Love Is the Point: 100 Days of God’s Love for You and How to Share It with Those Around You

By Carlos PenaVega and Alexa PenaVega

Love in action is what life is all about! Take a 100-day journey to recognize the ways that God shows love in your life and discover opportunities to share that love with those around you in this daily devotional--.

In What If Love Is the Point? Carlos and Alexa PenaVega shared how putting God at the center of their marriage, parenting, and career choices dramatically changed their lives and brought real fulfillment. Now, in Love Is the Point, they've created a 100-day devotional, inviting you to join them on the adventure of experiencing God's love and boldly sharing that love with others.

This relevant and inspirational devotional will

• inspire you to focus on God and his love in their everyday lives;
• encourage you to see all of the ways that God shows his love whenever we seek him; and
• Challenge you to put God's love into action through reflection questions, tips for how to love people we don't automatically connect with.

A practical and moving follow-up to their first book, this devotional reminds you that whether you are facing hardships or celebrating happy occasions, you can hear God's quiet voice that encourages and empowers you to live with hearts full of love.

Because love is the point.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Aug 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9781400242795

Carlos PenaVega

Carlos and Alexa PenaVega are parents to three adventurous children: Ocean, Kingston, and Rio. They divide their time between Maui and Florida but travel often for work. Between the two of them, they act, sing, and have a family vlog on YouTube called La Vida PenaVega. They competed against each other on the same season of Dancing with the Stars and have starred in multiple Hallmark movies. Carlos is a part of the successful musical group Big Time Rush and continues to make music and tour with them around the world.

Book preview

DAY 1

LOVE STRANGERS

We thought we knew when our third child was going to arrive, but sweet Rio surprised us and showed up six weeks early! My (Lex’s) friend Chelsea was arranging for us to receive meals, but what blew us away was that we didn’t know a lot of the folks who were showing up at our doorstep with delicious, healthy meals for our family.

One then-stranger-but-now-friend was eight months pregnant when she showed up with yummy tacos for the PenaVega family. At the time I was shocked that a very pregnant mother of one was willing to show up for a stranger in need. (I know how I feel when I’m pregnant—it isn’t easy.) But that action changed the posture of my heart. I want to be ready and willing to love and serve no matter the season of my life. Keep loving those who are near and dear to you, but also keep your eyes open for the stranger—or the friend you haven’t yet met—who’s in need.

Describe a time when someone you didn’t know surprised you with a loving action. How did you respond? Do you remember how your heart felt?

[Your Notes]

LOVE IN ACTION

When sudden needs arise—a friend loses a job, a pregnant mama is forced to endure bedrest, or a neighbor receives a scary diagnosis—someone will often post about them on social media. Keep your eyes peeled this week for ways to love that person in need who you don’t yet know.

I reached out in love to ________________

DAY 2

SACRIFICE FOR ONE ANOTHER

On the day that we got married, the pastor—who we call Bishop—held our wedding rings in his hand and schooled us in what marriage is all about. (His wife was there, too, so we know he was telling the truth.) He told us that marriage requires sacrifice from both people. And while we sort of heard him that day, as our marriage has unfolded, we’ve increasingly discovered that he was exactly right. For marriage to work, or for any healthy mutual relationship to work, each person needs to sacrifice for the other. So Lex has paused her acting career, in large part, to care for our family. I’ve made small daily sacrifices for all of us. When both people are willing to do that, the relationship thrives.

How has a family member or friend shown you sacrificial love?

[Your Notes]

LOVE IN ACTION

Who is the person in your life, in this moment, that you’re being called to sacrifice for? Maybe an older relative needs help with caregiving. Maybe your spouse’s job requires a move. Maybe the needs of a hurting friend cut in on your Netflix time.

Today I sacrificed for ________________

DAY 3

BE A SAFE PLACE

My godmother Amy is like a second mom to me (Lex). Now that I’m raising kids, I think of her often because she’s like this powerful warrior-mama. When movie producers complained that my weight was fluctuating when I was a teen, Amy simply answered, I think she’s perfect, so you guys need to figure it out. (That’s fierce, right?!) Not only has Amy been a safe place for me, but she’s been a safe place for my whole family, including my own mom. And she inspires me to be that for my kids, my husband, and everyone I love.

Who has shown you love by being a safe place for you? What specifically did they do to foster that safety?

[Your Notes]

LOVE IN ACTION

You can be a safe place for others by receiving all of who they are, without judgment. This isn’t necessarily an action item you can script or plan. And while we may want to teach in this moment, when others share the tender places in their lives, be that fierce woman or man who accepts them, like God does—exactly as they are.

Here’s how I want to be a safe place for someone: ________________

DAY 4

LET OTHERS KNOW THEY ARE LOVED BY GOD

These days, my (Los’s) favorite thing to do with the kids is playing in the pool after dinner, just as the sun is setting. After pool time and teeth brushing, the kids climb into bed where we’ll have silly story time. After a story we sing our original Bing Bong Bing family song before praying together.

Prayer time has its own rhythm, and we end each night with affirmations that remind our kids who they are: I’m special. I’m loved. I’m worthy . . . More than anything, we want our kids to know that they are loved by us and loved by God. And that’s the same posture we try to practice with others we encounter. We want our words and lives to communicate to others that they are loved by God.

List some simple but effective actions that you have observed or practiced that remind everyone involved of God’s love.

[Your Notes]

LOVE IN ACTION

This week, let someone in your life know they are loved. Maybe you’ll feed them dinner. Or maybe you’ll swim with them. We hope you’ll tell them with your words: You are special, you are loved, you are worthy.

I communicated God’s love by ________________

DAY 5

OPEN YOUR HOME TO OTHERS

When our pastor, Bishop, and our best friend, Andrew, asked if Lex and I would host a Bible study in our home, they gently added, When you’re ready. Well . . . I (Los) was never ready. Having lots of people up in my private space just didn’t feel good to me. But Bishop, Andrew, and Lex finally wore me down. And I can now say that it was the best decision I was ever forced to make. We ended up regularly hosting dinner, worship, and Bible study for about fifty folks, which blessed them and blessed us. (Was Lex’s arroz con pollo the big draw? Yes. It really was.) Together we learned how to create space in our home to receive and love others well.

Describe someone who excels at making others feel welcome in their home. What specifically do they do or say that accomplishes this?

[Your Notes]

LOVE IN ACTION

Are you someone who’s eager to invite others into your home, or are you more hesitant when it comes to hospitality? This week, invite someone over—for dinner, to play games, to watch a movie—for the purpose of sharing your love, and God’s, with them.

I will invite this person over: