“So this is my parting command: Love one another deeply!” John 15:17 TPT

If there’s one gift I can give everyone this year, it’s love. Sounds sweet, doesn’t it? Most of us just want something tangible, but what we really need is love.

I was reading 1st John this morning and everyone knows that John was the disciple Jesus loved, but something struck me; when we understand the depths of Gods love, when it’s affected us so much that it oozes out of us, than we will also be recognized as the disciples Jesus loves.

I John 4: 17 says it this way; “And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.”

How will the world know Him if we don’t love like Jesus when He was here on the earth? Moved by compassion, he didn’t ask if they knew Him before he healed their bodies and raised their dead. He healed them all! He didn’t ask the multitude he was teaching if they qualified for food, He fed them all! He didn’t ask the people if they were worthy of His love, He loved them all, even the ones who didn’t love him.

Oh come on Sandy, how can we do that! Surely He doesn’t expect us to feed everyone, to love everyone, to heal everyone. Yes, why yes He does. He expects us to infect everyone in our sphere of influence with just that same unconditional love.

Trust me when I say this, if you’re looking for or expecting something bigger, you won’t see it until you’ve been faithful over the ‘little’ in your life. If it feels you’re stepping backwards, perhaps you’ve missed that the very foundation of our faith–love. Ask God to open your eyes to see what’s been in front of you all this time. It’s only when you’re faithful in little that He makes you ruler over much.

If the capacity to love like that isn’t in you, I’m afraid that Jesus isn’t in you either. Read it for yourself, verse 20, “If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?”

God, give me that kind of love. Turn on Your love hose and flood me with so much love that I drench those around me. Out of that love, may healing and deliverance flow. May peace flow. May needs be met on any and every level. Help me to be You to those around me, great lover of my soul. May there be no doubt that You, Holy Spirit of God, are in me. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Until Tomorrow,

Sandy G