God Loves You - You Matter a Lot

Musings from H.B. London, Jr.
Abstracted from The Heart of a Great Pastor

In every worship service I conducted, I always found some way to remind worshippers, "God loves you as though you were the only one in the world to love, and that makes you a very special person".

Although St. Augustine had a similar phrase, I think the apostle John crystallized the thought when he said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16). John was saying that Jesus came in erson for each of us - as though we were the only one!

This is a truth that the people in our churches should hear over and over again: They are loved in n unique way by an Almighty God. What a great message! If people could embrace that truth as little children, the christian walk would be so much easier for them.

What about you? Do you understand that God loves you as though you were the only pastor-teacher-leader in all the world to love? The battles you engage in are His battles. The circumstances you face are familiar to Him. The burdens you bear may be placed on His shoulders with His permission.

So many influences in our world seek to discourage us by telling us we are simply one in a billion. Don't ever believe that, my friend. God's love for you is the greatest story ever written.

Live in this great inspiration: "How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called the children of God - that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1)