I love pizza. I love roller coasters. I love coffee, and I love when my kids let me sleep in on the weekend. While these are definitely some of my favorite things, I admittedly throw the word “love” around.
As a culture, we’ve seeped almost every inch of meaning and purpose out of the word love. So how do we know what love is anymore? How do we show love to our friends, co-workers, spouses, and neighbors? If Scripture is our guide, it tells us that true love comes from God alone. Any source of real love is modeled after God’s character and nature (1John 4:7–8).
That means we get to learn from the best! That also means if we don’t know God, we don’t truly know love yet. When we begin a relationship with Jesus and welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives, we’re given two important tasks: The first is to love God. The second is to love each other (vv.10–12).
Our Scripture reading from today tells us, “If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is made complete in us” (v.12).
I’m guessing that for some of us, there are people in our lives that are easy to love. But what about the difficult people we know—the ones we struggle to get along with? Are we called to love them too?
If we love God, that means we must seek to love all of our brothers and sisters (1Peter 1:22–23). It’s not natural for us in our sinful nature to love like this. That’s the tension we feel. But there’s good news! God has given us His Holy Spirit. That means He is with us as we love each other. We’re not doing this in our strength. He gives us everything we need to do it (1John 4:13)!
How can you and I possibly show love to people who have hurt or betrayed us? It’s difficult to love people in our churches who have looked past us or treated us poorly. I, too, have been wounded by other believers and know how painful those wounds can be. But when we draw close to God, He purifies our hearts so we can love in the way that we’re called to love.
Dear God, we confess that in our strength we will always fall short. Thank you that we have security and confidence because of your love. Your love and strength are always available to us, help us to love like you, today. Amen.
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136 thoughts on "Living Lives of Love"
Loving those who hurt us.
Love- May I share the love of Jesus with everyone even those who may have hurt me.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you. Bind them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Thank you thank you thank you!!! I needed this so much as I am finding it so hard to FULLY trust everyone in my study group, and although I am only in day 2 of this study but, it’s clear where to go for help. Jesus Christ ❤️
Thank God for his indwelling Spirit! I think that’s how I can love the ones who hurt me in any way: love with God’s love, when my own love is hard to share. Does this make sense?
But when we draw close to God, He purifies our hearts so we can love in the way that we’re called to love.
yes! our small group is doing this, and i love them. thank you for these!!
only through God can we truly find His true && perfect love < all the ways of this world will never fill us up with love like God for it leads us astray. ✞
This is a hard one!
To know God is to know Love.
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Needed this ❤️
I loved that prayed at the end! Amen!
Amen!
Goes well with Everybody Always by Bob Goff
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This one is going to be a double read for me later in the day. There were pieces I understood and pieces I need to pray over to fully grasp.
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How can we hate anyone once we know Gods love for us!
I know where my help comes from… it comes from you Jesus. Today and everyday I pray that you give me the strength to love like you love!
Beautiful way to start my day. Thank you God. And the love of this word❤️
Oh may I love more today and shine for HIM.
Yesterday as I was out running some errands I was thinking about what it means to be an introverted Christian and how I can still love people through that. I don’t like being around a lot of people, but that doesn’t mean I can’t love them. This is an interesting study and a good way to reflect on how God is asking me to love others the way he wants me to.
Amen
Inpatient dietitian working in the hospital from the very beginning, I feel completely betrayed that so many people in the body of Christ would choose selfishness over self sacrifice for the good of their communities. It’s been horrific and traumatic.
This devotion has me really processing how God loves me even in my flaws. How to do so with people who are even during this time does pose challenges since this pandemic has exposed a lot of things about people and how they see the world.
Wow. Praying that the hearts of these men in your lives will be softened and they will return to their walk in the Lord. Pray for you and your strength be encouraged that you are not forgotten and Jesus will carry you through this. It seems these kinds of stories are more and more common than we want to believe but we are human even in Christ church. Sometimes it’s hard to pray for restoration because we get so angry we just want retribution instead LOL. Lord forgive me.
Traci, So, so sorry to hear about Tanner.
Thank you Tamara!
Be busy, and even consumed, with the goodness of God. Micah 6:8 says
He hath shown thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
I’m so sorry for the situation you’re in, God bless you for your strength and love, sending some extra to you to hopefully help you feel Gods love. I’m so disheartened at others responses to being responsible for each other & disappointed how political wanting to curtail a pandemic has become.
Sending you so much strength I’m so disheartened by others responses to how well we care for our brothers and sisters & disappointed how political keeping others healthy is
Such powerful words!! So thankful that God loves us this much and he wants us to love as well. Praise God!!!
Traci, So sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Tanner’s journey with us.
Traci, I’m so sorry to hear about Tanner. I’ll be praying for comfort, strength, and the peace that surpasses all understanding for you and your family. ❤️
Today’s reading resonated with me in that we are living in very adversarial times. People are at odds on practically everything. There is so much distrust in news media outlets, politics, education, etc. I am loving this study so much because it’s reminding me that we need to love each other, listen to each other, and respect each other. It doesn’t mean we have to agree, but we can still love one another and act out of love to make this world a better place.
Churchmouse, it is with great relief I see your name tonight. Tina has been in and out and I miss you both when you are absent. I don’t post a lot but I have been here from the beginning, before the app, before Amanda when Raechel and a few others were writing and God was blessing and urging Raechel forward. My how this ministry has exploded. Welcome home. ♥️
Beverly Watley – welcome! We read sometime during the day and comment or not. Some come back later in the day to respond to commemts. Some read comments the next day. Churchmouse is a longtime commenting member of the community that suddenly stopped in late May and we had been concerned about her.
