We pray...that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge…Ephesians 3:17-19

DAY 1—Religion that is empty of Love is empty of life.

Let us consider what the Apostle John said in his first Epistle about love. His understanding was profound. As we receive it for ourselves, it will do a profound work in us.

• I John 3:10—In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. NIrV—Here is how you can tell the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil. Those who don’t do what is right do not belong to God. Those who don’t love their brothers and sisters do not belong to him either.

• I John 3:14—We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. NIrV—We know that we have left our old dead condition and entered into new life. We know it because we love one another. Those who do not are still living in their old condition.

• I John 4:8—He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. NIrV—Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

• I John 4:20—If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? NIrV—Anyone who says he loves God but in fact hates his brother or sister is a liar. He doesn’t love his brother or sister, whom he has seen. So he can’t love God, whom he has not seen.

FATHER, I have religion, but I am missing the life that Your Love can bring.I still hold hatred for myself. I find it difficult to really Love other people. They annoy me and make me angry. I see other people faults and put my walls up against them. I ask You to please set me free from this. I truly want the Love that You give to flow through me and touch the lives of other people.

Religion without love is a false thing—John 5:39-42

We cannot keep the commandments of Christ unless we Love one another. When Jesus said, “Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” He set the prime example for us. But the fact is that He not only gave us this as a command, He actually provides us with the Love by which we can Love the way He commanded us to Love.

DAY 3—Set Free to Love Others Unconditionally With the Love of God

The way we accept ourselves goes a long way in determining how we accept others. No matter what we are like, how we look, how we grew up, or how we live, we are still God’s creation. If we will accept ourselves as God’s gift to us, we will find it easier to accept His Love. Then, we can get rid of all the things we don’t like about ourselves. This will help set us free to Love others unconditionally with the Love God gives us

• Psalm 139:14—I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. NIrV—How you made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise You for that. What You have done is wonderful. I know that very well.

• Psalm 92:4—For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. NIrV—Lord, You make me glad by what You have done. I sing with joy about the works of Your hands. 

• Psalm 111:2—The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. NIrV—The Lord has done great things. All who take delight in what He has done will spend time thinking about it.

DAY 4—“What must I do to receive eternal life?”

Some people want to be religious, but they look for loopholes in God ’s Law. That’s what the lawyer who talked with Jesus was doing. He was interested in how his religion made him look in the eyes of others. When God’s Love is at work in us, it won’t be necessary for us to try and make ourselves look good before others.

• Luke 10:25-29—And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the Law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? NIrV—One day an authority on the law stood up to put Jesus to the test. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to receive eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you understand it?” He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love Him with all your strength and with all your mind.’ (Deut 6:5) And, ‘Love your neighbor as you Love yourself.’ “(Lev 19:18)  “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do that, and you will live.” But the man wanted to make himself look good. So he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

  LORD, I’ve been too busy lately to know my neighbor. Please help me to begin Loving people, even when it’s not convenient, even when it costs me time and money. Set me free from this selfishness that has been creeping in upon me lately. Open my eyes to see my neighbor. And show me how I can let Your Love move through meand bring blessing to someone I may never have known before.

DAY 5—Jesus taught us to Love our neighbors as we Love ourselves.

• Matthew 22:35-40—Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. NIrV—One of them was an authority on the law. So he tested Jesus with a question. "Teacher,” he asked, “which is the most important commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind.’ (Deut 6:5) This is the first and most important commandment. And the second is like it. ‘Love your neighbor as you Love yourself.’ (Lev 19:18) Everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets is based on these two commandments.”

• James 2:8-10—If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. NIrV—The royal Law is found in Scripture. It says, “Love your neighbor as you Love yourself.” (Lev 19:18) If you really keep that law, you are doing what is right. But you sin if you don’t treat everyone the same. The law judges you because you have broken it. Suppose you keep the whole law but trip over just one part of it. Then you are guilty of breaking all of it.

  LORD, with the help of Your grace, I want Your Love to move through me. Help me remember that you Love everyone around me as much as You Love me—even if I think they’re not very Lovable. Help me remember You died for them, just as You died for me.

How the Love of God Becomes Manifest in Us—John 17:18-26

DAY 6—Jesus continued His lesson on who our neighbor is.

Our neighbor is whoever has a need, regardless of what they believe, where they live, or what their culture is.

