called to love
34“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 * * * * * i just noticed that Jesus called this a “new” commandment..and i wondered why. Even since Moses’ time, God commanded us to love our neighbors..so why would this be new to us? then it hit me. the key words Jesus says are: even as I have loved you. The old commandment was to love as we love ourselves. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” our love for ourselves, no matter how happy we are with ourselves, are nothing compared to how Christ loves us. and this love that Jesus is referring to - it’s a whole new dimension of what love is! God’s love! He commands us to love the way GOD does! with relentless, unwavering, unconditional love.. and in that way, people will know that we are Jesus’ disciples..wow. mindblown. * * * another thing. i didn’t realize that these preceded the “Trust in the Lord” verse..
like God wants us to be kind, even when it’s not easy - to just trust even when it might be the hardest thing to be kind to someone and love them..
Prov. 3:3-4 -
1My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
[Flash 10 is required to watch video]
my baby almost 7 months ago..moving from from Arizona to Alabama.
we were halfway around the world from each other, yet we began to talk to each other everyday.. we became best friends. we began to truly, deeply love.
and then through a series of God-planned signs, confirmations, and happenings (God-things..:),
2 months later we became ofish, and 4 months later the Lord brought him to Amsterdam.. :)
all A’s? and 11.11.. ;)
God is sooo good!!!
.
my 3 day trip to alabama in 5 minutes.
How He Loves
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
i am a tree
bending beneath
the weight of His wind and mercy
.
when all of a sudden
i am unaware of these
afflictions eclipsed by glory
and i realize how
beautiful You are and
how great Your affections are for me
.
and oh, how He loves us so
oh, how He loves us
how He loves us so
.
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
i am a tree
bending beneath
the weight of His wind and mercy
.
when all of a sudden
i am unaware of these
afflictions eclipsed by glory
and i realize how
beautiful You are and
how great Your affections are for me
.
Yeah He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves
.
we are His portion
and He is our prize
drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
if grace is an ocean
we’re all sinking.
.
so heaven meets earth
like a sloppy wet kiss
and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
i don’t have time to maintain these regrets
when i think about the way
.
Yeah He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves
.
Yeah He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves
i wanna keep writing
to lift up the One and Only,
and encourage those who feel small - like i did.
no matter how insignificantly tiny you might feel,
GOD can use you in mighty ways. :)
think about young David, or the 8 year old King Josiah,
or the widowed foreigner Ruth.
God is good.
*and i write for Jason, my one and only love..
to share my heart with you even when we can’t be together face to face.
i miss you and i love you always, beb. :)
<3
trust in the Lord with all your heart…
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, -
seeking His will in all you do -
and He shall direct your paths.
——————-
Proverbs 3:5-6
