Love in Action

Open Your Bible

1 John 3:11-24, Deuteronomy 15:7-11, John 16:7-14, Romans 12:9

The weather had just changed from Southern hot to cool in Tennessee. Ordinarily this would have filled my little country heart with the brisk optimism that comes from a change in season: the autumnal joys of dark blues skies, scarlet leaves, and bright fires. But last year, the cold weather had me thinking crazy thoughts about swimming squirrels. Just a year before, we had three squirrels go for a swim in our pool over a stretch of three days. Now fall weather unexpectedly conjures up images of bushy tails, all wet and wilted, and tiny paws carefully paddling in cold turquoise water.

We’re not sure what exactly possessed the squirrels to swim, but I think they did it for love. I hypothesize that each successive swimmer was trying to rescue its predecessor. I think it’s a love story about a family of squirrels who were willing to stand up (or, in this case, dive in) and look death in the face as a way of looking after each other: Fear not, Mother Squirrel! I’m coming in after you! I don’t know a lot about the internal motivation of the squirrel, but I know the drive to protect loved ones is strong, no matter who you are.

John learned about love from the Master. He got to spend years watching how Jesus loved people, and here is his conclusion: “Let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth” (1John 3:18). The love of Jesus is love in action. And this active love was not just limited to foot washing and lake fishing. “This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (v.16).

Whew.

I don’t know about you, but the kind of love I’m willing to offer is this: I’ll help you move into your apartment, I’ll let you choose the restaurant, and I’ll include you, even though you’re not that funny—and that’s for my friends! But when Jesus died for us, we were still His enemies; “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). How much more then, should we lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters?

Love is hard. Real love means real sacrifice and compromise, and unpleasantness. Jesus is our example of love in action. He literally laid down His life for us.

This kind of love feels big. Most of us have experienced some great big feeling of love, so it seems like a natural step that we can grit our teeth and turn those feelings of love into huge, selfless actions of love. It’s sometimes possible for us to swing glorious acts and promises of love when we are at our very best, dressed in our finest, with our loved ones standing around sporting giant smiles. But we are also called upon to make good on those promises at three in the morning, when no one is watching and grand gestures are the last thing on our minds. No amount of effort is enough for me to love with the consistency, action, and sacrifice that I see in the life of Christ.

How can I follow Christ’s example? And how can I teach my children to love if I can’t even love them enough to make sure all six of them have clean teeth, let alone lay down my life for them day in and day out?

Here’s the element that changes everything: I am God’s child; He calls us His children. This means that when we love, no matter what time of day it is, we aren’t loving out of our own strength—we love in His strength. Christ’s example isn’t just an example; His love is also what enables us to love with action, because “he remains in us” (1John 3:24).

We were certainly created for love. And in our effort to show love, we will find ourselves laying down our lives for each other in some scary places, like jumping into a cold swimming pool or giving care to someone with no hope of reward. We can’t cut it in our own strength, but Christ’s call to love in action comes with a promise that He is with us, even to the very end.

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77 thoughts on "Love in Action"

  1. Heidi V says:

    When I was a young Christian I used to approach the day coming from my own strength and thinking of Christ’s strength as a reserve of strength I had access to if I needed it. As I grew and studied I learned that trying to rely on my own strength is really like denying Christ and arrogantly saying “I’ve got this, I’ll let you know if I need you”. Through many humbling experiences I’ve learned that each day I have a gift that I receive and all I have to do is surrender and acknowledge “Jesus, you are able to direct this day far better than I could ever imagine. I surrender my life to you and ask you to direct my steps today in every part of life and that I am able to discern your direction. I know how grateful and blessed I am to be in this relationship with you, the Father and the Holy Spirit and I thank you for loving me and showing me the way.
    It took decades for me to have a willingness to trust and give up the idea that I had control but what I have now in the surrender is far more than I could ever deserve or ask for. We have a patient, loving and persistent God, so grateful for that!

