Love Competition
Genesis 30
Building a Community centered on Love
This blog is where I do a Bible Reading. I read a passage from the Bible and then I write down my own thoughts on what I read. I would love to know your thoughts as well!
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Saturday, 1 October 2016
Bible Reading #213 - Love Competition
Saturday, 24 September 2016
Bible Reading #212 - 7 Years for Love
7 Years for Love
Genesis 29
Sunday, 28 August 2016
Bible Reading #207 - God in Your Love Life
God in Your Love Life
Genesis 24
Saturday, 5 March 2016
Bible Reading with DragoNate #158
Return to the Lord
Zechariah 1
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 3) "Tell the people, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: Return to me, declares the LORD Almighty, and I will return to you, says the LORD Almighty.' "
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #148
Hate Evil
Psalm 97
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 10) "Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked."
My Thoughts
If you love God, you will hate evil. Not all people who don't believe in or follow God are evil or wicked. Sometimes it may seem like that's what is being said, but is not. The wicked are against God and against love and good. God is good and God is love, so if you are against either of those or you are against God, that what qualifies as wicked.
Unfortunately though, no matter how good a person you are, if you deny that God exists or decide not to follow Him. In other words, if you are unfaithful to God, how can you expect God to be faithful to you? If you don't believe in Him and don't accept Him, He will not accept you into heaven.
Now when the Bible says to hate evil, it does not mean to hate evil people or to hate any person at all. 'Hate the sin, not the sinner.' That's what this is about. We are called to love people, including our enemies, and to hate evil. You love a person, but you do not have to love what they do or have done.
I have many different friends that are of different faiths and beliefs and that like different things and that have done certain things. I love all of my friends the same. I don't agree with certain things some have done, and I don't agree with certain things some do or think. That doesn't mean I hate them for it, it just means that I don't like or agree with certain things.
The bad things that people do, I hate. The bad things I have done, I hate. When someone does something bad, especially if it is really bad, you do get a different perspective of them, whether you haven't known them long or you've known them forever. Don't lose love for them as a person. You don't have to love them enough to invite them into your home, but love them as a person.
Hate the evil that someone does, but do not hate the person. People can change. The evil things someone has done can be stopped and they can turn around from it. That's what matters and that is why we can't hate the person, because they can become good.
Unfortunately though, no matter how good a person you are, if you deny that God exists or decide not to follow Him. In other words, if you are unfaithful to God, how can you expect God to be faithful to you? If you don't believe in Him and don't accept Him, He will not accept you into heaven.
Now when the Bible says to hate evil, it does not mean to hate evil people or to hate any person at all. 'Hate the sin, not the sinner.' That's what this is about. We are called to love people, including our enemies, and to hate evil. You love a person, but you do not have to love what they do or have done.
I have many different friends that are of different faiths and beliefs and that like different things and that have done certain things. I love all of my friends the same. I don't agree with certain things some have done, and I don't agree with certain things some do or think. That doesn't mean I hate them for it, it just means that I don't like or agree with certain things.
The bad things that people do, I hate. The bad things I have done, I hate. When someone does something bad, especially if it is really bad, you do get a different perspective of them, whether you haven't known them long or you've known them forever. Don't lose love for them as a person. You don't have to love them enough to invite them into your home, but love them as a person.
Hate the evil that someone does, but do not hate the person. People can change. The evil things someone has done can be stopped and they can turn around from it. That's what matters and that is why we can't hate the person, because they can become good.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Saturday, 13 February 2016
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #144
Riding on a Donkey
Zechariah 9
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 9) "Rejoice with all your heart, people of Zion! Shout in triumph, people of Jerusalem! Look! your King is coming to you: He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and rids on a donkey, on a colt, a young pack animal."
My Thoughts
This is a prophecy spoken by the prophet Zechariah about Jesus. It was specific that Jesus would be riding on a donkey. Why did that matter though? Couldn't anyone ride on a donkey? Well, they could yes, but unless they were a king, it wouldn't matter.
For a king to enter a city riding on a donkey meant the he was entering in peace and with the intention of peace. When a king rode a horse, he was going to war. It would not have been a very good feeling for the residents of a city if a king came riding in on a horse. They would have been frightened.
