Overflowing Love

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Scripture
 
Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Observation

Paul’s prayer for the Philippian Christians is for us to abound in overflowing love. This is only possible when we get to know Christ at a much deeper level. The fruitfulness comes from service, but also from character. The character of Christ is revealed in the one who knows him with great knowledge and insight. The final result is God who gets the glory for this is the Lord’s work.

Application

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. Making relationships a priority is not always easy when there are “things” to be done. If this can happen with our family and friend relationships, just imagine how easy it is to push aside our relationship with the Lord.

This has been a very busy week for me and if you look closely, I’ve missed two days of devotional thoughts. My confession is that I don’t function as well when I don’t have my morning time with the Lord. The other part of my busy week is not spending time with my family. Thursday was my husband’s birthday and I left the house around eight in the morning and got home a little after ten at night. When my meetings came to an end yesterday, I had promised him the rest of the day. I put aside my work and he and I went and walked and talked for several hours as we enjoyed the beautiful spring day in Kansas City. I wanted to give him my full attention and simply be with him. This is what Jesus wants from us too. He wants us to put down our work, set aside the cell phone, and spend quiet time with him. Only in this way will our hearts overflow with love, and be filled with Jesus’ knowledge and insight. Just as I bounce my life off of my husband and process what I am doing — so the Lord waits patiently for us as well. He wants to have those conversations where we talk about our needs and concerns.

It is only in Christ that we can remain pure and blameless. When we get our direction from our time with the Lord then we can live and move in the direction that we are led. The Lord wants us to participate with him, being used for God’s praise and glory. When we overflow with the holy love found in the Trinity, God’s glory is seen in and through all that we do. Overflowing love comes from intimate participation with our holy God.

Prayer

Lord, I love the times we get to spend together. I need you now more than ever. Amen.

Comments

  1. UnknownApril 11, 2017 at 10:04 PM

    Carla, Your transparency makes me pause and consider your words. So many times you "nail it" for me... causing me to stop and ponder if I experience the truth of your words. Thanks for being a mirror for me... seeing your reflection helps me examine my life, motives and devotions (or not) to the Lord. Agape' Carla Gorman Lewis

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carla SunbergApril 12, 2017 at 6:31 AM

      Carla -- (another Carla with a "C") thank you for writing. I appreciate the encouragement. Blessings on you!

      Delete

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