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'And now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.'

1st Corinthians 13 Verse 13

'Chan fhaic sùil gràidh ach nithean matha.' ('The eyes of love see nothing but good.') Hope that answers your question Ria! I heard these words sung in a Gaelic spiritual song many years ago and they have had a great impact upon my soul and my life. I try to live my life each day with these words as my watchword.

When meeting friends is it easy to view them in love. There are those however who seem to do everything in their power to put these words to the test!

There are some people only God can love!

You cannot force yourself to love someone, but you can try your best to see the good in them. If, having tried to love them as best you can, and they continue to offend and insult then they are best left alone.

It is not wrong to distance yourself from people who treat you with disdain. Just walk away and don't look back. They will be the losers in the end.

Never stop praying for them though!

Often over the years I have heard the brethren pray for 'an increase of faith,' 'for their hope to be strengthened,' 'for a lively witness' and for 'the church to be revived.' Fine petitions indeed, yet it is few that I have heard praying for love to be the dominant grace in their soul. Seldom have I heard a petition for an enemy!

I have a lovely friend here in Stornoway and she reads this chapter every day of her life. Her life reflects what she reads!

Many in life have had to ask the question, 'where were my friends when I needed them most?' We may have many 'fair-weather' friends. Those who stick by us when things are going well with us, but true friends will be there when things are not going so well. I have a few really close friends in various different countries and I am convinced that they have been – as it were – 'hand-picked' by God.

I have learned much over these past three years about those I had considered to be my friends. When I truly needed help and support they were nowhere to be seen!

'I love you!'

Three small words that we all love to hear addressed to ourselves. These words may be uttered without real meaning behind them and that is just deception. Is there any greater comfort to the human being than to know that somewhere, somebody in this world cares and loves them?

The more that we learn about Jesus and the closer we become in our personal relationship with Him, the more we are aware of the greatness of His love for us. We have perhaps many friends who we may feel would warrant such love. If I were to live for two eternities I doubt if I will ever grasp Christ's sacrificial love for ME!

There are days when just the thought, 'He chose 'ME'' makes me shake my head in awe and wonder.

Why ME? Why would the God of Glory veil Himself in human flesh and die as a criminal for a wretch like ME? How can this God, this Holy God keep on loving ME when I continually sin against Him every day?

Does His love for ME diminish as I continue to sin? Does His love grow cold as I let Him down each day? Does He turn His back on ME when things go wrong? Does He ever fail ME when I fail Him? Does He stop His ears as I pray to Him for mercy?

Hitherto the Lord has helped ME!

Would it not have been better had He chosen someone that would serve Him better? Someone more intelligent, more sincere, more devoted. Someone that was good, upright, honest, pure! Wonder of wonders, my friend He chose ME! Can you say that? I truly hope so.

Just for today, let us love our enemies as the Lord asks us to do. Just for today let us say 'I love you' to those that we love. Just for today, let our lives be different. Just for today let love reign in our souls.

One of the greatest regrets that I have in my life is that I was not able to tell my Dad just how much I loved him. I longed to tell him, even on his bed of sickness yet he slipped into unconsciousness before I dared to spit the words out! I have regretted my weakness ever since.

The more we are aware of Christ's love for us, then I believe the more of that same love will we be able to reflect in our daily walk. Let us yearn to know Him better. May we plead for His love to be shed abroad in our hearts and may we in turn display that love to our fellow man.

Love is truly an amazing grace. It will continue when hope and faith have fainted by the wayside. Let us be remembered for displaying this love in our lives. It is a gift of God. Ask and you shall receive.

Love rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Cast down today? In despair? It will be this same love that will carry you through. Listen to the words of our Saviour as He addresses our souls. 'I have loved YOU with an everlasting love.'
Do you love Me?

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

10.20 A.M.

LOOK AT THE CROSS.........

                 SEE HIM THERE

                           ARMS OUTSTRETCHED


JESUS IS SAYING "I LOVE YOU".

                 "SEE HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU".


Dear Brothers and sisters let us run into those open arms today and let us also show others Christ's love for them in our attitude.

Thank-you Iain, for another inspiring devotional this morning.

I too have difficulty loving everyone........but Jesus said "love one another even as I have first loved you".....He didn't say "like" one another and truly there are traits in all of us that are not likeable. Truly there are things about myself I do not like.

