Posts Tagged ‘ Love ’

VerseD: John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13, ESV

Love is sacrificing for others. Your time, your energy, your possessions, your dignity, even your life.

For God. For others. Even for those who hate you.

VerseD: Matthew 7:7

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7, ESV

This is what Jesus means first and foremost, that in accordance to His will, when we ask, He wants to and will provide all of our needs.

Just like a good Father, though, God also enjoys giving us more than we expect or deserve.

So, seek Him and ask Him.

VerseD: Matthew 22:37

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:37, ESV

Most of everything hinges on this: We must love God first, most, and always.

Without this, we are wasting our time and energy. Out of the love for God, we are able to love others and truly do good.

VerseD: Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1‭-‬2, ESV

We tend to get too focused on what others do to us or do not do for us.

Instead, we should be more concerned with how we can serve others.

Sacrificially.

VerseD: 1 John 4:11-12

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:11‭-‬12, ESV

One of the signs you are a saved Christian is a love for the Church. Just as Jesus was rejected by His own people, we may deal with rude, obnoxious people, or even those who are mean and reject us.

But we still love them.

VerseD: 2 Timothy 1:7

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

In Christ we are overcomers of fear, weakness, and hatred. In Him we have power over the enemy, hatred, and our faults. We’d have His love flowing through us. We learn to control ourselves in all things.

VerseD: Psalm 33:18

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
Psalm 33:18, ESV

Our God is always watching over us. Remember, “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

VerseD: Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29, NIV

Our culture is steeped in dirty jokes, personal roasts, and vile notes.

God calls us to more. A joke is fine, but we should build each other up, help each other out, and invite Christ in.

VerseD: Colossians 4:5-6

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:5‭-‬6, ESV

Do not complain about the sins of non-believers. Do not berate non-believers nor treat them with disrespect.

Show love and grace. Speak kindly, but truthfully.

And remember: treat a wayward brother as a sinner (non-believer).

Versed: John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34‭-‬35 ESV

Israel knew we had to love God and love others, but Jesus came and basically said, “Keep going, guys! I want you to love each other as brothers and sisters!”

We may be a dysfunctional family, but good families stick together, care for each other, and defend each other.