  2. Heidi V says:

    When I was a young Christian I used to approach the day coming from my own strength and thinking of Christ’s strength as a reserve of strength I had access to if I needed it. As I grew and studied I learned that trying to rely on my own strength is really like denying Christ and arrogantly saying “I’ve got this, I’ll let you know if I need you”. Through many humbling experiences I’ve learned that each day I have a gift that I receive and all I have to do is surrender and acknowledge “Jesus, you are able to direct this day far better than I could ever imagine. I surrender my life to you and ask you to direct my steps today in every part of life and that I am able to discern your direction. I know how grateful and blessed I am to be in this relationship with you, the Father and the Holy Spirit and I thank you for loving me and showing me the way.

  3. Tracy Scott says:

    Like other comments below-the BIG reminder for me was; in His strength.

  4. Mandy says:

    Love coming to the Lord for strength, love, grace… the list goes on. We can do all things Christ calls us to when we do it in His abundance.

  5. Mary Plybon says:

    Loving is sometimes difficult but the reminder that we don’t love in our strength but His strength is a beautiful reminder for me today.

  6. Melonee says:

    ………when we love, no matter what time of day it is, we aren’t loving out of our own strength—we love in His strength.
    Lord help me to love our of your strength today…my strength could never be enough.

  7. Leah H says:

    Reading this now with all that is happening across the world is hitting so close to home for me. A good reminder that we are called to fight for our brothers and sisters — to lay down our lives for love.

  8. Moriah Nichols says:

    I love the song by Steffany Gretzinger called Remember. There’s a line that says, “ Don’t let me stay the same, only Your love can change me.” How beautiful that it is only by His love and sacrifice that we are truly changed. Let that be our prayer today and everyday ♥️

  9. Jasmine Clark says:

    Needed this

  10. Zipho M says:

    We love in His strength. What a powerful statement.

  11. Kim Ray says:

    “We love in His strength” – Amen! Thank You, Jesus, that it is by Your Spirit and not my might that I can live and love like You!

  12. Bonnie P Mills says:

    Even until the end. Praise the Lord.

  13. Shannon Allbright says:

    Thank you, God, for your endless love. Jesus, you are so good. Spirit, be with me with every heartbeat ♥️

  14. Janelle says:

    What happened to the squirrels? Were they okay?

    1. Nicole Zack says:

      I was wondering the same thing!

  15. DOROTHY says:

    Yesterday’s devotion talked about earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father. My human father and I had our ups and downs but he loved me greatly and it was from him that I got my greatest knowledge of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible. My boys father, after our divorce was not in their life much so the other older males (grandfathers and uncles) were more of fathers to them and my son will even say that.
    Oh how Rebecca had me laughing at the beginning of her devotion as I envisioned those squirrels in her pool swimming and trying to save each other. During this season of every ones life with this pandemic going on I have seen and heard about so many people doing so much good. I wonder if some of it would be done if we were in our normal lives. The family I work with, one of the other daughters works for Papa Murphy’s and many people when they pick up their pizzas are giving her and her coworkers larger than normal tips. The staff have to take the pizzas out to the car to them. Rebecca went on to say, “We were certainly created for love.” and right now I am seeing that so much more. Have a blessed day my sisters and try to stay happy.

  16. Kat Cowell says:

    This was super convicting for me today. I feel like it’s easy to swing between pride when I feel like I’m doing a good job at loving others, or complete discouragement when the task seems too hard and overwhelming. In both cases, the problem is my focus is on myself, not on Christ, his glory, power and strength. And it’s also easy to love others in sacrificial ways and then have the expectation that others will do the same for me in return. The Lord has reminded me to love others for the sake of his pleasure. To let my love for others be an offering of thanks to him for his grace towards me. Of course, I still want to love others to meet their needs and support them, but focusing on serving Jesus in my love for others has helped me be less begrudging and more grace-filled.

