Friends
In this season of flowers and chocolate, of fantasies and fairy tales, I am thinking of a deeper, more abiding love, a love that is well grounded in the Source of Perfect Love.
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And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11 – NIV
Love is the subject of poetry and prose, of songs and salutations. But do we know the kind of love that the Apostle Paul prays for?
It is a love that thinks…that searches for truth, that discerns right over wrong.
A love that knows.. that perceives, that understands.
A love that grows…that abounds, that surrounds, that is more than enough.
A love that lets others see more
of You, Lord, and less of me.
A love that glorifies the God that is perfect love.
I want a love like that.
Love is about choices.
It is a choice to turn away, or stay the course. To hold the grudge, or let it go.
To soothe another, instead of yourself.
To build up, instead of tear down.
To listen, instead of speak.
To hold on, instead of letting go.
To commit, instead of walking away.
To stand, even when the other falls or flees.
To hope, even when you hurt.
To show patience, even in the midst of frustration.
To persist, regardless of circumstances.
To give, regardless of reciprocity.
Unconditional love, Selfless love, Agape love.
A love that abides. A love that surrounds. A love that abounds.
Love like that seems hard to find these days. All around me, I see quite the opposite. On my own, I am incapable of such a deep and abiding love. My sin and selfishness seek to rob me of such a love. But the Source of Perfect Love knows my name. He stands ready to transform my heart if I will only open the door for Him to enter. He will create in me a clean heart and a right spirit that loves as He loves.
I don’t know about you, but I want to love like that.
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Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things. Love never fails…
1 Corinthians 13:7-8 – CEB
PRAYER
O Lord of Love and Light, shine on us today. We yearn to know love, yet fail to give it. We are selfish and proud, holding back our love instead of giving it freely. Forgive us, Lord. Cleanse our hearts. Wash us clean with Your amazing love. Renew in us a right spirit from which Your love freely flows. Let love guide our thoughts and shine in our deeds. Let them know we are Christians by our love.
In the Loving Name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Blessings,
Anita
-APS 2/20/2023
L;
Faith Beyond Sight 