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 "Each man should give what he has
decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or
under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful
giver/"
-2 Corinthians. 9:7
Even though Paul was talking specifically
about money in his letter to the believers in
Corinth, he reveals a deeper principle that should
be foundational to every area of our lives. We can
call it, "the spirit of giving."
What greater gift can we give than the gift
of love? And love -to be love- must be freely
given, without condition or expectation of
anything in return. We must want to sacrifice for
the needs of the other person, because we want to
see that person blessed, not because we want
something for ourselves. If our motive is to
receive something in return, it's no longer love;
it's mutual use. Attempting to love from a sense
of duty or obligation leads to nothing but
resentment and frustration. The only cure is a
heart transplant. We must ask God to remove our
heart of self-centeredness and replace it with His
heart of selflessness. This is the spirit of
giving. Only then will we be able to "freely"
love, because it will be God's love freely given
to us that we will be able to pass on to our
spouse. That is the liberty of love.
Question For The Both of Us:
Do you feel like my love for you is
freely given, or do you feel like it is
conditional, or out of a sense of compulsion or
obligation?
Prayer
for the Both of Us: Lord, help us to
love freely, not out of compulsion or obligation.
Help us to love as you have loved us, without
condition or
expectation. |
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Dear Bill ,
If these devotionals have been a blessing to
you please consider becoming a COVENANT PARTNER of this
ministry. Working together we can see revival
in the hearts of individuals, in our marriages, in
our families and in our nation. God is able!
For the King,
Bill & Penny
Banuchi
Marriage & Family Savers Ministries
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229 Robinson Ave
Newburgh, New York
12550
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