Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- December 28, 2012
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:9-11 NASB
Love requires love or it will not last. There is a limitation to loving well, without drawing on the deep well of the Lord’s love. Like an adult child feels at home in the house of his or her childhood, so followers of Christ are comfortable remaining in His love. As they abide in His abode of love they feel the secure embrace of their heavenly Father. Love will languish without being loved by the Lord. Love is loved, so it can love long.
How did your heavenly Father love His son? What is the essence of Christ’s love for you? The Lord’s love for you is tender and tough–it is patient and productive. His love will not allow you to stay stuck in bad habits or unhealthy relationships. Because He loves you He disciplines you, because He loves you He forgives you, because He loves you He pursues you, because He loves you He gave His life for you. His love gives life!
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13
Are you tired of loving loved ones and not being loved in return? If so, return to the restful love of your heavenly Father. Engage with eternity’s agenda and love will energize your actions. You remain in Christ’s love as you remain faithful to His commands. Love becomes shallow and sentimental if sin soils your soul. So, like a blanket of fresh snow let the Lord’s love cover your sins and free you to freely love. Confess and be refreshed!
Furthermore, Christ’s love for you causes you to sacrificially give in His name. His compelling love for you compels you to share the love of Jesus. He laid down His life for you, so you can lay down your life for your wife, husband, children, parents and friends. God’s love disciplines you to be disciplined, so that you can discipline your children to be disciplined. Indeed, let your love be loved by the Lord and you will love like the Lord!
“The LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 3:12
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I invite you to love me, so I can love others like You.
Related Readings: Genesis 44:33; Proverbs 12:1; 1 Corinthians 12:31; Revelation 3:19
Post/Tweet today: You remain in Christ’s love as you remain faithful. #love
Blessed by these readings?: pray about giving a donation, click… http://bit.ly/KArLE5
© 2012 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry
info@mail.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com / www.wisdomhunters.com
Comments are closed.
I hope facebook people will clickk and read the rest of this message about how much we are loved by GOD.. IT SO TOUCHED my heart