Tag: Love

Love encompasses a variety of strong and positive emotional and mental states, ranging from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection and to the simplest pleasure.

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Change Me Lord!

Shock the Culture — How millennials can (really) change the world

When we ask God to change us or fix us, and He begins to do a work in our lives, things can get a little uncomfortable before we see change, or while He is changing us. We may encounter people who are hard to get along with, or experience circumstances that seem beyond our control. When this happens, instead of getting upset or complaining, just pause and say, “Lord, thank You for doing a work in me.” 

Did you know God is more interested in changing you than He is in changing your circumstances? If you choose to stay sour because you’re not getting your own way, or if you get discouraged because things aren’t happening on your timetable, that’s going to keep you stuck, miserable and sad. 

Today, if you want to see change, if you want to see God open up new doors, the key is to bloom right where you’re planted. You can’t wait until everything gets better before you decide to have a good attitude. You have to be the best that you can be right where you are. When you bloom where you’re planted, you’re allowing God to work in you, and He will be faithful to complete the change He started in you! 

“…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I thank You for doing a work in me. I’m not complete but I can see growth in my life. Father, I will align myself with Your plan, so I can bloom wherever You plant me. God, help me, by Your Spirit, to be an example of Your love and life everywhere I go, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Iron Sharpens

In Uncertain Times Christ's Death and Resurrection Offer Comfort and Hope

One of the things I have tried to do in life and ministry is to ask God how to make those around me better. God does not bring people into our lives so that we can make them just like us. God loves variety and He wants us to be different from each other. He’s given us different personalities, different strengths, different interests and different looks.  

God made us all uniquely, so that we can sharpen one another and cause each other to rise up higher in life. If you’re going to be happy and enjoy your relationships, you’ve got to learn how to appreciate the differences, and learn from the people in your life. If you don’t focus on the right things, you’ll end up allowing the little irritations to cause you to become resentful. 

Today, remember, nobody is perfect. If you’re going to grow, you’ve got to be willing to overlook some things in people. Our assignment is not to fix people. Our assignment is to love people and make them thrive. Our assignment is to sharpen one another so we can move forward in the plan God has prepared! 

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Father, help me to see them the way You see them, and not judge or look down on them. God, help me to appreciate the ways You allow us to sharpen one another, so that we can help each other fulfil Your plan for our lives. In Jesus’ Name! Amen. 

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Seek Peace Not Strife

Worldly Peace Vs. God’s Peace

Many people fall into the evil trap of strife. Someone may say or do something that rubs you the wrong way, and before you know it, there is tension, quarrelling and division. The Bible tells us that strife opens the door to every evil work. It’s the enemy’s greatest trap to keep people from living in victory. 

The good news is, you don’t have to fall into the trap of strife, you can rise above it. Like today’s verse says, you can simply drop the matter before it turns into something bigger than it needs to. You don’t have to sink down to somebody’s level and argue with them and try to prove that you’re right. Remember, you weren’t put on this earth to correct everybody around you. 

Today, if you are going to be all that God’s called you to be, you have to learn to stay above strife and quarrels. Instead of letting disagreements pull your relationships apart, look for common ground to draw you closer together. Look for peaceful biblical ways to be a blessing. Stay above strife, and if you can’t say something positive don’t say anything, so you can enjoy your relationships and experience the blessings God has for you! 

“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.” (Proverbs 17:14, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, help me to stay above strife no matter what’s going on around me. Father, I will honour You by seeking peace and staying positive in my relationships. Almighty God, empower me to walk in love and be a blessing everywhere I go, in Christ’s Name! Amen

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Don’t Judge Me

If you know me I can be very critical at times. Just recently I had to learn this valuable lesson, criticism given in the wrong way can make us feel anxious and in some cases, worthless. But when it’s given fairly and constructively, with real care and encouragement, not only does it show us where we’re going wrong, it fires us up to want to improve. So when we’re trying to help someone improve, let’s do it with kindness, understanding and empathy.

If it’s constructive, criticism can be a good thing. If we point out mistakes from a position of love and of wanting the other person to be the best they can be, it’s a useful tool that we can use to help others improve. Otherwise, it can easily turn into a destructive force that discourages and breaks people apart. We tend to find it easy to point out failings and weaknesses in others, while overlooking or excusing our own faults.

Jesus says: ‘How can you say to your friend, “Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye”? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You hypocrite!’ (Matthew 7:4-5 NCV). Strong words, so we definitely need to take notice and avoid being unfair and judging others more harshly than we judge ourselves. Sometimes we might be overly critical to try and make ourselves look or feel better. Or we might be trying to hide the wounds of past experiences by using anger and criticism as a form of defence. 

Today, whatever the reason, Jesus gives us clear instructions, ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged.’ When God looks at us and sees our faults and all the mistakes we make, He treats us with grace and gently corrects us. But what if God criticised us as harshly and as often as we criticise others? We’d soon feel completely depressed and wounded. The truth is, God, who has the highest standards of all, treats us with love and care even when we fail to live up to those standards. So when we need to correct someone, let’s do the same, and aim to encourage, not discourage.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.’ MATTHEW 7:1 NIV

Lets’s Pray

Yahweh, I thank You for this timely advice not to judge others. I surrender my negative critical mind to You. Please Father, change me so I won’t be judgemental and hypocritical. God, help me to look at myself first before looking at others. Show me how to be constructive and encouraging when I have to criticise, and never to be discouraging and cause depression and discontent, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Jacob Blake – Sometimes Praising God Is Hard

Keeping Faith in God During Hard Times

When you wake up in the morning, what’s the first thing you do? Do you praise God for His goodness? Do you set the tone for praise because of success, favour and blessing? Looking at the events of this past week, months and year, it is so hard to praise God at all times like the Scripture says. To hear another mother crying, for her innocent black son, who was shot 7 times by the police is heartbreaking.  

We’re in the eighth month of the worst year on record, many commentators have said. Last year may have had some hardships and difficulties, but this year seems to be on another negative level. However, it’s time to set the tone for a season of praise. Despite all the negatives, Jacob’s family still managed to give God praise.  

Today, the Scripture reminds us that the darker it gets in the world, the brighter it’s going to be for God’s true believers. Things may be bad all around you. Murders, shootings and pandemics. People may be negative, complaining and discouraged, rightly so at times, but don’t let that spirit rub off on you, praise your way out of the negatives. The worse it gets the brighter God wants you to shine. Be determined to set a Godly tone of praise for the rest of the year, no matter how bad things get, by praising God and speaking words of faith over every situation! 

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises.” (Psalm 34:1, NLT) 

Let’s Pray
Yahweh, today I have decided to bless You at all times. I will go against my feelings and focus on Your goodness and love. God, I praise You for the faith of Jacob Blake’s family, who lift You up in the face of their tragedy. Please grant him a full recovery. Father, I set a new tone of praise in my life, to replace all of my negative emotions, and I receive Your forgiveness, grace and mercy. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me at all times, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Let Freedom Reign

We live in a world where not everyone is free. Freedom is based on race, gender or money. The good news is God’s freedom is not partial. The Word says, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” and God’s freedom is free for everyone! It doesn’t matter what your nationality, heritage or gender is, or what your family name is. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or don’t have; God wants you free from everything that would hold you back from your relationship with Him! 

Today, God wants to pour out His abundant blessing on all who honour Him and do what is right. In fact, the Bible says in Galatians, that in Christ, there is no Jew or Greek or even male or female. That means God’s not judging you based on physical conditions. He’s looking at your heart. He’s looking at the gifts He’s placed inside of you, and is offering you His freedom. 

Today, don’t let the enemy lie to you and tell you that God is blessing everyone else but you. Look for the ways He is pouring out blessings in your life. Thank Him for His acceptance, love and freedom. Focus on honouring Him and doing what is right, and you will be free in mind, body and Spirit, and you’ll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life! Hallelujah! 

“…God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34—35, NIV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for loving and accepting me and setting me free. Father, my desire is to do what pleases You, and honour You with my attitude, words and actions. Holy Spirit, show me if there is any area that isn’t pleasing to You, and help me eradicate it today. God, I want to live as an example of Your goodness all the days of my life. In Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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How To Overcome Grade Confusion

Speak Greatness Into Our Youth

What a week for all high school, college and university students here in the UK. The confusion of grades, the uncertainty of their futures and seeing your future disintegrate in front of your eyes. It’s no secret that life can get crazy at times. There can be days when you’re just wanting to scream because things are not going your way or you’re stressed out about something going on. In times like those, this verse is always great to remember.  “”¦despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) 

With all that’s going on. Despite the things that are going wrong and despite all the stress you may be feeling, you can experience overwhelming victory through Christ. That’s great, amazing news. 

