A LIFE OF GIVING, PT. 2

“Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again”
(Luke 6:38).

We continue sharing how we have the privilege of showing to our family and to the world around us what God is like.

We are LOVE-GIVERS!

We know that more than anything else, God is Love. If we are walking in His image, we will overflow with love to those around us. Love is not stagnant. It is a verb. It is action. Love is not love unless we give it. We can think of love in our hearts but unless we show it tangibly, it does not touch anyone’s life. If we don’t speak out words of love, our husband and children won’t experience our love. When we have loving thoughts, we must think of ways to express them, physically and verbally.

How do you do this? You give. Give smiles. Give hugs. Encourage. Touch. Speak kindly. Do loving deeds. Give spontaneously. Give sacrificially. Show hospitality. Immerse yourself in God’s love and pour it out freely.

It is easy to give love when your children are lovable. What about when they are difficult and rebellious? You keep on loving. Of course, you don’t give wishy-washy love. God’s love is beyond all love, giving beyond measure. He keeps on loving even when we rebel against Him, but it is not insipid love. Even though His love never stops, we cannot have fellowship with Him and receive the fullness of His love while we are in sin. It is only when we confess and forsake our sin that He forgives us and restores fellowship with us.

In the same way, you keep loving your rebellious teen, you pour out your heart in intercession, but you cannot compromise God’s standard for your home. Many parents tip-toe around their children. They don’t take a strong stand against the sin because they don’t want their child to reject them. This is sickly love. True love takes action. True love prays, entreats, holds up the standard, and pulls them out of the fire. (Jude 12:23)

It is easy to love other people when they are nice to us. What about when people speak against you? What about when in-laws have a vendetta against you? Keep on loving. Keep on blessing and praying for them. Love always overcomes.

When you wake up each morning, confess . . .

“I am a love-giver!

God’s love is shed abroad in my heart.

I will tangibly show my love to my husband and children today.

I will speak words of love to them.”

There is no more room for a pity party because “nobody loves me or cares about me.” There is no more room to think, “I give and give and never get anything in return.” Love does not love to receive. It does not love to feel good. It loves because it is Love.

Start pouring out love no matter how you feel. Pour out love no matter what people say or do to you. You are the bearer of the image of God to your family—and God is love.

LOVE GIVES. . .

Love ever gives,

Forgives,

Outlives,

And while it lives it gives!

For this is love’s prerogative,

To give,

And give,

And give!

PRAYER:

“Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You that Your love is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spriit who dwells within me. Please help me to not only to keep it in my heart but to shed it forth to all those around me. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am a love giver, always thinking of ways to show God’s love.