Learn To Love Yourself First
Scripture:  Jeremiah 31:3-4
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have
drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up
again, and you Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you
will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the
joyful.””
__________________________________________________
God wants to restore you. He wants to offer you the ring of
acceptance. He wants to reconcile you to the Kingdom. He
wants to invite you to sit at His table. As it is written in
Isaiah 61:7, “Instead of shame . . . you will enjoy a double
share of honor.”
Once we get a hold of the truth of grace, not only does it
empower us to forgive and love ourselves, it should also
prompt us to forgive and love others. Because, let’s be
honest, there’s a Prodigal in all of us. And sometimes it
takes learning to love through a mess to get to the miracle.
You can read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, let’s
put it in modern times. You may relate to the following
scenario.
Lisa was raised in the church. Her parents were great
people who loved Lisa and wanted only the best for their
daughter. She made the mistake of her life when she began
to date Bill. After several months, Lisa was head over heels
in love and wanted to marry him.
Lisa knew he had a drinking problem. He also had lots of
excuses. She knew he did not like to go to church with her
much, but she convinced herself that she could change him.
Despite her pastor’s warnings and her parents’ pleadings,
she went ahead and married him. About a year and a half
later, she was in a living hell.
Bill’s drinking evolved into physical abuse, and Lisa filed
for divorce. She was heartbroken. She had ignored all the
warning signs. Any time children of God marry children of
the devil, they are going to have trouble with their father-
in-law.
The good news is, God never gives up on us. Recovering
from bad choices you have made can be a heart-wrenching
experience, but God is always ready to restore you, to give
you a new start.
The Big Idea:  Learning to love others begins by
learning to love yourself.  learning to love yourself.
Learn To Love Yourself First
Scripture:  Jeremiah 31:3-4
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have
drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up
again, and you Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you
will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the
joyful.””
__________________________________________________
God wants to restore you. He wants to offer you the ring of
acceptance. He wants to reconcile you to the Kingdom. He
wants to invite you to sit at His table. As it is written in
Isaiah 61:7, “Instead of shame . . . you will enjoy a double
share of honor.”
Once we get ahold of the truth of grace, not only does it
empower us to forgive and love ourselves, it should also
prompt us to forgive and love others. Because, let’s be
honest, there’s a Prodigal in all of us. And sometimes it
takes learning to love through a mess to get to the miracle.
You can read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, let’s
put it in modern times. You may relate to the following
scenario.
Lisa was raised in the church. Her parents were great
people who loved Lisa and wanted only the best for their
daughter. She made the mistake of her life when she began
to date Bill. After several months, Lisa was head over heels
in love and wanted to marry him.
Lisa knew he had a drinking problem. He also had lots of
excuses. She knew he did not like to go to church with her
much, but she convinced herself that she could change him.
Despite her pastor’s warnings and her parents’ pleadings,
she went ahead and married him. About a year and a half
later, she was in a living hell.
Bill’s drinking evolved into physical abuse, and Lisa filed
for divorce. She was heartbroken. She had ignored all the
warning signs. Any time children of God marry children of
the devil, they are going to have trouble with their father-
in-law.
The good news is, God never gives up on us. Recovering
from bad choices you have made can be a heart-wrenching
experience, but God is always ready to restore you, to give
you a new start.
The Big Idea:  Learning to love others begins by