Hope Verses: John 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; 1 John 4:4-21
Dear Friend:
GOD LOVES YOU, with an everlasting love--higher than all mountains, deeper than all oceans, and beyond every border and boundary. His love is perfect and true; His love is patient and kind. It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud. It does not dishonor others; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. His love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. His love never fails.
GOD loves you so much He gave His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. He loves you so much He offered you His beloved Son, JESUS, as Savior, Redeemer, Mediator, Healer, Lord, Prince, King, and Bridegroom, so you could be reconciled to Him, your heavenly FATHER, and adopted into His family and His kingdom, with all the rights, privileges, and benefits of a son and daughter, a prince and princess--blood-bought royalty and joint-heirs with JESUS CHRIST, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.
GOD loves you more than the mother who carried you in the womb for nine months and nurtured you throughout your life; He loves you more than the father who braved the winter rain and summer heat year after year to protect you and provide for your daily needs. He loves you more than your grandmothers or grandfathers, more than your in-laws, foster parents, adopted parents, spouses, partners, children, and friends. He loves you for who you are--who He created you to be--wonderfully and fearfully made, in His image, according to His likeness. He loves you for being uniquely you--strong and courageous, gifted and talented, full of passion and purpose, full of faith, hope, love, and dreams.
He knows the plans He has for you, plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future, and He's working all things together for good because you love Him and are called according to His purpose. He's got your back; He's got you covered, and no weapon formed against you shall prosper, for greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. He's with you, wherever you go, wherever you are, and He will never leave you nor forsake you, so be strong and courageous.
You're not a victim; you're a victor, and though you may be hard-pressed on every side, you're not crushed; though you may be perplexed, you're not in despair; though you may be persecuted, you're not forsaken; though you may be struck down, you're not destroyed. Why? GOD is with you, forever and always, and He's your refuge and your strength, a very present help in time of trouble. He's the mighty, awesome One; He's the Strong One, so lean on Him, cast your cares on Him, and let Him love and protect you in the good times and the bad. And remember, nothing--neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall separate you from the love of GOD which is in CHRIST JESUS our LORD.
GOD loves you, and He doesn't change; He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. So, hold on; don't give up and don't give in; fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. Above all, remember this: GOD THINKS YOU'RE WORTH SAVING, WORTH FORGIVING, WORTH HEALING, WORTH LOVING, WORTH KEEPING, WORTH PROTECTING, WORTH TEACHING, WORTH ADOPTING, WORTH DYING FOR. So, if GOD loves you like that and JESUS is with you--GOD is in you--and GOD is for you, who can be against you? Who can overcome you? Nobody, because you're more than a conqueror through Him who loved you.
Now, may the LORD bless you and keep you; may He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
With Love & Blessings,
GOD'sWORD Professor
