In your life with Christ, have you ever felt comforted? Have you ever felt the Spirit stir your heart? Any affection well up in your heart for Jesus?
I think your answer if you’re a sister is most likely – YES. YES. AND YES.
In this passage, Paul pulls out a beautiful if/then statement. If we’ve experienced any of those things ever before: here is his request of us. Please, as believers – since you have the same mind (that of Christ), the same heart (redeemed + transformed by the blood of Jesus) – love one another. Don’t be selfish or think of yourself first, put other people ahead of yourself, and for Jesus’ sake – be humble.
Right here, Paul sounds to me how I sound when I leave my kiddos playing for a quick minute to make the coffee while they’re having a rambunctious morning. “Come on you guys! For the love! Please! For just one minute – don’t fight each other to the death!”
It sounds a little silly till I remember it’s really a needed statement for us to hear. Moreover, it’s not only so important because it helps us function as a family. It’s crazy important because we want to be more like Jesus. And what did He do? He (being fully God) didn’t consider Himself equal with His Father and humbled Himself to come to earth as a servant. While here, He poured Himself out to the point of death for us, for the glory of His Father, for the Kingdom of God to advance.
So as we walk away from the word today, let’s heed that warning. For the love of the One who loved us all the way to earth, all the way to the cross, for His sake – let’s love one another today.
Father, through the redemption of your Son, Jesus, in us and by the power of the Holy Spirit that is alive and active, teach us to love one another. Help us to consider others better than ourselves and remember we have the same heart & mind, Yours. Not just so we can get along better, but so Your Kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. Thank you.
{ 80 comments… read them below or add one }
Putting others before myself is unnatural and impossible to maintain on my own, out of my own willpower and my ambitions to be “good” and worthy. But through the Spirit, in Christ, it IS possible to put others first because God is giving me direct access to the mind and heart of Christ. The Spirit gives us the newness of life that we need to become a vessel for the selfless love of Christ. We become a vessel by accepting Gods grace for ourselves and allowing the spirit to work in us and through us. The reward in putting others first, pouring out that love, is that i get to see Gods kingdom advancing through the eyes and with the heart of Christ. This “emptying of myself” goes along with a receiving of Gods grace, which is never depleted or diminished in us, no matter how much we pour out. By emptying myself of vanity, anger, conceit, and ambition, and being filled with the fruit of the Spirit, I can see the needs of others that much more clearly, and encourage the ones who are hurting around me.
I love this message by Paul, to often we get caught up in the day to day drudgerys of life- always about “me me me” yet clearly we are instructed to put others before us and think of them as better than ourselves , which is not something that is common in our society today. Society encourages you to be independent and always striving to be better than the next person ..
The passage from today reminded me of my childhood. I am the oldest of four and there are four year gaps between us. There were so many differences within my siblings and I that we grew apart as we got older. If only I had loved them and try to keep the peace between us. I wouldn’t have lost so many years. Tonight I have been reminded that my church family is the same. We need to keep the peace among us because we have a bigger goal in front of us. Life and death for those around us. Keep a kingdom minded goal. I shouldn’t waste time on disagreements but focus on what our job is and how we are all needed. Times a wastin!
I like to first give honor and glory to my heavenly Father who first showed love to me and love me enought so that I may love others!!!!!! As GOD'S children we need to show the non-believers how we love one another and pray for all now that's how you live according to this scripture!!!!
Just getting into the She Reads plan and I'm loving it. It's helping me to better minister to a group I started at church called The Young Women of God. Just last night, I posted my thoughts on Facebook for this same group and they were the same as the plan for day 3. No one is better than the other. We've all made mistakes. It's important to love one another and act out of love towards each other.
