March 13, 2026

Jesus is the Light

February 26, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Door
I AM The Resurrection and the Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM. The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I AM the Light of the world.
Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness
but will have the Light of life.”
John 8:12

Jesus had just finished speaking to the crowd about the woman caught in adultery. He knew that the Pharisees were always looking for a way to trap Him and wanted to find a way to discredit Him before the people.  Only Jesus knew what they were trying to do.

Jesus, with the help of the Holy Spirit, is given wisdom to know what is going on.  While on earth, Jesus wanted to teach His people all that He could in the short time He was here. He knew how burdensome the Pharisees, Saducees and Scribes would make life to live.  With all of the man-made rules on top of what was in the Old Testament, it was such a burden for the people at Jesus’ time.

Now Jesus spoke about the ‘yoke’ the rulers and lawyers had created for the people.  God, as always, sees and hears about our lives here on earth, that is why He sent His Son Jesus when He did. He knew then was the right time for His Son to liberate His chosen people.  And also, when they did not receive, then it was time for the Gentiles to hear and receive the wonderful news about Jesus.

Always know that God is watchful over us. He knows our comings and goings, He knows our needs now, just as then. He will always be a Light to us in our world. When we seek His ways and obey His words we will have Light in all areas of our minds. We will never have those dark places unless we let it back in.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Father, help us keep our focus on You. We want to have Your Light in our hearts at all times. Help us know how to keep Your Light within us, not focus on the darkness. Bring into our lives those that You know will help us to seek You more.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

I AM The Light of the World

February 25, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Door
I AM The Resurrection and the Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM. The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I AM the Light of the world.
Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness
but will have the Light of life.”
John 8:12

First of all, let us look at a few principles of light:

What is it?
Light usually refers to visible light, which is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye and is responsible for the sense of sight.

How does light travels?
One of light‘s characteristic properties is that, in a transparent medium like air, glass, or still water, it travels in a straight line. Light exhibits characteristics of both waves and particles, the latter of which are described as packets of energy called photons.

What is the purpose of light?
— Brightens
— Illuminates
— Enlightens

Now Jesus is coming to tell us that He is THE Light of the world, what does that mean? This means:

  • He removes darkness and deception by illuminating the right way to God and salvation.
  • All those who follow Jesus are delivered from the darkness of sin, the world, and Satan. Those who still walk in darkness do not follow Him (John 1:6-7).
  • “Whoever follows Me…” is a present participle, depicting a continuing action—“whoever keeps on following Me…”. Jesus recognized and requires only a persevering discipleship.

Now physical light travels faster than sound, so therefore Jesus must travel fast, therefore people should receive Him in no time since He will brighten their lives immediately.

As believers today we count ourselves lucky to have this Light in us but the question will be do we actually realize we have this Light? I AM is in present tense meaning the Light is always there even though it’s more than 2000 years ago Jesus went to Heaven.  But remember this—

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved,
that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years,
and a thousand years as one day.
2 Peter 3:8

Therefore the Light is still fresh in us. We must let it shine in our lives. And as it brightens in us…as it illuminates us…as it lightens or shines in us…we should also light the world for we are carrying The Light.  Let us reflect Who and what we are carrying so that we do not mislead people into following us.  This Light (Jesus) brings light to darkness therefore wherever we are there should be a sign that, indeed, the Light of the world is there.  May those that are in despair find relief and those that are in darkness find Light and Life again.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Father, hallowed be Thy name.  Lord, make me realize that I am carrying the Light of the world and so I am the Light, too.  Let this Light be hope to the hopeless, life to the dying, illumination to darkness and peoples’ lives.  Let my deeds and my character be that of Christ…for I am His follower.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

I’m Gonna Lay It Down

February 25, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’ve been lookin’ till my eyes are tired of lookin’
Listenin’ till my ears are numb from listenin’
Prayin’ till my knees are sore from kneelin’ on the bedroom floor
I know that You know that my heart is achin’
I’m running out of tears and my will is breakin’
I don’t think that I can carry the burden of it anymore
All of my hopes and my dreams and my best-laid plans
Are slowly slippin’ through my folded hands

So I’m gonna lay it down
I’m gonna learn to trust You now
What else can I do
‘Cause everything I am depends on You
And if the sun don’t come back up
I know Your love will be enough
I’m gonna let it be, I’m gonna let it go,
I’m gonna lay it down

