Love is the foremost attribute of our relationship with God. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that the Almighty Creator of the universe wants a relationship with us when we are so unlovable. But God’s love is unconditional. He is actively seeking us. Because He loves us, we can love Him in response. This love is not meant to stop with God; He calls us to love others, too.

 

To love other people, we must first accept God’s love for ourselves. Jesus tells us, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Love causes us to reach out to others and build relationships, to encourage people, and to act in ways that bless those around us.

 

Read Romans 5:6-8. God not only loves us now, but he loved us even before we acknowledged Him. He will not force us to accept His love, but empowers us by His Spirit to receive and rejoice in it. And, oh, what a love it is! “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 us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

 

Prayer: God, thank You for loving me, even when I feel so unlovable. Help me love You in return so that I can also love others with the gracious, unconditional love You have given me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.



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