The Gift of Love

   LOVE…a word with so much expression and so many applications! As Christians, we must look to God as the source and framework for our understanding of love. (1 John 4:16 TPT)
   Even though the Scriptures are clear on this; love is sometimes a difficult concept to grasp and one that many have difficulty believing for themselves. One way that we can more deeply comprehend the reality of God’s love for us is to look at in its connection with giving. (John 3:16-17 The Message & The Passion)
   This is a powerful depiction of God’s expression of love. Because He loved – He was moved to remedy the gap between humanity and Himself. He couldn’t stand the distance so He made an enormous sacrifice through His Son Jesus! The ache He had for restoration expressed itself in giving…no matter the cost. You see, where as love is just a frivolity to many people, God means what He says and He demonstrates that love to us! Notice some of this phraseology: “He came to help...” He came to “be its Savior and rescue it!” Even these words make one sense a depth of safety, security, and belonging that is foreign to most and rarely connected to what many call love. Love provides that kind of atmosphere; love looks like something… (Romans 5:8-11 TPT & AMP)
   This is the Giving Love of God. His love expressed itself through giving so that we could know it and experience it in reality! Love is powerful beyond comprehension but that does not mean it is unknowable! We can know and experience that love and continue to experience it in greater and greater dimensions and expressions! (2 Peter 1:3-4 TPT)
   As we endeavor to be in step with God in this season, I believe it is imperative to receive an Expanded Vision of His love for us. One way we can do this is through gratitude…not only being thankful but connecting that thankfulness to the realization that it is because of His love that we have things to be grateful for! (James 1:16-18 The Message)
   As we begin to see everything good in our lives as a love gift from Him, it begins to transform us. We know we are cared for! We know we are loved! This understanding consciously connects us to something and Someone greater than ourselves! It’s a whole other depth to our gratitude – not only are we thankful but in our thankfulness, we are ever more cognizant that Love did this for us!
    This is one of the most important, and often neglected aspects of our growing in God. It all begins with knowing He is love and we are loved by Him!! (1 John 4:10)
   In a world that is often upside down and filled with so many things that are outside of God’s love, let’s be that witness, that testimony, that God is love and He has shown that love in Jesus Christ! (1 John 4:16-19 TPT)
   If we are honest, our world and sometimes our lives are more filled with fear and anxiety than they have ever been. That tells us that we need a greater revelation and a greater expression of God’s love in the earth. Let’s Expand our Vision of His love for us and let that expansion be an outpouring of love in the earth! Much love from Mavis and all of us at WILD! (John 15:12-13 TPT)