Jesus did fulfill this prophecy, like every other, but I want to focus on Zechariah's passage since that's where this comes from. Since this is before Jesus was even born yet, and it was I think hundreds of years before, that probably meant that the culture would have changed by the time Jesus was physically around. I don't know one hundred percent if that symbolism of riding a donkey meant the same thing in Jesus time as it did when Zechariah spoke.
So how do we apply what is written here in Zechariah to our own lives? We already know that Jesus is peaceful, so what more does this mean for us? Well, we can do the same thing. Be peaceful. Show people that we are not out to win arguments or be the best Christian or to convert as many people as we possibly can. Because we should not be doing those things.
I will probably say these same things when I get around to the part where we read about Jesus actually fulfilling this prophecy, but that may be a long time off, so it'll be a refresher. Anyway, that aside. What we should be focusing on is sharing the love Jesus has for us and for this world and making that known. Teaching is fine, and in fact good. Trying to be your best is also good. Just don't do these things without your heart being in the right place.
If someone has their information wrong about Jesus, by all means, correct them. Lovingly. Don't argue, but correct them. It may even open a door to talk more. Always try to be your best, stay far away from sin and do what is good and right. Do so because you want to and because you love God. Do not do so because you have to or for hopes of getting something out of it. Don't focus on converting people or changing their beliefs, but rather on relationships with them and loving them and sharing God's love. That way if they change, it is their own choice and not yours.
For a king to enter a city riding on a donkey meant the he was entering in peace and with the intention of peace. When a king rode a horse, he was going to war. It would not have been a very good feeling for the residents of a city if a king came riding in on a horse. They would have been frightened.
Jesus did fulfill this prophecy, like every other, but I want to focus on Zechariah's passage since that's where this comes from. Since this is before Jesus was even born yet, and it was I think hundreds of years before, that probably meant that the culture would have changed by the time Jesus was physically around. I don't know one hundred percent if that symbolism of riding a donkey meant the same thing in Jesus time as it did when Zechariah spoke.
So how do we apply what is written here in Zechariah to our own lives? We already know that Jesus is peaceful, so what more does this mean for us? Well, we can do the same thing. Be peaceful. Show people that we are not out to win arguments or be the best Christian or to convert as many people as we possibly can. Because we should not be doing those things.
I will probably say these same things when I get around to the part where we read about Jesus actually fulfilling this prophecy, but that may be a long time off, so it'll be a refresher. Anyway, that aside. What we should be focusing on is sharing the love Jesus has for us and for this world and making that known. Teaching is fine, and in fact good. Trying to be your best is also good. Just don't do these things without your heart being in the right place.
If someone has their information wrong about Jesus, by all means, correct them. Lovingly. Don't argue, but correct them. It may even open a door to talk more. Always try to be your best, stay far away from sin and do what is good and right. Do so because you want to and because you love God. Do not do so because you have to or for hopes of getting something out of it. Don't focus on converting people or changing their beliefs, but rather on relationships with them and loving them and sharing God's love. That way if they change, it is their own choice and not yours.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Tuesday, 9 February 2016
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #140
Storing Treasure
Luke 12
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 32-34) " 'Sell your material possessions, and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves wallets that don't wear out! Make a treasure for yourselves in heaven that never loses its value! In heaven thieves and moths can't get close enough to destroy your treasure. Your heart will be where your treasure is."
My Thoughts
Jesus is talking to His disciples about not worrying, and this is where that section of this passage ends: with Jesus saying to store up treasure in heaven. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Isn't that just so true? I mean, you don't normally put your heart into things that you don't care about, now do you? What you treasure is what you set your heart on.
So what kind of treasure is it that Jesus wants us to store up in heaven? You can''t take anything with you when you die, it all gets left behind. All your money, all your possessions, all stay behind when you die. Even your athletic ability or strength or appearance doesn't really matter when you get to heaven, that kind of stays here as well. Not even knowledge matters when we die.
Love is a treasure that stays with you. Your spirit is what goes to heaven, so the things of the Spirit are what you should treasure. Things like love and peace and hope and faith. 1 Corinthians 13 says that the greatest of these is love. Love for God, love for your friends and family, love for the world and for nature and animals, love for strangers and even your enemies.
