The welcome mat says Live, Love and Laugh Often, and it is quite worn out
"Live, Love, and Laugh Often" is the phrase written on our welcome mat as you enter our home. It is quite worn out from the many people who have come to visit. One thing I can tell you about these words: it is our desire for each person who has entered our home to receive a rich deposit of God's life, love, and refreshing joy before they leave!
"Lord, teach us to love, the way you love us." These words have echoed a kingdom sound deep within my soul.
Now I am giving you a new commandment that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.
This new commandment is an attitude that reveals itself in actions. The Master's command is given and it appears to be similar to the Old Testament commandment. But now Jesus Himself has connected these commandments, creating a powerful bridge of brotherly Love. What was old has now been made new! "Thou shalt love thy neighbour" has now been released as "You shall Love one another."
The Lord's timing is perfect in every way as He instructs the greatest doctrine to His disciples in combination with His own death. "As I have loved you" ... Love to the end ... "Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." It is by this action the world will see Jesus and know that we are His disciples rooted in Him.
As we "put on" the love of Jesus like a garment, it is His life and His love that clothes us, covers us, and leads us from the corruption of this world into the heart of Jesus.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Imagine with me for a moment what the world would look like if we, the believers in Christ Jesus, were empowered by His everlasting love. He is an endless reservoir we can draw from and express His love and compassion, for the entire world to see. We are actually empowered by the Holy Spirit to love.
We are actually empowered by the Holy Spirit to love.
Karen Munroe
When we are totally convinced that we are loved perfectly by Him, all hindrances fall away and we can gaze upon Him with confidence. What a precious privilege it is to be loved so perfectly by Jesus. What great triumph there is to those who are loved by Him!
So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.
This declaration has a triumphant sound to it! Whether we are in the middle of a great victory or a difficult situation, we can be certain of His love. As we worship and adore the One who loves us, faith rises. His transforming love is released to families, friends, cities, and nations. The fullness of abundant life through the love of Jesus is ours today, ours to know and ours to share.
Love · Grace · Holy spirit