Seeds of Destiny Devotional 5 December 2021
It is not possible for anyone to be close to God and not love people.
SCRIPTURE: But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4:15
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It is not possible for anyone to be close to God and not love people.
The Bible makes it clear for us to understand that love is a fruit; it is a spiritual virtue (Galatians 5:22). And every fruit has within it a seed that grows if planted. In the same way, every spiritual grace or virtue has the capacity to grow (2 Peter 3:18).
And love is in degrees; it is in dimensions and phases. You may be at a level of love now, but you can grow in love from your current level to a higher level.
Today, we shall be looking at closeness to God as a factor that facilitates the growth of love.
Closeness to God or intimacy with God takes our love life to a higher level. What is clear from scripture is that God is Love (1John 4:8). And Proverbs 13:20 says, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise:
Now, if he that walks with the wise shall be wise, then he that walks with Love shall be love, as God Himself is Love. It is not possible for anyone to be close to God and not love people.
For instance, Joseph had a close relationship with God.
Genesis 39:2 says, And the LORD was with Joseph…
And because the Lord was with Joseph, Joseph could not retaliate against his brethren who plotted to kill him and eventually sold him into slavery. They were responsible for thirteen years of hardship in Joseph’s life (Genesis 50:20-21), yet he did not pay them back the evil they did to him, why? Because the Lord was with Joseph and Joseph was with the Lord. It is not possible for anyone to claim to know God, love God and have intimacy with God and not flow effortlessly in love with people. Christianity equals hypocrisy without love.
Remember this: It is not possible for anyone to be close to God and not love people.
ASSIGNMENT(S):
1. Ask God to draw you closer to Him in intimacy.
2. Determine to show love to everyone around You.
3. Look for someone in need and assist in meeting that need as much as you can.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: GROWING IN LOVE
PRAYER: Lord, draw me closer to You each day of my life. Give me a heart like Yours to love unconditionally, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
DAILY BIBLE READING: Colossians 2-4
QUOTE: When you spend time with God, you assimilate His character. Culled from “WHO ARE YOU?” by Dr Paul Enenche.
PROPHETIC DECLARATION/WORD: Receive a tangible deposit of the Love of God that will translate into love for others as you walk with Him in Jesus’ Name.
REFLECTION: “If anyone says, “I love God” but keeps on hating his brother, he is a liar; for if he doesn’t love his brother who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has never seen” 1 John 4:20 TLB
Read Streams In The Desert Devotional 5 December 2021 – Who is Leading?
