Hi Everyone!

Imagine you and your loved one go out to the ice cream shop to get some ice cream. Upon walking up to the ice cream freezers, you look down and scan your eyes across the tubs of ice cream. You are searching for your absolutely favorite flavor of all time… Mississippi Mud, a deep chocolate concoction of chocolate and chocolate fudge ice cream with chewy fudge chunks and dark fudge ribbon swirl.

Ah ha! There it is… They have it! The last time you had it was when you were a kid. With excitement in your eyes you look over to your loved one who says, “I really want to try Mississippi Mud, I heard it is awesome”.

“It sure is, honey. I’ll order for both of us.”

To your surprise, the customer in front of you orders five triple scoops of Mississippi Mud in waffle cones for everyone in his family, which virtually depletes the remainder of the ice cream in the tub.

“Welcome to Creamy Scoops; what would you like?”

You order what’s left of the Mississippi Mud ice cream, (a single scoop), and settle for a scoop of Pistachio Nut Crunch. Then, with both cones in your hands, you walk over to your loved one… 

“Mmmm! This is awesome!”

What do you think love did in this simple scenario? The Bible can tell us…

1^st Corinthians 13:5a (NKJV)
Love… does not seek its own…

1^st Corinthians 13:5a (ESV)
Love… does not insist on its own way…

Though it may be another 20 years before you find Mississippi Mud again, you joyfully give it away to your loved one because you want them to know and experience the sheer bliss of chocolaty yumminess… ha! Okay, kinda silly I know. Here’s a more far-reaching example…

Some four thousand years ago, Abraham displayed this aspect of true love towards Lot when conflict arose between his herdsmen and his own herdsmen. The land could not support their combined massive amount of domesticated animals. Read what happened…

Genesis 13:8-11 (ESV)
Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other.

Can you see how Abraham was not seeking his own benefit, but showing deference to Lot? Did not God Almighty Himself promise to give the land to Abraham? And yet Abraham wanted peace between Lot and himself, rather than the best of the land. Also later, don’t forget, Abraham demonstrated great love to God by seeking to obey God (not insisting on his own way) even if it would require killing his own son Isaac as a sacrifice to Him, (see Genesis 22:2-3).

How is such love possible? This love does not come naturally from sinful mankind, but from holy God… it is part of His very nature. God gives His children this kind of love when He takes up residence in them, by the Holy Spirit. Wow!

So, let’s try something… For the next seven days, observe how/ if you and your loved ones show this kind of love. Does it come naturally or is it lacking? Is it given freely or conditionally? Lord, help us to love as You love us!

**Comments/ questions/ testimonies/ objections most encouraged!

Dear Lord, thank you for this time to consider Your word and Your ways. May our thoughts, words, and deeds bring You glory… and glory to You alone. –Amen

Peace,
Jim