Day 310: Proving Your Faithfulness

James 5:12

And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don’t add words like “I swear to God” to your own words. Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can’t be used against you.

1 Samuel 15:22

And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

Proverbs 21:3

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Have you ever felt the need to prove yourself to God? Prove your faithfulness. I feel like sometimes we try too hard to prove how faithful we are that we forget to actually be faithful. We have talked about how we are sometimes so concerned with how we look to other people that we forget to live. We are more concerned with looking like a Christian in front of others that we forget that being a christian and living the lifestyle of a christian is far more important. Have you noticed that sometimes we treat God the same way. We do extra stuff, we do more good deed, just to prove that we are good Christians. We spend our time making vows, and timing our prayers so they’re exactly an hour, trying to prove to God that we are good Christians. Now some will say that all this stuff is just a way to be in a relationship with God. But do we do these things because we love God with all our heart, mind, and soul? Or are we doing it because we want to look good in front of God. We can make a million vows to Him, and swear by His name all day but in our heart is not in it, it means nothing. If everything we do is not to bring glory to God, why are we doing it? Let's not be like the Pharisee's who worshipped God with their mouths but their hearts were far from Him. (Mark 7:6).

Why do we waste our time trying to prove ourselves to God, when He already knows us. He knows our heart, He knows who we are. He know what we struggle with, what our strengths are, He knows everything there is to know about us because He created us. Why not spend our time being in a relationship with the living God. Walking through life with Him. Let’s spend our time getting to know Him and diving into our word and loving Him with everything we have. See when we love God with all our heart, mind, body. And soul everything we do will be bred from our love for God, not our need our want to prove our devotion to Him.

I remember when I went to school for theology, a lot of it was to prove to people how good of a Christian I was, and also to show God how faithful I was. At no point in my life did I ever want to stop acting, but in order to prove myself to God I gave up doing the thing that He put me on this earth to do in order to “serve” in His kingdom. I gave up theatre school for bible school, and it made me feel like a great Christian. But that only lasted so long and before I knew it I am back in theatre school,graduating in a semester after dropping out of bible school. Now some might say this is backwards, but I know that I am exactly where God wants me to be. What I had to learn was, God is more concerned with my heart than my sacrifice. He wants me more than He wants my sacrifice, and I had to want my relationship with God more than I wanted the image of christianity plastered on my life. I’m not saying that any of this, going to bible school, was a mistake. What I’m saying is that I was too busy trying to prove my faithfulness to God that I never took the chance to look up and see what He was really doing in my life.

-Dyamond

All this to say, having a relationship with God is so much better than having on a mask of Christianity. Don’t try to prove yourself to God with clever promises vows, instead love Him with everything. Instead dive into Him, and trust in who He is, knowing that He care for you. He loves you. Knowing that God cares more about our hearts than He does about the things we try to do to prove our devotion. If we want to give anything to God to prove our devotion, we should consider giving Him our hearts. Surrendering our lives, and walking like Christ.

Reflection

1. Have you ever found yourself trying to prove your devotion to God?
2. How has that worked out for you?

Prayer Time

Take the time to pray about what we discussed today, ask god for clarity, and allow Him to speak to your heart.

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening. Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 311!

Day 291: Waiting for "The One"

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

In our twenty’s we are coming to the age when we are either in long term relationships, dating, engaged, or married. The topic of relationships comes up a lot. Whether we are talking about the type of person we want to be with, the type of relationship we want, or even thinking about settling down and starting a family. Whatever it may be, I think it is time we have a mature conversation about this subject that seems to be glossed over so much. This is something that has constantly been coming up in my conversations recently. Everyone is looking for that one person we can spend the rest of our lives with, however when we are in Christ we are waiting for that person. We are waiting for whoever it is God has for us, and trust me there’s someone out there that God has chosen specifically for you, and you have been chosen specifically for someone else. God is great, on top of everything He does, He’s also the ultimate matchmaker. It’s great, it’s beautiful. There is so much peace in knowing that we do not have to go out looking for the right person because God already has them picked out, and whoever this person is will be far beyond what we ever expected. However there are a few questions I would like to pose and a few points to make.

