​Good morning. There is a joy that comes with knowing another opportunity lies in front of us to practice the love of God. I am often reminded that this life is just a dress rehearsal for the life to come.  We are practicing each day to live forever with our Savior. The great Director allows us to get our lines right, to reshoot the scene until we get it right. Although that may be an expensive undertaking, the result of this is well worth the investment. 

I was scanning over our morning devotions and then realized that the real theme of the bible from Genesis to Revelation is Love. Yes, I knew that, but the intensity that He has been showing us how to love is overwhelming.  We recognize God is love and that God loves his children. We know God so loved the world, and God wants us to love our neighbor. Furthermore, we have learned love is not an emotion, and it does not come cheap. Yes, though I have not mentioned it, love comes with a cost. 

Today I want to talk about one verse in Revelation that challenged my view of love many years ago. Revelation 3:19 KJ2000 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore, and repent.” The challenge with this verse is the point of rebuke and chastisement. Some may identify with what I’m about to discuss because we are taught that any chastisement or rebuke is a sign of dislike or even rejection. The fear that rejection produces can cause us to seek solitude within ourselves. We isolate ourselves from the hurt of not being good enough for our God or for those who would chasten us. We constantly want to prove ourselves worthy to others and even to God, but that trail leads to continual disappointment.  

Now, before we go any further, this is not a platform to promote abuse or justify wrong actions caused by a sinful world. Remember, that was a challenge to me because of my views.  I compared the incorrect chastisement of my childhood to a God that was always waiting for me to correct that which caused me harm. When my view of understanding that His correction came with freedom and not condemnation, it made the difference. 

Let us take this in context today as not a value of our worth (because the cost paid for us has already occurred), nor discipline because of rejection or hate. Let us view this as a loving Creator protecting us from the consequences of our actions and the rejection we encounter from those who themselves have been hurt. Behind ‘with as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten’, comes the answer of the garnered love we all seek. BE ZEALOUS THEREFORE, AND REPENT.  I hear the jail cells opening this morning and the chains falling off. Like Paul and Silas in the prison, today the earth is being shaken and everyone behind the bars is set free. 

The power of being zealous to repent goes with knowing the chastisement is not a bad thing, but a thing that puts us back on the right path. We have been discussing this journey, so let’s walk away with two points of enlightenment. First, on this journey when we make a wrong turn, the love of the Father is there to direct us to get us back on course in the form of a rebuke or correction. This will help us realize that He is on the path with us watching our every move and thereby experiencing all we experience without abandoning us. 

The second and most important thing to take away from this is, as we are created in His image, we must recognize that when we repent it washes, it cleans and removes a spot that is not like Him. That rebuke is not a signal of rejection, but one that should get us to embrace that undying love that assures us that He did not forsake us. That beloved makes all the difference. 

Let’s receive the challenge of love today and as we receive a rebuke, be encouraged that the earth is about to shake, and your prison doors are opening. Freedom comes not by avoiding your trial but by going through the trial, singing, and praising just as Paul and Silas did.

Have a great weekend, be encouraged, and be zealous to repent. Zealous – passionate, great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause.  The cause we pursue in our repentance is to stay the course of love.  God bless you, my beloved.

​When you find a love that is undeniable, you have found a great thing.  That word means beyond doubt and beyond question. Would you say that your love and devotion toward God is unquestionable? What about toward your family or friends? What about toward those who have hurt you or caused you pain?  Again, the search is for undeniable. Luke 6:35-37 KJ2000 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be you, therefore, merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged: condemn not, and you shall not be condemned: forgive, and you shall be forgiven:” Therein lies the test of unquestioning love. The ability not to judge, condemn, forgive, and be merciful.  

When I say test, this unquestioning love seems unachievable as the thoughts of our enemies flood our hearts and minds.  The abuse suffered at the hands of those whom we are now asked to give to them without even retribution or them asking for our forgiveness seems unthinkable. We choose to lend to those we know can or will repay us.  Did you realize that the verse “be merciful as our Father is merciful” even raises the bar higher? Then to do all this without expectation of anything in return now put this task beyond our thoughts and our desires. Can I add doing this to the unkind and evil? 

