LOVE: SELFLESSLY PROVIDES

Good Evening Friends!

I pray you have had a great day and weekend

It is Super Bowl Sunday here in the US – basically another national holiday for most of us

My guys are all upstairs, watching the game, eating food and having drinks

I will join them in a few minutes. But first I had to post this message.

And yes, I am spending one more day on this concept of STORGE/FAMILY LOVE

It is the love which has been manifesting in my home all weekend.

It is a blessing having three sons.

Nothing gives me greater joy than when I hear what I hear tonight.

I am downstairs in my room typing away

And they are laughing and conversing and just enjoying the company of one another.

That joy will only be multiplied once any of them gets married and our family expands.

I once asked my middle son – quite some time ago – when he was going to start dating

His response was shocking as he looked me square in my eyes and said, ‘Mom, I am a selfish being. I like to spend my time the way I want to spend my time; I like to spend my money the way I want to spend my money and I am not willing to compromise right now. So, why get into a relationship and frustrate someone and have them frustrate me?”

I was completely taken aback at his declaration – 

However, I had to give him give points for being honest & candid

YET – the truth of the matter is that he is anything but selfish

He is one of the most generous and responsible people I know.

Without intending to do so, he has modeled my love message for today.

He possesses a love which selflessly looks toward the needs of others.

NOW – do I believe he still likes to spend his time & money the way he desires? YES!

HOWEVER – he lovingly places those desires second when he recognizes a greater need.

He is a pretty special man!

·         He understands the importance of a man looking after his own family: Taking to heart [even if unconsciously] that one who does not provide for his own family is worse than an infidel [I Timothy 5:8]

·         He demonstrates a love which lays down personal desires: He repeatedly esteems others more than himself. [Philippians 2:3]

·         He puts action behind his love: He embodies Philippians 2:4 which reminds and encourages believers: ‘Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.’

All of these qualities are so important in a family

It demonstrates how LOVE SELFLESSLY PROVIDES

I am truly blessed … and so very thankful

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening and Week!

Wishing You Much Love …

“A new command I give you; Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

little black book ...

I have a little black book –
It is filled with names and numbers –

It is a small book –
It is only 4 ½ x 3 ¼ inches

It is a little black book filled with memories –
It is a little black book filled with grand ideas –
It is a little black book filled with grand ideas OF GIVING

It is a little black book which chronicles those who have given –
It is a little black book which records those who are special to me –
It is a little black book which details how and what I will give –
It contains the names of individuals, ministries and countries –
EVERYTHING in the little black book will be fulfilled –

I thought about my little black book this morning -
Reading the Message version of Malachi 3:16-18 which states:

'Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God's presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God's name. God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, "They're mine, all mine. They'll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you'll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn't, between serving God and not serving Him.”’

Those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over -
God saw what they were doing and listened in -
The book of remembrance was opened
The minutes were taken of the meeting -
The names were written down, of those who fear, honor and reverance GOD

OH, TO BE IN GOD'S BOOK!

I believe many of the people in my book are in God’s book –
And what a joy it is to partner with Him,
To be a distributor of His blessings, of His special treatment

BUT, HOW DO WE END UP IN THE BOOK?

Living a life that honors God –
Living a life of unyielding faithfulness –
Honoring God in our giving –
Honoring God with the fruit of our lips –

In Faith’s Checkbook by Charles Spurgeon it says, ‘Always to have an eye to the Lord’s eye, and an ear for the Lord’s voice – this is the right state for the godly man. His God is near him, filling the horizon of his vision, leading the way of his life, and furnishing the theme of his meditation.’

Psalm 16:8 says, ‘I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.’

WHAT HAVE YOU SET BEFORE YOU?

Have you committed yourself to living a life that honors Him –
Even if it costs you?

Do you possess His nature in giving?
Does He have first place on your priority list?
Does He have first place in your checkbook?

John 3:16 says, 'God so loved the world that HE GAVE'
He gave Jesus, He gave His very best
Have you accepted His wonderful and free Gift?

Do you offer to Him your best in every area of life?
Do you take time daily to acknowledge GOD and speak of His goodness?

If you do, there’s a strong likelihood that you’re in the book,
Noted as one to receive special treatment from the LORD –
What a Blessing!