Daily Dose 5-2-13

Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The way God loves is hard for us to truly comprehend. We think we know love based on our earthly relationships, but that love can’t compare to the love God has for us. The benefits of earthly love bring companionship, support and encouragement. The benefits of God’s love lead to our eternal salvation. While He loves unconditionally, He does not force us to accept it. The full benefits of His love come with our full acceptance.

Loving Father, I want to completely accept and remember Your love so I may fully know all Your benefits. Soften my heart to love You even more! Amen

Daily Dose 5-1-13

John 1:43-45 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

When the word find or found is used, it is most often the result of an intended search. Jesus knew Philip before Philip had any idea who Jesus was. Jesus made an intentional decision to leave for Galilee…where He found Philip. What was it about Philip that made Jesus look for him? If the whole finding as a result of searching theory is true, it’s revealed when scripture shares Philip’s words to Nathanael…“We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law…” Could it be he found the Messiah because he was earnestly waiting and searching for Him? Could it be that Jesus chose Philip because He knew His heart would not be able to wait to tell others about Him? Are you searching for Jesus, His ways, and His teachings in all you do? Are you so thrilled with what You find in Him that you search out others to tell. Take a tip from Philip, being found by Jesus should inspire us to search for those who do not yet know Him.

Dear Jesus, I sometimes don’t understand why you would have searched for me, but I’m so glad You did. Give me the courage to search and tell others how wonderful it is to be found by You! Amen