tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38591516199265876452024-02-08T07:19:49.806-05:00What the Bible Says about LoveGod IS love! The Word of God speaks often of love - true love as shown in the BibleMary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-88617462416688009902018-01-05T10:47:00.002-05:002021-11-01T15:05:36.791-04:00What the Bible Says About Love - the bookGod <b><i>IS</i></b> love. <br />
<br />
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals the timeless, unchanging, ever-present love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As we accept this purely unpolluted, undiluted love, we receive God’s view of love to embrace for ourselves, live by faithfully, and give lavishly to others. <br />
<br />
All of us need this! Yet, searching out these passages and considering them in context takes time and resources many people do not have. And so, I began this blog with carefully selected and prayerfully paraphrased (prayer-a-phrased) Bible verses to show God’s ongoing Way of Love. <br />
<br />
Eventually the posts resulted in a book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-Bible-About-prayer-phrases/dp/1549810197/"><b>What the Bible Says About Love</b></a></i>, available in print and also in a Kindle e-book. May its pages help you to see how very, <i>very </i>loved you are!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://marypoet.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank">Mary Harwell Sayler</a>, ©2018<br />
<br />
<b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-Bible-About-prayer-phrases/dp/1549810197/">What the Bible Says About Love</a></i>, paperback</b><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thepoeedi-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1549810197&asins=1549810197&linkId=adc18931d03dc60a83dfbb74295c7683&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-Bible-About-prayer-phrases-ebook/dp/B075VGCN8X/">Kindle e-book</a></b><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thepoeedi-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B075VGCN8X&asins=B075VGCN8X&linkId=b6a859ec39ec291bb47cdea421f128b2&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-27377079568145741052017-09-30T09:22:00.002-04:002021-11-01T15:04:56.983-04:00Praying for love<i>And this is my prayer: <br />
<br />
that your love may overflow<br />
more and more <br />
with knowledge and insight,<br />
<br />
that you may be able to discern <br />
and do<br />
what is best,<br />
<br />
that you may be truthful<br />
yet inoffensive<br />
as you innocently await <br />
the Day of Christ.</i><br />
<br />
Philippians 1:9-10 <br />
<br />
prayer-a-phrased by <a href="https://marypoet.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank">Mary Harwell Sayler</a>, ©2017, using a variety of Bible translations from <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
<br />
Most of the previous paraphrases on this blog have been collected into the book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-Bible-About-prayer-phrases/dp/1549810197/">What the Bible Says About Love</a></i>. Lord willing, this begins a series on what the Bible says.<br />
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…<br />
Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-53987086922502458872017-09-27T09:53:00.003-04:002021-11-01T15:05:58.039-04:00Dressed in love<i>Above all things<br />
deck yourself out<br />
in love<br />
which ties you <br />
to Christ’s perfection!</i><br />
<br />
Colossians 3:14 prayer-a-phrased by <a href="https://marypoet.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank">Mary Harwell Sayler</a>, ©2017.<br />
<br />
<br />
Praise God, these prayerful paraphrases have now been collected in the book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-Bible-About-prayer-phrases/dp/1549810197/">What the Bible Says About Love</a></i>. <br />
<br />
Lord willing, this will be the first of a series on prayer-a-phrased scriptures about a variety of Bible topics, so please let me know which biblical subjects you’d most like to see in one book. Thanks and blessings.<br />
<br />
…<br />
Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-65574246739130961332017-09-21T09:38:00.001-04:002021-11-01T15:06:17.937-04:00Our common union in the Trinity<i>May the grace<br />
of the Lord Jesus,<br />
<br />
the love<br />
of God our Heavenly Father,<br />
<br />
and the fellowship<br />
of the Holy Spirit<br />
<br />
be in communion with us all.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://marypoet.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank">Mary Harwell Sayler</a>, © 2017, prayer-a-phrased 2 Corinthians 13:14 after reading several translations of the verse provided by <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
<br />
…<br />
Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-55639049290701560592017-09-02T11:14:00.003-04:002021-11-01T15:06:45.857-04:00God’s love fills the earth<i>O LORD, <br />
Your faithful love <br />
fills the whole earth!<br />
<br />
Teach me Your Laws<br />
of Love.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://marypoet.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank">Mary Harwell Sayler</a>, ©2017, paraphrased Psalm 119:64 after reflecting on the verse in a variety of translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>. <br />
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…<br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-10111229855559013052017-08-24T08:18:00.003-04:002021-11-01T15:07:08.177-04:00Loving the One Who Listens<i>I love the Lord!<br />
He hears my voice.<br />
