Livin' Large Day 17 Devotion

“Livin’ Large is experiencing the new life we have in Christ. It is living the Christian life in the power of the Holy Spirit and it is practicing (Ephesians 4-6) our position (Ephesians 1-3).”
Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God loves us! What an awesome truth to realize and immerse ourselves in. God’s love is real, it is tangible and it has been demonstrated. God showed us the extent of His love when Jesus Christ died in our place as a payment for our sin. God loved us while we were outside of His family and in rebellion to His Law. God demonstrated His love toward us while we were yet sinners. God’s love transforms, redeems and reconciles. God’s love is ours in Christ. Read about a fuller analysis of this love in Romans 8:28-39,
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Take a moment to thank God for His love. Confess back to God your agreement with this passage and praise Him that He is sovereign in His love. Ask God to use you as an instrument of His love. Pray for the people in your world and ask God to use you to show them God’s love. Commit yourself to live in God’s love. Remember, living in God’s love is Livin’ Large!