1Thessalonians 3:12 , "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else"

Think

"Roses are red, violets are blue, God teach me to love like you." How do we "overflow" with love for people when we aren't "feeling" it? Some people are easy to love, but what about the others? How do we love our coworker who is always trying to "one-up" us? How do we love that other mom who looks like she's got the whole parenting thing on lockdown which ignites our insecurity? How do we overflow with love to that former friend who betrayed us? Notice in today's verse that the key to overflowing with love is GOD. He is the only one who can unleash love like never before in our life. He is the only one who can help us forgive the person who wronged us. He can help us be calm and choose our words wisely when we feel insecure. Jesus can help us celebrate the success of others when we don't feel like it. God can help us choose to love even when love is the last thing we want to do. It starts with remembering how much God loves us and asking for his help to love others.

Act

Who is someone you need God's help to love better?

• Your spouse
• Your kids
• Your coworker
• Your coach
• Your neighbor

Remember how much God loves you, even when you don't deserve it, then ask God to help you think of one way you can show that person some overflowing love in the next 24 hours.

Pray

God, thank you for teaching me what it means to love. Help me to love like you, even when I don't feel like it.  I pray that I am reminded of the love that you have for me, so that it may overflow through me into the lives of others. In Jesus' name, Amen.