A Different Kind of Love:
12 Monthly Devotions for a Purposeful Relationship with God
By
Enzo Surin
Author
and Inspirational Speaker
Praise for our devotionals
Your monthly devotionals are really thoughtful and refreshing. I think the unique thing about your devotionals is that they are really practical, in terms of applying the word to your life. I usually forward them to my friends list so they can be blessed too. – Quiana Burwell
A much needed blessing to guide the soul and spirit when it is challenged by external factors. Your devotionals are a much needed addition to our time to commune and talk with God. They are a compliment to how I may feel or have been feeling about a particular issue and push me to work more diligently in understanding what is needed to follow His plan. – Colette Reid
The monthly devotionals always come at just the right time. They always seem to relate to whatever it is that is going on in my life, as if they were written just for me. The way they make me stop and think really helps put things into perspective and remind me of the need to keep in touch with God on a daily basis. – Kristen Pierce
Your devotionals have always been a source of inspiration to me. Your messages fill me with hope and a deeper understanding of God's love. It is amazing how your writing can calm me to the soul or bring a smile to my face even in the most hectic of times. – Katie Foley
The monthly devotionals have been a silent guide for me. They have been an easy, inspiring, comforting resource while trying to navigate this thing called life. You have a way with words, full of wisdom, very simple yet profound! I look forward to my monthly devotionals just to get away, even briefly. – Sophie Karanja
I receive approximately 75 emails every day. I get so many that I miss opening some of them. However, when I receive your monthly devotional, I take notice and open it immediately. It is a bright spot in my day. I find that they are always uplifting and remind me of how God cares about me. I find that the subjects pertinent and applicable to today's life. – Lynne Pina
A Different Kind of Love
(Twelve Monthly Devotions for a Purposeful Relationship with God)
by Enzo Surin
Published by Surin INK Books at Smashwords
Copyright ©2009 Enzo Surin
Author contact: info@enzosurin.org
Website: www.enzosurin.org
Cover
design by Lila Khan
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture also taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved and also from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group."
License Notes: Smashwords Edition
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Contents
Foreword
Introduction
January – A Different Kind of Love
February – You Got Me Feeling Devotion
March – No Dumping Allowed
April – I’m So Excited and I Just Can’t Hide It
May – Cast Away Your Fears
June – Giving You the Best That I Got
July – Declaration of Independence
August – A Measure of Faith
September – Where Are You Going?
October – What Are You Looking For?
November – A Personal Message of Thanks
December – The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Conclusion
Recommended Scriptures
Prayer for Deliverance
Afterword
Acknowledgements
Notes
About the Author
Foreword
It
was an exciting moment when I was presented the opportunity to read
this devotional, being someone who enjoys reading devotional
material. It was quickly apparent that I was reading, not just a
devotional book, but a devotional tool,
complete, as the author states, “with a friend along for the
journey.” It was all the more appreciable that the author wrote
this book in the midst of his own daily pressures, routines and
cares. A Different
Kind of Love,
is no armchair devotional, it is going to require a pen, a notebook,
and participation.
The
book brought to mind a ticket I held recently which read “void
if detached.” Void, as in empty; detached, as in separated.
Heeding the authority behind those simple words, I double-checked my
ticket, making sure it was intact before handing it to the Steamship
Authority.
How
often Scripture, our rock and foundation, counsels us to remain
connected to our Life. We are told “keep yourself in the love
of God,” “remain connected to the fellowship of
believers,” “abide in the Vine,” “meditate in
God’s Word – day and night.”
Christianity
is, above all, a life of love, and of finding our life daily by
remaining connected to the One who loves us most, not through work,
but through rest. It is both sobering and liberating to know this
truth: no man or woman can claim success for their life depending
solely upon inherent gifts, intelligence, talent, wit, skill or any
other supposed capability. Apart from Him we are empty and loveless;
we become…void if detached.
In
a busy world, however, remaining connected is often easier said than
done. Let’s see, right now, if you had to check, how long has
it been since you experienced a time of rich fellowship with God? A
day, a week, a month – or maybe never? Well, you’ve got
company. There is an overwhelming number of people – Christian
and non alike, who yearn to find a rich, consistent, meaningful
devotional life. Succumbing to the one-step-forward, two-step-back
dance routine written by the cares of the world, scores do not
experience the deep fellowship God intends for us to have with Him
daily. I know – been there, done that, got the tee-shirt, which
is why I am so excited about this book.
Dear
Reader, if you’ve ever thought “I know what to do, but
how…” take heart, help is here, and you’re holding
it in your hand. In this book, more accurately, this tool, the author
takes us month-by-month through a series of exercises which
challenge, confront and release. The exercises themselves provide a
consistency needed for growth because each exercise builds on the
previous. Enzo Surin is a quiet author who speaks volumes; a prolific
writer with something to say, and he has written in his uniquely
personal and transparent manner. He speaks candidly to the believer,
and compassionately to the nonbeliever.
May
you find within the pages of this book the courage to allow God to
release His purposes and His desires into your heart. May you awaken
to His love, a different kind of love – and live.