I love this passage because God tells us specifically his will. To love oe another, to e Humber and to give thanks!
people are watching and for some we are the only bible they will read or see until compelled to come Christ
Wow how on time is this word for the body of Christ now i hear more complaints from people in the world on my job about Christians being gossipers and acting out of order and not living the word. If bothered me because it was told to me that my sisters were behaving so poorly i understand Not one person is perfect we all come short of the glory pf God but as believers we need to practice modeling Christ for unbelievers to see the love of Christ and give them a real example of the Christ we speak of. though the people at job said something to me about my sisters in Christ and dont think i am the same way we are as one in the body of Christ so one or even 30 of my sisters are struggling with gossiping and judgeing at work then so am I. so am I. but we need to be real with ourselves repent and allow God to cleanse us again from the inside out to arise for his sake with Holy boldness and integrity and LOVE of all things to successfully model our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. all who are in agreement let us pray now and pray hard for the body of Christ that we learn to love and live more like Christ.
This passage really touches me. I just recently lost two boys at my high school and it has been a devestating week… Why I’m not one to cry or really show emotion like saddness. Yesterday, the Lord really touched me like I never knew before. Me and my parents were at a national park just hanging out under a gazeebo when we started talking about Ryan and jerad. I said “I have been praying since day one that everyone will heal with joy and not anger and that they won’t push God out of their lives because they need God more now than ever.” God touched me in so many ways before. But I think when we lose love ones we really feel closer and like we get stronger and more wiser. And this passage just means to me is that tell everyone you love them even if they aren’t your favorite people because you never know when it is your last day on earth. And you never know what people are going through so show love to everybody….
It’s hard to forgive someone who gave you too much pain especially if that person is very important to you. I pray that someday I’ll find in my heart to forgive through the help of our dearest God,supreme being,infinitely perfect.
Can’t say that I consider others before myself! My goal today! Not to be better but that the kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven! Amen
Throughout today's devotional and scripture I kept thinking, "Not my will, but Yours, Lord". Oh to be like Paul in my pursuit of Christ
I know that because I allow my human emotions to interfere. It is hard to love others unconditionally but Lord I ask you to just show me the way so that I can love others as you have loved me. Put aside my feelings and allow my spiritual being step in and take over. Lord thank you for your love. Place your love in heart so that I can forgive. Its a continuous battle because I have been let down so many times. Guess what I know I have done the same to you and you have loved me anyway. So why can’t I do the same.
Lord you will be done in Jesus name. Amen.
I just realised whilst reading everyone’s comments that the reaosn why I don’t love unconditionally is because I have never truly understood the unconditional love that God has given to me by Christ dying for my sins. I understand the concept intellectually but I don’t think my heart has fully grasped it. There is a part of me that is just too hard and I need God to help me. I want to give unconditional love but I can’t give what I don’t fully understand. Lord please help me to see and grasp the unconditional love that you have for me so I can show it to others as well.
Because of God’s and The Sacrifice His Son Jesus paid on the Cross for us WE AS CHRISTIAN WHEATER IT’S BELIEVERS OR NON BELIEVERS WE SHALL LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND CONTINUE TO THANK GOD FOR ALL HE’S DONE FOR US. INSPITE IT ALL GIVE HIM PRAISES AND ALL THE GLORY
I love how The Message puts it, " He didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to his status…" Jesus knew Who he was. He never " forgot" that he was God. But He willingly chose to lay aside the advantages of his position to himself so that we might have full advantage of all he is and does. It seems to me that this is the same spirit I should have, not forgetting who I am in Christ or the way he has chosen to gift me, but acknowledging that any good thing in me – including talents, abilities, intellect etc. – is because of him & then freely pouring out myself, using whatever he has given me, to be a blessing & to shine a light on Jesus.
How dare I ever think myself superior! Our Lord, who was equal to God lowered Himself to the lowest position on earth, for me! …and He did so with humility and grace. The greatest thing I can accomplish is to try to follow His example.
This passage brings to my attention just how much I have failed….not just my Savior, but my family as well. My prayer today is that God just takes control of my focus, my thoughts and help me to see those around me the way He does and that I hear what He hears so I can be a useful and obedient vessel that He can use.
Father, please forgive me and bring me to that first love so I can share it with others and may that enthusiasm never die. Let others see you through my actions, my speech, and my submission to your will so that they may come to know Christ…in Jesus’ name..amen.
This is a very powerful devotional…all GOd asks of us is to do for one another is to love one another…to support each other and pour out God’s love for others. He wants us to forgive and to be humble. Why is this so hard for us to do? Why is it so hard to set aside time for Him after all He does for us?
