(My) Fashion Over 40 ~ God's Love For Us

The days of summer are fading quickly. You never know how many days of flip flops and tank tops we'll have left.  So, I thought I'd wear one of my bright dresses before I ran out of summer.

I wore this dress to my son's college graduation last year.  That was one hot day! We haven't had too many hot days this summer.  I'm not complaining! It's been perfect in my book!

I found this dress at Kohls.  It's made with my favorite fabric. Jersey knit, a never wrinkle, never shrink, never fade kind of fabric. And if you've been following me, you'll know I'm not much of a high heel girl... so I wore these flats that I've had forever. This is another easy and comfortable outfit.

I did my hair a little different. It's in a messy bun.

It was pretty easy to do.  What do you think?  Hubby thought it was too messy. Oh, well.  I liked it! :D

~ ~ ~ 

This Sunday, our associate Pastor spoke on "God's Love For Us".

In a healthy intimate relationship we need to know and believe that we are loved.  God always loves us. But... some don't accept His love or believe that He does.

Why do we struggle with that?

He shared 4 possible reasons.

1. We don't really believe God is who He says He is.

Are we totally convinced that God loves us?  Some think that God is out to get us.... Strike us down with lightning. That couldn't be farther from the truth!

Exodus 34:6 (NLT)
The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,
“Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

God is who He says He is!  He never changes!

Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

2. We don't rest in the fact that God knows what's best for us.

Psalms 1:6 (NLT)
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. 

It seems we think, WE know what's best and then we ruin it for ourselves. I believe God sees the whole picture of the puzzle.  Sometimes we concentrate on one piece and we try to force it in the spot that is "seems" to fit in, when it doesn't fit at all.

He is a good Father, that wants the best for His children.  We need to learn to trust in that and in Him. In going through hard times myself, I couldn't always see the good.  But looking back, I can see clearer and see how God was working things out for my good.

3. We don't understand God's mercy.

Jeremiah 31:20 (NLT)
"Is not Israel still my son, my darling child?" says The Lord. "I often have to punish him, but I still love him. That's why I long for him and surely will have mercy on him." 

We all make mistakes and sin, but are we truly repentant?  We need to be. God doesn't wink at our sin. He wants to forgive us, but we need to ask for His forgiveness. I just read this definition of mercy.

Mercy is where we don’t get what we truly do deserve. What we do deserve is the wrath of God, but fortunately one of my favorite memory verses explains how this mercy was made possible. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 it says, “For our sake he made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)
The faithful love of The Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.  Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. 

God is faithful. He doesn't judge like man.  He has eternal purposes for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
"For I know the plans I have for you, says The Lord.  "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." 

4. We consider it too good to be true that we can serve The Lord all of our days with joy and not fear.

I believe we can.  It's a choice to believe.
John 16:33 (NLT)
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

He is in control. Yes, there will be tough times... but He has OVERCOME the world!! Trust Him and in His Word! He loves us, forgives us, wants the best for us, has awesome plans for us! Thank you, Lord!  Be blessed!