All of our problems stem from our not trusting in these two attributes. Nothing in this world has both. People can love others, but without power it is useless. For example, love is not enough to cure cancer. Some people have power but do not love others. They are to be feared. God has both. 

When we stand on God's love and power, we walk in confidence and peace. Events of the world or the sins of others do not shake us. We have confidence that God can work through us beyond what we see as our abilities. Consider that when we feel able to do anything outside of the understanding that our ability is because of God's power, we're being prideful.

There are areas of many cities that are dangerous to walk when it is dark out. Consider that someone who loves you has four close friends who are part of an elite military fighting team. Visualize yourself walking through an extremely dangerous area with one of them in front, one behind and one on each side of you. You notice three large suspicious people and react with fear. One of the team observes your distress and while touching the M16 resting on his shoulder smiles and says, "No worries, we have got this."  Your confidence in that situation does not depend on your abilities, but on those who have vowed to protect you and their abilities.

●    APPLYING THE PARALLEL:  God has vowed to take care of us, to have it handled. His purpose for us is that we trust in His love and power. People often stumble at this point because they wrongly think that God has promised to protect us from difficulty. On the contrary, Jesus said "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Someday, we will physically die but those who have received the gift of Salvation will live forever. It is the "forever" that our focus needs to be on. (See the topic "Deception in Our Lives".) So, as we walk through life, Jesus, like the "elite force" mentioned before, is there with us, protecting us from harm that keeps us from being more like him. "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom." (II Tim 4:18)

Even when this world is unimaginably fearful and painful, we, like Jesus, must focus on the joy beyond our cross. (Heb 12:2) He, like the "elite force," is saying, "Do not worry.  I have got this."  (Ps 23:4)

●    APPLICATION 1: Think about a difficult time in your life. How would your perspective have been different if you had trusted that God was all powerful and all loving? The next time you have a problem, stop and consider whether you believe that God is all powerful, believing that He loves you. Ask yourself two questions.

●    APPLICATION 2: What more could God do to prove His power, to prove His love? When you trust in the truth, the result is perfect peace. Our emotions can be an indicator of when we are not abiding with Christ. List times of painful emotions (fear, worry, anger, feeling disrespected, unappreciated, etc.) in your life.

●    Were you trusting that God had that situation handled? If not, write out how your reaction would have been different if you fully trusted God

●    This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  (I John 4:10)

●     Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Prov 3:5)

●     You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isa 26:3)

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