Enveloped By Grace: God’s Love Seen Through The Lens of Eternity

Happy February, Beloved. Before we jump into the post for this month, I want to keep you in the loop. Over the next few months, things will be a little different on my blog and social media because I will be focusing on writing my book and working on the podcast that will follow.

I don't plan to leave you hanging💁🏾‍♀️; as a matter of fact, I will be stepping out in faith and inviting you into the process.  I'm not sure what it will look like 🤷🏾‍♀️ however, I want to be transparent so you get to know me, my family, how I study the word, and create all aspects of biblical content.

I plan to Vlog my experience and post it as I go. I will continue to post the word of God as the Lord leads. Here is where you come in—pray for and with me and feel free to comment, dm, and email me questions, observations, and any ideas that you are using to write.  I've had my heart set on this for a while and have started and stopped, started and stopped, but this is the season to run this race to the end.

Now for our regularly scheduled content: Enveloped By Grace: God’s Love Seen Through The Lens of Eternity

I planned to write about bridal affections, you know since it's February💁🏾‍♀️; however, my heart was stirred this past week concerning the Lord’s great love for us once again.  And our pastor preached a message that ignited a zeal to share God’s love because it truly is an all-consuming fire that burns for us. So we open with Scripture that reminds us of the Triune God before time.

“The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always.”Proverbs 8:22-30.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4.

God has always existed, and from the Scriptures, we know God is Spirit (John 4:24). Beloved, God did something radical, masterful, and incomprehensible—He chose to come in the likeness of His very own creation. He came as a Man to save us! He didn't need to do it, but because He is Love—He wanted to do it. He desired for us to know and be embraced by Love. Let that sink in.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5.

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:9.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” John 1:18.

“but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Colossians 1:15.

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Hebrews 1:1-2.

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5.

I wanted to give a little context before we camp out on our verse of study.  I pray that we see how truly loved we are by God and cling to Him because He alone is faithful and true. February is when so many focus on love yet have never met LOVE or have a relationship with Him.  They are immersed in the idea or concept of love but don't know the Person who is Love.

As ambassadors of Heaven, we have an obligation to share LOVE. Not the feeling, but the true Love who laid down His life so we could be redeemed. Each day, we are presented with chances to share the Person of love through our faith. However, when humanity celebrates holidays it is a unique opportunity for us to engage in courageous dialogues to point them to Christ. I hope this post will fuel you with such passion for the finished work of Jesus Christ that you are compelled to give people Jesus—because that is genuinely loving others well!

Our base camp🏕️ Scripture📖:

“Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;” Hebrews 10:5.

What I find fascinating and incredible is the Son of God from eternity past didn't need a body until man came on the scene.  He didn't need a body because He existed fully One with and as God. The ONLY reason He needed the likeness of human flesh and let me pause: I say “likeness” because though He is Man—He is also 100% God at all times.  He knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21); in Him was no sin (1 John 3:5);  He did no sin (1 Peter 2:22). I want to establish that He is the perfect, sinless Lamb of God.

Where am I going with this? Jesus needed a body so He could die for and, indeed, as us.  I want us to savor this, friends because once we receive this profound truth, we will never be able to unsee it: He is the Only Baby (human) born to die. He came to save us through His death so we would have life in His Name! Friends, this is LOVE. —Selah.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” Ephesians 2:4-5.

So, how does this transform and empower us in our everyday?  Beloved, our hearts are filled with tranquility and assurance because of His love for us. We get to walk in the will of God with complete confidence because of Jesus. We get to be led by the Spirit dispensing God’s grace everywhere we go.  And because of Him and His love, we possess an eternal inheritance and have access to all the resources of Heaven. Each day when we arise we are not alone nor are we walking through life alone. We are filled with the Living God able to operate using His authority through His word. All of this because Jesus came for us. Don't you feel loved and empowered?

🏕️Our verse for today📖: “Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;” Hebrews 10:5.

Beloved, God could have redeemed us any other way. But Jesus chose to come. He decided to walk as us, among us. He chose the scourging. He chose the shame. He chose the cross. How do we know?  We get to peer into the mind and heart of God through the word:

“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” Ephesians 1:4-10.

We discover even before man came on the scene, God’s plan of salvation was in God’s heart. Before time began—God! I hope you feel loved and ready to step into all the Lord has for you!  Before we go, let’s contemplate the future.  Have you ever considered that Jesus is the only one pierced in heaven?  Throughout eternity, the only one who will bear scars is the Son of God.  This isn't to remind us of sin, but rather a reminder that the debt has been paid and God is glorified through His atonement. Oh, what great love by which He loved us. Forever, we have reason to praise!

“saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:12-13.

I pray this word blesses, refreshes, and rejuvenates you in your faith journey to testify of the love of Christ today and forever more. Our final thoughts come from the apostle of love, John:

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” 1 John 4:9-14.

🕊️Journal Prompts: I pray these prompts will deepen your time in God’s word. Allow yourself to be embraced by LOVE🕊️

•Reflect on moments when you experienced God's love in a profound way. How did it impact your life? Consider intentionally breaking away to be alone with Him–to enjoy Him and allow Him to love you.

•In what ways can you share the Love of Christ with others, beyond just the feeling, especially during the month of February?

•Journal your thoughts on the incarnation.  Muse the powerful truth it was God’s plan to come in the likeness of His creation. How does it deepen your appreciation for His sacrifice?

•Contemplate the significance of Jesus being the Only Baby born to die. How does this truth shape your perspective on His mission and love?

•Ponder the idea your eternal inheritance purchases by the blood of Jesus. How can this truth empower you in your daily life?

•The ability to receive the truth of salvation in the Gospel is such an immense blessing. Now you are a container of hope and light released into a dark world. Journal how you can seize or even create opportunities to pour love, light, and hope into those in your sphere of influence, and consider journaling your experiences.

•Reflect on God's plan of salvation existing before the foundation of the world. How does this eternal perspective impact your sense of purpose and destiny?

•Contemplate the scars of Jesus in heaven as a reminder of our debt being paid. Journal how His piercing brings glory to the Father. How does this visual resonate with your understanding of redemption?

•Consider the concept of God sending his Son as the propitiation for our sins. How does this sacrifice shape your understanding of God's love, forgiveness, and the depth of His grace?

•Imagine joining the heavenly chorus praising the Lamb who was slain. How does this eternal perspective influence your worship and gratitude?

•Journal about a personal experience where you found it challenging to love someone. How can the example of God's love inspire you to overcome difficulties and extend love to others?

•Ponder on the phrase “his love is perfected in us.”In what ways can you allow God's love to be perfected in your life, influencing your thoughts, actions, and relationships?

Come back for more engaging Biblical content. Visit my IG page for more Bible Verse photos.

Andrea