tiger_lilyanne
8th February 2005, 01:11 PM
Love Initiates
Glynnis Whitwer, Senior Editor P31 Woman, Speaker for Proverbs 31
Ministries, editor@proverbs31.org (http://us.f602.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=editor@proverbs31.org&YY=33053&order=down&sort=date&pos=0)
Key Verse:
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the
measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38
Devotion:
My 9-year-old son Robbie was ready for bed. Complete with Sponge Bob
sleep pants and slippers, he climbed onto my lap with a blanket, ready
for a snuggle.
In the January evening, my hands were quite cold; too cold to touch his
warm skin, or so I thought. As he nestled against me, I tucked my
hands under my legs to keep from touching him with my icicle-like fingers.
"Robbie," I said, "watch out for my hands, they're cold." He ignored
my warning and burrowed his hands down between the chair and my leg
searching for my hands. "Really Robbie," I continued, "I'm very cold."
"I know Mommy," he countered as he pulled my hands up and placed them
on his bare chest. "I'll warm you up." He covered my cold hands with
his warm ones and snuggled closer. Within minutes I could feel his
warmth seep into my hands.
He got up once and when he returned, he repositioned my hands back to
his chest. I felt the coolness of his skin where my hands had been, and
was grateful for his sacrifice. Within minutes we were both warmer
than before.
I believe God used my sweet boy to paint a picture of the love His
children should show one another. Do you have cold hands? Mine are warm;
grab hold. Are you hungry? My pantry's full, here's a bag of groceries.
Are you getting tired of packing? I've had a good night's sleep, I'll
be right there.
A person who loves, sees a need, and initiates action, even when
there's a sacrifice involved. It could be time, money or our own comfort,
like Robbie's chest getting cold. The paradox of God's kingdom is that
when we give something up, God replaces it. Luke 6:38 assures that when
we give, we will receive ... "a good measure, pressed down, shaken
together and running over."
As we live out the love of God, we should watch for opportunities to
give to others with out being asked. It's the mark of love to initiate
selflessly. Thanks for the lesson, Robbie.
My prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, I praise you for loving us with such selfless love.
You are wonderful in all your ways. I confess that I have not always
loved others as I should. Please open my eyes to the needs of those
around me so that I can show your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Identify someone who has a need you can meet. Pick one way you can
meet their need. Schedule a time to follow through on your plan to show
God's love.
Reflection points:
Why does showing love often involve a sacrifice?
What types of blessings do you experience when you show sacrificial
love?
Can you remember a time when you gave, and then received a "good
measure" in return? Describe.
What do we learn about God's character from Luke 6:38?
Power Verses:
John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this; that he lay down his
life for his friends." (NIV)
Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one
another above yourselves." (NIV)
Romans 13:8 "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt
to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the
law." (NIV)
Romans 15:1 "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the
weak and not to please ourselves." (NIV)
Luke 6:30-31 "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what
belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have
them do to you." (NIV)
Glynnis Whitwer, Senior Editor P31 Woman, Speaker for Proverbs 31
Ministries, editor@proverbs31.org (http://us.f602.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=editor@proverbs31.org&YY=33053&order=down&sort=date&pos=0)
Key Verse:
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the
measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38
Devotion:
My 9-year-old son Robbie was ready for bed. Complete with Sponge Bob
sleep pants and slippers, he climbed onto my lap with a blanket, ready
for a snuggle.
In the January evening, my hands were quite cold; too cold to touch his
warm skin, or so I thought. As he nestled against me, I tucked my
hands under my legs to keep from touching him with my icicle-like fingers.
"Robbie," I said, "watch out for my hands, they're cold." He ignored
my warning and burrowed his hands down between the chair and my leg
searching for my hands. "Really Robbie," I continued, "I'm very cold."
"I know Mommy," he countered as he pulled my hands up and placed them
on his bare chest. "I'll warm you up." He covered my cold hands with
his warm ones and snuggled closer. Within minutes I could feel his
warmth seep into my hands.
He got up once and when he returned, he repositioned my hands back to
his chest. I felt the coolness of his skin where my hands had been, and
was grateful for his sacrifice. Within minutes we were both warmer
than before.
I believe God used my sweet boy to paint a picture of the love His
children should show one another. Do you have cold hands? Mine are warm;
grab hold. Are you hungry? My pantry's full, here's a bag of groceries.
Are you getting tired of packing? I've had a good night's sleep, I'll
be right there.
A person who loves, sees a need, and initiates action, even when
there's a sacrifice involved. It could be time, money or our own comfort,
like Robbie's chest getting cold. The paradox of God's kingdom is that
when we give something up, God replaces it. Luke 6:38 assures that when
we give, we will receive ... "a good measure, pressed down, shaken
together and running over."
As we live out the love of God, we should watch for opportunities to
give to others with out being asked. It's the mark of love to initiate
selflessly. Thanks for the lesson, Robbie.
My prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, I praise you for loving us with such selfless love.
You are wonderful in all your ways. I confess that I have not always
loved others as I should. Please open my eyes to the needs of those
around me so that I can show your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Identify someone who has a need you can meet. Pick one way you can
meet their need. Schedule a time to follow through on your plan to show
God's love.
Reflection points:
Why does showing love often involve a sacrifice?
What types of blessings do you experience when you show sacrificial
love?
Can you remember a time when you gave, and then received a "good
measure" in return? Describe.
What do we learn about God's character from Luke 6:38?
Power Verses:
John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this; that he lay down his
life for his friends." (NIV)
Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one
another above yourselves." (NIV)
Romans 13:8 "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt
to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the
law." (NIV)
Romans 15:1 "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the
weak and not to please ourselves." (NIV)
Luke 6:30-31 "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what
belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have
them do to you." (NIV)