That is the kind of treasure we should gather and hoard. Showing love to others can be done in a great number of ways. By helping, guiding, teaching, serving, protecting and standing up for them. Even just a smile or a kind word of encouragement or a hug. All that shows love and all of that makes a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, and matters to God greatly.
Love is the one treasure that I can think of that you cannot hoard for yourself. If you give away love, you get more back. Though if you try to keep it and never give it, you will lose it.
So what kind of treasure is it that Jesus wants us to store up in heaven? You can''t take anything with you when you die, it all gets left behind. All your money, all your possessions, all stay behind when you die. Even your athletic ability or strength or appearance doesn't really matter when you get to heaven, that kind of stays here as well. Not even knowledge matters when we die.
Love is a treasure that stays with you. Your spirit is what goes to heaven, so the things of the Spirit are what you should treasure. Things like love and peace and hope and faith. 1 Corinthians 13 says that the greatest of these is love. Love for God, love for your friends and family, love for the world and for nature and animals, love for strangers and even your enemies.
That is the kind of treasure we should gather and hoard. Showing love to others can be done in a great number of ways. By helping, guiding, teaching, serving, protecting and standing up for them. Even just a smile or a kind word of encouragement or a hug. All that shows love and all of that makes a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, and matters to God greatly.
Love is the one treasure that I can think of that you cannot hoard for yourself. If you give away love, you get more back. Though if you try to keep it and never give it, you will lose it.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Saturday, 23 January 2016
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #123
Lasting Love
Song of Songs 8
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 6-7) "Place me like as seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned."
My Thoughts
This may be a long post, so I apologize in advance for that. In Song of Songs 8, it is the beloved who is speaking. The beloved is the woman whom Solomon is in love with. She says to "place me like a seal on your heart." What she is effectively saying here is to "save your love for me." So what does this mean for us?
This means we should do the same: save our love for 'the one.' It is normal to be attracted to someone, and it should not be frowned upon or shamed. It's also normal to have feelings of embarrassment or shyness about it as well. There is also no harm in getting to know that person better because usually, we are first attracted to someone based on a single event.
It could be that you are attracted to the way they look, smell, talk, or any number of things. Most often it starts because of a single thing, but sometimes a combination. All that really means is that, whatever it is that made you attracted to that person is something in itself that you are attracted to. You need to get to know the person better before you start really being 'in love' with them.
I have been attracted to more than one girl in my life, and only really 'in love' with one. That's another story though. What this post is supposed to be about is a lasting love and saving your love. So, when you are attracted to someone, you need to get to know them better before anything else. If it turns out that you are in love with them, after you know them more, then you have to talk to God.
We need to make sure that the person that we are in love with is the person that God wants us to be with. The girl I was talking about I had known for a couple years before I said anything to her about it. Later on, I saw a different attitude and I knew that she was not the one for me.
Some people seem to have a new boyfriend/girlfriend every week or so. That's the kind of thing we should not be doing. Getting to know someone is one thing, but being intimate, even if it's only hugging and kissing and cuddling, is completely another. When you're constantly with someone in that way, and you're often with someone new, you're emotions and you're hormones are going wild. Really high one day or for a while, then when the relationship ends because reasons, they will be really low.
An emotional rollercoaster is not the kind of thing you really want, especially when you're in school or have other things that you need to focus on. While you're in school, my advice would be to focus on school, not intimate relationships. There are times when it is best to focus on certain things more so that other things.
When the time comes, I am sure you will know. God will work everything out for the best. Just trust Him and talk to Him often.
This means we should do the same: save our love for 'the one.' It is normal to be attracted to someone, and it should not be frowned upon or shamed. It's also normal to have feelings of embarrassment or shyness about it as well. There is also no harm in getting to know that person better because usually, we are first attracted to someone based on a single event.
It could be that you are attracted to the way they look, smell, talk, or any number of things. Most often it starts because of a single thing, but sometimes a combination. All that really means is that, whatever it is that made you attracted to that person is something in itself that you are attracted to. You need to get to know the person better before you start really being 'in love' with them.
I have been attracted to more than one girl in my life, and only really 'in love' with one. That's another story though. What this post is supposed to be about is a lasting love and saving your love. So, when you are attracted to someone, you need to get to know them better before anything else. If it turns out that you are in love with them, after you know them more, then you have to talk to God.
