Dear Ones,
Hope you had a wonderful weekend and keeping warm.. We have been walking inside lately because of the cold temperatures. Exciting game last night as Kansas State won in the last seconds and we plan to be watching the game at Kurt’s in Kansas! 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
How well do we love… not just love God but others? I ask myself that question often as I want to grow in love for the Lord and for those God puts into my life. But if you are like me, I feel deficient often times and find myself asking God to increase His love in me for others.
Recently I read what Mark Roberts from Fuller Seminary had to say about the apostle Paul when he wrote about his concern for the Thessalonian Christians. Paul said in I Thess. 3:13 (NRSV), “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.” He tells them they have been taught by God to love others but do to this more and more.
Love is not only a feeling but an action and how does that play out in our daily lives? It means that we do what is best for others, even when it is costly to us. Showing love is not always convenient but as the Holy Spirit prompts us to express love to others, we need to follow His leading. We often do not realize what a difference a kind word can make to someone who is lonely, or a hot meal brought to a struggling family, or providing small jobs for someone without work etc. It is important to daily ask the Lord what He would have us do to express His love to others and then follow through. We can start right at home!
Roberts writes that we can learn more about loving from the examples we observe of others. When we see love modeled, it makes an impression on us and can prompt us to be more loving. I will not forget the mom who impressed me as she cared for her special needs daughter. Our kids were young and we were at the beach in Babbitt and nearby was a girl who was acting inappropriately. Her mom responded with so much love and calmed her with caring and kindness. She was not embarrassed by her behavior but simply showed love. I can remember that as if it was yesterday for it was love in action.
Love is not just politeness and doing kind things, but it is a matter of the heart. The Lord wants us to express His love in and through us as we are willing to lay aside ourselves. Let us increase and abound in love, as Paul encourages the Christians in Thessalonica.
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord, who you would express His love to and do it in His way?
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy
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