Living in the love of Christ

Jesus said:

If you believe My words
and follow my instructions,
you will be with Me
in My kind of love!

I’m only asking you to do
what I have done
by keeping God’s Word
and staying centered
in My Father’s love.

Mary Sayler, ©2017, prayer-a-phrased John 15:10 after reading and praying about the verse from many of the translations on Bible Gateway.

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Not seeing but believing love

Jesus, I’ve never seen You,
but I love You.

I cannot see You right now,
but I believe
You’re here,
loving me.

What joy!

No words can describe
the glorious delight
found in You, knowing
You will save me.


1 Peter 1:8-9 prayer-a-phrased by Mary Sayler, ©2017, using many of the translations on Bible Gateway.

…

Deck yourself out in love

Colossians 3:12-17

You are God’s chosen ones –
the holy elect –
dearly loved!

Now clothes yourselves
in mercy, kindness,
gentleness, and patience,
so you can bear up
under complaints
and forgive one another
as the Lord has forgiven you.

Beyond this
clothe yourself in love –
the perfect bond –

and let the peace of Christ
control your hearts.

You’re called to be
One Body in peace,
so be thankful!

Let the word of Christ live
in you richly
as you teach
and exhort one another
with wisdom,
singing Psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs
with hearts given in grace
to God.

And whatever you do –
whether in words or actions –
do all in the Name
of the Lord Jesus
with thanks to God our Father
to Whom we belong
in Christ.

© 2015, Mary Harwell Sayler prayer-a-phrased today’s reading from Colossians with help from the many translations on Bible Gateway.

For the love of Christ

Prayer-a-phrase of John 15:12-17

And Jesus said to all who follow Him:

Here’s what I want you to do:
“Love one another as I love you.”

What kind of love is that?

The greatest love is when
you give your life for your friends.

You are My friends,
and you show this
by doing as I ask.

You’re not enslaved by Me!

A slave has no idea what his master is doing!
But I told you everything I’ve heard from My Father,
because you are My friends.

You didn’t choose Me first,
but I chose You,
and now I’m appointing you
to go and bear fruit for eternity!

Then, whatever you ask the Father in My Name,
He will be able to give you
as you fulfill My command:

Love one another.


©2015, Mary Harwell Sayler prayer-a-phrased this scripture in John 15 from several of the many translations found on Bible Gateway.

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Born again in love

1 John 4:7-10

Beloved, let’s love one another!

Love comes from God,
so everyone who knows love
knows God,
and is born again.

People who show no love
do not know God
for God is love.

And the love of God
became clear
as God sent
His only begotten Son
into the world
to imprint His life upon us.

So, our love comes,
not because we love God,
but because God loves us
and gave His Son
as the expiation –

the compensation,
the penance,
the punishment,
the amends –

for our sins.


©2015, Mary Harwell Sayler, poet, writer, and lifelong lover of Christ, the Bible, and the church, prayer-a-phrased today’s reading in I John by comparing many of the translations found on Bible Gateway.

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Nothing can separate you from God’s love

Romans 8:38-39

For I am totally convinced
that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities
nor powers,
nor things present
nor things to come,
nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us
from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


©2014, Mary Sayler prayer-a-phrased from Romans 8:38-39 with the parallel translations found on Bible Gateway.

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Living in love

And Jesus told His followers:

“Just as the Father has loved Me,
so have I loved you.

Live in My love.

If you keep My commandments,
you will live in My love in the same way
I’ve kept My Father's commandments
and live in His love.

I have told you these things
to give you My joy.

Live fully in that joy.

And this is what I require:

Love one another
as I have loved you."

John 15:9-12


Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy of knowing You love me! Help me to live in Your love and draw others to Your love in Jesus’ Name.


© 2013, Mary Sayler

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