I am so pumped to go on this missions trip to Nicaragua!!!
I can't even tell you! And our journey so far, even before we go, has been such a blessing a learning experience.
I should expect God to do...... these things... But I know I don't really, fully & completely expect it because otherwise I wouldn't be surprised every time He comes through!
We are now fully funded for our trip, & any other moneys that we collect will be donated specifically toward Kaitlyn & Darby. We are just so blessed.
Thank you to all who have acted monetarily in supporting us & teaming with us also in prayer this summer! We can't thank you enough for your prayers! Truly, we could not be doing this without the prayer support that has been offered up in our behalf, & on the behalf of those that we come into contact with while down in Nicaragua. =)
We are praying right now that one of Kinch's sisters gets her passport back in time to go on this trip because when she received it in the mail, their was a typo on it, & she had to send it back to get the error corrected. So, please pray that she will get it back in time to still be eligable for this trip!
I am so excited now that I can hardly sleep at night... Let alone get to sleep in the first place! =)
God, please use us in a way that only You could. Please help me to fade away completely so You are the only One seen. Help me to love others as You love them. Perfectly!
Lord, it says in Your Word that you are doing a good work in me & will continue it till the day of Your return, & I trust that! I claim that. Lord, do a mighty work in my life, in Kinch's life, & in the life of each individual going on this missions trip. Help us to come away with a better understanding of what it means to love, & witness, & bless others. Help us to know You more deeply & personally through this. Bring us closer together as a team, & a family! Break us if we need breaking. Mold us, as we all need to be molded till the very definition of us has everything to do with the fact that we serve & love You. Help me to hear You. Make me quiet before You. Make me to be still & listen. Allow my heart & mind to soak in ALL that You have to offer me. All that You want me to learn about You. Thank You Lord for this opportunity to serve You! I love You, & I ask that You give me strength to show that in all I do & say!!! AMEN!
About Me
- Leanna
- Hello! Welcome to my blog! This is a blog designed to bring God glory & a place to share all that God is doing in my life!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Obedience
So, God has been doing BIG things in our lives the past few weeks! It's been so long since I've been on. Every time I get on to write, there have been no words coming to me in a manner that might make sense to anyone else.
I finally feel like I have some thoughts placed in somewhat of an organized fashion.
First off, there is NO ONE like our God!! He is BIG! He moves in ways I cannot comprehend, & for that I'm thankful! He does miracles, & He alone can change a heart to love in bigger ways than imaginable.
Second, as a follower of Christ, I am called to GO where He goes in obedience to His leading! This has never been an issue for me as I have never felt called to go into the mission field. So, I guess you could say I've felt safe in my comfort zone.
However, this changed 3 weeks ago when we got a call from my father-in-law with som news that rocked my world. Or at least, my mind! =)
He announced that he, my mother-in-law Wynne, and the girls (my husbands two younger sisters) were going to Nicaragua this June on a missions trip with their church. That WAS big news, but what I wasn't prepared for was the next part.
He went on to ask us if we would want to go.
Uuuuuhhhhh!!!!! Yah, right! Us? Go to another country? Nicaragua?! We can't go to Nicaragua! That was my first response. But, God had bigger plans for us than to stay at home in our comfort zone this June!
I fasted & prayed about going the next day. My answer from God was clear when my husband came home from work the following day.
He said he talked to his boss about going to Nicaragua. His boss goes to our church, but he responded in a way we were NOT expecting. He said "Lets find a way to get you there, but you still need to get paid & we need to still reap the benefit of you working".
He offered the idea to my husband to work some comp days so he could still get paid, & they could still get that week of work out of him. He doesn't have any days to take off till his 1 year anniversary rolls around, so this was an awesome answer to prayer.
So, we are going to Nicaragua, by God's grace & sufficient guidance & protection, we are going to spread the Name of our God among the nations & make Him famous in the lives of more people!
Could you pray for our team? There are 12 of us going. Pray that our hearts would be prepared in this time now before the trip to do whatever it is that God wants us to do while we're down there. Pray that we would be drawn close to our God, & that He would reign in each indiviual life so that our group can accomplish more for His kingdom.
*** 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 " Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, & fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness & the work of faith & power, that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, & you in Him, according to the grace of our God & the Lord Jesus Christ."
***1 Corinthians 9:14 "Even so the Lord has COMMANDED that those who preach the gospel should LIVE from the gospel."
Pray that our team would bond.
