Greater Love | Day 2
Podcast Intro [00:00:00]:
Are you experiencing greater things in this season? We want to hear about it. Share your story at transformation at soulcitychurch.com.
Brandon Henderson [00:00:11]:
Welcome to the Greater Things Daily Devotional, where we're asking the question, God, what is the greater thing you want to do in me and through me? Wherever you are, quiet your soul and pray this ancient prayer after me. Come, holy spirit. This week, we're meditating on greater love and what that could look like in our lives. Today's devotional comes out of Ephesians 5:1-2. It says, follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 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. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. Think about it. When was the last time you started saying a new phrase or wearing a new look or aspiring to a new definition of success because you were inspired by someone and wanted to be more like them.
Brandon Henderson [00:01:33]:
I'll go first. I can't tell you how many hobbies, side hustles, or career changes I have been inspired to dream about after a few episodes of a great docuseries. After watching Matchpoint, I was convinced that I could pick up the tennis racket and be excellent despite not playing for 10 years or all the espionage dramas I watch that inspire me to quit my day job, to join the super secret spy organization we don't know exists, but we know exists. If you know, you know. And let's not forget all the cooking shows I've watched and posts I've saved for meals I'll make one day. The reality is that we are moved by what we see in the world around us. Every parent will tell you despite their best efforts, more is caught than taught. No matter how many times a parent says, Do something, it is their child seeing them do it that inspires them the most.
Brandon Henderson [00:02:42]:
The same is true of us and Jesus. It is through seeing Jesus and knowing Jesus that we are transformed. We see Jesus as we read the 4 gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We see his life lived as both a man and God personified, his ministry of love, healing, and power, as he walked dusty streets, sat with friends for meals and conversations, and as he extended generosity to the strangers he encountered. We see Jesus as we gather together through our Soul City community. Sundays we see Jesus in a miracle parking spot when we are running late, through the specificity prayed over us in the prayer hall, and especially during the gathering. We see Jesus through our small communities and table groups or on the track. We see Jesus in the person we are prompted to have patience and compassion with.
Brandon Henderson [00:03:50]:
We see Jesus in the person who has patience and compassion with us. The verse before Ephesians 5 verse 1 to 2 is Ephesians 4:32 and it says, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. And as we've already read in Ephesians 5, it says, follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children. Jesus has already given us so much. Similar to children, many of the ways of Jesus are more caught than taught. As we slow down to be alone with him and believe what he says about us, us, we receive a bigger vision of his longing for us, and our paradigm on loving others expands. When we are brought into the reality of how Jesus saw us and loved us even on our worst days and yet still pursued us, how we walk with others in the way of love, it expands. See, he hasn't only given us an example to follow.
Brandon Henderson [00:05:06]:
He has also given us his spirit, the Holy Spirit to empower us to love like him. He has given us his life, not just the one laid down, but also the one resurrected in power. It is from this generosity that we find our cups filled and the example made. An example that shows us how to be compassionate, forgiving, generous, sacrificial, and worshipful. Jesus has shown us his love for us. He has shown us the path to walk like him, to love like him. Now I invite you to pray this prayer with me. Father, we pause and welcome more of you.
Brandon Henderson [00:06:05]:
We slowly breathe in And breathe out to be fully present with you in this moment. I thank you for the ways that you've shown me your love. Throughout my life, I can see the evidence of your love and faithfulness. Thank you for the example you've set before me, one of compassion, forgiveness, generosity, sacrifice, courage, faith, and total devotion to God. I confess my need for an expanded vision of your love for me. I confess that I still am tempted to believe that your love for me is limited rather than limitless. Help me to know your unsearchable love. Help me to experience the embrace of your presence.
Brandon Henderson [00:07:09]:
And may that empower me to walk in your love as you desire. Help me to love people the way that you love people. Help me to follow your example in Jesus's name. Amen.