Basilea Schlink teaches that God’s abundant love is a gift freely given to all, especially the poor and needy, and calls believers to eagerly receive His blessings with open hearts.
In this devotional sermon, Basilea Schlink explores the boundless love of God who desires to give generously to all, especially the poor and spiritually hungry. She emphasizes that God’s greatest gift is His Son Jesus and encourages believers to eagerly ask for and receive God’s blessings. Through heartfelt meditation, Schlink invites listeners to embrace their spiritual poverty and live in loving union with their Heavenly Father.
Full Transcript
God lives and works today, but it's not the rich people who can experience and testify to this the best. No, for some strange reason, it has always been the poor, the people who have come off badly in life. To them belong God's entire love and treasures.
Isn't that a comfort? Each one of us is included. God wants to give, to pour out His love and gifts on us. Listen to the following meditation by Basilea Schlink about this.
God is love, love that gives. We see the greatest evidence of this love in that He gave us the most precious gift He had, His beloved son Jesus. God the Father tore Jesus from His heart and sent Him to us, as we read in John 3.16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.
Loving Father, loving Father, Father of everlasting love, eternal love. It's overwhelming. We have a God who always wants to give.
He was willing to give everything, even His dearest Son. Just think, we have a God who actually commands us to ask for things. He wants to give to us and to shower us with goodness.
It's inconceivable. But on the other hand, we can cause God the greatest grief imaginable when we don't come to accept His gifts. Suppose you've thought up a wonderful surprise for someone you love.
Then you ask him to come by and receive his present, but he never comes. Surely we don't want to do this to our Lord, leaving Him outside of our hearts with all of His gifts. Let's come to Him with our entire poverty.
Let's rejoice when we are poor or in need of something. For then the Father will look upon us and say, It is my life to be able to bring joy to my children and to give them presents. I have everything, and I can give you everything.
As Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount, we must really hunger and thirst for Him and His gifts. Those who are full and satisfied can't receive anything. And surely we would never forgive ourselves if God prepared good gifts for us, and we were too satisfied and apathetic to accept His gifts.
Therefore ask much and expect much of your Father in Heaven, and you will become one who is richly bestowed. Heavenly Father, I am Thy child, Is there better to be found As such loving union? Oh, how blessed to be with Thee! Day and night secure to be By Thy love surrounded. You've been listening to a program by Basilea Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan.
If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. God bless you.
Sermon Outline
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I. God's Love Manifested
- God’s love is demonstrated by giving His only Son
- God desires to pour out His love and gifts on all
- Love is the foundation of God’s giving nature
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II. The Poor and Needy as Recipients
- God’s treasures belong especially to the poor
- Spiritual poverty opens the heart to receive God’s gifts
- Rejoicing in need invites God’s blessings
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III. Our Response to God’s Gifts
- God commands us to ask and expect much
- Rejecting God’s gifts causes Him grief
- We must hunger and thirst for God’s presence and blessings
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IV. Living in Loving Union with God
- Being God’s child brings security and joy
- Continuous communion with God surrounds us with love
- Trusting God’s generosity enriches our spiritual life
Key Quotes
“God is love, love that gives.” — Basilea Schlink
“We have a God who actually commands us to ask for things. He wants to give to us and to shower us with goodness.” — Basilea Schlink
“Let's rejoice when we are poor or in need of something. For then the Father will look upon us and say, It is my life to be able to bring joy to my children and to give them presents.” — Basilea Schlink
Application Points
- Approach God with a humble and open heart, recognizing your spiritual need.
- Actively ask God for His gifts and blessings, trusting in His generosity.
- Rejoice in your dependence on God, knowing He delights in giving to His children.
