Daily Devotional: Friday, Jan 29

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Love

Weekend Music links on iTunes: All Over the World by Matt Redman; Majestic by Lincoln Brewster; To the Ends of the Earth by Hillsong United; Healer by Kari Jobe. 

Read: John 3:16, John 10:10, I John 4:16; Deuteronomy 31:8

Think: Pastor Ben taught us this weekend that love is not fluff, love is not a feeling, love is essential!

The American Academy of Pediatrics describes a children's health condition called failure to thrive (FTT). The most common symptoms in little ones diagnosed with this condition are lack of interest in their surroundings, thin and ‘wasted' appearance, pale skin, swollen stomach and the absence of vocal sounds.  Just as the name implies, these small babies simply aren't thriving and aren't becoming robust, lively children as they should.

As physicians studied and assessed this condition they found the most common risk factors for FTT are families who had experienced divorce, alcohol or other substance abuse, social isolation or parents who were overly focused on career and/or activities away from home. In other words, the FTT babies were in families where they were not a priority, where no time was spent with them, where they were not loved and cherished.

As followers of Jesus we have the perfect Parent... and are never at risk of spiritual failure to thrive. God's word speaks his heart toward us - to me and to you, as His beloved children:  

• For God so loved the world that He gave His only son
• He came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly.
• God is love.
• The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

The promises are full of love providing us a life that is meaningful, purposeful, joyful, and eternal. We will thrive in Him!

Do:  Read the words of today's Scripture passages, soak them in and know they are God's love letter to you!

Pray:  Father, I need your love, fill my heart with the knowledge of just how much you love me! I want to thrive and grow and become all that you desire of me God. Then let me pour that love out into all my relationships that they may abound. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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