• Luke 10:30-37—And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

When we have given our heart over to believing in the Lord, people will see changes in us. One of the first, and the one that will be the most long-lasting, is the Love the Lord sheds abroad in our hearts. People all around us will see the change. They too will become lovable.

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DAY 8—Love is the key that will bring the manifestation of Christ’s Life into our midst.

When we come together with others who also Love the Lord, we can immediately become aware of the presence of God’s Spirit among us. It is then that unusual things can take place, even miracles. This is because the Love in our midst becomes the energy by which faith among us works.

• John 14:21-29—He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

  LORD, I long for the manifestation of Your presence. Help me hear what You have said to us who are Your disciples. Show me how my Love toward You can spread as Love to others. As I wait before You, I open myself to Your Love. As I continue to wait, I open myself to Your presence. Oh, release Your healing, and miracle power in our midst!

The great and final judgment will revolve around how we have loved.—Matt 25:31-46

There is no other kind of Love that will work miracles among us like the Love that God is. When we know His Love, we are beginning to touch upon eternity. The Love that He is never fails.

• John 17:8-11—For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given me; for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in Them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine Own Name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are. NIrV—gave them the words You gave me. And they accepted them. They knew for certain that I came from You. They believed that You sent Me. "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world. I am praying for those You have given Me, because they are Yours. All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine. Glory has come to Me because of My disciples. "I will not remain in the world any longer. But they are still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of Your Name. It is the Name You gave Me. Keep them safe so they can be one, just as You and I are one.

  FATHER, please move upon each person in our fellowship with Your Love. We have met together too many times when there seemed to be divisions among us. I know that the Love You give us will heal this. When we come together, please let Your Love become sure and strong, especially toward those who are new or in need. For us all, let Love be a shield that no dart from the enemy can ever pierce.

Jesus answers a question about His and His Father’s presence with us.—John 14:22-29

Day 10—Knowing the Fullest Expression of God's Love

If we know the Love of God expressed in Christ, we can know His fullness. Christ, dwelling in our midst, brings to us the full expression of God’s Love. It was His Love that caused Him to die for us. But His Love did not stop at the cross. It continues and causes Him to want to dwell in us. The Love that was manifest on Calvary is the same Love that will move in us today.

• Ephesians 3:17-19—...That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in Love, May be able to comprehend (lay hold on) with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the Love of Christ, which passeth knowledge (that is beyond our ability to fully know), that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. NIrV—Then Christ will live in your hearts because you believe in Him. And I pray that your Love will have deep roots. I pray that it will have a strong foundation. May you have power with all God’s people to understand Christ’s Love. May you know how wide and long and high and deep it is. And may you know His Love, even though it can’t be known completely. Then you will be filled with everything God has for you.

• John 1:14,16—And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of The Only Begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.... And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. NIrV—The Word became a human being. He made his home with us. We have seen his glory. It is the glory of the one and only Son....We have all received one blessing after another. God’s grace is not limited.

  DEAR LORD, I open my heart to receive Your Loving presence. It is beyond the grasp of my mind to understand how this can be,but with my heart I am ready to believe. Here are some who really need Your Love. Use me as a vessel to reach them.

The great desire of the Lord Jesus for us is that we abide in the love of God as one body.
—John 17:6-26

Day 11—God's Love, Bringing Believers Together as One

It becomes evident in the following Scripture that there are Five Ministries set in Christ’s Body by the risen Lord. The ministries Christ appointed for the Church are to bring believers together into the fullness of Christ as one. God’s Love becomes the cement that will then hold us all together as one.

• Ephesians 4:11-13—And he gave some, Apostles; and some, Prophets; and some, Evangelists; and some, Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting (the knitting together) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. NIrV—He is the One who gave some the gift to be Apostles. He gave some the gift to be Prophets. He gave some the gift of preaching the Good News. And he gave some the gift to be Pastors and Teachers. He did it so that they might prepare God’s people to serve. If they do, the body of Christ will be built up. That will continue until we all become one in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son. Then we will be grown up in the faith. We will receive everything that Christ has for us.

  DEAR FATHER, please bring among us all the ministries You have appointed from Your Throne. We, as a body of believers, need these ministries. Please move throughout the whole Church that we may arrive at the Day of the Lord full of Your glory, and of Your Love. May Your Love work in us in so great a measure that anti-Christ himself will not be able to quench its fire.

