John 3:16

DEAR GOD: Your Love Promotes Love To All~

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Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” – Romans 15:7

This verse from Romans is a powerful reminder of the importance of acceptance and unity within the Christian community. It calls us to embrace one another with the same love and grace that Christ has shown us. This acceptance is not just a superficial welcome but a deep, heartfelt reception that reflects the glory of God. We are nothing compared to Christ, but with honorable intentions and contrite hearts in humble adulation, we could try to reflect His light, as we go forward in all we do and say. Remember that the LORD knows our hearts, and we cannot hide the true intent inside our hearts, you’d only be fooling yourself. God loves us and He is pleased when we genuinely try in abject humility to serve Him and represent Him in everything, always, every day, all the days of our lives.

Supportive Scriptures

  1. Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
  2. Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
  3. John 13:34-35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Reflective Questions

  1. How can I better receive and accept others in my daily life?
  2. Are there any barriers or prejudices that prevent me from fully embracing others?
  3. How can I reflect Christ’s love and acceptance in my interactions with others?

Moral Takeaways

  • Acceptance and Unity: Embracing others as Christ embraced us fosters unity and reflects God’s glory.
  • Forgiveness: Just as Christ forgave us, we are called to forgive others, breaking down barriers and building stronger relationships.
  • Love in Action: Our love for one another is a testament to our discipleship and a reflection of Christ’s love.

Christianity Today

In today’s world, where division and conflict are prevalent, this verse is a timely reminder of the power of acceptance and unity. As Christians, we are called to be beacons of love and grace, welcoming others with open arms and hearts. This acceptance goes beyond mere tolerance; it is an active, intentional effort to love and support one another, reflecting the inclusive love of Christ.

Closing Prayer

“Heavenly Father, we thank You for the boundless love and grace You have shown us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to receive one another with the same love and acceptance that Christ has shown us. Break down any barriers or prejudices in our hearts and fill us with Your compassion and understanding. May our actions reflect Your glory and draw others closer to You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”

Thought and Scripture to Ponder for the Day

Thought: Today, let us strive to embrace others with the same love and grace that Christ has shown us, breaking down barriers and building bridges of unity.

Scripture: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34

“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He turn His face toward you and give you peace. In Jesus name, Amen.”

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DEAR GOD: You Love Me!-Thank You!-With Love, Me~

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Jesus answered and said unto him, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” – John 14:23

This verse from the Gospel of John is a profound declaration of the intimate relationship between Jesus, His followers, and God the Father. It encapsulates the essence of Christian discipleship and the promise of divine fellowship.

Heartfelt Reflection

In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of love and obedience. To love Jesus is to keep His words, to live according to His teachings, and to embody His commandments in our daily lives. This love is not merely an emotion but a commitment to follow His path, even when it is challenging. It is a love that transforms us, aligning our hearts with His divine will.

The promise that follows is extraordinary. Jesus assures us that if we love Him and keep His words, both He and the Father will come to us and make their home with us. This is not a temporary visit but a permanent dwelling. It signifies a deep, abiding presence of God in our lives, offering us comfort, guidance, and peace.

Moral Thoughts

This verse calls us to examine our lives and our relationship with Jesus. Are we truly keeping His words? Are we living in a way that reflects His love and teachings? It is a reminder that our faith is not just about belief but about action. Our love for Jesus should be evident in the way we live, the choices we make, and the way we treat others.

Meditative Views

As we meditate on this verse, let us imagine the profound peace and joy of having God make His abode with us. Picture the warmth and light of His presence filling our hearts and homes. Let this image inspire us to deepen our love for Jesus and our commitment to His teachings.

Reflective Questions

  1. How can I better keep Jesus’ words in my daily life?
  2. In what ways can I show my love for Jesus through my actions?
  3. How does the promise of God’s abiding presence bring comfort and strength to me?

Prayer

“Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the incredible promise of Your Presence in our lives. Help us to love Jesus with all our hearts and to keep His words faithfully. May Your Holy Spirit guide us and strengthen us in our journey of faith. Let Your presence fill our heart and home, bringing us peace, joy, and comfort. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”

Thoughts and Scripture to Ponder

Thought: Let us strive to live in a way that reflects our love for Jesus, knowing that His presence is with us always.

