Meditate. Watch out…don’t wander away from love.
I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward. Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:5-9
God wants to have a relationship
with you…based on love. His love for you, your love for Him and your love for
others. Seems pretty simple doesn’t it—but…and there always is a but…our
own selfish desires get in the way of that love. Do selfish desires say or show
that we love ourselves? Not necessarily. Think about it. If we are to love
others as ourselves, we have to love ourselves. If someone has low self-esteem,
then they won’t be fully loving themselves even if they are fulfilling their
own selfish desires. Love things…or love God? Love things…or show some respect
for yourself and others? When asked what is the most important commandment, Jesus
answered…
"Teacher, which is the most important commandment in
the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God
with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and
greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two
commandments." Matthew 22:36-40
Over and over we are taught to love God, ourselves and others. Love is an action verb. Just saying it is important, but showing it by spending time with others…getting to know what is important to them…is essential to any relationship. What kind of time are you spending with the Lord…Father and Son…today? Have you learned anything new about them…about yourself…and your relationship to others?
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Verse of Salvation ~ But LORD,
be merciful to us, for we have waited for you. Be our strong arm each day and
our salvation in times of trouble. Isaiah 33:2
Think friendship, not hostility
Parenting Day By Day -
Daily Devotional for Building Character
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