This is a huge blessing to me! I am humbled by this passage. I can be so selfish. I am so excited to continue in this study. I have read the Bible many times through but I am amazed at how The Lord reveals a new and fresh approach each time a read a familiar passage!
I had to go back and reread this and still k feel I will be chewing on this all day LOVE sounds so simple but yet today is so hard. I daily tell at least one person I love them but do I show it?
Jesus showed his love by giving up heaven and power to come and die a criminal's death to show His love. Now I feel challenged. To show love in the body of believers and to unbelievers a like.
LORD teach me to love like you that your kingdom be glorified!
Wether or not I know each of you individually, I still pray for your wellbeing
it will really take faith In the God who first loved us in order to love selflessly. It is very difficult to love once you have abused. We need God's healing, by drawing nearer to him to establish that intimacy, then and only then can we RECEIVE his power and strength to love others. I am learning this day by day this is great scripture! God richly bless every body.
I'm new and loving this study. I have enjoyed all the posts and love seeing how God is bringing His daughters together to study His word and encourage each other. I pray that we will do the same for the women in our churches and in our lives.
Thank you Lord. for those whom you inspired to start this and keep it going bless them and encourage them and they have encouraged so many. Thank you Thank You. I neede this connection so much. Paul's words were so straight to the point and help me know that it is not I who am able to love as God loves, but His spirit within me.
This was exactly what I needed today. I love when God puts me in a path to give me what I need.
I have just found this app….and I love it!!! I am a 32yr old wife and mother…i am drained..i have recently closed my home business to get my life back in line with gods will for my life..all your comments are so uplifting and I relate Huge! On giving my hubby leftovers…help me Lord to love without expectations…help me to humble myself.
Today’s msg really struck a chord in me. It’s a moody morning as I sit on the train to work, thinking about how much I hate this work n struggle with some people there. I particularly struggle with considering them better than myself. I always thought, well, they already have their rewards in full, with people fawning on them and believing everything they said about them being better than they actually are. But the Holy Spirit is constantly checking me for my own hidden pride, envy and bitterness. Really praying for God to help me repent and find my true identity in Him and only Him. Not from the people of this world.
I used to think I was a humble person, but I am full of pride and selfishness! These verses remind me every time I read them that it's a DAILY thing for me to humble myself.
Thank you ladies for your honesty. Thank you for your encouragement.
Thanks be to our Lord for humbling Himself for us!
First time. I'm so happy to find you. Yes if Christ in all his glory can humble himself, so should I.
Just coming on this page every morning encourages me in my walk with God. I love this community! It's absolutely awe inspiring to know that there are women out there like myself who seek to bring glory to our King's name with everything that they do here on earth. I am not married so there isn't any husband to give any left overs to (lol) but Iive with my dad and step mom I give them the left overs! These past few days I have been believing the lie of the devil that I can never be in control of my emotions and that I cant ever be the perfect christian. It is encouraging to think now that I do not have tho be the oerfect one. I'll leave the perfection to Jesus because He is the only one that is truly perfect and might I add, humble. I love the C.S Lewis quote "Humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less." I want so desperately to have the same attitude that Jesus had and to not be concerned with myself alone but to always put others first before me and my needs. Thank You, King for your never failing love and for the gift of salvation!
Philippians 2:2 is the verse that stood out to me. "Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose."
I live in the "Bible belt" of Texas. Literally…can drive a mile stretch of road and pass upwards of a dozen churches. It breaks my heart to see. If we're truly "loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose" as He has called us to, then there is no need for 15 different denominations or trivial battles over what translation of the Bible is "best". I pray that the church as a whole can begin to have a shift in their attitude towards each other. However…in the meantime, I will continue to try to walk in this verse and be part of the start.
This one hits me because there is a lady who I believe is a Christian that I am next to every day and honestly she drives me crazy. It has been a prayer that the Lord allows me to see her with His eyes not mine. This section goes along with it, I need to love not judge. I need to love, not pick apart what she says or how she acts. I need to just love…period.
Love this and love the comments above.