    The words of this Puritan prayer has helped me this morning: “O Lover of the loveless, it is thy will that I should love thee with heart, soul, mind and strength, and my neighbour as myself. But I am not sufficient for these things…I cannot love thee, lovely as thou art, until thou dost set me free…with this freedom I would always obey thee, but I cannot walk in liberty, anymore than I could first attain it, of myself. May thy Spirit draw me nearer to thee and thy ways. Thou art the end of all means, for if they lead me not to thee, I go away empty…Spirit of love, make me like the loving Jesus; give me his benevolent temper, his beneficent actions, that I may shine before men to thy glory. The more thou doest in love in me and by me, humble me the more; keep me meek, lowly, and always ready to give thee honour. Amen.”

    1. Kayla Brown says:

      Kat, I am so grateful for the perspective you shared! “Let my love for others be an offering of thanks to Him for His grace towards me.” This was so encouraging and challenging to me.

  17. Nicole Burgos says:

    I pray for god to use his love for me to love others because I feel convicted of this ..

  18. Jennifer Anapol says:

    I pray that God would give me the strength to love those around me. I think one of the main ways we can love those around us is by meeting their needs. I thank God that I don’t need to muster up the energy to love out of my own strength. He gives me the strength to love those around me.

  19. Sarah Walker says:

    “No amount of effort is enough for me to love with the consistency, action, and sacrifice that I see in the life of Christ” – this is such a good reminder! These calls to lay down our life for our friends, family, neighbors, strangers, and even enemies are not calls to be superhuman, but to call upon the name of the superhuman/supernatural One who lives within us! He will put our hands and feet in motion as we abide in him in ways we would not otherwise have the strength, patience, or willingness to do!

    1. Kat Cowell says:

      Yes! I love the way you put this Sarah. It’s easy to make it about us and our efforts, and not rely on the strength Christ supplies. But as we abide in Him he enables us to live beyond ourselves and do what we couldn’t on our own. Thanks be to God!

    2. Jennifer Collins says:

      I love how you said this Sarah !

  20. Es Ig says:

    This has convicted me big time

  21. DOROTHY says:

    Hi sisters I thought I posted something earlier but it isn’t showing up on my laptop and when I try to repost it it says it’s a duplicate. Please let me know if it showed up on some one else’s or if there is a glitch in the system.
    Trisha thank for your service.
    Kelsi I know where you are coming from and I will be praying for you and your brother.

  22. Jenny Lucas says:

    It’s hard to always remember how big His love is for us, at least it is for me. We see day to day love with our friends and family, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to grasp how abundant His love his for me. It’s amazing and I tend to forget. I pray that we’ll always remember His love and how perfect it is and that I will continue to try and show that love to others.

  23. Kelly Lampman says:

    If that isn’t enough to keep loving on others, I don’t know what would be!! Jesus loves us, so the best we can do is to past that love onto others, especially those who don’t know him.

  24. Ashley White says:

    Such an important lesson about love and what it truly is. Many in the world don’t know what true love is.

  25. DOROTHY says:

    Yesterday’s devotion talked about earthly fathers and our Heavenly Father. My human father and I had our ups and downs but he loved me greatly and it was from him that I got my greatest knowledge of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible. My boys father, after our divorce was not in their life much so the other older males (grandfathers and uncles) were more of fathers to them and my son will even say that.
    Oh how Rebecca had me laughing at the beginning of her devotion as I envisioned those squirrels in her pool swimming and trying to save each other. During this season of every ones life with this pandemic going on I have seen and heard about so many people doing so much good. I wonder if some of it would be done if we were in our normal lives. The family I work with, one of the other daughters works for Papa Murphy’s and many people when they pick up their pizzas are giving her and her coworkers larger than normal tips. The staff have to take the pizzas out to the car to them. Rebecca went on to say, “We were certainly created for love.” and right now I am seeing that so much more. One of the nursing newsletters I receive daily had this video titled OneRepublic – Better Days https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnHlRQZZbbY which is great. Have a blessed day my sisters and try to stay happy.

  26. Diana Fleenor says:

    Kelsie, Morgan, Jane, each of you and your loved ones are especially on my heart with the hard struggles you are facing with mental issues. I write my first comment each day without reading others comments first. Today, my thoughts were wrapped around the hardships of mental and physical struggles which debilitate individuals and effect families greatly. Then, I read your comments and saw your personal struggles. All the things I prayed for in my first comment go to each of you personally. It’s my desire to give more in action for those in situations like yours. But alas my own ‘hard’ and debilitating situation limits me greatly. Therefore, I ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers, helpers, to each of you where you live. May he bless you with a great outpouring of love through your local community of believers!

