Tag: Love of God

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 Hope?

Hi Beloved, Happy Sunday! I hope that you all had a blessed week. Let’s continue this series by reading what the Bible says about Hope.

We’ve all struggled in some area of our lives. We’ve been through trials and dark times. Many of us are going through a difficult season right now. It can be so tough to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes, we struggle for so long, we just think “this is life…it never gets any better”. But things can get better, they will get better! No matter what difficulties you are facing. Circumstances are only temporary, but the promises of God are eternal. They will come to pass! In Matthew 7:7, Jesus says, “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” If you’ve prayed and nothing happened, pray again, and again, and again. Even if it’s not immediate, the Lord will answer your prayers and deliver you!

HOPE – The Lord says that we will have trials and tribulations in this world, but we can have hope because He has overcome the world. He has plans to prosper us and will work all things together for the good of those who love Him.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19)

“Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable.” (Hebrews 10:23)

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” (Jeremiah 17:7)

“Oh, I must find rest in God only, because my hope comes from him! Only God is my rock and my salvation — my stronghold! — I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 62:5–6)

“Our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and a good hope. May he encourage your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do or say.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17)

“O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.” (Psalm 130:7)

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23)

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4)

“The Lord your God is with you, a Powerful One Who wins the battle. He will have much joy over you. With His love He will give you new life. He will have joy over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

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

Jesus Loves You,

Alexis