 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15

 

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DEAR GOD: Thank You For The Word & Life Eternal~

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Eternal Life - Christian Genesis - Daily Devotional

The Purpose of Christ’s Life: A Story

In the Beginning

In the quietude of eternity past, before galaxies spun into existence and stars ignited, there was a divine whisper—a purpose. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit danced in harmonious love, their essence intertwined. Yet, in this cosmic symphony, a longing emerged—a longing to redeem, restore, and reconcile.

The Incarnation

And so it began. The Word, the Logos, clothed Himself in fragile flesh. The infinite squeezed into the finite, divinity veiled by humanity. Bethlehem’s stable cradled the hope of ages—the Savior, Jesus Christ. His purpose? Not merely to teach or perform miracles, but to bridge the chasm between God and humanity.

The Journey

Scripture: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Moral Insight: Love compels sacrifice. Christ’s purpose was love incarnate—a love that would bleed, suffer, and die. His life echoed the Father’s heartbeat: redemption.

The Cross

Calvary’s hill bore witness to agony and grace. Nails pierced hands that flung stars into space. The Lamb of God, sinless and blameless, bore our guilt. Why? To fulfill prophecy, yes, but more profoundly—to rescue lost souls.

Scripture: “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

Moral Insight: Sacrifice transforms. Christ’s purpose wasn’t just to die; it was to resurrect hope, to birth new life within us.

The Resurrection

The tomb yielded to life. Death’s chains shattered. Christ emerged victorious, scars etched with love’s story. His purpose? Not merely to conquer death, but to invite us into resurrection life.

Scripture: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25)

Moral Insight: Hope defies despair. Christ’s resurrection beckons us beyond the grave, promising eternal purpose.

The Commission

On a mountain’s crest, scarred hands extended, Christ entrusted His purpose to us. “Go,” He said, “make disciples.” Not mere converts, but followers who embody love, grace, and truth.

Scripture: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Moral Insight: Purpose is contagious. Christ’s commission echoes through generations, urging us to share His love.

The Unfolding Story

And so, the purpose of Christ’s life reverberates across time. It’s in the whispered prayers of a child, the compassion of a stranger, the forgiveness offered to enemies. It’s in the quiet moments when we choose love over bitterness, grace over judgment.

Dear brother and sister – you are part of this grand narrative. Your life, too, holds purpose—a purpose woven into the fabric of eternity. Embrace it. Live it. For in doing so, you mirror the One who walked dusty roads, bore a cross, and conquered death. May your days echo the heartbeat of Christ—the purpose that transforms, redeems, and invites us into abundant life!

“Dear LORD -In this sacred moment, we gather as one—a tapestry of souls woven by grace. Our voices blend, rising like incense, reaching Your throne. Bind us together, as One Body in Christ, O Lord, in purpose and love, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Scripture: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1, KJV)

 

May your days echo the heartbeat of Christ—the purpose that transforms, redeems, and invites us into abundant life

DEAR GOD: Help Me To Walk In Spirit~

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Walking In The Spirit - Part 1 - CrossBridge Community Church

Living life according to the Spirit is a process and a journey. There are so many great verses throughout the Bible that discuss being and walking in the Spirit, Romans 8 – may perhaps be one of the most insightful. Walking in the Spirit promotes general well-being. Even when things are bleak and you might be hindered by circumstances, situations, individuals, or events that transpired in your life-being led by the Holy Spirit will bring about ways in which you not only can and will cope, but will survive all things in life.

Walk in the Spirit (Romans 8:4)

There truly isn’t any shortcut to learning about “how to walk by the Spirit.” Life in the Spirit is trying to live according to God’s law and fundamentally do the right thing. But it’s much more than that. Walking in the Spirit is what it means to live as a Christian-some might say it’s like a light went off -and that light is Jesus Christ.

Set your minds on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5)
The question becomes sort of an old riddle: “How can someone extract all of the air out from a drinking glass? – The answer-fill it with something else!