This message really spoke to me today. I find myself struggling to show love to people, especially at work. I find that when i act lovingly towards people, the feelings of love usually follow behind. Lord, help me to remember this while i am in the thick of it.
This is my confirmation for my life….I.will serve as Jesus served even to the death. What an awesome example we have to follow. The love of God abides in me for all.
I am so thankful for this devotion! It was the 1st thing on my mind this morning. I am beginning to see humility from a different angle. Not so I can get along with my husband better or so that others will see how humble I am. But so that the kingdom will be furthered. Sometimes I get sad or frustrated when it seems all my “unselfish works” go unnoticed or unappreciated by my family, especially my husband. But passages like these remind me that as long as I keep Jesus as my reason, I won’t need the appreciation of others. Obviously, I need some fine tuning in the humble area lol.
I’m humbled by today’s reading. It’s teaching me to love and see others like Christ would. To be selfless. To not be that hindrance to someone else or be their stumbling block in their walk with Christ. I’m stirred in love
Hi all, a bit like Megan this is my first study and post just wanted to say reading these comments has been as powerful as the devotion. I’ve taken away just as many prayers reading your perspectives as the devotion! What a wonderful community and place to come to know Gods heart more :)
Claire-
Welcome! Thank you for sharing!
Favorite!
Christ humbled Himself.
God exalted Him.
Christ is Lord,
to the Glory of God the Father.
Amen! <3
I loved Ephesians, but I think I might just come to love Philippians even more! I truly want to live my life like Christ and this passage is a reminder of putting others before one's self and truly acting as Jesus would.
I am in love with my Lord and so humbled by what he did for me and continues to do every day. Praise God!
When I woke up today I felt so tired and so I was like no i’ll read today’s message a little bit later but something inside of me made me take my phone and I started reading, it is amazing how I just felt uplifted and this. “honeymoon” love for my Jesus just fell on me and my vision was reignited, I felt myself trusting in God more than ever before and all my worries that caused my fatigue where gone…wht inspires me in this passage is how a mighty, great King would give up His throne to come and live with mere mortals on earth and yet we become so prideful that we can’t even humble ourselves before Him, to humble yourself does not only mean putting others before yourself it also means loving others so much that you wouldn’t want them to leave your sight without telling them about this Mighty God we serve…it amazes me how Paul is so eager and excited about Jesus its like by even mentioning His name he gets all giddy and inlove as mighty women of God this is how we should feel about our Lord, it should be a “Honeymoon stage” forever
Hi ladies, this scripture is so powerful and profound isn’t it?! When I read the verse that says ‘let each of you look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others’ I was reminded of some words I read recently in the book Celebration of Discipline: ‘until be have learned to be alone, we cannot be with people in a way that will help them.’ The author was talking about practicing solitude and I am finding this to be so true – that spending time alone with Hod each morning greatly helps me to think of others in a more considered and loving way. Thank you Lord that you continue to refine and shape us until the day we meet you!
Good morning lovely ladies…
I am thrilled every morning to wake up have a coffe read the word and then read the convo here. Wow, the verses that are so tough, v 3-4 oh how I fall way short. Forgive me Lord and fill me with your love for those I struggle to love fully. Fill me anew this day to lay my rights down.
I think when I try to do what these verses say, I can’t, like what Paul says when he does what he doesn’t want to do. As I can’t love, forgive or do anything it is only in Him that I can, when I let go of trying and focus on Him, his word and what he had done for everyone that I can do what is in these verses.
Thank you my sisters. Love to you all.
I just wanted to thank everyone for thier comments. It really does being a whole new perspective on the same verses. Also everyone is so supportive of each other. It’s wonderful that there is no drama. I think online communities (especially talking about religion) have the potential for some drama. It’s really inspiring how welcoming you ladies are. :)
I loved the comment gthat Jesus didn't think of himself first so who am I? wow! I also give my husband the leftovers. ouch! did that this morning. We were listening to "who am I" by Casting Crowns on Pandora, one of our favorites. he had thumb-upped it before but wanted to again just to be sure it played as often as possible. he clicked the wrong thing and got out of pandora on the roku so we had to go back in and couldn't hear the song. I got on his case because I didn't see any reason to repeatedly thumb-up the thing, and he already had felt bad. but I didn't need to be mean about it, which I kind of was. i'm doing that kind of thing sometimes or also just half-listening to him while I do something else. i give customers or friends my undivided attention all day so yes, he gets the leftovers. Ouch! I also like the way the Message says, "Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage."
