Love Dare Day 17

Love Dare Day 17

Something that really stood out to me in the movie is the lack of the words "I Love You". Even between Caleb and his parents.*Our love for each other is suppose to be how people distinguish us as Christ's disciples (John 13:35). It is the root and ground of our existence (Ephesians 3:17), meant to be expressed with passion and fervency (1 Peter 4:8). It is a quality that we are to "abound" in more and more ( 1Thessalonians 3:12), always getting better at it, becoming increasingly defined by it.......[Jesus] said to "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28)*

You better believe that If He commands us to love, do good, and pray to and for those who are against us, He most definitely means for us to love, do good, and pray to and for those who we are close to.
*You can give undeserved love....because God gave undeserved love to you-repeatedly, enduringly. Love is often expressed the most to those who deserve it the least. Ask Him to fill you with the kind of love only He can provide, then purpose to give it to your mate in a way that reflects your gratefulness to God for loving you. That's the beauty of redeeming love. That's the power of faithfulness.

Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is an initiated action, not a knee-jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to them today in words similar to these, "I love you. Period. I choose to love you even if you don't love me in return."*

If you are not married, tell someone whom you have a strained relationship with that you love them. It could be a parent, grandparent, child, aunt, uncle, cousin, life-long friend.....Your relationship may not be strained, you may just need to let them know "I love you". Choose to do so today.