We need to make sure that the person that we are in love with is the person that God wants us to be with. The girl I was talking about I had known for a couple years before I said anything to her about it. Later on, I saw a different attitude and I knew that she was not the one for me.
Some people seem to have a new boyfriend/girlfriend every week or so. That's the kind of thing we should not be doing. Getting to know someone is one thing, but being intimate, even if it's only hugging and kissing and cuddling, is completely another. When you're constantly with someone in that way, and you're often with someone new, you're emotions and you're hormones are going wild. Really high one day or for a while, then when the relationship ends because reasons, they will be really low.
An emotional rollercoaster is not the kind of thing you really want, especially when you're in school or have other things that you need to focus on. While you're in school, my advice would be to focus on school, not intimate relationships. There are times when it is best to focus on certain things more so that other things.
When the time comes, I am sure you will know. God will work everything out for the best. Just trust Him and talk to Him often.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Monday, 4 January 2016
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #104
Pursue Out of Love
Hosea 3
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 1) "The Lord said to me, 'Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.' "
My Thoughts
Even though Hosea's wife, Gomer, was unfaithful to him, God wanted him to keep on loving her and to pursue her out of love. God told Hosea to go back to her and to show his love to her again, despite the fact that she was an adulteress. God wants us to have that same kind of love for others because that is the kind of love God has for us: unconditional.
For Hosea to keep loving Gomer, even though she left him or another and for others, he had to have unconditional love. He pursued her, even when she had left him for another, showing how much he loved her. This is the exact same thing that God does with us, showing us how much He loves us.
God has unconditional love for us, meaning that He will love us forever, no matter what, He loves us even when we don't love Him. Our love should be the same unconditional love that God has. There are many different kinds of love, which I talked about in this post here. The kind of love you have for one person differs from that which you have for another, depending on who it is, but as long as you love regardless, the foundation for all those kinds of love stays the same.
Hosea 3 I believe is more for the lost children of God, but it is still important for all His children. The true story of Hosea and Gomer is a representation of how God feels about His lost children. He will show His love to them again and again and He will continue to pursue them. God also uses us to help find them and bring them back.
Keep those who you know are lost in your prayers. Sometimes we get to the point where we can't do anything more without forcing the person, and we cannot do that. We have found them, and God now will continue to work in them to bring them back. Keep praying. Even if it takes a long time, they may eventually come to know God. Then we can rejoice about that!
For Hosea to keep loving Gomer, even though she left him or another and for others, he had to have unconditional love. He pursued her, even when she had left him for another, showing how much he loved her. This is the exact same thing that God does with us, showing us how much He loves us.
God has unconditional love for us, meaning that He will love us forever, no matter what, He loves us even when we don't love Him. Our love should be the same unconditional love that God has. There are many different kinds of love, which I talked about in this post here. The kind of love you have for one person differs from that which you have for another, depending on who it is, but as long as you love regardless, the foundation for all those kinds of love stays the same.
Hosea 3 I believe is more for the lost children of God, but it is still important for all His children. The true story of Hosea and Gomer is a representation of how God feels about His lost children. He will show His love to them again and again and He will continue to pursue them. God also uses us to help find them and bring them back.
Keep those who you know are lost in your prayers. Sometimes we get to the point where we can't do anything more without forcing the person, and we cannot do that. We have found them, and God now will continue to work in them to bring them back. Keep praying. Even if it takes a long time, they may eventually come to know God. Then we can rejoice about that!
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Tuesday, 29 December 2015
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #98
God's Holiness Through Us
Ezekiel 36
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 23) "I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes."
My Thoughts
God said of Israel that He would show Himself holy through them to the nations around them. I believe that He does the same with all of those who believe in Him. God shows Himself through us in things that we do. We just have to allow Him to. When we show genuine love toward others, that is God showing through us.
If you love and obey God and you have accepted His Son Jesus, then your heart is where Jesus dwells. He lives in your heart, and because of that, He shines through you. Jesus can turn on all the lights inside His home so that others know that He is there. You just have to allow Him to do that.
