What Is Not In The Words

Thursday June 26, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-the knowledge of Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Fill my consciousness constantly and complete Your joy in me as I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse:Jeremiah 15:19 ESV

Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.” 

Verse of the day: Leviticus 19:18

18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Today’s reading: Job 5-7 Acts 8:1-25

What Is Not in The Words

In Matthew 28:31, Jesus says, “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

I believe what Jesus is saying here is “Know your worth to me and my father in Heaven.”

In John 13, Jesus washes the disciples feet and says to Peter in a way, “You don’t understand now but you will.” Among other very important things, we must not miss what Jesus was showing here-what we miss usually here-Jesus was expressing His love for each man-Jesus was showing how much He treasured each man.

In those days as now, the confidence folks had was in their abilities-to fight or write, to cook or gather and etc. Jesus wanted them and us to know how much we are worth to ‘HIM’ regardless of their worldly uses or abilities.

Leviticus 19:18 says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Matthew 22: 39 says, “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

What does ‘as yourself’ mean? To us? There is a command in here we cannot miss- “Love yourself”

Matthew 10:25-Jesus says, “It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.”

Did Jesus love Himself? Of course, He did. He is one with God-who is love(1 John 4:8). But it is never the worldly, self absorbed love. It is love that lays down life for others(John 15:13).

When we treasure God in Christ above all else and this love is living in us, we love what God has made us-we love ourselves the way no one outside of Christ can even know. That’s the reason this is so hard to explain or even buy into for some.

We only know self love the way the enemy teaches it. But God-God teaches us to love Him, love ourselves and love our neighbors in the same way-and then, even love our enemies.

When we really love what God has made and is making us, we want this for the lost around us.

So, fear not-don’t be afraid to love yourself-the self God has made you-only fear walking away from it-because when you do, you are out from under God’s hand of protection and in sin where we feel the danger of the wrath of God. If this is where you are and you are covered in guilt:

Fear not- 1 John 1:9 says,“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Our memory verse, Jeremiah 15:19 says, “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me.”

The enemy wants us to think we are trapped in our old selves. Jesus has set us free...period.Tell God you want to love Him and know how to love the ’you ‘ He has made you in Christ-so you can love folks here the way He intends.

...because He loves us...He will do it…

Father in Heaven,

Your name is all love and peace. Your kingdom is freedom. Show me how to love what You have made me. Forgive me for not loving my neighbor. Deliver me from evil.

Precious Lord and Master,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen