Tag: God's Love

We Are Called to Love Extravagantly

Good morning, Beloved!

I want to share something the Lord has placed on my heart. Let’s start by reading this verse:

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40, NIV)

A Stirring from the Lord

Recently, He has been bringing discomfort to my heart regarding how His children are treating others. Even in Church families, we are not living out the Second Greatest Commandment.

I asked the Lord, “Why aren’t we doing as you commanded?”
And He responded: “My children are too busy, too distracted, too exhausted.
You are carrying the full weight of responsibilities that I never meant for you to carry alone. You should be leaning on me and on each other.”

We are overwhelmed by the demands of life—our jobs, our families, our schedules. So much so that we don’t have time or energy for anyone else.

Even worse, sometimes we wear our “busyness” like a badge of honor. As if the more we “do”, the more others will be impressed and the more pleased the Father will be. But busyness is not a Holy excuse.

The Lord does call us to steward many things, but His expectation is that we look to Him for wisdom, strength, and strategy. That we consistently cast our cares on Him and spend enough time in prayer and in the Word to be strengthened and recharged.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

We should also be able to look to our community, other brothers and sisters to love us, encourage us, and pray with us in our daily walk.

“As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

A Word from Ephesians

Then, Holy Spirit caused me to stumble (literally, I happened to flip to this page) upon Ephesians 5.

1-2 Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. (Ephesians 5: 1-2, MSG)

And the Lord spoke again:

“My children are loving too cautiously. You want to support people from afar—without becoming too involved. You don’t want to share their burdens, give your time, or your attention.”

We fear that giving to others and loving others will mean less time and energy for our “priorities”. And when we try to do everything in our own strength, we give from a limited supply.

We need to look to the Father for supernatural strength and unlimited supply for stewarding our responsibilities and for the capacity to extravagantly love others.

Love from His Abundance

When He calls us to do something, He always provides the resources. He won’t lead us to do what He won’t see us through. We just need to ask. Spend time with the Father. Sit with Him. Pray. Read the Word. Let Him fill you. And then love others with the Love of Jesus—not from your lack, but from His abundance.

Loving others may be listening, encouraging, spending time in fellowship, helping financially, offering physical assistance, or simply being present. As we step out in obedience, may the Holy Spirit guide each moment so we can discern and love as needed.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. So my heart is full of joy. I will thank Him with my song.” (Psalm 28:7, NLV)

Jesus Loves You Extravagantly,

Alexis

What Does the Bible Say About Peace and Love?

Hi Beloved! Happy Resurrection Sunday! He is risen, hallelujah! We thank you, God, for the gift of your precious Son. Because of His sacrifice on the cross, we are joint heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven and have the right to live healthy, whole, and prosperous! Amen!

I want to finish off this series with verses from the bible about peace and love.

PEACE – The Lord gives us peace that transcends all understanding. Even if our circumstances change and we face difficulties, our peace cannot be shaken or taken if it’s rooted in the Lord.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

“I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land.” (Leviticus 26:6)

“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39)

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11)

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” (Ephesians 2:14)


“Then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this—that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20)

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)

LOVE – We love because God first loved us. He so loved us that He gave His one and only son to be crucified for our sins. Jesus took the punishment we deserved, so we could take the blessings He deserved.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Beloved, I hope that you are blessed and encouraged by God’s word. Please let me know if I can pray for you! Have a blessed week!

Jesus Loves You,

Alexis

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness?

Hi Beloved, happy Wednesday! I pray that everyone is safe and well! I’m continuing this series with the topic of forgiveness. The bible talks about two types of forgiveness. The first is God’s forgiveness of our sins and the second is our forgiveness of each other.

FORGIVENESS – For all believers, the Lord has forgiven all sins – past, present, and future. He will never remember our sins or hold them against us because of the precious blood of Jesus, that was shed on the cross. Likewise, He wants us to forgive one another, as He forgave us.

“For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” (Romans 3:25)

“Then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” (Hebrews 10:17)

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9-15)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“As he hung on the cross – “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2)

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.” (1 John 2:1)

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4)

Beloved, I hope that you are encouraged by God’s word. Remember, you are deeply loved and highly favored.

Jesus Loves You,

Alexis