When you remember that you are a unique and very important person created by a divine being we call God, and “His” very image, then you relax, knowing full well that your life is a divine plan, and your job is to surrender and allow. ~ Jacinta Mpalyenkana

Despite Valentine’s Day, December is actually the month of love. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…

God’s love for us is so immense, so infinite, that the human mind cannot capture everything that His great love encompasses. However, He is present to each of us personally and with individual plans and gifts to abundantly bless our lives. How do you live in God’s great heart of love, surrounded by all his grace, mercy and peace?

believe that God is

The first step to live surrounded and aware of the great love of God is to know -really know- that He is. Some people don’t believe that, you know. Some would say that there is nothing beyond our physical existence. Others say that there may be a ‘higher power’ but it has no effect or influence on our lives.

Yet when Moses asked God what to say to the Israelites to explain his mission and why they should follow him, God said, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, ‘I AM hath sent me unto you.'” Who is that “AM”?

• I AM your shield and your exceedingly great reward (Gen. 15:1)
• I AM God Almighty (Genesis 17:1)
• I AM the God of Abraham… Do not fear, for I AM with you, and I will bless you… (Gen. 26:24)
• I AM Jehovah your healer (Ex. 15:26)
• I AM the LORD who does all things (Isa. 44:24)

Isaiah wrote: “Do not fear, for I AM with you; do not be dismayed, for I AM your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” (v. 41:10)

Are you willing to believe in the power and majesty and love and mercy and grace of Almighty God?

believe that he loves you

Look what love the Father has given us, so that we may be called children of God (I John 3:1).

God loves you! He calls you his son, his heir. He stated that he formed you from the womb and has good plans for your life. No matter what trials or calamities come, no matter what you have done (or failed to do), God still loves you. This is what love consists of, not that we love God, but that He loves us… (1 John 4:10.

Some might say, “God couldn’t love me after what I’ve done.” Others may scoff and declare, “I don’t need God. I can take care of myself.” However, we will all face challenging circumstances throughout our lives that are difficult or impossible to bear. God is waiting for us to acknowledge his presence so that he can offer his love, comfort and wisdom.

The Bible, His Word to us, declares that in Him we live and move and exist and what are we rooted and grounded in Love. As you meditate on these thoughts, recognize and receive the fullness that flows and the protection that comes from being surrounded by Love, from abiding in Love. To share the benefits of His kingdom, His love, you have to acknowledge your place as a child of God, His chosen and much loved son.

dwell in your love

Interesting word: dwell. It means to live and remain; To stay in a place. You don’t live in a hotel, that’s temporary. You need a permanent place for your physical being.

Apparently, you can also make your thoughts stay in one place. You really won’t get a revelation of God’s love and mercy, grace and peace unless you make time with God a priority in your life. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty (Ps. 91:1). That ‘secret place’ is LOVE. Then you can say with the psalmist, I will say of the LORD: He is my refuge and my fortress. In the [in LOVE] I put my trust.” (v.2)

Living in God’s heart of love means deliberately choosing his words, his ways, and his plans. Knowing what they are will require your time and commitment to prayer, study, and contemplation. As God told Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may keep and do according to all that is written in it. Because then you will make your way prosperous, and everything will work out for you“ (Joshua 1:8).

You can learn to abide-to live in God, in LOVE, within the flowing fullness and protection that being surrounded by Love provides. Being so totally surrounded by Love/God means that nothing can harm or hurt you, make you angry, frustrate you. or make you sad

Claim your love

Love totally excludes and prevents all unpleasant things/words/thoughts/actions/results. On the contrary, while they radiate, they emit and exude Love; it just flows out of you without effort, resentment, or ill effects. Being so totally encompassed by Love leaves no room for anything else to enter or leave you.

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love; and he who dwells in love dwells in God and God in him. In this our love has been perfected, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:16-17

God is love. He CANNOT tell you to do anything that will not ultimately damage your life. Never be afraid of losing anything by surrendering to God’s love. He only has good plans for your life!

if you keep my commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will remain in My love and you will live by it, just as I have obeyed the commandments of My Father and will live in His love. This is my commandment: that you love one another [just] how I have loved you (John 15:10 AMPC).

It’s like being on a cloud of joy/peace/wonder/Love. That’s the fullness of loves more complete expression is total Love.

share your love

Nothing in the kingdom of God will work in your favor if you do not develop your own walk of love. The Apostle Paul called it the most excellent way (I Corinthians 12:31). The next chapter details how love works and ends by saying, “Love never fails.” Why? Because God never fails!

God has called and equipped you to be an ‘excellent’ lover! Develop a lifestyle of love. Love is the greatest of all the supernatural gifts of God made available to us. The Bible even says that faith works by love. Prayers go unanswered if you forget the essential truth that God is Love, therefore you are Love.

We are to represent Him (as God’s Ambassadors on earth) through our lifestyle by loving people as He does. Developing the love of God should be our number one goal.

Stay grounded and grounded in love

God loves you. Period. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians and for you is that you stay rooted and grounded in love… and filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17, 19). As we wrap up this Christmas season and face a New Year, make a quality decision to live, dwell, and abide in God’s heart of love.