The ministries Christ set in the church are to bring us together into the fullness of Christ.
—Eph 4:10-13

The Love that Christ Jesus brought to us from His Father is an everlasting, unconditional, Love. As it comes to us through the Lord Jesus it will move through us to touch others. There is not a person on earth that He will not extend His Love to through us. How important it is that we keep our lives free to be vessels for His Love at any time, any where!

• I John 3:16-17—Hereby perceive we the Love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the Love of God in him? NIrV—We know what Love is because Jesus Christ gave His life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters. Suppose someone sees a brother or sister in need and is able to help them. If he doesn’t take pity on them, how can the Love of God be in him?

Today we’re going to ask the Lord to release His Love in us to such a degree that it will crowd out our Love for the world. Misdirected Love for the World will pervert the pure Love from God that could be flowing through us to others in need. The Lord Loved the world, but it was a redeeming kind of Love. It was that kind of Love by which one gives of himself to set others free. That kind of Love toward the world can also work in us.

• I John 2:15—Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man Love the world, the Love of the Father is not in him. NIrV—Do not Love the world or anything in it. If you Love the world, Love for the Father is not in you.

• I John 3:1—Behold, what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. NIrV—How great is the Love the Father has given us so freely! Now we can be called children of God. And that’s what we really are! The world doesn’t know us because it didn’t know Him.

Even if the people of the world do not Love us, the Love that we have from the Lord more than makes up for it. When we put our Love for the Lord first, and others see this in us, in the end they will want what we have discovered.

• John 15:18-21—If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would Love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the Word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for My Name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent Me. NIrV—"Does the world hate you? Remember that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would Love you like one of its own. But you do not belong to the world. I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. "Remember the words I spoke to you. I said, ‘A servant is not more important than his master.’ (John 13:16) If people hated Me and tried to hurt Me, they will do the same to you. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you like that because of My Name. They do not know the One Who sent Me.

  DEAR LORD, even if the people of the world show how they despise us, please use it to makes us stronger in our Love for You. Thank You for more than making up to us what the world takes from us. Please make those of us in our fellowship a Loving kind of people. Help us carry with us a spirit of Love that will bring healing and relief to those who are suffering—and to those who are disappointed with life. 

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When we Love others with the Love of the Lord, our knowledge of eternal life is made strong. The benefit we receive from Loving others, even when we’re not Loved in return, is the certainty of the eternal Life that God gives us. His Spirit brings this to us. He releases it in us and makes us glad even in the face of rejection and misunderstanding. Eternal life begins in us even while we’re in this world. It’s a quality of Life released in us when we live in communion with the Lord Jesus.

• I John 3:14—We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we Love the brethren. NIrV—We know that we have left our old dead condition and entered into new life. We know it because we Love one another. Those who do not are still living in their old condition.

• I John 5:20—And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. NIrV—We also know that the Son of God has come. He has given us understanding. Now we can know the One who is true. And we belong to the One who is true. We also belong to his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God. He is eternal life.

While we’re in this body, we’re not at home. There’s a longing in our hearts to know our eternal dwelling. That’s the reason we’re learning not to place so much affection on the things that pertain to this life.

• II Corinthians 5:1-5—For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle (this mortal tent in which we dwell) were dissolved (is overthrown), we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this (body in which we now live) we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle (mortal dwelling) do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of Life. Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing (He that worked this out in us for this very thing) is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest (the pledge) of the Spirit.
  NIrV—We know that the earthly tent we live in will be destroyed. But we have a building made by God. It is a house in heaven that lasts forever. Human hands did not build it. During our time on earth we groan. We long to put on our house in heaven as if it were clothing. Then we will not be naked. While we live in this tent of ours, we groan under our heavy load. We don’t want to be naked. We want to be dressed with our house in heaven. What must die will be swallowed up by life. God has made us for that very purpose. He has given us the Holy Spirit as a down payment. The Spirit makes us sure of what is still to come.

In the Lord Jesus we not only have a Redeemer, we have also an example of what our lives can be in the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a Life whose major characteristic will be that of selfless Love for others. The anti-Christ cannot withstand this quality of Life. It will utterly amaze him and cause him to stumble when he cannot experience it. Neither can those who follow him.

• I John 3:16,17—Hereby perceive we the Love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the Love of God in him? NIrV—We know what Love is because Jesus Christ gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters. Suppose someone sees a brother or sister in need and is able to help them. If he doesn’t take pity on them, how can the Love of God be in him?

• Matthew 20:28—Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. NIrV—"Be like the Son of Man. He did not come to be served. Instead, He came to serve others. He came to give His life as the price for setting many people free.”

  GREAT REDEEMER, I can only know this kind of life if it comes from You. Like a transfusion, I need this Life of Love. Won’t You please impart it to me, and to these in our fellowship. Let others see it and begin longing for that eternal Life that You give us by Your amazing grace.

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The following Scriptures give us a glimpse of what will take place when the Love of God finds its full release in the children of the Kingdom. Jesus will scatter these seeds throughout the devastated secular world. The following teaching from Isaiah tells how a person with the Love of God in them will respond to others.

• Isaiah 58:6-12—Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. NIrV—Here is the way I want you to fast. “Set free those who are held by chains without any reason. Untie the ropes that hold people as slaves. Set free those who are crushed. Break every evil chain. Share your food with hungry people. Provide homeless people with a place to stay. Give naked people clothes to wear. Provide for the needs of your own family. Then the light of my blessing will shine on you like the rising sun. I will heal you quickly. I will march out ahead of you. And my glory will follow behind you and guard you. That is because I always do what is right. You will call out to me for help. And I will answer you. You will cry out. And I will say, ‘Here I am.’ “Get rid of the chains you use to hold others down. Stop pointing your finger at others as if they had done something wrong. Stop saying harmful things about them. Work hard to feed hungry people. Satisfy the needs of those who are crushed. Then my blessing will light up your darkness. And the night of your suffering will become as bright as the noonday sun. I will always guide you. I will satisfy your needs in a land that is baked by the sun. I will make you stronger. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water. You will be like a spring whose water never runs dry. Your people will rebuild the cities that were destroyed long ago. And you will build again on the old foundations. You will be called The One Who Repairs Broken Walls. You will be called The One Who Makes City Streets Like New Again.

  DEAR LORD, even now in this age I want to live as a mature child of Your Kingdom. It is becoming clear in my heart and mind how important it is that we arrive at the consummation of this age with Your Love still strong and at work in us.

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The Love of God will have little meaning if it is expressed in word only. The agápe kind of Love is demonstrated by how we act toward those who are in need. This may be so toward some people we don’t even know, or toward some that we have not been inclined to like. God’s Love at work in us will show no partiality.

• I John 3:18—My little children, let us not Love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. NIrV—Dear children, don’t just talk about Love. Put your Love into action. Then it will truly be Love.

• I Peter 1:22—Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned Love of the brethren, see that ye Love one another with a pure heart fervently: NIrV—You have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. So you have an honest and true Love for your brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply, from the heart.

• James 1:14—What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

  DEAR LORD, I present my faith to You for an overhaul. Please replace what I’ve called “faith” with the true faith that You give. Then, I believe I can be obedient to you in all matters. And then, I can Love with the Love that You give.

Faith without works is dead—James 2:14-18

DAY 20—The Love we show others is an expression of God’s Love to them.

When God’s Love finds expression toward other people, they will see His Love. Telling them that God is Love means little if they can’t see His Love manifest in us.

• I John 4:7,8—Beloved, let us Love one another: for Love is of God (proceeds from out of God); and every one that Loveth (puts Love into practice) is born of God, and knoweth God. He that Loveth not knoweth not God; for God is Love. NIrV—Dear friends, let us Love one another, because Love comes from God. Everyone who Loves has been born again because of what God has done. That person knows God. Anyone who does not Love does not know God, because God is Love.

• I Thessalonians 4:9,10—But as touching brotherly Love (Greek philadelphia, Love of one’s brother) ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to Love (agapáo, to show selfless Love to) one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more NIrV—We don’t need to write to you about Love among believers. God himself has taught you to Love each other. In fact, you do Love all the brothers and sisters all around Macedonia. But we are asking you to Love each other more and more.

  FATHER, I am ready to let Your Love move through me with Your enabling grace. Please open my eyes and heart to see those who are in need of Your Love. Set me free from the spiritual blindness that keeps me from discerning those who are hurting, even those who have built walls to keep others out. Help me Love even those who have brought their own trouble upon themselves.

