Do You Have the Spirit of Love?

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, as we step into this new year, I want to remind you of a fundamental aspect of our faith: love. In 1 John 4:8, we read, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This verse reminds us that love is not just a feeling or an action, but it is the very essence of God's nature.

As we begin this new year, I urge you to make a conscious decision to cultivate the spirit of love in your lives. It's easy to get caught up in our busy schedules and daily routines, but let us not forget the importance of showing love to one another.

In 1 John 4:18, we find a powerful reminder: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." Here, John tells us that perfect love casts out fear. When we truly love, we are not motivated by fear of punishment or rejection. Instead, we are driven by a desire to serve and care for one another.

But what does it mean to show love in practical ways? Let me share a few examples. We can show love by volunteering our time to help those in need. We can show love by listening to others, offering a shoulder to cry on, or a word of encouragement. We can show love by offering kindness to strangers, such as buying a meal for someone in need or holding the door open for someone.

However, we may face obstacles in showing love. We may struggle with fear, anger, or past hurts that make it difficult to love others. But I want to encourage you that it's possible to overcome these obstacles. We can start by praying for God to fill us with His love. We can ask Him to help us see others through His eyes, to show us how to love them as He loves them.

As we reflect on these truths, let us remember that love is not just about how we feel, but about how we treat others. It's about the little things we do every day, the sacrifices we make, and the time we take to listen and care for one another.

So, as we start this new year, let us make a commitment to show love to one another in practical ways. Let us choose to love our brothers and sisters, not just by feeling, but by our actions. Let us show kindness, generosity, and compassion to those around us.

🎀Reflect and Act🎀

Take a moment to reflect on your relationships and interactions with others. Ask yourself:

- Am I showing love and kindness to those around me?

- Are there areas where I can improve in demonstrating love and compassion?

Make a conscious decision to cultivate the spirit of love in your life. Share with a friend or family member how you plan to show love and kindness in the new year.

Let's spread love and kindness together! By sharing this devotion to neighbors, family and friends.

🌺Closing Prayer🌺

May God bless us as we strive to cultivate the spirit of love in our lives. May we be His hands and feet, showing love and kindness to a world in need. And may we always remember that love is not just a feeling, but a choice we make every day. Amen.