  27. Diana Fleenor says:

    I find myself on both sides of this love equation. I hear the call to lay down my life for the brothers who are in need. And I am also a brother (a sister) in need. Though these passages focus upon physical needs for the most part, my own experience tells me that not only can physical needs be neglected but also spiritual ones. Over the past several years, I have read and learned much through the ever growing biblical movement in which those in the core of it address what’s missing in pastoral care for what is deemed as the “hard cases”. These hard cases often fall into the realm of what is often referred to as “psychiatric disorders” by secular psychology. Though my condition of ME/CFS is not clearly defined as such as controversy over the psychological vs physiological origin continues in the medical field, because of the confusion and complexity of the illness, it seems right to call it a “hard case”. In my prayer journal today, I noted to the Lord that it can still “feel” like my situation is not fixable. But quickly I’m reminded by the Holy Spirit that nothing is impossible with my God! So in light of that hope and promise, I persist in praying for help for all the “hard cases” among us in the body of Christ. I pray for a great and intentional equipping to come through those already equipped in the biblical counseling movement to train churches everywhere to be able to come alongside us who are struggling mostly alone in our “hard case”. And as he moves nightly, may the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be exalted as the compassionate one who cares deeply for the “hard cases” and has the power to fix us!

  28. Erricka Hager says:

    Lord, I want to love in deed and in truth as it says in Your Word. Show me how I can demonstrate love to my family, my friends, and even to strangers. Let my acts of love come from my growing faith in You. And keep my heart from deceiving me, Lord. Only You can transform and renew my mind. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  29. Traci Gendron says:

    Vine & do

  30. Traci Gendron says:

    “Remain in me, & I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the bone, neither can you unless you remain in me.” JN 15:4 God help me to faithfully produce fruit for your kingdom. I cannot go this on my own. Help me to love one another not in word, but in action & truth.

  31. Rebekah C says:

    My husband and I we don’t fight a whole lot. We argue, but we don’t fight. Both of us have had lives where we have consistently been shown what is more important than whose turn it is to do “x” and what kind of couch is more important.

    The home I grew up in, my parents modeled self sacrifice. When their parents needed aid, they opened their homes and lives to care for aging parents. When someone else needed help, they would sometimes go without. It meant that my siblings and I didn’t get what we wanted. We would watch our peers get the latest games and clothes, and we were all in hand me downs. We laid down our comfort when a family member went to jail. Self sacrifice was a way of life. My parents didn’t just believe in Jesus, they have walked like Him again and again.

    My husband comes from a single parent background. His mom and dad divorced when he was very young. He was raised by grandparents, aunts, uncles, stepdads, stepmothers and his actual parents. He learned about Jesus from vbs, his mom didn’t take him, he jumped on a bus and went. For a guy who grew up in a home where he was surrounded by some pretty offensive behavior, he makes choices that are self sacrificing. He learned at a young age that some things are more important than others.

    When it came to taking care of and living with an uncle who had a history of drug use, alcohol abuse, prison time, and was battling cancer, the answer was of course we’ll do right for him. Not because he deserved it, but because that’s what you do when you believe that Jesus loves you. Jesus laid down His life for us, why would we not do the same? Here, my uncle had been my enemy, but we did it because it was necessary in living out the gospel.

    I could have easily turned him away. I had every right and reason to say no. He didn’t deserve it. But I didn’t deserve what Christ did for me on the cross. Christ did nothing and paid a price not just for me, but for all. If I truly believe that Christ died and gave his life up for me, and I am to follow His example, is that not what I am to do? What we’re to do? What you are to do?

    My discomfort in dealing with my uncle is nothing compared to the discomfort of the cross.