What a powerful reminder, Today’s verse tells us that we can experience victory regardless of what we see and what might be going on around us. So in those times when you feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn, take comfort in the fact that you’ve got an overwhelming victory in Jesus. Trust Him, lean on Him, talk to Him and celebrate your victory! 

Lets Holla @ God 

Wow God! Thank you for this promise and reassurance that despite the mess up with grades and the uncertain future, that all will work out for my good and victory will be mine. Thanks God for your love, in Christ’ name Amen! 

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You Have Ambassadorial Authority

50 Quotes to Inspire Successful Leadership

Did you know God wants to do His work on earth through you? You are His ambassador or representative. You have been given His authority and power to act on His behalf. It’s easy to get focused on this natural realm and all the things that we need, but do you realise that you are equipped to be somebody else’s miracle? 

The Scripture tells us we are Christ’s ambassador. Daily, we have opportunities to show God’s love and compassion to others. We can meet needs, bring them healing, and offer hope and encouragement. Every day, we can sow good seed into the lives of others that will reap an everlasting harvest. Hallelujah! 

Today, don’t overlook the ways to be a blessing to someone else. When you step out and pour God’s love, joy and peace into others, He will make sure that others pour into you. Let’s continue to work together to bring Him glory and build His eternal kingdom! 

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us…” (2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for choosing me and using me as Your ambassador. Father, I fully surrender every area of my life to You. God, show me ways to be a miracle to others, through the love and compassion You have given me, so that my life will bring You glory, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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Avoid Strife And Live Honourably

The Purpose of Life is Intimacy with God: What Is It & How to Pursue It

Someone once said challenges are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone at work isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbour who always parks in front of your house and blocks your driveway. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture. You can’t allow the little things to open the door to strife in your life. 

Scripture tells us, just before David fought Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. So he “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. In our own lives today, most frustrations aren’t worth our energy. When we avoid strife, it is a mark of honour. 

Today, turn away from strife and other distractions that the enemy will send your way. Keep your focus on what God has called you to do. As you do, you will live in honour before God and man. With integrity you’ll move forward into the destiny God has for you! 

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife…” (Proverbs 20:3, AMP) 

Let’s Pray

Oh Jehovah, thank You for shielding me from evil and for Your hand of victory in my life. Father, give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from people who just want to cause conflict and strife, and cause me to lose sight of my focus and destiny You have prepared for me. God, I want to be a person of integrity at all times, I love You and bless You, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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God Is Preparing You For Victory

Looking back over my short life I have concluded, there are times in life when we all face situations that seem impossible, difficult and hard. It’s easy to get discouraged and think that things won’t ever work out. But the Scripture tells us that God goes before us and makes our crooked places straight. In other words, even though you may not have the connections you need right now, you don’t have to worry. God is going before you arranging positive breaks, and creating life changing opportunities. He is preparing the way for your victory!

If you are facing difficulties, don’t fall into the temptation to get negative and sour. That adversity is no surprise to God. He’s not up in the heavens scratching His head and thinking, “Oh, no. Now what am I going to do?” No, He already knows every day of your life.

Today, I want to remind you that before you had that problem, God already had the solution. He is going before you right now preparing the next chapter of your life. So your focus must be on God and not on the problem. I encourage you to stay in faith and keep the right positive attitude, because He is moving you forward, despite what you see, into the victory He has prepared for you! Hallelujah!

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I love You and thank You for ordering and directing my steps throughout my life. Father, thank You for working behind the scenes on my behalf, moving me forward into the new chapter You have for my life. God, I choose today to trust in You, knowing that You are moral, magnificent and meticulous, and You will always lead me into victory, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Meditation Is Part Of The Solution

“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14, NIV)

One of the things that will bring you sanity during these chaotic times is meditating, particularly before you start your day, or at the end of the day. To meditate on something simply means to think about it, and let the meaning of it sink deep down into your heart. 

Meditation is a spiritual practice that’s encouraged throughout scripture. The key is to draw on God’s wisdom found in His Word, which is filled with the blessings and benefits of meditating on its principles. For example, meditating on God’s Word will give you spiritual, physical and emotional success. That’s exactly what God told Joshua as Israel got ready to enter the Promised Land.