Talk about an ‘in your face’ words, Abby just slapped me down. “It’s difficult to love people in our churches who have looked past us or treated us poorly. I, too, have been wounded by other believers and know how painful those wounds can be.” I heard the Holy Spirit saying, hey, Claire, are you listening? You know those people no longer there because of differences of theology? How hurt you were? YOU must let it go and LOVE THEM AS CHILDREN OF GOD! Thank you, Abby, it really struck home.
Love these scriptures today! So good!
It is so sad that there are people who have felt unwelcome at their local church during the pandemic. I pray that I have shown love and welcomed everyone whether they chose to wear a mask to church or not. We are commanded to not forsake the gathering of believers and having so many feel uncomfortable or unsafe makes me sad. I hope that everyone can get back into fellowship soon. It is such a gift.
It is so sad that there are people who have felt unwelcome at their local church during the pandemic. I pray that I have shown love and welcomed everyone whether they chose to wear a mask to church or not. We are commanded to not forsake the gathering of believers and having so many feel uncomfortable or unsafe makes me sad. I hope that everyone can get back into felo
It is so sad that there are people who hab
Churchmouse, it is so so so good to hear from you!! I’ve been praying for you and your family, and I praise God you’re back here with us safe and sound. ❤️❤️❤️
Victoria E, I’ve been saved since I was 6 and I share those same feelings!! Praying 1 John 4:16 for the both of us, that we will “come to know and to believe the love that God has for us”. ❤️
Wow such powerful words. Love one another as he loved us. I also struggle with those that have done and are stilling doing me wrong. It is easy to love those that love back but not everyone is so easy. Please pray for me to live those that are not so easy as Christ has loved me. It is comforting to know that I’m not the only one that has this struggle.
To By His Grace: fellow RN here, inpatient hospice. So many of your concerns have been mine as well. Not only from my job but also from having several vulnerable family members, my church’s response to Covid has felt like a betrayal. I was even advised to no longer take my concerns to our senior pastor because he hears too many opinions. My family just returned to church but we’re tucked away in the mezzanine wearing masks and avoiding greeting times. I have so much hurt and bitterness in my heart. The Lord is really convicting me that I am so much more forgiving of non-believers than of my church family. I’m such a work in progress. Pray for me as I pray for you.
It’s something how this virus has caused such a rift between us as believers. That’s what satan was banking on I’m sure. Trusting that the Lord will work in our Christian lives in such a way that we can build each other up, and love each other, even with our differences. Get behind us satan! You have no power here!
It’s something how this virus has caused such a rift between us as believers. That’s what satan was banking on I’m sure.
I’m loving this study. It let’s me read some Scriptures again that I haven’t read in a while.
Can anyone let me know what time in the morning the community reads together or do we?
Melissa, I’m new to SRT community and it may seem strange to the community, but who is Church mouse?
As I am reading through the comments, I am asking myself what definition of love is being talked about? Is it the warm fuzzy friendship kind of love? I don’t think we are commanded to love our enemies in that way. We are not to hold a grudge nor hold ill will toward them. We are to serve them when they are in need. We are to pray for them, and perhaps that prayer is for them to come to know the Lord. We are to conduct our lives, to the very best of our abilities, to honor God.
Traci, I have been praying for Tanner for a long time and also for you. God in His great mercy has healed Tanner, not in the way we may have hoped, but perfectly.May he give you peace and may you feel His love and strength in the days ahead.
TRACI GENDRON – I am so sorry to hear of Tanner’s passing. Prayers for your broken heart to be healed
CHURCHMOUSE – it is such a blessing to see you are back and well. You have provided much wisdom in your comments and you were truly missed. I’m so sorry you’ve been hurt by your church. I pray that God’s peace will envelop you, especially as you return to in-person.
I’ve been doing the SRT studies for some time, but I rarely comment. However I do read the comments daily and I am blown away by the love that is expressed in those comments. Thanks to all of the SRT community for providing insight to scripture, lifting others up in prayer to our great God, celebrating the joys and
coming alongside those who are burdened. I ask your prayers for me that I may also be the light to someone who is going through the darkness.
Good evening ladies! I have been a reader off and on for years but not much of a commenter. This study is really resonating with me as I see it is with many of you as well. I have been struggling with this idea of community and loving your neighbor for quite some time now. I am a huge introvert and I believe I struggle with some degree of social anxiety, but I do really try to put myself out there. Still, though, I find it hard to make good, close friendships. My husband and I have been struggling with whether or not to stay at our current church. We met there and have been there coming up on three years now, but have recently started to feel sort of like we don’t fit there or that we don’t agree with how certain things are being done. We just don’t feel welcome. It’s so hard to tell whether these feelings are real and a sign that we should go elsewhere, or if these are issues in our own hearts. But it has definitely made me feel critical of others and alone. I know that I need to love and let God’s love absorb in my heart, then let that love flow out on to those around me. I need to pray for God to change my heart towards others and to love them regardless of how they treat me or whether we agree. I appreciate reading everyone’s comments and will be praying for all!
Oh to LOVE like Jesus!!
“That means we get to learn from the best!”
Welcome Denise. Great to have you join us.
I’m so happy to see you, Churchmouse! I can relate to many of the comments. I have not always been easy to love. I’m opinionated and don’t always hold back. I also have a hard time loving some people that are on the difficult side. As I was reading this today, I know that only by God’s hand can I change this attitude.
So many of you have been praying for Tanner. I wanted you to know that he passed away on Saturday morning. My heart is broken, but yet I remember Tanner telling me when he was 5, that he would have a new heavenly body and would no longer be sick when he died. That gives me peace. He had declined so much in the last year, that life was becoming harder and harder for him. I know that God will protect me and heal my heart. I expect my grief to come in waves and unexpectedly. Thank you again for praying for us.