So how do we overcome and pull away from our flesh and our mortal carnal ways, thoughts, actions? Well similar to the riddle, you need to “fill up on good things, godly things, clean things, an entirely different mindset that is strictly oriented toward the things of the Sprit-(Galatians 5:22–23)

We can’t extract thoughts that are displeasing to God from our minds. So, we have to “fill up on all good things.” When we put to the death the deeds of our body by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13) Life becomes engaging in the most beautiful ways. We get to view, act upon and develop into who we are supposed to be, according to the LORD, and we are then able to serve Him in all kinds of capacities. We are then actively involved with being “one body in Christ.”

Pray in the Spirit.  (Romans 8:26–27)
We are unsure at times what we need or how to ask for help. We are shown that the Holy Spirit will make known by intercessory prayers to the Father, by groanings from within. Overall outcome and result is that our prayers will be answered according to the will of God, because the Spirit is moving us to pray thusly, and in fact presenting our prayer to the Father, and guiding us all the way through!

Eventually walking, acting and presenting in the Spirit to all those we encounter will become part of whom we are.In fact, it is who we are! We are one body in Christ. Believers have His Spirit within. And we can accomplish so much more when we do things in the Spirit, as we are intended to do. The Bible has so many more rich verses pertaining to this in both OT and NT. We just have to open His book and read and commune with Him.  And doing all this- will in fact, make our life a life worth LIVING!

“LORD, help guide and direct me along the highway of life, show me the paths in which I should walk, teach me the gentleness of Your Spirit, help me to walk elegantly and majestically in the Spirit as You have, open my eyes, ears heart and soul to be more like Jesus’ Spirit each day of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

 

 

 

 

DEAR GOD: Thank You For The Word~

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The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 (KJV)

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When I see any kind of flower this verse above comes to my mind heart and soul immediately.  It brings another verse to my mind from John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  And then I grasp once again, the meaning of the Word- Jesus is the Word and He stands forever!  Amazing and so comforting.

My original thoughts on this verse are that it is a beautiful and profound statement of faith that inspires awe and wonder. It also challenges me to reflect on how I can respond to God’s love and revelation in Jesus Christ. How can I behold his glory, receive his grace, and follow his truth in my life? How can I share his love with others? These are some of the questions that this verse provokes in me. What about you?

The next time you see a flower – meditate on these verses and take in the enormity and overwhelming reality of who Christ is, what He has done for us. The WORD is powerfully comforting and a vast reminder of our salvation that was bought by Christ. His blood which covers us and His promises which are never ending, and His love which transcends all things and is unparalleled by any other Being.

“Father, thank You for Your enduring Word and for Your Son, my redeemer, all the days of my life I shall meditate on Your Word, and bring a daily reflection into the seconds of my life that is only possible because of You, in Jesus name, Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: I’m Listening—

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The “voice” of the Lord is clear and apparent to those who “hear” it.  It’s a sheer delight to serve the Lord in all facets of our lives.  When we commit ourselves to Him, our paths become a vestige of honor to Him and all that it applies.  His voice reverberates to those with ears to hear, consider these very words: “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established…” Proverbs, 16:3 (NKJV). 

How do we commit our works to the Lord? There are many ways to do so.  Do not merely ask Him to bless what we’ve already done…Instead, commit ourselves and our plans to Him before, during, and after we have done our work. The trust, the commitment and the acknowledgement are all forefronts to our vital plan.  His ways, His thoughts, His actions…translate to “ask Him, trust Him, embrace Him, and acknowledge Him.”  When you do so consequences of all good things will transpire.

Consider a “budding rose.”  The bud is tiny at first.  Eventually, through care, love, and commitment it grows into a beautiful thing… much like our love and relationship with the Lord.  The more effort and time we put into the Lord, the more significant it becomes.  The deeper and more profound it gets.

But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NKJV)

As our Father, God always will act on our behalf.   He acts for our benefit in ways that childlike minds cannot always understand.  As our potter, He ultimately molds us, and shapes us in ways that sometimes will hurt.  But always He deals with us in love.

