"He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he." (Deut 32:4)
Observation. God is the Rock in which I should build my life. His works are perfect, even though his paths seem filled with "defects". All his ways are just, although I can't see justice. God is GOOD, regardless the circumstances of my life.
Application. When I read this verse, my heart was filled with indescribable peace and joy. If God's works are always perfect and his paths full of justice, the fear can banish right away! The problems I'll face today are simply a part of his loving plan for my life. I'm his child and He is taking care of me so I can grow up and become strong. He is preparing me for the new tasks he will assign me later. God is molding me so I can look more and more like Jesus. He is not messing up with me! Everything has a purpose that would give him glory and honor. Therefore, today I will live trusting that God is acting perfectly, justly and moved by love. Moreover, I will obey to his promptings because they will show his goodness to the world.
Prayer. O my Lord, thank you for your encouraging words! Thank you for reminding me that you are good and that all your ways are perfect. Thank you for the path you have prepared for me. Thank you for your peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your love. Thank you for your freedom. O my Lord I rejoice in your righteousness. Please remind me always that You are good and that You are working for my well being. Here I am. I want to be used and I want to obey. In Jesus name, amen.
Will you trust in God's goodness today?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Bringing me back
S: Deuteronomy 30:4
"Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back."
O: We are faced with blessings and curses and may even distance ourselves so far from God that we even feel exiled from Him. But God made a promise. If we return to the Lord and obey Him, then He will gather us up and bring us back to Him. In verse six, God also promises to tranform our hearts to love Him with all our hearts and all our souls, and live.
A: I used to think the Old Testament showed only an angry and vengeful God, but as I read I find that He is pained by our sins, but he truly is a loving and forgiving God. Sometimes, I forget to bring God into my day. Days go by where I rely on myself and battle on, denying God the relationship he so desires. And then I realize this and pray for forgiveness, encouragement, and discipline to grow in Christ. And every time, God meets me, no matter how far away I feel, and brings me back. It doesn't say he will only do this once, and I am sure God wishes he didn't have to do it more than once if at all. But I am so grateful for his love and patience as he transforms me. I know he can transform me entirely in an instant if that is his will, and sometimes I wish it were, but realize that as I struggle, my desire and conviction to know him grows more and more.
P: Father God, thank you for always bringing me back and each time bringing me closer to you. Thank you for the shaping and teaching you have been doing in me and I hope the changes in me are apparent to my family and friends who still do not know you. Lord, help me to continue to become more disciplined to know you better and to know your will.
"Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back."
O: We are faced with blessings and curses and may even distance ourselves so far from God that we even feel exiled from Him. But God made a promise. If we return to the Lord and obey Him, then He will gather us up and bring us back to Him. In verse six, God also promises to tranform our hearts to love Him with all our hearts and all our souls, and live.
A: I used to think the Old Testament showed only an angry and vengeful God, but as I read I find that He is pained by our sins, but he truly is a loving and forgiving God. Sometimes, I forget to bring God into my day. Days go by where I rely on myself and battle on, denying God the relationship he so desires. And then I realize this and pray for forgiveness, encouragement, and discipline to grow in Christ. And every time, God meets me, no matter how far away I feel, and brings me back. It doesn't say he will only do this once, and I am sure God wishes he didn't have to do it more than once if at all. But I am so grateful for his love and patience as he transforms me. I know he can transform me entirely in an instant if that is his will, and sometimes I wish it were, but realize that as I struggle, my desire and conviction to know him grows more and more.
P: Father God, thank you for always bringing me back and each time bringing me closer to you. Thank you for the shaping and teaching you have been doing in me and I hope the changes in me are apparent to my family and friends who still do not know you. Lord, help me to continue to become more disciplined to know you better and to know your will.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sowing to Please God
S - The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:8b-9
O - We are to continue to do what God has called us to do. We might not see the results immediately - or even anytime soon. But we need to trust God for the proper time to see and bring about the results. This could be with a friend who doesn't know Christ, or with our children or another ministry/area we are involved in. We must press on because we want to please God - the Spirit.
A - Today, I will call my friend, A, who has been on my heart and check in with her.
