April 07, 2015
Paul was adamant. If we do not have the love of God ruling and reigning in our hearts and flowing through us, all we do is nothing, all we are is nothing, and all we receive from all we do amounts to nothing. (1 Cor. 13:1-3)
But it is often hard to love...even within the walls of our own home.
How do we love like Jesus? Even loving our enemies?
HOLY SPIRIT LOVE
""...the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."" (Romans 5:5)
As always, this is the key. We do not have this quality as humans. Only God has this love and God IS love. If we are true followers of Christ, we have His Spirit in us. He is there to flow through us like ""rivers of living water"" and produce the fruit of love in us (John 7:39, Galatians 5:22).
I am the container for the love of God! What a privilege and responsibility. If I will surrender the members of my body to Him for His use, His love will be poured out in me and through me. (Romans 6:12-13)
A TESTIMONY
One of the greatest moments of reality for me came when I faced a person who had hurt me more deeply than I'd ever experienced. I knew I should love them. I had chosen forgiveness, but I had no love for them and I was about to face them. And Christ said we are to even love our enemies!
So, here was my prayer: ""Lord, I do not love this person. You know that. But You live in me. And you ARE love. All the love I need is in me because You are in me. So, right now, I yield my body to You to be an instrument of Your love. Shed abroad Your love in my heart through the Holy Spirit.""
When I got out of the car and faced that individual, I was overwhelmed with love for them. I had no one to thank but God Himself. Could I say, “To Bill be the glory, great things he has done?” God alone received the glory for He was the source of that amazing love.
IS THERE SOMEONE YOU NEED TO LOVE TODAY?
The answer is simple: you need to love everyone, even those who have hurt you! Do you understand that you are incapable of that happening, but that God is more than able? And, will you yield your body to him today to be a conduit for his unfathomable love? If you will, you will be blessed, others will be overwhelmed, and God will be glorified.
February 20, 2025
If you have questions about how real, how present, how personal and intimate the Lord is, then just read six words of travelogue in Luke’s journal as he traveled with Paul.
February 18, 2025
I have known many people who have had great joy and power in the midst of great suffering. It is humbling that the slightest inconveniences deter many of us from following God. We have not gotten to the bottom—settled the issue. Most often, we live for our comfort, reputation, or gain. When any of those goals are touched, we are troubled and discontent.
February 17, 2025
The repentant who finds God gains everything. “He who has God and everything else,” said C.S. Lewis, “has no more than he who has God alone.”