Take a moment to think about past decisions you’ve made, on your own without the Father’s help or guidance.  How did it work out?  Usually without His voice, or counsel if you will, things usually don’t go the way we’d like.  When we take the time to talk with Him, listen to His voice, and bring Him into the equation of our life the outcome will benefit us.  We may not see it at first, because He sees way down the road.  He sees ALL things before its fruition, and so He knows what is best for us way before we even realize it. We may take years to realize it was good.  Therefore, don’t despair if things don’t happen according to your will.  Remember, His will…not ours.  His plans are perfect, our plans are anything but.  We may be puffed up and think we know what’s best for ourselves.  We need to be humble, and bow to His excellent works…and listen and adhere accordingly.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it…1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV).

We can accomplish much in life we don’t have a clear purpose and mission in mind.  The only way to consistency is through the Lord.  We need to take practice in all things, through Him.  Each time we accomplish something we draw higher and nearer to God and our purpose that He has for us.  Our works, our plans, through His alone.  We need to establish our mission in life, through Him.  His voice, His ways, and production will be overflowing in all good things.

Now these things became our examples…Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition…1 Corinthians 106:11 (NKJV).

Everything in the Scripture exists for our example, warning and admonition.  We should note what God’s people did in the past and how God reacted to them in order to move ahead in our own walk of faith.

When we live for God, all things connect in and outside of our very existence.  All things lead to peace and a transitional platitude of higher aspirations in and of Christ.  To hear His voice is to know peace.

To abide by Him is to know love.  To work for Him is to obtain a chiseled image in Christ, that reflects Christ as we uphold His light and shine our own light in His name. Bear witness in all things for Him and accept His will and plans.

Ssh…Listen closely…Do you hear His voice?

“Father, may I do all according to Your will now and always, as our New Year commences, may I grow even deeper in spirituality and resolve to do even more in Jesus’ glorious and powerful name, Amen.”

When His candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness–Job 29:3 (KJV).

 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men–Proverbs 22:29 (KJV).

 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe–
John 1:7 (KJV).

DEAR GOD: You Forgave Him & All Else~

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As Jesus stated in the Gospel of Matthew 28:20…He will never leave us, and He hasn’t.  Jesus keeps all of His promises, as does His Father, God.  Jesus is with us today in the person of the Holy Spirit.

He continues to love us, guide us, hold us in times of trouble, and be an ever presence in our lives. His love keeps us alive.  For it was God’s love that sent His Son to redeem us, and give us salvation, by His blood which we were saved.  Thank you, Lord.  Thank you, Jesus, for your supreme sacrifice.

Again, this is a story based on an account of what happened and what the Centurion may have been thinking as he took part in the crucifixion of Christ.

The Task – 

“Out of my way…I want to see them pay.” One voice declared with abject and fiendish delight.

“Hey- Where have you been?” One of his peers yelled out.

“Just getting everything prepared.” He answered with a quiet yet shaken demeanor.

“Why are you acting so strange? You knew about this appointment for a while, what is going on with you?” His good friend asked.

“I know. It’s just…” He stared at his sack he managed to get before his mount fled.

“What?” His friend insisted.

Before he could answer he observed “them” ascending the hill. “What am I going to do?” There was no answer for him, he had an appointment and orders to follow. His hands began to shake as he opened the sack by his sandaled feet.

“Hey, what is going on with you?” His friend pulled his arm and glared into his eyes with a fierce determination to understand his reticent behavior.

He yanked his arm away from his friend’s paralyzing grip, “Go about your business-nothing is wrong.”

They locked eyes for a moment, until his friend backed away, “Okay.”

He took a deep breath. He watched the men approaching. It was unusually hot. The sun was searing his skin. He felt like he was on fire…or in the gates of hell. “What was going on?”

An acrid stench was in the still air. He was perspiring copiously. He didn’t want to accept this appointment. To disobey was not an option. He tossed and turned all night, not realizing why he was experiencing torment, and pain. He was in pure anguish!

“Okay, here you go. This is the one you are supposed to handle. I will take care of this one on the left, and your friend will take care of the one on the right.” The handler said systematically.

