God doesn’t love you because you are perfect

Qualified to Love: I (Don’t) Love You Because . . .

By DR. David Jeremiah – Posted February 11, 2017

And the LORD said [to Samuel], “Arise, anoint [David]; for this is the one!”
1 Samuel 16:12b

In 1995, King Oyo ascended to the throne of the Toro Kingdom in Uganda; he was three years old. In 1908, Puyi became emperor of China when he was two years old. In 1422, Henry VI became king of England at eight months, and also king of France two months later. And there have been many more child monarchs. What qualifications did these children have? They had the right genes!

Recommended Reading: Hebrew 12:4-6

In other words, they had done nothing to demonstrate their ability to rule. The same could be true when David, as a young teen, was anointed to be king of Israel. He was the youngest child in his family, whose job was tending the sheep. Yet God said to Samuel, “This is the one!” God didn’t say, “I have set my love on David because he will be a perfect king.” Instead, “I am choosing to love him for My purposes.” To be sure, God disciplined David severely during his life for his sins, but He never stopped loving him (2 Samuel 12). In fact, God’s discipline was a demonstration of His for him (Hebrews 12:4-6).

God doesn’t love you because you are perfect—or try to be or want to be. He loves you because He chose you to be His child (Ephesians 1:3-14).

God’s love is a free love, having no motive or foundation but within itself. 
Thomas Brooks

 Read-Thru-the-Bible: Numbers 8 - 13

Don't Miss the Miracle

by Joyce Meyer - posted February 11, 2017

And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching. 
—Luke 10:39 

You will not enjoy the present moment and the gifts it contains if you don't have a balanced attitude toward work. Luke 10:38-42 tells the story of Jesus' visit to the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha was overly occupied and too busy (see Luke 10:40). But Mary sat down at Jesus' feet and listened to what He had to say.

Jesus said Mary made the better choice. Jesus did not tell Martha not to work, but He did tell her not to be frustrated or have a bad attitude while she worked. Jesus wants you to work hard, but He also wants you to be wise enough to realize when you should stop all activity and not miss the miracle of the moment.

Power Thought: I have balance in my life. I enjoy my work, and I know when to stop and enjoy other things.

  

When Things Look Hopeless

By Joel Osteen – Posted February 11, 2017

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!"
Habakkuk 3:17-18, NLT

TODAY'S WORD:

The prophet Habakkuk knew what to do when things seemed completely hopeless. At the time he wrote this, his world was literally falling apart. In fact, the situation was so bad it seemed that trouble was bursting through the seams of his life. So what did Habakkuk do? He rejoiced and praised the Lord in spite of everything! That may seem contrary to you and even silly. But you have probably lost something or someone who is very dear to you, so you can know how Habakkuk was feeling. Follow the prophet's example. When something bad happens to you, thank God - not because you're suffering, but because you know He is still faithful and loving. God wants to bless you, and He can lift your head above any problem!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

"God, I need Your strength to stand up in the midst of troubled times and say, 'Thank You, Lord' despite what is happening around me. Help me to learn this lesson from Your prophet Habakkuk and apply it to my life today and every day in Jesus' name. Amen."

THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS

By Joseph Prince – Posted February 11, 2017

Proverbs 18: 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit

Most people, when they desperately want something, will say things like, “I am dying for that piece of cake!” Few will say, “I am living for that piece of cake!”

What is worse is that we are quick to mention death when things go wrong. We Singaporeans are quick to say things like, “Die lah! Die lah!” at the drop of a hat. Nobody says, “Live lah! Live lah!”

Yet, the truth is that every word you speak has power — to build or destroy hopes and dreams, to restore or cause loss, to heal or break the spirit, to bring delight or despair, to bless or curse — for God’s Word says that death and life are in the power of the tongue.

So stop lining your words up with the negative circumstances. Instead, start lining your words up with God’s Word and release the power of His Word to work for you.

For example, instead of speaking lack and poverty, say, “God’s Word tells me that the good things are already here. I therefore pronounce my life blessed. I pronounce my life successful. I pronounce my life great. Darkness and gloom, poverty and sickness, defeat and depression, will not be in my life!”

Instead of speaking sickness and death, say, “I will live long. I will not die young. Jesus died young for me so that I can live long for Him. I am the righteousness of God in Christ and God’s Word declares that no evil befalls the righteous. So no evil will come on me now and in the future!”

Instead of speaking fear over your children, say, “God’s Word declares that the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. Therefore, my children are delivered from every curse, every power of darkness and every evil. In the name of Jesus, I call forth a great, bright and blessed future for my children!”

God wants you to have a life filled with good days and an abundance of every good thing. So say, “In the name of Jesus, I command blessings, favor, health, provision, protection, dominion and power to fill my life!”

Thought For The Day

Line your words up with God’s Word and release the power of His Word to work for you.