He hears my pleas for mercy. <br />
<br />
As long as I live,<br />
I will call on the Lord –<br />
The One Who Listens.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://marypoet.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, ©2017, prayer-a-phrased Psalm 116:1-2 after reflecting on the verses found in a variety of translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway.</a><br />
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~~~Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-19488546208313548272017-08-21T10:45:00.002-04:002021-11-01T15:07:37.687-04:00God’s love, day and night<i>By day<br />
the Lord aims<br />
His love<br />
toward me!<br />
<br />
All night <br />
His song runs <br />
through me — <br />
<br />
a prayer <br />
to the God <br />
of my life.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, ©2017, prayer-a-phrased Psalm 42:8 after reflecting on the verse found in a variety of translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
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…<br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-56887278365517333222017-07-14T10:02:00.001-04:002021-11-01T15:08:00.704-04:00Living in the love of Christ<b>Jesus said:</b><br />
<br />
<i>If you believe My words<br />
and follow my instructions,<br />
you will be with Me<br />
in My kind of love!<br />
<br />
I’m only asking you to do<br />
what I have done<br />
by keeping God’s Word<br />
and staying centered<br />
in My Father’s love.<br />
</i><br />
<a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, ©2017, prayer-a-phrased John 15:10 after reading and praying about the verse from many of the translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway.</a><br />
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…<br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-79008593375176025512017-07-08T10:15:00.004-04:002021-11-01T15:08:37.255-04:00The Name, The Word to trust<i>I bow to You, Lord,<br />
and praise Your Holy Name<br />
for Your totally reliable<br />
love<br />
and Your faithfulness<br />
forever<br />
to the truth.<br />
<br />
Nothing can stop or top<br />
Your Name and the promises<br />
You have given us<br />
in Your Word.<br />
</i><br />
<a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br />
Mary Harwell Sayler,</a> ©2017, prayer-a-phrased Psalm 138:2 after pouring over many of the translations found on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-1823405964368103472017-07-04T11:11:00.002-04:002021-11-01T15:09:00.754-04:00No law against real love!<br />
“<i>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law,</i>” Galatians 5:22-23, <i>English Standard Version </i>(ESV.)<br />
<br />
<br />
Is there a law against love?<br />
Are there commandments<br />
against joy and peace?<br />
<br />
What about patience, kindness, <br />
and just plain goodness?<br />
<br />
What about the right <br />
to be gentle,<br />
the right to control oneself,<br />
especially in public?<br />
<br />
No law can stand<br />
to forbid<br />
the fruit of the Holy Spirit!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, ©2017, prayer-a-phrased Galatians 5:22-23 with the help of translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
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…<br />
Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-14771413769637582982017-06-29T08:48:00.001-04:002021-11-01T15:09:34.692-04:00God’s Love holds on and on<i>Lord, You do everything <br />
needed<br />
to fulfill Your plan<br />
in me!<br />
<br />
Your loyal love <br />
holds on and on.<br />
<br />
Never let go<br />
of the works<br />
in Your hand.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Psalm 138:8 prayer-a-phrased by <a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a> with the help of translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
<br />
...Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-84606586430780907652017-06-26T11:37:00.003-04:002021-11-01T15:09:57.293-04:00Settling the score<i>No vengeance!<br />
No resentment!<br />
No keeping score!<br />
<br />
Give everyone<br />
the love <br />
you need.</i><br />
<br />
Leviticus 19:18 paraphrased by <a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler </a>with the help of translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-2913392278008240702017-06-19T14:54:00.002-04:002021-11-01T15:10:22.086-04:00How to love your wife<i>Jesus Christ loves <br />
the Church</i> (His Bride)<br />
<i>so much that He gave Himself up for her!<br />
<br />
Husbands, that’s how<br />
to love your wives.</i><br />
<br />
Ephesians 5:24 paraphrased by <a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a> with the help of translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
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...Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-67229037706801474342017-06-12T10:30:00.003-04:002021-11-01T15:10:46.247-04:00Not seeing but believing love<i>Jesus, I’ve never seen You,<br />
but I love You.<br />
<br />
I cannot see You right now,<br />
but I believe<br />
You’re here,<br />
loving me.<br />
<br />
What joy!<br />
<br />
No words can describe<br />
the glorious delight<br />
found in You, knowing<br />
You will save me.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
1 Peter 1:8-9 prayer-a-phrased by <a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, ©2017, using many of the translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
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…<br />
Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-46821028673721964802017-05-29T12:31:00.004-04:002021-11-01T15:11:22.665-04:00Love that lasts forever<i>To those who honor God,<br />
the lasting love of the Lord<br />
will go on and on –<br />
forever.<br />
<br />
And to those who keep His covenant<br />
and remember His right ways,<br />
the goodness of the Lord<br />
will reach</i> [teach, influence, affect]<br />
<i>our children’s children.</i><br />
<br />
Today's Bible reading in Psalm 103:17-18 has been prayer-a-phrased by <a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, ©2017, with the help of many translations found on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
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…<br />
Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-41301447320280902072017-05-26T11:13:00.001-04:002021-11-01T15:11:47.166-04:00The other half of John 3:16<i>For God so loved<br />
and prized all <br />
of His creation,<br />
He gave <br />
His Only God-Son<br />
that whosoever believes <br />
<br />
in Him<br />
<br />
will not pass away <br />
and be gone forever<br />
but will have eternal life<br />
<br />
in Him.<br />
<br />
For God did not send<br />
His Son to us<br />
to accuse and condemn us,<br />
but that we<br />
and the whole world<br />
might be saved <br />
through Him –</i><br />
<br />
Jesus Christ<br />
The Way.<br />
<br />
John 3:16-17 as prayer-a-phrased by <a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, ©2017, in the blessed company of many translations found on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a><br />
<br />
…<br />
<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-11892820649366646082017-05-24T07:52:00.002-04:002021-10-28T15:50:36.345-04:00Love and honor others<i>Devote yourself<br />
to loving God’s children.<br />
<br />
Give unto others<br />
the honor you want.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Romans 12:10 prayer-a-phrased by <a href="https://marypoet.wixsite.com/website" target="_blank">Mary Harwell Sayler</a>, ©2017, after reading various translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-4072639477055362462017-05-23T07:47:00.002-04:002021-11-01T15:12:37.047-04:00Call to freedom<i>Brothers! Sisters!<br />
You are free<br />
to do as you please!<br />
<br />
But, oh, don’t squander<br />
your liberty<br />
on enslaving<br />
sin!<br />
<br />
Use your freedom<br />
to help others,<br />
serve others,<br />
and live a life of love.</i><br />
<br />
Galatians 5:13 prayer-a-phrased by <a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Harwell Sayler</a>, © 2017, after reading various translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
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…<br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-57485884867438071592017-05-16T05:39:00.003-04:002021-11-01T15:12:59.694-04:00God is with you!<br />
<i>The LORD your God <br />
is right here<br />
with you –<br />
<br />
the Mighty One Who<br />
saves<br />
you.<br />
<br />
What delight <br />
the LORD takes<br />
in you!<br />
<br />
Celebrate God’s love!<br />
<br />
With joy<br />
the LORD your God <br />
will sing and rejoice<br />
over you.<br />
</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, © 2017, prayer-a-phrased today’s Bible reading of Zephaniah 3:17 as found in various translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>.<br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-57223632775449494182017-04-07T09:24:00.003-04:002021-11-01T15:13:23.415-04:00Getting crucified with Christ<b>Resurrection Power</b><br />
Galatians 2:20<br />
<br />
<i>Look! That’s me on the cross –<br />
selfishness crucified, so<br />
my truest self can now<br />
receive You, Lord.<br />
<br />
Now<br />
I can live by You in faith!<br />
<br />
Now<br />
I can live in You Who loves me.<br />
</i><br />
<a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, © 2017, prayer-a-phrased Galatians 2:20 as a poem after reading various translations of today’s Bible verse on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gatewa</a>y.<br />
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…<br />
Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-68131476244186351572017-04-06T10:48:00.004-04:002021-11-01T15:13:55.796-04:00Living real love<b>1 John 3:16</b><br />
<br />
<i>How do we <b>know </b>what real love is?<br />
<b>Jesus!</b><br />
<br />
He exchanged – surrendered –<br />
His life on earth<br />
for our lives eternal.<br />
<br />
Now let’s give Him our lives</i><br />
(give up our wants and wishes)<br />
<i>to provide for the needs<br />
of our brothers and sisters <br />
in Christ.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, © 2017, prayer-a-phrased today’s Bible reading of 1 John 3:16 with the help of various translations found on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a>. <br />
<br />
Mary's newest book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/PRAISE-Poems-Mary-Harwell-Sayler/dp/1945099038/">PRAISE!</a> </i>with contemporary psalms and free verse poems has been released by <a href="https://cladach.com/praise/">Cladach Publishing </a><br />
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…<br />
Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-65037791676101570092017-03-31T09:54:00.002-04:002021-11-01T15:14:17.177-04:00Jesus commands: Love!In the Ten Commandments, God gave us our marching orders! Those directives are meant to instruct, guide, and transform our daily lives and develop the right kind of relationship with God, ourselves, and other people. <br />
<br />
