I Thessalonians 3   Paul loved the people so dearly.. just reading through chapter 2 again.. we hear the depth of his love and concern for them.  He wanted to come to them, but when he couldn't he sent Timothy.  O how he rejoiced when Timothy returned with the good news that the church was standing fast! Their faith was sure.. Their love was abounding.. and they loved and yearned to see Paul just as much as he did them... 

Paul offers another wonderful prayer.. " Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord, direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we do for you; so that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints."  ( v12-13) 

Without love.. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13.. "I am nothing".. We cannot please God no matter how large or small our church is.. no matter how many programs or projects we endeavor to do.. no matter how many mission trips we go on.. or how much money we give...   

Jonathan Graf writes about this in his book  Praying like Paul.. comparing a physical heart to a spiritual one..    "In the spiritual life, we need a healthy heart as well. But our spiritual heart does not pump blood - it pumps love. Love is crucial for growing a healthy believer - love for God and love for those around us." 

In the letter to the church at Ephesus in the book of Revelation Jesus says, " But, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen and repent and do the deeds you did at first... " ( Rev. 2:4-5)  The church was persevering.. they were dealing with false teachers.. they were working.. but they did not have a "healthy heart" that was pumping out love.  Without love.. we are nothing.. 

We need to pray this prayer for our church... even if we think we are doing ok in this department.. may our love for God and our love for each other increase and abound!  May all we do and all we say come from that love that God causes to overflow in our lives. 

Fill us Lord! Let Your love overflow in our hearts that we might walk before You in holiness.. ready.. without blame..  for that day when we stand before You at the coming of our Lord Jesus. Amen.