God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.   -Saint Augustine In this world, we are often seeking love, whether it's the bond of close family members, bosom friendships, or romantic love. We long to be loved and to know love. When the Bible says God IS love, we must realize that love is not just a character trait of God, it is His very being. If we want to know what love looks like, we have to look to God. His love for us very simply is stated in John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." In romantic novels or movies, we hear quotes about how love conquers all, or love is the answer, etc. There is truth there - we were created with a longing to be loved and it can only be met by the unconditional love of our Creator. W orship the God who IS love Lord, I am amazed that there is nothing, absolutely nothing that could separate me from your great love. I am e...

Prayer is more than thoughts and feelings expressed in words. It is the opening of mind and heart - our whole being to God our Abba Father. It is Divine Union. — Richard Foster In the Old testament, the average believer worshiped God from afar. They may have revered Him, praying to Him by His holy name "Yahweh" but they did not throw His holy name around as if He were a buddy, a close friend, or a family member. When Jesus came he spoke often of His Father in heaven, which may have sounded strange to people. They did not call God by the name of Father and certainly not by the intimate, personal name of "Abba" (much like our word daddy). The Lord's prayer starts with a reminder of our close relationship to God: "Our Father, in heaven...." The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 gives us a glimpse into the Father-heart of our God and how He views us as His children. Remember the story where the son takes his father's inheritance, squanders i...