Your comment hit a chord with me and I aim to show unselfish love to those closest to me today. It is easier to be sweet and gracious to strangers sometimes but magnify the little things our family does to annoy us. Going to send a 'good morning I love you' email to his job right now…thanks!
My pastor quoted this just last week. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself, less.” C.S. Lewis.
I think this is important to remember because if we go around thinking we are “less than”, we run the risk if thinking we are unable to accomplish anything for Christ.
Love the quote! I’m going to write it down so I have it for later. Thank you!
Perfect quote. Staying with me today!
“Not just so we can get along better, but so Your Kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.”
I love this! We’re not just about self-improvement, but the kingdom coming and reigning in our hearts, lives, & communities.
One thing that stood out to me was in v. 6, he “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.” He wasn’t vying for position, recognition, or using his deity to his own advantage. He knew who He was, the Father knew who He was, and He was confident and content in that.
He was known by whom it was most important to be known, not men, but the Father. That’s my prayer, that I may be content in being known by the Father than by man.
I am new, too. I thought it would be really great way to "connect" with many christian women and relate to them in a God-honoring way. I don't have enough godly interaction in my life. I need to know how others "do this"! I live alone and have adult children who are not seeking the lord and want to live for Christ (in relationship) in order to draw them to Him. Reading/sharing scripture is obviously a must! Thanx, Patti
Welcome Patti! and I hope you find many other women learning just like you!
Love. Humility. Unity.
Thank You for the love You’ve given me freely that fuels my weary mind/body from moment to moment. Please continue guiding me and putting things/people in my path that help me to balance humility and confidence in these times that feel so uncertain – remembering that nothing is uncertain to You. And unite my husband’s will and mine for Your glory so that joy, peace, and love will spill over from us to our children, family, and neighbors. In Jesus name, Amen.
Karen this is my prayer everyday!!!!! This is also what I pray for me and family and those that God has put in my path.
Hello Ladies! I woke up this morning and read today's Word. I really appreciate the Devotional Content because it opens my eyes to the scripture and gives me a deeper understanding.
What I have taken from the past three days of reading Paul's letters is that he did not allow anything to deter him from spreading the Gospel. This man was imprisoned with all his rights stripped away but he was determined to share his love of Christ and bring others to Christ.
I feel bad that I have my freedom and devote so little time to reading the Word or sharing Christ with others. I allow life distractions (social media, bad reality TV, idle chit chat on the phone, etc…) to get in the way of my personal relationship with God and sharing God's love with friends and family. I pray that reading Philippians continues to open my eyes.
I hope everyone has a great day :)
I like your analogy of the bickering kiddos. How frustrated Paul must have been with the people of Philippi. And with us today!
Before I jump into it, this is the first plan I’m taking part in and my first time posting… So glad to have found all you ladies and such a great environment in which to reconnect with the Word after letting it take the back burner for so long..
… and what a way to jump back in! With pretty much the biggest and most basic wake-up call there is. “Hey, Megan? You’re doing it wrong.” Some of my biggest battles are with envy, pride, and (more than anything) spitefulness. Life is not a game of me vs. them, it is us vs. sin. Why I allow myself to mentally compete against other Godly women over such vain and petty things in life is ridiculous when, if we simply did as we’re told in this passage, we could tackle anything.
Welcome! So glad you’re joining us! And trust me girl–you are NOT alone in those struggles.
WOW…Megan! you are so right when you say that Life is not a game of me vs. them. but us vs. sin. I also love the fact that you were able to realize and recognize through the word how much you need to change. That motivates me even the more. Because I myself have grown up to see and hear people say that It's every man for himself That's the world way of Love only loving those that love us. That's not the way that God intended for us to love. And he clearly states that in his word. That's why I also believe that is so important to spend time in God's word "DAILY". I'm so grateful and so Blessed to have stumbled upon this reading plan at such a time as this. I really needed this one today!!!! God Bless everyone.