We are told that love is a sacrifice, this is the emotional roller coaster we find ourselves on. The unexpected drops that are on this ride and the slow climb to reach the top only to be plunged down again at a rate that causes fear to mount up in us. The thrill of being jostled side to side, not a very smooth ride. Yet on this ride, we have the assurance that it’s been tested and those who went before us not only survived but benefited from this journey. The tears you experience on the journey cannot compare to the joy once you make it safely to your destiny. The thrill of the victory that for the joy of this we can accomplish all things. Who would voluntarily sign up for this? 

You see it wasn’t to show others His position as King that kept Jesus on the cross but the Love of the Father that strengthen Him to continue.  The description of this journey so exemplifies the emotions we have when around our enemies. This journey leaves an impression on us, once we have plunged into it, that gives us the feeling of being a conqueror.  That is the reward. The ability not to judge, condemn, forgive, and be merciful bears repeating. This reward has nothing to do with money or riches. Luke 6:38 KJ2000 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your lap. For with the same measure that you measure it shall be measured to you again.” 

 I finally get to explain what has been revealed to me. What is given to you is LOVE.  Give love, it will be given to you in good measure so abundant you can’t receive it. It will be pressed down and running over. I better understand, Proverbs 18:24 KJ2000 “A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” The same measure that you love will be measured back to you.  To have friends you must give love undeniably give it. When it hurts, give it. When you don’t think you can, give it. When you feel you are alone, give it. Do you feel no one loves you? Then the reward of receiving love is giving it out in a good measure. Note in Luke 6:38 it said “men” will give unto you. 

Meditate on this, that the measure we love will come back to us, although there should be no expectation from your enemy. Who knows if God will not cause that love to come from another direction? He may even cause it to come from many directions, from brothers and sisters who are on the journey with you? I need not give you a challenge today because it is set before you. 

Have a safe, blessed day and keep your eyes on the sunrise. There is hope in your future, and you can’t find it looking in your past.  
God bless you, my beloved.

Good morning! A new day and opportunity await you, all you must do is believe and thank the creator of heaven and earth for His kindness and His love.  I looked up this type of love this morning and here is the definition of Agape love. Agape love is “from Ancient Greek ἀγάπη (agápē) is a Greco-Christian term referring to unconditional love, “the highest form of love, charity” and “the love of God for man and of man for God”.  The word is not to be confused with philia, brotherly love, or philautia, self-love, as it embraces a universal, unconditional love that transcends and persists regardless of circumstance. It goes beyond just the emotions to the extent of seeking the best for others.  Here is what Paul wrote to Timothy in  1Timothy 1:5 NET “But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.” 

The point and purpose or the desired outcome of these messages sent every morning are to instruct and teach without any intent to influence or change anyone, but to define love that we may walk in freedom.  This is why we must first love God before loving others. That love or charity can and will withstand the test of time. The EasyEnglish version puts this in words many can relate to, 1Timothy 1:5 “Here is the reason why I am telling you to do this. I want people really to love each other. Only people who are good and clean inside themselves can love like that. Those people know the difference between what is right and wrong. And they try to do only what is right. People love properly only when they believe God.”

 You can love properly or unconditionally when you truly believe God. Recently we were driving home one night and the inside glass became hazy. We turned on the defrost but when the lights from the oncoming cars hit the windshield the haze returned. It wasn’t until we made it home that I was able to properly clean the inside glass and remove the haze, so we could see clearly. Notice that it wasn’t until the light hit the glass did we know it was dirty. 

Over the last few weeks, we have had Light hit our windows to show us that it was not clean. It takes an external light for us to become aware of our inability to see clearly. The second lesson is, without being ‘good and clean inside’ we won’t see clearly.  From the first glance of the state we were in, the windows were clean. After close examination, under the proper circumstances, it revealed that the windows were not as clean as we believed. 

