Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13:1, Matthew 5:44

What the world needs now is love, sweet love 🌎❤️

The world seems to be going crazy, but God has an antidote: love. It may sound a little trite, but it’s so true. 

As I prepared for this new series on loving others, I remembered a song by Jackie DeShannon titled “What the World Needs Now is Love.” It goes like this:

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love.

It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love.

No, not just for some but for everyone.”

This song is needed in our society more than ever. Gone are the days of peaceful protest with icons like Gandhi, Dr. King, and so many others who spoke up against injustice and even tyranny without the use of violence.

How do you feel about the violence in so many of our cities and the lack of civility? 

The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of love: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV) 

As a teenager growing up in the seventies, I remember the protests against the Vietnam War. I still feel badly about our servicemen who were lost in that war and their families. I also feel horrible for the animosity our veterans experienced on their return home. I’m sure they didn’t pick this fight, but they served faithfully. In my mind, they deserve love, honor, and respect.

Jesus was hated and maligned for His words, life, and standards, yet He admonished us, “‘But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’” (Matthew 5:44, NIV). 

Love drove Jesus to give, heal, and love. But love also forced Him to confront the religious hypocrites and societal injustice.

Can you choose to love others like Jesus does? Can you be different from our society of haters, thugs, and rageaholics? 

Would you pray with me? “Dear Jesus, please help me love people who are different from me. Help me love the unlovable, the different, the lost, and even my enemies. I’m choosing love because You chose me. Amen.” 

When you choose love, you can change your world. Because you’re a miracle. 

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13, Matthew 5:16

He will show you a better way 💝

Love is a choice. It’s normal to live with bitterness, hatred, prejudice, and political animosity. Some politics around the world have become horrible examples of power grabs, broken promises, and division. The Good News is still alive in committed Christians who choose love as their greatest weapon.

The Bible tells all of us, “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away … And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:8 &13, NIV) 

If you choose to love everyone around you, you will shine like a bright star in a dark environment. Jesus once said, “‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’” (Matthew 5:16, NIV)

Love is so powerful. It can heal a family in ruins or reconcile a broken friendship. It helps us respect different opinions or cross the street to help a handicapped person in need. 

Is love driving you? 

I grew up in a tough neighborhood in Montreal. Fights in the schoolyard were quite normal, and running home to avoid small gangs was my daily routine. Although I wasn’t always successful, I did learn a few important life lessons due to the beatings. For example, I learned how to fight. This new skill came in handy for my hockey career.

Have you ever watched a fight and saw a hockey game break out? I’m sorry, I know it’s a dumb joke, but it’s unfortunately very true. Hockey was a very rough sport in the ’70s, and my ability to fight helped me do very well. Yes, I did very well until I became a committed Christian.

When I invited Christ into my life, He really came in and started to heal my hurt and brokenness. I received forgiveness, I forgave my dad, and then something crazy happened: I started to love others. I know, I know…it sounds like a great thing, but it made me change. The rage that had fueled my career was replaced by a heart of love that has fueled my life. 

God can do the same for you. You can ask Christ to heal you and help you love yourself and others. 

Because you’re a miracle. 

Scriptures: John 3:16, 1 John 4:7-8, Ephesians 3:17-19

Love is often misunderstood…

Love is one of the most powerful forces in the world, but it’s often misunderstood.

I’d love for you to do a random survey on any street in your city and ask the question, “What is love?” I can guarantee you will receive countless different definitions, like “It’s an invisible force that comes from the universe,” “It’s a raw emotion that came through evolution,” or “It’s the connection between two people that brings them together.” All these answers are valiant attempts to describe something that has launched ships, started wars, built families, and changed the course of humanity.

The Bible says, “‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’” (John 3:16, NIV) 

Has love ever provoked you to do sacrificial or foolish things?

God’s love for you is so enormous that He gave His Son for you. His love is so incredible, He gives gifts to you. God’s love is so extreme that He pours His favor on your life and plans to include you in His plans for the world.

Love is personal. In fact, the Bible says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8, NIV) He loves you so much and will empower you to love others. 

The most powerful love of all is called agape. It’s a Greek word defined as the unconditional, immeasurable love that comes from God and is designed to be shared. In Ephesians, Paul the Apostle prayed for believers to really know the depth of love:“that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV)

I’m praying you will experience the deep love of God. May it invade your soul and heal your emotions. May it empower you to unconditionally love others. May agape pour out of your spirit to heal a divided world.

Because you really are a miracle. 

Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:8, 1 Corinthians 13:5

Hurt people hurt people… 🤕

There are times in all of our lives when hurt and anger seem to take over. We often get offended or feel rejected by the words or actions of others. Regardless of our positions or titles, we all get hurt at times. I’ve often said that “hurt people hurt people.”

Hurt and anger can create huge divisions and fractions. The recent riots and violence are prime examples of the effects of hurt, grievances, and bitterness. 

Do you have a solution for society’s dilemmas? I do.

The Bible promises, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8, NIV) In other words, real love has the ability to cover the wrongs of our friends, family, and others. 

There’s an interesting term many people in the United States use that perfectly illustrates this concept: “I’ve got you covered.” It’s often used when it’s time to pay the bill at a restaurant. It’s also used in the context of work. It’s not uncommon to hear a coworker say, “Paul Marc, can you cover my hours at work this Saturday? I’ve been invited to a wedding.” Covering the cost of the bill or work that needs to be done is so powerful. Choosing to cover others in love is even more powerful. 

