Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
1 Peter 4:9-11 MSG
The picture above is of my son looking at two trees who's roots have become intertwined. The roots reach deep down into the earth to find the nourishment and strength they need to thrive in such an exposed place. The picture reminds me of "being rooted and established in love" (Eph. 3). We, too, must grow deep into God's love, where our roots can draw upon Him, for He is our Source. Deep in Him, we find the ability and opportunity to fellowship with Him, learning of His love and character. Out of our relationship with Him comes an ability to relate to fellow believers, as well. We start to look around us and see the others God has placed us in community with. We begin to look at them through God's eyes of love and kindness. We look around and realize we are not alone. Sisters stand beside us. Sisters we can lock arms and stand strong with.
I went to bible study with a group of women, yesterday, and was in awe of how encouraging it was to look around the room and see women demonstrating their unique gifts and practicing authentic relationship. There was an honest need in every woman there for authenticity, transparency, fellowship, and love. And those needs were being met by the other women around them. It is a beautiful thing to witness and even more beautiful to participate.
When our roots run deep in Him, we are strengthened and nourished and can bear much fruit. That fruit is useful to the people around us. If we produce love, joy, peace and the other fruit of the Spirit, others can reap the benefits. Peter exhorts us above to "be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it". No matter where you go, there is a need for the kindness being produced in you. No matter where you are, there is a need for the peace that is in you and the joy that is in you. Not all people on this earth are growing roots into Him. There are many that don't know the Love that we know. They need to see where our hope comes from. They need to see why it is that we stand strong, even when adversity comes against us.
Reach down deep into the fullness of His love and then reach out. Be generous with your heart and with your endless supply of His love. It will not only bless someone beside you, but will bless you with a joy beyond measure. I will close today with the prayer Paul prayed over the Ephesians at the end of Chapter 3. I was encouraged by it this morning and think you might be, too.
Reach down deep into the fullness of His love and then reach out. Be generous with your heart and with your endless supply of His love. It will not only bless someone beside you, but will bless you with a joy beyond measure. I will close today with the prayer Paul prayed over the Ephesians at the end of Chapter 3. I was encouraged by it this morning and think you might be, too.
Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth
"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21
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