WHEN WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:7-8 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
At Christmas we celebrate the physical expression of God’s love to humanity. God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. That baby lying in a manger is the physical expression of God’s love for us.
Because we are loved by God, we can love ourselves and we can love others. Jesus said the greatest command was to love God and then to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
Note that our love for our neighbor begins when we realize we are loved by God and so we can love ourselves. I have known many people who don’t love themselves. They are caught up in guilt and shame because of their previous life choices. This self-condemnation keeps them from being able to accept God’s gift of love.
When we don’t feel loved by God it is hard to love ourselves and almost impossible to love others. But when we realize we are loved by God, we can love ourselves and we can love others.
Christmas is a great time to express love. This is the season when we can focus on loving God and loving others. Our love for others is a tangible expression of our love for God.
One way to love others is to introduce them to the love of God. Christmas is the one time of the year even the unchurched will consider attending a church service. This is a great time to invite people to join you for a worship experience.
You can love others with a simple invitation.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to see those around me that need to know Your love. Help me to be an expression of Your love to them.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
Thank you for your love Lord.