Pouring Out His Love On California

The Lord spoke to me this week that we are to begin “Pouring out His love on California” as we pray for our state. I asked Him for greater understanding of what He said and specifics on how we are to carry out His directive. In response, He gave me the following scriptures and insight:

1 Corinthians 13:8–13 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.(NKJV)

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul makes it clear there is only one thing in this life that is eternal, which cannot fail and disappoint and that is LOVE. He also explained that love, which is accompanied by faith and hope, is very present in the earth, but not yet fully in control. But when it is, everything that has fallen short and proven to be incomplete, will yield and be replaced by God’s perfect love.

So, for now, “What does this process look like and how can we assist in helping the “perfect come?”

Romans 5:1–5 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NKJV)

In Romans 5, Paul points to those of us who in the midst of a sinful and tumultuous world found forever peace by simply trusting and making Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. That single act of faith unlocked the door of that tiny dark prison cell of human weakness and inability we thought was our forever home and brought us out into a huge place filled with light and HOPE—the same place where all of God’s supernatural power and ability, called GRACE is stored. The light is not from electricity or the sun, it’s far more powerful than that, it’s from the HOPE that rejoicing in God’s glory and presence provides. That’s why worship and praise is such a powerful weapon against depression and discouragement when it tries to invade one’s heart. Rejoicing brings the light of HOPE which pushes back all darkness. It’s “Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col.1:27).” In the same way that heat tempers steel, making it stronger, tribulation tempers HOPE by strengthening our perseverance and character. While heat can only increase the strength of steel within certain limits, it can still break, but HOPE tempered In tribulation has no breaking point because we have a supernatural ingredient—the LOVE OF GOD has been poured out into our hearts making our HOPE indestructible. Hallelujah!

When Jesus was asked which was the greatest commandment of the Law, He answered, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matt.22:37–40).”

Remember, the Jews could not keep the Law because they did not have the Holy Spirit. 1 John 4:19 says: “We love Him because He first loved us.” We can keep the First Commandment because He filled us with His LOVE first, then we can keep the Second Commandment by pouring out His LOVE on our California neighbors.

What are some practical ways that we can do that individually and collectively?