I’ve been walkin’ through this world like I’m barely livin’
Buried in the doubt of this hole I’ve been diggin’
But You’re pullin’ me out
I’m finally breathin’ in the open air
This room may be dark but I’m finally seein’
There’s a new ray of hope, and now I’m believin’
That the past is past, and the future’s beginning to look brighter now
Oh, cause all of my hopes and my dreams and my best-laid plans
Are safe and secure when I place them in Your hands

Jay Jenkins, Miquel Scott, Lee Dixon, Jacoby White, Jasper Cameron
Jaci Velasquez

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

This song reveals the brokenness of my heart every single time I hear it…and for that I am oh-so-very thankful!  Each of us has burdens and cares and concerns…some days it seems they are more than we can bear.  To think that they will not happen and that one can walk through this life without is to deny the Truth.  However, they are not ours to carry and bear on our own.  Throughout the Scriptures, we are told that the Lord will bear them for us.

Blessed be the Lord,
Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day,
even the God Who is our salvation! Selah
Psalm 68:19

Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me,
because I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

The burdens, the concerns, the cares of this life can turn into worries, doubts, fears if we do not bring them to our Lord letting Him take care of them. We are to humbly recognize our great need for Jesus, and all that He has already done and promised to do for us, because He cares for us.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God
so that at the proper time He may exalt you,
casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6 and 7

Listen to Jesus’ admonition and promises in Matthew chapter 6;  as you read along, put your own name wherever there is a ♥ , ok?

Therefore I tell you, ♥, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on.  ♥,  is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you, ♥, not worth much more than they?
And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?
And why should you, ♥,  be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin.
Yet I tell you, ♥, even Solomon in all his magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, ♥, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not worry and be anxious, ♥, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?
For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you, ♥,  need them all.
But seek first of all His kingdom and His righteousness, ♥, and then all these things will be given you besides.
So do not worry, ♥, or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own.  Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. (emphasis added)

Jesus’ words are full of action for us to take, true…but not the action of taking care of ourselves. Rather, He tells us to

  • stop being perpetually uneasy
  • look at (and consider) the birds of the air
  • consider the lilies of the field
  • do not worry and be anxious
  • seek first of all His kingdom
  • <and again> do not worry or be anxious

This is not always easy to do…but they are what we are to do in obedience.  It is a moment-by-moment choice.  Will we stop…look…consider…not worry or be anxious…and seek His kingdom OR will we have worry, doubt, fear, anxiety, and bear our own burdens, concerns, and cares.

I pray for you that TODAY you will choose to trust and say, “I’m gonna let it be, I’m gonna let it go, I’m gonna lay it down…in Jesus’ powerful name, amen.”  (Will you, please, pray that for me, too?)

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Roasted Asparagus

February 24, 2015 by

Have you noticed?  Are you starting to see spring vegetables in the produce department of your fav grocery store?  I KNOW…very exciting!   Yes, even here in the frozen tundra of the NorthEast!  Hip-hip-hooray!  Now, if you have followed our ‘healthy but oh-so-yummy’ portion of the At Home w/ GCH foodblog, you know I am a huge fan of winter veggies…especially the squashes.  But spring and summer veggies…such abundance and variety!  Yes!  Here they come!

2015-02-23 12.53.00

A favorite of ours is asparagus.  There are so many dishes in which asparagus can either be the main attraction…or easily fit into a supporting role.  (Sorry…my newsfeed, yours too i would imagine, is just inundated with comments and pics from the Oscars last evening!)  Ok…back to asparagus!  Here are some nutrition facts to check out.

Today’s recipe is a super easy way to prepare a bunch (or two!) of asparagus.  Prep time…maybe five minutes.  I usually put as many stalks as will fit on the baking sheet; they can be slightly crowded as they will shrink up just a bit as they roast.

Leftovers will keep well in a covered container in the refrigerator and can be incorporated into breakfast, lunch, or supper!  They are delish for a quick breakfast tossed in with some scrambled eggs or underneath a couple of sunnyside-up eggs; yum!  Or mix up a melange of other leftovers along with the roasted asparagus (chicken, veggies, quinoa or rice) and you have a simple hot lunch.

I’d love to hear how you use this yummy recipe to feed your loved ones!  Enjoy!

 Roasted Asparagus

2015-02-23 13.33.42

ingredients:
1 or 2 bunches (usually about one pound each) of fresh asparagus
olive or coconut oil
sea salt, freshly ground pepper (I use lemon-pepper blend)

directions:

  • preheat oven to 400
  • line a large baking sheet pan with parchment paper (or foil)
  • break or cut off the woody, dry end of the stalks
  • place asparagus on the lined baking pan, and season VERY well
  • drizzle 1-1+1/2 teaspoon(s) oil evenly over the asparagus and then roll back and forth on the baking sheet to distribute
  • bake for 10-20 minutes (depending on the thickness of the asparagus) JUST ’til a sharp knife easily pokes through the thickest of the stalks; remove from oven (try not to overcook)

here are two recipes of ours that you could use the roasted asparagus in…and of course, you simply could sit down and eat a handful, too!