P - Dear God, please help me to continue to connect with A. Show me how I can show your love to her and her family. Soften her heart to your love and help her to see the need she has for you in her life. Open my eye to your leading and the people around me.
Who is somebody that God has been placing on your heart? Would you share a name, their initials, or even just your relationship with them with us?
O - We are to continue to do what God has called us to do. We might not see the results immediately - or even anytime soon. But we need to trust God for the proper time to see and bring about the results. This could be with a friend who doesn't know Christ, or with our children or another ministry/area we are involved in. We must press on because we want to please God - the Spirit.
A - Today, I will call my friend, A, who has been on my heart and check in with her.
P - Dear God, please help me to continue to connect with A. Show me how I can show your love to her and her family. Soften her heart to your love and help her to see the need she has for you in her life. Open my eye to your leading and the people around me.
Who is somebody that God has been placing on your heart? Would you share a name, their initials, or even just your relationship with them with us?
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Freedom Equals Love
(S) Gal. 5:13 = You, my brothers, were called to be free. But, do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
(O) Paul has already expressed the simple message of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Here, he warns us to not "run wild," back into sin, in our new found freedom that Christ offers us. Instead, we are simply to be loving and kind as we serve others in love.
(A) All week, I've enjoyed being spoken to in Deuteronomy through Moses' words to the Israelites. But, this whole chapter in Galations 5 summarizes EVERYTHING important to a Christian desiring to have a relationship with Christ. As this whole chapter spoke to me, it was hard to pick just "one" verse! But, in staying true to our Love Dare challenge, I chose vs. 13 to serve as a reminder of what I am committed to doing...not just for 30 days, but for all my days. I also circled vs. 6b ("The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.") to help me in my Love Dare challenge, as this is what Christ has called us to do.
(P) Father God, Thank you for bringing me full circle (again) this week and speaking sooo patiently and lovingly to me through Moses and Paul. I hope to never stop being in awe of your amazing grace towards me a sinner. I love you forever. Amen.
Dare: How will you express your faith through love -or- serve another in love, today?
(O) Paul has already expressed the simple message of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Here, he warns us to not "run wild," back into sin, in our new found freedom that Christ offers us. Instead, we are simply to be loving and kind as we serve others in love.
(A) All week, I've enjoyed being spoken to in Deuteronomy through Moses' words to the Israelites. But, this whole chapter in Galations 5 summarizes EVERYTHING important to a Christian desiring to have a relationship with Christ. As this whole chapter spoke to me, it was hard to pick just "one" verse! But, in staying true to our Love Dare challenge, I chose vs. 13 to serve as a reminder of what I am committed to doing...not just for 30 days, but for all my days. I also circled vs. 6b ("The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.") to help me in my Love Dare challenge, as this is what Christ has called us to do.
(P) Father God, Thank you for bringing me full circle (again) this week and speaking sooo patiently and lovingly to me through Moses and Paul. I hope to never stop being in awe of your amazing grace towards me a sinner. I love you forever. Amen.
Dare: How will you express your faith through love -or- serve another in love, today?
Saturday, March 13, 2010
We are GOD'S CHILDREN!
s: Gal 4:6
And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
o: Through Jesus we have been set free from the bondage and condemnation of being under the law. WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN!!! We have been given the Spirit of Jesus which cries "Abba, Father!"
a: I will reflect today on the profound and wonderful implications of being children of GOD. No longer slavishly groveling under the weight and guilt of the law; no longer on the outside looking in; no longer trying to measure up to gain acceptance; but thriving in that "glorious freedom of the children of God". I am in a relationship with the Father that is intimate and satisfying to the core of my being. From this place of security and love, I can humbly serve Him and not suppress this joy and grace in any of the relationships He brings into my life.
p: Dear Father,
It breaks Your heart to see Your children living in bondage and despair. You have freed us and grieve when we turn back to our slavish ways - living in fear and anxiety... living as though we were not loved and adequately provided for by Your gracious Hand. We are rich and privileged beyond imagination. We accept Your loving discipline, we embrace Your plan for our lives, we express with our hearts and our lives our deep gratitude for adopting us into your family!
