LOVE: FULL AND OVERFLOWING
Daily Scripture (Read Matthew 22:23-39)
“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
Daily Devotional—Love: Full and Overflowing
What words come to your mind to describe God’s love? Unconditional, redemptive, awesome, colossal, wonderful, gentle, sweet, kind, sovereign, sacrificial…
In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders had lost sight of love as central to following God. In Matt. 22: 23-39 Jesus is tested by the religious leaders. He silenced the Sadducees who claimed there was no resurrection and questioned Jesus about marriage after death. The crowds were amazed at Jesus’ answer. The focus of Jesus’ response was so different from what they were used to hearing. Instead of picking at theological points, Jesus was redirecting their attention back to God Himself, relationship with Him, His plan to bring life and life eternal with Him.
Later the Pharisees tried to test Jesus. Here, Jesus again took what was their current focus of following the letter of the law and incorporated it into God’s bigger plan. His response was – Yes, keep the commandments but do so only by first loving God and loving others with everything you’ve got! He called the people to foster a love relationship with the Father, for people regardless of how they act, and to work at allowing love to come from inside – one’s heart, soul and mind – instead of external forms.
Today, walk in the fullness of knowing God’s deep love for you and choose to love Him with your all in return. As you do, you can’t help but be a vessel that overflows to others. When an opportunity arises, let us be quick to be generous with love and care! Let His unconditional, gentle, sacrificial love flow through you as you interact with others today.
For The Team:
What words come to your mind to describe God’s love?
In what situations is loving people difficult? Why? Is it easier to love the people here than at home?
What do you think the Bible means when it says Christians can lose their “first love”?
Pray:
That we all be open to opportunities that arise, allowing us to be generous with love and care.
Pray that there will be unity and harmony among the team members.
Pray that the people in the BIC church in Masaya will feel loved and encouraged by the work and prayers of the people of Westheights BIC Church.
You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving.
Amy Carmichael