“By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

The ring was special! It signified she belonged to a group of professionals. As she wore it she was aware of all it represented and of who it said she was.

As a follower of Jesus, you wear a distinguishing mark as well. You wear His love.  Is it visible?

When Jesus came to this earth, He brought a special kind of love. This love is unselfish, compassionate, and unconditional. He loves us just as we are. Our condition is irrelevant to His love. It is a love that picks us up just where we are in life and carries us further than we could ever go on our own.

Jesus gives us His love so we can give it away in the same unselfish, compassionate, unconditional way He gave it to us. He tells us this kind of love will be our trade mark. It will distinguish us as followers of Jesus.

Even in the Church, the Family of God, or as it’s sometimes called, the Body of Christ, we can feel left out of this kind of love. We are often hurt, wounded and worn. This distinguishing mark as His followers sometimes seems missing. Hurting people hurt people. When we are living with hurt we in turn limit this love in our own outpouring.

As we invite Jesus to pour His love into our own wounded souls, we in turn are able to give His love away to others with a generous heart.

Father God, Thank you for Your generous love to me. Thank you that You see the abundance in me rather than all the shortfalls I have. You fill me up. Help me to offer that same gracious love to those I mingle with today. Pour Your love into my heart so I can give it away. May my distinguishing mark be Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Thought: If you carry wounds within your soul that keep love at bay in your life, talk to a mentor who will pray with you. Jesus can bring healing, hope and a fresh display of His love through you.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

The God Who Feeds My Soul

Tri Fold Love

The Gift of Love

The post Our Trademark appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“People insulted Christ, but He did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but He did not threaten.” 1 Peter 2:23

Someone you love or respect slams you to the floor with a slur or slip of the tongue.  And there you lie, wounded and bleeding.  Perhaps the words were intended to hurt you, perhaps not; but that doesn’t matter.  The wound is deep.  The injuries are internal. Broken heart, wounded pride, bruised feelings.

If you have suffered or are suffering because of someone else’s words, you’ll be glad to know that there is a balm for this laceration.  Meditate on these words from 1 Peter 2:23:  “People insulted Christ, but He did not insult them in return … He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of Him.”

Did you see what Jesus did?  …. He left the judging to God. He did not take on the task of seeking revenge.  He demanded no apology … He to the astounding contrary, spoke on their defense.

“Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

By Max Lucado
Used by permission
From: No Wonder They Call Him the Savior

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

FURTHER READING

• Keep Yourselves in God’s Love
• Stepping Into a Personal Revival

The post Wounded by Words appeared first on Thoughts About God.