Tag Archives: Love

2012 Day 186 – Psalm 52, 81

04 Wednesday Jul 2012

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For those of you who know me, it will come as no surprise that I am a bit stubborn. Psalm 82:11-12 hit me between the eyes, “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. I will get something in my head and I don’t listen to much else until I absolutely have to. God is great at letting me learn my own lessons. He is even better at being near me when I finally come to my senses and I need Him. God is so faithful and so good to love us no matter what we do. I need Him more than I can fathom and He wants to be with me more than I am able to comprehend.

2012 Day 181 – 1 Corinthians 13

29 Friday Jun 2012

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The “Love” chapter! This is probably the most read chapter in all of the Bible. I’d say at least 40%-50% of all weddings I’ve attended in my lifetime have read this chapter during the ceremony (my own wedding included). However, the verse that stood out to me doesn’t even talk about love; it talks about fully understanding who God is and what He is really capable of. In verse 12 it says, Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. While I feel God’s presence in my life, the reality is I don’t have the full picture of who He really is. I’m sure when Paul wrote this, mirrors were probably less clear than they are now. Paul is referring to the image we currently see of God as something less than perfect, but when we are in His presence we will see the His full image and truly know who He is.

2012 Day 167 – 2 Thessalonians 3

15 Friday Jun 2012

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Two verses stuck out to me in today’s reading. The first one was verse 5, May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. I love this verse because it reaffirms that I am directed into God’s love, not commanded to it. The beauty of God’s love for us is that it is not forced upon us. He wants a relationship with us, but He also wants us to chose Him. Notice that it also says that Christ has perseverance. He never gives up on us right up to the end and He never requires us to love Him back; though He anxiously waits for us. The second verse that struck me was verse 13, And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. In an attempt at transparency, let me say that sometimes I just want to be able to let loose and not worry about what is right and what is wrong. This verse reminds me that I should never tire of doing what is right. I should always look to do what is right and honoring to God, no matter what the cost.

2012 Day 166 – 2 Thessalonians 2

14 Thursday Jun 2012

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There is a quote I read last night by Mark Twain that says, “The two most important days in your life; the day you were born and the day you find out why”. It really hit me between the eyes especially since I had just read verses 13-14 in today’s reading, 13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s desire is that we share in His glory because He chose us. Too often I take it for granted that God actually chose me to share in eternity with Him. There are so many times that I lose sight of the riches God has in store for me because I chose the temporary riches of this world. I know this sounds silly, but I need to remind myself daily that God deserves so much more than I give Him and yet He still loves me and blesses me. Father, remind me of my place in your heart and that my purpose is to serve you and not my selfish personal desires.

2012 Day 159 – 1 Thessalonians 1

07 Thursday Jun 2012

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A couple of days ago we talked about how Paul modified his approach to sharing the Gospel based on his setting. Paul’s approach, while very bold, never moved to a forceful method of reaching people. In verse 3 we see the underlying method and outcome of Paul’s approach; We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Nowhere does it say your “reach powered by force”. We must have faith in God which produces labor powered by love and endures because of the hope we have in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. This seems like a pretty good formula to me.

2012 Day 157 – Acts 17

05 Tuesday Jun 2012

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In today’s passages I found it interesting how Paul changed his approach to different locations and cultures. When he saw the inscription on the altar in Athens that said AN UNKNOWN GOD, he was quick to recognize this as a perfect point of entry to introducing the one true God. We should be quick to recognizing our point of entry into a conversation about Christ is not meant to be combative or offensive to someone else, but to be positive and applicable to them. We are to reflect Christ, including His example of how to approach people who need Him. This means meeting people where they are ready to be introduced to Christ.

2012 Day 156 – Psalm 136, 138

04 Monday Jun 2012

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In both chapters of today’s reading there are statements about God’s love enduring forever. Throughout Psalm 136 it says, His love endures forever. Then in the last verse of Psalm 138 in verse 8 it says, The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands. By including God in all our plans He will not abandon us. He loves us and wants to see His will fulfilled in us.

2012 Day 153 – Psalm 108, 118

01 Friday Jun 2012

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Psalm 118:1 says it all for me today, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. God is everything to me. He has done everything that is good in my life. His love will never end and will never be any less or any more than it is right now. His love is perfect!

2012 Day 99 – Proverbs 5

08 Sunday Apr 2012

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Harsh words today about adultery. I could focus on all the negatives, but instead I want to look at verses 18 and 19, May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. These are beautiful words that totally make me think of my wife Nancy. There is no one I love more on this earth than her and I love her more every day of my life. I pray that God lets me focus on her and pursue her more each day!

2012 Day 94 – John 21

03 Tuesday Apr 2012

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This last chapter of the Gospels is so wonderful! I love the way Jesus leaves His disciples; with a clear understanding of His love and a clear direction for them to follow. When Jesus says “Feed my sheep” or “Feed my lambs” He is indicating the types of love they should have (first two times Greek agape: volitional, self-sacrificial love) and (the third time Greek phileo: signifying affection, affinity, or brotherly love). When I read these passages it makes me wonder and question if I truly love Jesus. Do I really love Jesus? Am I really His friend? I want to be, but it doesn’t happen by accident. It takes work and commitment to building and maintaining a relationship with Him.