Love Notes

Based on 1 John 3:1-24, Psalm 138:4-6, Proverb 29:17, Hosea 1:1-2:23.

GOD on high, we sing of Your ways! For You have had mercy on us who had not obtained mercy, who now say with grateful hearts, "You are our GOD!" Now we are Your children, born of Your Spirit to love You and to love the brethren. And by this we know that You abide in us: by the Spirit You have given into our very hearts.

Once we were in harlotry by departing from You, LORD. And You said to us, "You are not My people!" Nevertheless, You came for us and spoke comfort to us -- even unto me, perhaps the hardest  heart in the crowd. You said, " I will betroth you to Me forever, and you shall know the LORD." And You had mercy on us who had not obtained mercy, and You said to us who were not Your people, "You are My people!" Thus we now confess, gratefully and gladly, daily and without ceasing, "You are our GOD!"

Yes! And we say of Your ways, "Great is Your glory!" Though You are on high, You are not far from us, for Your seed remains in us who abide in Christ, and by Your Spirit, our confidence is in You -- entirely in You -- that Your life lives in us and that we, like You, are indwelt to lay down our lives for the brethren. 

We, who were born of water by our earthly parents are now born again by Your Spirit, O GOD. Therefore, our hearts do not condemn us, and we have confidence toward You, the Most High God. Have Your way with us, in us, and through us this day, we pray -- in Christ and by Your Holy Spirit, before You in the Throne Room of Heaven. And we sing together a grateful and great "Amen!"

This photograph is by Joe Sina.