    The beauty of this is because we continually laid down our comfort and peace of mind for a drunken murderer, we saw him changed over the course of 12 years. He went from a thieving, angry, bitter person, to a changed man who apologized, replaced what he took, and became kinder and softer, and read his bible with enthusiasm.

    The cross is powerful and can change the hardest of hearts.

    1. Traci Gendron says:

      Wow Rebekah! That is love! And sacrifice.

    2. Laura Cahill says:

      So beautiful! Thank you for sharing your story!

    3. Laurie Crary says:

      Oh Lord, please give me a heart of love like Yours.

  32. Rebecca Hulett says:

    “We aren’t loving out of our own strength, we are loving with His strength.” I will definitely remember this!

  33. Melissa Mcronney says:

    Amen…powerful, Thank You Jesus for loving us first and being our example.

  34. Kristy Hamilton says:

    This was convicting today.

  35. Laura Thorson says:

    I had a situation a month ago where a friend was pregnant and her husband had Covid, so she was unsure if he would be able to come be with her during delivery. Without a shadow of a doubt, I offered to be with her, even though I have a husband and a baby that I would have to quarantine myself from if I went. Circumstances turned out that her husband recovered and was permitted to be there, and I didn’t have to go. But I’m stuck by how easy it was to make a grand gesture of sacrifice in that moment, however, the daily laying down of my life is so much more challenging. It feels hard to call my mom or my mother-in-law. It feels hard to get up early with my baby or to change the 3rd poopy diaper of the day. Sometimes it feels easier to love the people who are easy to love. So I’m challenged by this scripture to lean into the daily sacrifice, to ask the Lord to give me His eyes to see those that are hard for me to love and enable me to love them well with His compassion and tenderness

  36. Beth Sanders says:

    Kelsi, I’m so sorry for what you’re going through and the suffering your brother is enduring. Yes, depression, anxiety, addiction is very real. My daughter was diagnosed with mental illness 12 years ago and of course I didn’t want to believe it was true, but indeed it was. I found a local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) group and became very involved. They offer free support, education and resources to both the family members and individuals who are struggling. I hope you can find a local chapter to help support you. God bless you as you minister to and advocate for your brother. Remember to care of yourself.

    1. Kelsi Boone says:

      Thank you Beth! This means more than you know.

  37. Callie Baldwin says:

    I am learning to love without expecting anything in return. Loving out of being loved and known by Jesus. It’s freeing…

  38. Maura says:

    Kelsi, joining prayer for you and your brother. Please look into the QPR Institute. I took a short course at might church where they spoke to us about suicide prevention. Here are some numbers from them, resources for you and your brother. 1-800-273-Talk (8255), 1-800-784-2433 which is also 1-800-Suicide. Also he can text 741741 a crisis text line. Jesus Light of the world pour your light on Kelsi and her brother, give wisdom , strength and resources to Kelsi as she continues to minister to him in love. Help her and him to find the counseling he needs, healing, hope. May he feel your love wash over him Lord. If he will let you, or just for your own strength. Read Psalm, 23, 189 and 91 out loud. The New Testament’s promises. His words will encourage you and strengthen you. Praying also that your parents fear, or whatever it is be broken and Light to enter in.

  39. Angela Greenwood says:

    Love in action. How am I showing love? What am I doing? Good questions to ask myself this morning.

  40. Taylor Miller says:

    Dwelling on the work of the Spirit in our lives. He is at work, guiding us in truth and glorifying Jesus. It is a reminder to me that I am not alone in the commandment to love others and lay down my life for them. It is Jesus’s work in my heart and mind. Not my own. All glory to Him who does great things for His people.

  41. Merideth Karner says:

    I feel like real love is so hard for us because we want to be comfortable. We dont want to talk to the people who wrong us or mistreat us. We dont want to be kind to them or help strangers. But even those things are what Jesus wants to do. I know there are people in my family who can be difficult to be around and to be kind to because of their rude or fake attitudes. But Jesus calls us to love them and to be kind to them and to do it with His idea of love. It’s not easy but I think it will be so worth it in the end.

