“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”1 John 4:18.

Are you gripped with fear about something?

Love is the answer to overcoming your fear!
Because love is the Christian’s security blanket.

When you were a child-
– did you have a teddy bear or a blanket that gave you a sense of security
– something you wanted to hold close to you and get wrapped up in?

The Holy Spirit of God is-
The believer’s blanket!
– the believer’s warm, loving security blanket!

I read the verse, “Perfect love casts out fear!”
But it never rang true to me because I had never done anything perfectly except sin.

Then, I read the translation in the Living Bible, which says:
“We have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly.”

God’s perfect love can eliminate all dread.

It is not our love for Him-
– but His perfect love for us that will cast out our fears.

The question isn’t:
Am I brave enough?

The question is:
Do I trust His love enough?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7.

(PR)

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“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

Walking in love is good for your health.
It’s true! Medical science has proven it.

Researchers have discovered that hostility produces stress that causes ulcers, tensions, headaches, and a host of other ills.

Now when you think of hostility, you may think of the type of anger you feel when something serious happens. But according to the experts, that kind of thing isn’t what causes the worst problems.

It’s the little things: when the dry cleaners ruin your favorite outfit, for example. Or when the cafeteria lady puts gravy on your mashed potatoes after you’ve specifically told her not to. Sound familiar?

Just think how much stress you could avoid by being quick to forgive, by living your life according to 1 Corinthians 13! So
– Keep no record of wrongs! Imagine physical and emotional benefits of living like that!

If you’ve allowed yourself to be habitually bound by hostility, that may sound like an impossible dream, but it’s not! Because as a born-again believer, you have the love of God inside of you (Romans 5:5).

If you’ll yield to that love, it will set you free. Remember when Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave? He was alive but still bound in the grave clothes. Jesus commanded the bindings to be loosed so that Lazarus could be free to walk.

Jesus wants that same kind of freedom for you! So get into agreement with Him. Say to those deadly habits that have you bound, “In the Name of Jesus, loose me and let me go! I’m putting hostility, unforgiveness and selfishness behind me. I’m going on with God. I’m going to live the life of love with others!”

It doesn’t take a medical miracle to turn your life around. All it takes is your decision to yield to the force of love. Do it today!

(PR)

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“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). 

Are you gripped with fear about something?
Love is the answer to overcoming your fear!
Because love is the Christian’s security blanket!

When you were a child-
– did you have a teddy bear or a blanket that gave you a sense of security,
– something you wanted to hold close to you and get wrapped up in?

The Holy Spirit of God-
– is the believer’s warm, loving security blanket!

“Perfect love casts out fear!”
But it never rang true to me because I had never done anything perfectly except sin.

God’s perfect love can eliminate all dread.
It is not our love for Him, but His perfect love for us that will cast out our fears.

The question isn’t:
Am I brave enough?

The question is:
Do I trust His love enough?

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

(PR)

The post Security Blanket appeared first on My Manna.

“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13).

Hospitality is the practice of welcoming, sheltering, providing for, and feeding those who come into your home!
– with no expectations for rewards or personal gain in return.

Hospitality is much more than exotic menus, elegant table settings and decorations, and fancy entertainment.
It is sharing what you have and who you are in Jesus with the people God brings your way.

For those in Bible times-
Hospitality was openly rewarded when extended fully.
And openly punished when there was a lack thereof.

In the New Testament, Jesus modeled hospitality perfectly.
He met both the physical and emotional needs of those who came to Him (Matthew 15:32- 39).

New Testament writers encouraged believers to practice hospitality toward other Christians saying:
“Offering hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9).

And elders and deacons within the church, in particular, were to extend hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2).
As believers, we are called to extend this gift to all who are in need.

You can open up your heart and life, and minister to others in simple ways:
– time, food (Psalm 104:27), money (Matthew 25:34-40), energy, creativity, and love (1 John 4:11).

If you extend your hospitality, open your home, and share your heart with a child of God or with a man of God.
Your efforts will not go unnoticed (Hebrews 6:10).

Allow your warm welcome to be saturated with the love of Christ-
– so you can easily share Him with those who enter your presence.

Ask God to show you ways you can practice hospitality toward those who are in need.

(PR)

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The following article is received from one of our contacts.

A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in her seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr Smith. She says that Dr Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.

One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.
On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts.

Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked, hated or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture.

Sally’s friend Joe drew a picture of one who had stolen his girl friend.
Another friend Susan drew a picture of his brother who cheated her in her property.
Another person drew a picture of someone who spoiled her moral dignity.
Another person drew a picture of one who black mailed him for a long time.

Sally drew a picture of a former friend, (later became a slanderer) putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face.

Sally was very pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts.

Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart.
Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn’t have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus.
Needless to say a hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.

And at the bottom the following verse was written:
“‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.’ Matthew.25:40.

No other words were necessary; as tears filled eyes of the students, as they focused
only on the mangled picture of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ said:
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:35-36).

(PR)

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“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). 

The post Security Blanket appeared first on My Manna.

The post Be Saturated With the Love of Christ appeared first on My Manna.

“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13).

The post Be Saturated With the Love of Christ appeared first on My Manna.