What Will We Do With God's Love?

John 13:35 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? As you go about your day, show some people some love. But what about those days when you are worried about paying your own bills, or stressed out over something that happened with a friend or family member, or you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with an illness? Then, it is harder to keep our eyes on God and follow His lead. We're like Peter when he stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. He was fine until he started looking around him, then he started sinking. It's the same in our lives. When everything is going great, we may even forget God is there.

I'm doing this Bible study, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst. This verse stopped me in my tracks and each time throughout the study when it talked about God's love, I had to pause and think about it. If we love one another, everyone will know that we are His disciple. Have you ever thought about why that is? Is there love around you? In high school when you don't quite fit in, do you feel love? Or do you feel like you don't matter, you aren't part of the in-crowd, nobody listens to what you have to say? When you come into contact with others, do you make a point of making people feel welcome, feel loved, or do you just shrug your shoulders and say oh well, I've been there, why should I step out of my comfort zone to be a friend? This study put a pang in my heart. I've experienced these things. It's made me more aware of the people around me. Shouldn't I use what God has given me and use it to share His love?

Many people feel unloved, unwanted, discouraged, let down, disheartened, have a fear of being unwanted or unaccepted. But you know what? That's not God's way. God is love. His commandments: Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied:‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” As Jesus' disciples, we must show love. There shouldn't be people feeling this way. We should be showing love toward one another that everyone feels accepted, wanted, loved, like they fit in. No one person is better than another. We should all pitch in and help each other. When you see one fall, reach down and help. Don't trample them while they're down. Be there for them, reach out in love, don't envy what someone else has. Be content with what you have, with who you are, continually striving to run the race God has set before you.

1 John 4:11-12 "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." If we are known to be disciples of Christ by our love, but so many people feel this level of despair, we are failing. I'm failing. I can use my insecurities, inadequacies, and dorkiness to reach out to others, but when the "others" don't react in the right way, it causes me to shut down and go back in my shell. I need to realize it's all about God, not my personal feelings. I love because He loved, not for what I'll get out of it, whether it's a friend, a conversation, or making someone else feel better. I show them God's love and He takes care of the rest. When God calls us to do something, we should step out in faith and do what He says. God will reward our faithfulness. What the other person does is on them. You can't withhold doing what God's said because you set up scenarios of what the other person might do. You are responsible for you and doing what God has told you to do. You can't worry or control what the other person does.

We are known whose we are by our love for one another. If love directed everything we said and did, there would be no problem with gossiping, or saying hurtful things. Do you know what love does? Love binds us together. Love makes us stronger. God's love changes things, changes us, and changes those around us. With God's love we encourage each other, lift each other up, pray for each other. We wouldn't be putting each other down, or talking about someone behind their backs. We would be ruled by God's love in our hearts. I want to be saturated with God's authentic love--that would transform me and everyone around me. If we love with God's love, it makes everything better.

I want to put this into practice and see how far my sphere of influence reaches. Which isn't my sphere, but God's sphere. With God's love directing our paths, we will reach the ones who need to feel love, those that have been hurt, we will be sensitive to their needs because with God's love in us His Spirit knows what they need and can work through us to touch them.

God lays people on my heart to pray for and I'm seeking Him to know how to pray for them. Our pastor has opened up my eyes during praise and worship at church. I'm able to spend time during the week and in church services, with my eyes and heart on God, worshipping Him and praying and seeking. I have felt such a difference in my life. The more you read the Bible, the more you want to. The more you pray, the more you want to. When you are filled with God's truth, you are looking to Him and not at what is going on around you. You are listening to His words, His commands, not what others have to say. Our trust, hope, and faith are in Him. Like Peter stepping out of the boat, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he walked on water. But as soon as he started looking around, he sank. When we keep our eyes on God loving other people is easy. We aren't worried or stressed over what's happening in our lives. Our focus is on Him and what He's doing. And that gives Him reign to work through us.

How will you step out and show God's love to others?

The Hero's Sweetheart by Cheryl Wyatt

I loved this story by Cheryl Wyatt! The Hero's Sweetheart continues your love of small town romance in Eagle Point. From the first page you'll feel like you're at home and talking with your friends.

