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Posted by
Dion Todd September 12, 2016 -
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Devotional
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I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. 'This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.' John 15:11 WEB
Peter and the Apostles were beaten by the religious leaders and then told not to talk about Jesus anymore, but they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name and continued talking (Acts 5:41). When Paul and Silas were imprisoned, they prayed and sang hymns to the Lord as the other prisoners listened to them (Acts 16:25).
There is a joy that surpasses all understanding, and no matter what you face on this earth, it cannot be taken from you. It does, however, have a requirement. Jesus taught that we could have this joy if we kept His commandments, and directly under it said, 'Love one another as I have loved you' (John 13:34). If we do not have love, we are nothing but noise like a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1). People do not care what you know, until they know how much you care.
If we do love one other, we will be filled with His joy. I guess it does make sense that we cannot be filled with joy and anger, bitterness, jealousy and happiness all at the same time. We are commanded to love each other; the only choice that we have is whether we will observe that. We can choose to show no love, and have no joy.
It is usually easy to love the Lord. After all, He is perfect and God is love (1John 4:16). The times where we have had a disagreement always ended up with me changing my attitude, seeing things through His eyes, and never once Him because He was always right to begin with. Other people though, ouch. He really made us work for that joy when He said love your neighbor as yourself. It is not easy. You gotta want it, so love that neighbor.
Prayer: Father I thank You for the life that You have given me. Give me the grace to love those around me and to keep a positive attitude. Please fill me afresh with Your Joy today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen!!!!!
Amen Pastor! Peter said love covers a multitude of sin (1Peter 4:8) and he called the joy "unspeakable" (1Peter 1:8 KJV). Thank you Love for loving me just as I am.
amen
Amen Pastor Dion. We need to love others and overlook the things that they may say or do that rub us wrong. No one is perfect, we must remeber that. We must also realize that sometimes what we say or do may rub another person wrong. Though we may try to not offend as christians, when we speak to believers or to unbelievers or prodigals we may often offend. So for this reason too others may offend us. We need to not let anything steal our joy, not disrupt us emotionally so that we take offense to an imperfect person living in this imperfect world.
Amen
Amen
Thank you ,Pastor Dion, for your wonderful devotionals. This one today touched me so much. We do tend to forget that we have to get past anger, hurt, and bitterness and get back to that one simple commandment to love one another. Your words inspire me every day.
Thank you Teresa!
Lord fill our hearts with your love that we may pour it out to others. We love because you first loved us. Thank you Lord for loving us even when we didn't deserve it! Amen♡
Amen! Thank you pastor Dion for all your hard work and for your love of Jesus its an easy example to follow! This devotional is very important but very hard to live by I have had some of the worst human beings for nieghbers in my life time and to me when i was going through it seemed like I had no choice but to dislike this person he was really hate full and an alcoholic on top of that, but after much time went by I could see God using myself and my boys to change his perspective on life and before I moved he was a changed man maybe not the kind of man I would invite to a fishing trip but never the less he was easier to get along with and I learned it was a choice to like him or not its not about there actions its about the Love God puts in your heart when you except him as Lord and savior I hope this made sense. God bless you and RHM it really do ROCK!! sincerely Scott Riegelmann.
Well said Scott. Amen.
What a wonderful testimony, Scott, thank you for sharing that! I believe that neighbor is probably better off in many areas of his life because of the love you and yoru family brought to him.
Amen
Thanks again Pastor Dion. You always manage to give us an amazing and relevant devotional.
Its not easy loving people who hurt or offend you. Its far easier to avoid them !! Please give me the grace to love all those around me and show them God's love through my actions. Help me to keep a positive attitude and fill me afresh with your joy today.In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen. Praise God! Thanks Pastor Todd! Father I thank You for the life that You have given me. Give me the grace to love those around me and to keep a positive attitude. Please fill me afresh with Your Joy today, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Amen! I needed this reminder today!! We are to extend grace and love others just as God has done for us
Amen
Amen.Father,I confess sometimes I do find it difficult to love someone.and I know you tell me that your Grace is sufficient,when I surrender it to you.Thank you for teaching me of your mercy and unfailing love for me.Help me to be positive and remain in your light,and to be an over comer in this area of my life.More of you,and less of me.In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Thank you Pastor Todd,for this devotion.
Amen, Rosemary!