Dana’s Roasted Red Pepper Aioli 

Shrimp and Asparagus over Red Quinoa

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Light of Lights

February 24, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Door
I AM The Resurrection and the Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM. The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the Light of the world.
Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness
but will have the Light of life.”
John 8:12 HCSB

“The visible light of the world is the sun and Christ is the Sun of Righteousness. One sun enlightens the whole world.”
– Charles Spurgeon

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines light as “the form of energy that makes it possible to see things.” Isn’t that an appropriate description of Christ?  He lights up our lives with truth and grace.

One of the most important symbols of light in the Old Testament is the pillar of fire.  The pillar of fire is mentioned in Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Nehemiah, Psalms and Revelations.

Nehemiah 9:12 (NASB) states:

…with a pillar of fire by night to light for them the way in which they were to go.

That is what Christ does for us, He illuminates the way for us to go…IF we choose to follow. I love how John 12:46 (NLT) puts it:

“I have come as a Light to shine in this dark world,
so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the dark.”

We do not have to remain in the dark!  When we choose to trust Christ, the darkness must flee. It is our choice whether or not we continue in darkness.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Lord, thank You for illuminating my world with Your Light.  Help me to clearly see the path You have lit up for me.  Remind me I no longer have to remain in the dark.  I can remain in You instead. In Your name I pray – Amen, it is so!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Lord, I Give You My Heart

February 24, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjvThis is my desire
To honor You
Lord, with all my heart
I worship You
All I have within me
I give You praise
All that I adore is in You

Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul
I live for You alone
Every Breath that I take
Every moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me

Songwriter: Reuben Morgan / Performed by Hillsong United

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

The Lord our God is so worthy of our praise!  For us to praise Him should be part of every facet of our lives. He is sure to be there when we lift up our voices to praise Him for all things in our lives—the good and the bad.

All through the Scriptures God is praised. From Genesis to Revelation we find praises being made. In Genesis we see Melchizedek, king of Salem blessing Abraham, praising God:

And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.”
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14:20

Then we see the women giving praises to God along with Ruth after she followed Naomi home.   Ruth was not member of the Jewish nation, but because of the love she had for her mother-in-law, she was willing to stay with her, return to Naomi’s people, and be accepted.

The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord,
Who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer.
May He become famous throughout Israel!”
Ruth 4:14
Even in Daniel we see King Nebuchadnezer praising God when Daniel’s friends were saved from the furnace.
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego, who has sent His angel
and rescued His servants!
They trusted in Him  and defied the king’s command
and were willing to give up their lives
rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”
Daniel 3:28
Even when Jesus was on the earth performing His miracles, people were praising God for the miraculous works Jesus performed.
  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 
Father, thank You for taking care of us throughout history.
Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Eternal Flashlight

February 23, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Door
I AM The Resurrection and the Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM.  The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, 
He said, I AM the Light of the world.
Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,
But will have the Light of Life.
John 8:12

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Yesterday when I took my son to the doctor, we had to wait in the exam room for a little bit to see the doctor.  We had taken his backpack into the doctor’s office so we could work on his homework and get it finished.  We reached a stopping point because we did not have a pencil.  So, while we waiting, I read a book to him.

It happened to be a Scooby-Doo book.  This story focused on Scooby and Shaggy surviving a storm.  The window is blown open; it is dark because the power has gone out; and the shadows make them think that a monster is in the house.  The rest of the gang return from the store just as the power comes back on.  Light flows through the house.  Velma, Daphne, and Fred show that the window was blown open, and that a lamp was the supposed monster.

This made me think about Jesus…. Like Scooby and Shaggy were surviving in the dark, we are living and surviving in a dark world.  Our world is plunging into chaos as Christians are persecuted and killed in other parts of the world.  Morals are being thrown to the wayside by those who do not believe in Judeo-Christian values.  We are slowly but surely moving toward Jesus’ return.

