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

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                        Because You Love Me

Child of Mine, I expect you to obey Me because you love Me. That is 
not to say that you obey grudgingly, but willingly, out of a heart 
that trusts Me and knows that My plans for you are good.

It is true that at times I will ask you to do something that you do not
want to do. At times I will ask you to do something that is difficult
for you. I did the same with My Own Son when He walked on this earth.
It was not a easy thing for Him to bare the sin and guilt of the world
on His shoulders, nor was it easy for Him to suffer on the cross. But
that difficulty lasted only a brief instant, but the glory He received
from it will last for ALL eternity. Even though what I asked Him to do
seemed like a 'bad' thing to endure at the time, a very great good
came from it.

My Son was able to trust Me as He obeyed. He was able to believe that
I had His best interest at heart even when I asked Him to do the very
thing that He pleaded with Me not to have to do.

He trusted Me, knowing that I would bring My glory into His difficulty;
knowing that great good would come of it. What I asked of Him seemed
unbearably difficult at the moment. But He submitted His will to Mine and
He obeyed Me. And as a result, He received great glory, honor, authority
and eternal joy.

Child, I ask the same of you--trust Me as you obey Me. Trust that I
have a plan in place. Trust that My plan is good for you, that it will
bring much pleasure and delight to you in the long run. Trust that I
am indeed a loving Father Who has your best interest at heart, and that
I won't ask you to suffer needlessly.

Let your heart be warmed by My love until it overwhelms you and fills
you to overflowing. Respond to My great love for you by loving Me back
with every ounce of your being.

Then, dear one, step out in obedience to all I command of you. Obey Me
because you love Me.