Lesson 9: Practice Real Love
1 John 3:18-3:24 (ESV) - www.bible.com/bible/59/1jn.3

God’s Words:
”Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.”

My words:
Loving Creator-God, I praise and thank You that You are unconditional love, and You love me unconditionally! There’s nothing I can do, or fail to do, to cause You to love me more – or less. Secure in Your amazing love, I can practice real love toward others – and I can even love myself. The Spirit of Jesus Who lives within me enables me to sense your deep and abiding presence within my spirit. I can be bold and feel free before You, even knowing You know me completely – inside and out – better than I know myself.

Lord, I tend to suffer from debilitating self-criticism, which the enemy of my soul uses to sideline me from Your best will for my life. My focus becomes myself and my inadequacies instead of You and obeying You because I love You and You love me. Please remind me since You no longer accuse and condemn me, I should not give in to the temptation to accuse and condemn myself. I compare myself with others and covet the gifts You’ve given them, instead of being grateful for how You made me and listening to and obeying Your still, small voice in my heart. Transform me with Your powerful love!
Your unique child, amen.

*What can you remember the next time you find yourself not living in God’s reality and accusing or condemning yourself?