Revisiting those commandments or “Ten Words” in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, we might think we’ve obeyed them all, and externally speaking, that may be true. But Jesus gets into our minds and hearts with His one command: “Love one another as I love you,” John 15:12.<br />
<br />
Not only would that one commandment fulfill all ten, but this marching order takes the Golden Rule to a higher level. i.e., Instead of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” we’re told to treat one another the way Jesus would treat us – with relentless love.<br />
<br />
This doesn’t just mean to love each other the way we love ourselves since that might not be nearly enough! We’re to love each other the way <i>Jesus </i>loves us – nearly and dearly. Then, as we believe in, accept, and receive Jesus’ love, we’re ready to let His love fill us and overflow. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a> on John 15:12 and the Ten Commandments as found in the many translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a><br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-32011780193118723772017-03-14T11:25:00.002-04:002021-11-01T15:14:58.463-04:00Growing in love<i>To your faith, do your best to add goodness,<br />
and to that goodness, increase your knowledge.<br />
Then what you know can help to guide your actions.<br />
<br />
And, with this self-control, persist in showing <br />
devoted service to God, especially by being <br />
kind to every brother and sister in Christ.<br />
<br />
To all of this add agape</i> – not just brotherly <br />
love or passion – but benevolent, sacrificial, <br />
godly love.<br />
<br />
2 Peter 1:5-7 prayer-a-phrased by <a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, ©2017, using scriptures from many of the translations found on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a><br />
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Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-70348652921458637662017-03-13T10:33:00.003-04:002021-11-01T15:15:16.708-04:00God is working it out!What relief God’s Word brings even in the most difficult times!<br />
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<i>"For we KNOW <br />
that ALL<br />
things WORK TOGETHER<br />
for GOOD <br />
for those who LOVE GOD<br />
and are called <br />
according to the PLAN<br />
and purpose of GOD!"</i><br />
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Romans 8:28 paraphrased by <a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, © 2017, using scriptures from many of the translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a><br />
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...Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3859151619926587645.post-4455996949656609842017-03-11T11:58:00.002-05:002021-11-01T15:15:44.160-04:00Loving like JesusEvery time I’ve read John 13:34, I’ve been puzzled by Jesus’ words: <i>“I’m giving you a new commandment: love one another.” </i>Since I’ve heard that longer than I can remember, this word of exhortation did not seem new to me. But when I looked up the phrase <i>“love one another”</i> on Bible Gateway, I found no earlier reference. <br />
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In the Hebrew Bible, however, God says, <i>“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might,”</i> Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Bringing that love down to earth, Leviticus 19:18 says, <i>“you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” </i><br />
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In Matthew 26:37-40, Jesus put those two commands together by saying, <i>“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like unto it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”</i><br />
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A problem arises, though, when people have trouble loving themselves, much less their neighbors! Nevertheless, God still wants this, and so the New Testament clarifies the concept of the true love to be found in Christ Jesus:<br />
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• He spoke healing words. <br />
• He called people by name. <br />
• He showed God’s love. <br />
• He taught the kind attitudes we’re to have. <br />
• He gave His life.<br />
• He brought us life eternal.<br />
• He called us to be brothers and sisters<br />
• He empowered us to be children of God.<br />
• He continues to pray for us now.<br />
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In the hours before His death, Jesus told His disciples: <i>“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I’ve loved you, so you also must love one another,” </i>John 13:34.<br />
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Hopefully, we’ll love and appreciate ourselves and our neighbors. Regardless, we must love one another as conduits of Jesus Christ, Whose love flows in and through us. We can't do this by ourselves, but we can agree to it. We can give Jesus' command our amen.<br />
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May the Almighty God our Father help us to allow Christ’s love to pour forth profusely. Let it be! So be it. Amen.<br />
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<a href="https://marysayler.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mary Sayler</a>, © 2017, with scriptures from many of the translations on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com">Bible Gateway</a><br />
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<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Mary Saylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08709628386233742459noreply@blogger.com0