Love Compels

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. – Galatians 5:6

For the past two weeks, we’ve been focusing on God’s love for us.  Now we are turning inwardly to let God’s love affect the way we see ourselves.

We can love ourselves because God first loved us. (1John 4:19), but I realize these arguments might be going through your mind:

“I can’t love myself.  I can’t even forgive myself for what I did.”

“If you only knew how much I blew up my life in the past, you’d understand why I can’t love me.”

“When he stopped loving me, I stopped loving myself.”

“This mountain of guilt and shame will never leave me.  I’m going to drag it around my whole life.  I’m too pathetic to be loved.”

Whatever your excuse…STOP IT right now! (Yes, I just yelled at you.)

Take a deep breath.  Let’s rewind and remind ourselves that God’s love for us is all consuming, reliable, sacrificial, faithful, loyal, unconditional, forever, protecting, unfailing, compassionate, trustworthy, and can never be taken away.  You are perfectly and powerfully loved by God.

Remembering who you are to God changes how you see yourself.  Girl, you are royalty!  You are God’s beloved daughter.  Yes, the daughter of the King of Kings.  You have been adopted into God’s glorious family.  You are heir to His kingdom in heaven and on earth.

Once you understand the magnitude of God’s love, then it can wash your past regrets away and change your present mindset.  As you begin to see yourselves as God sees you, you will discover newfound freedom to walk and talk and live and breathe… freely loved.

Let God’s love compel you to love yourself. No matter who has left you unloved or if you doubt you’re loveable, let’s journey together into why and how we can love ourselves purposely and intentionally.

Today, I challenge you to think of two things you like about yourself; a character trait, a strength, a gift you have… anything.  Thank God for these personal attributes and thank yourself that you have cultivated them.  Great job!

Engage With God - Read and Reflect 

DAY 10 – Love Compels

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. – Galatians 5:6

Daily Reminder: 

You love because God first loved you.  Let love be your compelling force in life.  The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Gal. 5:6) Love will outlive your life.

Real Life Reflection Questions:

1.         What “emotionally baggage” from your past do you need to let go of so you can love yourself purposely?

2.         There is no condemnation for those who are loved by God.  How can knowing you are perfectly and powerfully loved by God compel you to love yourself more?

3.         How would loving yourself intentionally impact areas of your life?

QUICK PRAYER –

Lord God,

Thank you for loving me unconditionally.  Help me to let go of past regrets, shame, and guilt so I can love myself fully.  I realize that if I don’t love myself, I will never be able to love the people you want  me to love here on earth.  Let your Spirit move my heart to love me the way you do.

In Jesus’ Precious Name I Pray, Amen

RECORD TODAY’S THOUGHTS – Love Compels!

Personal Bible Study- Read, record, and reflect on these scriptures. Let them seep into your soul.

2 Corinthians 5:14 -

2 Corinthians 13:4  – (pray this as a prayer for yourself)

Compassionate Love

You O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love. – Psalm 86:15

Jesus’ heart was filled with compassion for the hungry, widowed, abandoned, hurt, blind, and diseased. 

One way Jesus showed His compassion was by touching the “untouchable.”  For example, despite the fact that Jewish law forbade touching people with leprosy, Jesus cared more about an outcast man than he did the law:

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, “Be clean!”  Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. – Mark 1:41-42

Jesus’ miraculous touch changed this man’s life forever.  Free from leprosy, he could return home to his family, get back to work providing for them, and love them with close affection.  Just imagine how much love must have exploded in the house upon his joyous return!

Jesus also wants to touch your life with His love.  He reaches out to everyone.  No one is off limits and no one is more important or more worthy than another to receive it.  We are all equally valued in His eyes.  Look at this diverse group of people Jesus touched physically or emotionally:

·             A hated tax collector – Matthew 9:9

·             An influential religious leader – John 3:1-21

·             A homemaker – Luke 10:38-42

·             A Roman governor – Mark 15:1-15

·             A young boy – Mark 9:17-27

·             A rich man – Mark 10:17-23

·             A poor widow – Luke 7:11-17

·             A sick woman – Mark 5:25-34

·             A foreign woman – Mark 7:25-30

·             A sinful woman – John 8:1-11

·             An enemy who hated Him – Acts 9:1-9

Rich or poor, young or old, friend or enemy, Jesus’ love knows no barriers or boundaries.  It consumes all nations, all colors, and all kinds.  What if Jesus’ compassionate love was contagious and we caught it and loved each other like He did?

 Engage With God - Read and Reflect 

DAY 9 – Compassionate Love

You O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love. – Psalm 86:15

Daily Reminder: 

Jesus’ compassionate love knows no boundaries.  No one is off limits or undeserving of His love.  What if we loved like Jesus?  Wouldn’t it change the world?

Real Life Reflection Questions:

1.         What are several words to describe the way Jesus walked and talked while He was on the earth?

2.         If Jesus returned this week, who do your like He would hang out with or “touch”?

3.         Who might God be prompting you to love like Jesus?

QUICK PRAYER –

Jesus,

Your compassionate love is like no other.  I am amazed at who you love and how you show your love.  Thank you that no one is off limits from your love.  Could you stretch my heart to love you more like you?

In Your Precious Name I Pray, Amen

RECORD TODAY’S THOUGHTS – Compassionate Love!

Personal Bible Study- Read, record, and reflect on these scriptures. Let them seep into your soul.

Psalm 145:8 –

1 Peter 3:8 –

Ephesians 4:32 -