Today Is a Verb: Open the Gift of NowSample

Let Us Love

How can you begin to build a vibrant and meaningful life without the commitment to love ardently in thought, word, and deed? Love is at the core of Christian faith and must not be watered down by assuming it is an emotional response to another person’s beauty or winsome personality.

Love is a command, an act of unselfish behavior, and it defines the one who sits on the throne of our hearts. One of the greatest mistakes we make is assuming that love is about me and my preferences; loving the way Christ loved is a lifestyle of sacrificial love and unselfish behavior.

Love is not chocolate candy hearts, rainbows, or flirtatious glances; love is not roses given to celebrate an anniversary nor is it a once-in-a-lifetime declaration. Love is the very essence of eternity meant to revolutionize the history of mankind. Love’s power is able to replace animosity or indifference with the compassionate character of God.

Love is the call to be like Christ. It is the command to die to self. Love is the freedom to be who we were created to be.

One of the most glorious assignments you will ever be given is to love a difficult person. Do you know someone who is fractious and frustrating? Are you acquainted with a person who is prideful, selfish, and irritable? We all know these churlish folks and immediately hide when their presence threatens to mar our happy existence.

What if this challenging person is an assignment from God? What if this irascible human being is a gift designed to help you learn how to love with God’s kind of love?

The problem is, we have allowed difficult people to bring out the worst in us when they have been placed in our lives to bring out the Jesus in us. You are never more like Jesus than when you are loving an obstinate person. Open wide the windows of your heart and determine to love like Jesus!

Meaningful Moment

Who needs to be touched by the love of Jesus through you today? Listen carefully to the Lord’s voice and ask Him to love your world through you.

Daily Declaration

“I declare that I will lay my will down and love like Jesus loved. I will ask the Holy Spirit to give me the strength I need to love those the Lord has placed in my life.”

We hope this plan encouraged you. If you would like Carol to pray for you, you can email her personally at carol@carolmcleodministries.com.Explore other resources at https://www.carolmcleodministries.com.