Christians are not only believers, but followers of Christ. This is why we are called Christians, because we belong to Christ and are learning to behave, more and more, like Christ. We both believe and follow Christ. This is where all the deep blessings come. When we begin to think, speak and act like Jesus, we are living the way we were created to live, in God’s Image. We are able to not only love God and others, but receive love too. It is interesting how many people, including myself, are better at giving love than receiving it.
This is a Pride thing, even though we might not want to admit it. We either think we are not worthy of anyone’s love, especially God’s, or we think we are too high and mighty to receive anything from anyone, including God! But Humility tells us, because God loves us, He alone makes us worthy. To combat this lie of unworthiness, we must understand that, because God created us in His Priceless Image and so loves us, we do have value. On the flip side, if inferiority is not your problem and you tend towards the arrogance instead, understanding we have no value, except for the Love of God, could knock us off our high horse so that we will be humbled enough to receive His Love. And understanding that God is always with us, always, helps us gain this balance so we can live in His Love, as well as give it to those around us.
Let’s go back into the Old Testament this week and allow this precious promise, that God is always with us, to filter deep into our hearts this week. The “verse to remember” is from Deuteronomy 31:8, and it is one I hold on to white-knuckled:
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Dt 31:8 NIV
Never leave me nor forsake me…this wonderful guarantee is what makes it possible for us to live with peace and joy. Let’s talk about it…
Join me in memorizing 52 verses this year:
January: 1- Jn 3:16; 2- 2Co 5:17; 3- Jas 2:26; 4- Eph 2:10
February: 5- Jn 10:10; 6- Ro 6:23; 7- Rev 21:4; 8- Php 4:13
March: 9- 1Pe 5:7; 10- Jn 8:32; 11- Dt 30:19; 12- Jn 3:30; 13- 2Chron 20:3
April: 14- 2Chron 20:12; 15- 2Chron 20:15b; 16- 2Chron 20:17
May: 17- Ro 8:28; 18- 1Co 13:13; 19- Php 2:12; 20- Mt 5:4
June: 21- Lk 23:42; 22- Jas 4:7; 23- Pr 22:6; 24- Mt 5:3; 25- Jn 14:6
26- Jas 2:19
27- Dt 31:8
<>< Peace, Diane
