My Jesus, I Love Thee

By Ana Renee

A few Sundays ago, we sang the hymn, “My Jesus, I Love Thee.” As I thought through the words I was impressed at how the hymn-writer poured out his heart with adoration for Jesus Christ. I began to ask the question, “Why do I love Jesus?” The answers came quickly, and many of them echoed the hymn-writers’ words. I love Jesus because He died in my stead. I love Jesus because He made it possible for me to have a personal relationship with Him. I love Jesus because He cares for me. I love Jesus because He shows His love for me in so many different ways. And the list goes on . . .

Today, do you love Jesus?? Why do you love Jesus?

Image from stockfreeimages.com

Here are the lyrics to the hymn, “My Jesus, I Love Thee.”

Words by William R. Featherston

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;

For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;

My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou:

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus ‘tis now.

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,

And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow:

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus ‘tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,

And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;

And say when the death-dew lies cold on my brow;

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus ‘tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,

I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;

I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus ‘tis now.

 Has a certain hymn spoken to you recently? What was the hymn? What does it mean to you?

Counting, Counting, Counting

By Ana Renee

Thanksgiving is often a time when we actually STOP to think of the blessings God has abundantly given us. Let us not stop counting those blessings, but all throughout this week, next week, next month, next year, next decade, continue to count the blessings that God has given us and thank Him for all that He has done and is doing in our lives.

Seven things I am thankful for:
   1) My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
   2) My Bible - God's instruction book for my life
   3) Freedom to serve God and go to church
   4) A Godly family
   5) Abilities and gifts
   6) Another day
   7) Good health

What seven things are YOU thankful for??

Loving Each Other More Than Butter

By Julia (read her blog here) 

"We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all, we love each other". :)

That was what the little girls in the Madeline stories always said before they ate their dinners. It's cute, and happened to be the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the topic - "Love Each Other".

But is that true for us? For you?

Okay, instead of 'butter', pretend that sentence includes something you love a lot. Like chocolate. Or your computer. Or your very favorite pair of adorable shoes.... or: ________ <-- insert your favorite thing there.

Now imagine your friend (or sibling) comes along and suddenly, accidentally, wrecks your favorite thing. They spill their glass of water right on your laptop. They knock your box of chocolates over, scattering them across the ground. Whatever your favorite thing was, it is now totally ruined at the hands of this other person.

What is your response?
Honestly, most days I would be sorely tempted to get quite upset at the other person who had damaged one of my possessions. I might even yell if it was something I was really attached to. The stammered apologies from my friend/sibling would not soothe the pangs of loss of my-favorite-thing.

But this is wrong.

My heart should be so loving and open and tender towards the other person that it doesn't matter what they've done. I love them anyway. I would wrap my arms around my loved one and whisper "It's okay. Don't worry. I forgive you." without an ounce of bitterness or anger lurking inside.

"Now hang on a sec!" you might be thinking, "Why would I want to be that much of a pansy? Give me one good reason I should act like such a pushover if somebody messed up my iPhone!"

(Oh, so it was your iPhone, was it?) ;)

We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar, for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God loves his brother also. (1 John 4:19-21)

Dear friends, the God of the universe who holds the world in His hand loves you more than anything. YOU are His favorite thing. Because He loves us, we show, give, and have love for each other.

This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

Let's focus on loving one another selflessly, the way He wants us to love each other.

Even more than butter. ;)

About Julia: 

Julia loves her Lord and Savior with her whole heart, and thanks Him daily for the blessing of her wonderful parents and two brothers. She lives in a log home in the country with a big garden and lots of chickens, although she grew up near the beach in South Florida. She designs handmade jewelry, crochets intricate afghans, and writes novels, among many other hobbies. An avid reader of Jane Austen, Julia adores English Country Dancing. Julia loves colors and sparkle, music and laughter. She blogs at http://www.jewelsbyjulia.wordpress.com/.

When Nothing Comforts

Image by Amanda - withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com

By Gail Purath (read her blog here)

"I cried out to the Lord but nothing would comfort me. I remembered how much better things used to be and felt abandoned by God."

This is how the psalmist begins Psalm 77.

But the psalmist doesn’t stop there. He remembers God’s past faithfulness, reminds himself of God’s character, and remembers that God’s methods are not always visible.

So next time we feel abandoned and nothing helps, we can follow the psalmist’s lead:
     ~Write down ways God has helped and guided us in the past.
     ~Ponder God’s character: faithful, loving, holy, good, just, caring, all knowing, perfect.
     ~Reread the Red Sea account (Exodus 14) and realize how hopeless things looked up to the point where God revealed His “footprints.”
     ~And whether we’re discouraged or not, it’s a good thing to memorize this line:

“Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.” Psalm 77:19

~~~

About Gail:

Gail Purath has been married to her best friend for 41 years, has two married children and seven grandchildren. Her blog Bible Love Notes (http://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com) features one-minute devotions each weekday.