Free Consider Divine Love by Donna J. Farris Page B

absolute power corrupts
absolutely, right?
    My husband was constantly
looking for the slightest imperfection or failure in my life. That
was his way of justifying the abuse. Isn't God also just waiting to
"zap" me the moment I make a mistake? - Once, my husband
shoved my head into the open flame on top of the stove. He said I
overcooked the steak and he needed to prove to me how hot the fire
was. He almost burned off my face. God has a ton of commandments
and He watches everything I do. Since He is all-knowing, I'm sure
God will notice the instant I fail to keep one of His many rules.
And since God is also all-powerful, I don't even want to think
about what He might do to me as punishment for my
transgression.
     
     

     
     
    Part 2 - Words of Love for the
Battered Heart
    If any one of the
preceding inner dialogues sounds familiar, please read further.
There is an old cliché which states, "To know Him is to love
Him." When considering divine love, nothing could be closer to
the truth. The only way a person can understand the difference
between God's love and the perversions previously experienced is to
meet the real Jesus Christ - God in human flesh.
    Through the pages of scripture, God reveals His
nature, His character and His unchangeable attributes. In the next
part of this booklet, behold as the veil separating heaven and
earth is pulled back. Listen now as Jesus, in His own words,
addresses some of the persistent, nagging fears discussed above and
reveals His marvelous, multi-faceted love.
    Did you know you don't have to
beg God to love you? - You do not have to plead with God to
accept you, be kind to you, tell you you're desirable, help you, be
gentle with you, hold you, stay with you, provide for you, protect
you or honor your trust? The truth is these thoughts are already a
part of God's nature. Such desires are already in His heart. His
love towards you is amazing, beautiful, complete, delightful,
eternal, faithful, great, holy, irresistible, just, kind, lavish,
mighty, never-ending, perfect, real, satisfying, trustworthy,
unconditional, unfailing, un-perverted, and absolutely wonderful!
God's love is like nothing you have ever known.
    [God's nature of love] "The LORD, the Lord
God, compassionate, and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in
loving-kindness and mercy." Exodus 34:6-7
    [God's enticing love] "I have loved you with
an everlasting love, therefore, I have drawn you with
loving-kindness." Jeremiah 31:3
    [God's delivering love] "There is none like
the God of Israel who rides the heavens to your help, and through
the skies in His majesty. The eternal God is a dwelling place and
underneath are the [His] everlasting arms." Deuteronomy
34:26-27
    [God's declaration of love] "There are sixty
queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number, but you,
my dove, my perfect one are unique." Song of Solomon 6:9
    [God's beautifying love] "For the Lord takes
pleasure in His people, He will beautify the afflicted ones with
salvation." Psalms 149:4
    [God's sacrificial love] "For God so loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes
in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did
not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the
world should be saved through Him." John 3:16-17
    [God's committed love ]"I will never leave
you. I will never abandon you." Hebrews 13:5
    [God's provisional love] "And my God will
supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ
Jesus." Philippians 4:19
    [The satisfaction of divine love] "He who
believes in Him [Jesus] will never be disappointed ." I
Peter 2:6
    Did you know God's love for
you is not based on your past, present or future
performance? - God's love is unconditional. This is an
amazing concept, but absolutely true. You could gain one hundred
pounds, forget your birth control pills, and get pregnant. You
could never take out the trash, walk the dog or wash the car. You
could cut your hair, and never