Do you really believe that the love of Christ is all you need?
The Scriptures say in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. Those are powerful words! God SO loved us that he was willing to give his Son as a bloody sacrifice to save us while we were still lost in our sin. That speaks of a love so all-encompassing that it defies our understanding.
Within that love that God has for us is his ability and willingness to provide all that we need. He did not just die and save us then leave us to fend for ourselves. Jesus paid the price so that we would be victorious in all of our circumstances. He is more than able to cause all of our problems to be used for our good. There is no trial we suffer that takes him by surprise. He has a plan for our lives that was made long before the world was formed. When Christ defeated death at the cross, he crushed the power of any force to destroy us. It is finished! Jesus fulfilled the debt so that believers can have authority over sin and the bondage of this dark world. We have been set free.
Sadly there are those who still walk in the chains of the enemies lies instead of the truth of an all-powerful Creator. They go stooped in doubt to the throne of grace and cry out in their painful trial when the answer is already with them! The reality is that though you may not physically see God or audibly hear his voice, his presence is always with you. He is with you right now. The best part is that he knows your heart and understands your fears. You just need to submit them to him.
In Mark 9, a man came to Jesus to heal his son who had an evil spirit that was trying to kill him. Jesus told the man, “Everything is possible for him who believes”. Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief”.
Your trust in God’s Sovereignty is the key to overcoming every impossible situation in your life. God is not limited by any boundaries that this world puts on him. Your problem is not too hard for the God who spoke the world into existence and who breathed into the dust to form man!
Jesus is all that you need in this fallen world and he is willing to take you past your fears and unbelief. The only questions that remains now is will you take him at his word?
Dear Lord Jesus, I lift up all those who are reading this message filled with pain and a heavy heart. I pray that you will open their eyes to the truth that you are able to take them through the trial they are experiencing now. Help them to trust you with their financial problems, failing marriages, serious health issues or any situation that is keeping them in bondage. Please give them your peace and comfort them as they learn that you will never fail. Amen
39 comments
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February 16, 2009 at 4:26 pm
elaine @ peace for the journey
Hi Marianne! Thanks so much for visiting the blog. Yes, I do believe that Jesus’ love is the entirety of all that I need to make it through this life with any measure of grace and success! Without him, I am as nothing and of little value as it pertains to his kingdom agenda. This past week has been filled with many occasions that required my faith and trust in God–a deep “leaning into” in order to make it through.
Our God is so faithful and good, no matter the chaos swirling around us. How thankful I am for his love that never lets me go but that keeps a tight reign on my heart and my mind.
God bless you this week with a rich and enduring sense of his presence at every turn.
peace~elaine
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February 16, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thank you Elaine! I just love God’s people. It is clear that God gives you such insight to write and understand his truth.
Bless you! I will be back to your site. 🙂
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February 16, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Philippa
Great post, Marianne. I think part of the challenge is that some believe it intellectually, but don’t live it out in their lives. It’s like God gave Jesus the keys to the prison, Jesus opened the door and the Spirit is saying, “Come on out – you’re free!” But we cling to our cell: our habits, behaviours and sins because we know them. Yes, I fully believe and agree with you, but I have so far to go to live what I believe. The wonderful thing is God is helping my unbelief.
Blessings
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February 16, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Philippa, You are so right! Jesus did release us from the prison of sin and bondage but we let the enemy lead us in fear and stay in the prison.
We have been set free and the redeemed in Christ need to start walking in that freedom…….starting with me!
Thanks for stopping by.
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February 17, 2009 at 3:09 pm
extracruem
…it’s refreshing to read another voice using the medium of blogging to reach those who are hurting.
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February 17, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thanks! That is why God has all of us here to write of his love to those hurting. Glad you stopped by! 🙂
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February 19, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Kate
That is a very powerful message there! I believe that God loves us sooo much. But I also believe that his love can come in the form of judgement. We need judgment to get into Heaven. If he just loves us but does not correct our wrong doings, how are we suppose to get into hell like that?!?!
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February 19, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Kate
CORRECTION:::HOW ARE WE SUPPOSE TO GET INTO HEAVEN LIKE THAT?
WHOA THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE..PLEASE IGNORE THAT!!! :p (oopsie)
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February 27, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Caribbean Shulamite
I don’t think I need to say much on this occasion, but this was so timely for me personally. Thanks.
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February 27, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Caribbean Shulamite
p.s. Did you notice that half of the sidebar is missing? The comments are not visible after a certain point, even while typing. Just a heads up
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February 27, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Shulamite, The message is for you and me. No matter what we are going through, God has a plan for our lives that cannot be stopped by our circumstance or even by our weakness. We just need to be still and trust that he is Sovereign and that he is all that we need. He can take care of the rest.
