Tuesday, May 13, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: Acts 17
In the TV series, New Girl, Schmidt buys Nick a cookie simply because he is thinking about him. That’s all. Schmidt loves his best friend 24/7 and 365 (366 days in a leap year). The realization is too much for Nick, who struggles to accept and comprehend love without reason. A rift forms between the two until Nick begins to understand Schmidt's love and delivers a “thinking about you” cookie of his own.
The expectations remain the same whether love is romantic, friendly, or encouraged because you are related. Everyone longs for a no-strings-attached adoration contract, yet we all put stipulations on the love we’re willing to give. This forces us to guess about how much our love will cost, and keeps us on edge, wondering when someone will take their love away because of our mistakes. That’s what Nick felt.
Romans 8:38
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
The apostle Paul speaks the truth in that passage, but it’s nearly impossible to fully fathom the meaning. If you believe God exists, then you must also trust God knows your thoughts … or saw you do what you did. How can God love us in those moments? After all, we’ve likely restricted our endearment to others for less.
The thing is, we’re not God. We can’t understand why he keeps picking up our pieces and putting us back together, but we can all experience it and be thankful.
Look to someone you love and offer them a view of God’s grace when they fall short. Sure, God will pick them up as he does for you. But when you show them the same love, you are able to demonstrate God to them. You act not only from your own identity but also from who you are in Christ.
Questions:
Do you have a list of things that cause you to lose your love for people? Why do you think God loves you regardless of your mistakes?
Next Steps:
Forgive yourself and others. Make a list of the ways people have hurt you, and the ways you have hurt others. Then pray over them and give them to God, asking him to help you love others. Commit to regularly doing the Daily and studying Scripture to build your faith in Jesus.
Prayer:
I know I’ve come this far by faith in you, Lord. You have loved me through many storms. I’m not in it alone because you refuse to let me go. It’s a blessing I can’t repay, but I thank you. Help me to extend that same grace and forgiveness to others. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
John 8:31-32
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
This post was written by Jaron Camp, a Findlay attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.