When we accept Christ into our lives, the light is turned on for us.  We are brought out from the darkness and into the Light of Jesus.  When we decide to follow Jesus, we are no longer in the dark but are walking in the Light.  Jesus’s Light is eternal and ever-present in those who have accepted Him.  As long as we follow His Light, we will be healed and comforted.  We will not walk in darkness.  We will have life.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for giving us the Light.  We do not have to live in the dark if we receive this Light.  It is due to Your saving grace that we are no longer living in darkness.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Great I AM

February 23, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I want to be close, close to Your side
So Heaven is real and death is a lie
I want to hear voices of angels above
Singing as one

Hallelujah, holy, holy
God Almighty, the great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the great I AM

I want to be near, near to Your heart
Loving the world and hating the dark
I want to see dry bones living again
Singing as one

The great I AM
The mountains shake before You the demons run and flee
At the mention of the name King of Majesty
There is no power in hell or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of the great I AM
The great I AM the great I AM

Songwriter: Jared Anderson
Performed by Phillips, Craig & Dean

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

“I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.”
Genesis 17:1b NLT

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”
Exodus 3:14 NASB

I AM 

Jehovah, our eternal and unchangeable God
Who is always the same—yesterday, today, and forever.

Nothing ever stays the same in this world or in our life.  Nothing except our God.  He is our Rock, solid and unchanging.  Such strength in just two little words—I AM.  Those three letters inspire such confidence and hope.  There is so much wrapped up in those two words…it could never be fully explained this side of Heaven.

Exodus 15:11 (NLT) asks the question:

Who is like You among the gods, O Lord—
glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?

Jeremiah 7:10 (AMP) answers that question:

For among all the wise [men or gods] of the nations
and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.

There is NO one like our God.
He is the only One worthy of our praise.

‘There is no power in hell or any who can stand before the Power and the Presence of the Great I AM.’  Yet we have been chosen by Him.  We can be close to Him.  We can know His heart.  And one day we will stand before Him.  But we will never have to stand before Him in judgment.  Isaiah 38:17 tells us “You have cast all my sins behind Your back.”  Imagine that…standing before the Great I AM, clothed in righteousness, hearing the angels sing with one voice

Hallelujah, holy, holy
God Almighty, the great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the great I AM

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Father, I cannot even conceive the magnitude of Who You are—the Great I AM—much less of standing before You, pure and holy. Thank You for the confidence those two small words convey.  You are I AM and we have nothing to fear.  I desire to be close to You, near to Your heart.  Remind me I am always in the presence of I AM and that Your Spirit dwells within me.  ‘Hallelujah, Holy Holy’ You are worthy of my praise.  Amen – So be it!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

(You Are) The Light Of The World

February 22, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Door
I AM The Resurrection and the Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM. The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead. We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them. And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

Once more Jesus addressed the crowd.
He said, I AM the Light of the world.
He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark,
But will have the Light which is Life.
John 8:12

You called me in to Your glorious light
I will not fear ’cause I’m walking with You and talking with You
From Heaven You came to show me life

You are the Light of the world
You are the Light of my life
Hope of the earth, my Jesus

I’m gonna be a light and let it shine
Be a light and let it shine
I’m gonna be a light and let it shine
Be a light and let it shine

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , ,

A Model of Love

February 19, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.
And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need
but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:16-18

One of the hardest lessons I ever learned was that of selfless giving.  It happened when I was in middle school. My mother used to make these shirts. She would cut patterns from fabric, iron them onto shirts, and paint outlines around them. She had this pretty candy cane pattern that she put on a sweat shirt for me. At a family Christmas dinner, my great-aunt’s mother was there, and she liked the shirt. (I just happened to wear her size.) My dad told me to give her the shirt. I refused, and I said that I had dropped food on it. (Yes, I lied to my father.) My mom gave her shirt to her aunt’s mother, and both of my parents were disappointed in me. My mother could have easily made me another shirt. My great-aunt’s mother was old, and she had arthritis and other issues that would not have allowed her to make the shirt herself. I could have been generous and given the shirt to a lady who loved it and probably needed it more than I did to make her holiday a little bit brighter.

My father has taught me many valuable lessons over the years, like this one. There are always going to be people in need. If you can’t give them the shirt off your back (not literally) then you try to find some way to help them. He taught me that not everyone is as blessed as I am or could possibly be.

Jesus gave in the same way, but He took it to a bigger need—the biggest need we would ever have. We needed someone to save us from our sin and to bring us back to God. Jesus knew our need before He came here. He saw it while He was walking here on Earth. He set the perfect example of love by sacrificing Himself on the Cross so that we could go to Heaven. Yes, Jesus preached love, but He also showed it through His actions here on Earth and on the Cross.

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Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for showing Your love to a people who most desperately needed it. You are the perfect example of showing love through action. May we also model that example. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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