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ENCOUNTERING GOD'S LOVE
Kris Vallotton | Feb 10, 2021
How do we comprehend the height, the width, the length and depth of God’s love? In this podcast, I share stories from my childhood and the unconditional love of my grandfather to invite us all into a deeper encounter with God’s love. I hope this message will provoke you to press in for the fullness of God as I unpack Paul’s apostolic prayer in his letter to the Church in Ephesus.
Note: This podcast was recorded before the Coronavirus pandemic.
ENCOUNTERING GOD’S LOVE PODCAST NOTES
“[So that you] may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19.
The love of God
is so foundational! When I did counseling when I first moved to Redding, I was astounded how people made their lives complicated over the pursuit and desire to be loved, as well as how often Christians don’t know that’s the problem. During that time of counseling, about 85% of the people dealt with serious issues could be reduced down to the fact that they didn’t know they were loved.
There’s a difference between knowing in your head that God loves you
and actually experiencing His love. Experiencing His love is the “love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.” There’s something powerful about knowing through experience, it’s something you can’t know just through information. Your heart will take you places your head cannot go.
To the depth that you love people is the depth you can be hurt. If you say, “I will never let anyone hurt me again,” you cut yourself off from love which results in isolation. I encourage you to step out, take a risk, and love again!
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.
My grandfather taught me the love of God before he met Jesus. Most of our struggles and all of our fears would evaporate if we knew the love of God that surpasses understanding.
Scripture:
Ephesians 3:14-21, Romans 8:38-39, 1 John 4:18
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