Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- February 18, 2013
Love is not self-seeking. 1 Corinthians 13:5
Selfless love is happy when those they love are happy. They find great joy in seeing others live in harmony. These unselfish lovers are willing to sacrifice the fulfillment of their needs for the good of the whole. Selfless moms lose sleep for their little ones and selfless dads invest intentional play time and prayer time with their children. Time consuming habits like golf are put on pause for a season of selfless love. Love seeks what’s best for those it has incredible influence over.
Has love of self hijacked your schedule with no time left to serve others? Has your ambition shifted from being godly to leaving God out? Self-seeking love gives the Lord and others spiritual and emotional leftovers. However, your selfless love learns first how to love your heavenly Father with your heart, soul, mind and strength; then go out of your way to love others. You love selflessly when you give instead of spending on yourself. Love is generous.
Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:31
Selfless love does not mean we are not to love ourselves. Christ commands us to love ourselves in the same way we love others. We feed, clothe and care for our body, so we are able to care for the physical needs of others. We do not neglect our own nourishment for unsustainable expectations, no we take care of personal needs, so we are capable of communicating the gospel in word and deed. Your love of self qualifies you to quietly and selflessly love and serve others.
Selfless love is the way of your Savior Jesus. He submitted to His heavenly Father and humbly served humanity though He was the most powerful person in the room. He gave His life to save lives. He took time to teach sinners why they are to worship God in spirit and truth; because He is Spirit and He seeks out those who worship on His terms. Yes, your other centered love is an opportunity to teach your children that God created them for His glory. Selfless love teaches truth.
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1
Prayer: Heavenly Father, whose needs can I lovingly meet in deference to myself?
Related Readings: John 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 John 3:17
Post/Tweet today: Selfless love is happy when those they love are happy. #happylove
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