2 Peter 1:2-4
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”
How long has it been since someone treated you with brotherly kindness? How long has it been since you treated others with brotherly kindness? In this dog-eat-dog world we live in, kindness is often considered weakness.
Our Scripture adds more to the equation. We are to follow-up brotherly kindness with love. This is not self-serving love, but a love that transcends this world and becomes an offering to the Lord.
In 1856, Elizabeth Prentiss was experiencing an extended period of illness. During her long period of debilitation she penned the words to the hymn, More Love to Thee. The words were meant for her own worship. She did not even share them with her husband for about thirteen years. He encouraged her to publish them. Howard Doane saw the pamphlet Elizabeth published and wrote the music.
More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best.
This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!Let sorrow do its work, come grief or pain;
Sweet are Thy messengers, sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry my heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ to Thee;
More love to Thee, more love to Thee!
To access More Love to Thee, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/morelovetothee in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil