You're Commanded To Love
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12 NKJV
If love was a sentiment that depended on someone else's actions and reactions, or an emotion over which you had no control, Jesus wouldn't have said, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." That means love is a choice you make. It's initiated by your will. Jesus also said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you" (Luke 6:27-28 NKJV). And what He commands you to do, He will give you the grace to carry out. For thousands of years (and to this day in some Eastern cultures), parents arranged their children's marriages. Many brides and bridegrooms never saw each other until their wedding day. A certain young lady from India was to be married to a man she didn't know. One day she received a letter from her fiancé, designed to acquaint her with him prior to the wedding. But the bride-to-be returned the letter unopened, saying she believed love should be developed after marriage, not before. "When we're born, she wrote, "we don't get to choose our mother, father, brothers and sisters, yet we learn to live with them and to love them. So it is with a husband or wife." In societies that endorse this philosophy, divorce is almost nonexistent. Now, we're not advocating arranged marriages, but the notion of "romantic love" that's so prevalent today has little to do with a successful marriage. When you endeavor to love someone unconditionally the way Christ loves you, you experience joy and fulfillment.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
If love was a sentiment that depended on someone else's actions and reactions, or an emotion over which you had no control, Jesus wouldn't have said, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." That means love is a choice you make. It's initiated by your will. Jesus also said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you" (Luke 6:27-28 NKJV). And what He commands you to do, He will give you the grace to carry out. For thousands of years (and to this day in some Eastern cultures), parents arranged their children's marriages. Many brides and bridegrooms never saw each other until their wedding day. A certain young lady from India was to be married to a man she didn't know. One day she received a letter from her fiancé, designed to acquaint her with him prior to the wedding. But the bride-to-be returned the letter unopened, saying she believed love should be developed after marriage, not before. "When we're born, she wrote, "we don't get to choose our mother, father, brothers and sisters, yet we learn to live with them and to love them. So it is with a husband or wife." In societies that endorse this philosophy, divorce is almost nonexistent. Now, we're not advocating arranged marriages, but the notion of "romantic love" that's so prevalent today has little to do with a successful marriage. When you endeavor to love someone unconditionally the way Christ loves you, you experience joy and fulfillment.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
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A Word For The New Year (1)A Word For The New Year (2)Trust God and Don't Be AfraidKeep PerseveringLet Go, And Let GodA Word For The New Year (3)A Word For The New Year (4)Why Pray?Have You Read Your Bible Today?Learn To WaitWhere Can You Find Peace?Trust God's Saving And Keeping PowerDealing With Fear (1)Dealing With Fear (2)Dealing With Fear (3)Dealing With Fear (4)Dealing With Fear (5)Dealing With Fear (6)Dealing With Fear (7)Are You Successful But Unfulfilled?Choice MorselsYou're Commanded To LoveLive For What Matters!Today God Is With YouThe Assurance Of SalvationHave You Stumbled?You Can Have Peace And ProsperityHow To Walk In God's Blessings (1)How To Walk In God's Blessings (2)You're "Graced" For This TestAre You Under Pressure Today?Why You Need A Relationship With GodHow To Strengthen Your MarriageGive God The First Moments Of Your Day
February
Keep Believing in ThemSeek God's "Peace" Concerning ItDecide, and Stick With It!Dealing with Your Doubts (1)Dealing with Your Doubts (2)The StingGod Will Provide "All" You NeedLoving and Accepting OthersGenerational BlessingsYou Must Respond With GraceTurn Your Loss Into Gain (1)Turn Your Loss Into Gain (2)Turn Your Loss Into Gain (3)Your Identity Determines Your InheritanceTake it to God in PrayerGiving to Your SupplierHow Are You Coming Across?Get a "Preparation Perspective"Believe it, God's Word is TrueThe Power of Intimacy With ChristLive For Something Greater Than YourselfDealing With Our SinUnderstanding True Holiness"Do" God's WordUse What God Has Given You"Be of Good Courage, And Do It"Always Keep Your Conscience ClearThinking of Yourself Less
March
People Pleasing (1)People Pleasing (2)Can You Pay The Price?Today Try To Be GraciousGoodness (1)Goodness (2)Tell Someone About Jesus TodayPreparing For Greater ThingsYour Words Reveal Your HeartYour Family Background Doesn't MatterOur Nation Can Be SavedShow Some Enthusiasm!Let God Use Your BusinessCultivate An Awareness Of God's PresenceLoving People You Don't LikeCast Out Your FearsDon't Belittle Your GiftGod Will Visit You AgainAccept Responsibility For Your LifeLearn To Set BoundariesWhat Will Your Legacy Be? (1)What Will Your Legacy Be? (2)What Will Your Legacy Be? (3)Sow For The FutureCrossing The "What If" LineDo What God Called You To DoBe Who God Made You To Be!Keeping The Excitement AliveGetting Beyond "The Splat"Don't Worry, God is FaithfulKeep on Persevering
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