Karen's Devotions

This is a selected collection of my devotions e-published on Daily Devotions, Journey Christian Church, Irvine, California; George Bragg, Editor. To join the mailing list, email George, gbragg@cox.net.

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As a 25+ year homeschooling vet, post-cancer, math prof, mother of five, master's track and field athlete, and certificated private pilot, I have a lot to share about what God has done in my life. In 2000 I began writing devotions as something to try when it seemed like accoustic pianists were becoming an endangered species at church. I have since found great blessings from writing and sharing. God is good.

Friday, April 15, 2011

L-O-V-E

First Published April 15, 2011

Psalm 136:1.26 (NIV)
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever."

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Some months ago the marquee for Ganahl Lumber in Anaheim, CA displayed this adage: “MATH IS LIKE LOVE. A SIMPLE IDEA, BUT IT CAN GET COMPLICATED.” Well, I’m sure we can all relate to this.

Love. It’s in our vocabulary. We show it. We need it. We give it. We grow in it. Still, it seems like love is difficult to understand.

There seems to be levels of love. I love God. I love my husband. I love my children. I love my friends. I love my job. I love icecream! (See “We All Scream for Icecream!” July 14, 2010) I uh, think I need to make a spreadsheet! For me, breaking down and defining these levels would take gobs of time, so I won’t go into the various Greek words for love found in the Bible. Instead I will focus on the basis of any love, God.

Today’s verses say that God’s love is eternal. It doesn’t waiver. It endures. So what is this enduring love from God?

John 3:16
“For God so loved the World that he gave his one and only Son,
That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

That familiar verse sums up the ultimate outpouring of love. Giving up something precious and dear, is the essence of God’s love.

Our existence on earth is finite, temporary. But we may pass along the love God has for us and make it a part of who we are. Instead of “I love _____,” let us strive for “I love.”

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2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father,
who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Copyright 2011, Karen Vaughn