10 Reasons to Believe Jesus Loves You

 

 We all sung the song as little children in Sunday School, but do we actually believe it?  Does Jesus really love us...treasure us?  Does He look upon us as His own beautiful creations?  Read on if you are not convinced He does...

1.  He made you.  Perfectly, creatively, beautifully, amazingly, fearfully, wonderfully...  You are perfect in His eyes. 

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”  Jeremiah 1:5”

2.  He cares for you in ways that you cannot.  No one here on this earth could possibly consider your well-being more than Jesus does. 

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him.”  Nahum 1:7

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

3.  He listens to you.  Even though you may not be convinced, He hears every one of your prayers; He listens.  He may not answer right in that moment, but He does listen.

“I call on you, O God, for you will answer me and hear my prayer.”  Psalm 17: 6

4.  He rebukes you.  A good father is quick to correct His precious child... He does this lovingly and has their best interests at heart.  Your heavenly father will rebuke you, too.

“For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  Psalm 23:4

“He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”  Proverbs 13:24

5.  He loves you.  No father can love His child as much as the Saviour loves you.  His love is incredible and unconditional...

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”  Romans 8:35

6.  He is near to you.  You may not realise it, but even when He feels so far away, so distant, He is still so near...

“The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”  Proverbs 15:3

“The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

7.  He provides for you.  Even if you’re not so sure, He does provide.  We may not enjoy all the luxuries this life on earth has to offer.  We may find ourselves in a situation that leads us to believe that He doesn’t care about us but let me assure you He does!

“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field that is here today, and tomorrow thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you?”  Luke 12:28

“God will supply all your needs.”  Philippians 4:19 

8.  He protects you.  Think back on all the instances in your life when you were so close to tragedy...  Not only did Jesus reach out and catch you, He was also there to hear your cries for help. 

Bad things do happen in the lives of those who believe the Gospel, but Jesus never promised we’d be free from suffering.  He just promised that He’d be there.  In difficult, painful times He comforts, heals, uplifts and carries...

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them all.”  Psalm 34:19

9.  He forgives you.  He does and always will.  Nothing can separate us from the love of our heavenly Father, not even our most awful sin. 

I was reading in Corrie Ten Boom’s devotional, I Stand at the Door and Knock this morning about this very thing.  Jesus loves you, blemishes, sin and all.

And remember...

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and make our hearts clean.  1 John 1:9

10.  ...He died for you.  Jesus made you so perfectly, cares for you so incredibly, listens to you so intently, rebukes you so gently, is near to you at all times, loves unconditionally, forgives you willingly and comforts you so gently... 

He died, giving up His life as a living sacrifice for our sin. 

He wants us to know Him, accept Him into our hearts and look forward to eternal life with Him...

“God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Dear friend, if today you feel like Jesus is not there for you, doesn’t care about you and certainly doesn’t love you, then think again.  He does – He wants you to be His child, He is waiting, waiting... 

~ I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in. ~

Linking up to:

Blessings dear friends,

Kelly-Anne

Floral Fantasy Gift Tags & Shop News

Hello lovely readers and a happy Tuesday to you all. 

I thought I would show you what I have been busy with lately... 

In between normal daily life, Mom and I work on adding new products to our shop repertoire, with the hopes of opening sometime in May, should all go well and there are no interruptions! 

 I’m happy to say these gift tags will soon be up for sale too, along with many other pretty gifts and things!

These pretty gift tags are perfect to round off that special gift!

 

Tags come in assorted patterned packs of 12 and include the wording ‘With Love’, a piece of torn book paper, a length of Baker’s Twine in different colours to match the paper, and a hand-cut fabric flower motif.  Tags measure 4.5cm x 9cm and are uniquely handmade by me.

Adding this post to ’52 Crafts in52 Weeks Challenge – Week Thirty Seven’.

 What do you think of my gift tags?  What have you been busy with lately?

~ She selects wool and flax and work with eager hands ~

P.S.  Just a reminder...  If you haven’t yet entered my giveaway for a copy of

Karen Andreola’s book, ‘Beautiful Girlhood’, then don’t hesitate to do so!  Click here to enter!

Sunday Afternoon Tea

I love the idea of tea on a Sunday afternoon...  The clinking of pretty tea cups, lively chatter from sweet family members and the smell of a freshly baked cake, all make for a charming and delicious atmosphere of enjoyment...

This morning I thought I would put my skills (and patience) to the test and conjure up a lovely looking lemon meringue pie for our Sunday afternoon tea...

 Recipe to follow...

Shortcrust Pastry

250g all-purpose flour

½ tsp salt

125g butter, chilled and cut into cubes

2 egg yolks, beaten

1 ½ - 2 tbsp cold water

1.  Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.  Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. 

2.  Add butter and rub together using fingertips until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

3.  Add egg yolks and water and mix through by hand.  Gently knead until a smooth ball forms.  Do not overwork the pastry.

4.  Shape into a disc and wrap in clingfilm.  Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

5.  Dust surface with flour and roll out dough until 3mm thick.  Wrap pastry around a rolling pin and transfer to tart tin.  Press tightly the corners and trim off excess pastry.

6.  Dock the base of the pastry with a fork.  Place in the fridge for 15 minutes to rest.

7.  Cover pastry with a sheet of baking paper and fill either with ceramic baking beans, dry beans or rice.

8.  Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the pastry has set.  Remove the beans and baking paper and return tart shell to the oven for 5 minutes or until the base is golden.

Makes 1 x 24cm tart shell or 4 x 10cm tart shells.

Lemon Meringue Pie

For the Filling:

1 x 385g tin condensed milk

3 egg yolks

Juice and zest of 2 large lemons

For the topping:

3 egg whites

110g castor sugar

1.  Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.  In a bowl, mix condensed milk, egg yolks, lemon juice and zest until well combined.

2.  Pour lemon mixture into a prepared pastry shell and bake for 7 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool.

3.  Reduce heat to 150 degrees Celsius.  To make the meringue topping, whisk egg whites until soft peak stage.  Slowly add sugar and continue to beat until thick and glossy.

4.  Spoon dollops of meringue mixture onto baked lemon filling, return to oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until meringue is set and golden brown.

Hmmm...  Perfect!

What family traditions do you enjoy on a Sunday?

Linking up to:

~ She is like merchant ships, bringing her food from afar ~