GMG Week 3

Monday
1 Peter 4:8
"Above all love each other deeply, for love covers a multitude of sins."


Above all- before anything- more than anything else, love each other deeply- serving and giving. Love other for who they are not what they do or don't do. Loving them as a person, one created by God, helps us overlook their faults or sins. But oh how hard this can be! So much easier said than done!
That's why it requires the love of Jesus flowing through me... His agape love... His unconditional love. He loves me despite my sins, faults, shortcomings... doesn't my friend, neighbor, brother, etc. deserve the same from me?


6/20 - Could it be that Peter spoke this  from the depths of his heart because he himself was loved deeply by Jesus whom he had denied just before the crucifixion? Peter experienced first hand how Jesus loved him despite his sins... that had to have had an impact on how he treated others.
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Tuesday
John 21:4-14
7Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.


I love this picture... upon realizing it was Jesus at the shore, Peter quickly puts on his tunic, jumps into the water and runs to Jesus! He loved him and could not wait to be with him.
How much do I love Jesus? Am I running to him above all else? 
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Wednesday
Matthew 22:37-40
37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^b 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^c 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”



From Barnes' Notes on the Bible (biblos.com)
-Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart - The meaning of this is, thou shalt love him with all thy faculties or powers. Thou shalt love him supremely, more than all other beings and things, and with all the ardor possible. To love him with all the heart is to fix the affections supremely on him, more strongly than on anything else, and to be willing to give up all that we hold dear at his command,
-With all thy soul - Or, with all thy "life." This means, to be willing to give up the life to him, and to devote it all to his service; to live to him, and to be willing to die at his command,
-With all thy mind - To submit the "intellect" to his will. To love his law and gospel more than we do the decisions of our own minds. To be willing to submit all our faculties to his teaching and guidance, and to devote to him all our intellectual attainments and all the results of our intellectual efforts.
-"With all thy strength" (Mark). With all the faculties of soul and body. To labor and toil for his glory, and to make that the great object of all our efforts.


...With all my mind. To love his law and gospel more than the decisions of my own mind... wow. How often I rely on my own intellect when I should be immersed in his Word. This I need to surrender to Him.
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Thursday
Romans 2:4
4Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?


When I start to get irritated with my children and their faults or sins, I need to be quick to remember that I am not without fault as well. And that by being kind and patient with them, as God is with me, I am showing his love. I am not accepting or excusing the sin, just being patient while teaching and allowing God to do the work in their life. This is what he does for me and I am so thankful for it!
Thank you Lord for your patience and kindness towards me... you put up with a lot from me but I am thankful that you love me enough to do it and guide me through. You are good!
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Friday
John 14:1
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me."


This reminds me of John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you... do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
Trusting in God, through Jesus Christ, is the way to live. We believe in God and trust in him but we have an added bonus... Jesus showed has shown us how to do this. 
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