It’s like giving someone a half-eaten jelly doughnut with bite marks on it…

Do you have enough time to “love others”? I’m not just talking about the needy person down the street – I’m talking about the people around you. Do you devote enough time to loving the people in your life? Rushing through life and not taking time for those we love is like giving them “love leftovers” -- if love was a doughnut, it’s like giving someone a half eaten jelly doughnut with bite marks on it – hmmm, doesn’t that sound tasty ?

We are to love with our actions not just our words.

All expressions of love (all actions) have one thing in common: they all take TIME. Time is the most precious thing we have because once it’s gone, it’s gone! Our society tries to save time by doing everything faster and faster and faster (yea, we know how well that works…)

So how do you find more time? … this can be a very interesting discussion … but let me suggest one place to start looking: TV. Do you have any “screen-time” limits at home? What are your house rules? Here is an example: if you watch TV ½ hour a day that adds up to 3.5 hrs a week, 14hrs. a month, and 168 hrs. per year (over 4 work weeks) -- that’s like a wasted vacation! So now, be honest, do some of you watch over ½ hour a day?

Now, do you want to be challenged a little more? Great! Let’s look at what the Bible has to say on the subject and think about it throughout the next few days:

1. The presence of real Love in your life proves that you are part of God’s family. In 1 John chapter 3 verse 14 the Bible says: "Our love for each other proves that we have gone from death to life. But if you don't love each other, you are still under the power of death." also see 1 John 4:7-11
2. If your life is fragmented and out of control, love can patch it up and tie it together. In Colossians chapter 3 verse 14 the Bible says:"Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together." also see Philippians 1:9-11 (right choices), Ephesians 4:15-16 (comprehensive growth).
3. Love pays for my sins. If I am forgiven, and I can forgive others. Cut people some slack and to be gracious to those who wrong you. In 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 8 the Bible says: "Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins." also see Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-7 Colossians 2:14.
4. Love goes bayond the best preservative. Genuine love is not only contagious, but it has a very long shelf-life. see 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Here is a practical suggestion: try this prayer first thing when you open your eyes in the morning: “God help me to love you a little more today and help me to love the people you placed in my life.”

Love is action. Actions take time.

Get going.