Love
What Love is This
Jesus, at age 12, described the Jerusalem temple as the house of His Heavenly Father and in doing so laid claim to intimacy with God. At Jesus’s baptism, our Heavenly Father laid claim to intimacy with Jesus when He said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” Matthew 3:17. “Beloved Son” is a term that means esteemed, dear, favorite Son. Yes, we are the sons and daughters of God. Yet, when we ponder the magnitude of the sacrifice of our Heavenly Father giving up His favorite Son for our sins (John 3:16) and Jesus leaving His Heavenly Father to come to earth to die for our sins, we can’t help but have profound gratitude and wonder at their love for us.
Heavenly Father and Beloved Son, we praise You for Your magnamious love, grace, and sacrifice so we can live with You in eternal glory. Thank You. We love You.
What Love is This
Jesus, at age 12, described the Jerusalem temple as the house of His Heavenly Father. He laid claim to intimacy with God. At Jesus’s baptism, our Heavenly Father laid claim to intimacy with Jesus when He said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” Matthew 3:17. “Beloved Son” is a term that means esteemed, dear, favorite Son. Yes, we are the sons and daughters of God. Yet, when we ponder the magnitude of the sacrifice of our Heavenly Father giving up His favorite Son for our sins (John 3:16) and Jesus leaving His Heavenly Father to come to earth to die for our sins, we can’t help but have profound gratitude and wonder at their love for us.
Heavenly Father and Beloved Son, we praise You for Your magnamious love, grace, and sacrifice so we can live with You in eternal glory. We love You.
The Difference in Slow and Fast
Lord, thank You for being SLOW to ANGER. You are a gracious and merciful God. We love You and thank You!
Show Me that You Love Me
Have you ever wished someone would do more than tell they love you; they would SHOW you? Romans 5:8 explains that is what God did when He sent Jesus to earth. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Then, Jesus SHOWed us how much He loves us laying down on the cross to die for our sins. He showed the greatest love, as He explained in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” God the Father and Son proved their love. They DEMONSTRATED their love. If you think you’re unloved, think again! They’ve shown you.
Thank You, Lord, for DEMONSTRATING Your love by saving us. Now demonstrate Your love through us to others.
The Difference in Slow and Fast
Lord, we praise You for being SLOW to ANGER. You are a gracious and merciful God. We love You and thank You!
“The Lord is gracious and merciful; SLOW TO ANGER and great in lovingkindness.” Psalm 145:8
I AM LOVING
“Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.“
In Christ, we are new creations and love is one of the main identifying characteristics. As a matter of fact, we’re exhorted “beyond all“ to “put on love.” Paul’s use of beyond all is best translated “upon.” In other words, if you’re layering your virtuous clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, and forgiveness, remember to put love as your outer garment. Love is the belt that holds everything together. It’s the jacket, the outer garment that must be seen. As Weust words Colossians 3:14, “And upon all these, put on divine love, which is a binding factor of completeness.” Have you ever had a great outfit, but it lacked something? Perhaps a belt, the right shoes, or jacket? Love is the complement to all the other divine virtues. Don’t leave home with out it! Without love, what are we like? A shiny, clanging cymbal who annoys others (1 Corinthians 13:1).
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the essence of my life is to be about love – Your love – reflected in and through my heart. Fill me to overflowing with Your love today.
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Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?