Only by the grace of God can I love as He would have me do and yes it is easy to say "I love You" and do nothing to help a friend in need.

I had a need sometime ago and no Christian came to my aid, not one from the local churches where the Lord has been using my gifts.  My help did  come from the Lord but through a dear lady who has her own problems.  It is usually this lady whom God sends.

If someone knocks your door in the middle of the night and asks for a loaf of bread what will you do?.

My son is still in bed very poorly, yet I do thank God Chris has taken a glass of water this orning which is a good sign as he couldn't swallow even water yesterday.
Thanks for prayers folks.

Love in Jesus' Name,
Jenny.

monday 11.40 AM
Good mornins every own. Iam busy today. First i would
ask you forgive me the mistakes yesterday it was standing under 9 aug. Make i always a lot mistakes.
Please forgive me. I am glad to be with you in you i have found real christians.
For a pair weeks i have been to the hospital they have taken pictures of my neck and backsite. All my vertrebrae are standing crooked. Now i must go this
afternoon to therapy. Now my therapist must put my
back hip pelvis and cervital vertrbrae right. YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THIS?
I have been to the post office. I hope that your post is coming this week Judy B. I hope you like it.
Also a letter i have post for my aunt in Guelph then i can write in Dutch.
JENNY I STILL AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR SON.
I hope that you can understand what i have writen.
Your sister in Christ
Hugs and blessings. Ria

  Good Day to all and thank you Iain
for your devotional on love.  It is no wonder that the 'greatest of these is love'.  Every time I read the love chapter and see how much God loves a sinner like myself it really humbles me.  Then I want to apply it to everyone I know..but fail miserably But thanks be to God that I can keep on trying.  Doesn't the fruit of the Spirit start off with love?  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This should be my goal everyday..to love others as He loves me.

Ria, I do understand everything you write! I pray that your doctor will be able to correct the  vertebrate in your spine.  I know you must be in pain.  Keep us posted about your condition.  In America I would be going to a chiropractor for adjustments and physical therapy.

May everyone have a blessed day.  My time here is SC is 6:47 AM.  

Iain, that is the way I try to live my life every day.  I could not of expressed it as well as you.

Ria I understand you very well.  

Jenny, prayers flowing to you.

Good morning Kathy, 6:38 am here in Kansas.

Love to all, Francy

Good morning everyone!
This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.!!!!

Iain dear brother thank you very much for the devotional this morning......I totally agree with what you have said...but ....now trying to live it....that is difficult....but when we focus our eyes on God,,,,He will bring about and do what He says He will do.....if you love one another.....you are loving ME......

Ria...I understood very well what you have written and I am praying for you and that your back is realigned..

Good morning to Jenny Kathy and FrancyLou...
God bless and take care. Paulette.

Good Morning. Iain thank you so much for the devotional on Love. I pray that the Lord will fill our hearts with that same love that Christ has in His heart. Oh Lord fill my heart with your love, that I may love others as you do.

Today I have to go to a 3 hour workshop at the AARP ofice in Arcata. It is my day oof but they are paying me for the time in the workshop.

I don't have  alot to say this morning. We had a wonderful lesson on Authority at Bible study last night. Jesus has given us the same authority that He has.  Maybe I will talk more on that later.

Hello to all those who are traveling should they look in on us today. Pat, Judy MC, Norm and Etta Sue.

Be back later

Thanks, Iain, for the reminder.  I truly believe that our love to others can only increase as we learn more and more of Christ's love to us.  Oh that we would use His Word to learn of Him!  We need to use it not to learn mere doctrines, important as they are.  We need to avoid merely seeking promises to ourselves.  Instead of these admittedly good things, let's focus on just learning more and more of His wonderful Character as expressed finally on His Cross.  As we "look full in His wonderful face," as we are filled with "His glory and grace," then "things of earth will grow strangely dim."  Then our own love to others will increase.

Good morning from the Oregon Coast!  

Thank you, IAIN, for the devotional this morning.  And I thank each of you, JENNY, RIA, KATHY, FRANCYLOU, PAULETTE, MARILYN, and AL, for your added comments.  Indeed, "the greatest of these is love" ... However, of our own human efforts, we are not capable of loving as He loves.  We need His life in us to love through us.  Oh, that I might decrease so that He may increase!

