August 10 - Day 57

 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. -1 John 4:8  Love is God's very nature and the expression of His being. The greek word for this kind of selfless love is "agape." God enables us to love as He loves. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:1-2 

Loved! then the way will not be drear;
For One we know is ever near, 
Proving it to our hearts so clear
That we are loved.
 

Loved when our sky is clouded o'er,
And days of sorrow press us sore;
Still we will trust Him evermore,
For we are loved.
 

Time, that affects all things below,
Can never change the love He'll show;
The heart of Christ with love will flow,
And we are loved.

-L.B Cowman

On a love note about "agape": Husbands are instructed to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. Wives are instructed to honor and submit to their husbands. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. -Ephesians 5:33  Our minister fervently admonished us during our wedding ceremony with much wisdom and truth. Here's an excerpt from his instruction: "Dean and Dannielle, if you want to have a happy marriage you need to build on mutual love and respect for each other. You cannot build on physical attraction alone. If you want a happy marriage there has to be more than that. You need a special kind of love. There are different kinds of love. Agape love is selfless love. Agape love does not exist to get what it wants but empties itself to give what others need. Agape love lives in order to die to self for the blessedness of just caring for one another, spending for one another, and spreading itself for the sake of the beloved. If you have agape love, you empty yourself out for the happiness of your companion."  
Everyday is a gift wrapped in opportunities to bless our spouse, children, family, friends, and neighbors with agape (selfless) love! 

Dean's vitals have remained stable through the night and day!  His facial swelling has increased and his eyes are almost swollen shut. This afternoon, Dean was transported from the ICU to the fifth floor where he stayed prior to the surgery. The maxillofacial surgeon stopped by this evening and was pleased with his progress. They will do another CT Scan in 3 or 4 days to view the status of his brain and be sure there is no bleeding. Dean is still on the same medications along with one to prevent seizures. We thank the Lord for sustaining Dean and continue to ask for his complete healing. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.  And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. -1 John 3:22-24

 I've always enjoyed reading biographies and how God redeems their story. Corrie ten Boom's life inspired me and one of her quotes always stayed with me: "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still."

 

 

 

 



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