Today’s Scripture Threshings for Thursday, February 14 , 2019
Key Verse: ”Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (vs. 7, ESV)
Yesterday, we started a series of God’s love in a troubled world setting the platform upon the election or selection of broken and fractured folks. Genuine love is never based upon the trajectory of perfection and worthiness. Only true love can take a man like John from his broken nets and flaring temper, and turn him into an apostle of love, who reflected and exemplified God's love the way he did; who taught the truth and worth of godly love and left us an outstanding example.
Ours is not different from the troubled world and time the apostle lived in. Like John, we love to live out true love but our flaring betrays our intention — and a world full of hate and broken hearts is the logical result. As a result of love for his Master, John forbade strangers from using the name of Christ while casting out demons (Mark 9:38). On another occasion he wanted to call down fire from heaven onto a Samaritan village for not allowing Jesus people (Luke 9:52-56). He was zealous but true love comes (not from doing things) but from following Jesus. Rubbing shoulders with Jesus, hearing Him speak of godly love and watching Him live out love even among those who hated Him transformed John into an apostle of God’s love — from son of thunder into son of sunrise; from the self seeking lover, who always wanted a place to a selfless follower, who followed even the the foot of the cross when others fled.
We will, like John, be able to give up ego, self seeking, flaring temper, and survive thickest darkness and show others love if and when we let the love of Jesus melt us. It is only then that we have a balanced understanding of love. In today’s text, having been changed by God’s love, John focused on God’s love as the most important virtue. He teaches us how it is different from the natural human love which cause us to hurt ourselves and others. For there is no fear in God’s love; but it casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Quote for the Day: “God’s love is like fireplace on a cold winter morning. People do not care who set the fire. They shroud and wrap themselves before the heat, get their desired warmth, and walk from the fire. The further they walk, the colder again.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I am grateful for your love. Help me also to love You in all things and above all things. May I reach the joy which You have prepared for me in Heaven. May I walk in the trust that all good things comes from You, and to place my life in Your hand. In your most precious name. Amen.
With all my Love and Prayer,
Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),
2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,
Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA
Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org
BBMme: E3F988D2
[*Today’s Scripture Threshings* is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]
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