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DAY  21—Resource For Loving Others

Our only resource for loving others is in God’s Love that was manifested toward us in Christ Jesus. The object we have in Loving others is that they might come to know the Love of God for themselves. In the expressions of His Love that they meet through us, we must be careful to let them know how they can know this Love.

• I John 4:7—Beloved, let us Love one another: for Love is of God; and every one that Loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that Loveth not knoweth not God; for God is Love.  NIrV—Dear friends, let us Love one another, because Love comes from God. Everyone who Loves has been born again because of what God has done. That person knows God. Anyone who does not Love does not know God, because God is Love.

• Matthew 18:31-33—So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? NIrV—The other servants saw what had happened. It troubled them greatly. They went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the first servant in. ‘You evil servant,’ he said. ‘I forgave all that you owed me because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on the other servant just as I had mercy on you?’

  HEAVENLY FATHER, please keep me free from resentment or envy when I see your Love expressed toward others. If I see this in myself, let us it be a signal for Your Love to move all the more powerfully through me.

As we receive God’s mercy, we become a channel for it to extend to others—Matt 18:23-35

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The admonition from Paul is that we learn to walk in Love—that is to live a life motivated by Love, continually. Not only are we to live out of the resources of God’s Love, we are to follow the example of Love the Lord Jesus poured out of Himself for others.

• I John 4:9-11—In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is Love, not that we Loved God, but that He Loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so Loved us, we ought also to Love one another. NIrV—How did God show His Love for us? He sent His one and only Son into the world. He sent Him so we could receive Life through Him. What is Love? It is not that we Loved God. It is that He Loved us and sent His Son to give His life to pay for our sins. Dear friends, since God Loved us that much, we should also Love one another.

• Ephesians 5:1,2—Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in Love, as Christ also hath Loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. NIrV—Ye are the children that God dearly Loves. So be just like Him. Lead a life of Love, just as Christ did. He Loved us. He gave Himself up for us. He was a sweet smelling offering and sacrifice to God.

  DEAR LORD, there couldn’t be anything any more clear from Your Word. We are to Love one another. I haven’t always succeeded in this. So now I know, the only way I can succeed is by letting You Love through me.I give myself over to Your Love. Please let it become an active force in my life. And that, all for Your glory.

We hear again the two greatest commandments.—Matt 22:36-40

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This hymn by Annie Johnson Flynt, expresses it well: “His Love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.”

• I John 4:9-11—In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is Love, not that we Loved God, but that He Loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation (full satisfaction of the penalty paid) for our sins. Beloved, if God so Loved us, we ought also to Love one another. NIrV—How did God show his Love for us? He sent his one and only Son into the world. He sent him so we could receive life through him. What is Love? It is not that we Loved God. It is that he Loved us and sent his Son to give his life to pay for our sins. Dear friends, since God Loved us that much, we should also Love one another.

• John 15:12 This is My Commandment, That ye Love one another, as I have Loved you. Greater Love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. NIrV—Here is my command. Love each other, just as I have Loved you. No one has greater Love than the one who gives his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.

It is from the heart—a believing heart—that Love can flow. The more we let the Love of Jesus move in us and through us, the easier it is to understand what the Apostle John said in the Scripture that follows.

• I John 4:12-16—No man hath seen God at any time. If we Love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us. God is Love; and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God, and God in him. NIrV—No one has ever seen God. But if we Love one another, God lives in us. His Love is made complete in us. We know that we belong to Him and He belongs to us. He has given us His Holy Spirit. The Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. We have seen it. We give witness to it. God lives in anyone who agrees that Jesus is the Son of God. That kind of person remains joined to God. So we know that God Loves us. We depend on it. God is love. Anyone who leads a life of Love shows that he is joined to God. And God is joined to him.

  FATHER, the closer I draw to You, the more I want to give myself in obedience to You. The closer I draw to You the more I want to let Your Love move through me and touch others, and the easier it is for me to believe that You are Love. Teach me to live in close communion with You. Let Your Love move through me today and reach someone! Let it be someone who really needs to know that Love them.

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Here is a passage from John that we must let our hearts receive. It is with the understanding God give us that we can begin believing. It is with the faith He gives that we can let His Love move through us to touch others.

• I John 4:17—Herein is our Love (the Love that has come to us from God) made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. NIrV—So Love is made complete among us. We will be bold on the day God judges us. That’s because in this world we Love as Jesus did.