  42. Christy Gaudet says:

    Thank you for this. It helps me to think that loving others and doing the work of love is easy if we step back and let Christ’s love work through us.

  43. Karen says:

    Kelsi,
    Your brother is lucky to have a sister like you! I don’t know the answer, but I do know how to pray! I am saying a prayer over you from MO right now!

  44. Dawn says:

    Trisha, thank you for your sacrifice!

  45. Latoya Wanser says:

    “When we love, we aren’t loving on our own… we love out of the strength of Christ.” I found a lot of comfort in this words.

    1. Sarah Metz says:

      Same ❤️

    2. K D says:

      Thanks for drawing this phrase out – I missed it when I read that but it’s what I needed today

  46. Kelsi Boone says:

    My brother is struggling with depression and anxiety . In fact a lot of my family has struggled with depression and alcoholism. I’ve struggled with depression in the past as well. He is really having a hard time. Has had some suicidal thoughts and has let us know all these fears. My family doesn’t believe that depression is a real struggle that people have. They don’t believe in getting meds for it or anything like that and my brother is under their insurance. So every time he tries to go to a psychologist they will not give him insurance info so that he doesn’t go. So he ends up coming to me with all of his worry and anxieties and it’s really hard to take all that on. He says the same things over and over and something isn’t clicking for him. It’s the darkness and depression enveloping his mind. This word from today really hit home today. It’s been really hard to keep loving and being there for Cory through all of this. I feel like I constantly pour out and I’m exhausted trying to tell my parents that he needs immediate medical attention. But the good news is…. it’s not my strength it’s his. Lord I lay down my life for my brother. Strengthen me. Give me the words to keep saying to him. Heal him. Show him the light in the pit of darkness that he’s in. Thank you for your love. I love you Jesus. Amen.

    1. Becky Kuiper says:

      Praying for you and Cory and your parents today, Kelsi.

    2. Linda J says:

      I will pray for you and your brother. Depression and anxiety are very real and can be devastating to the one who suffers and those around them. Thankfully your brother has you to love him. Most states have behavioral health services available without cost or at very reduced cost through Community Behavioral Health Centers or Federally Qualified Health Centers. You may be able to find help for him in one of these clinics.

    3. AnneLyn P says:

      Praying for you, Kelsi, and for your brother and your family.

    4. Morgan Dunbar says:

      Sweet Kelsi, praying. We are facing similar struggles with my 11 year old who has just been diagnosed with anorexia and depression. We are drowning. Today’s reading was much needed. We can draw our strength from God. It’s all we have, sister. Praying for your brother as well.

      1. Jane K says:

        Praying Morgan for your child too! I remember that feeling of drowning, and it doesn’t take much for it to return if I don’t keep my eyes on Jesus. Praying for wisdom as you make decisions on how to proceed.

    5. Paula Finnie says:

      Kelsi,
      My heart breaks for you and your family! But I am very confident in the healing power of God and I just pray that the Lord will show himself mighty and strong on your behalf! I pray that he will continue to strengthen you all by his might and his power and that you would experience the love and peace that comes from being his child! You are amazing!

    6. Jane K says:

      My daughter struggles with anxiety and for a short time cutting herself. We got prayer going through a church and she started seeing a Christian counselor. She is doing well but has continued with counseling, in fact our insurance covers it. I will be praying for Cory and your family. Depression is real and sometimes it needs medication, counseling, and always prayer. I would urge you to be your brother’s advocate to your parents. He won’t be able to stand up for himself while suffering with depression. I understand your parent’s struggle. There is a lot of shame associated with mental health. Even though my daughter has been healthy for a couple years, I found it hard to write those words about her. Sorry for the long post!

    7. Bernadette BeckstedPerry says:

      Praying and contact NAHMI right away. I am so sorry about your parents, do you have an Aunt or Uncle who could try to talk to your parents? I have family members whom are the same and don’t believe in brain disorders (no longer mental illness, now it is a brain disorder) and I am praying they will see he needs help.

  47. Jane says:

    I’ll be praying for you, too Trisha! Thank you for your service, for our country and for ME! That is Christ’s love, for sure! Be safe!

