If you’ve never been to the West Coast, the Pacific Ocean is just a blue patch on a map. You’ve heard about it, and perhaps seen pictures. You believe it’s there, but it could be a myth. After all, you’ve never actually seen it with your own eyes.
Then the day comes when you make the trip west — as far as you can go on land. You watch the sun go down, sinking into the waves, its afterglow burning on the horizon. Then you feel the cool salt-scented breezes. You walk on the sandy beach and finally dip your toes into the water. You marvel at its vastness.
Yes, the Pacific Ocean is real. You’ve seen it, felt it, tasted its salt air. You’ve heard its crashing waves. It is no longer a concept, or someone else’s description. You have experienced it for yourself.
So it is with God’s love. It is one thing to read about it, study it, hear testimonies about it and believe it exists. It’s quite another thing to feel it, see it in operation in your own life, walk in its fullness and know its reality. In other words, experience it for yourself. 
God waits to welcome you into the vastness of His love. Discover the marvels and mysteries of His caring for yourself. Don’t just take someone’s word for it. 
 
Next Steps...
I will open my heart daily to the personal manifestation of God’s never-ending love.

The world is full of danger, seen and unseen. And new dangers keep erupting. If it’s not terrorism, it’s a new deadly virus. We yearn for a world that is safe and secure, but there seems to be no way to guarantee protection.
When we turn to the Bible, we come face to face with a God who can provide the peace we need to live in an unpredictable world. Over and over we see examples of His protecting love. And many times we are recipients of that love without realizing it.
Think of the “near misses” you have had. When danger was only inches away and you were spared. In such moments, the first words that come to mind are “Thank God!” Indeed!
The promises of Psalm 91 are worth latching onto. Here the Psalmist makes the Lord his refuge and puts his trust in God’s faithfulness.                                   
 “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, Nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday” (Psalm 91:5,6). 
Without that assurance of God’s loving care, we would live in perpetual fear.  Knowing He watches over us with protective love gives peace.

Next Steps...
I will trust God’s promise of protection and will rest in His loving care.

This is the Year of Love at Cedar Road, and we are looking at God’s love for us.
God’s love is like a diamond with many facets. Each one shines brilliantly.  And each facet of His love is there when we need it the most.
God’s healing love is an expression of His compassion. We can experience this kind of love when we need  comfort and reassurance. It’s the kind of love that puts broken pieces together again.
Physical healing is only one aspect of healing love. This love can heal broken relationships, painful memories, and wounded spirits. God’s love can fill every empty, hurting void in our lives. 
When Jesus reached out to heal people, His compassion worked miracles. Everyone He touched received a portion of healing love. And their lives were transformed.
When God’s love touches us, our lives will be transformed too. The burdens we carry will be lifted. Peace will fill our hearts and minds, erasing the turmoil and  pain of the past. We simply have to call out to God for His healing touch. And be willing to receive it.
 
Next Steps...
I will bring my hurts to Jesus, in expectation of His healing touch.

"What is “intoxication?” And what does it have to do with God’s love?
The first definition links it to poisoning caused by alcohol or drugs. A secondary meaning, however, is simply “excitement or elation.” It is this elation that the early Christians experienced on the day of Pentecost, when onlookers accused them of being drunk. Their excitement was akin to the exuberance induced by too much wine, but it was of a different nature.
The Apostle Paul urged his readers to skip the fake elation and go for the real thing.
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  (Ephesians 5:18 NLT)
Since the primary nature of the Holy Spirit is love, we might call it Intoxicating love. It brings the excitement of new directions and goals, and the elation of knowing we are highly valued by God. So...skip the wine and sip the Spirit! See and feel the difference.

 Next Steps...
I will drink deeply of the love imparted by the Holy Spirit.

"I felt His love.”
These words were not spoken by someone in a comfortable pew on Sunday morning, enjoying worship music. They were spoken by a survivor of the recent airport bombing in Brussels, Belgium.
Mason Wells, a 19-year-old Morman missionary, was sitting on the sidewalk, severely burned and with shrapnel in his foot. Destruction was all around him. Yet in that moment, he was acutely aware of God’s loving presence, and the fact that he had been protected.
Mason’s experience reminds us that God’s love is not just for the bright, happy “spiritual” moments of our lives, but for the dark, dangerous terrifying moments as well. He does not forsake us in the thick of the battle. His love sustains and comforts us.
The force of God’s love is seen at the cross. He spared nothing to redeem us. Evil came at Jesus with full intent to destroy. His limp body seemed to confirm its victory. Then we come to the empty tomb — and the realization that NOTHING —  not even death — can separate us from God’s love. The living Christ watches over us, whispers peace to us, and empowers us to overcome evil with good. May you feel His love today.

Next Steps...
I will rejoice today in the victory of God’s love over evil, and life over death.