Devotion's Utter Proof (or, Let Love BE)

Not everyone in this world is quite as easily lovable,

(or as eager to help!!) as tots, 

but we are commanded to owe no one anything 

but to love them. (Rom.13:8)

By the grace and love of God, who sees us as we are

and loves us completely, we are able to love one another,

for we are all partly lovable and unlovable

Wishing you a Happy Last Weekend of June overcome with love!!

This deliciously, rain-soft morning affords me some much needed indoor-chore time!!

Rom.12:9-10, 21

Love must be sincere. 

Detest what is evil; 

cling to what is good.

 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Outdo yourselves in honoring one another...

Do not be overcome by evil, 

but overcome evil with good

Let love BE more than idle words that brush the ear with sound

Let love BE honour undeterred (for this is holy ground)

Let love BE willing to become a living sacrifice

And never count the paltry sum that constitutes the price

Let love BE faith’s unyielding walk, unaltered by the view

Let love BE anchored in the Rock that is Faithful and True

Let love hold nothing nearer than the cross that Jesus bore

Content to count Christ dearer, and in that, want nothing more

Let love put on the armour that equips us to fight well

Against a cunning charmer bent and bound for death and hell

Let love seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness

Let love BE wholly, holy shod with sacrificial ‘yes’

And not rebel beneath the rod that disciplines The Child

Let love BE daily humbly awed by God’s law, undefiled

Let love BE glad in every day that love’s author has lent

Let love BE ready to obey Him without argument

Let love BE patient, kind, befitted for its altar call

With heart, soul, strength and mind, committed to Christ above all

Who (He) satisfies the purpose in the high calling of love

Who (He) bestows sorrow’s solace that this world knows nothing of

Let love secure endurance, where often its foes contend

Let love’s pure perseverance keep us faithful to end

Let love BE more than pleasure that sacrifice holds aloof

Let love BE the full measure of devotion’s utter proof

© Janet Martin

1 John 2: 15-17

Do not love the world or anything in the world. 

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

 16For all that is in the world—

the desires of the flesh, 

the desires of the eyes, 

and the pride of life—

is not from the Father but from the world. 

17The world is passing away, along with its desires; 

but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

1 John 3:11

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: 

We should love one another. 

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, 

so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

There is Rest By and By

  

A poem from my devotion this morning...