THE PURPOSE OF LOVE
Jesus answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: 'Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.'"
Matthew 22:37-39 (GNT)
The phrase I thirst was the life verse and the theme of Mother Teresa, who founded the Order of the Missionaries of Charity and Mother Teresa's Home for the Dying. In every Home for the Dying around the world, where they take in the poorest of the poor, there is a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross and underneath the words I thirst, because Mother Teresa said that is our duty—to quench the thirst of Christ by helping those in need. Jesus came to love and serve others. He modeled love in action. He showed us that love isn't a feeling; it's an action. Love moves us to get out of our sight and be with those who are hurting or in need.
God has placed you in your family, community or job, and you are His plan to change and love that place. Everyone talks about bringing change, but what does that look like? It's all about loving God first, then practically loving others by meeting their physical, emotional and spiritual needs! I like how Rick Warren says: Have you ever wondered why God didn't just take you to heaven when he created you? Why did he put you on Earth? You're only here for 100 years at most, and then you're going to live for eternity in heaven or hell. Why didn't God just take everybody to heaven? The Bible is very clear that God put you here on Earth to do two things: to learn to love God and to learn to love other people.
APPLICATION: God has called you to love those around you by serving and meeting their needs!
PRAYER: Ask the Spirit to help you love and serve those around you! Ask Him who you can love today and how you can love them. Ask the Spirit to help you prioritize living for Him and loving others.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?