Amen
Q: How will I express thanks to the Father for His love today?
And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
o: Through Jesus we have been set free from the bondage and condemnation of being under the law. WE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN!!! We have been given the Spirit of Jesus which cries "Abba, Father!"
a: I will reflect today on the profound and wonderful implications of being children of GOD. No longer slavishly groveling under the weight and guilt of the law; no longer on the outside looking in; no longer trying to measure up to gain acceptance; but thriving in that "glorious freedom of the children of God". I am in a relationship with the Father that is intimate and satisfying to the core of my being. From this place of security and love, I can humbly serve Him and not suppress this joy and grace in any of the relationships He brings into my life.
p: Dear Father,
It breaks Your heart to see Your children living in bondage and despair. You have freed us and grieve when we turn back to our slavish ways - living in fear and anxiety... living as though we were not loved and adequately provided for by Your gracious Hand. We are rich and privileged beyond imagination. We accept Your loving discipline, we embrace Your plan for our lives, we express with our hearts and our lives our deep gratitude for adopting us into your family!
Amen
Q: How will I express thanks to the Father for His love today?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Jesus Broke Me Out Of Jail
S: "But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." - Gal. 3: 22
O: Apart from the saving grace of Jesus, we are prisoners. God's freedom comes to us through a promise - the gift of His son, Jesus Christ - not by our own efforts to break out of our own bondage, not by dissecting the law and then futilely trying to uphold it. The law was given so that we might become conscious of our sin, but Jesus took our cursed state upon himself so that we could be set free from our sin.
A: Today, and every day, I want to remember that God keeps His promises. He kept the biggest one of all, and will keep the rest too. He is the road to true freedom. Jesus saved me, and I am free. I walk around outside the world's prison with gratefulness today. I would still be inside without Him.
P: God, being with You and knowing You is like being broken out of jail. I'm thankful You were willing to pay the price. I am thankful to feel freedom, the way You meant me to feel it. I am thankful to know there is so much more than the dank, dark interior of my life. I praise You for Your mercy and grace - I stand before You - saved, free, and amazed. You are beyond any description or words I can write. You are my Savior, my life.
O: Apart from the saving grace of Jesus, we are prisoners. God's freedom comes to us through a promise - the gift of His son, Jesus Christ - not by our own efforts to break out of our own bondage, not by dissecting the law and then futilely trying to uphold it. The law was given so that we might become conscious of our sin, but Jesus took our cursed state upon himself so that we could be set free from our sin.
A: Today, and every day, I want to remember that God keeps His promises. He kept the biggest one of all, and will keep the rest too. He is the road to true freedom. Jesus saved me, and I am free. I walk around outside the world's prison with gratefulness today. I would still be inside without Him.
P: God, being with You and knowing You is like being broken out of jail. I'm thankful You were willing to pay the price. I am thankful to feel freedom, the way You meant me to feel it. I am thankful to know there is so much more than the dank, dark interior of my life. I praise You for Your mercy and grace - I stand before You - saved, free, and amazed. You are beyond any description or words I can write. You are my Savior, my life.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Blessings
S: Deut. 16:17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.
O: Moses was telling the Israelites that three times a year all of the men were to appear before God at the appointed place and offer a gift in proportion to the way the Lord had blessed them. In prior passages as Moses was instructing the Israelites about offerings, he was always very specific about what type of offering to bring (10% of their first harvest, finest oils and wines, the firstborn of their herds w/no flaws ect.). Here he instructs them to bring a gift and leaves it to them to decide what and how much (aside from instructing them not to come empty handed :). He tells them to give in proportion to the way God had blessed them.
A: God has blessed me in all areas of my life. He has truly given to me beyond what I could ever feel worthy of. It is easy to look for more in life and wonder what's next, how can I earn more, or get further ahead? I spend more time than I would like to admit pondering those questions, but when I read this it really drove home how much God has blessed me. Coming up with a gift to measure God's blessings would be challenging. I can give in measurable amounts of the monetary things He has blessed me with (like Moses was calling the Israelites to do), but it doesn't feel like enough. I want to go beyond that each day and seek ways to give of myself, and of the spiritual gifts God has blessed me with. He sent His only son to die that we would be forgiven. That alone is more blessing than anyone deserves. He did it because he Loves us.