LaVerne
Rose
Introduction
Every year many of us begin the year saying “this will be the year that I’m going to…” We say things like, this is the year I am going to get physically healthy, quit smoking, stop using drugs or alcohol, go back to school, change jobs, get out of debt, etc. So quickly the year of good intentions gets postponed to the following year and every thereafter. For most of us, there is only one reason we have not been able to accomplish our list of goals: we have not involved God. So if any of us think we are going to accomplish anything this coming year without God, let’s just fast forward right now to the next year and begin again with the same old New Year resolutions.
Don’t misunderstand me. I believe in setting and accomplishing goals; I applaud you in trying to reach your dreams. But, the fact of the matter is we spend a good amount of time focusing on what we need to do and how we think we want to do it and who is going to help us do it, without giving much thought to the One who never disappoints with His support. How often do you hear people say, “This is the year that I am going to give everything over to God?” Perhaps you’ve said it yourself? And if so, did you really submit yourself and give everything over to Him? Let’s be honest, most times we want to but we are creatures of habit. Our intentions may lead us to want to give everything over to God but our tendencies often get the best of us and we end up compromising; we stop short of complete submission.
So why is it so important to give everything over to God, like you never have before? Well, you’ve probably heard the saying “you’ve tried the rest now try the best.” When it comes to getting things done, you will not find a more consistent and more accurate source of support than God. When it comes to gifts and promotions, there is none bigger or better than what God will give you. When it comes to relationships, there is no better love than the one God offers and promises you. In fact, I suggest you have not known real love until you come to know and experience the love of God.
How can I make such a claim? Well, you are well on your way to discovering the answer for yourself; all you need for the journey is an open heart. If you open your heart and your mind, you will soon learn how and why God’s love is truly different. It is God’s love, combined with your complete submission to His Will for your life, which will enable you to experience a year like you have never before.
But don’t just take my word for such a grand promise for I am not the one making the promise, God is. He has said “ I have plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). In order to claim any part of that promise, you will have to learn to trust Him and to follow the plan He has for you. That’s right, His love requires trust and commitment. You will have to be dedicated in your pursuit and not seek God halfway. In order to accomplish your goals this year, you must want God more than you want anything or anyone else; if there is no fellowship with God first, our fellowship with one another is not complete.
As you read this monthly devotional book throughout the year, be confident in the fact that this book itself was written out of love. I would like nothing more than for you to establish a deep and meaningful relationship with God so you can experience the kind of love only He is able to provide. Consider these devotionals as advice from a friend who is traveling with you along your journey and wants to see you succeed with your list of goals. I hope that you will have a year that will be like no other year; in other words, I desire this to be a banner year for you!
And
as a friend, I implore you to not let God be just an engram in your
life this year or a footnote in your conversations or action. I
encourage you to let Him operate full force in your life, manifested
in everything you do. Keep your eyes on God no matter what
circumstances you find yourself in and open up your heart completely
to Him. God will provide, is ready to provide and will follow through
with His promise. You just have to do your part and obey, believe and
act upon His words.
In conclusion, I send these words of
encouragement your way as you embrace the New Year and pray that you
will develop a purposeful relationship with God this year so that His
Will may be fulfilled in your life. I pray that you allow God to
guide your every step and I pray that you follow His directions for
your life.
If you are reading this and you have yet to develop a relationship with God but would like to, it won’t take much to get you started. In fact, you can start by simply repeating the following prayer and mean it from your heart. God is able, and will meet you wherever you are. Simply say “Lord Jesus, please help me get out of my own way this year so that your Will can be done in my life. I am through with trying to do things on my own. Please come into my heart, refresh my mind and remove any obstacles that will prevent me from experiencing your love and hearing your voice this year. I am ready to experience a love like I have never known before; ready to have the best year of my life.”
When
you are done praying, decide that you will make this year, the year
that you dedicate or rededicate your life to God; make this the year
you truly experience A Different Kind of Love.
Many
Blessings,
Enzo Surin
A Different Kind of
Love
YOUR
MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL / JANUARY
Ever get a little love note back in grade school that went something like, “I like you, do you like me”? Then there were three boxes at the bottom of the note and you had to check “yes” “no” or “maybe?” I wouldn’t say I was the recipient of such notes as much as I was the sender. And I know that some of you reading this would reluctantly admit to being participants. I certainly know I wasn’t the only one. I remember when I received my first “maybe.” To me, I was as good as married because it seems only a few special people got such responses back while the really special people always got a “yes.” And though these elementary school relationships fizzled long before the ink was dry, they still made some of us who didn’t receive such notes feel like we were missing out on something.
Do you ever feel like you are assumingly missing out on the best in life? Do you ever see people around presumably happy with their lives, happy with their relationships, jobs and wonder “when will it be my turn?” Well, there’s no need to worry because I have some wonderful news for you: You are in the perfect position to be the recipient of all that your heart desires. God is no respecter of persons; He longs for you to receive the wonderful plans He has for your life.
All right, so most of us weren’t on the receiving end of these cute little love notes—adolescent love at best, but we are all recipients of the ultimate love note—the Bible. The Bible is God’s love letter to everyone and He tells us in a number of different ways how unconditionally He loves us. Unlike any love you have ever known before, God’s love is a different kind of love; one that we can’t fully comprehend no matter how hard we try; no matter how badly we mess up, no matter how many times we disappoint him, no matter the moment or the hour, He is always ready and willing to show how much He loves us. The Bible tells us that God is “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15, NIV). You needn’t look any further than the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross as proof of His love.