Archive for the ‘ Love ’ Category
And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
2 John 1:6, ESV
God gives commands based on His nature and for our benefit, and the ultimate attribute is His love. May we love each other to love Him better and make out world more like heaven.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
Exodus 20:8, ESV
God has many commands, and all are to His glory and our benefit. The command to rest is God’s grace of reminding us to relax and enjoy life and Him.
15 years ago today, I married my best friend (after Jesus, of course.)
She was wise and quoted Relient K, “Nice to meet you. I’m your better half.” (“The Best Thing”) We even have bought jerseys together, and I do think she looked better! Still does!
We have been a quarter of the way across this world (honeymooned in Ireland, and we get to see parts again this summer!) We have been all across the contiguous US.
We have shared fantastic fandoms, read and watched much together, and told Alexa to “Do the thing.”
We have forgotten things, reminded each other of things, and enjoyed many things.
We’ve had bands sing to and for us.
We have been in many weddings together, including my honor of officiating both of her siblings’ weddings.
We have both taught in public schools, been to many concerts, and helped many friends and family as well as been helped by many.
We have been practically penniless and riding high at times, but never very wealthy and usually joyful.
My favorite things have been living life, coming through together, and helping each other love and serve God better.
I am grateful for the woman God has blessed me with, and I look forward to many more years together. (Hopefully at least as many as the band Chicago!)
She has blessed me in more ways than I can count, and I thank God for His grace in brining her into my life (even if I’m the one who crossed the country to get to her.)
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Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11, ESV
God is omnipotent and omniscient, knowing all about us and our world, capable of changing hearts. He changes ours to be able to love each other, because He helps us love Him by His love.
But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing
Matthew 6:3, NASB1995
When we seek God truly, we want to give to others to help them, bot merely to do good things, because we know Chrost was good to us first. May we seek the heart of God above and in all.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32, NLT
Let us share the love and grace of God with each other, compassionately helping each other through life.
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Romans 8:31, NLT
People may know we are Christians, but they may not understand the truth of who Christ is, maybe even hating Him and therefore us. We show them God’s love all the more.
Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2, CSB
How can we not live others, when Christ have us the perfect example to follow by sacrificing Himself for our benefit? Let us sacrifice of our time, energy, resources, and even our lives for the sake of the gospel and the souls of others.
He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21, CSB
How can we keep on sinning when we know Christ took our sin upon Himself? May we grow in sinning less by loving Him and each other more.
“You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”
Matthew 5:43-44, CSB
How can we not offer love to those who hate us after the God we hated through sin loved us enough to die for those sins? Let us learn from and be empowered by Him to love those who mistreat us that they may see the truth of the gospel.
a simple man of God 