Self Protection or Love

My friend, Jan, sent an email that said, "We all engage in self-protective behaviors that keep us from loving others well." I know she's a counselor now. But, boy does she get it and say it well.
Sometimes we are so into protecting ourselves, that we are incapable of loving others - well.
To love others well, we have to be able to project outside of our thinking and insecurities.

Today, try not so much protect yourself, as you do to extend yourself by loving others-well.

Words are an Indicator of Your Love

"Loving others isn't a gentle suggestion by Jesus - it's a command. Since our words are such a critical indication of whether or not we love someone, we would do well to carefully watch what we say." (page 108, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl)

Slap my mouth!

Watch your words - it shows your love - or your lack of it!

Psalm 19:14 - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord
Proverbs 10:19- When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise
James 3:10- Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

Words matter. Words can be love carriers, or love killers. Choose your words wisely & lovingly!

As Lysa says, (p. 111), be "committed to loving words."

Loving is Living the Truth of God ~ Out Loud

In following Lysa Terkeurst's book, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, she renders a truth that cuts to the quick of the situation:

"When we love others, we are living the truth of God out loud." (page 93)

What a great way to express God's love.

What a way to speak of His love in you.

Speak loudly today for God: LOVE.

Reliance & Love

"Rely on the love God has for us." I John 4:16

"People can prove unreliable, God never is." (Lysa Terkeurst, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, page 91)

What are you relying on to love?

If we rely on our feelings or their actions, it probably won't happen.

If we rely on good circumstances or positive feedback, it probably won't happen.

The only thing we can rely on, day in and day out, is God.

"Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless...Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you..." [2 Chronicles 14:11]

"Woe to those who go (elsewhere) for help, who rely on (other things), who trust in (other strengths)...but do not look to the Holy One...or seek help from the Lord. [Isaiah 31:1]

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us." [I John 4:16]

Unfailing Love from a Compassionate God

Isaiah 54:10: "My unfailing love for you will not be shaken...says the Lord who has compassion on you."

Which means more to you, that His love for you is unfailing, unshaken, or that God has compassion on you?

They are both fully pregnant with thoughts for us and meaning for our lives.

Lysa Terkeurst in her book, Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, says her "feelings of inadequacy are often rooted in a fear of failing." (page 91) We may fail, we will; but God does not. "God's love is unfailing despite what we do or don't do." (page 92) His love is unending, unfailing, and unshaken. God loves us. Feel and know that love today. Be assured. Be blessed. Be loved.

In God's Love With God's Love

"I must operate in God's love and operate with God's love."

(Lysa Terkeurst, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl)

(page 90)

She explains, "Operating in God's love means understanding how His love can redefine my natural thought processes."

She continues her explanation, "Operating with God's love allows me to rest in a security beyond myself." (page 92)

Make it your goal today to ~ operate in God's love with God's love.

If you helps you think of it as cooperating in God's love with Him!

God's Love not Other People's Opinions

Lysa Terkeurst in her book, Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl, says she has learned "how crucial it is to let God's love, not others' opinions, be the truth out of which I operate." (page 83)

Which truth will you operate out of today? What truth will guide your life and daily decisions?

There is the truth, validity of other people's opinions, that change with the wind and the people that surround you. So-and-so said this, but so-and-so thinks this. BUT GOD, as they say...

What God says about you is truth, and it does not change.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadow." [James 1:17]

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." [Hebrews 13:8]

Thank God we have the assurance that if we obey Him, "God's love is truly made complete" in us. [I John 2:5] Let His love rule in your heart today, not opinion.