God is at work in us. God is at work through us. Every time you read your Bible, talk to God, show love to another or prove your faith, you are growing stronger in Christ. There is no limit to how strong you can become and God is constantly working. People seem to think that God is silent these days and that He just sits there watching, or that He has abandoned us entirely. The truth is that He has not. It is the people who have gone silent and dormant.
See, God works through us. Yes, absolutely God can do whatever He wants, whenever, without any limitation whatsoever. At the same time, God does not want to take away our freedom of choice. That is what makes us human. God has chose His way to act and that is through us. We need to allow Him to or He won't. God wants us to want to do His work, and when we do, He comes in and helps along.
Isn't that actually amazing? That God would choose us; entrust us with His work. Like someone working on a project that is very important to them and they entrust the work to another. That shows how much God wants us to be a part of His plan and a part of His work. That is actually a great opportunity for us, and we should not pass that up.
When you are given an opportunity to do some good in the world, you should take it. I can't say I've taken every opportunity. I know I have missed out on some things. I want to change that. How about you?
If you love and obey God and you have accepted His Son Jesus, then your heart is where Jesus dwells. He lives in your heart, and because of that, He shines through you. Jesus can turn on all the lights inside His home so that others know that He is there. You just have to allow Him to do that.
God is at work in us. God is at work through us. Every time you read your Bible, talk to God, show love to another or prove your faith, you are growing stronger in Christ. There is no limit to how strong you can become and God is constantly working. People seem to think that God is silent these days and that He just sits there watching, or that He has abandoned us entirely. The truth is that He has not. It is the people who have gone silent and dormant.
See, God works through us. Yes, absolutely God can do whatever He wants, whenever, without any limitation whatsoever. At the same time, God does not want to take away our freedom of choice. That is what makes us human. God has chose His way to act and that is through us. We need to allow Him to or He won't. God wants us to want to do His work, and when we do, He comes in and helps along.
Isn't that actually amazing? That God would choose us; entrust us with His work. Like someone working on a project that is very important to them and they entrust the work to another. That shows how much God wants us to be a part of His plan and a part of His work. That is actually a great opportunity for us, and we should not pass that up.
When you are given an opportunity to do some good in the world, you should take it. I can't say I've taken every opportunity. I know I have missed out on some things. I want to change that. How about you?
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Daily Bible Reading with DragNate #79
Nothing Without Love
1 Corinthians 13
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 1-3) "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
My Thoughts
One of my most favorite songs, The Proof of Your Love by For King and Country, is all about this chapter of 1 Corinthians. If you haven't heard that song before, you should, it is amazing. This chapter is absolutely true. What do we gain if we have not love? We are truly nothing without love.
I honestly think that 1 Corinthians 13 is pretty self-explanatory. God is love, remember. If God is love and we do not love, we do not have God in us. You can believe all you want that God exists. Faith that He is real and that He is powerful and that He can do all things is not enough for you i you do not have love.
Love is such a beautiful thing, and versatile. There are many different kinds of love. The love you have for family is different than that for your friends, and both are different than that for your pets. There's a different kind of love for your siblings than your cousins, your parents and grandparents, your partner/spouse and your children. We are even supposed to have love for our enemies, which will be different than that for strangers.
It is even possible to have an unhealthy kind of love, which would be something like a love of money or other possessions. That's not where our love is supposed to be. There's also how we say "I love (insert food/movie/game/color/whatever here.) When we say this, unless we mean that we devote our lives to whatever it is, it is not really bad. It is a figure of speech and a stronger way to say that you really, really like or enjoy something. I don't believe there is anything wrong that.
The love that God has put in us; the love that is so powerful and versatile, is for living beings and nature. It is not meant for material things. We are to love God's creations, which means the animals, our planet, and each other. To love your enemies means to love them like Jesus loves those who are against Him, and believe me, He does. We don't need to go and give them a hug or anything, but we need to acknowledge that they are God's children too and respect them as such.
Practice love. A little bit of love goes a very long way and can make the world a little better. Show love to someone in some way, even if it is just a simple smile or a kind word. These small things make a big difference.
I honestly think that 1 Corinthians 13 is pretty self-explanatory. God is love, remember. If God is love and we do not love, we do not have God in us. You can believe all you want that God exists. Faith that He is real and that He is powerful and that He can do all things is not enough for you i you do not have love.
