Expect Greater Love

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name...

Verse of the Day: Galatians 3:26-28

26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Memory verse: Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Today's reading: Genesis 29-30 Matthew 9:1-17

Expect Greater Love

I know that sounds a bit odd-'expect greater love'. I mean by this that the more you read God's word and the more the Holy Spirit shapes your thinking with the Living Word, the greater your capacity for loving becomes.

God's love does not get greater-it is complete. But we must allow the Holy Spirit to 'grow our love' by seeking God in His word because our love is always growing in Him if we are persistent and real.

First, if we do not seek God, what the Bible calls 'lawlessness', or a disregard for God's laws written in our hearts, will increase in our hearts causing our love to grow cold.

Matthew 24:12 "Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold."

We must stand firm in the Lord(1 Thessalonians 3:8) so that our ability to trust Him becomes greater and greater(1 Thessalonians 3:10) and "...the Lord makes your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else."

Again, Bible reading alone will not do all this. Reading God's word must be accompanied by study, prayer, meditation, fellowship, seeking sound teaching and counsel along with working through trials and victories that God takes us through.

Philippians 1:9 "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment...”

Knowledge and discernment comes with much seeking God and begins with immersion in His word.

The more we seek God in Holy Scripture, the greater our love will become.

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Oh God, name above all names, I seek Your kingdom and a greater desire to obey Your word. Grow my capacity for loving-so that I see no ‘unlovable people’. Lead me away from Judgement.

Greatest friend and eternal Father,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen