Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Susan Hales knows all too well the gift of God's perfect, faithful, and steadfast love.

Our scripture is from Mark 12:30 (NIV): “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

His engaging smile on the Christian dating site instantly caught my attention. After clicking to correspond, I got an answer immediately. David was the man of my dreams, just like King David, the man after God's own heart.

I looked forward to every email and chat session with him. Our online relationship intensified, and David promised to travel to meet me and start our life together. 

I had several nagging doubts, but he reassured me that his secret military mission overseas would soon be over, and he could come to the United States to meet me.

Then David wrote that he had some troublesome financial problems that he had to clear up first. If I wired him $2000.00, he would be here to sweep me off my feet.

My dreams shattered when I realized David was an imposter and a fraud. The intense pain, embarrassment, and shame consumed me. How could I be so weak and vulnerable to fall for someone who did not exist?

I desperately cried out to God, “How could you let this happen to me?” Through a long season of pain, suffering, heartbreak, and repentance, I finally realized that I just wanted someone to love me and take care of me. I made an idol of my search for a husband. I worshipped it more than God.

Romans 5:8 says that God demonstrates His love for us by His Son Jesus' death on the cross. The Greek word "for" means on behalf of or in our place.

Christ died in my place. What other man would love me enough to sacrifice his life for mine?

Through this experience, I learned to love God with all my strength because I know my Heavenly Father watches over me and provides everything I need. Human love will never satisfy like God's perfect, faithful, and steadfast love.

Reflect on whether there is someone or something you value above God. If so, confess to God and pray for His strength to surrender the idol to Him.

Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree Ministries, please visit us at www.ohsofreeministries.com/