Are we seeking a relationship with God more than we are seeking a earthly relationship with someone? We can get so caught up sometimes in wanting to be with someone, liking someone, or just wanting to be in a relationship that we forget about the first relationship we need to be in. In order for us to have a good and stable relationship with anybody else we must have a good and stable relationship with God. Sometimes we are going after people that are no good for us, we are going after people that we are not meant to be with, because we are more focused on them than we are on God. That presents a problem The scripture tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to us. There’s a pattern to life and it always involves keeping God first and then watching everything fall into place. So if we want a relationship if we want that person that God has for us, we cannot look outside of Him. We must be so wrapped up in Christ that our significant other has to find Christ to find us. What I’m saying is, Jesus is our first love and will always be our first love. Before we fall in love with anyone else we must fall in love with Him first.  

Genesis 2:18

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

I love the scripture in genesis as it ends with the statement, “I will make him a helper fit for Him.”  Sometimes we settle for people that do not fit us, We settle for people not just because we’re lonely but because they have what we think we want. They have the whole package according to our standards. But what about God’s standards? What about His plan? We must get to a point where we are not willing to sacrifice our faith for pleasure. Where we are so rooted in our faith where we don’t want to be near anything that could jeopardize that. I was recently talking to a friend about what I want from a relationship, and the first thing is they have to love Jesus, I want someone that will love me, but love Jesus so much more, and that’s not something I am willing to sacrifice. No matter how attractive they are, or how many standards they meet, I am not willing to sacrifice my faith for a relationship with someone. I would rather wait and move on God’s timing. He knows the plan, He knows when we are going to meet that person. God knows the exact moment it will happen. But in the meantime, while we wait, let’s work on our relationship with Him. Let’s work on fitting into the will of God before trying to fit someone into our will.

While we wait god is molding and shaping us into the people He has called us to be. He is taking out the things that should be there, and teaching us to walk like Christ. Leading us down this road called life. God has work to do on us before He sends the person He has destined for us to spend the rest of our lives with. He isn’t going to send us into this relationship with baggage, He won’t allow us to ruin what He is putting together.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

One of my favorite things to talk about is love, Not just romantic love, but love in general, because it is so beautiful. Love is so powerful. I just love, love. I think it is the best thing we have. Because God is the best thing we have and God is love. With that being said, we are talking about love in a romantic way today. God teaches us how to love properly, He teaches us how to love people, and ultimately how to love our significant others. The scripture above is a definition of what love is, before we get into a relationship with anyone we must know what love is, we must know how to love. Love requires patience, kindness, forgiveness, it is not conceited, envious, or boastful. When we read the above scripture we see just how beautiful love is. This is the way God wants us to love our partners. The way He has called us to love any and everyone.

All this to say, God has a special someone out there for all of us. Let’s not let our loneliness or want to be in a relationship blind us from what God is doing. Some of us may have to wait longer, but no matter how long the wait is, it will be so worth it.

Reflection

1. Are you waiting for the person God has for you or are you settling for what you want?
2. What is your perfect person? Describe them, ideally what and who would they be?
3. Are you willing to sacrifice your faith to get that person?
4. Are you seeking a relationship with God more than you are seeking a relationship with someone else?

Prayer Time

Allow your answers to the aboves questions guide your prayer. Have a conversation with God about what we discussed today. Then pray for your future spouse, whoever it is God has for you, pray for that person, even though you don’t know who they are yet. Trust me someone is out there praying for you too.

When you have the chance listen to the song Dear No One by Tori Kelly. It’s a beautiful song about waiting on who God has for you.

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening! Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 292!

Day 199: If You Love Me...

John 14:15

If you love me, obey my commandments.

Today let’s talk about loving God. I’m not sure if I speak for everyone when I say this, but sometimes I question my love for God because it’s seems like I’m not doing enough to show Him how much I love Him. I often feel like I’m not doing it right. I think I sike myself out because  I want to love God so much and I do, but sometimes I’m just like, but how do you know? Like do you know His love language? Can I brings Him gifts? What is this crazy thing called love?