God bless each one as you go about your daily routine...with JESUS!

RIA~I will be praying for your back and the therapy you must have to realign it.  

MARILYN~Have a good day  

Papa John, I am SO happy to undarstand you do not have such a pain today. I do pray God will keep you strong so you will share with me your wisdom for many hundred more years.  

Hi ms Mamapo, I am Mieka.   it is wonderful to see you here.

Hi ms Ria   I did undarstand everything you did say too. I think if I can undarstand it, it is easy.   and I pray you will grow strong with your back too.

Ms PAT   I do know it is a wonderful time for you. I miss you.

A hello to Mr Moak , Ms Jane   ms Jenny   Ms Tenderheart   Ma Marylin   ms Jenny ms Kathy   and Ms Francy Lou  

Ms Iain I love you. Of all the devotionals, it is my favorite today. I do find love in everyone. I do not try to do it. I do not know a enemy. A Christian will say "Satan is my enemy" I do pray for him. I find him very sad. But strange I also see the good in even Satan.

I share these words.

If beauty requires contrast to the ugly, does that not make the contrast itself beautiful?

Poor Satan, I would not ever wish for any to be cast away from Gods love.

Good morning from the beautiful state of Tennessee.  My, what a good fellowship for this Monday.

Thank each one of you for your contributions, Iiain, Jenny, Ria, Kathy, Francy Lou, Paulette, Marilyn, Al, Jane, and Mieka.

"I love you."  What wonderful words.  These are the words God says to us, to each one.  We love God because he first loved us.

I Jn 4:19-21  We love him, because he first loved us.  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.  (KJV)

There is something about love which depends on us.  It is a commandment.  I believe we must accept the responsibility.  

Matt 5:43-48  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.  (KJV)

Mieka, yes I am feeling better and I am thankful for it.  Ria, I hope you have some good success in your treatment for your spine.  I can sympathize with you.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Good morning to all! Oh, Iain, your devotional was so good that I sent it to a new Christian friend of mine. I know it will help her as much as it will me. Mieka, it is so great to see you again! Ria, I understood you well, and will be in prayer for your therapy. Jenny, I am sorry for your sons' illness, and will ask the Lord for his healing touch. Marily, you are still in my prayers, also. You are all such caring people: Ilm glad that I know you. Love in Him, Cami

Good morning everyone.  It's been a while since I've posted.  Well, I got a call from Pat last night.  They drove 1000 km yesterday, and when she called they were in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  She asks for prayer for the rest of the journey for her, Judy McKenna, and Judy's husband, Norm.  She'll be calling me probably each night of the drive, and I'll post here for her where they got to.  Well, I have to go, God bless you all.  Jen.

Good morning all (or afternoon I guess it is, actually).

A warm, overcast day in Western North Carolina.  I am at work, but it is slow today, so here I am.

Ria, Yes, I understand what you are saying.  Having had back problems as well, you have my sympathy.  I hope the alignment gives you some relief.

Mieka, You are a true blessing.  At first I thought "Good in Satan??"  But, then I thought more.  IN Satan there is no good--he is total evil, but without Satan, we could never know the extent of God's grace and love.  Is that kinda what you meant?

I'm glad to hear Pat and companions are well so far.  Hope Etta and IvaLou are too.

Marilyn, You, in your retirement, do three times the things that I do.  How in the world do you find the energy and time to get it all done?

Jenny, I hope your son is doing better.

Good to see Cami and the others.  Have a good day, all!!

kamrat

Quote from: karmat on August 11, 2003, 02:09:54 PM
Good morning all (or afternoon I guess it is, actually).

At first I thought "Good in Satan??"  But, then I thought more.  IN Satan there is no good--he is total evil, but without Satan, we could never know the extent of God's grace and love.  Is that kinda what you meant?

Yes Ms Karmat, it is as I mean it. I do know satin is no good in any way. I find this very sad for him, so I do pray for him. But without him here to show us evil, we would only know of Gods love. How then are we to learn of wrong and right? and to know of Good and evil?  - It is for this I find "the good" in satin.

It is my wonder if perhaps one day God will ever forgive him.  Is it possible? can one teach even satan? can satan perhaps see he is wrong and repent? I know on this day it will be a party in heaven as none other before.

Meika - Dear Sis, I know that you are keen to learn and I would like to try and give you a little help along the way.