This reading was very deep and emotional for me today. I spent 2 to 3 years convincing myself that God hated me… and never loved me.. I used to think that God was this big scary monster in the sky.. distant and far away.. and now reading “God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” makes me not only realize how wrong I was… but makes me realize how much God loved us so much.. He sent us His only son.. when we deserved Hell. I couldn’t imagine serving any other. He is so amazing.
Loving people might be hard.. but it’s a message we so desperately need in today’s climate. Instead of having a holier- than- thou attitude…and screaming at people when their wrong.. we need to love them like how Jesus would love them. We owe it to everyone because Jesus loved us when we didn’t even deserve Him. We must always love people for pure reasons as well, never selfish ones.
Ladies I am so glad to see everyone here again this morning. Something struck me with these readings and devotional this morning- ive been a Christian since I was about 8 years old but I wonder if I truly know* the love of God sometimes. I struggle to feel it a lot, feel like a failure a lot, and only feel semi worthy when I’m doing all I can to be “righteous”. I intellectually know this is incorrect but my heart is lagging behind. Maybe that is why I struggle to love people who aren’t easy to love, I hold everyone to the same standards to which I hold myself and constantly fail to uphold. Just a thought, maybe a prayer request in there for God to fix my wrong thinking.
Sweet SRT sisters, I’m feeling all the love! I’m so sorry my absence worried you. I withdrew to draw closer to the Lord and to just let Him deal with some issues in me. I used the time I would normally commune with you all to read the Word and commune more deeply with Him. I read through the Bible twice and filled several journals. It was a treasured time but also very draining. I now feel not only is my head above water but that I am also able to walk on it, holding on to my Jesus’ hand. And so now I extend my hands towards you all and I lift them up in gratitude to God for taking me where I would not have gone had He not been leading. Rachel, your comment pierced my heart today. You are absolutely right. Churchmouse needs to be in church. I’ve held back because of hurt feelings and from fear of unkind comments. I may very well be the only one wearing an N95 mask and sitting in the back but this Sunday Churchmouse will be back in His house. Thank you for loving me enough to nudge me, well, it felt more like a shove. But sometimes that’s just what I need.
I must confess the word “love” makes me itchy. Not so much with those in my immediate family but cast the net wider and I’ll be itching. Which is probably also why I can’t get past the command to love and to love generously and sincerely. Not only can I be itchy but I can be stingy. It’s soooo much easier to love the loveable, you know those who are much like me. I’ll throw a crumb of love towards those on my naughty list just so I can say I loved. Because Jesus said to love others. Not because I want to or feel like it. Sigh. That’s a total fail as a follower of Jesus and one who has the Holy Spirit residing within. Lord, do I love You so little when You have loved me so much? Am I determining who is worthy of my love when I am so undeserving of Yours? How will they know I’m a Christian if I am not loving others and especially those in Your family? Lord, thank You for these convicting Scriptures today. Help me to love better and more visibly. Let it come from a heart of gratitude for the great love You have shown me. May the Holy Spirit do His work in me so that I might be a faithful ambassador for You. Amen.
I love my family. I love my friends. I love my coworkers. I could use some help when it comes to the older lady next door who lashed out at us last week over brush on the side of the road. It’s the little things that sink me.
Thank you for this Maiya – I had a similar testing experience on YWAM and need to remember the lessons God taught me then!
This came at a perfect time. I’m facing some difficult times at my workplace. But it’s not with my fellow brothers and sisters the believers but it’s with unbelievers the ones that don’t know Jesus. And I need to demonstrate Jesus to them. Thankfully I had enough strength and because of the Holy Spirit in me I was able to stay silent (and not retaliate) and take it to the right before the right people. Please pray for me. I’m tired of being temporarily disabled. I am now in a walking boot, but still restricted 50%. And I know it’s hard on everyone but trust me I wish I was at 100%. But I also know that God has me in this place for a reason. He is protecting me. Meanwhile continue to pray so that I would demonstrate Jesus to these people.
Hello I am new to SRT. This lesson has blessed me because I grew up not knowing what love was. So now that is what I want for myself and I want to be able to give love to others. Nice meeting all of you.
Maiya, thank you, what you wrote gives me hope. I have had difficulty loving my brother and his wife since they got engaged because they have treated me disrespectfully and ignored me. I have tried again and again to show love but have been rebuked. The reading today also reminded me that I need to keep trying to love them and show them love. I will be praying for help from the HS especially during this holiday season when we will all be together.
Amiya,
What stands out to me this morning is “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. He loves me even when I’m not being lovable. It’s both convicting and encouraging because my story is living proof that His love transforms. How much more do I want to share His love to others regardless of their behavior.
Churchmouse, I’m adding my name to the long list of ladies who have missed your wise and timely observations over the past many weeks. Welcome back, dear sister! It’s good to “hear” your voice again. Covid has been a disrupter for sure, but we in the body of Christ cannot be separated from His love or Him, for that matter, praise God!
I’ve never submitted a comment but today I knew I had to. Welcome back CHURCHMOUSE!! Your comments always brought the devotional to life even more for me every time. I have thought and prayed for you during your absence. My heart jumped for JOY when I saw your name in the comments! Thank you ladies for all your thoughts and commentaries. This SRT community is something else! To God be the glory!
