Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 28, 2015
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. John 17:26
My maternal grandmother’s love endured to the end of her life at age 93. She loved well because she allowed her heavenly Father to love her well. At her funeral I recalled stories of her loving deeds done in Jesus’ name. Her generosity flowed as naturally as sorghum syrup on a hot homemade buttermilk biscuit. Every year or so she sent me to my uncle’s shoe shop with a blank check. She told me a preacher of the gospel needed neat looking shoes—and she insisted I buy two pair. My grandmother made God known until the end of her life. Her life was hidden in Christ.
Jesus’ riveting prayer focused on fulfilling His purpose for coming to earth: to make God known and continue to make Him known in the generations to follow. Christ’s mode of operation was love. His love was pure, perfect and not passive. It was a love that radiated from His loving relationship with God the Father and God the Spirit. The Trinity was the source of His infinite capacity to love. He preached salvation in His name. He healed the sick, fed the poor, challenged the rich, taught mind blowing principles and soul saving truth. Christ’s love still endures today.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9).
How is your capacity to love? Is it limited, non-existent or overflowing? Perhaps you pray and ask your heavenly Father how to love a little bit better in His name. Consider a love action plan: 1) Listen to and understand my spouse better. 2) Know what motivates my child. 3) Increase my systematic and spontaneous giving. 4) Write a weekly note of encouragement. 5) Help at least one person a day smile. Indeed, make it a lifetime goal to grow in love and grace for God’s glory.
The underlying principle to loving well is being loved well. Open hearts can be filled to capacity, but closed hearts are not capable of receiving. Similar to a championship event brimming with fans, so the stadium of our soul should be overflowing with Christ’s love. By God’s grace we submit to the Holy Spirit, who builds our capacity to host His loving presence in our lives. Moreover, we learn to love better under the influence of loving examples. Watch them, be loved by them and love like them. Enduring love is not accidental, but intentional. Love exposes God!
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, may Your love endure in my heart and soul for the sake of other souls.
Related Readings: 1 Samuel 18:1; Matthew 24:12; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12
Post/Tweet this today: Enduring love is not accidental, but intentional. Love exposes God!#enduringlove #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: 3 minute video- Chris Tomlin: His Love Endures Forever
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