Michael Harrison's e-devotion

This is Valentine’s Day week, and it is a great time to learn more about how to love the special people in your life.  Remember all the while that God loves you. 1 John 4:9-10  NLT   God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Knowing that truth helps us love others.  Loving is easier to do when we know that God loves us no matter what. 1 Thessalonians 3:12  NLT   And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. I want to give us some personal application of how to love those who are closest to us.  We need to learn how to love others the best way possible.  It is an act of love to be able to love well. Dr. Gary Chapman wrote a book titled The 5 Love Languages...

Last year I shared much of this post with the people who read my e-devotion.   For years the book The 5 Love Languages has been part of the counseling that I have provided to couples before they married as well as those who were struggling within marriage. In a marriage class that Julie and I attended a couple years ago this was also part of the things shared.   Personally we have found great value in what Dr. Chapman shares in his book, but I’ve also seen God use it in the lives of other people who are seeking help.   No, it is not a magic ticket to a better marriage or greater relationships.   Yet if we apply the truth of what it taught, things will improve. When we value other people and seek to learn what others need, we will prefer them or place a higher value on their needs than we will our own needs.   This week I ran into a pastor friend who shared this truth with me as a living illustration.   It really was incredible, and that is why ...

1 Peter 4:8   NLT Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Experts and every day folks agree that the characteristic of love is a great part of life.   If you don’t love, don’t feel or give love, then your life is missing something.   We can maximize how we love.   Yet we have to make sure our love is pure and strong. Last year I wrote a post about the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.   That post can be found at THIS LINK .   This book never stops to be talked about in counseling sessions that I lead.   In fact in pre-marital counseling I ask couples to read this book, and I believe that this book coupled with an online assessment I use (the Prepare/Enrich inventory of relationships) are the best tools to prepare people for godly and strong marriages. Due to that fact I want to point you to this book.   Google it.   Go to your local bookstore or t...