• Ephesians 1:3,4—Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him (in the presence of Him) in Love… NIrV—Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Those blessings come from the heavenly world. They belong to us because we belong to Christ. God chose us to belong to Christ before the world was created. He chose us to be holy and without blame in His eyes. He Loved us.

It’s becoming clear that fear and God’s Love cannot dwell together. This isn’t so when we try to Love others with our own kind of Love. Loving with our own kind of Love often leaves us with the tendency to worry and to be afraid for those we Love.

• I John 4:18—There is no fear in Love; but perfect Love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in Love. NIrV—There is no fear in Love. Instead, perfect Love drives fear away. Fear has to do with being punished. The one who fears does not have perfect Love.

• Romans 8:15—For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. NIrV—You didn’t receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear once again. Instead you received the Holy Spirit, Who makes you God’s child. By the Spirit’s power we call God “Abba.” Abba means Father.

• Psalm 34:4—I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. NIrV—I looked to the Lord, and He answered me. He saved me from everything I was afraid of

• Isaiah 12:2—Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. NIrV—Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.

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DAY 27—God’s Love becomes a constraining factor among us.

After the Love of God is allowed to do its work among us, we all feel differently about one another. What we have thought was wrong in the other person suddenly doesn’t matter—at least as far as our Love for them is concerned.

• I John 4:19,20—We Love Him, because He first Loved us. If a man say, I Love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that Loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he Love God Whom he hath not seen? NIrV—We Love because He Loved us first. Anyone who says he Loves God but in fact hates his brother or sister is a liar. He doesn’t Love his brother or sister, whom he has seen. So he can’t Love God, whom he has not seen.

• II Corinthians 5: 14,15—For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again. NIrV—Christ’s love controls us. We are sure that one Person died for everyone. And so everyone died. Christ died for everyone. He died so that those who live should not live for themselves anymore. They should live for Christ. He died for them and was raised again.

God’s Word makes it clear that if we do not allow His Love to move through us toward others, then we do not know Him. It may require a miracle to redeem some hearts to the point that they can Love others unconditionally. But, God works miracles. Indeed, He does!

• I John 4:21—And this Commandment have we from Him, That he who Loveth God Love his brother also. NIrV—Here is the Command God has given us. Anyone who Loves God must also Love his brothers and sisters.

• Ephesians 4:1-6—I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing (bearing with) one another in Love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all. NIrV—I am a prisoner because of the Lord. So I am asking you to live a life worthy of what God chose you for. Don’t be proud at all. Be completely gentle. Be patient. Put up with one another in love. The Holy Spirit makes you one in every way. So try your best to remain as one. Let peace keep you together. There is one body. There is one Spirit. You were appointed to one hope when you were chosen. There is one Lord. There is one faith and one baptism. There is one God and Father of all. He is over everything. He is through everything. He is in everything.

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There is an assurance that comes to those who Love God. It is then we begin knowing He has a purpose for our lives. God Himself supplies His marvelous Love out of Who He is. There is no person created in all the world for whom God has no purpose. It is a matter of our opening ourselves to His Love and of yielding to His purpose. Now, see what Paul had to say about this.

• Romans 8:28—And we know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER for good to them that Love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. (we know comes from the Greek word, oída. This is a kind of knowing that is so settled and sure that nothing can contradict it. all things. Just simply know this: there is no realm, nothing, outside of “all things.”And, work together comes from suneŕgo. They tell us that... the combined energy of everything that comes into our lives join forces to bring about good. Just think of it! Everything! What is the qualification for this being so? Just simply that we Love God and that we believe He has a purpose for us.

From the Greek New Testament we discover the unusual wording of the questions Jesus put to Peter. He made use of the word agapáo, which means to Love unconditionally and without reservation. He also used the word philéo which carries a less demanding meaning that defines the kind of Love that might exist between friends. As you carefully read the following, see what you might discern in this most unusual conversation between Jesus and Peter.

• John 21:15-17—So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, Lovest (agapáo) thou Me more than these? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I Love (philéo) Thee. He saith unto him, Feed My lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, Lovest (agapáo) thou Me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I Love (philéo) Thee. He saith unto him, Feed My sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, Lovest (philéo) thou Me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest (philéo) thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I Love (philéo) Thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

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