I have rewrote this message at least 3 times. I have so much to share. Trying to make it short. I’ve struggled with a teacher who hurt my child and got away with it, being hurt by members of the church ( why does that hurt so much!?), abandonment/abusive parents. God walked me through each trail and worked on me until I could see them like he does. They are his children. Just like me. He loves them. Just like me. I nor HE condone what they did/do but they are still HIS and worthy of love. Worthy of forgiveness. It was such a hard pill to swallow. I wanted him to revenge me. I had decided that we were done with them. HE reminded me how he always loves me, unconditionally. How he forgives me, every single time. That they also deserved the same grace and mercy from him that he gives to me.
Oops I’m sorry I don’t know what I did to make this post keep repeating itself
Good afternoon she’s. I was late doing my daily study and then saw posted that Churchmouse was back! Welcome back dear sister, we have all been so worried. Then I saw that there were 166 comments yesterday WOW! I had done my reading yesterday morning so missed all of the above but just went back to read all I missed. Welcome again all who are new, this site is a blessing in my life and I thank God everyday for each of you.
I help lead a Recovery Group called WAR ( Womens All Recovery ) we are a faith based group and teach from our Bibles backing up all we say and do with scripture.
Elaine – I have realized the same. With those I am closest to, I am critical, selfish, easily angered and prideful. It breaks my heart to see who I really am and face myself. I have been begging God to change me, for His Spirit to do the work within me. It seems like one step forward and 3 steps back. There is a lot of renewing my mind, a lot of confession and repentance, a lot of excitement to see God work this out of me and then also a lot of feeling guilt and shame because I fell back into old habits again. I’m realizing again and again that only the Lord can make this change in my broken, sinful flesh. I am helpless to do it on my own and I’ve spent far too long trying to fix myself. I’ve been a believer for 28 years and it’s so hard recognize that there is still so much work to be done in me – I’ve been with the Lord long enough that it feels these things like anger and selfishness would be refined in me by now. There’s that pride again, thinking I should be “fixed” by now. Lord, I long to love like you. I feel your love, your passion, your Spirit inside of me. Continue to grow me to be more like you, loving others with your love and not out of my own effort.
Tina, your story…I was laughing & crying & rejoicing…But God indeed!
Kelly, thank you for boiling things down so neatly. I love how you list prayer needs too. I always pray through the list, as well as through the requests. I really want to get better at prayer.
Heidi, so glad to “see” you too! And since I’m working on my prayer life, I particularly loved your advice and copied it into my workbook.
All the comments here touch me so deeply.
1 John 4:7-16 is such a powerhouse! God is in us when we confess Jesus is the Son of God. The thing is to REMEMBER that He is in us & we don’t have to do it under our own power. For me that is sometimes the hardest part…remembering how able God is AND that He is with me ALWAS.
I am comforted that God shows us how to love. Loving some is very easy, but others do come hard at times. I pray that God gives me the words and the compassion to love each of His people.
Please pray for my daughter. She is lost and doesn’t believe. I pray that she finds her way to God and Jesus for without Jesus there is no true joy or hope. She’s struggling with all that’s going on in the world to know why. The why is in His plan, but she refuses to look. Father, soften her heart to let you in. Please keep knocking on her heart. Amen.
I am comforted that God shows us how to love. Loving some is very easy, but others do come hard at times. I pray that God gives me the words and the compassion to love each of His people.
Tina, you kinda hit the nail on the head. I struggle with this coworker who seems to only want to be mean, rude, and just difficult. I know God blessed me with this job, but I’m constantly thinking Why Me??? And what am I doing wrong, why is she treating me like this, etc. but the truth is it has nothing to do with me and God placed me in this position right next to her for a reason. Choosing to love like he does is not easy but I’m so grateful for SRT and this timely message. Im going to choose love and not change my ways in response to someone of the world instead I’m going to shine that love and light of Christ! Oh man, I needed this BADLY!!
I’ve been having a hard time starting conversations with people. I just don’t want it to be awkward. I’ve heard that good relationships come from awkward conversations. I’m definitely an introvert. I’ve been reading the comments everyday even though it takes awhile.
You may see a comment multiple times on here.
I’ve been having a hard time starting conversations with people. I just don’t want it to be awkward. I’ve heard that good relationships come from awkward conversations. I’m definitely an introvert. I’ve been reading the comments everyday even though it takes awhile.
I’ve been having a hard time starting conversations with people. I just don’t want it to be awkward. I’ve heard that good relationships come from awkward conversations. I’m definitely an introvert.
Thanks for sharing this testimony of what God can do if we are obedient (despite our human nature!). May we all seek Him instead of serving our own agenda.
@Heidi – same. Focusing on what separates us from others only adds fuel to the fire. If we can redirect our focus to just one positive thing as a step of faith, God has something to work with. If noting else that “other” is a fellow image-bearer.
Edit *love is an action no
It comforts me to know that love is an action not an emtotion. It comforts me to know that love is an action not an emotion. I don’t always eel loving towards someone and can feel guilty about that. But I can still act lovingly towards thrm and pray that God will align my heart!
It comforts me to know that live is an action, not an emotion. I might not feel loving towards someone and feel guilty about that, but I can still act loving and pray that God will align my heart!
Father I Need Your Holy Spirit to teach and guide me to love others as your Word tells me to now and always. In Jesus Name, Amen
This is such a timely series for me. My family is beginning to look for a new small group within our small church, seeking true community for the first time in our 7 years of marriage. I have felt overlooked, even betrayed recently, within the walls of the Church. It’s so good to be reminded that God is the source of love and that we as humans fail constantly. It gives me hope, and it helps me to forgive others and myself for the struggles in community.
When I saw that CHURCHMOUSE commented I literally clapped my hands in excitement! I was so worried that something tragic had happened. I am sorry that you are having to go through this difficult time and that your church has not supported you. Keep praying that God will lead you to a good community and I pray that you can find some comfort in the SRT community. I hope you are reading all the positive comments welcoming you back!
