>>
>>> "DO YOU LOVE ME?"
>>
>>> One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.
>>> Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.
>>> As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.
>>> As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.
>>>
>>> He asked me,
>>> "Do you love me?"
>>>
>>> I answered,
>>> "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!"
>>>
>>> Then He asked,
>>> "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"
>>>
>>> I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of
>>> my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't; be able to do, the things
>>> that I took for granted.
>>>
>>> And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still
>>> loveYou."
>>>
>>> Then the Lord said,
>>> "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"
>>>
>>> How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I
>>> thought of all the blind people in the world and how many
>>> of them still loved God and His creation.
>>>
>>> So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."
>>>
>>> The Lord then asked me,
>>> "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"
>>>
>>> How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood.
>>> Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.
>>> I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."
>>>
>>> The Lord then asked,
>>> "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"
>>>
>>> How could I praise without a voice?
>>> Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart
>>> and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always
>>> with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God raise with our words
>> > of hanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still
>>> praise Your Name.
>>>
>>> And the Lord asked,
>>> "Do you really love Me?"
>>>
>>> With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,"Yes
>>> Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"
>>> I thought I had answered well, but...
>>>
>>> God asked,
>>> "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"
>>>
>>> I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."
>>>
>>> "THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE
>>> FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU
>>> PRAY IN EARNEST?"
>>>
>>> No answers. Only tears.
>>>
>>> The Lord continued:
>>> "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats?
>>> Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why
>>> ask things so unfaithfully?"
>>>
>>> The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
>>>
>>> "Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading
>>> the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I
>>> offer my shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to
>>> serve in My Name?"
>>>
>>> I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
>>>
>>> "You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift
>>> away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to
>>> turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I
>>> have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to
>>> you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat
>>> idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have
>>> answered them all."
>>>
>>> "DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME ?"
>>>
>>> I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief.
>>> I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out
>>> and the tears had flowed, I said, " Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to
>>> be Your child."
>>>
>>> The Lord answered,
>>> " That is My Grace, My child."
>>>
>>> I asked, " Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You
>>> love me so?"
>>>
>>> The Lord answered,
>>> " Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon
>>> you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you
>>> shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you.
>>> When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be
>>> with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever."
>>>
>>> Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How
>>> could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?"
>>>
>>> The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands.
>>> I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior.
>>> And for the first time, I truly prayed.