*** Colossians 3:12-17 " Therefore, as the elect of God, holy & beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, & forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your heats, to which also you were called in one body; & be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY in all wisdom, teaching & admonishing one another in psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Pray that our safety would not be an issue, in that God would keep us safe & that fear would not have a hold on any of our hearts or minds.
*** Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS."
Above all, Pray that the Name of the Lord would be EXALTED above all else!
*** Psalm 148:13 " Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name ALONE is exalted; His glory is above the earth & the heavens."
Please also pray for the hearts of every person we come into contact with during he duration of our trip! Even people in the airports. And people who don't even come into direct contact with us, but who are affected by our ministry & that of Chosen Children Ministries. Pray that their hearts would be open to Christ's leading in their lives & that they would accept Him. Pray that seeds would be planted & sown with diligence & the love of Christ.
We covet your prayers & know how much POWER God bestows on those who have others praying for their ministry! The power of God is more than we can imagine & I pray God's power into us all that we be filled with Him & know that He holds life in His hands.
God, fill me even now. Prepare my heart to spread Your gospel. I pray all these verses into action today! I claim the truth in them. I pray for others who we come into contact with. Please open their minds & hearts to You. Please allow them to see Your Magesty & LOVE for them! Help us to be a blessing & to be worthy of this calling into Nicaragua. Go before us God. Prepare our way. Sharpen us as effective tools to be used for Your glory. Let every one know that we love You & worship only You, the only God who is alive & is full of POWER!!!!! AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I finally feel like I have some thoughts placed in somewhat of an organized fashion.
First off, there is NO ONE like our God!! He is BIG! He moves in ways I cannot comprehend, & for that I'm thankful! He does miracles, & He alone can change a heart to love in bigger ways than imaginable.
Second, as a follower of Christ, I am called to GO where He goes in obedience to His leading! This has never been an issue for me as I have never felt called to go into the mission field. So, I guess you could say I've felt safe in my comfort zone.
However, this changed 3 weeks ago when we got a call from my father-in-law with som news that rocked my world. Or at least, my mind! =)
He announced that he, my mother-in-law Wynne, and the girls (my husbands two younger sisters) were going to Nicaragua this June on a missions trip with their church. That WAS big news, but what I wasn't prepared for was the next part.
He went on to ask us if we would want to go.
Uuuuuhhhhh!!!!! Yah, right! Us? Go to another country? Nicaragua?! We can't go to Nicaragua! That was my first response. But, God had bigger plans for us than to stay at home in our comfort zone this June!
I fasted & prayed about going the next day. My answer from God was clear when my husband came home from work the following day.
He said he talked to his boss about going to Nicaragua. His boss goes to our church, but he responded in a way we were NOT expecting. He said "Lets find a way to get you there, but you still need to get paid & we need to still reap the benefit of you working".
He offered the idea to my husband to work some comp days so he could still get paid, & they could still get that week of work out of him. He doesn't have any days to take off till his 1 year anniversary rolls around, so this was an awesome answer to prayer.
So, we are going to Nicaragua, by God's grace & sufficient guidance & protection, we are going to spread the Name of our God among the nations & make Him famous in the lives of more people!
Could you pray for our team? There are 12 of us going. Pray that our hearts would be prepared in this time now before the trip to do whatever it is that God wants us to do while we're down there. Pray that we would be drawn close to our God, & that He would reign in each indiviual life so that our group can accomplish more for His kingdom.
*** 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 " Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, & fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness & the work of faith & power, that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, & you in Him, according to the grace of our God & the Lord Jesus Christ."
***1 Corinthians 9:14 "Even so the Lord has COMMANDED that those who preach the gospel should LIVE from the gospel."
Pray that our team would bond.
*** Colossians 3:12-17 " Therefore, as the elect of God, holy & beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, & forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your heats, to which also you were called in one body; & be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY in all wisdom, teaching & admonishing one another in psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Pray that our safety would not be an issue, in that God would keep us safe & that fear would not have a hold on any of our hearts or minds.
*** Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer & supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS."
Above all, Pray that the Name of the Lord would be EXALTED above all else!
*** Psalm 148:13 " Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name ALONE is exalted; His glory is above the earth & the heavens."