Regarding Satan - He is evil. His punishment is eternal and it can never be revoked. there is no mercy for him sis. He does no good thing. He wants to bring as many souls into hell as he can. It is our duty and responsibility as Christians to warn others about his devious tactics.

Do not pray for him! Pray instead for those living in our world who are still without God and without hope. There is a chance of salvation for them. Mercy is still on offer for them. Win them for Christ through your prayers sis.

Love God, hate evil! Satan is evil.

I hope and pray that this helps.

LOL

Hi everyone.  

Iain, your devotional on love speaks to the heart.  

Jenny, glad to hear that Chris is doing a little better today.  Know that is indeed a worry for you.  Hope you are able to stay cool with the extreme heat you are experiencing.  

Ria, you had nothing to apologize for in that when you came online to post yesterday I had not yet opened the new thread for the 10th (I had been a bit lazy and didn't get up as early as I had planned.  So don't ever worry about that as we are happy to see your posting regardless of what day it appears on.  Sometimes Pat will make a thread cover a two day period.  I don't know about the rest of the folks, but I always start with the prior day to be sure I haven't missed postings that occurred after I last visited the site.  Also hope you are able to stay cool.

Ria, it sounds like your back must be giving you fits and certainly hope the therapy gives you relief.

Marilyn, is your class related to the caregiving?  It is good that they are paying you to attend.

Al, more words of wisdom.

Welcome to mamapo, we will look forward to seeing you join in our conversations and sharing with us here on the CP site.

PapaJohn, your scriptural citations this morning make me think of the homeowner's association meeting I attended last evening.  We organized a week ago and had the first board meeting.  Our major concern is the front entrance of our subdivision which has become unsightly, especially on one side.  The couple that live on the corner with that entrance have ordered the men who have gone up to maintain it off of it saying it belongs to them.  We are struggling with how to approach this problem and we discussed last night trying to approach the problem with love rather than further confrontation.  

Jen, thanks for the report from Pat, Judy and Norm.  

Karmat, while it is nice to have a slow day at work sometimes it also makes for a slow day.  Good to see you posting.

We had a bit of excitement this morning in our neighborhood.  Our next door neighbors were to leave on a trip to Maryland this morning.  However, about noon we saw an ambulance in their driveway.  They had started on their trip and were on the Interstate when Fred began to weave on the road and his wife knew something was wrong.  She got him to pull over and she drove back home (they were probably about 20 miles away).  She then called 911 and he was having a diabetic attack due to his blood sugar being too low.  The paramedics gave him orange juice with extra sugar and he responded.  This is the second time this has happened.  

Hi Kathy, FrancyLou, Paulette, Jane, Mieka, Cami and each of you posting later today.  It is good seeing all of you here today.

 

With our devotional thoughts directed to Christ's undying love for us, I thought this would be a wonderful hymn for today.  It is another of those hymns that Pat prepared before she left so we could enjoy it while she is away.





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LARRY~Thanks for that hymn.  This is the one our pastors, Ron and Bev, stood in front of the congregation and, holding hands, sang together.  They wanted to assure us that they are perfectly submitted to God's will as they deal with Bev's cancer diagnosis and treatment.   Perfect submission, all is at rest...

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We asre so very glad to have you join us here at CP. Come on in and help yourself to a cup of coffee or tea,. Tell us about yourself and how you came to know Jesus. tell us where you live and about your family.

Quote from: Iain on August 11, 2003, 03:01:27 PM
Meika - Dear Sis, I know that you are keen to learn and I would like to try and give you a little help along the way.

Regarding Satan - He is evil. His punishment is eternal and it can never be revoked. there is no mercy for him sis. He does no good thing. He wants to bring as many souls into hell as he can. It is our duty and responsibility as Christians to warn others about his devious tactics.

Do not pray for him! Pray instead for those living in our world who are still without God and without hope. There is a chance of salvation for them. Mercy is still on offer for them. Win them for Christ through your prayers sis.

Love God, hate evil! Satan is evil.

I hope and pray that this helps.

LOL

Mr Iain, I have such a puzzle from this.  

