December 8th, 2020
Family Tree Devotional Series - Week 2 – Love - Tuesday - Amie Donovan
Love God and Love Others
Scripture Reading – 1 John 4: 15-17 (NIV)
"If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus."
For so long, I overcomplicated God's purpose for my life. I thought it was based on a career choice, or ministry, or license. I confess I've suffered from misguided thinking on more than one occasion. What I've learned in my journey of faith is quite simple. God's purpose is people, and the platform God gives us is a tool. When reminded of this, it brought me back to the heart of true worship.
Loving God means to love people. He'll give us all different giftings and platforms to accomplish this task, but the mission/God's purpose is the same for us all. Do you view your platform as an opportunity? When we love people, we look just like Jesus. I thought about sharing a cool Greek or Aramaic definition for love with you all today, but rather than using a word to define what we should look like as followers of Christ, I thought it more valuable to use a person.
Throughout the New Testament, we read story after story of how Christ loved people. From healing lepers to forgiving the paralyzed to allowing tax collectors and Pharisees to save the world. Jesus didn't run or hide from the hurting, the broken, the sinful, or the sick. He stood up, stood out, and loved out loud and actional. The way Jesus loves reminds me that true love isn't something that happens TO us, but rather is a choice we make towards others because of what God did FOR us.
Would you join me today in thanking Jesus Christ for being a God who leads from the front:
Savior, we thank you for not only making your expectations of us clear but for showing us they are possible. You loved the hard to love. You showed up for those whom others walked away from in their life. You walked into our uncertainties and ushered in peace over leaving us in the dark. You gave to your enemies, and you showed kindness to the cruel. Your love covers over sins and transforms lives. Help us to love like you today and every day. - Amen
Love God and Love Others
Scripture Reading – 1 John 4: 15-17 (NIV)
"If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus."
For so long, I overcomplicated God's purpose for my life. I thought it was based on a career choice, or ministry, or license. I confess I've suffered from misguided thinking on more than one occasion. What I've learned in my journey of faith is quite simple. God's purpose is people, and the platform God gives us is a tool. When reminded of this, it brought me back to the heart of true worship.
Loving God means to love people. He'll give us all different giftings and platforms to accomplish this task, but the mission/God's purpose is the same for us all. Do you view your platform as an opportunity? When we love people, we look just like Jesus. I thought about sharing a cool Greek or Aramaic definition for love with you all today, but rather than using a word to define what we should look like as followers of Christ, I thought it more valuable to use a person.
Throughout the New Testament, we read story after story of how Christ loved people. From healing lepers to forgiving the paralyzed to allowing tax collectors and Pharisees to save the world. Jesus didn't run or hide from the hurting, the broken, the sinful, or the sick. He stood up, stood out, and loved out loud and actional. The way Jesus loves reminds me that true love isn't something that happens TO us, but rather is a choice we make towards others because of what God did FOR us.
Would you join me today in thanking Jesus Christ for being a God who leads from the front:
Savior, we thank you for not only making your expectations of us clear but for showing us they are possible. You loved the hard to love. You showed up for those whom others walked away from in their life. You walked into our uncertainties and ushered in peace over leaving us in the dark. You gave to your enemies, and you showed kindness to the cruel. Your love covers over sins and transforms lives. Help us to love like you today and every day. - Amen
Posted in Family Tree Devos
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