Do You "Really" Love Me?

There's an old love song imbeded in my brainwaves (from way back in my teen years). It's an inspiring tune that declares deep devotion with these words: I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow.

Recalling the lyrics of this old love song these days, causes me, as one who claims to be a fully devoted lover of the Lord, to immediately ask a couple of personal and penetrating questions:

(1) Has there been any period of my life when I have loved Jesus more than I love Him presently?

(2) Will I really love my Lord more tomorrow than I do today?

I have had the sacred privilege many times to stand on the banks of the Sea of Galilee in the place that remembers where John 21 actually happened. In John 21:15-23, Jesus challenged the deep devotion of His disciple, Simon Peter. Yes, there where the waves met the shoreline, the seeking Savior asked the floundering fisherman not once, not twice, but three times a personal and penetrating question: Do you love Me? It would not be a stretch to add one word to the question Jesus asked. Do you "really" love Me?

I believe that Jesus still asks those of us who claim to be fully devoted to Him, Do you "really" love Me? Can we answer with these words? I love You more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow? Is our love for the One called Wonderful ever-increasing everyday!

O, how I "really" want to love You, my Jesus...
...more today than yesterday, and even more tomorrow!
Grateful

Cut Straight to Our Hearts

For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
-- Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

God's Holy Word is very clear, even compared with a double-edged sword for its sharp penetration into our lives.

Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. -- 2 Timothy 3:16 (CEV)

Here's a passage from the Old Testament Book of Wisdom, Proverbs, that is about as clear, sharp, and penetrating as one can imagine:

(20) Obey the teaching of your parents--
(21) always keep it in mind and never forget it.
(22)Their teaching will guide you when you walk, protect you when you sleep, and talk to you when you are awake.
(23)The Law of the Lord is a lamp, and its teachings shine brightly. Correction and self-control will lead you through life.
(24) They will protect you from the flattering words of someone else's wife.
(25) Don't let yourself be attracted by the charm and lovely eyes of someone like that.
(26) A woman who sells her love can be bought for as little as the price of a meal. But making love to another man's wife will cost you everything.
(27) If you carry burning coals, you burn your clothes;
(28) if you step on hot coals, you burn your feet.
(29) And if you go to bed with another man's wife, you pay the price.
-- Proverbs 6:20-29 (CEV)

Lord, let Your Holy Word cut straight to our hearts that we might be saved from all sin and shame. We ask it in the name of "The Word Who became flesh and made His dwelling among us" -- Jesus, the Christ. Amen. (John 1:14)

Count it all joy.
Grateful