I will never forget the day when I realized I was one of those hard to love people. I was devastated to look back and see all the ways my heart had grown cold to others. I saw the critical nature, the pride and the self righteousness of my spirit. I didn’t like that person very much. I prayed and asked God to change my heart and I memorized “Create a clean heart in me oh God and restore a steadfast spirit within me, my redeemer.” I still pray that verse back to God frequently. God started to change my heart and made me see each time I fell into that way of being. I am so grateful for all the grace He has given me through Jesus. He surrounded me with loving people who saw past my rough exterior and showered so much grace and mercy upon me. He gave me opportunities to really return that grace to others and prove my heart had changed. I still have my moments that remind me to extend the love that has been given to me. I am a work in progress and very thankful that my Jesus loves me so much that He will not let me be that person that I don’t want to be. Giving grace to others is an amazing act of love and can change hearts and lives forever. Please don’t use it sparingly. Lavish it upon others the way our Jesus does to you. You will be rewarded more than you can measure.
I really needed this study right now! I am an ICU nurse and have been through a lot this past year and a half. Many of my brothers and sisters in Christ have a different view of Covid because they don’t see what I see every day, for example, one day I said to a lady in my church that it was hard on my seeing so much death from the virus, especially when there’s an opportunity for protection, and she told me “from what I understand Covid is only a cold” – someone else gave me a rant on personal freedoms. I understand all of these opinions, but I just feel like I’m being pushed to the outside because I’m not antivax. I don’t ever promote what people should or should not do, and I’m all for personal choice. I’m just quietly sharing what I see daily. I’m tired from being short staffed and working 60 to 80 hours a week. My arms and back are sore from the heavy patients. I’m emotionally tired from trying to support patient’s families when they can’t be with their families. It makes me sad to see so many people – young people too – slip into eternity without loved ones even allowed to be by their side. I need my church family right now. I make it a point to be at church and play the piano and teach Sunday School. But my Pastor compared refusing the mandates around us to being like Daniel and his 3 friends last week, but didn’t mention that the true reason they were refusing to eat the king’s meat was because it was in God’s word not to eat what’s offered to idols, not just because it was a government mandate. It crosses a line with me when someone uses the Bible to push their own ideas. We don’t have many churches in our area – the next church with our same beliefs would be over an hour away. I don’t want to leave the church family. I want to love them and I still do, I just feel so out of place right now.
This is such a tough situation, I’m sorry you’re facing these difficulties. I can’t offer advice but I’ll keep you in my prayers.
BUT GOD! Thank you so much for sharing this, Tina! I hope you all have a blessed day ❤️
@Maiya K…THIS!!!
“God loves me with all my flaws, so why shouldn’t I do the same?”
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@Maiya K…THIS!!!
“God loves me with all my flaws, so why shouldn’t I do the same?”
@Maiya K…THIS!!!
Praising God for the timely message sent through this study. Gratitude to the SRT team for organizing and sharing. We must love God first and one another second. God will give us strength and confidence to love any we may have difficulties with loving. Thank you community here for the encouragement!
Good morning, “Shes”! It breaks my heart to read how many of you have been hurt by the church. The church is the Body of Christ and although it is full of imperfect people (including the pastor and other staff members), we still want to feel their love, concern, and acceptance. I’m praying that the Lord will help you to heal and forgive and to find community in a church once again. If you are looking for a great church online (while you are not ready to go back to church in person), our church is awesome and the worship will truly bless you. crosspointchurch.info is the website. I’m praying for each of your needs, dear sisters!
The internal struggle of forgiving the wrong doings of others is hard. Changing your mindset of “well my dislike of that person is justified” is so challenging. But we don’t realize that those negatives keep us bound in our chains. Loving others and setting the posture of your heart and mind to see others as loved by God puts a different thought in your head. How can we treat each other so badly when we have seen his love. You are an earthly representative of the kingdom when you don’t act in love you are poorly representing our King. Such a simple command but yet so challenging to get our flesh to execute it.
WOW!!! What a message!! between the scripture and Abby’s devotion, the point is coming across loud and clear, my being a Christian I should have no room for anything but love. That is hard to do. I’ve been working on it. There are a few people in my life I’m having to really work on loving — the agape type love even — because of the pain they caused me.
Lord, help to get over this pain and move forward with loving those who have hurt me. Help me to know You are with me every step of the way. God, You are the most loving, caring and forgiving Father and I want to show love, care and forgiveness like You. Amen.
Welcome back Churchmouse, you were in our thoughts and prayers and missed greatly. I do hope you feel revived.
Sisters be blessed and love those who you wouldn’t normally love.
Yay Church Mouse! I too am all vaxed up but not sure I am ready to get back to church. Actually, my husband and I left our church during covid. We wrangled with feeling unwelcome due to political differences. It has been such a wrestle. We communicated our feelings of dis-ease, but the response was to pretty much accept the lean of the church or go. We had been faithful attenders for years. I volunteered often; we were both very connected. I still struggle with this. Our pastor did not respond to us. It has been heartbreaking. We now attend a new church online. The srt community helps me feel a bit less unmoored. I feel very ambiguous about joining another church and have considered just home churching. I miss the community greatly. Looking forward to the insight I know this study will provide. Thanks for listening.
I love your testimony! There are people in my life I struggle with even the idea of loving. Holy Spirit activate! This is only day 2 of the study and I have had to confess my heart both days. Your story is inspiring and gives me hope!