(I fixed the sidebar) 🙂
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March 1, 2009 at 7:13 am
giannina
Thank you Marianne for posting this encouraging word and beautiful prayer.
Blessings,
Cathy
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March 1, 2009 at 9:15 am
Marianne Lordi
Thanks agaiin, Cathy. I pray that God reaches those who really need to hear this message.
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March 2, 2009 at 6:04 pm
mom2olivia
Awesome Post!!!
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March 2, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thanks for your comment and for stopping by. It is always nice to hear from you. I am over to your site all the time!
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March 2, 2009 at 10:06 pm
concernedx2
I enjoyed this post very much, in fact, I read it several times to absorb what you have written here. Your statement, “THEY GO STOOPED IN DOUBT TO THE THRONE OF GRACE AND CRY OUT IN THEIR PAINFUL TRIAL WHEN THE ANSWER IS ALREADY WITH THEM,” should speak to everyone. So many Christians are unaware of the power and influence they possess. I do believe that if this nation gains the ability to overcome her present dilemma, it will come through the church and not the Oval Office. Not many of us shall ever have access to the Oval Office, but not any of us shall ever be denied access to Gods church.
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March 2, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Marianne Lordi
Concernedx2- Thanks for the comments. I so believe what you said that our power to overcome in this nation will come through the church and not the Oval Office! How great it is that we can stand on the promise of God to take us through the attacks of the enemy. We have access to the throne of grace that is more than enough.
By the way, this message came from my own heart as I struggled to believe that God can do all that he says he can. It is his truth that frees me to trust in him instead of my situation.
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March 8, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Darlene
Thanks for this post! I needed to be reminded!
Blessings!
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March 8, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Denise
Amen
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March 8, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Marianne Lordi
Darlene and Denise, I appreciate you stopping by and for your comments. This message of how God will provide for all of our needs is being played out in my life right now. He is always faithful!
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March 9, 2009 at 3:44 am
Beth
God’s faithfulness–This has been evident in my life so many times–even when I was far from Him. I knew Him, but I didn’t love and have a relationship with Him. Yet still, He watched over me, provided for me and loved me.
Why? Simply because I am His child.
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March 9, 2009 at 9:13 am
Marianne Lordi
Thanks for your comment, Beth. You are so right. God is faithful even when we are not. He has a way to take us through all of our trials and pain if we can just keep our eyes on him
I am also grateful to you, Beth, for your faithfulness to prayer. You are such a blessing from God!
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March 10, 2009 at 9:48 pm
brother malachi
Word’s that not only should bring conviction to the lost and undone, but the wayward child of God alike Marianne.
The fact that God would set His love upon us while we are yet sinners presses deeper than our finite minds. As believers we find ourselves boggled in this truth only to doubt this same love when we find that we have moved from His fellowship.
O, that we like the prodigal son would return to a Father that is full of grace and abundant to pardon. He loves us and praise Him for such mercy.
Thanks Marianne for these words of encouragement. It is what I find each time I read your blog.
Peace malachi
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March 10, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Marianne Lordi
You are right, Malachi, in that we do doubt God’s love at times. There are times we feel distanced from him yet it is NEVER he who moves but us. I have always wondered why Peter feared the wind and the waves when he was on the water knowing that it was only by God’s strength that got him up there. Did he not reason that the same God who put him on top of the water could also keep him there? But then in truth I have to admit that I do the same. I am a hypocrite.
The love of God has taken me this far yet trials in my life make me feel and react as if I were going to drown in my problems. Where is my faith in the providence of the One who is able to keep me? Everyday I pray that my trust will grow as I know whom I have believed! It is nothing less than blasphemy when I see my struggles as being bigger than my God.
May we all grow in the trust of God who gave his only Son to die so that we may have life!
Blessing to you Brother Malachi.
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March 11, 2009 at 11:31 am
Kate
I know how you feel because I feel the same way at times. I have been praying daily that God will help me stregthen my faith and my trust in him.
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March 15, 2009 at 7:25 pm
David
We as Christians seem to forget that Christ died, overcame death, and took back the keys to restore the original authority that Adam was tricked out of. We are made in the image of God, we can create, even Satan can’t do that, so he uses the same trickery that has worked for centuries. We as the final bride of Christ, must realize the authority we have and use it to stand against the enemy and take back what is ours from the beginning.
Everything!
Blessings
Dave http://dadtalk.wordpress.com
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March 15, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Dave,
That is so true! We can do ALL things through Christ so the enemy keeps trying to get us to forget that. Sadly, many Christians buy into the lie of Satan when troubles overwhelm them. You are right to say that we must realize and act on the authority we have as members of the body of Christ. The enemy is under our feet. We need to keep him there.
