Devotionals for the Heart: How to love others like Jesus Christ loves us

How To Spell Love
A devotional by Maureen Miller

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16 (ESV)

Love. It’s both noun and action.

Do you feel the love? This is a sentence that portrays the word “love” as a noun. I will love you forever. That sentence portrays love as a verb.

One of the greatest “love” verses of all time tells of the greatest action by the One who loves us the greatest. The Bible says in John 3:16 (ESV), “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

I am grateful for God’s love, made tangible by His Son (Jesus Christ) after He died to save our souls then rose again, now living forever as our High Priest in Heaven. Jesus intercedes for us daily before our Heavenly Father (God). He is our bridge between Heaven and Earth. But with God’s love comes a mandate. He says in John 13:34-35 (NIV), “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

So, if love is a verb, then what does it look like when put in action? How about putting love in action with three four-letter words: look, hear, and pray.

Love Spelled L-O-O-K

Consider look synonymous with see. To recognize. Know. Is there anything more satisfying in regard to relationships than being seen? Truly known by another, be it a spouse, child, parent or friend?

Hagar, the maidservant of Abram’s wife Sarai, fled into the wilderness, distraught and in despair. Far from her Egyptian family and estranged from Sarai due to carrying Abram’s child, she felt alone. Afraid. But God met her in her despair, then spoke to her. He saw her. Hagar, perhaps for the first time in her life, felt truly known. Scripture tells us in Genesis 16:13 (NIV): She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

How about us? How can we love like the Lord by seeing—truly knowing and recognizing—others? When we lead busy lives, this takes intentionality. This spelling of love requires prayer. Ask the One who sees and knows every heart to guide us in our relationships to helps us better look (love) like Him.

Love Spelled H-E-A-R

We love others when we hear them. That is, when we listen. Have you ever shared something with someone? After pouring out your heart to them, perhaps they ask you a question that lets you know they hadn’t really heard what you were saying. He or she was not truly listening. Honestly, how does that make you feel?

Consider the love Jesus Christ demonstrated when he heard the Samaritan woman at the well. According to Jewish customs, our Savior should not have spoken to a Samaritan. But God’s Son often went against rules of the times to do that which was righteous, and His interaction with this hurting woman is no exception. In the moments He spent with her, Jesus listened to her heart and, in turn, her heart was changed by Him.

But it wasn’t just her heart that was changed—the lives of everyone who heard her testimony were changed for the better too. Now they believed in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world (John 4:39-42). Did you catch that? It was because of the woman’s testimony. Jesus listened to her and she, in turn, shared. Those who listened to her—and, eventually, Jesus—believed too because they heard.

What a beautiful love cycle! Pray and ask the Lord to create in you a listening heart—one intentionally engaged with others in a manner that spills over, resulting in changed lives through the power of your God-given testimony.

Love Spelled P-R-A-Y

The very best way to love another is this four-letter action—that which we too often take for granted. What’s the saying? “Prayer—it’s the very least and the very most we can do for another.” How true. Jesus set the standard for this particular love in action, teaching us how to pray to God in Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV).

As we pray to our gracious, merciful Heavenly Father (God) with an earnest desire to love others well, acknowledging He who in His holiness, knows all and loves all perfectly, we rest assured. He will guide us to love like Him. And what could be better? For us to love others like Jesus—the One who sees, hears, and, while on earth, prayed—is the perfect way to love others, today and always.

Let’s Pray: Kind Father, please enable us to love as You love. Help us see others through Your eyes, hear them with Your ears, then pray for them in the pure love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May the love of Christ fill our hearts and minds today and always. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “How Beautiful” by Twila Paris. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Love God Love People” by Danny Gokey. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “Savior to Me” by Kerrie Roberts. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Maureen Miller is an award-winning author with stories in more than twenty collaboratives. 

She contributes to All God’s Creatures published by Guideposts, her local newspaper, and several online devotion sites, including the award-winning Arise Daily and Inspire A Fire.

Married for 36 years to her childhood sweetheart Bill, she enjoys life with their three born-in-their-hearts children and three grand-girls, not to mention a variety of furry beasts. They live on Selah Farm, a hobby homestead nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina.

Maureen is a speaker, as well as the chaplain of her local Word Weaver critique group. She writes posts online via the “Windows and Wallflowers” blog where she tells of God’s extraordinary character discovered in the ordinary things of life.

Her favorite thing is to encourage others in their journey with Jesus Christ.

Maureen’s debut novel, Gideon’s Book, is now available.

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Connect with Maureen:
Email: Maureen.miller913@gmail.com
Website: https://maureenmillerauthor.com