Selfie
REFLECT & RESPOND:
“Everyone thinks they have the best dog, And none of them are wrong.” W.R. Purche
I never could understand dog-lovers. I hated dogs. I couldn’t understand how someone could even want a furry, smelly, drooly, noisy creature in their lives?
That is, until I met Vito, and my heart felt like playdough in his puppy paws. Some people say a shihtzuh isn’t a real dog, in the “dog sense of the word”. He is small and can’t even jump! But I love that little fur ball.
I originally bought Vito as a surprise for my wife Marie, but one look at his puppy dog eyes, and Vito had me at “Woof!”.
One day, while walking Vito in the park, I had a conversation with God . . . God: Joey, do you love Vito? Joey: You know I do, Lord? God: How much? Joey: VERY VERY much! God: Enough love to take his place? Joey: ?? God: So much that you would be willing to be a dog like him? Joey: ?? God: willing to communicate in dog language, fed dog food, be chained, be caged? Joey: (sadly) No Lord. As much as I love Vito, there is a limit to my love. There’s no way I can do that. God: (softly) Joey, you are like Vito. We are poles apart. But my love for you is so UNLIMITED, that I was willing to be man, to be subject to every degradation, every hardship, just to prove my love for you.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1: 14 (ESV)
Question: Is it easy for you to experience God’s love in your life?
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Question: Do you feel you are worthy of God’s love? Why or why not?
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Question: How do these verses minister to your spirit?
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“Because God's children are human beings--made of flesh and blood--the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” Hebrews 2:14 NLT
"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16 NLT
Prayer:
Dear Father,
I realize that despite my best efforts or intentions, my love towards others is limited. Your word says that “All men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” My good works could never pay the price for me to earn a place in heaven.
So Father, I thank you for sending a Savior, to save me. Jesus, thank you for loving me unconditionally in my sinful, complicated state and choosing to be born as man so you could die in my place and pay the penalty for my sins.
You didn’t need to do it. But you did. I’m sorry for my sins and I am grateful for this new life and fresh start! In Jesus Name, Amen.
My Comments Policy
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