Love is such a beautiful thing, and versatile. There are many different kinds of love. The love you have for family is different than that for your friends, and both are different than that for your pets. There's a different kind of love for your siblings than your cousins, your parents and grandparents, your partner/spouse and your children. We are even supposed to have love for our enemies, which will be different than that for strangers.
It is even possible to have an unhealthy kind of love, which would be something like a love of money or other possessions. That's not where our love is supposed to be. There's also how we say "I love (insert food/movie/game/color/whatever here.) When we say this, unless we mean that we devote our lives to whatever it is, it is not really bad. It is a figure of speech and a stronger way to say that you really, really like or enjoy something. I don't believe there is anything wrong that.
The love that God has put in us; the love that is so powerful and versatile, is for living beings and nature. It is not meant for material things. We are to love God's creations, which means the animals, our planet, and each other. To love your enemies means to love them like Jesus loves those who are against Him, and believe me, He does. We don't need to go and give them a hug or anything, but we need to acknowledge that they are God's children too and respect them as such.
Practice love. A little bit of love goes a very long way and can make the world a little better. Show love to someone in some way, even if it is just a simple smile or a kind word. These small things make a big difference.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Friday, 13 November 2015
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #54
Stand Firm in Your Faith
1 Corinthians 16
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 13-14) "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love."
My Thoughts
Paul is telling us here of ways we can maintain, and even increase, our spiritual strength. It is very important for us to continue to grow spiritually because the stronger we are in God, the stronger God will be in us. We are God's doors in this world for His love to walk through. Just like the song,
Be on your guard against the enemy, Satan. Satan will try to discourage us and hurt us and break us down. He will whisper lies in our ears to make us believe that we are worthless, or sometimes even to elevate us. Who doesn't like being elevated right? Don't let it go to your head or change who you really are in Christ. That leads us into the next one, to stand firm in the faith.
To stand firm in the faith means to not let anything or anyone take your faith in God away. No matter what happens, hold onto God because He is all powerful. Nothing else can ever truly hurt us. Hold on to your convictions as well. Don't let anything change who you are, as I said above, and don't let your values change. Whether you are in a mediocre position or in one of authority, your values should not change, but your attitude should reflect them.
The next is to be courageous. Have courage to do what is right even when it may be hard. There are going to be times when you will want to speak up about something, but you will be discouraged. There will be times were you be starting something, and you will be discouraged. The people you expect to get the most support from may very well be the ones you get the least support from. If that isn't discouraging, I don't know what is. Don't let it stop you though. Especially if it something that you have talked to God about about and He is leading you towards. Push even harder and those people will be kicking themselves later on for not supporting you.
Be strong. Be strong in everything. That's vague isn't it? It's true though. Be strong in the things mentioned above, be strong in who you are, be strong in God and in what you believe in. You need big muscles or toned muscles to be strong. You don't need to not cry or laugh or feel hurt by others' words. To be strong means that you don't let it stop you and that you let it weigh you down. When you think of strong, you'd think that it would mean to be able to carry all those burdens. It is, in fact, the other way around: to drop all those burdens.
Lastly, do everything in love. God is love and Jesus lives in your heart. So put your heart into everything that you do and center your actions on God. By doing this, you are putting love into everything that you do, which means that God is there and that means that you are making it easy for God to act in what you are doing. Put your heart into everything that you do rather than just doing it. Even if it is something that you need to do, but don't necessarily want to do, put your heart into it. You will feel much better about doing it than you would otherwise.
Be on your guard against the enemy, Satan. Satan will try to discourage us and hurt us and break us down. He will whisper lies in our ears to make us believe that we are worthless, or sometimes even to elevate us. Who doesn't like being elevated right? Don't let it go to your head or change who you really are in Christ. That leads us into the next one, to stand firm in the faith.
To stand firm in the faith means to not let anything or anyone take your faith in God away. No matter what happens, hold onto God because He is all powerful. Nothing else can ever truly hurt us. Hold on to your convictions as well. Don't let anything change who you are, as I said above, and don't let your values change. Whether you are in a mediocre position or in one of authority, your values should not change, but your attitude should reflect them.
