Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church

 Class Title: Love's Motivation - " From the book - The Love Dare, by Stephen & Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough"

 

Ephesians 6:7 - " Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men." (Holman Christian Standard Bible); "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." (New Living Translation)

 

When God is your reason for loving, your ability to love is guaranteed.

 

That's because love comes from Him.

 

    Love motivated by mere duty cannot hold out for very long. Love that is only motivated by favorable conditions can never be assured of sufficient oxygen to keep it breathing. Only love that is lifted up as an offering to God - returned to Him in gratitude for all He's done - is able to sustain itself when all other reasons have lost their ability to energize us.

 

    Those who are fine with mediocre marriages can leave their love to chance and hope for the best. But is you are committed to giving your spouse the best love you possible can, you need to shoot for love's highest motivation. Love that has God as its primary focus is unlimited in the heights it can attain.

 

***TODAY, PRAY FOR YOUR SPOUSE BY NAME AND FOR THEIR NEEDS. WHETHER IT COMES EASY FOR YOU OR NOT, SAY 'I LOVE YOU', THEN EXPRESS LOVE TO THEM IN SOME TANGIBLE WAY. GO TO GOD IN PRAYER AGAIN, THANKING HIM FOR GVING YOU THE PRIVILEGE OF LOVING THIS ONE SPECIAL PERSON - UNCONDITIONALLY, THE WAY HE LOVES BOTH OF YOU***

 

Lesson Reflection: How will this change of motivation affect your relationship and reactions? What does this inspire you to do? What doesi inspire you to stop doing?