How to Have Abounding Love
I am so excited to be back in God’s Word together again! First let me say, great job finishing week 1 of our Bible Study in Philippians! If you fell behind in your reading this week, no worries, just catch up on the weekends.
This week, you read Paul’s prayer for the church at Philippi. He prayed that their love would abound more and more. But how do we do that?
On today’s video, we’ll see that Paul explains exactly how to grow in our love. And I’ll explain where I’ve been during break and at the end, I share a personal story about how God has been convicting me about my love for my new neighbors. I’m embarrassed to admit, it’s not exactly abounding…yet. I’m a work in progress.
So join me on today’s video as we take a closer look at Philippians chapter 1 and Paul’s prayer for the church at Philippi.
{If you are reading this in an email or feed – click here to view the video}
Jesus said in John 13:35,
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
If you are struggling to love a friend, family member or neighbor – you are not alone! We are in this together.
Let’s pray for one another!
If you need prayer that your love would abound more and more – leave a comment below sharing a little about your struggle and I will pray for you. (And don’t forget to pray for me too. 😉 )
Keep walking with the King,
Courtney
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Beautiful insights Courtney! As always you are so authentic in sharing your own walk with God. Thank you so much for all that you do to inspire and encourage other women. God bless you and your new family and home. ❤️
Hi Lisa Maria,
Thank you so much – you are so kind! I really appreciate the encouragement and blessing.
God bless you too!
Courtney 🙂
Glad to be doing another GMG study. When the weather is pleasant, I also enjoy sitting on our back deck for quiet time. I can totally relate to wanting that time with the Lord without any distractions, especially from people even if they don’t realize it.
As an introvert, the struggle is real!
p.s. Congrats on the wedding and new home!
Hi Sophie,
So glad I’m not alone in this need for space. Lol! I am kind of a mix of an introvert and extrovert. When I’m out and about – I’m an extrovert but at home I like to be alone. But I want to love as God wants me too so it’s a tight rope walk it seems. As you said – the struggle is real! Lol!
So glad you are joining us for this study and thank you for sharing!
Lots of Love,
Courtney 🙂
What a beautiful week I am so glad your back. Please pray for us, we moved 2000 miles away from family friend’s and church community during Pandemic and have yet to find a church that feels like home and no community or friends yet it’s getting hard and discouraging.
Thank you,
Blessings,
Cindy Bolt
I also moved during the pandemic and have had a hard time finding a new church as well
Dear Cindy,
I am praying for you this morning as you are so far from family and friends. I don’t want you to feel isolated and I am praying the Lord leads you to a church home and to friends that you can love and they will love you back in the same way. Do not give up on reaching out and searching. God is with you during this time so keep walking with him.
Lots of Love,
Courtney
Yay! So excited to have you back leading us through the Bible! You look wonderful! ?
You are so sweet Em! Thank you!!!
Congratulations on your wedding.
I need prayers, I had surgery on the 15th of August. The first night I was ok, the second night the pain started again. Went back to the Dr’s and that’s when I found out the leads moved. The surgery was a fail. I need to have another one. I need to get an MRI before they will do the other surgery. I was finally scheduled today for September 30. ? I’m struggling with a lot of pain. On top of everything I developed an infection. I’ve been back and forth to the Dr’s. I’m exhausted physically and mentally. (The surgery was in my back.)
Dear Silvia,
I am praying for you this morning. I am so sorry that you need to have surgery again a second time. I am praying that this infection clears quickly for you and that God will restore you both physically and mentally. He is with you and will see you through this dark season. I pray that the September 30th surgery is successful and you are on the mend after that. Until then. Stay strong! God is with you! He loves you and will help you through.
Praying,
Courtney
Thank you Courtney,
I still don’t have a surgery date. I’m scheduled for the MRI on the 30th of September. Sorry for confusion
Thank you for the prayers.
Yes! Convicted in the same way! Please pray I may love by extended family as Jesus commands. Past hurts have each side struggling to love and get along. Grace abounds much more as we love. Praying for you also, all of you! Thank you Courtney for this teaching and encouragement ♥️
Hi Angela,
I am praying for you and your family now. You are not alone in this struggle. The enemy uses past hurts to keep us divided. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Love covers a multitude of sins.” Praying God heals the hurt and the relationships are restored.
Much Love,
Courtney
Sorry I am a day late! But I do need prayer…I need prayer that my daughters would abound more and more in love of knowledge and depth of insight so that they would be able to discern what is best and be pure. It’s SO hard when our kids are struggling…please pray that I would be able to be a model of this abounding love in knowledge and depth of insight. I want to point them to Jesus during this difficult season and not try to “fix” their situations. SO hard!!!
This made me cry! Thank you, Jesus, for speaking to our hearts! Courtney, I wanted to share with you that I was catching up on the commentary and the video just now while working late in my classroom. The cleaning crew came in and one of the ladies said in broken English, “I don’t understand English very good, but that I understood!” She came back and said your words made her cry! I told her it was because the Spirit of God was speaking to her heart! Thought you would be blessed to know that His Word reached someone who isn’t even a part of the study!
Throughout this past year, I have become so closed off, wounded & worn out from “dealing with people”. I have really considered embracing the idea of keeping my door closed… for forever! LOL! The Lord has been working with me, healing and gently nudging me back toward the Truth of how I know to live – Open & Abounding in Love (with knowledge/discernment) ~ I decided to dive into your study late, but your insight is really just so timely. I literally laughed out loud hearing your back patio story.. I could relate so much! Sometimes it just feels “so peopley!” out there! LOL! Thank you for sharing your heart the way you do. Congrats on the New House, Hubby, and new Chapters!