He turned his head and saw him. He was unrecognizable! His face bloodied and bruised. His body had open wounds from being whipped and scourged. A crown of thorns atop his matted hair intermingled with blood and dirt. He was placed upon the cross and roped with his arms spread wide…stretched to unbearable lengths. He heard his shoulders pop and felt vomit fill his mouth, as he gazed at him through tears.

He took the “items” out of the sack. Three huge tent nails. He brought the first one to his feet. His hands shaking, he looked at the man they called Jesus.

Jesus looked at him with love and compassion, “You are fulfilling the scriptures, but I feel your compassion…I have taken note of this and so has my Father.”

He wailed, “Forgive me!” as he hammered the first of three nails into Jesus. “My Lord, forgive me.” When he completed the abominable task- the wooden cross was hoisted high on Golgotha.

He glanced up sickened to witness his “handiwork” on Jesus’ feet and hands…then collapsed in a wretched heap on the ground.

He declared in sincerity, his voice quivering, “This is truly the Son of God, this is the Christ.”

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16 KJV).
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“Father, thank You for the supreme sacrifice of Your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, may we all be aware of Your love, and Christ’s blood that set us free and everlasting life through Him, Jesus Christ, Amen.”

Dear GOD: I Give All To You~

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We can turn to God in prayers for peace whenever overwhelmed by the chaos and difficulty of life. As Philippians 4:6 tells us,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

When we look to God and turn to Him in earnest and seek Him daily in all that we do, we can be assured that we will be able to live life with purpose and meaning. When we acknowledge Him as a constant source and the empirical force in our lives, we are able to navigate life seemingly with an ease that those without God in their lives cannot be capable of doing.  We as followers are given opportunities to delve into His mind by His Word that will enlighten our paths, by giving us the Wisdom we need in order to gain perspective on any of life’s challenging highways along the way.

Finding time to sit and meditate and operate on a godly outlet will enable us to fully engage His positive Light and love that will be a reflection in all we do. It will be a sign to all we encounter in our lives. We will be a representative and a willing servant for the LORD to all around us. We may often hear along the way, “How do you find the answers? How do you stay so calm? How can you be so sure?”  And the response each and every time will be a resounding, “GOD.”

The Bible is a tool for life. It is a guide to understanding life. It is an impactful statement, and it is His love letter to us, His children. Showing all sides of life. The good. The bad. The ugly. The beautiful. The bloody battles. The consummate peace. The light. The dark.  All of it as it was then, and as it is today, a guide for what to do. What to expect if you don’t do it. And what happens when you do according to His will.

Have you read a chapter today? Have you read the Bible at all? Do you know His voice? He is here today as He was then, and always will be. Go to Him, open His book that was written for us, and tell Him how much you love Him.  After all, He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to redeem us, isn’t that one of the biggest reasons to open your Bible?  (John 3:16)

“Father, thank You for Your love, Your peace, Your Word, Your will, and Your Presence in my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

 

DEAR GOD: YOUR LOVE IS REFRESHING~

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I will refresh those who are weary and will satisfy with food everyone who is weak from hunger.
Jeremiah 31:25 (GNT)

Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
Proverbs 1:23 (KJV)

 His love is reviving and refreshing and is a banquet of joy in and of itself.  And it’s fully satisfying having knowledge of such things in our hearts.  When a soul realized the depths of His love and realizes His pardoning grace and providence in our lives, it is well within and without in all we do.

With Christ, there is an abundance of life. He offers us unmerited favor and grace in His love and sacrifice, which provided our salvation, as we can rest in Him, with peace, joy and hope.

Our day-to-day struggles may vary, and like the tides, invariably will ebb and flow, and so it goes. But Christ’s love is ever steady. A powerful presence in our life. His resurrection an ever-constant reminder of the promise of eternal rewards, and our redemption in which He gave willingly on the cross.

The battle of good versus evil has been going on since the beginning of time, and rages on this very moment all across the world.  But rest easy in Christ, take His yoke because it is easy and light. Shake off the yoke of the “world” as it is treacherous, suffocating, and hard.

