Thanksgiving is the time to remember why you should be happy and thankful, and the reason is Jesus loves you.

The Bible says in…

1 John 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us.

God’s love for us is lavish, extravagant, over the top and more then we can image.

Stop and think about God’s lavish love …when was a time you felt the most loved?

I am stopping here to answer this question myself.

I have felt that emotion of lavish love most with my three grandchildren. Especially with the two granddaughters who currently live with me, four year old Coco and two year old Roma. I can’t resist hugging them, playing with them and being overgenerous with toys.  I go over the top because I want them to know how much I love them!

This is how God feels about us. He can’t resist giving to us everything we need to enjoy our lives. God wants us to know His over the top and overgenerous love.  This is what I want my grandchildren to experience my extravagant love for them. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for grand-kids.

How much more God loves us and wants to do good things for us!

Matt 7:11
If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

God wants us to realize we are His kids, we belong to Him and He is a good father, who gives good gifts and who will always take care of us.

Here are some thoughts to help you grasp God’s love for you:

Before the foundation of the world He created you and provided  everything you needed for life and happiness. You being here on earth is no accident. God created you because He loves you! I was handmade by God with love. I am wonderfully made. I am a masterpiece.

Ps 139:13
You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb.

When you make mistakes, He will keep on loving you. God can never love you anymore or any less. God’s love is unconditional it is not based on our actions or on feelings. His love is based on His character and nature. God is love. He is committed to love us. He never changes. His love never grows cold. His love is always red hot for us, He never turns it down or off. His love is perfect because God is love. I am loved by God, this is why I can love myself and now, I can really love others unconditionally.

Rom 8:39
No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God

God created the entire world and everything in it for our enjoyment and then He gave it to us, just because He loves us.

1 Tim 6:17
God, who lavishly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 

God gave His only son to die for our sins so we could have relationship with Him. God gives us proof that He loves us.

Romans 5:8
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Maybe you can take a few minutes, right now and thank God for loving you.

Eph 3:19
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Pastor Tami McKinney