Please also pray for the hearts of every person we come into contact with during he duration of our trip! Even people in the airports. And people who don't even come into direct contact with us, but who are affected by our ministry & that of Chosen Children Ministries. Pray that their hearts would be open to Christ's leading in their lives & that they would accept Him. Pray that seeds would be planted & sown with diligence & the love of Christ.
We covet your prayers & know how much POWER God bestows on those who have others praying for their ministry! The power of God is more than we can imagine & I pray God's power into us all that we be filled with Him & know that He holds life in His hands.
God, fill me even now. Prepare my heart to spread Your gospel. I pray all these verses into action today! I claim the truth in them. I pray for others who we come into contact with. Please open their minds & hearts to You. Please allow them to see Your Magesty & LOVE for them! Help us to be a blessing & to be worthy of this calling into Nicaragua. Go before us God. Prepare our way. Sharpen us as effective tools to be used for Your glory. Let every one know that we love You & worship only You, the only God who is alive & is full of POWER!!!!! AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, March 25, 2011
A work in me...
I have been reading in my bible every day for the past couple weeks, which for me, seems to be a miracle. I usually read for a couple days diligently then forget to for a couple of days, then pick it back up again... Not because I feel obligated to, but because I'm STARVING! I starve myself of the nutrients of life! Of the very thing, & only thing, that can fill me up & keep me going. I'm literally starving my soul.
So, lately, my devotions have exploded into an all-out, submersion of my mind & heart that has led to a total abandon of myself, cleaning out all of me & filling myself with all of Him!
Our church is doing the "L3 Journal". Its a year long bible reading plan designed to read & absorb, & ultimately change your life, by reading all of the new testament, plus Psalms & Proverbs. Until now, I had just been reading the alotted amount of Scripture, which was fine, but I just realized I was still hungry & wanting more after I was done with my reading.
Smart one that I am, it took me this long to figure it out, but at least I did... I decided to just open up the word of God & be filled with whatever it was that God wanted to teach me. I want to write these verses down somewhere so I can get them into my mind better & be able to edify others in the process... So, these are a few verses I've delved into!
Romans 12:9-17 & 21 "Let love be without hipocracy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate(devoted) to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless & do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, & weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate withthe humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." Selah
Psalm 66:12 "...We went through fire & through water; But You brought us out to RICH fulfillment."
Psalm 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily LOADS us with benefits, The God of our salvation!"
Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth & the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength & my Redeemer."
Psalm 20:13 "Be exalted, O Lord, in Your OWN strength! We will sing & praise Your power."
This Psalm really, Really, REALLY convicted me. How often do I look to myself for power to get through the day? Even once would be too many! God gives me my every breathe... He is so much more powerful than even my small, limited mind & heart can comprehend! I love thinking about & praising Him for His LIMITLESS power!!! =)
Psalm 25:21 "Let integrity & uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You."
Psalm 27:8 "When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek.""
Psalm 28:14 "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, & He chall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"
This is a precious scripture to read right after Psalm 20:13 because you know it's HIS power that He fills you with! What a thought!
Hope this provokes you to think about God in all His glorious ways... To know Him on a WAY more personal level, & to deepen your love for our Creator! I worship You, God!!! These verses are my prayer for today.
So, lately, my devotions have exploded into an all-out, submersion of my mind & heart that has led to a total abandon of myself, cleaning out all of me & filling myself with all of Him!
Our church is doing the "L3 Journal". Its a year long bible reading plan designed to read & absorb, & ultimately change your life, by reading all of the new testament, plus Psalms & Proverbs. Until now, I had just been reading the alotted amount of Scripture, which was fine, but I just realized I was still hungry & wanting more after I was done with my reading.
Smart one that I am, it took me this long to figure it out, but at least I did... I decided to just open up the word of God & be filled with whatever it was that God wanted to teach me. I want to write these verses down somewhere so I can get them into my mind better & be able to edify others in the process... So, these are a few verses I've delved into!
Romans 12:9-17 & 21 "Let love be without hipocracy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate(devoted) to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless & do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, & weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate withthe humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." Selah
Psalm 66:12 "...We went through fire & through water; But You brought us out to RICH fulfillment."
Psalm 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily LOADS us with benefits, The God of our salvation!"
Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth & the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength & my Redeemer."
Psalm 20:13 "Be exalted, O Lord, in Your OWN strength! We will sing & praise Your power."
