Daily Devotional ~ Love Like Your Life Depends On It

Worship: If you'd like to play a song before you begin or while you read, may we recommend "Multiplied" by NeedtoBreathe.

Daily Verse: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
☆Matthew 7:12 NLT

Let's talk about it: God is a God of love. While He expects us to love Him, He expects us to love others as well. In fact, we show our love for God when we love others.

We are not meant to walk through trying times alone, and we are not meant to turn the other cheek when someone is in need.

Many times, we find ourselves inconvenienced to stop our plans in order to do for someone else, but we are supposed to put others before ourselves. Many of us place ourselves back under the law, trying to fulfill the law rather than simply dedicate our lives for the service of others.

This is not a simple thing to do. While it sounds easy enough, it includes a life of sacrifice and a constant dying to oneself.

This, my friend, is where many of us get lost. Somewhere between salvation and sanctification we lose sight of the Gospel. We trade love for laws and relationship for religion.

It is a slow process that begins by making one compromising decision after another until the grace of God can no longer be seen in our lives. This goes back to staying connected to the vine (yesterday's additional reading).

Before the excuses begin on how much harder that is to do nowadays with the pandemic, let's remember God can part the sea, walk on water, calm a storm, deliver the demon possessed, heal the sick, and raise the dead. If you can't figure out how you can be a blessing to others, God SURELY can. Pray, and allow Him to direct your steps.

Let's love on people today!❤

Additional Reading: For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You? ’ “And the King will answer them, ‘I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
☆ Matthew 25:35‭-‬40 HCSB

Prayer: Father, thank you for this day. Thank you for this hour. I thank you Lord for allowing me to love on others. I thank you that you allow me the ability to be a blessing to people. Direct my steps, oh God. Help me to see who I can assist and how I can assist them today. Lord, allow me to see the world through your eyes, to feel what you would feel. Jesus, help me to love others as you would love them. Thank you, for renewing my mind everyday. Lord, you know I have a tendency to put myself first, but Lord that changes today. I thank you that my tendency would be placing importance on others and not myself. Not my will be done Lord, but yours, in Jesus name, amen.