Date with Destiny Devotional. Joseph W. Walker III

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      ABINGDON PRESS/NASHVILLE

      DATE WITH DESTINY:

      40 DEVOTION STOHELP YOU FIND

      THE LOVE YOU NEED

      Copyright © 2011 by Abingdon Press

      All rights reserved.

      No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission can be addressed to Abingdon Press, P.O. Box 801, 201 Eighth Avenue South, Nashville,TN 37202-0801, or emailed to [email protected]

      This book is printed on acid-free paper.

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been requested

      ISBN: 978-1-4267-1321-7

      Scripture quotations noted KJV are from the King James Version.

      Scripture quotations marked “NKJV™” are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Copyright page is continued on 85.

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      1. HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS BEGIN WITH LOVE

       Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

       —1 John 4:7-8 NIV

      When two people who love God come together, there is an assumption that His love toward them is the guiding paradigm by which they love each other. We should think of "love" as a verb, an action word that is best demonstrated through our behavior toward each other. When we share intimately with God, He teaches us the very essence of love. God cannot be separated from love, and love cannot be separated from Him.

      If we learn to love as He loves, we are bound to that love even when disagreements arise. When two imperfect people get together there are bound to be some trying times. Trying times should not break you; they should make you better. They should move you to a deeper sense of commitment. Embrace the challenge and know that with God's love you will prevail.

      Love is deeper than a feeling. Feelings are fleeting and inconsistent. Emotions have their place; however, it is so important that you not only feel love but also understand its true nature. God is the knowledge of love. To know Him is to know Love. You cannot adequately love your mate if you do not know God.

      Love is based on knowledge. It is the kind of knowledge that wills itself to love beyond shortcomings and failures. God loves us, knowing everything about us. Isn't that amazing? He loves us, knowing what He knows. God loves us because He sees the potential that is within us. When others write us off, He yet believes in what is possible in and through us. When a couple moves toward destiny, they are vowing to love each other despite the challenges and struggles that lie ahead. A couple of destiny focuses more on the potential than on the problems.

      In your relationship there will be many days you just don't feel like focusing on potential. So there has to be something concrete behind your feelings. Your commitment to each other and to God helps you through the difficult times. You've got to have something real that can stand the test of time. You've got to resolve in your spirit that the love of God in you is evidence of your relationship with God. Now it is your chance to demonstrate that love to each other.

      LET'S PRAY Lord, thank You for loving us and helping us love each other. Please look upon us with Your divine favor and give us the knowledge that can come only from You; in Jesus' name. Amen.

      2. SPEAK YOUR WORDS WITH LOVE

       Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

       —James 3:13 KJV

      God's love is so amazing that it should humble us and call us to a greater sense of accountability. Each person in the relationship should seek to rise to that standard each day. What are you doing as a couple to meet that standard? You must be mindful that your words are spoken in love. Your deeds should be done with a spirit of love, thinking of the other person first.

      God's love is a selfless love. If your relationship is going to meet destiny, you cannot be consumed with just your needs. You must realize that the needs of your mate are important, and there is an expectation placed upon you to be intentional about meeting them. God loves in such a way that we know we are loved. He meets our needs. He is concerned about what troubles us. He is available when we need Him. These are the tenets of a true relationship of destiny.

      Now more than ever is a good time to begin reflecting on how much God loves you. Strive to love your mate with passion and purpose. Is your spouse perfect? No. Does your spouse have flaws thatget under your skin? Yes. If you are committed to moving toward destiny together, you have to realize that cost of love.

      Ask God to give you the spirit to love as He loves. Ask Him to forgive you for the times you didn't love when you knew you should. Ask Him to give you opportunities today to demonstrate that love in the world so that people might see Him through you.

      When you embrace the love of God, you are transformed by what you discover about Him. When you love, the one you love should be changed for the better. Your love should add value, not diminish. It should edify, not destroy. This is what love is. This is the opportunity God has given to you in your relationship. Walk in it knowing that God is pleased when His love manifests itself through us.

      LET'S PRAY Lord, thank You for showing us Your love. We recognize that we have not loved as we should. Help us invest more time and energy into becoming what You would have us become. Through our relationship, we know that we have a wonderful opportunity to show the world Your love. Grant us the wisdom to walk in Your love; in Jesus' name. Amen.

      3. THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

       Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

       —Psalm 37:4 KJV

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