He First...

"Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more." 1 Thes. 4

Love - it's a crazy thing isn't it? Loving each other comes in so many different ways for us. Love for a spouse, love for your children, for your parents, siblings and to friends and co-workers. Each looks a little different. Notice what we are told to do with our love - "to do so more and more". What an incredible thing to think about and to do. I've prayed many times that God would grow my heart - and that his love would continually flow into me so that the love I give to others would be Christ's love flowing through me. I love the naturalness of this love. In and of ourselves we can only love as good as we can, and that will always have limits, but when we are continually filled up with Christ we will be a flowing stream of love to others. His love will never run dry.

What an awesome thing to think about. Paul is urging us to love each other more than we already do. Don't stay 'status quo', but strive for more and more love. Doesn't that just make you want to smile?! Always remembering that you cannot do this on your own but in the power of the Holy Spirit that is within you. Just ask him to fill you up - he will!!!

To love others more will look different for many of us. It may mean that you will bring dinner to someone who is sick or lonely. Maybe you will call someone up to see how they are doing, or drop them a note of encouragement, or take someone out to lunch. Whatever it is, I urge you to do something today and to allow the rivers of Christ's love flow through you.

Why do we love? BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US! That is just so great. End of story. Live it!