Bible League: Living His Word “Yes, God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him would not be lost but have eternal life.”— John 3:16 ERV True love’s source is the Lord Jesus Christ. True love has no beginning and no end. We, as human beings, are limited when trying to describe or explain what true love from God is. God's Word is a message of love addressed to all humankind. The first two major commandments given to humankind, we find in the Bible, which say: “Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands.” (Matthew 22:37-39). Only with the help of the Lord, we are able to have this true love, which is very needed now in this life. If we look around us, we will be convinced that the words of Mother Teresa are the absolute truth when she said that the world is hungrier for Love than for bread. All of humanity can be lost without this love. People in this world need God’s love, care, and compassion. And we as His children should be the tools in His hands to share this love through His Word to humankind. When we have and share this love from our God, then we pass His life to surrounding people. Paul the Apostle says, “You should owe nothing to anyone, except that you will always owe love to each other. The person who loves others has done all that the law commands” (Romans 13:8). By Pastor Mamikon Abgaryan, Bible League International partner, Armenia Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingLeviticus 13 Leviticus 13 -- Rules for Skin Diseases, Mildew NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 26:20-54 Matthew 26 -- Plot to Kill Jesus; Jesus Anointed at Bethany; Last Supper; Judas' Betrayal; Jesus before Caiaphas; Peter Disowns Jesus NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.Insight David's heart was glad—he had found the secret to joy. True joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based on God's presence within us. Challenge As we contemplate his daily presence, we will find contentment. As we understand the future he has for us, we will experience joy. Don't base your life on circumstances, but on God. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Acts 4:13 And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is his living biography, written out in the words and actions of his people. If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we should be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of him, that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, "Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;" but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, "He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of him; he is like him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and every-day actions." A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you: take care you never disgrace that. Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God. Imitate him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that men may say of you, "He has been with Jesus." Imitate Jesus in his holiness. Was he zealous for his Master? So be you; ever go about doing good. Let not time be wasted: it is too precious. Was he self-denying, never looking to his own interest? Be the same. Was he devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had he deference to his Father's will? So submit yourselves to him. Was he patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as he did; and let those sublime words of your Master, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do," always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven. Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus." Daily Light on the Daily Path Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name.Luke 24:15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." Philippians 4:3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Matthew 12:36,37 "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. • "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Isaiah 65:6 "Behold, it is written before Me, I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will even repay into their bosom, New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |