Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!



We have 20 more days until Spring, and it brings rebirth, and new attitudes. We'll also celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, speaking of, how's your wilderness Journey going? We're only 12 days into it, and I'm feeling better than ever, praise God! Continue your self-exploration, and dedication to the love of Christ. Miracles will happen, I promise. Jesus said: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matt. 16:24) Keep this one thing in mind, life is a journey, but better served when we consciously walk with Jesus every day. Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!



Today's scriptures are about the Love of God. Love is such a wonderful thing. He loves us despite our flaws, and will remain in love with us for all eternity. The Apostle Paul defines love as "The Greatest Gift", in one of his letters to the people of Corinth. He writes: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails... (Cor. 13:4-8 NIV) Don’t all of these things represent God to the fullest? God is love, that’s why our major commandment is to “Love Him with all of our heart and soul”, and that's it. We can fail at everything else, but Love exceeds all bounds. When you love something or someone you treat them with the utmost respect and kindness. When dealing with them, you're patient and meek, always thinking about their wellbeing, and how you could contribute to their happiness; that's how God treats us. He's always open when we call out to Him, and He anxiously awaits our fellowship. He created us for Him, to love and cherish, and watch us grow into leaders and servants of Christ. He also requires us to love one another, because we are a reflection of Him. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, He enters our heart, mind, body, and soul, and we become infested with Love. When we continue to feed our souls with the fruits of the Spirit, and give love freely, we'll notice a change in our attitude, and in the level of our inner peace. Realistically, having the mindset of "loving my neighbor as myself", could be risky in this world, if not careful. Not everyone is a Christian, or has our mindset. Oftentimes, if we open our heart to the “world”, and expect the same in return from “it”, we could end up hurt, used, and scorn. I'm sure all of you could relate, because earthly love isn't the same as Godly love, there’s a big difference. As you grow in your faith walk, you love people despite their flaws, and start to be able to look through their flesh, and see their heart. I feel like I am a big ball of love, and I've learned to accept that about myself. Some call it optimism, or say I have a "dreamer" mentality, but it's truly a gift from God. Sometimes I get angry because of my forgiving heart, and perceive myself as a pushover, gullible, or a softy, but I know my limit. I choose to see the best in people, and I know that everyone has some good in them, because they're created in God's image. The Holy Spirit has given me decrement, and helps me avoid evil, and that connection gets stronger everyday. I try to live by the principles Jesus teaches: “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." (Luke 6:27-32) Now in these verses, Jesus isn't teaching us to allow people to run over us, we cannot be foolish (remember wise as serpents, gentle as doves?). However, He's telling us not to worry about the people who try to wrong us, because we're only doing what God commanded us to do. These people have their rewards, remember to “obey God, and leave the consequences up to Him” (~Dr. Charles Stanley). If you have someone in your life that's consistently hurting you, get rid of him or her completely, because that's not what God's love is. If they slapped one cheek, you gave them the other and the slapped that one too, you're all out of cheeks, forgive them and move on. Your love is better served on something else. God gives us the option to choose Him, yes He loves everyone, and offers Eternal life to all, but He doesn't make you choose Him. That's the beauty of the saying, "If you love something let it go, and if it's true love, it'll come back to you". Have you strayed away from God and are ready to comeback? He's been waiting on you the entire time, and all Heaven will rejoice when He receives you. Pray and ask for His forgiveness, and accept it, repent, and move on in His love. If you have never confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior, don't worry He loves you too. Say a prayer asking Jesus to save you, and it's done, just like that. That's what real love feels like. My favorite verse today is: And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NKJ)



ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455257&dtype=Scripture

http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547


I truly love you!