<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>love covers Archives - Warrior Raiser</title> <atom:link href="https://warriorraiser.com/tag/love-covers/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://warriorraiser.com/tag/love-covers/</link> <description>Courageously Pursue Your Calling</description> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:10:18 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2</generator> <image> <url>https://warriorraiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/W-R-150x150.png</url> <title>love covers Archives - Warrior Raiser</title> <link>https://warriorraiser.com/tag/love-covers/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>Love HIM LIKE YOU’D LOSE HIM</title> <link>https://warriorraiser.com/2021/07/11/love-him-like-youd-lose-him/</link> <comments>https://warriorraiser.com/2021/07/11/love-him-like-youd-lose-him/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Angela Johnson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 11 Jul 2021 21:30:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Warrior Lessons]]></category> <category><![CDATA[1 Peter 3:11]]></category> <category><![CDATA[1 Peter 4:8]]></category> <category><![CDATA[2 Corinthians 13:7]]></category> <category><![CDATA[forgiveness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[grace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Love]]></category> <category><![CDATA[love covers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Love him like you'd lose him]]></category> <category><![CDATA[marraige]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Matthew 6:33]]></category> <category><![CDATA[quick to listen]]></category> <category><![CDATA[reconcilliation]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Romans 12:18]]></category> <category><![CDATA[seek peace]]></category> <category><![CDATA[slow to get angry]]></category> <category><![CDATA[slow to speak]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://warriorraiser.com/?p=4203</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>I’d had enough. I’d had enough of the bickering and tension. My husband and I were at odds again. I wanted to leave. However, history taught me not to leave abruptly. The last time I’d left upset, I went to sit in my van in the driveway — as we moms sometimes do — and not […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://warriorraiser.com/2021/07/11/love-him-like-youd-lose-him/">Love HIM LIKE YOU’D LOSE HIM</a> appeared first on <a href="https://warriorraiser.com">Warrior Raiser</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="4203" class="elementor elementor-4203"> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-443fe9b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="443fe9b" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-271ea3d5" data-id="271ea3d5" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6af15100 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="6af15100" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"><p>I’d had enough.</p><p>I’d had enough of the bickering and tension. My husband and I were at odds <em>again</em>.</p><p>I wanted to leave.</p><p>However, history taught me not to leave abruptly. The last time I’d left upset, I went to sit in my van in the driveway — as we moms sometimes do — and not even ten minutes later, I was greeted by a sheriff’s deputy. My daughter, who was four at the time, had called 911 and hung up when they’d answered. She thought I’d abandoned her (#momfail). On a positive note, she knew how to dial 911 (#momwin), but it was a rather humbling experience to explain the situation to the deputy as he worked to stifle a giggle. (Yes, God has given me Nora to teach me many life lessons!) So this time, I knew better. I changed into workout clothes, grabbed the leash and my headphones, and announced to the family that I was taking the dog on a walk. No one protested, so I left.</p> <p>At this point in my marriage, I’ve found taking some space to be the best remedy. When I return to the conversation with a cooler head and calmer mind, wisdom and reconciliation can prevail. So I decided to head to the park — knowing it’s far enough, yet close enough to create adequate distance. As I began walking the 2-mile loop, I instantly started complaining to the Lord about Derrick. </p> <p><em>Why was he so difficult, God?</em></p> <p><em>Why do our conversations have to take such hairpin turns and spiral into an all-out war of words?</em> </p> <p><em>Why do I get to the point where I feel the need to leave to keep from saying toxic words I’d later regret?</em></p><p>Lamenting out loud, my eye caught the little, orange book-sharing box our neighborhood has provided to residents. I decided to stop and peruse the options as I have a challenging time passing up books… especially when they’re free. Plus, curiosity (or sheer nosiness) makes me wonder what my neighbors are reading. I’ve also scored a few great options for the kids, too, so that’s always a plus.</p><p>As I thumbed through the mashed-up pile of random books people had cleared from their shelves, I stumbled upon one about grief and loss. </p> <p>I immediately thought, <em>Why did someone choose this book? </em><em>Did someone else gift it to them? </em><em>Did they feel like they’d overcome this hurdle, and that’s why they donated it?</em> <em>Or did they not want to deal with this issue, and that’s why they removed it from their home?</em></p> <p>Regardless of the reason, I was here holding it in my hands.</p><p>As I flipped to the back cover, I read the summary. Inside, there was a 200 plus-page synopsis of a man’s journey through the loss of his wife. Cancer had stolen her from him, and these pages held his grief-filled story. </p><p>I decided to close it and put it back, thinking someone else could benefit more than me. But I hadn’t even taken four steps from the box when thoughts started scrolling through my head. </p> <p><em>I wonder if that man would give anything to be fighting with his wife right now</em>? <em>I wonder if he would be overjoyed to be arguing with his wife instead of mourning her loss?</em></p> <p>And that’s when the Holy Spirit spoke to my soul and gently whispered, <em>“Angela, love him like you’d lose him.”</em></p> <p>Instantly my mental protests and justifications ceased. I felt conviction. </p></div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-38781a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="38781a3" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>“Love him like you’d lose him.