February 12, 2018 | Keluarga Allah Daily Devotional
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THE SOUL
John 15: 1-12
TODAY'S RHEMA John 15:12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
Most marriages start on a lovey-dovey, happy note between a man and a woman. They promise to love each other till death do them part. But the records reveal that many marriages end in divorce. The promise to love each other is forgotten, each remembers only the fault of their partner. This kind of incident can also occur in a friendship. Most friendships started with a commitment to love and care for each other, some even coin mottos such as "Best Friends Forever". However, many friendship also comes to an abrupt end due to misunderstanding, disappointment and jealousy that leads to hurting each other.
How can something that started with love end in disunity? The answer is simple. It is because we love the human kind of love and not with God's kind of love. Without the love of God, it is impossible for us to love others as we love ourselves because basically we are limited beings and the love we possess is also limited. Without the love of God, we can only love others with conditions. This kind of love is self-centered, driving people to pull each other down so as to feed their greed and ego, to attain certain positions career wise or even in ministry, at the expense of others. And this is the kind of love that leads many marriages to misery.
On the other hand, when the unfailing love of God fills our hearts, the love we have for others will be genuine. In order for us to be filled with the unfailing love of God, first, we have to understand His love, which can only be acquired through daily communion with Him through His Word. We need also to open our hearts so that we understand how wide and deep the love of Christ for us is. When we experience deep intimacy with God, His love will gradually fill our lives. Only with this love overflowing from our hearts can we love others with all of our hearts just like God has loved us with an everlasting love.
REFLECTION
"Saudara Terkasih, You will never be able to love people as yourself if you aren't filled with the unfailing love of God."
APPLICATIONS
Have you ever loved someone as yourself? What is your reason?
Have you experienced God's love? How do you know?
How can you experience God's love so your heat is filled with it?
TODAY'S PRAYER "My loving Father, thank You for loving me. Cause me to experience and be filled with Your love so that I'm able to love people as You love me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."
YEARLY BIBLE READING Isaiah 1-4
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