The Best Kind of Love (and other devotionals)

The Best Kind of Love 

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?   Romans 8:32

In his book, When God Doesn’t Make Sense, James Dobson writes that when life hurts and we believe a “life should-always-be-free-from-pain” theology, someone has to take the blame—either us or God. We typically “stumble toward one of several conclusions: (1) God is dead, irrelevant, bored, or uninvolved in the affairs of man; (2) God is angry at me for some sin I’ve committed; (3) God is whimsical, untrustworthy, unfair, or sinister; or (4) God ignored me because I didn’t pray enough or display enough faith.” All these conclusions create a crisis of faith that makes us believe that God can’t be trusted and He’s not loving. What a painful place to be!

I once believed God had let me down.  I thought if I prayed hard enough and had enough faith, He would give me the answers I wanted. Sadly, I bought into a subtle and deceptive doctrinal teaching which was my way of trying to be my own god, take the wheel from Christ, and make Him in my own image. Unfortunately, I was missing out on one of the most important aspects of relationship with God—He loves me with agape love.

John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

As you may know, the word “loved” in this verse is the verb agapao in the original Greek text; the noun for this love is the Greek word agape. Agape love is benevolent love that has the loved one’s best interest in mind.

One amazing thing about agape is that it’s not motivated by what the one loved - that’s you and me-thinks she needs but by what God knows she needs—that’s God. In a nutshell, God loves us according to what He knows is right for us, so when we pray “in Jesus’ name,” or when we think, “If I only believe enough, God will answer how I want.” God will still say no if He knows it will be best for us and in accordance with His agape love. Isn’t it wonderful that we have a God who loves us so much that He won’t be bossed around?

“For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help me to remember that you revealed the depth of your love for me on the cross. The cross is proof you will not withhold any good thing from me.

Related Readings: 2 Corinthians 1:20; John 15:13; Jeremiah 29:11

~Wisdom Hunters Devotional~

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Worthy to Die, Living for Jesus

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried…” Revelation 2:10a 

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Polycarp was the pastor of the early church in Smyrna. He was asked to renounce his faith in Christ and offer a pinch of incense to Caesar. He refused and said, “Eighty and six years have I served Him, and in nothing hath He wronged me; and how, then, can I blaspheme my King, Who saved me?” When they heard that, they clamored to burn him at the stake. They brought their wood and heaped it around his feet. And then Polycarp prayed, ““I count it a blessedness to be thought worthy of a place among the martyrs of Jesus Christ.” And when that fire was kindled around his feet, he was heard singing and praising the Son of God. 

ACTION POINT:

Most of us will not die at the stake, be carried to the wall and shot, or be imprisoned for the Lord Jesus Christ. We may not have a chance to die that way, but can we not die to this vile world? Can we not die to our plans and our ambitions? And can we not say that Jesus Christ is Lord? 

~Adrian Rogers~

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Matthew 28:1

As it began to dawn, came Magdalene, to see the sepulchre.

Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Notice how she sought. She sought the Saviour very early in the morning. If thou canst wait for Christ, and be patient in the hope of having fellowship with Him at some distant season, thou wilt never have fellowship at all; for the heart that is fitted for communion is a hungering and a thirsting heart. She sought Him also with very great boldness. Other disciples fled from the sepulchre, for they trembled and were amazed; but Mary, it is said, "stood" at the sepulchre. If you would have Christ with you, seek Him boldly. Let nothing hold you back. Defy the world. Press on where others flee. She sought Christ faithfully-she stood at the sepulchre. Some find it hard to stand by a living Saviour, but she stood by a dead one. Let us seek Christ after this mode, cleaving to the very least thing that has to do with Him, remaining faithful though all others should forsake Him. Note further, she sought Jesus earnestly-she stood "weeping." Those tear-droppings were as spells that led the Saviour captive, and made Him come forth and show Himself to her. If you desire Jesus' presence, weep after it! If you cannot be happy unless He come and say to you, "Thou art My beloved," you will soon hear His voice. Lastly, she sought the Saviour only. What cared she for angels, she turned herself back from them; her search was only for her Lord. If Christ be your one and only love, if your heart has cast out all rivals, you will not long lack the comfort of His presence. Mary Magdalene sought thus because she loved much. Let us arouse ourselves to the same intensity of affection; let our heart, like Mary's, be full of Christ, and our love, like hers, will be satisfied with nothing short of Himself. O Lord, reveal Thyself to us this evening!

~Charles Spurgeon~

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Leviticus 6:13

The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very life of all piety. The sanctuary and family altars borrow their fires here, therefore let this burn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence, and barometer, of vital and experimental religion. Burn here the fat of your sacrifices. Let your closet seasons be, if possible, regular, frequent, and undisturbed. Effectual prayer availeth much. Have you nothing to pray for? Let us suggest the Church, the ministry, your own soul, your children, your relations, your neighbors, your country, and the cause of God and truth throughout the world. Let us examine ourselves on this important matter. Do we engage with lukewarmness in private devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer. For if this fire should be smothered beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim the fire on the family altar, and lessen our influence both in the Church and in the world. The text will also apply to the altar of the heart. This is a golden altar indeed. God loves to see the hearts of His people glowing towards Himself. Let us give to God our hearts, all blazing with love, and seek His grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning. Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but if the unseen hand behind the wall pour thereon the sacred oil, it will blaze higher and higher. Let us use texts of Scripture as fuel for our heart's fire, they are live coals; let us attend sermons, but above all, let us be much alone with Jesus.

~Charles Spurgeon~