LOVE’S IMPACT

“[Love] It is not conceited—arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude (unmannerly), and does not act unbecomingly.  Love [God’s love in us] does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it—pays no attention to a suffered wrong.”—1 Corinthians 13:5(Amplified)

God loves people and they are always at the center of God’s affection.  Stop and think for a moment about just one scripture, John 3:16—For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only-begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish—come to destruction, be lost—but have eternal (everlasting) life (Amplified, emphasis added).”  Put your name in this Scripture and say, “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized (your name) that He [even] gave up His only-begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish—come to destruction, be lost—but have eternal (everlasting) life.”  It adds a whole different dimension to our thinking when we think, personally, of the impact of God’s love.

I often try to imagine what the Apostle Paul must have felt when love reached down and touched his life.  Paul was on the road to Damascus to persecute more Christians when God’s love intervened in his life and showed him a more excellent way.  The light of God intersected the path of darkness and forever changed the path of Paul’s life (Acts 19). 

In the Scripture, we can read account after account of people’s lives that were impacted by love.  Mary Magdalene, Dorcas, Lydia, Nicodemus, the Rich Young Ruler, Thomas, Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila and Junia are a few of the people whose lives were radically impacted by love.   

I can add my name to the list.  God’s love impacted my life, saved me and delivered me from drugs and alcohol.  What impact has His love had upon your life?   

Let’s apply the scripture reading for today and ask the Lord to help us be mindful that His love in us is not conceited, arrogant and inflated with pride, and that we do not act/or react in a way that is rude or unmannerly or unbecomingly.  We do not insist upon our own way we are not self-seeking, touchy, fretful, or resentful and that we take no account of evil done to us and that we will not pay attention to a suffered wrong.  When we walk in love, we will be fruitful and produce good in our lives, the lives of people that we intersect with and in the kingdom of God.

Prayer—Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love in me abounds more and more.  Help me today to walk in Your love and to show Your love to the people I encounter today, in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BELIEVERS ARE CALLED TO PUT CHRIST’S LOVE ON DISPLAY

 “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them….And He took them up in His arms, laid His hand on them, and blessed them.”—Mark 10:13, 16

 

 In our scripture for today, we see where people were bringing little children to Jesus, for Him to touch and bless; however, his disciples took upon themselves to stop the children from coming.  Jesus did not like what the disciples were doing; in fact the Scripture says that, “He was greatly displeased.”  He went on to tell them to allow the children to come to Him.  In essence, He was saying that no one is insignificant to God, and He went on to bless the children.  He then took this time to teach that anyone who does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will not enter it (Mark 10:13-16). 

 

One of the great privileges of my life was to have Dr. Daisy Osborn, as my mentor.  She had the ability to greet everyone personally, in a room, and make you feel better about yourself.  Somehow you came away from this brief time inspired, your confidence built up, and you left feeling important.   She truly had the ability to inspire you in Christ’s love.

 

Believers are called put Christ’s love on display.  Because the Lord is living through us, we are equipped to impact others.  Instead of trying to resonate in some impressive way that impacts thousands of lives, why not let God use you to reach one person at a time?  You can made a big difference with simple acts of service and kindness—a hug, a conversation, a meal.  Try “loving on” people the way your heavenly Father shows affection for you.

 

Everyone matters to the Lord.  At times all it takes for someone to feel His care and compassion is a little bit of kindness from one of God’s children.  Believers have the privilege to serve as the Father’s hands and feet on earth.  It has often been said that, “God has no hands but your hands, no feet but your feet, on the earth.” Let your light shine into someone’s private darkness.  Let them know that they are important—significant.  Inspire someone today.  Your smile and encouraging word may be the difference that they need today.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that I am important to You.  Thank You that You cared enough about me to shed Your love in my heart today.  Today I purpose to let Your love shine through me to others, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.