Matt 5:43-48  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

I like the words to bless them that curse me. I do know this to be Gods wish.
I do know i am only 1 tiny prayer. Mr Iain if I do not know a nother enemy in this life, is it wrong to pray for the only one I do know? Even if he is not in a life,

-Is it wrong of me to do this?
I hope you will all forgive me, it is not my wish to learn to hate. I will pray for those who need help and leave the hate for God to do what is his wish with it.

I pray for my Mr Choy too. I guess for me it is hope.I do know my dear friend Mr Choy he did not know of Jesus. It is my every wish and my every prayer to ask God is there a way I do not undarstand that I might one day see him again in the Heaven. I will for ever have this hope.
I hope it is not wrong of me to pray for that which I have a hope.

Is it wrong of me to pray for satan? Is it wrong of me to hope?
Is satan the brother to the God I AM?

It's great to have you join our happy family! ...  

Meika - Dear Sis, I hope that I understand what you are trying to tell me. If I get it wrong then please tell me.

I am not sure whether your friend Mr Choy is alive or not. If he has died then it is not for us to judge where he will spend eternity.

Where there is life there is hope. If your friend is alive and causing you distess then I admire you for praying for him. It is not so easy to put into practice what Jesus has written in His word.

You quoted the Bible correctly. Jesus does ask us to pray for our enemies. It is not easy to do, but it is a command.

Satan is different sis.

Be very careful here and do not be misled. He is a fallen angel! He hates God. He hates Jesus! He hates you! It is impossible for him to love anyone. He cannot do good, only harm.

Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

It is good that you have a big heart full of love sis. Give all your love to the Lord and He will keep filling your heart.

I do love you so much mr Iain.
I did make a edit to my post because it was hard for even me to undarstand me

Mr Iain, is it Gods wish that I am to hate Satan?
Or is it Gods wish that I am to hate Evil?

If God will fill my heart only with Love, How then will i find it in my heart to hate?

I agree with what Iain is saying Mieka.  I will also add that it may help you to remember that Satan is not one of "us."  He is a fallen angel.  He, at one time, was one of the most powerful of the angels in all of heaven.  Because of his pride, he was cast out of heaven.  In that sense, he made his choice.  There will be no redemption for him, ever.  He knows this, too, and that is why he fights Christ so vehemently at every turn.  He has already lost, and wants to take down as many as he can.  Jesus won the victory though, when he lived a perfect life, died, and rose again.  

I'm glad you asked this.  It is a question many ask, and never get an answer for.

About Mr. Choy.  I know he was very dear to you, and very important in making you who you are today.  You don't know what was in his heart, only God knows that.  Many times, people ask "if they have never heard of Jesus, then what"  You have mentioned seeing God in the beauty around you.   I believe many of the ones who never hear (that is having salvation explained to them) may still come to that knowledge of mercy and grace through God's awesomeness and power.  Who can know all the ways of God.

Mieka - what I see in Scripture is that Satan will be in the lake of fire for ever and ever, along with all unrepentant sinners and all the fallen angels.  So I think there is no possibility of his repentance.  He is exactly where he wants to be, for he hates God.  Don't be concerned, though, for he cannot hurt God in the slightest, because God is greater than all and entirely happy in Himself for ever.
We are to love our enemies, but we must not love God's enemies.

What wonderful words of wisdom!  Thank you Iain, Al & Papa John.  Thoughts of Satan seem to weaken the spirit.  Thoughts of Jesus can only strengthen and bring peace...

Ria, you are not difficult to understand.  I have a Dutch friend and find the language charming.  Sorry about your back and can relate to the discomfort.  Will pray for the pain to lessen.

We are finally having some rain where I live in BC.  A real downpour....God is answering our prayers in a BIG way.  I trust that He will meet the needs of all who come to this comforting site.  God Bless, Liz.

Mr Moak, Please forgive me when I have a troubles to undarstand this.  

It is Gods wish that we love everyone, yes?

If we are all a sinners and God does love each of us, even as a sinner, then we are to love everyone as it is his wish, yes? We are each of us then a treasure to God.

Then we have no other enemy than satan.  

But it is still Gods wish that we pray for a enemy.
Is satan not the only enemy?  

Meika, yes we are told to pray for our enemies.  But Jesus meant people who are enemies.  Only living (human) people can benefit from our prayers and Satan is not a human person but an evil spirit.  Therefore he cannot be affected by prayer.  He has already sealed his own fate by defying God and there is nothing we can do to change that.