Today can we begin to allow the light of the Holy Spirit to shine on the windshield of our lives to reveal to us any areas that lack cleaning that will cause us not to see clearly.  I received many personal responses from yesterday’s devotion. I believe that our instructions are changing hearts, and we are experiencing the love God intended for us. We can’t hide behind unclean glass and believe that it is clean because the light in others will also reveal the dirt that clouds our view.  God bless my beloved.

Good morning. Many things will affect you in life, but one thing that will cause you to stumble is if you believe someone else gets the love you deserve.  Instances of favoritism are very visible throughout the bible, but I want to touch on a few. Instances where one is loved more than the other. Now, granted I am not talking about someone’s perception, but a general heartfelt love that is apparent.  

First, there was Jacob, Genesis 29:30 KJ2000 “And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah and served with him yet seven other years.” There is no doubt Rachel was loved more. Interestingly, God saw this, and he did two things. First, Rachel was barren for many years. Secondly, Leah had many sons for Jacob, and He blessed her womb.  Genesis 29:32 KJ2000 “And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD has looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.” Leah felt less loved and wanted her husband's love, but God showed His love at all times.  Now, the same God sees your circumstances and because He intercedes on your behalf will bring forth justice.  

The second example is Joseph. Genesis 37:3 NET “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons because he was a son born to him late in life, and he made a special tunic for him." Sometimes love can be motivated by circumstances, such as with Jacob and Joseph. Please note, it wasn’t because Joseph was the son of Rachel, but because he was a son in his later life. That shown affection was the cause of great pain in Jacob’s family, Genesis 37:4 NET “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated Joseph and were not able to speak to him kindly.” Joseph became the focal point of hate because his brothers could see that they were treated differently. Again, let’s make a point here, they were loved, but Joseph was loved more. 

Then there is Esther, Esther 2:17 KJ2000 “And the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” This was loved received through purpose but the underlying was competition. 

• How often do we feel we must compete for the love of someone in our lives? 
• Does this competition lead us to be angry with others or even for us to feel we have a lesser position because we are not chosen? 
• What did this do to the others who were part of the selections?
•  Did they walk away feeling unloved or incomplete?  

Now all three cases are different but how often do we feel we are not the favorite, or we aren’t the one chosen, and finally we didn’t win the competition.  Then comes the challenge of how do we cause others to react to the love we display? Are they required to compete for our love? Is our love based on circumstance? Is there an unfair show of our love toward others that leave them left out, or even to hate their brothers or sisters?  Can we ask the spirit to guide us to love unconditionally and without favoritism?  

Now that’s the giving side, but on the receiving side, can we not compare the love we receive to that given to others and also receive?  Is it possible to be satisfied with the knowledge of God’s love and his favor? Finally, on that end, do you realize that you are loved as a child of God more than any that rejects His love. As spoken to Mary, you are blessed and highly favored.  God bless you, my beloved.

We have often spoken of our Job moments in life.  Those moments where you are tested to the limit. Those “poor me” moments where everything seems wrong.  Let’s take a glimpse at one day in Job's life to understand how this love journey can be difficult.  

Job 19:14-19 NET “My kinsmen have failed me; my friends have forgotten me. My guests and my servant girls consider me a stranger; I am a foreigner in their eyes. I summon my servant, but he does not respond, even though I implore him with my own mouth. My breath is repulsive to my wife; I am loathsome to my brothers. Even youngsters have scorned me; when I get up, they scoff at me. All my closest friends detest me; and those whom I love have turned against me.”  This Job moment highlighted him saying that those whom I love have turned against me. Don’t we often feel that the very ones we love aren’t there to love us? Please note those whom I love, there is no guarantee that those you love will love you or be there for you. When Jesus was on trial, the very ones that were excited about his entrance into the city were the same ones that called for his crucifixion.  This love has to be given despite the emotions of those around us.  
The interesting part is Job's very own wife was disgusted by his breath. His friends had forgotten him and finally, in his own house, he felt like a foreigner.  Can anyone identify that as we are loving to others on our jobs, in our city, and even within our homes, we feel like strangers?

