# 1 Reason

A dear friend just gave me a book titled, "101 reasons I Love God". The very first reason took me back about 40 years. I was sitting in a pew in my little country church when I heard this reason for the first time. On random Sunday nights my preacher would decide to save his sermon for another day and instead would give people opportunities to stand up and give a "testimony". If you are not familiar with this baptist term it just means that they would share something about how God was working in their lives. The short and simple testimonies appealed to me as well as the emotional ones and that is why I remember this certain one.
A lady in my church, whom I had always considered to be one of the kindest women I have ever known, stood up. She said 8 simple words. A small tear fell out of the corner of her eye as she said," I love Him because He first loved me." These 8 simple words spoken by this sincere, kind lady drew me closer into the arms of my Father and I felt His love in a way that still effects me today. These words are actually in the Bible and I never knew it until a few years ago. I was so excited when I found them in 1John4:19- "We love Him because He first loved us."
A few months ago I was meditating on a scripture about faith. People always say to me, "why do you have such great faith in God?" I never know how to answer this question because I know that faith is a gift that God gives and he gives everyone a certain amount. Whether faith grows is up to us. So... I pondered this question out loud to God. "Why do I have so much faith in You?" Like so many times when I am listening and He responds I am always humbled and moved to tears. I wept as I heard Him say into my spirit." Because you believe that I love you."
I wish I could find that sweet lady who had the courage to stand up and give her "testimony' so many years ago. I would say THANK YOU For helping increase my Faith in the One who loved me First. It is the #1 reason I love God!
My prayer for you is simple: May you love the One who loved you first! It is definately worth pondering! ddlang