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Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International. |
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Loved to Share Love
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have
loved you, so you must love one another.”1 “One of the neatest gifts I've ever received was this little,
hand towel. I was given this during my seminary commencement and have cherished
it ever since. The towel has a little saying on it: "Blessed to be a
blessing" Isaiah 61:1. Isaiah 61:1-2 says: ‘The Spirit of
the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good
news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
freedom for the captives... to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the
day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.’
Days after we
arrived here, I unpacked my boxes, and placed this towel on my bookshelf. I've
kept it there to serve as a reminder of God's calling on my life. And, as I
gazed upon this towel these last few days, I've thought, yes, I am blessed, and
for that I need to be a blessing to others. But more than this, I am also so
loved by God, and because I am loved by him, I need to love because of him.
For, without the love of Christ, what does it mean to be a blessing anyway?
You know, in
some ways, I think it would be equally fitting if the towel read, ‘Loved, to be
love’”.2
I am sure many of us can remember the little song “Magic Penny”
by Malvina Reynolds. The lyrics said, “Love is something if you give it away,
you end up having more”, and although it seemed like a simple song, the truth
of those words is profound. God’s blessings and love toward us are
incomparable, but it was never meant for us just to receive those gifts and
keep them hidden. On the contrary, what we are given is to be used to bless
others, and this includes the great love God has for us. How can we share love with those around us today? Suggested prayer: Dear God, your blessings in my life are too
many to number, and your love for me is incomparable. Help me be a vessel
through which these gifts can flow to others, and that they may come to know
you personally. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name,
amen. John
13:34 (NIV). Jason
Bonnicksen. www.sermoncentral.com Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B. |
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