Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

I have enjoyed talking about the different types of love this past week. Today I will highlight Phila love which is considered friendship love. The words in the above photo that describe this love are fondness, organic, and affection. There is a quote that I love by Jess C. Scott, “Friends are the family you choose.” I truly believe that God organically puts all the right people in our lives just when we need them.

Paul writes in the verses above that as God’s chosen people we are to clothe ourselves in certain virtues. When I think of friendship, these same virtues come to mind: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. I am so thankful to have a circle of Godly friends who love me and are patient with me.

Have you ever thought of Jesus as being your best friend? In the song “What a Friend” by Matt Maher, he sings about that friendship. Just like our earthly friends fill our cup, Jesus fills it so that it runs over. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for my circle of friends wholove me and are patient with me. I pray that You bless them today with Your unconditional love and favor. In Jesus’ Name I Pray, Amen.

So far this week we have talked about Eros love and Storge love. Today I want to highlight Agape love. It is the highest form of love. Agape love involves faithfulness, commitment, and an act of the will. It is distinguished from the other types of love by its lofty moral nature and strong character.

Agape love is beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV — Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

When I think of my word “love” from 2023, agape comes to mind. Paul illustrates this faithful, committed love well in our key verse. The word “always” really speaks to me. There is never a time when God doesn’t love us, even when we are lost.

We also read about this faithful, committed love in the parable of the lost sheep found in Luke. In the song, “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury the lyrics mimic that parable. He sings, “Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights till I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine.” On this Thankful Thursday I encourage us to meditate on the parable below. Take a moment to reflect on all the times God has rescued us and persevered for us. Let’s rejoice with God through song and prayer.

Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬ — Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” 

1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬ — We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

This week we are talking about the different types of love because my word for 2023 was “love.” Today I am highlighting Storge love. If you look at some of the background words in this photo you will see, family, selfless, and affection. According to Wikipedia, storge love is a natural and instinctual affection. Whether you are a child, parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or godparent you know of this love. When it comes to our children, we would give up our lives for them. 

As a Water Walker mom, I strive to be that constant, trusting love at home. This includes my actions and reactions. I feel this area of my life is where I need to give myself a lot of grace. There is no perfect parent, we are all learning as we go. The most important form of discipleship starts with our children. You may be a teacher, mentor, or youth leader offering that same trusting love. If you are a son or daughter reading this, I encourage you to thank your parents or a mentor in your life. On this Walk With You Wednesday, I encourage us to ask God to lead us and guide us through this instinctual love. 

I also encourage us to listen to the lyrics of the song, “Walk With You” by SEU Worship, featuring Dan Rivera. God is always listening, leading, and walking right next to us. What a wonderful gift we have in the Holy Spirit. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for daily walking with me. Guide me as I parent my children and mentor the youth in my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. 

Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬ — Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

I shared yesterday that my word for 2023 was “love.” There are four different types of love. Today I want to highlight Eros which is a passionate love. I decided to go back to the beginning where a woman was formed from the rib of a man. I encourage you to read The Message version of Genesis 2:18-25. This version uses the word “companion” in addition to a helper. Just as Jesus made us for companionship, He didn’t want man to be alone. 

According to the dictionary, a companion is a person who frequently spends time with you, associates with you, or accompanies you when you go places. I know we have readers in all stages of life, whether single, dating, engaged, married, divorced, or widowed. Whatever stage of life, most of us desire companionship, even if it’s with our four-legged, furry friends. Our love should always be genuine and never taken for granted. We should not forget to take delight and look for joy. In Romans 12:10 NLT we read “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” 

Have you ever read The 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman? I think we have shared it before but it has been a while. Just like we start the year off trying to be better spiritually, physically, and mentally, I encourage us all to share that same passion with our companions.

You can take a quiz and ask your companion to do the same; 5 Love Languages Quiz

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the gift of companionship with You as my Heavenly Father and those that You have placed in my life here on Earth. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

1 John 3:18-20 — “My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves”. 

February is known as the month of love. In February 2023 I shared my word of the year: “love;” and mantra: “your grace is my armor.”

That particular year I added goals that I could journal and evaluate throughout the year. They are similar to the goals I strive for with Run for God which encourages us to grow spiritually, physically, and mentally closer to God.

Spiritually: Love God first! Matthew 22‬:‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Physically: Love my body because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Honor it with self-care and preventative medicine. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 

Mentally: His grace is my armor. Shut down debilitating self-criticism. John‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 

I encourage you to think about your own goals as you meditate on today’s verses.

@biblegateway @youversion

A song that God laid on my heart and inspired my word, verse, and mantra for 2023 is by singer Tom Mottershead; Greater Than Our Hearts. Within the title of the song is the scripture referenced, 1 John 3:20. It was The Message version in verses 18-20 that spoke to me. Words like, “real love,” “self-criticism,” and “greater” leaped from the text. That real love is practiced through God’s love and grace for us. In the lyrics he sings, “your grace is my armor.” God’s grace covers us from head to toe, including the self-criticism that sometimes pierces through. It is so encouraging to know that God’s love is greater than ourselves. 

In Matthew 11:28-30 NIV Jesus said — Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Join us for See You Saturday as we close out our week on getting unstuck. Carol Kent’s book, He Holds My Hand, writes, “You can believe that I have something important for you to do right now and move into a positive, Spirit-infused, Christ-honoring, joy-filled adventure with Me.”