John's Gravesite - Ephesus in Turkey

Recently, I stood at the foot of the grave of the Apostle John and thought about these wonderful truths that he wrote about the love of God.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
– 1 John 3:16
Here’s a prayer of confession I prayed of all the ways I doubt the Lord’s love.

Holy and gracious Father, the highest court in the universe has declared us completely forgiven, totally accepted and forever loved. Yet we come today to ask your forgiveness for all the ways that we have not lived in the security of Your love and care.  When we find ourselves in a cauldron of adversity and difficulty,  we easily succumb to fear and despair. We are seduced into believing the lie of the Viper. Like the serpent of old, we question: ‘Did God really say?’ We doubt Your Word, Your goodness and Your provision.

Then, the Law scolds us reminding us of how unworthy we are of Your love. Our past and present sin screams of our frequent failures in loving You. Death thunders at us and threatens to cut us off from your love. The devil deceptively roars at us saying ‘You are angry at us and will destroy us.‘  But in the midst of these confusing voices, the Spirit of Your Son cries in our hearts:  “We are more than conquerors” through Jesus Christ who loves us. Help us to hear His voice yet again! AMEN.