u201d,\u00a0<\/em>or to hear it from someone? Could it be that in a fallen, sinful world we tend to not think well of ourselves; that we are somehow dirty, unattractive, unlovable, whatever? Why do you think social media is such an attraction to young people especially? They want to know if they matter to anyone, or that their thoughts are accepted by their circle of friends or broader. And it becomes extremely hurtful if others, especially friends, start an online campaign to belittle you. Many measure their worth or how much they\u2019re loved by the number of followers they have.<\/p>\n

Maybe it\u2019s also important to experience what others have done for you or how far they\u2019ll go to make you feel loved, even without saying it. Could be as simple as a regular visit, a listening ear, help in some tangible way when you\u2019re mentally or otherwise,\u00a0down and out<\/em>. That\u2019s why\u00a0John 3:16<\/a>\u00a0is so incredibly powerful to demonstrate just how much we are loved by our heavenly Father.\u00a0\u201cFor God\u00a0so loved<\/u>\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>The word,\u00a0so<\/em><\/strong>, has such a deep meaning! Not just loved a little bit, but\u00a0so loved<\/em>. Deeply, personally, sacrificially, and much more! And how did God demonstrate his love? What is the operative word in John 3:16 that shows us the extent of his love?\u00a0\u2026that he\u00a0gave<\/u>\u2026\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>What? His only begotten Son.<\/p>\n

Amazing love<\/h3>\n

And how far did Christ go, and what did he do that expresses the Father\u2019s love? I invite you now, don\u2019t put it off, to read and meditate on\u00a0Isaiah 53<\/a>. And I further challenge you to read and meditate on\u00a0Psalm 22<\/a>. Concerning the latter, Jesus quoted the first words of the Psalm while on the cross which gave evidence to what was taking place. It\u2019s not pretty! But it shows the extent of his love for you and me, the world.<\/p>\n

A few highlights of Isaiah 53.<\/p>\n