Practice Love by: @lori_kennedy

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)

Missions Pastor Al McMillan from First Baptist Church in Woodstock ministers to a young orphan girl in Romania on a mission trip in 2013.

You know how you can sometimes read a scripture that you have read 100 times, but it still seems like this is the first time you have ever read it, and it brings new meaning and understanding into your heart?  I love it when God does that in my life.  I find that it usually concurs with other things He’s trying to show me at the time.

I read the scripture above today, and as goose bumps ran up and down my arms, He brought new and special meaning to it as He revealed it in application to my life.  What this scripture did NOT say but God placed in my heart is that the purpose of His Spirit inside of me is to tap into His love – a love that’s way too vast for me to understand in my own flesh – in order for me to send that same love out to others in His name.  I have power through that same Spirit to love those with His love that may not be so lovable in their own right.

Maybe there is someone that has hurt you.  Maybe there is someone that is just plain mean.  Maybe someone is living in a way or making decisions that seem less than honorable or that you don’t agree with.  Whatever the case, His love can cover what we perceive as another’s flaws when we become selfless enough to put the cross in front of whatever is standing in the way of our love for that person.

I think I'm going to practice using that Spirit of love that He’s placed inside of me today.  Just like training your muscles will make you stronger, you must practice anything you want to get better at doing.  Will you join me?

1.          Who has God put on your heart to love today?

2.           Is there a specific trait that a person has that makes it difficult for you

to love them?

3.          What are some ways you can “practice love”?

Christian vocalist and speaker Lori Kennedy believes in sharing the gifts and talents in which Christ has blessed her. Authenticity, transparency, and vulnerability are imperative to touching hearts for the Lord. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse from those in authority over her outside of her family of origin, Lori has had to overcome much to fulfill the destiny that God created just for her!  You can find out more about Lori and her ministry, Alpha Omega Ministries, at her website www.lorikennedy.com.