When faced with perceived danger or stress, our body’s natural response is fight-or-flight. Paralysis, my normal experience when stress overwhelms me, is another possibility. Because I know this is an impossible task for me, Jesus’ command to “be perfect” as our heavenly Father is perfect, can make me hyperventilate. But to focus on that is to miss the point. What Jesus is emphasizing for us in this passage is that his heavenly Father is the standard against which everything else is measured, especially in how we love one another.
Perfect love is also impossible to attain by our own efforts, but this is to be our goal, our model, so that “you may be children of your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:45). To follow the example of Love set by our heavenly Father, we cannot lean on our own strength. As we do in all things, we must rely on Jesus our brother and on the grace of the Holy Spirit within us.
*** Pray with me for Jessi (my daughter finishing her 3rd year of medical school) ✝️ *** Now and especially this Thursday, 8am-5pm, for her taking the STEP2 exam: Lord God, we pray that You would grant Jessi wisdom, understanding, and clarity of mind for 9 hours this Thursday! Help her to recall all that she has studied and to answer each question with confidence and accuracy. May Your peace that surpasses all understanding guard her heart and mind throughout the exam! May she trust and depend on the power of the Holy Spirit now, during the exam and forever more! Let her rest in Your faithfulness in Philippians 1:6, “God began a good work in you (Jessi). And I am sure that He will carry it on until it is completed. That will be on the day Christ Jesus returns!” Amen ✝️ *** I ask You to grant her a 245 score to pass the exam and to get into the residency program that You have prepared for her and I pray in the powerful Name of Jesus and in agreement with the Holy Spirit! Amen ✝️
Praying for Wisdom, Understanding & Clarity.
As a private student music instructor, I often told my students that while practicing to perfection was a noble task, practicing to progress was not only more realistic but also more fulfilling. I gathered that from today’s scripture reading as well. God is the example of perfect love. Comparing our imperfect love to his only brings frustration while practicing to progress daily in our love of others brings both God and us joy and fulfillment.
Thank you, Maria for an encouraging reflection this morning. I’m very thankful that Jesus sets the record straight by explaining that the Father continues the miracle of the universe no matter what’s going on in our small part of its expanse. Jesus asks us to love, even if it hurts, as He did for us. Thank you Lord Jesus.
Love IS the key! But what does it mean? *** Jesus explained to love God first before I am capable of loving others in Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind.’ (Deuteronomy 6:5) This is the first and most important commandment. And the second is like it. ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ (Leviticus 19:18) Everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets is based on these two commandments.” *** Jesus explained to love others more than God Himself is not worthy of Jesus in Matthew 10:34-37, "Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth. I didn’t come to bring peace. I came to bring a sword. I have come to turn “ ‘sons against their fathers. Daughters will refuse to obey their mothers. Daughters-in-law will be against their mothers-in-law. A man’s enemies will be the members of his own family.’ (Micah 7:6) “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of Me. Anyone who loves their son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me!" *** Love of God first and foremost is obedience to Jesus in John 14:15, "If you love Me, obey My commands!" and in 1 John 5:3, "In fact, here is what it means to love God. We love Him by obeying His commands. And His commands are not hard to obey!" ******* What commands? The ten commandments? Yes, and more...to cut off the toxic relationship you have been going back and forth with, to stop spending more than you take in, to give when you think you have nothing to give, to serve when you want to be served, etc!!! *** Read 1 Kings 20 and you will realize Ahab was tying to make peace with the enemy by giving Ben-Hadad all the silver and gold he asked for (1 Kings 20:4), then he listened to the prophets and refused to give wives and children he asked for (1 King 20:9)! *** With God's help, Ahab struck down the enemy Ben-Haded and signed a peace treaty in 1 Kings 20:34, "I’ll return the cities my father took from your father,” Ben-Hadad offered. “You can set up your own market areas in Damascus. That’s what my father did in Samaria.” Ahab said, “If we sign a peace treaty, I’ll set you free.” So Ben-Hadad made a treaty with him. Then Ahab let him go!" *** Does it all sound good to your ears with God winning the war for Ahab and Ahab letting his enemy go in "love" resulting in a peace treaty? BUT did you read the part where God has given Ahab a command that he didn't follow in 1 King 20:42, "He (God's prophet) told the king, “The Lord says, ‘You have set a man (Ben Hadad) free. But I had said he should be set apart to the Lord in a special way to be destroyed. So you must pay for his life with yours. You must pay for his people’s lives with the lives of your people.’ ” ******* Read 1 Kings 20:35-41 and ask the Holy Spirit to explain what it means to be obedient - to love God!!! *** Do I think 'peace treaty' is the way to go with the war in the middle east? No, in Numbers 33:35-36, “ ‘But suppose you do not drive out the people living in the land. Then those you allow to remain there will become like needles in your eyes. They will become like thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. Then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.’ ” *** The Jews have been reaping the result of their disobedience ever since :-( *** John 20:21, "Again Jesus said, “May peace be with you! The Father has sent Me (to die on the cross). So now I am sending you.” ******* Matthew 24:4-8, "Jesus answered, “Keep watch! Be careful that no one fools you. Many will come in My Name. They will claim, ‘I am the Messiah!’ They will fool many people. You will hear about wars. You will also hear people talking about future wars. Don’t be alarmed. Those things must happen. But the end still isn’t here. Nation will fight against nation. Kingdom will fight against kingdom. People will go hungry. There will be earthquakes in many places. All these are the beginning of birth pains!" God's plan will be fulfilled and certain things MUST happen (Jesus' death on the cross, wars, future wars, hunger, earthquakes, etc!) That's why it is so important for all the people we meet to know Jesus and hear the Good News (Gospel :-) It is not really about peace on earth (though it is nice :-), but peace with God Himself!!!
AMEN!
Maria great words to live by. God is our strength and our guidance. In these hard times we need to turn to him more than ever. Blessings to all the LFF. Special prayers for those needing an extra hand. May will all spread Gods love through all the world.
Amen.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
"We become what we love & who we love shapes whT we become." St. Clare of Assisi
Thank you, Irene. Very beautiful quote from St. Clare.
Maria great devotion today. When I have to deal with someone grumpy, I try to overload them with kindness. Sometimes they even smile for me. As we share God's love with others, it makes a difference in our lives and theirs. Praise God for all the prayers for Cass. Surgery went smoothly! Another hurdle finished. Now we wait for what is next. God has blessed her with so many miracles. God is good! May each of us while going through struggles, look for the miracles happening around us to help us through. I pray everyone has a blessed day.
Nancy! What God blessed news and answered prayers! I continue to hold Cass in my prayers as she puts one foot in front of the other, moving right along!
Great news I agree Thanksgiving prayers are in order. Living faith family please keep praying for those in harms way because of weather conditions. Ken
So happy to hear the good news about Cass, Nancy. Prayers of thanksgiving in order.
Nancy that is great news. Prayers for a smooth road ahead also.
Excellent for Cass!!!! Hallelujah! Amen.
Amen
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Praying for the progress of Cass in her recovery and Jessie in her upcoming tests.