It’s a crazy concept because I know I love God, yet I question my love for Him. I want to love God perfectly if that makes sense. Loving God seems like such a complicated thing because we want to do it right? We want to make sure we are loving God the right way. We cannot see Him, so there’s no physical connection, which in my opinion is the best kind of love. The type of love that says I’ve never seen your face, but I know you and I love you. I love you just for who you are. That’s some real love.

I think Jesus telling us exactly how to love Him in the above scripture. You want to show me you love me, here’s how you do it, obey my commands. Listen to my voice, turn your heart to my way. That’s how I will know that you love me. I believe the bible is full of formulas telling us the secrets of life. He’s given us another one, quite simple, if you love me obey me. That simple, He doesn’t say anything else, just obey me. Now if we really love God this will not be a problem. Obeying God means giving some things up, sacrificing some things, turning away from our old ways, but if we love God it won’t be a problem. When I would hear this scripture it would be complicated or used to tell us that we are not living right, and tell us that we aren’t loving God the right way or at all. But that is not what I get from this scripture is Jesus telling us how to live. He’s telling us what to do to show Him our love. I do not think that this scripture is in any way berating the believer for not loving God the right way but instead saying, here’s how you live, here’s how you love.  All you have to do is obey me and I will know that you love me. Live how I have taught you to live and I will know that you love me. That’s how you show me.

Loving God is about obeying Him and following His commands. It’s not complicated or hard because like I said before if we really love God, doing whatever needs to be done to obey should be no problem.

Reflection

1. Do you love God?
2. Do you obey His commands?
3. Are you willing to sacrifice and do whatever you need to, to make sure that you are obeying Him?

Prayer Time

Allow you answers to the above questions guide your prayer. Talk to God about what it looks like to love Him by obeying His commands. Declare your love for God not just by saying it but by obeying His commands.

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening. Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 200!

Day 87: Dare to Love!

John 15:12-13

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Luke 10:30-37

30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant[d]walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[e] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Love takes risks, we have to take a chance on loving people sometimes. This means putting ourselves on the line for our friends and for other people. Love is selfless. Love is willing to lose in order to help someone else across the finish line.

I came across a video today of the Love run. When a woman was too weak to cross the finish line, two men aided her towards the finish line as hundreds of other people passed her up, in efforts to finish the race themselves. As they got closer another man came and carried her to the finish line, and when he got her there he put down to allow her to cross the finish line herself. He did not make this victory about himself by carrying her across the finish line but he helped her to it.

We have to choose as followers of Christ to be the one person to stop and help someone in need. We have to be the person that’s going to take a lost so that someone else can win and in the end it’s not about winning or losing it’s about selfless love.

Our generation is sometimes obsessed with self, we are so focused on winning and doing things for ourselves that we forget that there is a whole world outside of us. There are people who need love, and if we are so consumed with loving ourselves or making sure we are winning do we really have time for anyone else? Do we really have time to sacrifice, and love people like Christ loved us? Jesus was not concerned about himself when He came to earth, he was concerned with His people, his focus was on us. His love was geared toward even the people that hated Him. Our generation is also consumed with only loving those who love us, only doing for those who do for us. But what about the people who don’t love us, what about the people who could care less about us, can we dare to love them. Can we dare to carry them to the finish line.

The story of the Good Samaritan is so profound because, there was so much strife between the jews and Samaritans at this time, racial tensions between the two groups of people, which is why he is called a “despised Samaritan”, Yet he was the only one to even consider stopping to help this man, knowing the troubles between he and this Jewish man, he was willing to put that aside and see a need that needed to be met. Knowing that there was a possibility that this man would hate him he still took a chance. We have to be the same, even when we are despised, even when it’s not about us, even when we know we will get nothing in return; we must dare to love. It is the only thing that will keep this world from  completely falling apart. We must dare to love selflessly in a world that is so selfish. We must be the ones to make the choice to go back for the person that everyone has stepped over. We must be willing to help our enemies. We must learn to risk it all for love. It will be worth it.

