UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

John 3:`16, 17
King James Version

Gloria and Bill Gaither wrote one of the most beautiful hymns I have ever heard "I'm Free" and when I hear Linda Randle sing it, I get tears in my eyes to know how much Jesus loves me.

"So long, I searched for life's meaning Enslaved by the world and my greed Then the door of my prison was opened by love For the ransom was paid. I was free.

I'm free from the fear of tomorrow I'm free from the guilt of my past ooh! I've traded my shackles for a glorious song I'm free Praise the Lord, free at last!

I am free from the guilt that I carried From the dull empty life, I'm set free For when I met Jesus he made me complete, He forgot the foolish child I used to be

I'm free from the fear of tomorrow, I'm free from the guilt of my past Oh, I traded my shackles for a glorious song I'm free! Praise the Lord, free at last! Oh! I've traded my shackles for a glorious song! I'm free, Praise the Lord free at last!"

I am so glad Jesus loves us and forgives us because I was not very nice before I was saved. One time I got upset with my Mother and said to her "I hate you". When I realized what I had said I told her I was sorry and asked her to forgive me. Mom told me that she forgave me but I hurt her just as much as if I had taken a knife and plunged it into her heart. We can tell people we're sorry and mean it but the hurt is still there.

Heavenly Father, I am so sorry for the times when I have hurt You or said something that hurt someone. Please forgive me and help me keep my big mouth shut when I'm tempted to say something that will hurt someone.

If ever someone has a right to say something harsh and cruel, it is Jesus, our precious Saviour. He was beaten beyond recognition, cursed, spat on, mocked and died on the cross for something He had not done. Jesus had taken your sins and my sins on Him. What a Saviour! What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!

What really brings tears to my eyes is that Jesus didn't have to stay on the cross for us. He could have come down from the cross. All the nails in the world couldn't have held Him but He stayed on the cross because He loves us so much.

Ray Overholt wrote a beautiful heart touching and inspiring hymn that always brings tears to my eyes to know how much Jesus loves us "He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels".

"They bound the hands of Jesus In the garden where He prayed They led Him thro' the streets in shame They spat upon the Savior So pure and free from sin They said crucify Him He's to blame.

He could have called ten thousand angels To destroy the world and set Him free He could have called ten thousand angels But He died alone for you and me."

I've said this many times and I will keep saying it until God calls me home to Heaven. Nobody loves you like Jesus and God love you and nobody ever will. Their love is unconditional and unending. How much do we love Them and what are we doing to prove to Them that we love Them?

Joanne Lowe
May 7, 2023