Day 19 Dare:  Look back over the dares from previous days.  Were there some that seemed impossible to you?  Have you realized your need for God to change your heart and to give you the ability to love?  Ask God to show you where you stand with him while asking for the strength and grace to settle your eternal destination.
Day 20 Dare:  Dare to take God as his word.  Dare to trust Jesus Christ for salvation.  Dare to pray, "Lord Jesus, I'm a sinner but you have shown your love for me by dying to forgive my sins, and you have proven your power to save me from death by your resurrection.  Lord, change my heart, and save me by your grace.

There is a secret each of us is holding but most are unaware of.  Day 19 speaks of this secret, the secret of unconditional love out of our own heart.  The book tells us that it's impossible to give unconditional love because it's beyond our capabilities.  We may extend acts of kindness and unselfishness towards others but to love unselfishly and unconditionally is another matter.  Unconditional love is something only God can do and he does so through us.  When you think about the times that your love has failed through lying, lust, overreacting, or thinking evil thoughts you can then understand that you cannot give unconditional love on your own. 

Failure is what exposes mankind's sinful condition.  We ALL fall short of God's commands because we all demonstrate selfishness, hatred, and pride.  Unless you come to love God then you cannot love another.  You can't give what you don't have when you don't call upon the higher reserves and resources.  When you stop resisting the love of God then his love will pour through your heart unto others.

Failures can be forgiven when you put your life into the hands of the One that gave it to you.  Today is the day of salvation and reconnecting to your spiritual roots.  Maybe you've known Christ and have walked in fellowship with him.  This is the day to be reminded of what he's done for you.  We are all born into this world as sinners, unclean and with filthy garments.  God sent his son, Jesus Christ, as a humbled servant so that he may bore our sins in his body on the cross. "When you have received this new life and love as your own, you are free to love in ways you've never been capable before."

"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (I John 4:8)  God loves you through your flaws and imperfections.  As the result of Jesus Christ's life, God's love made the greatest sacrifice to meet our greatest need.  This graces us to walk in the fullness and blessings of his love, now and forever.  Look at your spouse with this same unconditional love, see past the flaws and imperfections and choose to love.  You may not be able to meet their needs as God but you can become an instrument of God's to meet the needs of your partner.  After you receive the love of God through Jesus Christ, then you are ready to live the dare of love.

Today's lessons remind me of a previous day's lesson where we are to let go and let God.  Wash our hands free of nagging or stating out loud about what our spouses should or shouldn't do and instead pray about what we would like to happen in their lives.  But also what is happening in our own life.  We are not Gods and should not act as such.  We are instruments of God serving a higher purpose for all.  It feels so much better to lift the lid of your life instead of letting it boil over with anger, resentment, greed, or ego.  When you come to know that there is a higher divine guiding you along to serve your purpose in life you can truly love others along the journey.  The next time you listen to your partner, look at them as if God's eyes are looking upon them.  Listen to them as God would listen to them. Love them as God would love them.  Ask to be an instrument of God, to support your partner in whatever is needed for your love to be strong.

Kandi Phillips
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