This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis [ts@godspeak.net]

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                       Unconditional

So many of My children think that My love for them is conditional, 
that I will withdraw it from them when they have a bad day. They 
mistake My rewards for My love; for I am indeed a rewarder of those 
who diligently seek Me, and I reward those who serve Me faithfully. 
It is true that My rewards are based on your behavior, but My love 
is not.

Likewise, many of My own mistake My hand of correction as evidence
that I have withdrawn My love from them. They do not truly believe the 
verse that says that I chastise those who I love. They do not realize 
that My correction always arises out of My great love for My own, out 
of a desire to see them whole and perfected. It arises out of a desire 
to see them strong, overcoming and walking in My victory. My correction 
is designed to change the behavior of those who I love, so that they 
will be more like Me and more able to move with Me in My power and 
anointing.

In the same vein, some of My own think that I have stopped loving them
when I allow them to face trials or difficulty. They do not realize
that facing and overcoming these things will help them to grow and 
mature; it will train them to walk in My victory. You cannot overcome 
if you do not have a struggle; you cannot win the victory if you do 
not enter a battle. When My people entered the promised land, I did 
not destroy all of their enemies at once. I left some for the next 
generation, so they could learn to fight...so that they could be 
trained to war in the way that yields My victory in their life. 

Likewise, dear child, there are some battles that you must face. There
are some trials that you must learn to overcome, so that you can stand 
strong in Me. You need to learn to lean on My strength, so that you 
can live in the place of victory that I have prepared for you.  

My love extends beyond My rewards. It extends beyond My correction 
and beyond My training. Indeed, it is because of My great love for you 
that I sent My dear Son to redeem you, so that you and I might be 
restored into relationship together. I want to draw close to those who 
I love. I want to give them good gifts and I want to take good care of 
them. Indeed, I am on your side and I want only the best for you. I 
don't want you to suffer; I want your joy to be full--that is why I 
have sent My Holy Spirit to live inside of you, to fill you and to be 
with you always. He brings gifts of love, peace, joy to you. He is 
there with you and will never leave you. His presence is evidence of 
My great love for you. 

Child of Mine, I have loved you with an everlasting love. I loved you
before you even came to know and serve Me. I love you when you are 
doing well, when you make conscious decisions intended to please Me.
But I also love you when you misstep and when you stumble. My love
for you is unconditional.

It is hard for many of My own to recognize and understand unconditional
love. That is because the love that they have experienced in their lives 
has been flawed and full of conditions. Even when it is hard for you to
recognize it, My love for you remains unconditional. You can count on 
it. Therefore, do not be afraid to draw close to Me, for I will receive 
you. When you find yourself going in the wrong direction, do not be 
afraid to turn around and run back to Me--My arms are wide open to 
embrace you. I will receive you and I will cover you because My great 
love for you.

You are precious to Me, dear one, in the "good times" and in the "bad"
ones. You are loved. My love is not based on you performance or on
your accomplishments; it is unconditional. And because of that, nothing 
can separate you from My great love for you.