Let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God----1 John 4:7
and the dare for this day:
Look back over the dares from previous days. Were there some that seemed impossible to you? Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and to give you the ability to love? Ask Him to show you where you stand with Him, and ask for strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.
For this post, I'm going to quote directly from the "Love Dare" book because what this says is very important.
"You cannot manufacture unconditional love (or agape love) out of your own heart. It's impossible. It's beyond your capabilities. It's beyond all our capabilities.
You may have demonstrated kindness or unselfishness in some form, and you may have learned to be more thoughtful and considerate. But sincerely loving someone unselfishly and unconditionally is another matter altogether.
So, how can you do it? Like it or not, agape love isn't something you can do. It's something only God can do. But, because of His great love for you--and His love for your children--He chooses to express His love through you."
Just as I had perceived after a few days of doing this "Love Dare" which is why I moved this dare to "The Power of Your Love".
This is not something I can do on my own. I have tried, believe me, I have tried. And how many times have I set myself up for failure, tried to control a situation over which I have no control, reacted in anger, selfishness, impatience, and just downright ugly behavior.
Too many times to count. I don't even want to begin thinking about how many times-there are just too many!! I can't give what I don't have. I, myself, don't have the strength, the inner resources, the resolve to do this on my own.
I can only do this with God's love flowing through me and into others, in this case, my children.
Jesus said, "Apart from me, you can do nothing." John 15:5. He also said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7
I love promises from God because I know that God is the only way to unconditional love. He is the only one capable of unconditional love, and He will show me the way. God's love is unfailing, forever faithful.
I can't do it without Him--I can't do anything without Him. I must submit to Him, surrender to Him--in all things, always!!
I can't live without Him and I can't love without Him.
I have to admit that as I read several of the "dares" I thought they would be easy, simple, a piece of cake.
But, as I turned to myself and truly examined myself, I found that I was lacking. This has been a true challenge for me--an often painful self-examination.
And I am back to my original question to myself:
Abba,
Today I surrender myself completely, totally to you. Point out areas to me where I have not surrendered and press me onward to my goal. In doing this, I am surrendering my children to You. This is so hard, Abba!! Letting go of them--the ones that You have given me. I know that I have failed in many ways. Please forgive me, Lord!!
Help me to show them Your unconditional love flowing through me to them, so that they may feel fully loved. Help me to develop agape love, not only for my children, but for everyone I meet in my day to day life, so that they can share in this totally awesome love You have for them.
I surrender my children, my life to you, Abba. You know what is best for me, what is best for them. I bow down at Your cross and praise you, kiss the feet of grace.
You have shown so much grace to me in my life. Help me to extend that grace to others, particularly my children as I surrender their lives to You.
In Jesus' MOST PRECIOUS NAME---
All God's people say:
AMEN.
"You cannot manufacture unconditional love (or agape love) out of your own heart. It's impossible. It's beyond your capabilities. It's beyond all our capabilities.
You may have demonstrated kindness or unselfishness in some form, and you may have learned to be more thoughtful and considerate. But sincerely loving someone unselfishly and unconditionally is another matter altogether.
So, how can you do it? Like it or not, agape love isn't something you can do. It's something only God can do. But, because of His great love for you--and His love for your children--He chooses to express His love through you."
Just as I had perceived after a few days of doing this "Love Dare" which is why I moved this dare to "The Power of Your Love".
This is not something I can do on my own. I have tried, believe me, I have tried. And how many times have I set myself up for failure, tried to control a situation over which I have no control, reacted in anger, selfishness, impatience, and just downright ugly behavior.
Too many times to count. I don't even want to begin thinking about how many times-there are just too many!! I can't give what I don't have. I, myself, don't have the strength, the inner resources, the resolve to do this on my own.
I can only do this with God's love flowing through me and into others, in this case, my children.
Jesus said, "Apart from me, you can do nothing." John 15:5. He also said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." John 15:7
I love promises from God because I know that God is the only way to unconditional love. He is the only one capable of unconditional love, and He will show me the way. God's love is unfailing, forever faithful.
I can't do it without Him--I can't do anything without Him. I must submit to Him, surrender to Him--in all things, always!!
I can't live without Him and I can't love without Him.
I have to admit that as I read several of the "dares" I thought they would be easy, simple, a piece of cake.
But, as I turned to myself and truly examined myself, I found that I was lacking. This has been a true challenge for me--an often painful self-examination.
And I am back to my original question to myself:
Can I change my children--their belief systems, their attitudes, their behaviors? Can I, on my own, do this?
No, I can not.
But, God, working through me, has made me see that none of these things are insurmountable or impossible.
The follow up questions to today's dare:
What do you believe that God is saying to you? Is there a stirring in your heart? What decision have you made in response to this?
No, I can not.
But, God, working through me, has made me see that none of these things are insurmountable or impossible.
The follow up questions to today's dare:
What do you believe that God is saying to you? Is there a stirring in your heart? What decision have you made in response to this?
Abba,
Today I surrender myself completely, totally to you. Point out areas to me where I have not surrendered and press me onward to my goal. In doing this, I am surrendering my children to You. This is so hard, Abba!! Letting go of them--the ones that You have given me. I know that I have failed in many ways. Please forgive me, Lord!!
Help me to show them Your unconditional love flowing through me to them, so that they may feel fully loved. Help me to develop agape love, not only for my children, but for everyone I meet in my day to day life, so that they can share in this totally awesome love You have for them.
I surrender my children, my life to you, Abba. You know what is best for me, what is best for them. I bow down at Your cross and praise you, kiss the feet of grace.
You have shown so much grace to me in my life. Help me to extend that grace to others, particularly my children as I surrender their lives to You.
In Jesus' MOST PRECIOUS NAME---
All God's people say:
AMEN.
4 comments:
When God looks at you my friend, He smiles really big.
You have no idea how big God is moving in your childrens' life right now. But you will. . . one day.
Come by my blog, I have some awards for you my friend.
Well written my friend, God is sure smiling upon you. I will have to go and read some of the others you have here to catch up with it all.
You are truly blessed to be a blessing to others!
Sharon
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