Day #84 - Love in Me
The Presence - A Devotional for Living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder
“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.””
John 17:26 NIV
What is the most powerful love you have ever experienced?
What is the most powerful love that has ever been known? There is a love stronger than the greatest fairy tales or stories of romance. There is a love stronger than any human love. The strongest and most powerful love is Divine love, the love that God the Father has for his only Son.
Towards the end of the life of Jesus, before he was crucified Jesus prayed a beautiful and profound prayer in John 17 (that we will revisit at a later date). Jesus is pouring out his heart to his Father and praying for his followers as well as all of his future followers. He finishes his prayer with the most incredible words, “that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
What is Jesus praying? That his presence may dwell in us and that is the presence of love, a love that is shared by God the Father and the God the Son. Jesus prayed for us as future followers that we would get to share the same love he shared with his Father in heaven.
When we read about the baptism of Jesus the past couple of days it would be easy to look at the story and think its great for Jesus that he got to experience such love. But we can miss that we are to enter into that same kind of love he experienced on that day.
What kind of love did Jesus experience from the Father that he prayed would be in us?
Unconditional love, not based on our performance.
Eternal love that never ends.
Love that is expressed.
Love that makes one accepted as a beloved son.
Love that communicates you are pleasing.
When you see the love of God expressed between Jesus and the Father, remember that Jesus prayed you would experience that same love. Remember that Jesus prayed he himself would be present in you. Being in “the presence” is about entering into the the love of God by Christ dwelling in you and you being a recipient of what Jesus prayed for over your life. Your inheritance in the presence of God is the same love that Jesus experienced and experiences.
Father God, thank you for Jesus and his prayer for me that reveals your very heart. Thank you that I get the same love as you and Jesus shared. I receive that through faith in Christ and the desire of Jesus prayer for me that I am your beloved son in whom you are well pleased. Thank you for your pleasure over my life. I enter into your presence to experience your love for me. In Jesus name, amen.
SO GOOD: • Unconditional love, not based on our performance.
• Eternal love that never ends.
• Love that is expressed.
• Love that makes one accepted as a beloved son.
• Love that communicates you are pleasing
He is such a loving Father. Zephaniah 3:17 --
"The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
There are no words to express my love and grateful heart. Jesus you are the most profound gift I have ever received. Your constant presence and peace in my life cannot be fathomed. Oh how I love you Lord! 🙏🏻♥️