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     If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4

     Dear Lord Jesus, still sipping my first cup of coffee, I awake this day affirming an astounding truth. Even as you gave me sleep last night, you gave to me in my sleep. You never sleep nor slumber… you ever live to advocate and pray for your beloved Bride… while we were catching “z’s, you were making us like yourself. There is no one like you, O Lord, no not one.

     How I long for the Day with my heart will not even be tempted to share its adoration and affection with any other suitor or wanna-be-savior.  Hasten that Day, but until that Day, keep changing me in ways which empower me to love well. Since the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love, I boldly ask for greater impressions of your love upon my heart. How else will I consider others better than myself? How else will I love my wife… my children… my friends… church family and strangers as you’re calling me to love them?

     So, Jesus, what encouragement do I have from being united to you, and what comfort do I find in your love? More than can be measured! It means that the Father loves me, as much as he loves you… and there’s nothing I can do about it. I can’t add to it or take away from it.  It means that all of my sins… past, present and future… are forgiven. It means that I’m enveloped in your righteousness—already declared to have passed from judgment to life. It means I’m guaranteed, one Day, to be as lovely and as loving as you are. It means all these things and many more…

     It means I can love people and not expect them to give me what you alone can supply. It means I can serve people and not hold them hostage to my selfish ambition and vain conceit. It means I can become more intrigued than irritated with others… more restful than rigid in their presence… more caring than criticizing of them. Indeed, Jesus, I want to love to your glory… by your grace. So very Amen, I pray, in your merciful and magnificent name.

   

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