July 7, 2010

LOVE OF GOD

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. ~1 John 3:18-2

God is love (1 John 4:8).  We have been commanded to love (Matthew 22: 36-39).  Jesus is our perfect example of God’s love.  All that He did was because He loved us.  To become like Jesus, we need to begin to exhibit that love towards others.  We have to apply the word not just hear it (James 1:22-25).  It’s really not enough to say we love people and not show it at all times.  Yes, it’s hard to love someone we don’t know and even harder to love someone we do know based on our experiences, but when we totally surrender our will to Jesus and crucify our flesh, He will show us that love and we will be able to show it.  It becomes easier to love others, and to forgive others.

Just like a seed, to grow in loving others, we must start small.  As we begin to love those within our sphere of influence, our circle of influence will grow and we can love those that enter into that larger circle.  There will be challenging folks that seem unlovable, but Scripture is where we draw encouragement from.  If Jesus could love those that society deemed unlovable and untouchable, then so can we!  It begins with submission to Christ and a conscious effort to extend love to those that surround us every day.  By starting small, each step we take in showing love makes it easier to take the next step.

Have you fully surrendered yourself to Jesus?

Let’s Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for another opportunity to bring love into someone’s world today!  Thank You for making us and extension of You and for shining Your light through us.  May we bring You glory and honor in all that we do!  Lord, teach us how to love others as You have loved us.  Move our feet today into places where love is needed and use us to share Your love and gospel with those that feel unloved.  Jesus, we love You and long to be Your hands and feet.  We bow before You in worship and lift our voices in praise.  In Your name, we pray.  Amen.

Today’s Attitude of Worship: Love starts where you are.  No matter who you deal with today, in whatever capacity you can, extend love and grace and watch how God blesses those efforts!

Additional Scriptures:  Matthew 5: 43-45; Mark 10:21; John 15:13

Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays. ~Andrew Murray

In Christ’s Service,

Prudence