2 Chronicles 5 – 6: 11; 1 John 4; Nahum 3; Luke 19

“Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” ~ 1 John 4:7

“If we love one another, God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us.” ~ 1 John 4: 12

“And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” ~ 1 John 4: 21

Love, Love, Love.  All you need is love; so the Beatles say.  This statement is passive.  It’s what we need.  But God has a different idea about love.  John says “let us love one another.”  This is active.  This is something that we extend to others because we have been loved by God.

Jesus said in Matthew 22: 37 that loving God is the greatest command and the second greatest is to love your neighbor as yourself.  We are commanded to love.  So, it’s really important!

In that Beatles song, I recall the line, “It’s easy”.  I don’t find that to be true in my life.  I find it very hard sometimes.  Loving God has become easier as I have come to know Him more through studying His Word, but loving my neighbor is really hard.  Oh, it’s easy to love those who are kind and trustworthy, but so very difficult to love those who hurt our feelings or lie to or cheat us.  How do we love them?

God has given us His Spirit and with Him comes the love of God.  It’s in us!  But we have a choice to love.  Each day; each moment we have that choice and it’s not easy!

Father, fill me with Your Spirit of love that I may extend that love to others that may not know Your love.  May this love change the world!

kathleenathome

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2 Kings 20; Hebrews 2; Hosea 13; Psalms 137, 138

When I fed them they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.  ~ Hosea 13:6

I just came out of time of struggle in my life and during that time I clung to the Word of God; wrote letters to God and journaled everyday.  Now that life has returned to a place of calm, I’ve noticed that my fervency for the Word and time with God has lessened.  As I read the words in Hosea, I am reminded again that I too am proud.  I seek God in my times of trouble and coast when times are good.  As I read “then they forgot me” I am saddened that I too have not sought out the Lord in the good times.  I realize what joy I am missing by not sharing with Him in all the times of my life.

Father, forgive me my pride and silence during the “good times”.  Keep me ever mindful of Your presence in my life in all times and draw me near to You.

kathleenathome

1 Kings 13; Philippians 4; Ezekiel 43; Psalms 95, 96

Christianity 101

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you. ~ Phil. 4: 8-9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Phil. 4: 6-7

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether will fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who give me strength. ~ Phil. 4: 12-13

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again; Rejoice!  ~ Phil. 4: 4

This final chapter of Philippians really nails down the Christian life and how we can maintain our focus on Christ.  We need to concentrate on all things of excellence (vs. 8 & 9).  We need to trust our Lord and talk to Him about our needs and concerns (vs. 6 & 7) and in our stuggles we need to draw on the strength of Christ to lead us through the dark times (vs. 12 & 13).  But above all we must “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again; Rejoice!”

Father, thank you that you have provided Your Word to guide us through this life and show us the way to become closer to You and more like You.

kathleenathome  

2 Samuel 7; 2 Corinthians 1; Ezekiel 15; Psalm 56, 57

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow  over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
 ~2 Corinthians 1: 3-5

When I am afraid, I will trust in You
In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?
~Psalm 56: 3-4

For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth!
~Psalm 57: 10-11 

As I write these words, it is September 11, 2011; the tenth anniversary of a tragedy in this world and a devastation in the lives of so many in the United States.  I have been thinking all day of all the survivors and those who lost loved ones and pray for comfort on this anniversary.  As I think of them, I also realize that we all have had loss in our lives.

During a conversation today with a friend, I was reminded of a time of great loss in my life and how clinging to Jesus was the only way I made it through that time.  He is “the God of all comfort” and that is what bought me through a very dark time.

As I read the 2 Corinthians passage, I am also reminded that we have a responsibility as Christians; those who have been given that comfort from God, to comfort those who are in trouble, grieving, or have lost hope.  We can share our Hope with them.

When I am afraid, I will trust in You
In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?

For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth!

Father, send Your comfort to those who are grieving and have lost hope.  Help me to be an instrument of Your love, comfort and hope.

kathleenathome

1 Samuel 21, 22; 1 Corinthians 3; Ezekiel 1; Psalm 37

“…do not fret.” ~Psalm 37: 1, 7, 8

“Trust in the Lord” ~ Psalm 37: 3
“Delight in the Lord” ~ Psalm 37: 4
“Commit your way to the Lord” ~ Psalm 37: 5

I have had a really tough week.  It seems like the stress just keeps piling up and I can’t see an end in the near future.  I had one very restless night where I worried and got no sleep.  This psalm is a perfect reminder that we need not worry, but instead trust in the Lord.  Instead of worrying we can praise Him; delight in Him; trust Him.  He is in control of my life and this entire world.  The Lord will deliver me from this stressful time and instead of worrying I just need to praise Him.

I am reminded of an old song by the Imperials; Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord
He work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord
For our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord
For the chains that seem to bind you, serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you when you praise Him

Praise You, Lord!!  You are greater than all of my struggles and I do not need to worry!

kathleenathome