When we rest in Christ and follow His footsteps of love we are qualifying for a higher promotion in our spiritual growth and depositing dividends into our eternal rewards.

Have you made a deposit today in His name?

“Father God, thank You for Your love that is never ending, and love which is ever faithful, may I praise You in all I do, this day and always, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Another Week Of Loving You~

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Mark 12:30-31 LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART Bible Quote ...

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  Matthew 22:37 (NKJV)

Jesus emphasized that the most important commandment would be the verse above in Matthew. That was always an important and outstanding message from Jesus, and so I began reflecting upon it more so than eve. As the week comes to a close, I started a mental picture of what I had done the past week that solidified that statement in my life overall.

  • Listening and loving Him through others, as Christ commands.

Well for one thing, I listened to several people speaking about their lives, and these people are very unhappy. Their circumstances are all so dim and exhausting in terms of their relationships, or lack thereof. It is sad, frustrating and to be honest, exhausting and draining. However, it’s done in my heart for the LORD, who says, “go and love as I have loved you” and when we love, which includes “listening” and helping others, it is part of His plan. These individuals are non-stop in their daunting misery, and “what-ifs” conversations, or murmurings. But–Jesus wants us to love. And by loving others, we are following His commandments of “loving.”  We are a daily reflection of His light, and when we do as He commands and trust in Him and follow Him by being a representative of who He is, the best we can. We are loving Him fully, and with all our heart, mind and soul. Let’s examine what some issues are that could be attributed to this verse, some we may not even be aware of.

  • Patience with others and holding back any negative responses that would otherwise escalate into a futile disagreement or worse.

Then I went on to being silent in areas that could become “challenging” to say the least, which at times can be a struggle. I am sure most of you reading this post can attest or relate to that right now, am I correct in that assumption?

Well, patience is a Characteristic of the Spirit, and virtue and gift, but it is at times overwhelmingly difficult to handle.

For example, if someone is being arbitrary or bearing an accusatory or condescending tone while engaged in some dialogue, it can be a Herculean task to keep our mouths and responses on hold. But through the spirit I did so.  Numerous times in fact. To be fair, it’s in my nature to hold back and not respond to negative and derisive speech. I guess it comes from my career in the nursing home industry. I listened to all of the patients, and loved them unconditionally, and treated them all the same irrespective of their differences in personality, or behavior.  I thank God for this gift from His hands of grace.

  • Courteous behavior displayed by being an example of Christ.

Then I thought about being courteous to others, respecting someone and honoring someone. For one thing, on the road there can be discourteous and aggressive drivers, no matter where you may live. And exercising self-control and not giving in to someone cutting you off or honking their horn, because you lingered a moment too long at the traffic light, is a mainstay with me. I am an overly courteous driver, and at times I am dismayed by the way others drive. Not to mention it can be dangerous these days. Road rage is real, and so be extra careful not to get mixed up in any of it. But…again, courtesy is part of the good spirit, and that is also a sign of loving God. Jesus was both kind and courteous. Again, a witness to Him when we behave accordingly, as He wishes us to behave as Christians.

  • Helping others, offering a smile or some other means of extending your love for your neighbors.

Our neighbor is an individual in her late 80’s and a widow. We offer her our help where we can. Taking out her garbage, picking up something in the store for her. Offering a ride to the doctor or other appointment. Bringing her some dinner or lunch. These are all ways to give willingly and with love. Jesus said by helping others, you are helping me. Another example of loving Him and following the commandments. A representation of the Spirit and who Christ is.

These examples, along with praying and writing devotionals to get His Word out are all ways to engage fully and actively in Matthew 22:37. I will try even harder this coming week, God willing. As He leads, guide, directs, and shows me the path. Which He always does. And which I am entirely grateful for.

Have you reflected on your week?

Have you shown and demonstrated that very important verse in Matthew 22:37?

Try marking it down this week, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much you are doing in response to Jesus’ words.  And remember through it all, Jesus loves you!

“Father, may I always be in accordance with Your will, Your commandments, and Your ways, may I be an example of Your Spirit that dwells inside me, may I be all that I can be every single day of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”