Show Me Your Love

Greg and I found this really good devotional book this past weekend, compiled from several different classic writers. It's been a blessing to me and I've been waiting for a good time to share some of the devotionals. So I'm finally going to share this one. I would encourage any of you, if you read a devotional each day, and are blessed by one morning's entry, please share with the rest of us so we can be blessed as well! Daily Devotional InsightsClassic Christian WritingsMay 12Cheerful LoveEach of you must give as you have made up your mind, not relunctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.2 CORINTHIANS 9:7 NRSVIf you know the love of Jesus as the deer thirts for the brooks, so will you desire greater portions of His love. If you do not desire to know Him better, then you do not love Him because love always cries, "Nearer, nearer." Only be content with an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal appearance. An increase of love to Jesus and a better understanding of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.Our God requires no slaves to adorn His throne. He is the Lord of the empire of love and would have His servants dressed in the uniform of joy. If He sees that we serve Him from force and not because we love Him, He will reject our offering. Take away joyful willingness from the Christian, and you have removed the test of his sincerity. In the joy of the Lord, we are strong.Cheerfulness is to our service what oil is to the wheels of a railway car. Without oil, the axle soon grows hot and accidents occur. If there be not a cheerfulness to oil our wheels, our spirits will be clogged with weariness. Let us show to the people of the world that our religion is to us a delight and a joy!CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON

Woops! I just noticed today that there's a Devotionals topic in the forum. Oh well. Anyway... I read the devotion for today... and it was alright. But then I read the one for tomorrow, Saturday, and it touched my heart. So since I can't get on the Internet over the weekend, I thought I'd post the devotion for tomorrow.May 14Live in Love"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love."JOHN 15:10 NIVThe home of our soul is to be the love of Christ. We are to live our life there. This is what Christ means for our life to be and what He really can make it. Our continuous living in the vine is to be living in His love.The love of the Father to the Son is not a sentiment - it is a divine life, an infinite energy, an irresistible power. It carried Christ through life, death, and the grave. The Father loved Him, dwelt in Him, and did all for Him. So the love of Christ to us, too, is an infinite living power that will work in us. The feebleness of our Christian life is that we do not take time to believe that this divine love does really delight in us, and will posses and work all in us.It is possible so to live moment by moment and to believe that everything that makes it difficult or impossible will be overcome by Christ Himself. This is the secret of the true Christian life.Turn away from the visible if you would see and posses the invisible. Turn away from yourself and your efforts if you would have your heart filled with Him and the certainty of His love. Come away from all else, and set your heart on Jesus and His love. Occupy yourself with that love, worship it, and wait for it. You may be sure it will reach out to you and by its power take you up into itself as your home.ANDREW MURRAY

Yodi,Thank You for posting this. It has helped me to understand more and more the season I am in. May we all be drawn to this devine thirst. The thirst that is quenched but for a moment, and then we thrist again for more of him, his love, his grace, his power and mercy. I love him with all of my heart, mind, and soul. Quote:If you know the love of Jesus as the deer thirts for the brooks, so will you desire greater portions of His love. If you do not desire to know Him better, then you do not love Him because love always cries, "Nearer, nearer." Only be content with an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal appearance. An increase of love to Jesus and a better understanding of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.