Loving as God Loves

I am a rather random person at times. And my Bible reading reflects this, because I tend to jump around. Every time I open up my Bible on my iTouch, it brings up a verse for the day. And often I end up reading that chapter rather than continuing my regular study. (I’m still in Isaiah by the way)

Today, 1 John 4:18 popped up, so I decided to read the chapter. At one time I had the beginning of this chapter memorized.

Perfect love casts out fear…..

There is a certain “situation” that I thought of when I read this chapter. Of course the beginning of the chapter speaks of discerning false spirits, but then it gets into the love part.

If someone hurts us, no matter how deep it may be, are we not ordered to forgive 7 times 70? And if God forgives and loves us, again and again, no matter what, should we not also do the same? Shouldn’t we love 7 times 70?

Living in fear of what someone else is thinking of us, is wrong. It also causes us to judge that person. Which leads to a non-loving attitude towards them and even other people. Forgiving and loving that person should be the goal in our life.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he love us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Isaiah

I am currently reading in Isaiah. Some of my favorite passages are in this book.

Isaiah 6 is a popular passage to be talked about, but here are my thoughts:

I am convicted by and in awe of Isaiah’s repentance and commitment to God. He realizes how undeserving he is. It is easy for me to run back to God when things get tough. But after awhile, I slack again. And heaven forbid I be in the wrong. I need to come to a point where I can step down and realize exactly how undeserving I am, and that I should not keep sinning, even though I am covered by His grace. 

 Isaiah then volunteers himself. “Here am I! Send me.” He is so committed. Something every Christian needs to realize, is that our lives are supposed to be fully committed to God. Our pray every day should be, “Here I am Lord, send me.”

You never know what opportunities God may have in store for you, if you repent and commit to him.

The Time is Now

I have been trying to figure out how to motivate myself to dive in deeper with God. And how to stay accountable. I so desperately want to crush idols that have been taking a hold of my life the past few years.

So, this blog is here. Thanks to my handy iPod touch, I can blog from it and have my Bible in it. I really have no excuse not to be reading my Bible since I have it on my iPod. (the problem is when my iPod becomes an idol)

I would love to have you join my journey!

Blessings!
BethAnn