The next is to be courageous. Have courage to do what is right even when it may be hard. There are going to be times when you will want to speak up about something, but you will be discouraged. There will be times were you be starting something, and you will be discouraged. The people you expect to get the most support from may very well be the ones you get the least support from. If that isn't discouraging, I don't know what is. Don't let it stop you though. Especially if it something that you have talked to God about about and He is leading you towards. Push even harder and those people will be kicking themselves later on for not supporting you.
Be strong. Be strong in everything. That's vague isn't it? It's true though. Be strong in the things mentioned above, be strong in who you are, be strong in God and in what you believe in. You need big muscles or toned muscles to be strong. You don't need to not cry or laugh or feel hurt by others' words. To be strong means that you don't let it stop you and that you let it weigh you down. When you think of strong, you'd think that it would mean to be able to carry all those burdens. It is, in fact, the other way around: to drop all those burdens.
Lastly, do everything in love. God is love and Jesus lives in your heart. So put your heart into everything that you do and center your actions on God. By doing this, you are putting love into everything that you do, which means that God is there and that means that you are making it easy for God to act in what you are doing. Put your heart into everything that you do rather than just doing it. Even if it is something that you need to do, but don't necessarily want to do, put your heart into it. You will feel much better about doing it than you would otherwise.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Thursday, 29 October 2015
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #39
Depression
1 Kings 19
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 3-8) "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life...He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." ...All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." ...there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights..."
My Thoughts
Elijah was depressed. He was afraid because his enemies were pursuing him and depressed because he was alone, or at least he felt that way. Elijah was so depressed, in fact, that he prayed he would die. He prayed that God would take his life because he'd had enough. God was not angry with Elijah though. God sent an angel to him and fed him food and water. Then God led him to a good friend.
Even as followers of Christ, we can become depressed. We are not immune to these things. God does not become angry with us because we become depressed. So many people today have depression, and that in itself is depressing. People need to know, though, that someone loves them. They are a part of this world and their life matters. You matter to someone and if you were just gone one day because of some harsh decision, the world would never be the same for hose who love and care for you.
Depression is still not one hundred percent understood, but what I do know is that if you are depressed, do not hide it inside. Fight, literally, for your life. Fight the thoughts and the feelings. You need to continue to take care of yourself. That means that you need to eat, and not excessively, nor a bunch of junk food either. Seek out the company of a good friend or someone you trust. Even if it is just for their company and comfort. They may be able to give you some advice as well. Just do not bottle everything up inside.
No matter how depressed you are, no matter how horrible you feel, you have to take care of yourself and spend time with a good friend or mentor. Don't forget to talk to God as well. God will be your comfort and your guide in those times. Just talk to Him. Things will get better if you allow it. Whatever is making you depressed, it is all lies from Satan. Please don't listen to him. Listen to the voice of truth.
The last thing I want to say right now is that if you think that no one loves you, then you need to think again. God loves you. I'm sure your family does, and your friends as well, and if no one else will say so, then I will. I love you. Whoever you are reading this, know that I love you. I love you because the love of God is in me and overflowing. I know this is coming from some guy over the internet who you don't even know, but that does not matter one bit. I don't care who you are, what I said still stands. Please take this to heart and know that you are loved.
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Even as followers of Christ, we can become depressed. We are not immune to these things. God does not become angry with us because we become depressed. So many people today have depression, and that in itself is depressing. People need to know, though, that someone loves them. They are a part of this world and their life matters. You matter to someone and if you were just gone one day because of some harsh decision, the world would never be the same for hose who love and care for you.
Depression is still not one hundred percent understood, but what I do know is that if you are depressed, do not hide it inside. Fight, literally, for your life. Fight the thoughts and the feelings. You need to continue to take care of yourself. That means that you need to eat, and not excessively, nor a bunch of junk food either. Seek out the company of a good friend or someone you trust. Even if it is just for their company and comfort. They may be able to give you some advice as well. Just do not bottle everything up inside.
No matter how depressed you are, no matter how horrible you feel, you have to take care of yourself and spend time with a good friend or mentor. Don't forget to talk to God as well. God will be your comfort and your guide in those times. Just talk to Him. Things will get better if you allow it. Whatever is making you depressed, it is all lies from Satan. Please don't listen to him. Listen to the voice of truth.