Jack Sullenberger comes home from Afghanistan to run his dad's diner while he recovers from a stroke. Anything that could go wrong, does. Jack has to fight long and hard to keep the diner running, find out who's stealing from the diner, and keep his heart under guard. He'd rather give orders than praise and compliment, and expects to have his orders carried out.

Olivia Abbott is an EMT student, interns at Eagle Point trauma center, works at the diner, struggles with a learning disability, and has to work harder to get things done. She loves Sully. Jack loves Sully. But they deal with problems and issues differently. Jack hits things head on and then decides if it's right or not. Olivia is opinionated and knows how things should be run. She jumps in and takes care of things, even if it goes against what Jack said.

Can they work together to save the diner and their hearts? Or will Jack's distrust pull them apart before they even get a chance to find out? Another great story in the Eagle Point Emergency series. Pick up this great book and reconnect with your friends at Eagle Point and make some new ones.


http://www.amazon.com/Heros-Sweetheart-Eagle-Point-Emergency/dp/037371937X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454339777&sr=8-1&keywords=the+hero%27s+sweetheart+cheryl+wyatt

The Bridesmaid's Hero: A Snowgum Creek Novella by Narelle Atkins

I loved this novella by Narelle Atkins. It comes right after Falling for the Farmer in the Snowgum Creek series, but can be read as a standalone. A sigh-worthy hero sweet romance for an afternoon read.

Serena Blaxland is a bridesmaid in her sister's wedding. From the bride's friend causing problems to Serena suffering a wardrobe malfunction, her hero comes to the rescue. But she's just met him. Can he be the man she's been searching for and not knowing it even though they just met?

Harry Westmore has several odd jobs, one of which is to drive the bridesmaids to the wedding. He and Serena hit it off after just meeting. But he's only interested in a holiday romance, isn't he? He thinks because of their financial gap, he isn't good enough for her.

He's from the country, loves horses. She lives in the city in an apartment. His dad ran off and left him and his mom struggling. He can't be in a relationship and not be able to provide for his wife.Can she look past his income and see the person he is? Will she see him as a potential husband even though she makes more money than he does and he wants to finish school to get his dream job? If he takes his dream job, can they maintain a long distance relationship? Can he overcome his misgivings and welcome love into his life? Check out this great book to see!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

http://www.amazon.com/Bridesmaids-Hero-Snowgum-Creek-Novella-ebook/dp/B01ANVIPFC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453856739&sr=8-1&keywords=the+bridesmaid%27s+hero#customerReviews

Devotional: Joseph and His Dreams

Genesis 37:18-33

19 They said to each other, “Look, here comes that master dreamer! 20 Let’s kill him, throw him into one of the cisterns, and say that a wild animal has eaten him. Then we’ll see what happens to his dreams.”

Joseph had dreams that showed others bowing down to him, which made his brothers jealous. They didn’t like the fact that the dreams showed Joseph greater than they were. Aren’t we the same way? We don’t want to feel someone is above us. But isn’t that what submission is all about? The brothers didn’t want to be in submission to Joseph. They were older, wiser, knew more.
Joseph’s brothers are tending sheep away from home. His father sends Joseph to check on his brothers. His brothers see him coming, so they plot among themselves to kill him. His brother, Rueben, doesn’t want to go along with them. He plans to rescue Joseph without his brothers knowing. Unknown to him, the other brothers sell Joseph into slavery before he can rescue him. Joseph is gone.
The brothers dipped Joseph’s robe in animal blood to fool their father into thinking Joseph was dead. Have you ever tried to cover up something you did that was wrong? How did that work out? Here, not so well.

A few years go by and Egypt is in a drought. There is no food, but because of Joseph’s dreams, he convinced Pharaoh to store food and prepare. Joseph is in bondage, but God is still near. He still has dreams. Isn’t it good to know when things aren’t going as we think they should, that God is still near? We can still call on Him and He will answer.

Joseph recognized his brothers when they came to Egypt for food. Joseph gave orders to bring his youngest brother to Egypt. Instead of telling them right off who he was, he sets them up, demands they bring his youngest brother. He has the Pharaoh’s ear at this time. He could have retaliated against them for what they had done to him. But he didn’t.

