Once Loved: Forever Faithful

Once upon a time…

As soon as you saw those words, did you wonder where this story was going? Most of us do! And it’s probably because those four little words, “Once Upon a Time,” have become a classic storyline opener. The moment we hear them up on the big screen, or see them written down in the pages of a book, there’s an element of anticipation. You can’t help but wonder, what is coming next?

For some, “Once upon a time ” stirs up childlike eagerness; we can’t wait to turn the pages to see what is on the other side. It leaves us ready to open our minds to journeys full of wonder while igniting our curiosity and imagination. For others, your mind may already be on the path of a grand love story. While yet there may be others, who have a bit of skepticism going on. Childhood wonder has been replaced with too many disappointments in life, and you long ago gave up on a “happy ever after” of any kind. Please stay with us, we are about to embark on a forever journey of a different kind.

The Story begins…

Today the journey we are going to take is a unique happening. In truth it only happened once. But the story we are telling, well —it is one worth telling time and time again. And while it did take place “once upon a time,” it is one of the most exciting stories ever told. And for you and for me it just so happens it is the beginning to your story, and to mine! This is where our “once upon a time” story begins.

You are the LOVE of this story…

Described within the pages of this magnificent event you will find out that we are the intended love of this story. Right there in the pages of Scripture, you and I were written into history. It’s hard to fathom that God looked forward into time, and saw us, but He did. There it is, written down for you and I to see. And what is just as spectacular, we were as important to Him back then, as we are today.

You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
(Psalm 139:16 NLT)

The Fall…

Sadly, what we also find, since the beginning of creation, none of us have been perfect. Not Adam, not Eve, nor any human since. That includes you and me. No matter how much we may work hard at it, our efforts fall short, they are never going to be enough to overcome sin. Try as we may, we can’t make up for past, present, or future failures. Essentially, those that are “loved” in the story are flawed, and no matter our efforts we cannot make ourselves whole. However, God’s love can make up for what we can’t. Because of God’s unconditional love and grace, through Christ Jesus, we can now truly be made right.

For everyone has sinned;
we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.
He did this through Christ Jesus
when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
(Romans 3:23-24 NLT)

Once Loved…

How often have we seen a little child throw a temper tantrum, only to find once they calm down and are shown affection and love, there is a new person underneath? Why? Could it be, they didn’t even know that what they were lacking was love and security? And once loved, they became a brand new person. God understands. It doesn’t matter if we are 8 or 80, we need unconditional love. That is what God’s grace is all about. It is an unconditional love that is freely given. “Once loved,” we can then become the person God created us to be. Not only are our wrongs wiped clean when we accept Him, but it is then that the possibilities of our life take on a brand new meaning. Our story is being finished with a new found understanding, that comes from God’s Grace. It opens our eyes to what it took for God to show us what it meant for us to be once and forever loved.

“For this is how God loved the world:
He gave his one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him
will not perish but have eternal life.
God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world,
but to save the world through him.”
(John 3:16-17 NLT)

Forever Faithful…

What an exciting story! Because of God’s Grace our story is complete. We no longer have to hang on to things of the past, nor worry about the future. Once we asked Christ to be Lord of our life He is in control, we can rest in the peace and truth of Scripture. We can see how the plan for our life began back in those pages of His Word, where the “Once upon a Time” of our story started. Because of God’s unconditional love, our hearts and souls can have security in His truth. That even before we were born we were loved by God. And once God loves us, we ARE forever loved. Praise the Lord! His unfailing Love endures FOREVER!

“For his unfailing love for us is powerful;
the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.
Praise the Lord!”

(Psalm 117:2 NLT)

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