My takeaway for today’s beautiful devotion with Sis Elaine:
Let us not love in mere words but in DEED.
In sacrificial love: instead of always needing to have the last day, can obey “gentle quiet spirit without a word” because we can entrust ourselves to God who judges justly.
To the one who understands, no explanation is needed. To the one who doesn’t understand, no explanation will do. But God understands and knows everything. I can discuss with God all my arguments, hesitations, and heart murmurs while being able to be a channel of His love to persons who may be unkind, argumentative, etc.
Won’t dump all my frustrations and problems on my husband so I can be a better help-meet. I am in a chain of God-given authority. When I ask my household help or children to do something while I’m gone and when I come home, they haven’t done it because of so many excuses, complaints, arguments, chat chat chat when we have time limitations, it would be irritating to come home to. If I am the same in my home to my earthly authority, it’s understandable he won’t want to be around.
So help me Lord to take up everything with you instead of making my husband my dumpster. Help me to have a humble servant heart knowing that in Your kingdom, I am Your precious princess. You Jesus are my Master who gave me an example on how to love others by serving (John 13).
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“It is the believer’s time to shine” the love of Christ for His glory not only sacrificially enduring unjust suffering according to 1Peter 2:18-3:6) but in practical ways being a channel of blessing to others in need.
What helps us to obey this is
-Knowing what Jesus has done for me
-Knowing God’s character that He is just (when it comes to enduring unjust suffering); and that God is Provider and Owner of Everything I have or own whether it’s material things, skill, learning, talent, time, desire to encourage others (when it comes to practical love).
We should not do it begrudgingly just so it can be said that we obeyed but willingly, joyfully, cheerfully with love, also not for show but only for God alone.
So if the purpose is not to encourage others to partake of the privilege to help as well, as much as possible best to make giving anonymous.
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:3-4 NIV
Was blessed by all the sharing of sisters today! Seeing hunger for the Word and fellowship and desiring to obey God and please Him only.
Help us Lord in our walk with You. Apart from You we are selfish but Holy Spirit You are able to help us be more like Jesus in His name and for His glory alone amen.
Thanks so much Sis Elaine for loving us sacrificially and practically today by sharing Gods Word with us despite your busy schedule! Love you!
