Most Blessed Lord, each day that I live with gratitude, acceptance and kindness in my heart is a better day and leads to a better day for others. Built into my life with You is a challenge to think and be different from what my fleshly, worldly experiences have taught me. My walk with You requires a transformation of my mind that allows me to overcome my carnal desires with Your inspiration. For things to change and become better, I should be willing to be made uncomfortable in order to become comfortable. I must labor and persevere so that my future, and the future of those around me, can be enhanced. Perseverance in doing what is right is the ingredient that yields fruit that is eternal. The new ways that I learn from Your Word produce new and better ways to live, as well as, new and better outcomes. I cannot be complacent with my life or things will not improve.
Love must be at the center of any transformation I undertake to better my life. So, the more I learn about love, the more I know You. You made that point clear when you said in Your Word that … “love comes from God and everyone who (truly) loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (I John 4:7-8) Like You, love is gentle and kind and keeps no record of a wrong. You are unchanged because You possess the “purist” form of love for everyone. You are not changed by circumstances … You love always and at all times … and, Your efforts are always focused on improving the lives of others. You call me to be kind and the Holy Spirit urges me to go beyond what is fair to what is merciful. Mercy allows me to give blessings to those who do not deserve it and withhold punishment from those who deserve it. I must be a giver in order to expect a return.
You have made me understand that I am to reach out to others and, if I do, You will reach out to me. There is a big difference in my plans (which are self-centered) and Your plans (which are other-centered). Your calling asks that I agree to be used by You rather than just be a nice, well-behaved neighbor. Love requires a sacrifice on my part and, if I want things to improve, I must be willing to become humble, to become selfless and to be conformed into Your image. You gave … You showed mercy … Your focus was on eternal things … and, You loved everyone unconditionally. The result was a changed and better world. Can I do less to make the world around me change for the better? And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Titus 3:14 … people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
Great! It made me think (and pray)