P: God, thank you for all you have blessed me with. I pray that I can continue to grow spiritually and understand more about you and your love everyday. I want to share what you have given me with others so that they could come to the place I am at today. Living with the joy of your love overflowing in my heart is uplifting. Thank you God, and please continue to give me opportunities to share your Love with others. Help me to not be afraid, and please guide my words so that they will be to your glory. Amen
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Rescue
S: Galatians 1:3,4 - "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present age, according to the will of our God and father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
O: We live in a "present age" which is frightening to people outside the faith. But Paul's greeting at the beginning of this letter is for grace and peace for us (christians) from God and Jesus. He says we can have peace because Jesus gave himself for our sins to "rescue" us from the "present age". If I am rescued then I have no reason to be frightened but rather to have peace.
A: People all around us live in fear of all that is going on in our world and have not yet experienced the peace that comes from being rescued by Jesus death. The most loving thing I can do for them is to help them get rescued. Today I will pray and stay alert for people who are fearful and share Christ's love with them.
P: Father, help me today to be alert and to share Christ's love with people living in fear so they can be rescued from it.
How about joining me in this commitment today?
O: We live in a "present age" which is frightening to people outside the faith. But Paul's greeting at the beginning of this letter is for grace and peace for us (christians) from God and Jesus. He says we can have peace because Jesus gave himself for our sins to "rescue" us from the "present age". If I am rescued then I have no reason to be frightened but rather to have peace.
A: People all around us live in fear of all that is going on in our world and have not yet experienced the peace that comes from being rescued by Jesus death. The most loving thing I can do for them is to help them get rescued. Today I will pray and stay alert for people who are fearful and share Christ's love with them.
P: Father, help me today to be alert and to share Christ's love with people living in fear so they can be rescued from it.
How about joining me in this commitment today?
Monday, March 8, 2010
God's Love for the Next Generation
S - Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. ~Deut. 7:9
O - When we love God, and do so by following his commands, then he will continue to love us and bless us. He promises this for me and my children. Remembering Deut. 6:7, I am called upon to "impress" God's commands on my children, helping them to know, love and follow God too.
One of my biggest concerns as I parent is how do I encourage my daughters to love God with their whole beings. I do things to and for my children, trying to teach them God's ways (commandments), but sometimes fail to attribute to God the reason I have done something.
A - Today, I will help my children to understand another of God's commands, as God directs, so they can understand that isn't just Mommy's rule, but something that God directs because he loves us. I will also share with them about God's love for them, reminding them that Jesus' life, death & resurrection are the greatest expressions of God's love for them,
P - Dear God,
Thank you for your promise of love for those that love you. Thank you for loving me & my family so much that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Thank you for your new covenant of love and forgiveness through Jesus. I pray that you would touch the hearts of each of my daughters, drawing them to you and into a relationship with you. That they would love you, Lord, and follow your commands. I ask that you would guide me as a parent in helping them to understand and develop their own relationships with you.
God, please use me to share your love today with those around me. Whether at the girls' dance class or the play date we have scheduled or something else. I am available and desiring to share your love. I love you, God. Amen.
O - When we love God, and do so by following his commands, then he will continue to love us and bless us. He promises this for me and my children. Remembering Deut. 6:7, I am called upon to "impress" God's commands on my children, helping them to know, love and follow God too.
One of my biggest concerns as I parent is how do I encourage my daughters to love God with their whole beings. I do things to and for my children, trying to teach them God's ways (commandments), but sometimes fail to attribute to God the reason I have done something.
A - Today, I will help my children to understand another of God's commands, as God directs, so they can understand that isn't just Mommy's rule, but something that God directs because he loves us. I will also share with them about God's love for them, reminding them that Jesus' life, death & resurrection are the greatest expressions of God's love for them,
P - Dear God,
Thank you for your promise of love for those that love you. Thank you for loving me & my family so much that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Thank you for your new covenant of love and forgiveness through Jesus. I pray that you would touch the hearts of each of my daughters, drawing them to you and into a relationship with you. That they would love you, Lord, and follow your commands. I ask that you would guide me as a parent in helping them to understand and develop their own relationships with you.
