Read Verses: Philippians 1:7-11
Key Verse: And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
Thessalonians 4:9 says: “About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.” Most problems in any church can be overcome by love. In fact, most problems in life can be solved by love. Love for our fellow man can be far reaching if we would make it our goal to love others as we are loved by God.
Key Verse: And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
Thessalonians 4:9 says: “About brotherly love: You don’t need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.” Most problems in any church can be overcome by love. In fact, most problems in life can be solved by love. Love for our fellow man can be far reaching if we would make it our goal to love others as we are loved by God.
Paul as he addresses the Church at Philippi asks God to help their love increase. What an awesome prayer. Lord, make me a more loving person, make us a more loving people. Love moves a church to work in unity. Love drives a person to be more like Christ and use their gifts to edify the Bride of Christ. Love is a great motivator. Love motivates us to be like Christ in every way.
Too often, we think we need to shame people into doing ministry...or guilt them. Shame and guilt are rotten motivators of truth. They may seem to get things done, but at what cost. It creates a loveless experience where legalism takes over. We have to do this or that to meet others expectations. What would person A or B think of me. I have to do this. But the joy of God's love is gone, the peace of Christ bails on us. We are left with only our force of personality to get things done. But our relationship with God struggles to be authentic.
Love causes dissensions to be settled. Love prompts a church to serve the poor. Love moves us to do missions and evangelism. Love even makes us want to give more financially, work with children, paint the nursery walls, or build a new building for the youth. Love is the greatest motivator to church action of all types. But what if we just don’t have that much love? Pray and ask God to cause our love to abound more and more. This is something only God can teach, and provide. Filling us with his love to do His Service in His Power. Love overcomes out weakness.
The greatest act of love in history was Christ on the cross. He loved us enough to give his life as a sacrifice for the world. Why can we love, because he first loved us, and gave His life for us. What an amazing gift. Pray and let the love of God fill your life. Love really does change everything and is a real key to real change, in our lives, in our church, in our world.
Heavenly Father, I pray for _______________. May they grow in your love, and make our relationship between each other grow. Heavenly father, fill my son, my church, my parents, my friends, etc, with your love. Fill my life with your love, and help me to love others...help me be an agent of change bringing the Love of Your Son to all with whom I have contact. For all my brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray the same thing. Give us all a deeper love for both you, and others. AMEN
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