Transformed By His Love

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Judges 7:1-8:17, Luke 23:13-43, Psalm 97:1-98:9, Proverbs 14:7-8

Love Changes Things

Love changes you.

Not because you have to change – because you want to.

The Lord reminds us of this in today’s Gem of Knowledge:

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments, not because you have to, because you want to. It will come naturally the closer you get to Me. My commandments are not just rules, they are who I am. As you are transformed in Me, they naturally will become you, too, and it will be easy and bring you joy. Amen.”

When you love someone you want to be close to them and the closer you grow to someone, the more you begin to reflect them. You start to think differently, respond differently, even desire differently. What matters to them begins to matter to you. Not because you were told it should—but because something in you has shifted. It is no longer just about you, its about the two of you together.

That’s what happens in our relationship with God.

In Judges 7, Gideon doesn’t just follow instructions—he walks with God through a process that stretches his understanding. With every step, his trust deepens. He isn’t simply obeying commands; he is learning who God is. And as he does, his response begins to align with that understanding.

In Luke 23, we see a powerful contrast at the cross. One man remains hardened, unchanged in heart. The other turns toward Jesus with humility and recognition. In that moment, something within him changes. His heart is opened to God and allows truth to enter and change him. His response flows from that realization of truth, and Jesus meets him with grace.

This is what love does.

Psalm 97 says,
“May all who love the Lord hate evil…” (Psalm 97:10, NLT)
It doesn’t begin with rules—it begins with love. And from that love, everything else follows. As love for God grows, our hearts begin to shift. What once felt normal no longer fits, and what reflects Him begins to draw us.

Proverbs 14 reminds us that wisdom comes from understanding the path we are on.
“The prudent understand where they are going…” (Proverbs 14:8, NLT)
That understanding isn’t just knowledge—it’s transformation.

God’s commandments are not separate from Him. They are a reflection of His nature—His love, His holiness, His truth. And as we draw closer to Him, spending time in His presence, we don’t just learn what He says… we begin to reflect who He is.

That’s why obedience is no longer something you have to force—it becomes the natural response of a heart that is being changed.

It becomes less about effort and more about alignment. Less about trying and more about becoming.

The closer you get to Him, the more natural it becomes. Not because you’ve perfected anything, but because His nature is taking root within you.

Not forced. Not heavy.

But joyful. 💎

Action (5Minutes with God)

Take at least 5 minutes to be with God today. Ask Him:

“Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally today?”
- Write down what He whispers to you by His Holy Spirit
Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
- Write down what He whispers – then do it!

Spend time with Him today—not out of obligation, but out of desire. Let Him shape your heart. Because as you grow closer, becoming like Him will follow naturally.

Prayer

Lord, draw me closer to You. I don’t want to simply follow rules—I want to know Your heart. Transform me from the inside out so that who You are begins to be reflected in me. Let love for You shape my desires, my thoughts, and my actions. Make obedience something that flows naturally as I become more like You. In Your mighty name I pray, Jesus, amen.