A definition of love in Corinthians will help you make this concept more practical: “It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:5, NIV)

Wow! Real love will not let you keep a record of wrongs. That’s crazy, isn’t it? The love of God will help you erase the list of wrongs caused by others. You’ve got the power of His Spirit, and you can choose to “forgive, let go, and let God.”

Please grab an invisible eraser and repeat after me: “Lord Jesus, I choose to forgive all the people who have hurt me. I ask You to heal me of the pain and fill me with love.” Now use love to cover all the garbage and become a powerful force in a broken world.

Because you are designed to be a miracle. 

Scriptures: Proverbs 18:24, Galatians 6:2, John 15:13

Have you found a BFF kind of love? 💕

There is a really interesting Greek word that translates as love, but it’s a special type: it’s phileo. Phileo love is a BFF (Best Friends Forever) kind of love. It describes a friendship bond that goes deep, very deep. Do you have a friend like this?

The Bible speaks of this level of connection in Proverbs: “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, NKJV)

As I think back over my years, I think about the friends who have graced my life. I’m so grateful for them. They’ve made such a huge difference in the great times and the tough times. One friend who particularly impacted me is my buddy Ron. Many years ago, I had an encounter with God on the streets of Manila in the Philippines. As a result, I decided to leave my successful career and accept the leadership of a small church. I was ill-prepared to handle the challenges of this small church with tons of problems, no money, and huge debts. I knew we needed to find our own land and building, but every door seemed to be shut—until Ron volunteered to help me. He’s helped me for over 27 years, and I’ve been there for him, too. Phileo is that type of love. 

The Bible encourages us to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2, NIV) 

Could it be your time in life to focus on building phileo? Yes, I said building because it takes a truckload of work and skill to build deep, lifelong friendships. I have my own little recipe that could help you start this journey. 

1. Be friendly. “‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’” (John 15:13, NIV) 
2. Be positive. Nobody likes a negative person. 
3. Add value. Express love, appreciation, affirmation, and practical help.
4. Care about the person.
5. Listen carefully with compassion. 

Would you commit to trying these five action steps? God will help you build a few deep BFFs who will enrich your life and add value to others.

Because you’re a miracle.

Scriptures: Mark 12:33, Ephesians 5:2

Let’s unwrap the theme of loving others…

Could it be that loving God without reservation will help you love yourself and others more? I know this sounds pretty preposterous, but bear with me as we unwrap this theme of loving others.

The Bible says, “‘To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’” (Mark 12:33, NIV) Wow! What a wonderful verse, full of secrets. 

So let’s talk about loving God with all we have. Mark breaks it down into five crucial dimensions:

1. Love God with all your heart. Notice Mark uses the word “agape.” That’s unconditional love. We shouldn’t love God only when He answers our prayers with a yes. We should love Him unconditionally with the core of who we are, our hearts. Do you love Him like this?
2. Love God with all of your understanding. Mark uses another specific word: “synesis.” It is the root of the word “synergy.” In other words, we should love Him with all of our reasoning and intellectual powers. Real Christians are called to be intelligent and knowledgeable. 
3. Love God with all of your soul. The word “psyche” is used here. It’s no mystery that it represents our mind and emotions. 
4. Love God with all of your strength. This means that you use your voice, body, and resources to demonstrate it. 
5. Love others as you love yourself. Now this is where it gets messy. We’ve got to agape (love) others as we agape (love) ourselves. 

Could it be that loving God with this incredible devotion will, in fact, empower you to love yourself and others? The answer is of course, yes, because love will be the core motivation of our lives, and Christ will be in the center of it. You will love yourself and others unconditionally because He loves you. “And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2, NIV) 

Because you’re a miracle. 

Scripture: Luke 6:35

What does love look like? 🔎❤️

Heidi Baker is a living legend who has given her life for the lost, hungry, and abandoned masses of Mozambique. She is also a dear friend of our family. As a public figure and therapist, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know some of the most famous and successful leaders in business and ministry. It’s been a thrill and a privilege. I’ve rarely been disappointed with them because my dad always told me, “All men bleed red.” They are all very normal people who do extraordinary things. Heidi Baker once said something so simple and profound that it never left me: “Love looks like something.” 

What does love look like to you?

The Bible says this about love: “‘But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.’” (Luke 6:35, NKJV) 

Dr. Gary Chapman once wrote a book about the five love languages. In it, he teaches that love looks different to all of us. To a single mom, it could be a gift of groceries. To a lonely wife, it could be more time with her husband. To a busy dad, it could be helping with the household chores or a simple “I love you.” Love looks like something. The secret of showing love is to “find out the love language of family and friends” and speak their languages.

It’s really not more complicated than taking a little time to listen to those you really care about.

What’s your love language? Is it one of the following? 

1. Words of Affirmation
2. Acts of Service
3. Quality Time
4. Gifts
5. Physical Touch

What are your family’s love languages? Could you commit to do three loving things every day and watch the impact of love? 

I’m praying you will learn how to identify the love languages of others and speak a new language to transform their lives.

Because you’re a miracle.