VERSE FOR TODAY: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love (1John 4:28 ).
HYMN FOR TODAY: "More Love to Thee, O Christ"
A woman was married to a very demanding man. He made her get up every morning at five O' clock. Cook his breakfast. And serve it at six O' clock sharp. He forced her to wait on him and was exacting in his demands on her time. Her life was made miserable trying to satisfy his requests.
Finally he died and after a few years she married again. This time she married a man she really loved.
One day while cleaning, she came across the instruction set of rules her former husband had written out for her. Carefully she read them over; "Get up at five. Breakfast six sharp." On and on she read. Suddenly it dawned upon her that she was now fulfilling every single one of his demands, but she did not realize it because this time she was doing it for someone she deeply loved.
How sad it would be if our children obeyed us simply because of fear. By the same token, we should obey the Lord's commandments because we love Him, not because we fear Him. This was the kind of love Christ was talking about when He said to turn other cheek, and if someone asks you to go with him in one miles, with him go in two. This is love "beyond the call of duty."
PRAYER THOUGHT: Lord, all the things You've asked us to do to give, to love one another to show compassion, to read Your
Word, and to pray help us to do them not out of fear, but because we love You. And we love You not for what You give us, but for Who You are. Amen.
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