Scripture for Today: I Thessalonians 3:12 “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”

I am always impressed seeing a champagne fountain at French wedding receptions.  To catch the cascading champagne it takes such precision in placing the glasses just so!  Each tier of glasses fills to the point of overflowing to the next level.  The waiters have it down to a science.  Their timing has to be perfect.  The result is almost too pretty to disturb.  And who gets the honor of drinking from that single top glass?  The bride or the groom?

Today’s verse is a prayer of Paul’s for new believers he had to leave behind.  His co-worker, Timothy, brought back good news about their faith and love.  Paul had been worried that they may be discouraged about the persecutions he was facing.  Instead, his heart was warmed to hear how they were standing firm.

One of the marks of a believer is the love we have one for the other (John 13:35).  But it is nothing we manufacture on our own!  The Lord is the one who makes our love increase and overflow.  He is love and the source of it.  The fruit or evidence of His Spirit’s work in us is love, right at the top of the list (Gal.5:22).  When I do not have it in me to love someone difficult, the only solution is to ask Him to increase that capacity to love.  By my own efforts it just does not happen.  I am too self-centered.  When He is producing that love in me, it overflows naturally.  His love spills over to others and no one cares who has that top glass.

Lord, fill me to overflowing with Your love today.