God, please use me to share your love today with those around me. Whether at the girls' dance class or the play date we have scheduled or something else. I am available and desiring to share your love. I love you, God. Amen.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
"Guide Me"
S-cripture: Psalm 43:3 = Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
O-bservation: The psalmist in this chapter is obviously feeling overwhelmed and oppressed by the world and the wicked. But, he obviously knows God is his rock, shield, fortress, and deliverer as he asks to be guided to that place of spiritual peace we all long for.
A-pplication: I must stop all whining, complaining, and grumbling when I am feeling outnumbered and overtaken by the world. Instead, I will delve into His Word, to light my path and guide me! My time with Him IS the holy mountain; it is the place where He dwells.
P-rayer: Father God, Guide me today on this day of rest. Help me to not only recover my energy for the upcoming week, but to reflect on all your goodness, on all you have done for me, and to spend time with you so you may show me who I may next share your love with this day or this week. I love you tremendously. Amen.
On Saturday, my family and I had a wonderful opportunity to spend the afternoon with a friend I met in first grade. We went all through elementary, jr high, and high school together, but lost touch after graduation as we were not super close. We found each other on Facebook a few weeks ago only to learn we both moved to Washington from California, almost exactly at the same time two years ago, and we live 40 minutes away from each other. Aside from the normal fun of "catching up" the last couple of weeks on email and by phone, it was fun hanging out and getting to know him all over again as well as meeting his sweet wife. I hope me and my family were able to show God's love to them...I think we did...he did ask if I was a Christian or went to church and he replied with a "that's cool" when I answered in the affirmative...(which is not always the case here in WA!)...so, I was pleased and thankful to God that He gave us this opportunity to be loving with someone I haven't seen in over 25 years.
Here's praying that God brings more wonderful opportunities to share His love...with not only the easiest people to love, but with any person who NEEDS to be loved.
O-bservation: The psalmist in this chapter is obviously feeling overwhelmed and oppressed by the world and the wicked. But, he obviously knows God is his rock, shield, fortress, and deliverer as he asks to be guided to that place of spiritual peace we all long for.
A-pplication: I must stop all whining, complaining, and grumbling when I am feeling outnumbered and overtaken by the world. Instead, I will delve into His Word, to light my path and guide me! My time with Him IS the holy mountain; it is the place where He dwells.
P-rayer: Father God, Guide me today on this day of rest. Help me to not only recover my energy for the upcoming week, but to reflect on all your goodness, on all you have done for me, and to spend time with you so you may show me who I may next share your love with this day or this week. I love you tremendously. Amen.
On Saturday, my family and I had a wonderful opportunity to spend the afternoon with a friend I met in first grade. We went all through elementary, jr high, and high school together, but lost touch after graduation as we were not super close. We found each other on Facebook a few weeks ago only to learn we both moved to Washington from California, almost exactly at the same time two years ago, and we live 40 minutes away from each other. Aside from the normal fun of "catching up" the last couple of weeks on email and by phone, it was fun hanging out and getting to know him all over again as well as meeting his sweet wife. I hope me and my family were able to show God's love to them...I think we did...he did ask if I was a Christian or went to church and he replied with a "that's cool" when I answered in the affirmative...(which is not always the case here in WA!)...so, I was pleased and thankful to God that He gave us this opportunity to be loving with someone I haven't seen in over 25 years.
Here's praying that God brings more wonderful opportunities to share His love...with not only the easiest people to love, but with any person who NEEDS to be loved.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
"Keep Alert"
S-cripture: Mark 13:33,37
"Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come... And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."
O-bservation: Jesus exhorts His disciples to stay alert by living each day with the expectancy that He could return any moment.
A-pplication: I will live today with a constant attentiveness to the presence of God. Jesus will return and when He does, I don't want to be ashamed, but rather be found faithfully doing what He has commanded - loving God and loving my neighbor. Question this morning: "how will I love God and neighbor today?". Question to ask myself before bedtime: "how did I love God and neighbor today?"