Thank you for sharing this amazing story ❤️
Loving someone who has betrayed us … that hit a nerve. I’ve experienced so much betrayal this year and I didn’t realize I had to still love those people. It’s so much easier to walk away or cut them out, in fact that’s what culture tells us. Lord, help me love those who have betrayed me.
Such a rich story and a needed reminder Tina. Thank you so much for sharing!!
It gets harder to love because of the political things going on in the world.. it is hard to see past all of the division at times and to love the people around us who think differently. This is a good study because I want to do better at loving them!
Comments from TINA and CHURCHMOUSE!!! My heart is so happy. I don’t think I have ever commented here but have been a SRT follower since the app came out. The comments from you two have blessed me more times than I can count. I have missed you both and have prayed for you hoping all was well and that our beloved Savior was holding you close. Blessings to all!
MAURA, so sorry to hear that things didn’t go well yesterday… I prayed and thought of you multiple times yesterday..am praying and thinking about you still!!! May God step in and intervene!!! May He change hearts & minds & actions. May He make a way where there seems to be no way!!! Lord Jesus please be with my dear friend Maura..give her guidance and wisdom…Thank You Jesus ❤️❤️
Sisters PLEASE let’s surround Maura and her family in prayer!!!
Aside from yesterday, it’s been months since I’ve visited the comment section. But as always, I’m encouraged and thankful for the wisdom, prayers and openness found in the comments.
Welcome each and every one of you, new and old, reader and commenter, prayer warriors and those who may be struggling to pray.
Good Morning She’s! I have to say again, in case you didn’t see my comment yesterday of sheer excitement to see you Churchmouse!! I mean I literally was so excited and was like…is this really OUR churchmouse?!!
Your insights and wisdom over the years have truly touched so many women here, so I’m guessing your presence has been missed at church but they just haven’t known they should let you know it. We just truly never know what others are thinking.
@ Traci Gender, still thinking of you daily.
@ Heidi, nice to see you back as well. Always love your insights.
I wanted to share my new favorite go to song lately…Speak the Name of Jesus, by a new group to me, Kingsporch. (highlight and copy, then paste) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBVEZeCP3KI
“If we love God, that means we must seek to love all of our brothers and sisters” (1Peter 1:22–23) – Even those who have hurt and betrayed us! That is the hardest of all. But with God’s help everything is possible! He is so working in my heart on loving one-another. Thankful God never gives up on us, He is so patient, loving and kind! By God’s grace I will move forward and continue to grow and be more like Jesus.
@Churchmouse – Welcome back – you were missed by all! Will be praying that God heals your heart and that He will gently lead & guide you back to your church family.
Blessings to all my SRT sisters!
Shes,
I have a HUGE prayer request today. One of my church friend’s wife is going in for a biopsy today to explore a lump that they found in her breast. She is 23 years old. Please pray for comfort to her and her husband as they go into this procedure today as well as praying this is just benign. Thank you!!
Woo-hoo CHURCHMOUSE!!! Just know that in my heart I am running across the room to grab you and hug your neck!! I, no we, have missed you dear sister. I was praying for you just yesterday that God would let you know how much you were missed. You and TINA have just blessed me so much with your comments and insights. So glad you are back. *hugging your neck again*
Tina, you always share testimonies that enlighten & edify. Blessings for a glorious day to you & all SRTers
Heidi, thank you for sharing this morning. I have screenshot your suggestions and will be using them. Blessings to you & all SRTers!
@ CHURCH MOUSE!!! My dear, I was BESIDE myself with joy yesterday when I saw that YOU had commented!! To say “you were missed” is a huge understatement! If/when you have the energy, look back over the comments over the past year (especially past few months)…your name is everywhere!! Asking about you, re-sharing wisdom you had given in the past, etc… Several of us also reached out to SRT administration to see if they could make sure that you are OK…You are a gem ❤️ to your SRT sisters! We’ve discovered recently that the prayers, triumphs, heartbreaks, insights, shared in the comments has lead to a GENUINE love amongst many women here (not just a “nice online community”). And WE ❤️ LOVE ❤️ our beloved, CHURCHMOUSE / CHURCH MOUSE!
SUMMARY: Missed ya! It’s so nice to see you back. You haven’t left our minds for a single second.
It is easy to love those who love us back, those with whom we have common ground. But many of us have people in our lives who are difficult to love because of how they have treated us. Thank you for this reminder that we don’t love out of our own loveliness, but from God, who gives us strength and grace to let go of bitterness and hatred. My relationship with my father has never been loving, but with God’s help, I can at least pray for him and work towards forgiving him. I certainly cannot do that by myself, and am comforted to know that my heavenly father loves me more than I can fathom.
*scrolls back frantically to find Churchmouse’s comment*
Churchmouse I would like to encourage you to remember your screen name here. CHURCH mouse. I always thought how gentle, small and meek a churchmouse would be. But nonetheless it’s a church mouse mainly because it resides IN the church. STAY the course, pursue the bride of Christ in some way and fashion! May the Lord keep you and bless you! Do not give up, endure! Do not fear!
