simple, not always easy

 Thursday, August 18, 2022 (5:45 a.m.)

♪Love God, Love People♪

What a great song to have lead me through the night! Readily identifiable every time I woke. Thank You God.

Thank You.

(7:22 a.m.)

Yes, Lord. Thank You.

Thank You that in all this time spent looking for [and listening to] a better understanding of Danny Gokey’s song, I learned another new-to-me word. Framily. A group of friends, who are close like a family.

When it comes to loving You and loving others, wouldn’t it be glorious for us to lay aside all the extra stuff that gets in the way? Hurt feelings? Bitterness? Lay it down. Refuse to carry it any longer.

Mark 12:30-31. New English Translation. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength… Love your neighbor as yourself.”

In my search this morning, one of the first things I read was about this song being the nutshell version of the Gospel. The Good News. ♪Love God, Love People♪ And a reminder that even though it really is that simple, it’s not always easy.

Holy Blessed God, thank You for the work You do in, with, by, through and for us each and every day. Changing us into the people who truly love You and others as You alone know is best.

You provide Your Truth. Your examples. Your commands. And Your power to do all that we cannot possibly do on our own. “… for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power” (The Living Bible Philippians 4:13).

It was this letter to the believers in Philippi that first helped me realize all those years ago that love is something we can do much, yet not necessarily well. Father God, how I thank You for putting The Message in my hands exactly when I needed it most.

A failing relationship was nourished, strengthened and continues growing into what only You could have ordained it to be. Loving! Caring. Selfless.

Paul’s words. “So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11 The Message).

Oh Amen, blessed God. Amen! It is You and Your Word of Truth and promises that teach us how best to live each moment of every single day. Continue Your work in me I pray.

♪Gotta keep it real simple, keep it real simple Bring everything right back to ground zero ‘Cause it all comes down to this Love God and love people We’re living in a world that keeps breakin’ But if we want to find a way to change it It all comes down to this (Everything comes down to this) Love God and love people♪

And NOT as the world would have us love! As Your Word teaches us. This from The Passion Translation.

“Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

This is an impossibly tall order for any of us to accomplish on our own. Thank You God that Jesus went away to the One who sent Him (John 16:5) so the Advocate [Comforter, Encourager, Counselor] would come (v.7).

Continue Your work in each of us. As only You can. For our good and Your glory. Thank You. Praise You. I love, need and want You. Use me. Amen.

(738 words ~ 8:44 a.m.)