Love Is Everything

"Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul and with all of your strength, and with all of your mind ..." Luke 10:27 NIV

How many times do we tell ourselves and God that we love Him with all that we have, yet we are holding on to some secrets deep inside? I was reading a wonderful book called "I Do Again" by Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs. While reading about their challenges, divorce and the secret that tore them apart, I thought of our individual and corporate relationship with Christ.

Have you become comfortable that God surely is here with me but not sure? Do you believe that He is the lover of your soul and loves you no matter what? Do you take it for granted without putting anything into the relationship? We tend to treat our relationship with God the way we tend to our physical relationships. It takes work to make them be good.

In a marriage that turns sour, how many times has one of the spouses cried out, "but look at all the things I have given and done for you." The other spouse, not impressed by the cries and rehearsal of all that the other has done is like those who will go before the Lord. "But Jesus, have I not preached, healed, prophesied, and done all kinds of stuff in your awesome and reverent name?" The Bible says, he will look at those and say, "I know you not."

Are you in a relationship with God where there is mutual agreement, or are you headed for a divorce? He never leaves us nor forsakes us--make sure as the bride of Christ, you are able to wear the garments and sit at the marriage feast. Please don't be on the other side wishing for another chance.

It is our love for God, the peace that comes and intimacy through prayer and study that makes a dark day bright, the challenges of life tolerable, and the promises something awesome to expect.
If you're not sure where you are, take time today and say I do again to God. If you're sure you are in His presence take time to tell him how much you love and appreciate him.

And by all means, if your marriage, relationships with friends and family are on shaky ground, take time to do some mending.

A Fiery Flame For His Service
Susan Storm Smith

In The Eyes Of The World

"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?" James 2:5 NIV

This verse struck a chord within my heart this morning as I was listening to the audio Bible. The Holy Spirit had given me a Word many months ago to go to the "unloved" and tell them that Jesus knows them and loves them.

So often we think of the "unloved" as the homeless, the street people, or those who are just have fallen on hard times. Perhaps the definition might be those who are hard to get along with and so society pushes them aside. But this morning I am reconsidering that the "unloved" could even be those within our congregations every Sunday morning.

Consider this: Are there people in your congregation that people just navigate away from, not wanting to touch or speak with? Do people make an honest effort to reach out to others? If not, why not? Would you then consider them to be unloved?

And yet, even in their desperation of loneliness and being unwanted have within them a kernel of joy and love unspeakable that keeps them coming back for more of the Word they hear. They are not basing their joining in fellowship with the hands of welcome, they know are not there; but rather, they come out of the need for more of what God has to offer and a hope in the promise to those who love Him.

This is February, the month when we have become accustomed to hearts, love and flowers; good will and relationships. Reach out today to one you know is "unloved" sharing the heart of Christ and really mean it.

A Fiery Flame For His Service
Susan Storm Smith

Love Give Life To Me

"According to Your steadfast love give life to me; then I will keep the testimony of Your mouth [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]." Psalms 119:88 Amp

King David understood that there was something about God's love that went beyond what we could comprehend in our human emotions. Unconditional love the gives life and meaning to our existence. The steadfast love of God allows us to experience the supernatural realm of glory; to be transformed by the renewing of our minds [Romans 12:1-2], desiring more of a real relationship with Him.

A superficial acknowledgment of my salvation is not enough any more. Lord, I want all of you! Let me experience the love that goes beyond mortal understanding. When you sing to me, let my praise meet with your awesome truth. With every breath let it be for your glory! You are the lover of my soul, for you give me life for evermore.

May your prayer be for real relationship with God that our emotions can only hint toward.