Category: Love Does

Psalm 119:1-8 (NIV)

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
   who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are those who keep his statutes
   and seek him with all their heart—
they do no wrong
   but follow his ways.
You have laid down precepts
   that are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
   in obeying your decrees!
Then I would not be put to shame
   when I consider all your commands.
I will praise you with an upright heart
   as I learn your righteous laws.
I will obey your decrees;
   do not utterly forsake me.

“In each case, there is a clear connection between keeping the commands of Christ and showing affection to Christ, between loving and obeying Jesus. By repeating himself so many times, Jesus added triple exclamation marks to this principle. This helps to ensure that we do not miss what he is saying: one of the best ways for us to show our love for Jesus is simply to do what he says.” [Ryken, Philip Graham. Loving Jesus More (Kindle Locations 777-780). Crossway. Kindle Edition.]

Love is found in action; it’s that simple! Love is not love until it is demonstrated. We can show our love for Jesus, by simply doing what God has said. In Psalm 119:1-8, the psalmist expresses his desire to be steadfast in obedience to God. Spend some time praying through these verses likewise, that we would also be steadfast in obeying the ways of the Lord.

– LB

Inˈsist/– verb – demand something forcefully, not accepting refusal.

Titus 3:8,14 (NLT) – This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.

Titus is a very interesting letter, in that Cretans had quite the reputation of being lazy gluttons. But Paul is calling for a counter cultural approach. The display of love for Jesus is the doing of good that is entirely “not normal” to their context, and there is an aspect of urging, an insistence (3:8). This will be beneficial to the church and for the people of God to become productive, in contrast to their current culture (3:14). Our M.O. as Christians is to live in the calling of the people of God according to what is “normal” in God’s kingdom. Paul insists and demands we live this way, and no other way.

Today, may your faith grow, as we trust in God, and devote ourselves to doing good, building one another up. As you pray, worship with this song “Your Love is Strong” (click here) written by Jon Foreman, for His love is strong, and He knows what we need to live as his people.

– LB

Galatians 6:8-10 (NIV) – Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Walking by the Spirit, life in the Spirit is doing good; a harvest of eternal life comes by the Spirit, these two are inseparable. Life in the Spirit not necessarily “feel good” moments, but don’t let it stop you from doing good. As Pastor Mark shared the example from Sunday – in learning to be a servant leader and allowing others to be served first – eating last may be painful, but do not lose heart! Don’t let it stop you from serving others as we are living for the kingdom!

Let us pray, “Lord, lead us more in doing good, so it can flow out of me to others. Thank you that your Spirit lives in me and I can love you like this with my actions and my lips.”

– LB

“I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken”

These lyrics from the song “Build My Life” speak of the ultimate demonstration of love, which is shown in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is the same love that flows through our veins, that we can live upon and trust in, and not be shaken by anything we face in this world.

Today, let’s pray and worship to “Build My Life” (Click here) as you believe and build your life on Jesus’ love!

– LB

James 1:22-25 (NIV)– Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

“But Jesus calls us to receive this grace by exercising faith — by making behavioral demands on us. He does this because (1) our behaviors are the external demonstrations of our true internal desires, and (2) our behaviors themselves become a means of sanctifying grace. ‘If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them’ (John 13:17). Holy habits actually work to deepen our beliefs, increase our affections, and intensify our desires. Do what Jesus says. Do whatever it takes to want what’s right. And then, with that new heart, do what you want.” [Bloom, Jon. “Passive Christianity is a dead Christianity.” www.desiringgod.org]

As we see in James and the article above, action and blessing are inseparable fruit of the Christian who remembers what “they look like.” Today, let us pray and receive afresh faith in line as those who have been loved by Jesus. Let this prayer lead you to exercise faith in action to love Jesus today, for you will be blessed!

– LB