Philemon 1:3-7 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
The MSG version of verse 3 says ”I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers.”
I just love this version because I want my love for Jesus to BRIM over to others, wherever I go and in whatever God asks of me. It should all be driven by my love for Jesus. When our motivation is to please HIM, it becomes easier to overlook the flaws of others. We may believe a person is not worthy enough or too flawed to deserve our love and grace, but thankfully, God allows us to live sent lives for HIM, not for people.
At the time I am writing this devotional (at the end of June), I am preparing to become a living kidney donor. I do not know the person who will receive my kidney. I know nothing about them, their age, gender, or medical history. I simply know that God has asked this of me and I love HIM. And that is enough. I am thankful for all He has done for me and I want to honor Him with complete obedience. Many times in the past, He has sent me to Guatemala to do mission work; however, this summer, He is sending me to an operating room in Atlanta. My prayer is that the recipient does NOT thank me. I also pray that anyone who hears of this surgery thanks GOD for sending me. The Bible clearly asks us to share with others, to show love, and to be more like Jesus. We simply need to trust God when He sends us. We simply need to brim over with love for others because that’s how God loves us. God may not send you to a third world country to preach His love, and He may never ask you to donate an organ, but He will send you exactly where He wants YOU to do His work. You just have to be willing to go and to love, and may all who hear of your love in action, praise and thank God!
Dear Jesus, I pray that others see my love for you. I pray that this love brims over in my life, in my words, in my actions, in my care for others, and in any sacrifice you ask of me. May we seek to trust you with the WHERE when you send us to new and sometimes frightening places. May we obey the WHAT when you ask to do the uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Help us remember love can do the impossible. Today, we celebrate love; we celebrate life; we celebrate you, God, by loving others.
Amen.
Written by Holly Armstrong
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