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-22905a3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="22905a3" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c45b580" data-id="c45b580" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ad9d142 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="ad9d142" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>Why is the place of concession so tough? Why am I constantly at war with my pride?</p> <p>I’ll be honest, when Amos 5:24 says, “<em>…let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream,</em>” I get fixated on wanting rivers of justice to roll over those who have wronged me! </p> <p>I mentally prepare a rebuttal, like a skilled defense attorney pleading my case to “right” myself. But as my pastor has said, <strong><em>“You can “right” the person you love most right out of your life.” </em></strong></p> <p>It’s not worth “righting” ourselves out of a relationship.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-701ef50 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="701ef50" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7533257" data-id="7533257" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ac91dc6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="ac91dc6" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>It’s not worth “righting” ourselves out of a relationship.</p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-79e36e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="79e36e0" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>I decided to make a few more loops and continue processing this with God. </p> <p>With each step, I left a trail of tears on the pavement. I thought,<em> I bet that man </em><em>wasn’t sitting by his wife’s deathbed tallying up the grievances he had against her. And today, he probably drifts to memories of her goodness, not her wrongs.</em></p> <p>I wiped my eyes, and a river of peace rolled over <em>me</em>. </p> <p>As I headed home (praying I wouldn’t run into any of my neighbors), the Lord brought Scripture to my remembrance and prepared my heart.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2ebff9f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2ebff9f" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-086402e" data-id="086402e" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-dd8a6a9 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider" data-id="dd8a6a9" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="divider.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-divider"> <span class="elementor-divider-separator"> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-3a892ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="3a892ee" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://biblehub.com/1_peter/4-8.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1 Peter 4:8</a></strong> “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”</li> <li><strong><a href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-7.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1 Corinthians 13:7</a></strong> “Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].”</li> <li><a href="https://biblehub.com/romans/12-18.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Romans 12:18</strong></a> “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”</li> <li><strong><a href="https://biblehub.com/1_peter/3-11.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1 Peter 3:11</a> </strong>“He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right. He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it].”</li> <li><a href="https://biblehub.com/james/1-19.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>James 1:19-20</strong></a> “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”</li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-291eafc elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider" data-id="291eafc" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="divider.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-divider"> <span class="elementor-divider-separator"> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9692a78 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="9692a78" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d066bef" data-id="d066bef" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-21182d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="21182d6" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>I asked the Lord to help me seek peace, even though I believed I’d been wronged. I asked Him to help me assume the best in Derrick and be quick to listen and slow to speak so I could truly understand his point of view.</p> <p>As I punched in the garage code, I looked down at the dog. I breathed out a sigh and said, <em>“Okay, Koki, let’s put this lesson into practice and pass the test!”</em></p> <p>I opened the door to the house and Derrick met me with open arms. While I was gone, the same Holy Spirit dwelling within me was at work in Derrick, too — softening and convicting his heart just as He’d done to me.</p> <p>I love how the Lord does that. It was a beautiful confirmation that everything falls into order when we seek Him first (<strong><a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/6-33.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matthew 6:33</a></strong>).</p> <p>Whether you’re married or not, I pray you can use this humbling lesson of mine.</p> <p>In the middle of a fight, ask the Lord to remind you — not to strive to be right. Ask Him to help you, <strong><em>love them [your spouse, child, family member, co-worker — whoever!] like you’d lose them!</em></strong></p> <p>It puts everything into perspective.</p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-bdc9c96 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="bdc9c96" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>“Love them like you’d lose them.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div><p>The post <a href="https://warriorraiser.com/2021/07/11/love-him-like-youd-lose-him/">Love HIM LIKE YOU’D LOSE HIM</a> appeared first on <a href="https://warriorraiser.com">Warrior Raiser</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://warriorraiser.com/2021/07/11/love-him-like-youd-lose-him/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>2</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>DAY 9: Love Covers</title> <link>https://warriorraiser.com/2020/12/07/day-9-love-covers/</link> <comments>https://warriorraiser.com/2020/12/07/day-9-love-covers/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Angela Johnson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Dec 2020 10:00:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[ADVENT 2020]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Adam]]></category> <category><![CDATA[advent]]></category> <category><![CDATA[atonement]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Eve]]></category> <category><![CDATA[forgiveness]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Garden of Eden]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Jesus]]></category> <category><![CDATA[love covers]]></category> <category><![CDATA[sin]]></category> <category><![CDATA[the first sacrifice]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://warriorraiser.com/?p=868</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Join us for day 9 of our Advent Devotional!