New Wineskins 17 of 21 – A Heart Overflowing with Love

Today, pray that the Holy Spirit give you a “heart overflowing with love” for God and His people:

Jesus loves those who represent the Father, and John could talk of the Father’s love as no other of the disciples could. He revealed to his fellow men that which he felt in his own soul, representing in his character the attributes of God. Few could see the beauties of Christ’s character as John saw them. The beauty of holiness which had transformed him shone with a Christlike radiance from his countenance. In adoration and love, he beheld the Saviour until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him became his one desire, and in his character was reflected the character of his Master.

For him the darkness had passed away; on him the true light was shining. His testimony in regard to the Saviour’s life and death was clear and forcible. Out of the abundance of a heart overflowing with love for the Saviour he spoke; and no power could stay his words. The epistles of John breathe the spirit of love. It seems as if he wrote with a pen dipped in love.
(Adapted from 545, 555, 554)

Dear Heavenly Father,

When Philip inquired, “Show us the Father,” Jesus simply asked, “Have you been with Me so long and yet, still don’t know Me?” God, through my time with Jesus today, I know I am also getting a glimpse of Your beauty as well!  You so loved that You gave …  You, the God of infinite wisdom, could devise no other plan to save me except the sacrifice of Your Son, and as a parent, I can at least faintly understand how hard it would be to give Your Son, with whom You were one since eternity, than to take the blow Yourself.  In the thick cloud of darkness that encircled the cross, though Your presence was hidden, You were by Your Son, suffering with Him, as my sin made You two enemies.  That You would offer your Son for a righteous man would be incredibly noble, but You gave Yours for a blind beggar, staggering on the street, oblivious to her condition and to the fact that You just saved her from being hit by a speeding semi. How beautiful and attractive You look at the cross!

Like John, I crave for Your character to be reflected in mine. So, I simply ask that You “show me Your glory.”  Help me worship You in the “beauty of holiness.” Father, keep my eyes ever toward You!  Empty me of self and fill my heart with this “impulsive love” for You, overflowing into obedience, no matter how bitter the cup, overflowing to the way I interact with others, no matter how rude or ungrateful.  I ask that Your Holy Spirit do in me today, what only You can do.  In the name of the One You freely gave for me, Amen.

Read 1 John 4 and ask God to dip your actions and words in His love and help you breathe His Spirit of love today.

John 14:8-21; GC 652; John 10:30; John 17:26; DA 754; Ps. 27; Ex. 33:18; Psalm 96:9; Psalm 25:15