The Light of Life Daily Devotional

 

Friday, 13th May 2022 

TOPIC: PASSIONATE AND RADICAL LOVE OF GOD 

FOR READING & MEDITATION:  JOHN 21:5, 15-17.

5 He called, “Any fish, boys?”

 15 After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others?”

“Yes,” Peter replied, “you know I am your friend.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon, son of John, do you really love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I am your friend.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17 Once more he asked him, “Simon, son of John, are you even my friend?”

Peter was grieved at the way Jesus asked the question this third time. “Lord, you know my heart; you know I am,” he said.

Jesus said, “Then feed my little sheep. 

MEDITATE 

Every generation poses a different challenge to our relationship to God and one another. However, during Noah's days he chose the ways of His maker. At a time when men's wickedness broke the heart of God, he made up his mind to be that one man that brought pleasure to God. Even though Noah found himself in the midst of a corrupt and wicked society, he lived a life pleasing to God. 

Are you one of those bringing pleasure to God or one of those He is regretting that He created because of your wickedness? The Scriptures reminds us in Revelation 4:11 that we are created for God's pleasure and the only way to prove it, is by giving our love to others. Just as He first loved us; so we should love others.  

Sometimes when I see people who do not treat themselves well, I fear that they are likely to treat others the same way. But Bible tells us that whichever way you expect others to treat you for you to be happy, treat others the same way. That is what is popularly called the “Golden Rule” in Matthew 7:12. On the other hand, an excessive love of self is called selfishness, and God frowns at that. However, this does not mean you should not desire good things for yourself.

Like Noah, God expects us to eschew all hatred and wickedness and to love Him with all our heart, all our soul and with all our minds, and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Therefore, nobody and anything must come between you and God; He must be first in your life. This is one of the ways to live for His pleasure.

VERSE OF THE DAY: “Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee" (John 21: 15).

QUOTE: “There are many of us who claim we love God but pay more attention and devotion to other things than to God”.

PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for every unstable attitude in me that has made the love I have towards you to grow cold.

AUTHOR: Rev William Okoye