They enjoyed a feast together where Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers. But you know what his brothers didn’t realize? God used them to make Joseph’s dreams come true. If he hadn’t had the dreams that made them jealous to begin with, if they hadn’t seen him coming, if they hadn’t plotted to kill him, if they hadn’t sold him into slavery, Egypt wouldn’t have been prepared for the famine, and Joseph wouldn’t have had the position he held. Isn’t it great the way God works?

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God-those whom he has called according to his plan.

Even when it seems everything is against you, God is still on your side. He uses situations and circumstances for your good. Even when others do things against you, talk about you, they can’t stop the good God has planned for your life. Just like Joseph.

Salsa and Speed Bumps by Susan Baganz

Great story by Susan Baganz! This is the second book in the series, but you do not need to read them in order, other than to get to know the characters. Stephanie Simson works at DeLucia’s. She’s pregnant with her ex-boyfriend’s child even though she said no. Can she ever trust a guy again? She feels so alone.

Roberto Rodriquez has Christian parents who adopted him and he wants to help others b/c of the gift he was given by his birth mother. He is an attorney and is asked to join Every Child a Home organization.

Roberto lets God lead his every move. Can Stephanie have a relationship like that with God? She’s not who she used to be since accepting Jesus as her Savior, but she still has to deal with the consequences of what happened before. God doesn’t make that go away, but He helps you through your choices as you trust in Him. Some sin you can see, some you can’t, but all suffer the consequences. Can Stephanie trust Roberto or will he be like her ex-boyfriend and force himself on her? Why is God bringing a new man into her life now? How can she know God is talking to her?

Robbie wants someone who shares his faith. Is that person Stephanie? Will she accept him for the person he is today, or will she hold his past against him? Will Every Child a Home believe him when he’s accused of immoral behavior? In the midst of trials and temptations, Robbie and Stephanie must stand firm in their faith.

From date rape to drug addiction to stalking to ties with the mafia and sex trafficking, this book has it all. This resonated with me while reading this book: Everything I need to fulfill my life is right here in God. We find it hard to forgive ourselves. Can Stephanie forgive her past to have a future with Robbie? Pick up this great book to see!

Rocky Mountain Reunion by Tina Radcliffe

This is another great book by Tina Radcliffe!

Anne Matson is a nurse who left her past in the past. Her aunt dictated her steps and Anne followed along. Her husband from 10 years ago comes to town and everything is off balance. What will she do now that her past is back and he has a daughter with him? Will her aunt stand in the way again?

Matthew Clark married Anne 10 years ago. Her aunt stepped in and had it annulled. When his development company wins a bid in Anne's hometown, and his daughter needs care Anne can provide, can he stand up to the aunt who ended his future before it even began? Can he convince Anne to give it another try?

This verse in the book, "Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart all ye that hope in the Lord.", really spoke to me. No matter what's going on, no matter what you're going through, if your hope is in the Lord, everything will work out. Just put your faith and hope in God. Will Anne and Matthew depend on God to help them work through their fears and doubts? What happens when Anne finds out why Matt is in town? This book has it all, love, romance, inspiration, and courage to let go of the past to have a future designed by God. You won't be able to put this book down.

http://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Mountain-Reunion-Love-Inspired-ebook/dp/B011I9G8Z2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453069215&sr=8-1&keywords=rocky+mountain+reunion+tina+radcliffe

Duty with Honor Book One Leap of Faith by Jordan Bollinger

Leap of Faith is book one in the Duty with Honor series by Jordan Bollinger. I have read the entire series and once you start book one, you'll want to read each book and savor each story.

Beth Bennett has been traumatized, suffered through the break up with her husband, and cared for her dying sister-in-law. She is not looking for love, more like running away from it. She is determined to be in control, until her brother sets her up on a date.

Andrew Oliver has had his eye on Beth for a long time. Now's his chance to meet her. Will she

Beth's father was with MI6 for years. Her whole family has ties to fighting for their country and keeping her people safe. Will she follow in their footsteps? Or run from it and Andrew?

Are you looking for an entertaining read, great characters, a little espionage, romance, and lots of suspense? Pick up this great book today and start this great series. You won't be sorry! Each book just gets better and better!


http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Faith-Duty-Honor-Book-ebook/dp/B008DBVOWQ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1452969808&sr=8-1