Love: Day 15
Love Came Down…and IN!
By Jennifer Jao
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Romans 5:5 NLT
‘Tis the season, right? Outdoor lights. Check! Indoor decorations. Check! Grocery shopping, gift shopping, online shopping — shopping, shopping, shopping.
But is this really what makes “the season” every year? There has to be more to life than temporary holiday decorations, sky-high credit card bills, depleted bank balances, and post-holiday blues. Thank you, Father God, there is!
When all the temporary parts of the season are stripped away—the best and beautiful parts and the least favorite parts—I can trust that I am deeply loved. More than a day, a week, or even a month. While we may take a few days of the year to celebrate when Love came down, there’s more. Love came in!
The moment I choose Jesus, really choose Him for who He genuinely is, He comes to me, not only one day in December but every day. He is faithful, and my hope is not disappointed. Why? He tells me that my hope in Him “will not lead to disappointment.”
Father God loves me so much that He would send His Son, Jesus, God with me. When I am desperate for love that fills me, carries me, and flows through me, I have the most precious gift within: the Holy Spirit, God in me. I have been given the one true gift that keeps on giving, the One who speaks His truth, reveals His love, and warms my heart with His grace.
The love I have been given by the Father is powerful and effective and does not disappoint. The love I receive is unconditional, and so I try to share it unconditionally. This love never fails, so I do my best to be faithful, as He is. My heart is filled, every moment of every day and through the dark nights, because His love is perfect and powerful and never fails.
This love is more than I could ever hope or imagine. It is not fragile, that it would break. It is not temporary, that I would outlive it. It is not just warm and fuzzy, that it would feel weak. His love for me is so great, He would give me powerful, durable, wise, and caring love that doesn’t disappoint me when my hope is in Him. That’s the kind of love I need to receive and to give away.
Pray
Father, You have gifted to me Your Son, for whom I am so thankful. Just when I think I can’t be loved any more, You have gifted me with Your precious, wise, and powerful Spirit to fill me, love me, and guide me in Your ways that I might receive Your love, love You in return, and love others by the power of the Spirit of Christ in me. Thank You! Lead me today in Your loving ways with every person I see.
Act
Watch this encouraging short video and pass it along to someone who could use it. Love Your Neighbor – YouTube
Make a Christmas playlist for someone you love.
Family Application
Grab a gingerbread man or other Christmas cookie for each member of the family to place on their forehead. Race to see who can shimmy the cookie down and bite it first before it drops. No hands!