Reflection

1. Would you be willing to take a loss so that someone else can win?
2. Do you consider yourself a selfless person?
3. How far will you go to make sure someone knows they are loved by you?

Prayer Time

Allow your answers to the above questions guide your prayer today. Talk to God about what it means to love like Him.

I love you and I hope you have an amazing day/evening. Make sure you share this with someone and come back tomorrow for day 88!

Day 83: Comfort Zones

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear”

- Jack Canfield

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We as people love our comfort zones, we love routine, we love knowing what is going to happen and when it’s going to happen. We can rest knowing that something is certain, we find peace in our contentment. We get so complacent in these comfortable places  that stepping outside of them is frightening. We are so wrapped up in our own comfort that we get stuck there. It’s like we’re closing ourselves off to a world of opportunity. Comfort is sometimes crippling, because we don’t know how to have faith, we don’t know how to trust someone other than ourselves, we lack the ability to take risks. We are at an age where we are stepping out of the comfort zones we have been in our entire lives and taking a risk to live the life we are destined to live. If you’re an artist you probably feel this a bit more. We must learn to take risks, and sacrifice, especially as Christians. We have to be willing to give everything up before we see a replacement, that is where faith comes in. We have to get out of our own circle of stagnation. It is only when we step outside of what we know that we start to learn, it is only when we take away the comfort that we grow. Last week we talked about taking a leap of faith. Well in order to take that leap of faith we have to step outside of our comfort zones. We all have to go through a time when life is uncomfortable, and that may look different to each of us, but as we grow we start to find comfort in the Lord. As we grow in Him we start to live fearlessly and courageously. It says it right there in the scripture be courageous, have no fear, don’t be dismayed. God is with us every step of the way. He commanding us to be courageous and strong.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

What keeps us from stepping outside of those comfort zones many times is fear.... Most of the time it’s fear... All of the time it’s fear. We are afraid of what will happen, where we will go next. But we must know that God is on the other side of fear. As long as we have faith in Him, as long as we have a relationship with God there is nothing to fear.

I can tell you from experience that God has done more for me outside of my comfort zones than I could ever imagine. I just had to stop fearing and step out on faith, and He was there and has been there guiding my steps every since. God has taken me places I never thought I’d go. Done things that I could never imagine. All because I decided to step out of my comfort zone. I stopped looking at what seemed certain. I let go of the plan that would allow me to live a comfortable and trouble free life. Being in an uncomfortable position pushed me to not only trust Him, but dive deeper into my relationship with Him. It allowed me to see and understand God in a completely different and new way. It allowed me to see my need for Him. It allowed me to understand that God is in control, He has always been in control and will always be in control.

-Dyamond

Comfort zones are detrimental to our spiritual health, and growth.

Reflection

1. Are you afraid to step outside of your comfort zones?
2. What are you afraid of?

Prayer Time

Allow your answers to the above questions guide your prayer. Talk to God about your fears and then give them over to Him. Find comfort in knowing that He did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.

I love you, I hope you have an amazing day or evening. Make sure you share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 84!

Day 65: Recap

Thank you everyone for continuously reading the devo, I hope you are growing in your faith and are challenged daily. Today, I'm going to change it up and do the recap differently than what I've been doing up to this point.


Day 58 - Put Up A Fight
Today we focused on Nehemiah 6 and how through all the opposition they received they still completed the work they set out to do. We have to fight for things we want, and know that if God has ordained it, nothing and no one can come against it.

Day 59- How Far Will You Go (Part 1) 
Today was the start of the three day series with the headlining question, 'How Far Will You Go?'.  We focused on Matthew 19:21-24. We talked about dropping and giving up everything to follow Christ. Considering He gave up everything for us. If God asked us to, would we be willing to give up everything?

Day 60- How Far Will You Go (Part 2)
Day two of this little series we talked about forgiveness, and how it is a long and bumpy road. The scripture we focused on today were Matthew 5:43-48. Can we allow ourselves to look past our own anger and pain, and truly forgive someone. In the same way God has forgiven us, can we forget about it and love them as if they never did anything? Harboring unforgiveness is a heavy burden to bear.