P-rayer: Dear Father,
Please keep us alert to your presence so that we may be found faithful when we meet Jesus face to face. Free us from being preoccupied with our own idols and agendas and help us to occupy our time here loving You and people in Jesus' name, Amen.
How will you live today so as not to be ashamed should Jesus appear?
"Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come... And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."
O-bservation: Jesus exhorts His disciples to stay alert by living each day with the expectancy that He could return any moment.
A-pplication: I will live today with a constant attentiveness to the presence of God. Jesus will return and when He does, I don't want to be ashamed, but rather be found faithfully doing what He has commanded - loving God and loving my neighbor. Question this morning: "how will I love God and neighbor today?". Question to ask myself before bedtime: "how did I love God and neighbor today?"
P-rayer: Dear Father,
Please keep us alert to your presence so that we may be found faithful when we meet Jesus face to face. Free us from being preoccupied with our own idols and agendas and help us to occupy our time here loving You and people in Jesus' name, Amen.
How will you live today so as not to be ashamed should Jesus appear?
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Most Important
S-cripture:
Mark 12:29-31 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this, 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.
O-bservation:
Jesus when asked by a teacher of the law which of the the commandments is most important answered this. LOVE. . . love God and love others. Love God with your entire being first. Then second we are to love others as ourselves. There is a priority to this -first go deep into God followed by our reaching out to others with this love. The ten commandments of the OT can be summarized by these two commands as the first four focus on God and the next six focus on others. I am again amazed at the reality of how appropriate this passage is as we start this 30 Day Love Dare. . . Your Word is 'living and active.'
A-ct
Today I will start with a focused clarity that chooses to LOVE GOD wholeheartedly and then chooses to LOVE OTHERS. I feel the challenge of starting my day by first connecting deeply with You God by having devotions in Your Word and loving You with my whole being. And the call to obey this next command by loving my wife and children in this morning over breakfast, entering into my day off as I take a bike ride with a group of friends and strangers. . . Love them as I would myself. Then as I head to my son's basketball game tonight. . . Love these fellow parents and kids as I would myself. Open to divine appointments all along the way. . . today encountering people in need of hearing, feeling, experiencing the Love of Christ through me. . . if I would be willing. . . Lord, I am willing. Help me also be one who is willing to receive your love from others today.
P-rayer
Father God, Thank you for the clarity that Jesus calls us to live. Thank you for calling us to experience being a part of your transformational team to the world sharing Your love.
Lord please help me to live in obedience to these 'most important" commands.
Please use me today to share Your Love.
What are you hearing God say to you?
Mark 12:29-31 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this, 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.
O-bservation:
Jesus when asked by a teacher of the law which of the the commandments is most important answered this. LOVE. . . love God and love others. Love God with your entire being first. Then second we are to love others as ourselves. There is a priority to this -first go deep into God followed by our reaching out to others with this love. The ten commandments of the OT can be summarized by these two commands as the first four focus on God and the next six focus on others. I am again amazed at the reality of how appropriate this passage is as we start this 30 Day Love Dare. . . Your Word is 'living and active.'
A-ct
Today I will start with a focused clarity that chooses to LOVE GOD wholeheartedly and then chooses to LOVE OTHERS. I feel the challenge of starting my day by first connecting deeply with You God by having devotions in Your Word and loving You with my whole being. And the call to obey this next command by loving my wife and children in this morning over breakfast, entering into my day off as I take a bike ride with a group of friends and strangers. . . Love them as I would myself. Then as I head to my son's basketball game tonight. . . Love these fellow parents and kids as I would myself. Open to divine appointments all along the way. . . today encountering people in need of hearing, feeling, experiencing the Love of Christ through me. . . if I would be willing. . . Lord, I am willing. Help me also be one who is willing to receive your love from others today.
P-rayer
Father God, Thank you for the clarity that Jesus calls us to live. Thank you for calling us to experience being a part of your transformational team to the world sharing Your love.
Lord please help me to live in obedience to these 'most important" commands.
Please use me today to share Your Love.
What are you hearing God say to you?
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