LOVE CAN SET YOU FREE

 I am not talking about romantic love in this devotion but love for those around you on a daily basis. Are you able to truly love like Jesus would love? This means  not saying harsh things to friends and family. This also means putting others before yourself. It means loving when you do not feel like it. Can you forget the mistakes of others? Are you able to let things go, move on,and forgive? It means giving up your 'right' to get back at others. It means loving people who do not show love back.

 Most people are familiar with 'the love chapter' in the Bible which is 1 Corinthians 13. Take a moment and get your Bible and read it. If married couples would adhere to what it says there would a lot fewer quarrels in marriages and probably less lawyers getting rich off splitting up families. I know people who don't quarrel so it is possible. Try to please God and not try to win every disagreement. In verse 5 it says "Love does not keep a record of wrongs."  Imagine  that would you!! Never trying to prove you are right and just letting things go to keep peace. With God it is possible to do that. Maybe if that is your weak area in some relationship you could ask for God's strength to not record every wrong deed done to you. Doing that only makes you angry and bitter and certainly does nothing to fill up your 'love bank'.

Mark 12:30-31 says "Love the lord your God with all your heart with all your soul with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this. Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these."

Try something. Go walking in a mall and silently as you pass shoppers say to yourself "I love you and I love you and you too". Instead of judging people as they pass you, try sharing God's love. Try smiling. The smile is sort of a universal language of love.


 Try to show love to someone today. Be kind to your spouse, perhaps do something extra nice. Do something special for a friend. Whatever it is remember to be a representative of Jesus in all you say and do.

 PRAYER: Father forgive me if I have had times it is difficult to show love and kindness. I know you are sad when I do not love like you love. I want to do that. Thanks for forgiving me when I mess up. In Jesus name. Amen