Day 61- How Far Will You Go (Part 3)
Today we brought our small series to an end with talking about loving each other. We looked at a few different passages today: Luke 5:18-19, Acts 4:32-37, Luke 10:25-37, and 1 John 3:18. How far we're willing to go to show someone else they are loved, whether that means going out of our way, sacrifice, or just being there with someone. Taking the example Christ gave us and modeling ourselves after that. When we learn to love like Christ and use that love towards others we are showing people what it means to know the love of God.

Day 62- The Cost of the Cross

I'll never know how much it cost, to see my sins upon that cross. The scriptures we focused on today were: Galatians 3:13-14, Matthew 22:42-44, and John 15:13. Today we talked about how much Jesus gave up so that we could be saved. The price He paid so that we would be free from our sin and able to be in a relationship with the one and only God. He took our place and died so that we wouldn't have to. Everything boils down to love, love kept Him on that cross.

Day 63- Respond with Love (Dealing with People)

We ended the week by talking about how sometimes people are hard to deal with, and just all around run and disrespectful, and sometimes we are those people. We jumped around with the scriptures today: Proverbs 29:11, 15:1, Luke 6:27, 22:48-51, Exodus 14:14, and Psalms 141:3. Sometimes we have to learn to bite our tongues and shut our mouths, when we want to go off on someone. We haveto learn how to respond with love. We have to respond with love, even to the most  grotesque things that comes our way. We have to let God handle the battle, as only He can.

I love you all, I hope you have an amazing Sunday, and start of your week. If you're on Spring Break like me, enjoy every second of it. Make sure you come back tomorrow for Day 66! Have an amazing Day or Evening.!

Day 63 :The Cost of the Cross

Galatians 3:13-14

Christ bought us with His blood and made us free from the Law. In that way, the Law could not punish us. Christ did this by carrying the load and by being punished instead of us. It is written, “Anyone who hangs on a cross is hated and punished.”  Because of the price Christ Jesus paid, the good things that came to Abraham might come to the people who are not Jews. And by putting our trust in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit He has promised.

Some of my favorite lyrics come from a worship song I was introduced to a few years ago. The song says, “I’ll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that cross”. These beautifully profound words struck me so hard, as I started to think about what it would have been like to be there. Seeing this innocent man beat unmercifully, nailed to a cross, and died the death of a sinner. Though he was not the sinner, I was. I tried to imagine what it would have been like knowing that He took the punishment that was meant for me, and He did it willingly. For that I am forever grateful and filled with so much gratitude. When I think of the crucifixion i think of the sacrifice and image of an innocent man dying the worst death known to man, for me. I am forever indebted to Him. He gave His life to save ours. It was the ultimate sacrifice.

That could have been us on that cross. It would have been us if Jesus had not come to save humanity, This was  pure act of love, the greatest display of public affection known to man. He took on the sin of all humanity and conquered it. He’s like the friend that takes all the blame so that we would get into trouble. He did so that we wouldn’t because that is where we were heading. God could not stand to let our sin kill us, so He gave a way for us to be reconciled with Him, to be wrapped up in His love. He sent His son to calvary in our place.

We don’t like to take the blame for anyone that isn’t a friend or family member. Jesus too the name for all of humanity, He made a way for all of us to have salvation. He gave up everything, His life, His honor, as He died the death of a criminal. But His love for us runs so deep that He was willing to be nailed to that cross so that we could live. Jesus is willing to die so that we could have an abundant life, and be reunited with Him in eternity.

Although these words sound very simple they are all very profound, Once we break them down we will start to understand the importance and significance of being bought by the blood of Christ, and  The blood of Jesus was the only thing able to wash us from our sin. Another thing to note is that Jesus was fully human, he felt what we felt, saw what we saw, went through the same things. He was a man, a carpenter before He started ministry. He was born like us, grew up, he was a teenager at one point, a toddler. Jesus had to learn to walk just like the rest of us. He is human. I can’t imagine the physical pain He was in, as He endured and survived the beatings and torture. As thorns and nailed were pushed through His skin, and He was beat all night.  