  48. Churchmouse says:

    This pandemic which has most of us in quarantine has provided us with an opportunity to show our love in a way that is often forgotten as an action: speech. Because we cannot meet in person, physical touch and acts of kindness are more difficult to accomplish. But we have our words. Those of us who are expressive relish sharing our thoughts and feelings. Those of us who are most comfortable with “I’m ok. You ok?” are more challenged. This season gives us the opportunity to fine tune our communication skills. Let us take the time to say what we’ve always wanted to “if I had the time.” Let us be quick to say or write a thank you to our often overlooked helpers. So often we are told not to wait till we’re on our deathbed to say what needs to be said to our family members. Let us do it now! Let’s make that call. Let’s write that note. Let’s linger in conversation with those in our homes. An act of love can simply be taking the time to look into another’s eyes and say “I appreciate you.” Aren’t we grateful we have God’s Words? Aren’t we grateful we have 66 love letters from Him? Perhaps this is the perfect time to speak our love and write some love letters of our own.

    1. Becky Jones says:

      Amen!

    2. Nancy Singleton says:

      So true! I have been so happy to find more time to do just that-reach out with words! And to spend more time reading God’s letters to me! I was very happy to see your post here as well. I always look forward to & appreciate your insights, Churchmouse.

    3. Mari V says:

      ❤️ this Churchmouse!
      I’ve been calling on those who I haven’t seen or heard from. I was so sad that during one of those calls one of my friends passed away and it was not Covid related. I kept wondering why I have not heard from her as I know she had cancer. Work and life kept me busy but I noticed when I had text her she never text back so then I text again and her husband answered and told me what had happened.

  49. Angie says:

    “Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and truth.” 1 John 3:18
    What we do does not save us.
    I do not earn my way to heaven.
    I have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus.
    But – my daily actions may honor and glorify God.
    They may draw others towards His Light and His Love,
    (… or not).
    If the world hates me – respond in Love.
    If my brother has a need – respond in Love.
    And, I would summit, the follow through of this loving others in action and truth, is a matter of faith.
    Faith that God’s Word is True.
    Faith that God loves us.
    Faith that we can trust Him.
    Faith to lay down our desires or emotions and obey His command.
    Faith to “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” (Acts 10:31)
    A resounding, “YES” when God asks, “Do you believe that I am able to do this? According to your faith will it be done to you.” (Matthew 9:28-29)
    What does it look like today, Lord, to live out your Love in action and truth?
    Guide each one of us,… your children.
    May our hearts be faith-filled pouring out your endless Love to our brothers and sisters, or enemies alike, as You guide. Because our, YES, is found in You. We have passed from death to life.

  50. Blessed Beth says:

    Trisha I am praying for you and the sacrifice you are making!
    I needed to be reminded of love today, as it is so easy to get wrapped up in ourselves during this time. I have found such joy in sending a note of encouragement to each member of our church.
    I daily go through the directory choosing a different person, and I have developed such love for each one. I also write an encouraging lesson to each member of the prayer line, my heart is so full of His love and I needed these readings to make me aware of it. Thank you! And my mind I am continually in prayer at all times, I have never felt this blessed in my entire life. I miss my family and friends so much but I have so much of His love running through my veins.

    1. AnneLyn P says:

      Thank you. Your post is so encouraging.

    2. Jane K says:

      Wow Beth you have inspired me today to be more and do more! Thank you

    3. Chris Swan says:

      What a great idea!! Cards to our church families!! My sister is painting rocks with bible verses on them and her daughter who manages a Tractor Supply Store is giving them to her customers!!

  51. Trisha says:

    Thank you. The Holy Spirit used this to remind me of my love for people, to remind me of why I joined the Navy and moved away from my family, my husband and step children. I had been pretty bitter and sad until this point, being away from them in this pandemic. Now, I’m renewed and reminded of love. Gracious. Thank you for sharing.

    1. Latoya Wanser says:

      The separation must be really hard! Thank you for your service!

    2. Jane K says:

      Thank you Trisha for your service! Praying