Today’s Dare: Live Like You Are Loved!
Today hit me on the head. Not because I was feeling particularly unloved right now, but because I have had unloving thoughts and attitudes about someone else brewing within me. As I read today’s dare I had to face the TRUTH that God’s love endures forever, not just for me, but for this other person as well.
The closing verse: ” If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31, got to me because quite frankly I have experienced what it is to have people against me. But, the deeper meaning of that verse is that God is for me…and you. No matter what people do or say, the truth stands…God’s love endures forever, and He loves us. Faith says that God himself will uses the hurt that others have brought our way as a tool to shape us, if and when we come and lay down those nets, ( our daily life stuff ) following Him.
Today I am going to handle business with the God who loves me. I will ask forgiveness for my stinkin thinkin about the other person who has hurt me. I will acknowledge that God’s love endures forever towards that person, and I will ask God’s blessing on them.
I will also set a timer to stop and reflect on the truth of God’s love for me, his desire to lead me as I pay attention and follow Him…and to remind myself that He is the difference maker in my life. I will also be on the look out for something I can do that would express love to someone else.
How about you?
Going to have a good day, living like I am loved.
Debbie
Today in the devotional book, Jesus Calling, this is what it says: ” My children make a pastime of judging one another and themselves. But I am the only capable judge, and I have acquitted you through My own blood. Your acquittal came at the price of My unparalleled sacrifice. That is why I am highly offended when I hear My children judge one another or indulge in self-hatred. If you live close to Me and absorb My Word, the Holy Spirit will guide and correct you as needed. There is no condemnation for those who belong to Me. ” Sarah Young, Jesus Calling
This really spoke to me regarding living loved. Because, I have been judged and also have judged others. And, to live Loved is to leave all of that up to the Lord, and be free to accept myself, even if others don’t, and accept others, even when in the natural self, I might have a hard time doing that. The love of God, towards us all, endures forever!
On page 61 you wrote, “We learn to live loved by taking his Word of truth by faith.” Today I am taking 1 John 4:16 as my truth. By faith I will “know and rely on the love God has for ME.” 🙂
I am finding it hard to live loved today. My mind is swirling with the people who do not love me 🙂 And, that is my “test” for the day, I suppose. I must take 1 John 4:16 as my word of truth today too. By faith. It’s not a feeling. I keep repeating. His love endures forever. And, when I think of those who do not love me and have no trouble expressing that…I keep saying, Thank You Jesus, your love endures forever for me, and for them. Cover us with the love of Jesus Christ. Whoa! this trusting rather than just letting it in one ear and out the other…is not for wimps!
I like this new format for making comments. Today, your words on page 61 “When it comes to following Christ, we do so by following the melody of his love for us.” stayed with me all day. How poetic – “the melody of his love for us.” I had the melody of Psalm 136 in my head all day and it was a sweet reminder of being loved – His love endures forever…. This trusting thing is definitely not for wimps !! Many prayers for you. You’re appreciated and loved dearly.
Hi, Debbie! I’m a few days behind you, but loving this all the same. I was reminded by a friend today that each day we dig for gold as we learn a new way to stay connected to the Lord in these dares. That it is perfectly fine and acceptable to get our tiaras a bit dirty as we dig. I pulled out my Princess With Attitude mug from the Donna Partow retreat. A great reminder for me today. I realized, too, that though I didn’t use actual names or labels for people, I insinuated them by my tone of voice or my words. I have loved the fact that the Lord has stopped me before saying things these last few days. I am much slower to respond as I think first if what I want to say is what He wants me to say. God is good! I am gratful that I am teachable and reachable. I am more at peace and less likely to rest in anxiety.