We are going through a series of devotionals titled, "Is it in you?" In this series, I've taken the base question, which was derived from a sports drink marketing campaign. I decided to take this question and ask 3-intorspective questions. In each of these 3-questions we will define what "It" is. After all, if I am going to ask you a question as to whether "It" is in you - you need to know what "It" is.
In Part I of this devotional series we proposed our first question, which was,
1. Is "God" in you?
We determined that we really couldn't ask the other 2-remaining questions if He wasn't, so we needed to get that one settled. So, let's continue on with our second question.
2. Is the "Love" of God in you?
Let me just say this, if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you have been given the "Love of God" and it "Is" in you.
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5 (NKJV)
I am not going to go into a lengthy study of the "Love of God" in this devotional - for that go to the devotional archive in www.mydailydose.org and look at "Let Love Be Without Hypocrisy" from October 27-30th 2009. But I will say this about the "Love of God," it is amazing, as it expresses a selfless, giving, devotion to others as it displays mercy, forgiveness, and grace - it keeps no record of wrongs, and it does whatever is in the best interest of the one that is being loved - regardless of the price that has to be paid. Love isn't just for those that we like, or those who have been saved; it is to be given to those who are lost in their sins as well. Remember, Ephesians 5:1 says that we are to be imitators of God, and God loved us while we were still sinners (See Rom 5:8).
So the question isn't whether we have the "Love of God" as a Christian, but whether we will in fact allow it to flow through us to others. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 sums up how important love is to the Christian man or woman.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1Corinthians 13:1-3 (NKJV)
We need to let God's love flow through us like water does through a garden hose, and we need to let God point the hose where He chooses - because Father knows best. If we are not willing to allow the "Love of God" to flow through us and on to others, then we need to ask ourselves whether we really know God or not - whether we really want His will in our life, or our own selfish desires.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1John 4:7-11 (NKJV)
I am not trying to plant a seed of doubt in your head with regard to your salvation - but I am trying to get you to think about whether you are willing to allow God to work through you and into the lives of others. You won't be able to love others in the same way that God does without God living in you, and without seeking the power of the Holly Spirit. Don't get frustrated when you stumble loving others - just be willing to ask God to help you to love them in the way that He would. God is faithful!
Hey Christian, I want to encourage you today to make it your personal goal to seek the Lord in prayer - ask Him to show you how to truly love others like He does. Read your word and see how Jesus treated others, and then imitate those same ways (See Eph 5:1). Ask God to fill you daily with the power of the Holy Spirit. It is this equipping that will allow you to do things in a Godly way.
When we start to love others instead of reacting the way the world does, it brings great testimony of our transformed lives - and it is this transformation that is our most powerful witness. That's exactly what the Apostle Paul was saying to the Thessalonians.
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 1Thessalonians 1:5 (NKJV)
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about the love of God from these Scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you allowing the Love of God to flow through you to others?
APPLICATION: Seek the Lord and ask Him to reveal His love through your life so that others might desire a relationship with Him.
In Part I of this devotional series we proposed our first question, which was,
1. Is "God" in you?
We determined that we really couldn't ask the other 2-remaining questions if He wasn't, so we needed to get that one settled. So, let's continue on with our second question.
2. Is the "Love" of God in you?
Let me just say this, if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you have been given the "Love of God" and it "Is" in you.
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5 (NKJV)
I am not going to go into a lengthy study of the "Love of God" in this devotional - for that go to the devotional archive in www.mydailydose.org and look at "Let Love Be Without Hypocrisy" from October 27-30th 2009. But I will say this about the "Love of God," it is amazing, as it expresses a selfless, giving, devotion to others as it displays mercy, forgiveness, and grace - it keeps no record of wrongs, and it does whatever is in the best interest of the one that is being loved - regardless of the price that has to be paid. Love isn't just for those that we like, or those who have been saved; it is to be given to those who are lost in their sins as well. Remember, Ephesians 5:1 says that we are to be imitators of God, and God loved us while we were still sinners (See Rom 5:8).
So the question isn't whether we have the "Love of God" as a Christian, but whether we will in fact allow it to flow through us to others. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 sums up how important love is to the Christian man or woman.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1Corinthians 13:1-3 (NKJV)
We need to let God's love flow through us like water does through a garden hose, and we need to let God point the hose where He chooses - because Father knows best. If we are not willing to allow the "Love of God" to flow through us and on to others, then we need to ask ourselves whether we really know God or not - whether we really want His will in our life, or our own selfish desires.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1John 4:7-11 (NKJV)
I am not trying to plant a seed of doubt in your head with regard to your salvation - but I am trying to get you to think about whether you are willing to allow God to work through you and into the lives of others. You won't be able to love others in the same way that God does without God living in you, and without seeking the power of the Holly Spirit. Don't get frustrated when you stumble loving others - just be willing to ask God to help you to love them in the way that He would. God is faithful!
Hey Christian, I want to encourage you today to make it your personal goal to seek the Lord in prayer - ask Him to show you how to truly love others like He does. Read your word and see how Jesus treated others, and then imitate those same ways (See Eph 5:1). Ask God to fill you daily with the power of the Holy Spirit. It is this equipping that will allow you to do things in a Godly way.
When we start to love others instead of reacting the way the world does, it brings great testimony of our transformed lives - and it is this transformation that is our most powerful witness. That's exactly what the Apostle Paul was saying to the Thessalonians.
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 1Thessalonians 1:5 (NKJV)
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about the love of God from these Scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you allowing the Love of God to flow through you to others?
APPLICATION: Seek the Lord and ask Him to reveal His love through your life so that others might desire a relationship with Him.
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