My first time to post here but oh my word! So encouraged by your thoughts! I noticed in verse 2 (from the NLT) that we are to agree wholeheartedly—requiring humility; love one another—requiring grace; and work together—requiring unity. What if those three things became priorities in my life—humility, extending extravagant grace, and seeking unity? How would that change my home, my family, my relationships, my church, my community?
For me they seem to be building blocks. It's very hard to extend grace when we are not humble and we certainly cannot seek unity until we are willing to let go of the need to be right or best (humble again—oy!) and to give grace to others. As I grow in humility (which seems sort of weird to say/write as it feels like it would be prideful to grow in humility ???), then I learn to give true grace, and that allows me to work in unity with others, pursuing one heart and one purpose.
I love this passage today. What jumped out at me was verse 5 – "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had…" As soon as I began reading the entire passage, I thought, for heaven's sake, it's NOT ABOUT YOU!!! Even Jesus himself didn't think it was all about him, so how on earth can anything in this world be about ourselves?? We must adopt an attitude of humility and obedience and just LOVE one another as Christ Jesus himself loved. That means loving everyone – not just those people it's "convenient" for you to love!
Wonderful!
“HUMBLY regard others as more important than yourselves”. I wrote in my journal to let go of EGO, CRITICISM & GOSSIP. Why is it so difficult? What purpose do they serve?
I pray for clarity and strength to shed ego, criticism & gossip so that I may serve others ahead of myself. Amen.
I love verse 7 & 8 in the Message, "Having become human, Jesus stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process, He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless obedient death…" and because of that one of these days "EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord!" Every time I read this the Spirit is prompting me to remember–IT IS A CHOICE! I choose to be encouraging, comforting, tender, and compassionate! I choose to get along with others and the only way I can do it is to remember Jesus example. At ANY time He could have said to God, "Hey this is too much and I have changed my mind–take me home!" And God would have! God would have sent 5000 angels to take Him home and they would have figured out a different way to save us BUT Jesus choose to stay human and go through with the whole plan all the way to the worst death–on a cross!
How can I not choose to be like Him! He did all this for me! I pray I will remember this in the petty ness of my life!
LOVE this passage today–one of my all time favorites. The thing I live most is that there are such hefty commands at the beginning: do nothing out of selfish ambition. Be humble. Put others first. LOVE. But then, he doesn’t just leave us to our futile efforts. He tells us this, and then, oh by the way…Jesus did this. And he didn’t do it only to be our example, though that’s amazing and awesome in itself. He did it FOR US. So freeing–and all the more reason to strive to live a life worthy of his calling. We HAVE received grace–grace that even covers us when we are trying to respond to that grace and fail!
Beautifully said!
Love your words, Ashley. Thank you!
Kia commented above that she seeks the love that she is unable to give. I too have set others standards for my love so high that I myself wouldn't be able to achieve them if the roles were reversed. God has opened my eyes lately on how wrong this is, how love isn't about how others treat you but how your self dies to love another. I'm still trying to figure out how to express this love that goes so strongly against the grain of the worldly human mind where it's every man for himself, where my love has ALWAYS been based as a defensive love.
I thought I knew what unconditional love was, how to give it especially, but it has always been based on conditions and expectations. Vs 6 and 7 say, "Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing… " (NLT). This means I can't have expectations, I can't have conditions. If I am truly to love like God, my SELF must die.
This is my prayer today- Lord, humble my heart. Teach me to set aside all my learned prideful ways. Teach me to love others with the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Erase my notions of selfishness, expectations, demands, rights and conditions. Lord, I strive to learn to love like you. Thank you Lord for teaching us to die within ourselves as you died for us on the cross. Thank you for the love that you showed us and help me to show others the same. In your name I pray, Amen.
"If I am truly to love like God, my SELF must die." <~~~~~ An amazing perspective of the scripture. I've never thought of it in that way. I myself have been giving love to others based off of conditions and expectations. Recently (within the past week) I've been asking myself how would I feel if I was receiving the same love that I was giving.
