For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way Jesus our Master has embraced us.

Do you realize that even before there was light, there was God’s love for you?  Before He created the world, He loved YOU!  And He has loved you with an eternal, unchanging, uncompromising, unfailing, absolutely amazing love.  That’s true love!  Not this conditional, temporary, worldly stuff. God’s love is different.  We know the New Testament is about God’s love, how He loves so much He sent His one and only Son to die for us (Jn 3:16).  How Jesus, God and Man, left the throne of heaven and died such a horrible, excruciating death out of love for us.  How Jesus prayed and the Father sent us the Holy Spirit to live within each of us for our Councilor and Comforter—out of love.  But that’s not all--the Old Testament is also FULL of God’s love for us.  His unfailing love will lead us (Ex 15:13).  He is compassionate and gracious . . . abounding in love and faithfulness (Ex 34:6-6).  He will keep His covenant of love with you . . . He will love and bless you (Dt 7:12-13).   The earth is full of His unfailing love (Ps 33:5).  His love is better than life ((Ps 63:3).  He does not withhold His love from us (Ps 66:20).  His love stands firm forever (Ps 89:1-20).  His love supports us (Ps 94:18).  He crowns us with love (Ps 103:2,4).    His banner over us is love (S.S. 2:4). 

God’s love is not the weak, watered-down stuff Hallmark talks about.  This isn’t hearing “I love you” from someone today, only to be rejected tomorrow.  This isn’t “if you really love me you will.”  This isn’t “do this for me.”  This is “I did this for you.”   This is “I love you always.  I want only what is best for you. You are my beloved.”  This is God’s love--powerful, passionate, positive, and perfect. 

I want us all, candidates, team, & community—to “get” this.  God shows us true love, anything else is a fake, a fraud.  The world’s love will fail you, bring you down.  God’s love will lift you up, preserve you, enable you to be the “you” He created you to be.  He will NEVER leave you and NOTHING can separate you from His love.  Immerse yourself in His love, draw near to Him, trust Him, rest in His true love.  His desire is for you to love Him, with all you heart, soul, mind, & strength.  If you fulfill His desire for your love, He will fulfill you in His true love. 

In His love, Tricia McClendon