Expressing God's Love Through Our Actions and Words

Devotional

Day 1: You Are Created in God’s Image and Deeply Valued

Every person longs for words of affirmation, but the truest and most life-giving affirmation comes from God, who declares in Scripture that we are made in His image. This truth means that our worth is not determined by the opinions of others or by our achievements, but by the fact that God Himself has created us with purpose and dignity. When we internalize God’s affirmation, we are filled with His love and are then able to affirm and encourage others from a place of fullness, not emptiness. Remember, you are valuable and precious in God’s sight, and He crowns you with glory and honor. [32:20]

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV)
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Reflection: Where in your life have you been seeking affirmation from others instead of receiving your worth from God? How can you remind yourself today that you are made in His image?

Day 2: Prioritize Quality Time with God Above All

Quality time is a powerful language of love, and God Himself modeled this by walking with Adam and Eve in the garden, desiring relationship and fellowship. In our busy lives, it’s easy to become distracted by work, responsibilities, and worries, just like Martha in the Bible. Yet Jesus reminds us that the most important thing is to spend intentional, undistracted time with Him. When you prioritize daily quality time with God—through prayer, reading Scripture, and listening—you are filled with His presence and better equipped to give meaningful time to others. [37:59]

Luke 10:40-42 (ESV)
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can set aside undistracted time with God today, even if it’s just a few minutes, to nurture your relationship with Him?

Day 3: God’s Love Is Expressed Through Generous Giving

God’s love is demonstrated by His generosity—He gave His only Son so that we might have eternal life. True love always gives, and when we receive God’s gifts with gratitude, we are moved to give to others, whether it’s our time, resources, or encouragement. Sometimes we overlook the daily gifts God provides, like the breath in our lungs or the opportunity to gather with others. Recognizing and receiving God’s gifts enables us to become givers ourselves, reflecting His love in practical ways to those around us. [43:25]

John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Reflection: What is one gift—big or small—that you can give to someone today as an expression of God’s love?

Day 4: Acts of Service Reveal the Heart of Christ

Jesus’ life was marked by acts of service, culminating in His sacrificial death for us while we were still sinners. Acts of service are not reserved for those who “deserve” it; rather, love opens our eyes to the needs around us and compels us to serve others, even when it’s inconvenient or goes unnoticed. When you serve, whether in your family, church, or community, you are embodying the love of Christ and making a tangible difference in someone’s life. [46:36]

Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can serve today, especially if it’s someone you might not usually notice or feel inclined to help?

Day 5: Use Your Body to Express God’s Love Through Physical Touch

Physical touch is a powerful way to communicate love and acceptance, as seen when Jesus welcomed and blessed the children by laying His hands on them. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, meant to be used for God’s glory and to bring comfort and encouragement to others. In a world where many feel isolated or unseen, a simple gesture—a handshake, a hug, or a gentle touch—can be a profound expression of God’s love. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and look for opportunities to use your presence to bless those who need it most. [54:43]

Mark 10:13-16 (ESV)
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who might need a loving, appropriate touch or gesture of care today? How can you be attentive to the needs of those around you in this way?

Sermon Summary

Today, we explored the profound ways God expresses His love to us and how we, in turn, are called to share that love with others. Beginning with a testimony of God’s protection over a family in our congregation, we were reminded that God’s faithfulness is not just a concept but a lived reality. We then reflected on the five languages of love—words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch—and how each of these is rooted in God’s own character and actions toward us.

Words of affirmation are not just nice things we say to each other; they are rooted in the truth of Scripture. God affirms our value by creating us in His image and crowning us with glory and honor. When we seek affirmation from God first, we are filled and able to affirm others genuinely. Quality time is another expression of love, both in our relationship with God and with others. God desires to spend time with us, as He did with Adam and Eve, and we are called to prioritize time with Him daily. This time with God enables us to be present and attentive to those around us.

Gifts are a tangible expression of love, and God models this by giving us the greatest gift—His Son, Jesus Christ. Every good thing we have is a gift from God, and we are encouraged to both recognize His generosity and to give to others, not just materially but in any way that expresses love. Acts of service reflect the sacrificial love of Christ, who served us even when we did not deserve it. True love opens our eyes to the needs around us and compels us to act, not out of obligation but out of compassion.

Finally, physical touch is a powerful way to communicate love, as seen in Jesus’ ministry when He blessed children and touched the hurting. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to use them to express God’s love in appropriate and sensitive ways. Each of these languages of love is a channel through which God’s love flows to us and through us to others. We are encouraged to explore and practice all of them, allowing God to use us as vessels of His love in a world that desperately needs it.