The last thing I want to say right now is that if you think that no one loves you, then you need to think again. God loves you. I'm sure your family does, and your friends as well, and if no one else will say so, then I will. I love you. Whoever you are reading this, know that I love you. I love you because the love of God is in me and overflowing. I know this is coming from some guy over the internet who you don't even know, but that does not matter one bit. I don't care who you are, what I said still stands. Please take this to heart and know that you are loved.
Previous PostNext Post
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
Wednesday, 21 October 2015
Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #31
Don't Forget God
Psalm 106
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| I pray blessings on you as you read. |
(v. 7) "When our fathers were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses..." (v.8) "Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known." (v. 13) "But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel." (v. 21) "They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt," (v.44-45) "But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented."
My Thoughts
Man, the Israelites were just totally bent on rebellion. Many times over, they disobeyed God and forgot Him. They did whatever they wanted and that was it. Psalm 106 tells us of some of things that God had done for the Israelites, and of how the Israelites continued to leave God and disobey Him, despite what He had done and continued to do.
God even gave the Israelites the things that they wanted. They wanted a king to rule over them like all the other nations had, God gave them what they wanted, with a warning. When the Israelites fell on hard times and they were taken captive, that is when they decided to cry out to God and say that they would do anything if God just saved them. God, out of His great love, saves them only for them to turn away from God yet again. Lather, rinse and repeat.
Please don't follow the example of the Israelites here. It is good for us to follow God, but it is wrong of us to follow Him only on our terms. That's not how God works. If you are not walking with God and you only cry out to Him when you are going through rough times, then sooner or later, God isn't going to help you anymore. God knows your heart and He knows if you are going to turn away from Him again and again. He will give you the chance to change a few times, but eventually He will say enough is enough. That is, unless you truly turn back to Him for good.
We can't live always expecting God to be there for us when we live choosing to ignore God until we desperately need Him. Would that work with anyone else? Your parents, your friends, your aunts and uncles? More than likely not. We need to live according to God's Word and what God wants for us, and we need to live fully for Him alone. We cannot stray from the path that God has set before us and still expect that He will be there for us. God is different than other people though. Other people may give you only one or two chances and no more. God will give you until the day you die to repent, but that doesn't mean that He will answer your call if you won't answer His.
Please don't ever forget about God or what He has done for you or given you or even done through you. You are so important to God, no matter what you have done. Nothing you could ever do can ever take away His love for you or even make Him love you less. God can only ever love you more. Even if we make Him angry with us, that doesn't mean that His love is diminished. Always remember Him because He will always remember you, without fail.
Previous PostNext Post
God even gave the Israelites the things that they wanted. They wanted a king to rule over them like all the other nations had, God gave them what they wanted, with a warning. When the Israelites fell on hard times and they were taken captive, that is when they decided to cry out to God and say that they would do anything if God just saved them. God, out of His great love, saves them only for them to turn away from God yet again. Lather, rinse and repeat.
Please don't follow the example of the Israelites here. It is good for us to follow God, but it is wrong of us to follow Him only on our terms. That's not how God works. If you are not walking with God and you only cry out to Him when you are going through rough times, then sooner or later, God isn't going to help you anymore. God knows your heart and He knows if you are going to turn away from Him again and again. He will give you the chance to change a few times, but eventually He will say enough is enough. That is, unless you truly turn back to Him for good.
We can't live always expecting God to be there for us when we live choosing to ignore God until we desperately need Him. Would that work with anyone else? Your parents, your friends, your aunts and uncles? More than likely not. We need to live according to God's Word and what God wants for us, and we need to live fully for Him alone. We cannot stray from the path that God has set before us and still expect that He will be there for us. God is different than other people though. Other people may give you only one or two chances and no more. God will give you until the day you die to repent, but that doesn't mean that He will answer your call if you won't answer His.
Please don't ever forget about God or what He has done for you or given you or even done through you. You are so important to God, no matter what you have done. Nothing you could ever do can ever take away His love for you or even make Him love you less. God can only ever love you more. Even if we make Him angry with us, that doesn't mean that His love is diminished. Always remember Him because He will always remember you, without fail.
Previous PostNext Post
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