I pray you are just as blessed as you are a blessing to all of us here. On busy days I’ve always just scrolled to see if you’ve left a comment and only read your post (sorry other ladies :/). I even have your real name written somewhere in a prayer journal from once when it slipped and you changed it :)
Oh Sisters, so good for my soul, His word and your comments. I tried to confront a situation yesterday in my family, which I know is unsafe for my grands, as they are being left alone to manage most of their own care daily in their lives with their dad. It did not go well, and I prayed that God would give me the right words and for the Holy Spirit’s leading. But almost immediately, he got defensive and shut down. And I felt I failed, as he jumped back in his car and drove off but God, I know He is fighting for the best for my Grands, and I am going to stand on that ground, and keep praying and keep asking and keep trusting. Please pray with me that I would know the right path. Searching, I loved your post that Churchmouse is in the House! And immediately thought that could be a lovely children’s book. Welcome back Sister. Tina, thank you so much for your story this morning. Isn’t it amazing how God can show us His love for others and suddenly our perspective is full of compassion, and we see them in the light of Jesus and oh, we can see the gift they are. Sometimes such gifts take years to reveal the depths of the pain and hurt they have beneath, but God. ERB, loved the Community notes, so beautiful! Praying for your uncle Lexi B, also thankful you thought to have him checked on. Angie, your words and heart always bless this community. Thankful for this space, this place and my Sisters all over the world. Our God is BIG, know you are loved in your situation, what ever it is this day, look for Jesus, He will meet you there.
KRISTINE PURCELL, 100% agree!! Amen!!
One of the most effective ways I’ve ever learned (and have tested and proven true over and over..) to genuinely love ppl who aren’t as easy to love, is consistently (THAT’S the KEY) praying for them. Praying: good for them; healing in areas He knows they need; blessings to find His goodness and to give Him glory; their eyes to be opened to His Kingdom and how they can further it; etc.
Praying: for me. For my eyes to see them and my heart to feel them exactly in the grace that God’s does; for Him to gently soften my heart to their needs and hurts. If forgiveness on my part is needed towards them- asking Him to soften my heart to their wrong doing. (Not the action- but the DOING and what hurt in them that could have motivated that doing…)
Thanking Him for them!! Ha! This part gets hard, especially at first. But- just starting small by out loud in my prayers finding SOMETHING to thank God for about that person. Even if it’s just “Thank you for the new opportunity to experience how to love someone like You do..!” :)
I’m promising you. This method, if you sincerely and consistently apply it to “that person” – will not disappoint. And it grows His true, pure love in a way that makes no sense- which points others directly to Him. :)
Joining in to welcome back @Churchmouse and say how much I (and we) have all missed you and have been and will continue to be praying over your situation
@Traci Gendron continuing to pray for you and Tanner
@Tina and @Angie thank you for your comments!
I’m running a little late today so what most stood out to me today was 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect loves drives out fear.”
I have been a She Reads Truth reader for 3 or 4 years now. Although I seldom comment, I often read the comments. At the very least, I scroll through and look for Tina and Churchmouse’s comments. Your wisdom and practical insight have always touched me. Thank you! I am praying for your health, Tina. Your comments today hit me hard….but GOD! Churchmouse, I am so happy you are back. I will pray for your situation. Maybe God has isolated you so you will search out this online community and touch so many more than you might have at church…at least for now.
Welcome back Churchmouse, you are loved.
The depth of this call-to-love by our Savior is swirling around in my heart and mind. I’ve had several up-close-and-personal opportunities in the last week in the last week to apply these concepts of our Lord, or not. Such weighty and wonderful opportunities. I am so thankful for a Father that draws us close, wipes our face, hands, and heart of the messes we make, and mercifully sends us on again. He is teaching me so many things. His intimate communication soaks into this sponge of my life and I am filled. I am so thankful for His working in me.
Ladies as I scrolled through yesterday’s posts I noticed the depth of the heart needs. I prayed at the time but will carry you and your needs in my heart this day. Some of you I lift pretty much daily anyway but there seemed to be more yesterday. It is the desire of my heart to spend additional time lifting you up before our Savior, God, King, and that His Lordship over you and your lives, as I pray for my own as well, will draw you near-wiping your face, perhaps your eyes, your hands and maybe even a little mud caked on your feet. He is so good. His love endures forever!
Well said Tina!!!! Hard people are hard to love. Right now the hurt is so raw that I just want to protect my heart and the heart of my little loves. I will probably read this text a thousand times over the holidays. May God give each of us strength to love like Him and be a light to this world
In reading through yesterday’s comments this morning, I noticed that the number of comments kept increasing. Just a heads up that there are several comments posted this morning on yesterday’s page.
CHURCH MOUSE is back in the house! Sister, as others have mentioned you have been missed so much by so many, and prayed for countless times. We too have not been back to in person church. We have family members that we are in frequent contact with and who are at high risk. Knowing we might be called last minute to help them, we have not felt comfortable going into a crowded room with boisterous singing and possibly be exposed. Continuing to pray.
TINA – another nugget of wisdom shared with us, an excellent reminder that the Lord is our strength and can guide us to walk in His will … to love one another.
So many new She’s yesterday! Stick with us Sisters – a lot of love in this group.
CHELSEA ADKINS – praying for you and your husband
SUSAN CROSBY – Amen!
LEXI B – praying for your uncle and thankful that you acted on the nudge to check him.
DOROTHY – thank you for the reminder of just how diverse this group is!
PATRICIA PAETZ – re: new commandment, my take- it’s new in that it was not one of the original 10 they had learned; content reflects overall attitude/mindset of the don’t lie, steal, covet commandments.
JILLIAN LEE – praying you will find peace as your world has turned upside down. It is often hard to understand how heartbreaking situations can work for or be for our good. I can look back on a similar heartbreak in my own life that resulted in a river of tears and am so thankful that prayer was not answered. I pray that my asking will be in His will, following His path for me – too many times I’ve strayed. I saw a saying that has stuck with me – in my waiting, God is working.
I just finished reading all the comments from yesterday!!! Wow!! ❤️
Haven’t read today’s study yet, but felt led to share about community…
Community (at least what I’ve learned about it) looks & feels different, according to where God has you and what He is teaching you and/or setting you free from. It isn’t always neat or predictable…sometimes (most times for me) it’s super messy, unorganized and has no shape at all!! But the core of it, is always the same: God.