Dyan, thanks for sharing your heart. I love the way God speaks to us not only through His word, but in the lives of His children. What a great reminder this passage is for us to remember the great love the Father has for us and that we should have for all. What a different world it would be if the Children would shine from the Father. I love reading all the posts and being touched by what God is doing in the lifes of His beautiful daughters.
Ultimately everyone is searching for unconditional love , which in reality we already have that from God. But because we don’t take the time to get to know him intimately , and discover who we are in him which allows us to love ourselfs. We often seek that very same love that we’re unable to give.
I’ve loved only those whom loved me. Which I see now is not Godly love.
Lord i thank you for the constant renewing of my mind . I Thank you for loving me unconditionally , help me to show that same kind of love to all the people I come in contact with regardless of their actions ,words , views, & continue to reveal yourself to me daily
What an amazing prayer!
These verses have been on my "to memorize" list for quite sometime, but I just haven't summoned the courage to tackle it because it is SO DANG HARD….do nothing out of selfish ambition…
I think in our culture today (especially for American women), the attitude is that you have to "fight." No one else is going to advocate for you. If someone cuts in front of you in line….if someone wants *that* parking spot….etc. ((I'm not saying I'm constantly confronting people in the grocery store or have terrible road rage- I don't- just giving generic examples)).
It's exhausting and not at all the world God intended for us.
I struggle with this in my marriage…at work….etc.
Lord, please help me to see the areas in which I need to grow. Thank you for sending your son for us as a constant reminder of your love. Help us to love others in the same selfless way.
Yes! I comes lately agree that these ideas are counter-cultural. Which in some ways is super hard, but in some ways is also a little encouraging to me! I feel like as an uprising generation of Christian women (I’m using generation in a broad sense in terms of She Reads Truth–not age!) we have the opportunity to look and say, “Today. Right now. We choose to be different. We choose to stand out. Not because of US but because of HIM.” I think this life of obedience is difficult, but it also comes with the freedom of knowing that he must work in us, because we are incapable on our own. I also very much agree that my marriage is an awesome place for me to start with this–sometimes my husband just gets the leftovers. I can show him the ugliness I hide from everyone else because he’s kinda stuck with me. But that isn’t respectful or loving of me! Praying today for strength and surrender for all of us!
Ashley, Ha! I do the same to my husband. "Sorry guy, this is the ugliness that I have to hide from everybody else. The rawness of me and I just don't feel like trying anymore for you today." So sad when he is supposed to be the next in line after God and above my children. I'll pray for you and Holly today!
Hit the wrong button! Wanted to like what you said!
Oh, man. I'm right there with you, girls with the "giving my husband the leftovers." I hate it when I can see that he knows I'm doing that…I've really been convicted of this just this week. I've got a toddler who had a big round of vaccinations and is a bit grumpy/needy, and 4 week old, a new design company I'm getting off the ground, and several events for church coming up in the next 2 weeks…my husband has definitely been put on the backburner and that needs to change stat. Today, I'm committing to getting a good meal on the table for dinner, writing him a note (he's a "words of affirmation guy"), and closing down the computer after our boys are asleep to spend some time listening to his heart/playing his favorite game!
Yes, i definitely read this verse in terms of a marriage relationship this morning too.
Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
In our nine years of marriage, on of my constant prayers has been for unity among us. From there, the selfish ambition and conceit take a backseat to a common goal of partnership in Him.
I love today's message! We should always be paying it forward! People may not show you love outwardly, but God always does no matter our short comings! Pay it forward & take the love Jesus has shown us & scream it to the world! Love is all you need!
Lord, thank you for all the love you have shown me & placed in my heart! Help me to show that love to the world without fear or reservations! ~AMEN
This is so important to love others because it is soooo hard to do so. There was a man who once said that the natural thing to do is to hate and that love is an act that does not always come easy. I have needed to ask God to place love in my heart for myself, for Him and for others. I have been greatly disappointed by people in this world and have had moments of anger and disappointment towards God to be honest. God knows my heart and I can not hide anything from Him so yeah I've been angry at Him. But I know He loves me. I know it, but I don't always feel it. Just like I know I need to love others but don't feel like it.
God place your love in my heart so that I can give it to others and show them your amazing glory! Your kingdom come, your will be done, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.