Power Point - August 18, 2005

August 18, 2005

 

And now abide in faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

--1 Corinthians 13:13

 

In your life, I’m sure your influencers have been those who have believed in you, encouraged you, disciplined you, forgiven you, and held you accountable. When I think of the people who have influenced me, I think of my wife, my parents, my brother, and my dearest friends. Their influence on my life and love for me has been remarkable.

 

Love is even more powerful for believers because we can possess the serving, sacrificial agape love of Jesus Christ. Because we are filled with the Holy Spirit, God has called us to love others. We can love others by doing three things:

 

• See people as God sees them. Don’t look down on others, but instead learn to see them through the eyes of Christ as unique and precious treasures to God.

 

• Learn to listen to people. We do far too much talking and not enough listening. Turn off the TV, get your nose out of the newspaper, get out of the office, and listen every once in a while to the people you love—your spouse, your children, your family members, your friends!

 

• Seek to understand people. We need to spend more time getting in other’s shoes and less time getting in their faces. Think about it: What if I was a single parent? What if I was handicapped or had a terminal illness? What if I was unemployed? What if my skin was a different color? What if my child were going through that?

 

Scripture says that love is the greatest of faith, hope, and love. Doesn’t that say something powerful to you? Love is unconditional, listens, and seeks to understand others despite their differences. Ask the Lord to make you tender in Spirit today, so that you can love others wholeheartedly.

 

THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE INFLUENCED YOU ARE THOSE

WHO HAVE LOVED YOU THE BEST AND WITHOUT CONDITION.