As you see, a home without love is just a house. There is no comfort or rest, only constant pain enhanced by our circumstances. Then one would say this journey of love is futile and not worth it. That would be true if we didn’t know the end of the story.  You see a Job moment is just that a moment. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.  If ever there was a reason to look at the sunrise versus the sunset, this is one of those moments. Growing up, I remember the poster on the wall that said, “THIS TOO WILL PASS”. The love that was shown by Job seemed useless, but it was producing character and a testimony not only for Job but those who were witnessing his trial and transformation. To believe that a grotesque caterpillar will someday be a beautiful butterfly is hard to imagine, but if you realize, staying the course will achieve the destiny you envisioned.  Do you ever wonder what those who treated Job above felt like once the testing finished?

 Let’s get to today’s challenge. Consider those you have loved but have not loved you back. The kinsman, friends, children, or husband or wife that thought you were disgusting. Now set aside those natural emotions to look for them to love you and then focus on the One that loves you. It was the love of God and His belief in Job that allowed the test but also redeemed him from the miserable state he was in.

 Can we be satisfied and convinced that God’s love is sufficient for every situation we face? 
Can we put aside the past and live in the today? 

Remember that you see more going forward than looking in your rearview mirror. As long as you continue to look back, you can never be free to enjoy the present. Then, when you call those, you have loved, and they don’t respond, you can continue to pray in the garden alone. 
God bless you, my beloved.

​Good morning! Another week has quickly come and gone. This morning, I want to talk about things we don’t often address. There is an old saying that we are blinded by love, but as I read through the scriptures, one thing I don’t find in the description of love is that it is blind. It’s kind, it's patient, not rude, and it’s longsuffering but blind is not one of the descriptive terms associated with love. 
 
Let’s begin there with love not being blind, but sin and the iniquity upon us can cause blindness. Matthew 27:46 KJ2000 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” We are taught that the Father was blinded by the sin that was upon Jesus, and He could not see His Son nor be with Him. But what if the one whose sight was blind was not the Father but that of the Son? What if, because of the iniquity of the sin of the world, the Son could not see the Father and couldn’t recognize the love of the Father. And that no matter where He was, the Father was there? How often those we love can’t see that we love them but only can feel the abandonment and rejection associated with the iniquity that is upon them. 
 
I thought about Gomer in the book of Hosea and how with all the love shown by her husband, she left a loving husband, the security of a home, and her children and went back to her lifestyle of promiscuity. Was Hosea blind as he went after her? Did he not see the state she was in but loved her despite her lifestyle? Hosea saw everything and as a giver of love experienced the pain and suffering associated with giving oneself totally but not blind but able to see it all. 
 
Or what about the prodigal father? Was he blinded to what had happened in his son's life, but yet was willing to restore him to full sonship and not make him a slave of unforgiveness? To torment him daily for the wrong he had done and the bad decisions he had made. Wasn't it the son who was blind to what was his all the time, yet could not appreciate what he had because of his iniquity and immaturity? But finally, his eyes were open and where he was once blind, but now he could see. 
 
What about that drug addict or prostitute that we so often judge because of our iniquity, and yet because of their iniquity they cannot see the love given? How they can feel all alone but not know that you have always been there? 
 
I contend today that the giver of love is not blind but the receiver. That stated, how then can we judge the blind for not being able to see? The expectation of one who is blind is not to be able to read the eye chart. Blindness- the state or condition of being unable to see because of injury, disease. Herein lies the mystery of love because as we judge we will be judged, but those who cannot see because of injury or a diseased heart or mind. Did Jesus not see the Father, as we are told by the psalmist? Psalm 139:7-8 KJ2000 “Where shall I go from your Spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there.” Now we can shed light on the blindness by removing the iniquity and love that sister or brother that didn’t or can’t receive love.
 
We can better have mercy when our love is rejected by that husband or wife, son or daughter, friend, coworker, or enemy. We ask, but can’t they see I’m trying, that I love them, and I want what’s best for them? The answer beloved is no, the love isn’t seen but has to be given anyway because the goodness for out shadows the consequences. We cannot expect the blind to see but what we can hope is the Author of love will see their desperation and as they cry out, as Bartimeus did, their blindness will be removed. 
 
