Back in the day there was a song by a group that tried to describe that phrase. Do you remember it? Anyways, this isn't a very lengthy blog, but something I've learned the past fews weeks in my Bible study. I've been praying that God would not spare His rod or staff, for they comfort me. This is what David wrote and seemed like good idea to begin praying and believing this. Be careful what you pray for, Amen?
God's Word (Jn15:3) cleanses us. Reflect on this, I mean it, too. Jesus is the Word made flesh. He's our Redeemer, our Hope, and example of who God is in the natural dwelling among His people. Study for yourself how many times the word "love" comes from His mouth and is demonstrated in His life. Seriously, what was the central message of God? It is found in Mark 12.
12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.
12:31 And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:
When Jesus hung on the cross, He demonstrated the ultimate love; He laid down His life for another (that's scripture). This wasn't done for just one of us but for all of us! The power He demonstrated, the center of love, He has taught me, is taking earnestly a real responsibility for what God has placed in our charge. Jesus prayed that He had helped all those given to Him; faithful to the end. Think about how our love can be greatly transformed once we identify the need for personal ownership and responsibility of what God has placed before us. Our spouse, family, friends, and co-workers all need to see the Jesus in us; this has to become evident in our lives just as what Jesus did for those around Him. Do these people know that you have faith in the living God? They will once the demonstration of love is prominent in word and deed (Col. 3:17).
There's a message in here for sure. I'm not done working through this all the way, but how deep will you go with it? How well you demonstrate love and receive from God is in direct relationship to how capable you are in accepting and demonstrating responsiblity for those around you.
Wow! Jesus was the ultimate servant for all those around Him...that's a big responsibility!
That's the power of love........
God bless!
Bro. Dave and Sis. Pam
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