Today, when everyone is looking for solutions and success, God’s definition of both of these is to know Him better. One way you can do that is to read and understand His Word. Another benefit of meditating on God’s Word is that it will help you keep your heart and mind right before Him, especially in these times. The Bible is like a mirror and a lens that accurately shows you where your heart really is, and how to move forward.

“Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.” 

(Joshua 1:8, NLT)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, You have said that Your Word is living and active. Father, help me have the appetite for meditating on Your Word daily, so I can live and be successful. God, today I pledge to spend time allowing this living Word to search my heart, and make sure I am right before You, moving forward with vision and vigour, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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It’s About Your Heart

With covid-19 I’m told that most people don’t even know they’ve had it, or show signs of infection on the outside. When you become a believer in Christ, He begins to work in and through you automatically. Inside, you are becoming a completely new person.

No one else around you may notice the change, at least not immediately, because people usually only see the outside of a person, and what they can see and hear. Sometimes, you yourself may not even see or feel the change. But the fact that you’ve accepted God and His grace, changes you from the inside out, and He is still changing you because you belong to Him. Don’t let people’s negative judgement of you stick or hurt, only God can see your heart.

Today, don’t be discouraged if others around you don’t seem to notice how hard you’re trying, and the work God is doing in your life. Just remember that a life-changing transformation has started on your inside. God sees the difference, He knows what’s inside you, and He is bringing victory to every area of your life. It’s nobody’s business but yours and God’s! Soon the world will know.

“…The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 

(1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your life-changing power and strength. Father, give me eyes to see myself and others the way You see them, from the inside out. Teach me not to judge others by what I see. God, help me not to get discouraged by what people say about me, because they really don’t know how hard I’m trying and how much You’re working on my inside, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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The Blessings Of Heaven

Since covid-19 many have forgotten how blessed they are because of loss, separation and sickness. When you become a follower of Christ, not only do you receive eternal life, but you are blessed with spiritual blessings, no matter the circumstances. Scripture tells us that we are blessed with every blessing in heaven. 

What are the spiritual blessings of heaven? Peace, joy, favour, abundance, grace, and so much more! You are blessed with earthly talents, and you are blessed with many spiritual blessings — most of all peace of mind!

Today, let this sink down into your spirit. God has given you talents, fulfillment, favour and abundance. You are blessed in the city, blessed in the field, blessed when you come and when you go. You are blessed with confidence and assurance that your God will do what He says He will do. Hallelujah! The Almighty will keep you safe and secure during these times. Think about all of the blessings that God has given you, and have a praise break and thank Him today!

“How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every blessing in heaven because we belong to Christ.” 

(Ephesians 1:3, TLB)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I thank You for richly blessing me during these hard times. Father, help me not to take your blessings for granted. Teach me how to take praise breaks daily at work, at school and at home. God, help me to seek Your favour and live abundantly in Your love and blessings, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Serenity is a Grace Gift

“This life is not a canvas of serenity dotted with seasons of trial and tribulation, but a canvas of struggle dotted seasons of serenity.” – She Reads Truth

Why do I get this so backwards all the time?

I walk through life seeking peace, happiness, calmness… perfection. Then I get all twisted up in self-righteousness and frustration when it gets hard, because “it’s not supposed to be this way.” Says who? The Bible straight up tells us that this life will not be easy. It tells us to expect the trials, the struggle, the mockery, and then get this… it tells us to rejoice about it.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…” Matthew 5:11-12

I don’t know about you, but I’m not very good at rejoicing in the struggle when I’m in the middle of an anxiety attack or feel like a lost and lonely soul with no community. Instead, it usually goes something like this:

God, You are so good and I will praise you no matter how hard it gets!

*it gets hard*

Oh Father, this is terrible! Why have you done this to me and why won’t you make it stop!?

I find myself in a place where I think I deserve a perfect life and it’s God’s fault for not giving it to me. Something gets twisted in my prideful, self-righteous mind that tells me everything should have gone my way and I should be perfectly happy and peaceful, and God took that away from me. Except that’s the furthest thing from the truth.