Key Takeaways

1. True affirmation comes from God’s Word, not from people or achievements. When we root our identity in being created in God’s image and crowned with His glory, we are freed from the endless search for approval from others. This deep assurance enables us to speak life and value into those around us, reflecting God’s heart for His children. [33:16]
2. Quality time with God is foundational to every other relationship. Just as God walked with Adam and Eve, He desires daily fellowship with us. When we prioritize time in His presence, we become more sensitive to the needs of others and are equipped to offer meaningful presence to our families and communities. [37:59]
3. God’s love is generous and giving, demonstrated supremely in the gift of Jesus. Recognizing every good thing as a gift from God cultivates gratitude and a spirit of generosity in us. We are called to give, not just out of abundance, but as an overflow of God’s love in our hearts, whether through material gifts or simple acts of kindness. [43:25]
4. Acts of service are the practical outworking of love, often directed toward those who may not “deserve” it. Christ’s sacrifice for us while we were still sinners sets the standard for serving others selflessly. When we truly love, we become attentive to the needs around us and are moved to action, embodying the compassion of Jesus in our daily lives. [46:36]
5. Physical touch, when offered appropriately and sensitively, can be a profound expression of God’s love. Jesus welcomed and blessed children with His touch, showing that our bodies are instruments for ministry. In a world where many feel isolated, a simple gesture—a handshake, a hug—can communicate belonging and the tangible presence of God’s love. [53:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[28:03] - Testimony of God’s Protection
[29:52] - Introduction to the Five Love Languages
[30:36] - Words of Affirmation: Our True Identity
[32:20] - The Search for Purpose and Value
[34:36] - Quality Time: Giving Our Lives
[35:46] - The Importance of Time with God
[37:22] - Prioritizing God in a Busy World
[40:20] - Gifts: God’s Generosity and Ours
[41:45] - Recognizing and Asking for God’s Gifts
[45:28] - Acts of Service: Love in Action
[47:41] - Seeing Needs Through Love
[50:21] - Physical Touch: The Body as a Vessel of Love
[53:50] - Sensitivity and Boundaries in Showing Love
[56:37] - Exploring and Expressing All Love Languages
[58:09] - Prayer and Response
[74:28] - Testimony: Finding Family in Christ
[79:02] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV) — > Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
> So God created man in his own image,
> in the image of God he created him;
> male and female he created them.

Luke 10:40-42 (ESV) — > But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
> But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Romans 5:6-8 (ESV) — > For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
> For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
> but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Observation Questions

According to Genesis 1:26-27, what is unique about the way God created humans compared to the rest of creation?
In the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:40-42), what was Jesus’ response to Martha’s concern, and what does it reveal about what He values?
How does Romans 5:6-8 describe the timing and motivation behind Christ’s sacrifice for us?
The sermon mentioned that God’s love is shown through different “languages” like affirmation, time, gifts, service, and touch. What are some examples from the sermon of how God expresses these to us? [[30:36]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon emphasized that our true affirmation and value come from God’s Word, not from people or achievements. Why is it important to root our identity in being created in God’s image? How does this affect the way we affirm others? [[33:16]]
Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen “what is better” by spending time with Him. What does this teach us about the importance of quality time with God, especially in a busy world? [[37:22]]
Romans 5:6-8 says Christ died for us “while we were still sinners.” How does this shape our understanding of serving others, especially those we might think don’t “deserve” it? [[46:36]]
The sermon talked about physical touch as a way to show God’s love, but also mentioned the need for sensitivity and boundaries. Why is it important to be both loving and wise in how we express this love language? [[53:50]]

Application Questions

The sermon said, “If you don’t get those words of affirmation from God, you will be empty inside of you and you won’t be able to give words of affirmation to someone else.”
“If you don’t have quality time with God, first of all, the rest of your life will be messing up.”
The sermon challenged us to see every good thing as a gift from God and to give to others as an overflow of His love.
“When you love, you will see the need. If you don’t love, you won’t see the need.”
The sermon encouraged us to use our bodies to show God’s love, especially through appropriate physical touch.
Of the five love languages discussed (words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, physical touch), which one comes most naturally to you?
The sermon ended with a call to “explore and experience the love of God in these five different ways.”

Sermon Clips

It's impressive how many people, especially young people, are taking their lives because they couldn't find their purpose in life, because they were trying always to get those words of affirmation from someone else. And they are not looking in the Bible. What God is saying, what go. God is talking about you because you are valuable. You are very important for God. [00:32:40] (29 seconds) #PurposeFoundInGod

Don't waste your time trying to get those words of affirmation from something or from someone who is important to you. That is God, you know. But you need to get those words of affirmation from the Bible, from God first of all. You need to get full of that love first of all, first. And then you will be able to give those words of affirmation to your spouse, to your children, to your grandchildren, you know, because you were, you were going to have full of that kind of love that it's so amazing that it's so important words of affirmation. [00:33:30] (46 seconds) #FillFirstGiveNext

People need to hear how valuable, how important, how so important for God they are. You know what I mean? Right. [00:34:21] (17 seconds) #YouMatterToGod

If you don't appreciate or if you don't know the quality time with Jesus, us, you won't be able to appreciate the quality time with someone else. You need to have a quality time every single day with God. [00:36:30] (17 seconds) #QualityTimeWithJesus

God is always trying to give you the best Gifts ever. But you need to ask. There is an illustration, and probably it's really true that God has a huge storage full of blessings for us. But the reality is, is that that storage is still full because we don't ask. We don't say, jesus, I need this, I need that. I need you. We need to ask. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete. That is amazing. Amazing. [00:44:16] (49 seconds) #AskReceiveJoy

Are you showing love by giving? It's not necessary about money. Maybe you can give a small thing or a big thing, I don't know. But try to show. Show your love the love of God by giving something. [00:45:13] (24 seconds) #LoveShownInGiving

When you love, you will see the need. If you don't love, you won't see the need. And if you love your neighbor, if you love the community, if you love the person who is around you, you will see what they need and you will do an act of service. [00:47:44] (24 seconds) #LoveRevealsNeeds

When you love, love, you will see the need. But if you don't love, you won't see the need. And you will be ignoring the need around you. Acts of service. How important is the acts of service? [00:49:51] (20 seconds) #ActsOfServiceMatter

My body needs to show the love of God. So when we are here, for example, worshiping God, we use our bodies, we lift up our hands, worship the Lord, Worshiping the Lord. Sometimes we cry, sometimes we bow down, you know, but we are expressing through our bodies the love of God. [00:51:05] (29 seconds) #WorshipThroughBody

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