Matthew 22:42-44

42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Jesus was in so much agony that it says His sweat hit the ground like drops of blood. Do you know how much agony you have to be in for that to happen? A LOT! He asked if this bitter cup could pass from Him, but only if it be the will of God. Saving us meant so much to Him that even in His agony, and asking if the cup could pass Him by, Jesus knew that there was a bigger picture. For which He was willing to pay the price.

I think something we must realize, and even find joy in is that His love kept Him on the cross. When it all boils down to it, everything is rooted in His love. For Johns 3:16 states that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life”. There were no regrets, Jesus gave up His life for us, it wasn’t taken (John 10:18). He could have come off that cross but He had a mission to complete and a world to save.

That’s something to find comfort in. Love save us. We might not ever know what it was like to witness everything firsthand, but we know that 2500 hundred years later the cross is still our source of salvation. We are still reaping what He sewed centuries ago.. He payed for us with His life and His blood, even though He knew that it would be 2500 years in the future, and that some people would never grow to love Him in return.

LOVE WINS!

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

Reflection/Prayer time

Take some time to sit in silence and think about the sacrifice Christ made, and how much He went through to secure our salvation. Thank God for His love and His want to be in relationship with His people. Thank Jesus forgiving up His life. Just talk to God about this great act of love, and submit your life to Him. If you don’t have a relationship with God, maybe now is the time to start one, maybe you want to give your life to Christ. It’s simple, all you have to do is believe in Heart and confess with your lips.

Romans 10:9

If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

If you made that decision today, congratulations! Say this prayer with me:

God I am so grateful for your love, today I give my life to you as I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus is Lord and he was raised from the dead. I ask that you forgive me for my sins and be with me for the rest of my days. In you mighty name I pray, Amen.

You just made the best decision of your live, if you would like to understand a bit more about what this decision means or have any questions, do no hesitate to contact me, TheDyamondJBackup@gmail.com and IAmDyamondJ on all the social media sites. I love you and I hope you have an amazing day or evening. Make sure you share this with someone and come back tomorrow for day 64!

Enjoy is song!

Day 62: How Far Will You Go (Part 3)

As we bring this small series to an end, I want to talk about loving others, and how far we will go to show someone that they are love, not only by us but by Christ as well.

One of my favorite stories in the bible is the story of paralyzed man who was carried to the roof, and let down so that He could get His healing from Jesus. These men could have kept walking and ignored this man, but instead they decided to do everything in their power to get him to Jesus. When they couldn't get through the door, they went to roof and started drilling a hole. Not only did they do that but they carried him up to the roof, and lowered him into the house. When they couldn’t find a way, they made a way. That’s love, only love will make you do something like that.

Luke 5: 18-19

18 Some men took a man who was not able to move his body to Jesus. He was carried on a bed. They looked for a way to take the man into the house where Jesus was. 19 But they could not find a way to take him in because of so many people. They made a hole in the roof over where Jesus stood. Then they let the bed with the sick man on it down before Jesus.

Are we willing to spend our time helping others, making sure they get what they need?

There are a couple of other stories I’d like to point out as well.

Acts 4: 32-37

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

The people in this community made sure that everyone had what they needed. That meant giving up their own possessions, and sacrificing what they had to make sure that no one was in need. Sometimes we have to be willing to give up something for others, and not expect anything in return. That is one way to love our neighbor, to take care of them when they are in need. To make sure that they are okay. We are supposed to love one another as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31).

Luke 10:25-37

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Jesus gives us the perfect example of what it means to love our neighbor time and time again. He also shows us what it means to love our neighbors. When we learn to love like Christ and use that love towards others we are showing people what it means to know the love of God.

1 John 3:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Reflection

1. How can you improve the way you love people?
2. Are you willing to take that extra step or mile, sacrifice, or take that detour for the sake of your brothers and sisters in Christ?
   
   
   
   

Prayer Time

Allow you answers to the above questions guide your prayer today. Ak God to help you show love to His people, to love them the way He loves. Take the time to pray for your brothers and sisters and lift them up in prayer. Thank God for them, and the opportunity to love them.

I love you, I hope you have an amazing day or evening, make sure you share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 63!