"LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR LOVE IS FROM GOD; AND EVERYONE WHO LOVES IS BORN OF GOD AND KNOWS GOD"- 1 John 4:7
I know you are probably so confused by the title of todays dare. Just when your thinking you got this...and its possible for you to do, your thrown for a loop. But maybe its not what your thinking. Maybe there is a secret to this title or a hidden message....let's see!
So Day 10 we talked about love being (agape) unconditional, just out of curiousity, how many of you think you can do that on your own? Do you really love your spouse unconditionally? When they lie to you and betray you, in these times do you truly love them? Well, I'm here to encourage you, not discourage you, and let you know that it is humanly IMPOSSIBLE to love unconditionally. (Doesn't sound encouraging huh? Just hang on...keep reading). We don't have it in us. Love is from God, in order for us to love without fault, God needs to be in us.
"Love is from God"(1 John 4:7). And only those who have allowed Him into their heart through faith in His Son, Jesus-only those who have received the Spirit of Christ through His death and resurrection-are able to tap into loves real power. "Apart from me," Jesus said, "you can do nothing" (John 15:5) But by abiding in Christ, "we can do all things through Him who gives us strength"(Phillipians 4:13).
When you surrender yourself to Christ, His power can work through you. Even at our very best, we are not able to live up to Gods standards. But He "is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works with in us" (Ephesians 3:20) That is how we are able to love our spouse! So, as defeating as it may feel at times, there is that love He poured into us through the Holy Spirit that is always available, everytime we choose to submit it.
WE SIMPLY CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT GOD. WE ALL FALL SHORT OF GODS COMMANDS. (ROMANS 3:23). We ALL have demonstrated selfishness, hatred, pride, envy, and greed. We all have sinned. It is only through Jeus that we are cleansed and saved. It is only through Jesus that we are able to fully love. It is through Jesus that we are able to inwardly and outwardly do good. I have lived my life without Jesus...I have felt emptiness, void and all kinds of ugliness and evil inside. When I excepted Christ into my heart and believed He died and rose .again for me....I was renewed. I was WASHED, made Holy in His sight. I felt joy I never felt before. I felt love, peace and forgiveness. I desire to abide in His ways....I know when I try and do things on my own and take God out of the picture, it is chaos and I fail everytime. And its taken me numerous times to take control, ride the wave of selfishness and I crash. I fall and get back up. Without God I am a mess...He reminds me of that everytime I decide I want do things my way. I'm like the kid who nevers learns...who keeps reaching for the cookies and gets his hand stuck everytime. The price we pay for a lil 'pleasure' sometimes....we always get caught.
So maybe your like me, you asked Christ into your heart years ago. You remember that joy you felt and the peace was undescribable. But somewhere along the road, through trials, tragedies or heartbreak you walked so far away from Gods side that you lost complete sight of Him. (This has been me...often) but God will never lose sight of you. His dreams and goals for you are in His hands and He is still waiting for you. He hasn't left you but wants you to choose Him. He is waiting where you left Him and wants you to come back. Call to Him, ask Him to lead the way. It s never to late. He promises things won't always be easy...but he is so faithful in staying with us and pulling us through. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for He who promised is faithful,"-Hebrews 10:23. Hold onto hope in Christ.
If you have never asked Jesus into your heart and you are feeling drawn to Him. That is the Holy Spirits nudging, saying it is time. If you feel led and realize that you to have fallen short of God commands and you feel your guilt will keep you from knowing Him. If you are broken and your pain is so intense understand, the Scripture says that if you repent by turning away from your sin and turning to God, He is willing to forgive you because of the sacrafice His Son made on the cross. Receive His love and forgiveness. Ask Him to dwell in heart and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. God loves you....He created you and has a purpose for you,"For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11). If you are so tired from all the stress and pain you are facing this verse helps me "Come all of you who are burdened and weary and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28. Find rest in God.
If you struggle loving your spouse with an unconditional love, know it is possible, only through Christ. I promise He can heal all wounds. He can help you see your spouse through His eyes. God now sees us as white as snow and sinless thanks to Jesus....wouldn't it be amazing to see your spouse the same way and to love them with Gods love?
THE DARE:LOOK OVER THE DARES FROM PREVIOUS DAYS. WERE THERE SOME THAT SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE TO YOU? HAVE YOU REALIZED YOUR NEED FOR GOD TO CHANGE YOUR HEART AND GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO LOVE? ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU WHERE YOU STAND WITH HIM AND ASK FOR STRENGTH AND GRACE TO SETTLE YOUR ETERNAL DESTINATION.
GOD BLESS YOU. PRAYING FOR YOUR MARRIAGES AND YOUR HEART!
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