This Psalm really, Really, REALLY convicted me. How often do I look to myself for power to get through the day? Even once would be too many! God gives me my every breathe... He is so much more powerful than even my small, limited mind & heart can comprehend! I love thinking about & praising Him for His LIMITLESS power!!! =)
Psalm 25:21 "Let integrity & uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You."
Psalm 27:8 "When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek.""
Psalm 28:14 "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, & He chall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"
This is a precious scripture to read right after Psalm 20:13 because you know it's HIS power that He fills you with! What a thought!
Hope this provokes you to think about God in all His glorious ways... To know Him on a WAY more personal level, & to deepen your love for our Creator! I worship You, God!!! These verses are my prayer for today.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Overflow
Tonight was Overflow at our church. One word. AMAZING! Overflow is a time of intimate, authentic worship of our Lord, Jesus Christ by ordinary, broken, fallen people who come together as the body of Christ to do just this one thing... WORSHIP!
It is SO incredibly powerful! Words cannot express how completely uplifting & freeing it is to worship all together in an atmosphere like that. My heart is so full of wonder & amazement & adoration of my Abba.
What a blessing it is to be a daughter of the King! He bestows GREAT & wonderous love on me; that of which I do not deserve.
Father, Lover of my soul, Adonai, Rescuer, Protector, Ultimate Provider, Healer, Restorer, Creator, Righteous Judge, Holy of holies, Completer, Savior, King of kings, Jehovah-Yahweh (divine salvation), Mighty One... My Lord is all of these things to me, & SO much more! These were just some of the names of God that were brought to my mind tonight while worshipping.
Having my mind set on Him brings light into my dark world, my heart & soul. God has reached down & lovingly placed me into the palm of His hand. He's ready to love me. He's ready to load on blessings & benefits (Ps. 68:19). He's ready to guide me & ALWAYS give me what is best. I just have to be willing to surrender all of me to make more of Him... To make His name great... So that He can use me as a vessel in whatever capacity He knows & guides best.
Jesus, my God, I choose to lay down all of myself, all of my desires, all of my pride, & I choose to follow You. Lead me in Your paths, God. Help me to build my life on You. Allow me to go through whatever You need me to go through Lord, that I might love You more through it & make Your name famous, that You receive all glory for Your work in my life, & the lives of others. Thank You Lord, for accepting me. For creating me. For loving me. It is in Your name I pray all these things. Amen!!!
It is SO incredibly powerful! Words cannot express how completely uplifting & freeing it is to worship all together in an atmosphere like that. My heart is so full of wonder & amazement & adoration of my Abba.
What a blessing it is to be a daughter of the King! He bestows GREAT & wonderous love on me; that of which I do not deserve.
Father, Lover of my soul, Adonai, Rescuer, Protector, Ultimate Provider, Healer, Restorer, Creator, Righteous Judge, Holy of holies, Completer, Savior, King of kings, Jehovah-Yahweh (divine salvation), Mighty One... My Lord is all of these things to me, & SO much more! These were just some of the names of God that were brought to my mind tonight while worshipping.
Having my mind set on Him brings light into my dark world, my heart & soul. God has reached down & lovingly placed me into the palm of His hand. He's ready to love me. He's ready to load on blessings & benefits (Ps. 68:19). He's ready to guide me & ALWAYS give me what is best. I just have to be willing to surrender all of me to make more of Him... To make His name great... So that He can use me as a vessel in whatever capacity He knows & guides best.
Jesus, my God, I choose to lay down all of myself, all of my desires, all of my pride, & I choose to follow You. Lead me in Your paths, God. Help me to build my life on You. Allow me to go through whatever You need me to go through Lord, that I might love You more through it & make Your name famous, that You receive all glory for Your work in my life, & the lives of others. Thank You Lord, for accepting me. For creating me. For loving me. It is in Your name I pray all these things. Amen!!!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
LOVE
I found this today on youtube & was once again amazed at how God works! This parallels my previous post. Take a listen!
I also read 1 John 3:18 today & it says "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed & in truth."
Have a BLESSED & LOVE FILLED Valentine's Day!!!!!!!!
I also read 1 John 3:18 today & it says "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed & in truth."
Have a BLESSED & LOVE FILLED Valentine's Day!!!!!!!!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Life
Okay, so I LOVE waking up with sweet words of encouragement in my heart & mind!