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March 16, 2009 at 3:46 pm
David Knapp
I love it when God feels so close but the reality is He is always close. I need to try and stay close when I think He is far away.
Thanks for stopping by my site. I added your comment to the encouragement page.
-Dave
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March 16, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Dave, thanks for your comment. You are right that God is always close, it is only the enemy that taunts us into believing that he is not or that he doesn’t care. All lies from the father of lies. God is willing and able to provide all that a believer needs in this life.
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March 21, 2009 at 12:07 am
Denise
Amen to this precious prayer. I love your blog. Have you ever visited mine? Here is the link: http://shortybearsplace.blogspot.com/
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March 21, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Denise, I certainly will check your site out. Thanks for stopping by.
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March 23, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Peggy
Blessings Marianne, Now I have read once more about your TRUSTING similar to another post I read of yours! I just read an email of yours for Mar. 8th & responded to it and promised to come read this that you mentioned there.
YES, indeed I DO so believe the LOVE of Christ is all you need and my last 12+ years of being away from home and living in Mexico have clearly shown me that it is HIS LOVE & HIS LOVE alone that will never fail me though many humans will fail in their love for me, He is faithful…even when I may not be!
Though much of what you have written here can apply to your prayer request I found this to be the most applicable for NOW for me or for You:
“He is more than able to cause all of our problems to be used for our good. There is no trial we suffer that takes him by surprise. He has a plan for our lives that was made long before the world was formed. When Christ defeated death at the cross, he crushed the power of any force to destroy us. It is finished! Jesus fulfilled the debt so that believers can have authority over sin and the bondage of this dark world. We have been set free.”
I am a bit concerned since this was written in February and I see no new March posts. I did notice that some of these comments were written in March, even by some of our team so I’m sure that they are wanting to keep you in their thoughts & prayers as well. Let us know or just write something on your blog confirming how God does LOVE you Marianne and He above all knows your heart, heavy or filled with His peace… I know that He will take you or I through any trial that we may be experiencing or going through, with our eyes open and fixed on Him and are hearts just as open & so filled by Him. Your own prayer is meant to help one TRUST & be renewed with the strength of an eagle. So my only question is:
Will YOU take HIM at HIS WORD? and How are YOU doing with relying on
the seeds of faith, hope, peace, trust, love,….that HE has planted deep within you for such a time as this! Keep writing for it is your outlet & service to lead others going through similar situations whether it be any of the ones you mentioned: finances, marriage, relationships, health issues, bondages, lies of the enemy…unbelief…God is good! And His Hand is
there to reach you and you must trust the providence of Christ, not man.
I pray all is well with you and your soul!!! Now go back and read each of your previous posts and see God preparing you. May the peace of Christ that passes all understanding be yours today and each day as you move forward, looking to our destiny, clinging to His Hand & TRUSTING!
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March 23, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thank you Peggy, God has blessed me indeed with your friendship. I know so well that I must believe myself the messages that God gives me to write. I do re-read them and let the truth of them sink in. I appreciate your prayers. I know that I am set free. My circumstance is not bigger than my God. Thanks for reminding me of that.
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March 26, 2009 at 4:16 pm
bshelley
Great post. We have just started a new small group curriculum out of Focus on the Family called The Truth Project. It is on developing a comprehensive Christian world view. Your post made me think of the haunting question posed by the study, “Do you really believe what you believe is really real?” Powerful question, heart wrenching answer. If we really believed what we say we believe, we would transform the world would we not?
At any rate, this is not an advertisement, but one beggar telling another where to get bread. Check http://www.thetruthproject.com.
Thanks for your continued expressions of faith! Keep on writing. Bryan
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March 26, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thanks for stopping by, Bryan. I will meet you at the Truth Project!!
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March 31, 2009 at 11:56 am
heirswithchrist
Great Post! Well Presented.
Even while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. What the blood of beasts and animals could not do for several years on the alters, Jesus’ blood did it and finished it on the cross of Calvary. Whao! What a loving God we have.
Marianne, I pray for more grace for you. Amen.
http://heirswithchrist.wordpress.com
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March 31, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate your encouragement and prayers. I really needed to hear that! Bless you for your faithfulness to God.
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January 13, 2010 at 10:58 am
Henry
Hi Marianne,
My first time posting on your blog. I haven’t read much yet but the particular message though was written about a year ago is very much pertinent for today. This post has been a source of encouragement. May the Lord continue to bless you in the work that you are doing.
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January 14, 2010 at 12:03 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Henry, thanks for visiting and for your kind words of encouragment. Keep up the great work you do on your site. I have bookmarked it as one I will follow. God bless you.
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