God’s Love Changes Us

Welcome! I’m joining Debbie at Heart Choices today for In Other Words Tuesday. She’s chosen the quote below by Jim Cymbala for us to ponder and write about.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love.” (Galatians 5:22) Love is a fruit growing within us from a supernatural source. It’s not your love, yet it is, since the Spirit works in you both to will and to do loving things that are on his mind. You never hear of an apple tree struggling to produce its fruit. As long as sap flows within the tree, apples will form and blossom. And so it is with the Holy Spirit and love. He is our life and bears the fruit – not us. That’s why he was sent to live in us.” 
From Spirit Rising: Tapping into the Power of the Holy Spirit by Jim Cymbala 
All of us who believe and confess Jesus Christ to be the Son of God and our Savior have experienced true love from God. Not through anything we’ve done, but because God loves us so much He chose to sacrifice Jesus for our salvation. (1 John 4:9-16)

That is sacrificial love. And it is a love we are not humanly capable of on our own. It is only through the Holy Spirit living in us that we are able to love others even when we don’t receive love in return.

God is working in us to produce the fruit of love. We may think we can love others on our own, but can we? When we do something for someone else, do we expect something in return? (Even if we don’t say it, don’t we hope for it?)

Would we be able to love our enemies without God first loving us?

Could we even love ourselves without knowing and believing how much God loves us?

God’s unfailing love works in us, from the inside out. His love envelopes and changes our hearts. And it creates in us the ability to show His love to others.

Will you pray with me?

Dear Heavenly Father,
You know how unloving this world can be. I don’t want to go the way of the world. I want to love others the way You love me. Please create in me the desire for the changes You want to make in my heart. I know change is not easy and at times it can be painful, but changes You make are always worth it. I claim no credit for any change others may see in me. It is all Your work—changing me from the inside out. Thank you Father for your unfailing love. All glory and honor goes to You. It is in the name of Your Son, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

                                                          Love,
                                                          Your daughter

Thank you for joining me here today!

In Christ,
Laura

17 comments:

  1. My bible study group discussed this once: whether people who do not have the Spirit can really love. I think they can but not the same kind of love that God gives.

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    1. Hi Shanda,
      I agree with you. I think everyone can love, but I believe that it is through Christ that we can love at a deeper level. Thanks for your visit and comment!
      Blessings,
      Laura

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  2. Oh Lara, I'm so glad you joined in on this quote. I loved your heartfelt prayer. I echo your words when you wrote:
    "Please create in me the desire for the changes you want to make in my heart."

    Sometimes I think the Lord brings people into our lives who may be challenging to teach us how to love.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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    1. Amen Debbie! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment!

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  3. Thanks for these beautiful words, Laura. I just followed you; I didn't realize I hadn't done that.

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  4. This was beautiful Laura! I will pray for you today. Please pray for me too sister! I'm so thankful for this increased sisterhood under His perfect love! ~Blessings today, Amy

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    1. Amy, thank you for your sweet words! You are in my prayers.
      In Christ,
      Laura

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  5. That was well said. Its a whole different kind of love isn't it when we get it from God. Its a better love, one that will last and is bound to grow the fruit we need in our lives to be productive for Jesus. Thanks for sharing today.

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  6. Heart touching prayer, bless you.

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  7. Thanks so much for joining IOW this week! I so appreciate your sharing ~ and especially your prayer at the end for that need in our lives.

    I hope you join in again! :)

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    1. Thank you Loni! I enjoyed being a part of IOW this week.
      Blessings,
      Laura

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  8. HI Laura - great reminder for me this morning that His love changes me and protects me and that although the world is full of not so nice stuff, He is the author of love. God bless
    Tracy

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    1. Thank you Tracy! I always enjoy seeing your comments. :)

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  9. Amen!!!

    What a beautiful, humbling prayer Laura.

    Thank you!

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    1. "God is working in us to produce the fruit of love."

      I'm so thankful to know that His work in me produces something beautiful. I too want to love others the way He loves me. I so appreciate the heart of your prayer, Laura.

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