Most of the time I wake up with a song in my heart & get out of bed humming/singing.
It truly makes my mornings much easier to deal with, me being the total UN-morning person that I am! =)
This morning, it wasn't as much a song as it was an artist. This artist has a beautiful voice, strong yet graceful & the lyrics are filled with hope, joy, promises from God... They are so uplifting!
Her name is Christy Nockels.
And through her music & fervent desire to serve the Lord & produce good, wholesome Christian music, she has been used by God to speak to my heart, among many others!
I love worshipping God through music. A song in my heart is a lot of times what keeps me on the right track for the day, as I will continually play it over in my mind.
It also helps me keep my... well... everything in perspective. I am so thankful that God created music to be used as a way to worship Him! What a wonderful, Magestic Savior!
Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs... I am always able to refocus my attention & energy onto the Lord when I listen to this song, no matter what I'm going through that day.
Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...
All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone
Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you
Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone
In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there's joy, unending joy
and I will follow
*Chris Tomlin
I hope these thoughts & strivings will be true in my life, as well as yours. Be encouraged today friends!!!!
Most of the time I wake up with a song in my heart & get out of bed humming/singing.
It truly makes my mornings much easier to deal with, me being the total UN-morning person that I am! =)
This morning, it wasn't as much a song as it was an artist. This artist has a beautiful voice, strong yet graceful & the lyrics are filled with hope, joy, promises from God... They are so uplifting!
Her name is Christy Nockels.
And through her music & fervent desire to serve the Lord & produce good, wholesome Christian music, she has been used by God to speak to my heart, among many others!
I love worshipping God through music. A song in my heart is a lot of times what keeps me on the right track for the day, as I will continually play it over in my mind.
It also helps me keep my... well... everything in perspective. I am so thankful that God created music to be used as a way to worship Him! What a wonderful, Magestic Savior!
Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs... I am always able to refocus my attention & energy onto the Lord when I listen to this song, no matter what I'm going through that day.
Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...
All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone
Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you
Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone
In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there's joy, unending joy
and I will follow
*Chris Tomlin
I hope these thoughts & strivings will be true in my life, as well as yours. Be encouraged today friends!!!!
Friday, February 4, 2011
LOVE WELL!
It can mean different things to different people, but I know there is some sort of standard set for loving well... and I believe the standard comes from Christ Himself.
I see that He loved me well when He layed down His life for me.
1 John 3:16 "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us, and we ought to also lay down our lives for the brethren."
I see that He loved me well when He said He layed down His life in order that I might spend eternity with Him in Glory, even tho I hurt Him by sinning.
His gift of love is ENDLESS!
He shows me how much He loves me by His Words. When I spend time reading the Bible & praying & listening... He blesses me with the feelings of peace, joy, contentment, healing, etc... & makes me feel as though I am literally resting in His arms... being hugged from all sides.
I love being enveloped in His perfect love!
I know the most widely known verses in the Bible reguarding love are found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 & 13, and those verses are often just repeated or read through without much thought, but I want to write them out & live them. They are powerful instructions on how to love well.
"Love suffers LONG and is kind.
Love does NOT envy.
Love does not parade itself.
Love is not puffed up.
It does not behave rudely.
Love does not seek it's own.
Love is not provoked.
It thinks NO EVIL.
Love does NOT rejoice in iniquity, but DOES REJOICE IN TRUTH!
Love bears all things.
Love believes all things.
Love hopes all things.
Love ENDURES all things.
LOVE NEVER FAILS.
And now abide faith, hope & love, these three...
But the GREATEST of these...
Is LOVE."
Love is obviously important. Some of these things that God says love does, is really hard to live out.
It is hard to react in love towards people who provoke you... The natural reaction is hateful. But to show someone love instead can change their hearts.
It's sometimes hard to love someone through pain... But the Bible calls us to do it, because love suffers long. And it NEVER fails. And it bears all things...
I could go on & on, but I will stop myself here & close with this last verse...
1 John 4:19 "We love Him, because He first loved us."
There is no better reason to love others than that reason alone. Over the next couple of weeks, my mind & heart will continue to dwell on these thoughts, & I pray my whole being is filled with so much love, that it will spill out onto every single person I come into contact with.
I intend to love people well in my actions & words, just as I am called to do.
So, don't wait for Valentines Day to love some one well, my friends, I encourage you to love well today.
Love with Christ's love.
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