For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Well, here we go…our first Beloved Creative Studio single. We do have some other things coming that are more of a “studio sound” but I think some things are best “raw and unfiltered” so this is the first in what I imagine will be a series of those sorts of more intimate, one-take, personal recordings. It’s not available yet on any other streaming platforms but I’ll let you know when it is. I just wanted to get it out for Valentine’s Day. May God truly pour His love into your heart by His Spirit as you listen!
The “Heart” of the Song (all the cheese for my favorite holiday)
This song was captured in a moment of prayer for a friend who was struggling with their thoughts about God. It is a prophetic response from the heart of Our Father as I ministered to His heart regarding this friend. This word from the Lord is for all of us, but especially those who find yourself in a position where the disappointments, loss, heartache, or pain of this life have left you numb and questioning God’s love for you.
I have been there more than once.
These kinds of doubts are worth acknowledging (no sense hiding them) but also worth fighting FERVENTLY against once we realize they are .there. We have to resist the temptation to yield to them ever again, even for a moment. They are rebellion–sourced from Satan, the one who would like to steal, kill, and destroy every good thing in your life. The enemy loves to accuse God and the church (Genesis 3, Revelation 12:10). He tries to whisper doubts into our heads about God’s character and intentions for us. Have you heard any of these lies before?
- “How could He let this happen to me while he protects others. He must hate me. He has no power to protect me or if He does, He doesn’t care.”
- “He provides for others, but I have to take care of myself. He is not taking care of me or the ones I love so I must be the one who always takes care of others.”
- “He has gifted others but He doesn’t care about giving anything valuable or useful to me, spiritually or otherwise. He is holding back from me. He’s far from me.”
How do we know that God does not hate us? Because while we were the enemies of God, He sent Jesus to die for our sins. And now, it is much more about us receiving Him than Him choosing us. He has chosen you already. It is God’s desire that you and every person on earth is saved and rescued from sin and He has already accomplished His part in this. (1 Timothy 2:4)
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:8-11
We are reconciled completely now through our faith in Jesus and we can stop being enslaved to sin. The wrath of God against our sin has been FULLY and FOREVER satisfied at the cross and it is only those who reject Jesus who still bear the wrath and anger of God (John 3:36). Whoever simply looks to Him for salvation is fully accepted and celebrated and we live in the wild freedom Jesus felt, not to do whatever we want, but to obey the will of the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit.
How do we know He has not left us? Jesus said He never would leave us or forsake us. Never.
How do we know He’s not forgotten you? Because He said, can a mother forget her child, nursing at her breast? (OK, just imagine the ridiculousness of that statement anyone who has felt or seen a baby nurse) But God says, even if that were possible (because many have been rejected by earthy parents), He would never forget you. That is a word from scripture about how he remembers His people (Isaiah 49:15).
Even more than this, as those who trust Jesus, we become adopted into the family of God and become the children of God, heirs to everything Christ knew and had from the Father, especially His Spirit. And the Holy Spirit enables us to cry out “Abba, Father,” to the God of the universe.
God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4-7
He is no longer a stranger or a cosmic force to us, He is for us. He is a personal being who wants a real relationship with us. He wants to be close to us. He longs to tell you things just between you and Him as He shepherds and teaches you by His Spirit and through the scriptures.
As soon as the lie is exposed for what it is and is confronted with the truth, it loses it’s power. Satan is defeated, even now, His downfall is achieved by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony. We overcome Him…both now and in the end.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short.” (Revelation 12:10-12)
Nothing can stand against the great love of God for His children. On a day that is all about love, but I have labored in these fields long enough to know that many are not “feeling” loved. But whatever you might feel (loneliness, pain, rejection, loss) the invitation is to return to the truth.
Return to trust.
Become a child.
Believe the truth.
He has so much love for you.
This song is licensed under a creative commons license so share away!
