May the Lord Lead Your Hearts

Scripture

II Thessalonians 3:5 "May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ".

Observation:

Paul is writing to the Thessalonians concerning the coming of the Lord, the anti-christ, and the persecution they were going through for being followers of Christ. In this text, he asks the Lord to lead their hearts into a "full expression of the love of God". He knows there is more for them and that, though he already commended them for their love, there was much more about the love of God. He also asks that they would have "Patient endurance that comes from Christ".

Application:

Understanding the love of God completely and fully will transform the way we do just about everything. If we understand the love of God, we will demonstrate love to the unlovable. Jesus loved us while we were yet sinners. As we love them, Christ fills us with patient endurance. Paul lets us know that patient endurance comes from Christ. Sometimes we work on our patience level, only to get more frustrated. It is Christ who gives us the patience we need. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. When we seek to be more like Christ, patience fills our lives.

Prayer:

Lord, lead my heart so that I can know the fullness of Your love. I want to know the heights and depths of Your incredible love and I want to love others the same way You have loved me. You know I always cry out for more patience. Thanks for showing me that what I really need is more Christ, then patience will follow.

You are Amazing!

Jeff