ricanaypa

By this we know love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. -1 John 3:16

My dear sister,

Love isn’t just when some guy waltzed into your life and sweeps you off your feet and gives you everything you ever wanted out of a relationship. Love is sacrifice. Love is laying down our lives for brothers and sisters.

Love is also rewarding…and if that’s what you’re craving right now, learn how to wrap yourself in the love of Jesus before you enter ANY relationship!

The reason why this is important is because: 1. Relationships are hard work

This expression is typically associated with not-so positive connotations. People make remarks about relationships being difficult based on past experiences that are often negative. Far too many people think that by dating around/sleeping around, they’ve found a shortcut to get what they want from love and affection, but what they don’t realize is that leaving one person and running into the arms of another will never lead to true love! They will always be searching! The way you learn what love looks like is by learning what it means to put others before yourself, and learning that from Jesus–BEFORE you even enter a relationship. Let His love be your example!

2. The more you learn to love like Him, the more you will begin to see the bigger picture

Relationships are so much more than dates, intimacy, and finding a partner to “do life” with. Yes, these are components in a relationship, but as someone who has been married 5 years, know that there are times when we are not only in need each other but we are in need of Jesus. We are in need of an unfailing love that will carry us through what we’re faced with. It is through Jesus that we are able to stand side-by-side as a husband and wife in a biblical way, serving one another. We don’t just happen upon that on our own. We didn’t just learn how to serve one another by dating a bunch of people. We learned it by learning to look to the love of Jesus as our ultimate example.

itsmorganlife

#PrayForCharleston - Let us not forget to pray for the families of our brothers and sisters who have just suffered such a tragic loss on yesterday.

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Day 5 of 7: Exploring God’s Love For You

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. -Is. 54:10

My dear sister,

How wonderful it is that you can go to bed tonight knowing that this Love is yours? His love is still unfailing and it won’t let you go. Hold onto today.

This is important to hold onto you when:

1. Someone’s love let you go

Never let someone else’s failed loved for you overshadow the unfailing attributes of the love that comes from your Father. His love is greater and when you begin to recognize the power of that love, you will begin to feel comforted knowing that when the opportunity for a godly, intentional romantic love presents itself, you will already be secure in the warm embrace of God’s love. You will find that you worry less when you’re “getting to know” someone. You will find that you’re at peace at telling a guy “no” who doesn’t respect how much you’re already loved. Hold onto God’s love.

2. When you’ve never experienced love

I often times get emails from girls and women who were just like me: you’ve never been in a serious relationship and/or you’ve never been in love. I want to encourage you not think for a moment that you are somehow less of a woman because what you have or haven’t done. God’s love is so great that His grace covers every single ounce of insecurity, worry, doubt, and fear that keeps you from being at peace about what you haven’t experienced yet. Hold tight to the power of His unfailing love, knowing that He will pave the way for the romantic love that is for you, in His perfect timing. Make HIS love your guide in every facet of life!

Biblical context + further reading: Is 54, Mt 24:35

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Day 6 of 7: Exploring God’s Love for You

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But greatest of these is love. -1 Corinthians 13:13

My dear sister,

1. Don’t let the heartbreak in your life keep you from loving

Perhaps you might feel like you don’t have what it takes to truly love. Maybe that person who broke your heart caused some serious damage and you’re trying to heal. Maybe you’ve never been able to truly love because trusting is just too hard, and this causes you to struggle with what real love even means in your life. If that’s you, I want you to know that it’s okay. It’s okay if you can’t figure love out. It’s okay if you can’t figure out how to love that person that hurt you or the person that ignores you. The reason why it’s okay is because God is gracious enough to give us direct access to HIS love through Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth because God loved us so much, and yet, Jesus still had plenty of people who rejected that love and wanted to Him dead. They wanted Him crucified. Yet, Jesus continued to love these people…He still DIED for these people…He still died for us! THIS is how we learn to love: by looking to Jesus, knowing that He IS love and He will not fail us, no matter who else does…let HIM be your example.

2. Love is deeper than romance

Romantic love isn’t the only kind of love, but yet, it has the power to consume us if we aren’t careful. Romantic love is not a sin, but understand that falling in love with Jesus, and looking to HIS example of love comes first! This is the only way to truly embrace the selfless and patient love that will PREPARE you for a relationship. Even if you’re already dating or married–chase after the greatest love of all as a couple, letting that be the guide for the way you treat one another. Don’t allow fights, jealousy, or other people come in the way of pursuing Jesus’ example of love together. Let Jesus be the one who keeps your relationship where it needs to be!

Biblical context + further reading: 1 Co. 13, 1 John 4:7-21

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