We are broken people who live in a broken world. It is cruel, unjust, depraved, and bent out of its intended shape. That means our time here is bound to reflect the brokenness. We’ve been given a canvas that is already ripped and spattered with dirt, blood, and tears. So why do we question when things get messy? It’s bound to happen. Jesus promised it would happen.

“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” – John 16:22 (emphasis mine)

When I step down from my pride-pedestal and humbly lay it at the Father’s feet, I see a new perspective. I see that I never deserved any kind of peace or happiness, because from the moment I was born, I had a sinful nature. As soon as I could speak, I slandered the name of my God. As soon and I could walk, I learned to wander from His Presence. I’ve faltered and stumbled and rebelled so many times, I never deserved to have any of the good things Jesus promises me.

To combine my canvas of a broken and messy life with my track record of sin, I can clearly see that the only thing I deserve in this life is struggle, trial, and temptation. Half of it is the result of my own sin, and the other half is simply the effects of a broken world.

And yet…

that’s not the end of the story.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 (emphasis mine)

Now, I can receive the season of serenity as the most beautiful gift of grace. This grace that I could never deserve, given to me just when it feels like the trials will finally take me down. Jesus offers peace. He offers joy. He offers the victory that He has already won for us.

“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” – Psalm 139:5

Hallelujah! What a sweet Savior I follow.

He’s preparing the way before me, guarding my back behind me, and walking beside me with His hand of blessing on my head.

So how do we make the leap from seeing seasons of serenity as a gift to rejoicing when we’re back in the midst of the struggle? To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. It’s probably more like a series of stumbled baby steps.

But the one thing I know is this: It will end.

This ripped and messy canvas we live in will be restored to its original glory – and then some! Jesus promised to return and redeem us. To defeat the darkness once and for all so that His children may never again be burdened by loneliness, depression, anxiety, poverty, or any other struggle of this world. This is the hope that can carry us through the struggles. This is the reason I can rejoice when life is messy (which let’s be honest, is most of the time). Because I know it WILL GET BETTER.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed… that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
– Romans 8:18-20

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Love and Kindness During This Pandemic

Covid-19 has brought out love and kindness in communities around the world. One translation of today’s verse (1Cor 13:4) says, “love looks for a way to be constructive.” In other words, love looks for ways to improve someone else’s life. Not just in word but in action. Love brings out the best in other people. Don’t just get up in the morning and think about yourself, or how you can make your own life better. Think about how you can make someone else’s life better.

Ask yourself, “who can I encourage today?” “Who can I build up?” Someone in your life needs your encouragement. Someone in your life needs to know that you believe in them. Someone in your live needs food, or a computer. I believe God will hold us responsible for the people He’s put in our lives. He’s counting on us to bring out the best in our family and friends.

Today, how will you improve the lives of those around you? Will you give them confidence? Will you bring a smile to someone’s face? Ask the Lord to give you creative ways to invest in those around you. As you sow seeds of encouragement and bring out the best in others, God will send people along your path that will build you up too, and help you move forward into the blessing He has in store for you!

“”¦love is kind”¦”

(1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for loving me and for being kind to me and my family. Father, thank You for believing in me and always building me up. I ask that You show me creative ways to encourage and build up the people around me. God, help me to be an example of Your love today, and always seek to lift the spirits of those I come into contact with during this difficult time, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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Receive His Love

You’ve probably heard the saying that “you may be the only Jesus someone ever sees.” There may be a desperate person who is in need of something as small as a smile, or a little money, and you might be the best or the only example of Jesus’ love to them! With this in mind, we should look for ways to live with true compassion, and a caring attitude toward others. That’s how you can plant seeds of God’s love in someone. You may not be around to see the seeds grow into a large and beautiful plant, but you could make a life-changing impact.

When others look at your life, do they know that God loves you? Can they see the change in you? Do they know you are a follower of His? Remember, the evidence is in your words and actions. The most important thing you could ever know and show, is that God loves you. His love changes us. His love empowers us. His love takes us to new levels. His love gives us eternal life.

Today, open your heart fully and receive His love. Then turn around and love Him in return by following His commands. Make the decision today to let His love show all over you!

“We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people”

(1 Thessalonians 1:4, NLT)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, I thank You for Your love and compassion for me. Thank You for loving me, for empowering me, and changing me to be more like You. God, have Your way in my heart, so that I can be a shining light of Your love to the people around me. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

 

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