Let’s end the week with this challenge, Luke 7:21-22 KJ2000 “And in that same hour He cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and evil spirits; and unto many that were blind He gave sight.  Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.” Go your way and tell. Many that are blind may receive their sight because in the midst of their cross they were visited, and their sight restored. Love restores sight to the blind and because it is patient waits for the day that Jesus will come our way on our lonely road and through us others will believe. 
 
God bless have a great weekend and don’t forget your sight has been restored now open your eyes and see.

​Good morning, we are so blessed. Do we think about the love shown to us but forget the value of it? We do not appreciate or understand the love shown toward us. We even reject love because it is not given in the way or following our expectations. Like our example of Delilah yesterday, since we have never been taught, we struggle with receiving love. We don’t understand the value, and yet we will sell or trade it for a counterfeit. 
 
To understand that love, we are given an example, Ephesians 5:25 KJ2000 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Husbands are given a high standard of loving their wives like Christ loved the church. This illustrates the sacrifice and the responsibility and teaches us how to love properly. 
 
Now let’s broaden that example of love and not only apply it to husbands, but also to those we come into contact with on a day-to-day basis. Have you ever thought that someone does not love you or, better yet, does not show you the love how you expect? We all see things through our own eyes and yet God's love is not always in keeping with our expectations. 
 
Let’s use another illustration of a person who has never driven a car and is therefore not licensed to drive. We request this individual to pick us up, knowing that that person is not capable of driving. That individual gets behind the wheel and because of not being taught goes in the wrong direction into oncoming traffic. The expectation we had was that the person would safely make it to our destination. The results were, as we say, an accident waiting to happen. Because the way we wanted things did not happen, we put the individual in danger because of wanting things our way. That individual was not capable of meeting the task at hand. The driver was not legally able to drive and so there are those who are not legally able to love in accordance with current circumstances because of lack of teaching. 
 
How does that apply personally? Sometimes no matter how much we try, we cannot love certain individuals to their expectations, but we must understand the true standard set for love and not the thoughts of others. When you show love and there is a burden and no joy, then you lose the motivation to love. Consider this and then the challenge. Hebrews 12:2 KJ2000 “Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” 
 
The standard for showing love as stated in Ephesians was to love as Christ loved. The Hebrew writer further states, “for the joy set before him endured.” Joy and endurance seem to be key. Because the standard-setter understood the results, with joy, he faced the obstacle presented before him. Remember, although he endured, he also stated if it is possible, let this cup pass. Yet even knowing the outcome with joy continued on the path of loving the church. 
 
The challenge today is to see the hope in your labor of love and look to the perfecter. To endure the season, you are presently experiencing because there is redemption in it. Can we not think about how we are being loved and realize the sacrifice by others? We are not always the easiest individuals to be satisfied in this area, and we give up because it is difficult. Stay on the path as God is teaching you, so is He teaching others that we may end this journey together in joy. God bless you, my beloved.

​Why do I have to be the one that loves? 
Can’t someone else for just once take this journey?
Why does it have to be me? 
Do I have to love that person who continues to cause me pain? 
Am I the only one taking this journey? 

These questions that can torment us, or when we find the answer, set us free from the need or desire for someone else to be tasked with what only we are called to do. It’s like taking a college course and no one else has signed up for this course but you. Unfortunately, you require this class to be able to graduate and for others, it seems as this is an elective for them. But be of good cheer, you get one on one instructions and specialized tutoring. Thank God they didn’t cancel the class because it would only prolong your graduation. 

So, let us start this morning by allowing the truth to set us free. John 8:32 KJ2000 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Let us remove all the questions and the doubt of other lovers. May we once and for all break the chains of discouragement and despair. Let the truth reign in our lives to set us free from all bondage. Paul speaking to the church reminded us about not shying away from hard work. Acts 20:35 ISV “In every way I showed you that by working hard like this we should help the weak and remember the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” With love, it is better to give than receive, and we can help the weak by showing them the results of hard labor. Yes, beloved this is a hard but rewarding path on the journey. 