Communing with and KNOWING Him, His ways, His statutes, His character, His love.. is the basis for everything! We can find community ALL around us!! It might not be in the way, shape or form that we want and that we’re used to… but it is ALWAYS there!! We just have to recognize God in it!!
This can be very challenging because it requires us to come outside of our comfort zones… and to see/experience things with new eyes.. not uncomfortable!! And it definitely takes time to adjust… For me, this adjustment has happened in multiple ways… it’s been gradual/steady, I’ve had the carpet pulled out from under me, it has happened in spotty stages, and it’s been all at once!! Every adjustment & change is different. God teaches & grows us in depth & understanding all. the. time. and in different ways and times!! ALL of it is good …eventually! ;) My biggest lesson has been to be moldable & pliable clay for the Potter to work with! Not always easy or comfortable… but it IS worth it!!
I now see community as us individually growing closer to God.. and Him using the people & circumstances around us (in whatever stage we’re in) 4-walls/no walls, believers/unbelievers, challenging/unchallenging, babyfood/steak.. the people/things/circumstances He has us in are just the icing.. they’re not the meal!!
He wants us finding our life, our encouragement, and our deepest fellowship with HIM!!! And through HIM is where true community lies!! ❤️
Abby, Arina and Tina (and I am sure there will be others) Excellent thoughts and testimonies!
We struggle because we think we need to conjure up a warm mushy feeling toward everyone we meet. Nope that is not it. We surrender to the Holy Spirit’s love, letting that be on display over self. Easy? No. But when we REMEMBER and obey the feelings will follow.
CHURCHMOUSE – I join in the chorus of voices thanking God that you have returned to this community who very much noticed your absence (and who sent emails in to SRT asking if they had a way to find out what happened to you). I too am sorry that your physical community has brought you such heartache. Praying the Lord will bring you peace and comfort as you heal.
LEXI B – praying for your uncle amd safe travels for your family. May you sense God’s love and peace.
CHELSEA ADKINS – so saddened to learn of your husband’s decision. Praying for comfort and wisdom for you.
BRITTANY CARBONE – praying for your baby girl.
MARI V – praying for your relationship with your mom. Maybe you could do this study together and grow to a better understanding of each other.
FOSTER MAMA – praying God’s peace will be with you in your meeting today.
TRACI GENDRON – praying for Tanner!
Thank you Tins for this beautiful example we should all follow.
Wow!! SO many new sisters!!! WELCOME!!! I hope you ALL are as blessed by this community as much as we all are!!! …some of you asked how this community works… we read “together” daily (whatever time of day works best for you), we give insights and/or ask for them, we share prayer requests & concerns (of all shapes & sizes) we share praises, encouragement & testimonies… and we pray with & for one another. Comments… the comments section took me a minute (when I first joined) to get the hang of… basically you can’t specifically reply to one person’s comment (like you do on FB) you have to mention their name… I do that by using CAPS some people use @name.. whatever your preference, this is the best way to respond to a specific person/comment. Also, there is NO edit option… so what you post is there permanently..but you can always type a new comment saying Oops, *edited, etc… SO excited to have you ALL here with us!! Looking forward to hearing & learning from you!! Much Love, Blessings and prayers for EACH and every one of you!! Xoxo
This is something I’ve been struggling with, to love because He first loved us. Loving others can be hard, but loving them with the right motivation is even harder for me. Not to earn something or to pay off my guilt. The Scriptures today and yesterday just keep repeating: you can only love because I first loved. Rather than trying to be nicer to the people around me, I should first focus on my relationship with God. To become more aware of His love and to let that transform my life.
As I read this, my mind was transported to a young woman, who calls me friend, her very best friend, whose smile so wide when she introduces me to her friends, who seeks me out to give me her good news.. I smile now ..
Because we were not always this way, my goodness..
BUT GOD…
By the grace of God my murderous thoughts were shifted, my thoughts of leaving the room when she was in it, shifted, and worst one of all, the turning of my back when she approached..also shifted.
I work as a cook for the church, ya’ll, so you’d think I knew better. This young lady walked into the room demanding, shouting aggressively, disrespecting the rules and just being a terror..
I has decided from the get-go that she was not going to be my favourite person.. full stop!
BUT GOD..
Through, funny enough, an SRT study, I was convicted to be nice, pleasant, kind, show love..
Can I tell you what I told God..
“NO! I won’t do it..”
I was digging my heels in, But God, He gentle nudged.. and nudged, that, by the time I was leaving for work that morning, I was saying.. ” You’d better be there God”
Here’s the thing, I have been known to be as stubborn as they come, I had made judgement, I had decided, and I had, to the ladys face practically told her, I do not like you!
No turning back from feelings so strong, Right?
GOD..
BUT GOD..
As I saw her in the queue for food, I seriously looked up to the heavens, still in my stubborn frame, I told God again, “You’d better be here..”
I said Good morning to her, I got a grunt, she got her food and walked away. Defiantly, I looked up to God and said “See..”
She was back not 10minutes later, I am always overwhelmed when I recall this, she called me by name! She was pleasant! She smiled! SHE WAS POLITE!
SHE SAID THANK YOU!
Are you kidding me, if I was not part of this story, I would go yeah right!
BUT GOD..
Loving another, is not always easy. Loving another, that challenges you, was NEVER meant to be easy, I don’t think..
BUT GOD..
He changes hard hearts. He changes stubborn hearts. He can change situations that overwhelm us. He can bring us to a place that lives out His command for us to love one another..
He can.
He did.
He will.
Praise be!
Happy Tuesday my dears. Happy Tuesday wrapped in love and hugs!❤