“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
1 John 3:16
My friend Mike shares of God’s abundance in adoption:
“Most people are familiar with John 3:16. But not as many know the message of 1 John 3:16, that in response to God’s abundant love, we love others abundantly. 1 John 3:16 became the theme of a conversation with my wife. We’d been invited to consider adopting two older girls who came from a very difficult situation. There were plenty of reasons we’d found to not adopt them. In the end, the challenge in 1 John 3:16 compelled us to say ‘yes.’ God had blessed and loved us so much! How could we not respond with abundant love for these girls?
“After the Holy Spirit reminded us that with God sometimes the impractical happens, we prayed in the spirit of Matthew 19:26: ‘with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’
“Despite obstacles, the adoption was eventually finalized with the judge joining friends and family in singing ‘Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow’ to celebrate God’s abundant provision. It’s a provision that pushes us to love abundantly for His glory.”
“Most people are familiar with John 3:16. But not as many know the message of 1 John 3:16, that in response to God’s abundant love, we love others abundantly. 1 John 3:16 became the theme of a conversation with my wife. We’d been invited to consider adopting two older girls who came from a very difficult situation. There were plenty of reasons we’d found to not adopt them. In the end, the challenge in 1 John 3:16 compelled us to say ‘yes.’ God had blessed and loved us so much! How could we not respond with abundant love for these girls?
“After the Holy Spirit reminded us that with God sometimes the impractical happens, we prayed in the spirit of Matthew 19:26: ‘with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’
“Despite obstacles, the adoption was eventually finalized with the judge joining friends and family in singing ‘Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow’ to celebrate God’s abundant provision. It’s a provision that pushes us to love abundantly for His glory.”
Scripture Focus
1 John 3:16-24
Insight
“God created the world to exhibit the fullness of His glory in the God-centered joy of His people.” (John Piper, 2006)
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 27-28
- Psalm 117
- 1 Corinthians 8-9