Let’s get back to others on the journey. Jeremiah 30:14 KJ2000 “All your lovers have forgotten you; they seek you not; for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the multitude of your iniquity; because your sins were increased.” Now, this is a hard pill to swallow. Those whom we want to do what seems too difficult for us have forgotten us. They have moved on, but we are stuck. They don’t even look to or at us. Could it be we do what we do because of the desire to be loved by others? This is the result of iniquity, and the one who is responsible is not the lovers you seek that now reject you. It is the God you serve who wants you to know that you can’t get what you are seeking from anywhere or anyone else.  That the love you desire begins with Him. 

Our attention is in the wrong place as we ask the questions above and say, what about him? I’m reminded when Peter asked the Lord about John in his “what about him?” moment. John 21:20-21 KJ2000 “Then Peter, turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrays you? Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?” Notice that Peter's focus was momentarily distracted by looking at others and how we can believe that others are loved, comparing ourselves to them. Peter was on the journey, and as it said, he turned about and began to look at John.  

On this journey, when we turn around, it means we get off course. You are headed in a direction, don’t be detoured by what’s behind you. That is a clear direction for someone this morning. Don’t be turned around. Today’s challenge, in your “what about him moment”, is to ask the Holy Spirit to remove from us the eyes of looking at others. Can we now stand and say Here am I Lord? I am ready to be set free and the challenge of loving others is difficult but not my will but Yours. God bless you, my beloved.

Good morning. As the temperature drops, I am mindful of how it feels to be in a cold relationship. One that is not based on love but is a pretense of love. The coldness and harshness of winter can be a reminder of the lack of love that we can experience. Remember, we talked about love being an outer garment we put on to shield us from the elements. 

This morning, I want to dive into misused love; love that is not real and even deceptive. Samson confused real love with an emotional feeling. In both cases in his relationship, we see in the bible the manipulation of someone to get what they want. This is not true love. It’s important to understand that manipulation may get us temporary satisfaction, but love can only be experienced through giving. Judges 16:15 KJ2000 “And she said unto him, How can you say, I love you when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me where your great strength lies.” 

What a great question, don't you think? How can there be any love if our heart is not in it? Even those in the world who have wrong intentions can see by our actions if there is any love shown by our actions. I am not saying Delilah was right in her actions, but there was truth in her deceptive ways. Those around us watch us and see if we will allow our guard to come down to show unconditional trust and love. Because they have never been taught or shown true love, the expression of their happiness comes in the reward they will receive. 

Here is where our trust comes to a greater level. Remember that we were told, Matthew 5:44 KJ2000 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Even when we have the REASON not to show love, we don't have the RIGHT not to. The power of love can fulfill the purpose of God, and we may never know it. The very situation you are in can be an occasion for God to show His dominion.  

Although it looked as if Samson was taken advantage of, the truth remains that this situation, he was facing, was one God was going to use. Judges 14:4 KJ2000 “But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.” Do you believe God is aware of everything that we experience and will use it to bring glory to His name?  

The challenge today is to destroy the words that would say, how can you love me if your heart is not in it? The greatest command is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and the second just like it, is to love our neighbor. Now, those are more than words we say, but an action that we perform. The only way that the unlearned will ever be taught of love will come through your sacrifice, and yes, it can be painful. It can leave you vulnerable, and it can cause you to get chained in life to the situation you are in. 

We forget the end of the story. Judges 16:30 KJ2000 “And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might, and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead whom he slew at his death were more than they whom he slew in his life.” Although it looked as if Samson had lost, it was an occasion for the greatest victory. I am not sure what you are facing today, or if you are concerned that the love you have shown is being taken for granted. I do want to assure you that God will use this occasion to restore both you and those around you to the place He has prepared. 

Be blessed and today LOVE the unloved because we need to silence their words. That they may know the LOVE of God.