"Scripture teaches that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). It also teaches the importance of “faith working through love” (Gal. 5:6). So the great problem we all face is how to rid ourselves of sinful self-love while sincerely loving God and neighbor (Matt. 22:37-39; 1 John 3:14). The gospel with its message of the life-transforming love of Christ provides the only answer to that problem. Paul declared in Romans 5:5, “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”

Have you experienced the infilling of God’s love? Only when you trust Jesus as Savior will the Holy Spirit of love begin to flow in and through you." Our Daily Bread —Vernon C Grounds

Yes! Yes! I say it again YES! I have experienced such filling, PTL! I was doing my bible study and realized that my favorite thing about life in fellowship with other Christians, the thing that gives me the most joy, is to see my sisters and brothers in Christ using their gifts and agape love (established and flowing forth from attachment to the "vine") in the Body of Christ. I LOVE to see Freya directing her husband and the youth choir with a joyful intensity in her eyes. I LOVE to hear two of my friends reach out to one another and counsel and encourage one another. I LOVE to feel the unity of purpose in my coordinator relationship with Becky. I LOVE to watch each member of my Steering Team work together to accomplish Christ's work of ministering to the moms that grace our church. I LOVE to be surrounded by the easy laughter of my ABF members as they talk amongst themselves in class. I LOVE to read about all the ways my church has helped a young family with a sick baby. I LOVE it when a dear friend shares the progress she's made in her Walk with Christ.

When I view all these things, I am so filled with joy! Perhaps this is a particularly strong catalyst for me because the Lord gave me the spiritual gift of shepherding. I am most ecstatic when I sense God working in the lives of my loved ones. I can only describe it as the same feeling you get when your little son or daughter does something fabulous in front of someone and you get a prideful smile on your face thinking "THAT little boy/girl is MY child... and isn't she WONDERFUL!?!"

Lord, that little child of Yours is MY sister/brother! I helped You raise her/him just like they helped you raise me! Aren't we SO PROUD of them?!?! What a wonderful view You must have from up there. And what an amazing experience it must be to live in here while it's happening! I can't imagine the glorious joy awaiting us in Your kingdom, but I thank You that You promised us more than we could ever expect to hope for! Lord, make me a worthy princess. Make me know so deep inside that You have adopted me into the kingdom and not only that, but gave me ROYAL BLOOD - the blood of the Lamb, Your Prince and Heir, the Knight in shining armor who is able to rescue this damsel in distress and make everything beautiful in its time. He thinks I'm beautiful. Am I beautiful? Make me beautiful, Lord!