</p> <p>The post <a href="https://warriorraiser.com/2020/12/07/day-9-love-covers/">DAY 9: Love Covers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://warriorraiser.com">Warrior Raiser</a>.</p> ]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BY: ANGELA JOHNSON</h2><figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”</p><cite>1 Peter 4:8, NLT</cite></blockquote></figure><hr class="wp-block-separator" /><p>It was quiet. <em>Too</em> quiet. The silence was unnerving. I knew something was amiss. The absence of yelling, tattling, crashing, laughter, or squeals was a clear sign that something was wrong.</p><p>I quickly walked upstairs to where the children had been playing. </p><p>Nothing. </p><p>So, I headed into my oldest son’s room. Still nothing. As I strained my ears, I heard whispers coming from his closet. I slowly opened the door and found all three of my small children hiding. I immediately turned my attention to the source of their indiscretion — five large storage bins that had once housed clean, folded, and sorted clothes, were now completely empty. They had thrown each article of clothing down the laundry chute. The result of this hidden activity was an enormous mountain of clothes that filled the entire laundry room — floor to ceiling.</p><p>This is why I can picture God’s paternal response to Adam and Eve when He found them hiding among the Garden trees in the aftermath of their sin (<a href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-8.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gen. 3:8</a>). He calls to Adam, “Where are you?” Adam replies, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked” (<a href="https://biblehub.com/context/genesis/3-9.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gen. 3:9-10</a>).</p><p>Earlier in<a href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/2-25.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Genesis 2:25</a> we read, “The man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.” So, what happened for them to be fearful and want to hide?</p><p>The very moment they ate the forbidden fruit, Scripture says, “…Their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves”(<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/-3-7.htm" target="_blank">Gen. 3:7</a>).</p><p>Because of their sin, they were immediately separated from God and tried to use leaves and trees to cover their shame. But, in His mercy, God provided an atonement; He reconciled them back to Him. He replaced their man-made attempts to hide their sin with His righteousness. He provided a sacrifice. He made a covering.</p><p><a href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-21.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genesis 3:21</a> says, “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” We are not told what animal God used or how it was killed, but His divine restitution was a beautiful foreshadowing of things to come.</p><p>From Old to New Testament, atoning for the redemption of sins is a recurring theme. Even the beloved Christmas story is about a sacrifice.</p><p>Jesus was laid in a manger to hang on a cross. Those little baby feet would one day walk the path of The Via Dolorosa, the “Way of Suffering.” Those chubby, wrinkled legs would one day stagger up a skull-shaped hill, called Golgotha. That sweet tiny head that smelled so sweet, would eventually wreak of blood and sweat as hateful, mocking men would violently shove a crown of thorns into it. Those soft little hands were made to be stretched out and nailed to a cross. That warm, tender body wrapped in swaddling clothes, would one day hang naked and be pierced by a spear. That sweet little voice that cooed and giggled would one day cry out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” — “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (<a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/27-46.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matt 27:46</a>) Jesus loved us so much that He came into this world, sacrificed His life, and bore the sin of all humanity.</p><p><a href="https://biblehub.com/1_john/4-8.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1 John 4:8</a> says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” and <a href="https://biblemenus.com/search.php?q=1+Peter+4%3A8+&Bible.x=0&Bible.y=0&Bible=Lookup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1 Peter 4:8 </a>says, “…Love covers a multitude of sins.”The word describing what love does is, “Kalupto.” It means: “to cover, veil, hide, conceal, envelop, keep secret, hidden; to be covered over.”</p><p>From Eden to Calvary, we see this love — this perfect love — casting out all fear and covering us in every way. Jesus did not want to die, but He knew His innocent life must become the ultimate, sacrificial atonement for us all.</p><p><strong>Today, we no longer need to hide behind our fear, shame, and sin.</strong></p><p><strong>Today, we can be clothed in His righteousness.</strong></p><p><strong>Today, we can be covered by His perfect love.</strong></p><h3 class="wp-block-heading">Daily Challenge:</h3><p>What can you release today into the cover of His perfect love?</p><blockquote class="wp-block-coblocks-click-to-tweet"><p class="wp-block-coblocks-click-to-tweet__text">#Advent2020AC</p><a class="wp-block-coblocks-click-to-tweet__twitter-btn" href="http://twitter.com/share?&text=%23Advent2020AC&url=https://warriorraiser.com/2020/12/07/day-9-love-covers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tweet</a></blockquote><ul class="wp-block-social-links is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex"></ul><p></p><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"><div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:100%;"><div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"><div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:100%;"></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p>The post <a href="https://warriorraiser.com/2020/12/07/day-9-love-covers/">DAY 9: Love Covers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://warriorraiser.com">Warrior Raiser</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://warriorraiser.com/2020/12/07/day-9-love-covers/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss>