Every Day is Women's Day!

Welcome and blessings.

In my little corner of the world, every day is Women's Day.
Celebrate yourself today and go read Ann Voscamp's article.
http://annvoskamp.com/2017/03/how-god-really-feels-about-women-on-international-women-day/

Ann is one of my favorite Christian's writers of our time. If you don't know Ann yet, treat yourself and go to the above link and be amazed.
I believe she is a prophet in our time to light the way.
She also has a Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp/?hc_ref=ARQkpIOtjCbZiw7ypuUsdgWYGOMDNtoymHx2HiM--UT3vaFjis-rdTXC-gCx7BEcSTg&fref=nf

She has an article today on her FB page that touched my heart on this same subject.
So beautifully said.

Picture from Ann's blog.

Gratitude
1. Ann Voscamp
2. A new day for new hope
3. Women everywhere

Blessings,
Deborah

Fruit of the Spirit - Love Part 3

Unconditional love.

Webster's defines unconditional as being "not limited in any way."

God's love is unconditional.
No limits.
Unlimited.
Eternal.

Is there anything that is able to separate a believer from the love of God?
No.
Not a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g. (Romans 8:37-39)

As children of God, we are to walk in the way of love. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

God = Love
Jesus = Love
Holy Spirit = Love

Unconditional love.
Eternal love.
God is good.

John 15:12
This is my command:
Love each other the same as I have loved you.

Prayer (from "365 Pocket Prayers")
O Lord Jesus,
If I get anything right in this life, help me get love right.
I want to love you and others with the unconditional love you model for me.
Too often I think of love as just a feeling. I know that is part of it, but according to Your Word, it's so much more than that. You show me that it is a commitment. (...) I am making a commitment to develop a relationship with you, the Creator of the universe. Thank you that you loved me first and daily pursue me with Your love.  Amen.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Gratitude (prompts from aholyexperience.com)
3 gifts in your Dad
1. Unconditional love
2. Great sense of humor
3. Safety

My cup runneth over.
Blessings,
Deborah

Love - Part 1 http://sharing1000epiphanieswhilewaiting.blogspot.com/2016/05/fruit-of-spirit-love.html

Love - Part 2 http://sharing1000epiphanieswhilewaiting.blogspot.com/2016/06/fruit-of-spirit-part-ii.html

Fruit of the Spirit - Love Part 2

Mark 2:30-31 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself."

Matthew 5:44 "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for them who persecute you."

A few years ago I awakened every night at 2:00a.m. for two weeks, because the Lord laid on my heart, "Love your neighbor." I would tell God that I did love my neighbor and that I knew "neighbor" didn't mean just those who lived on my block, but everyone. Then I would go back to sleep. The next night the same conversation would happen and the next night and the next until after two weeks of this I got up and sat on the couch and said, "Okay, Lord. What are you trying to tell me? Obviously there is more to this lesson you want me to learn." He answered, "Love your enemies." I couldn't think of anyone personally who was my enemy, so I asked, "Who?" He gave the name of a man who was in the news at the time. This man was the leader of another country, a murderer of his own people, corrupt and the list goes on. I told the Lord this was too big for me! How could I love someone like that??! The Lord said, "Pray for him and people like him." Epiphany! I could do that. I could pray that his heart was enlightened by the One true God and that he would change his evil ways. So I did. The man has since died and I pray he has now seen the light.

We still have people like him in this world today that we are commanded to pray for. Not all are leaders of countries, but they need our prayers regardless. Please pray for them. Pray that they are released by the evil one where they live in darkness and are possessed by it. Pray they come into the light of God. Pray in earnest.

1Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Gratitude (Prompts from aholyexperience.com)
3 Graces overheard
1. Let me help you
2. Can I give you a ride home?
3. Can I carry that for you?

Phil 1:4
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings,
Deborah

Fruit of the Spirit - Love

The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is a love story about God's love for us, that gives us many instructions on how to love.

We are to love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our strength and all our mind. (Luke 10:27) God  loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8) by giving His only Son. (John 3:16) Love fulfills the law to love our neighbors as ourselves (Romans 13: 8-10) and we are to even love our enemies, not always easy. (Matt 5:44) Peter instructs us to respond to each other deeply, from the heart, (1 Peter 1:22) and John tell us that love is from God and you cannot know God if you do not know love. (1 John 4:7-8) John also tells us that perfect love casts out fear. (1John 4:18)

We learn in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, that love is patient, kind, it does not envy or boast, it is not proud nor does it dishonor others. It is not self-seeking, not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not rejoice in evil, but truth and protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres and does not fail.

Let your love be sincere and know that God is rich in mercy and has great love for all of you. (Eph. 2:4)

Psalm 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His love endures forever.

Gratitude (prompts from aholyexperience.com)
3 Gifts found in community
1. Friends
2. Loyalty
3. Belonging

Phil 1:4 In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy.

Blessings, Deborah

Tuesday's Love

     I'd like to share an article with you from, "What Christians Want to Know." Here is the link to 25 Bible Verses About Love, http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-love-25-awesome-scripture-quotes/.
     In Matthew 5:45-48, Jesus explains to us how to love our enemies. It's not always easy being a Christian.
     I also love the quote by Max Lucado. "God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus."  How awesome is that good news?!!
     It is so wonderful to know we are loved by the God who created us all. Look out your window and see all that He creates for us each new day. That is LOVE, my friends. Check out the link above and read more about His love.

     January 24 - three things blue

     74/317  The Heavenly Sky
     75/318  The old pitcher on my shelf
     76/319  My cat's eyes

     Wishing you a restful and peaceful sleep.
     Blessings, Deborah