A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
and a brother is born for adversity.
(Proverbs 17:17 ESV)
Ah, February ... the month we focus on love. The media is full of reminders everywhere. Hopefully, February is not the only month we tell our loved ones how much they mean to us, and don't let the object of our romantic love be the only one to whom we express love and appreciation.
This week at The Loft our focus is on love. Since last week's topic, "family" is very much on my mind, I thought about what love looks like in our family situations, more specifically in our church family situations.
Whether you like it or not, people watch your example. If you are showing love to the people in your church home, you are a positive example for Christ.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
First and foremost, God wants us to be known as a people who love. The love we have for one another should be an ever-increasing, burden-bearing and serving kind of love.
And yet, the bible says the whole law is fulfilled if I love my neighbor as myself.
When thinking of how to put that into practice - because I've been falling far short of the ideal - it occurs to me that I've got half the battle won if I just think about others as much as I think about myself and my desires and plans and schedule. Just bein' real, but I do spend a lot of time thinking about what I want to accomplish.
I've often thought that it would be great if we were taken straight to heaven once we got saved, but God keeps us here to perfect us and make us more like Jesus so that others will want to go, too. One way to do that is to train us to think of others more than we think of ourselves.
I've got a long way to go, which I guess is why I'm still here.
Since February is the month to think about love, I'm going to make a real effort everyday to think about how I can show love to those around me. For my family, that's pretty easy. Love to them is warm cooked food every night!
For my church family, I'm focusing this month on praying for them. Every. Day. I have a church attendance list that I'm using during prayer time so that I don't forget anyone. And then, if prompted by the Holy Spirit to do something encouraging for them, let me be willing and obedient to follow through.
Do you have special ways you show love to those around you? I'd love to hear all about it! Leave a comment, or consider linking up your own post about love at The Loft. You can link up here.
For further study:
I like how you are praying through your church attendance list and then as led will do something to encourage someone; that is a neat thing to do and definitely shows love. I think you summed it up well here, love is definitely a verb, it doesn't just need to be experienced as an emotion, but lived out in everything we do throughout the day with those around us :)
ReplyDeletebetty
I, also, have been focused on loving the body that God lead us to. Being a servant to them, loving them. It's so important to view our local bodies of believer's as a family we love. I know your struggles ;) Recently, an oppertunity to serve in an inconveneint way came up. I really wanted to hide behind my excuses, but I pushed through my selfishness to be ready to serve. This particular time, God removed the oppertunity (the person who needed the help had a last minute change in their lives), but I received the peace of knowing that I was ready to go do what God would have me do to "love one another".
ReplyDeleteMy husband and pastor of our little church reminds us often "Love God. Love People" You are spot on!! Thanks for shaing!
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What a gift to your church family. We definitely need more prayer warriors -- and prayer is such a selfless demonstration of love. You've given me much to think about today.
ReplyDeleteI know that the place I fail most often in the love department is at home with my Man. He is such a blessing to me, yet all too often I am just plain selfish. I am being intentional in my prayers for him for the next 40 days.
ReplyDeleteI love love
ReplyDeleteGood stuff.
ReplyDeleteA note of appreciation.
A meal to a home bound person.
A smile.
A phone call when God puts someone on my heart.
I, too, struggle with me me me instead of you you you!
What a blessing that you are praying for all of your church members, Jerralea! I know good things will result from it, hopefully some you'll be able to hear about. But even if you don't hear about it, we know the Lord is at work answering your prayers behind the scenes!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post Jerralea. It always breaks my heart to see cranky acting Christians in church. Why would anyone want to be a part of that. We have got to show love in and out of "the building". Otherwise we are only a hindrance to the body. Love YOU my Sister! :)
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