Love

August 29th – Hebrews 12:6

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Hebrews 12:6

Author Ellen J Barrier once said, “I believe that parents who love their children do everything for them with love, even discipline.” But even when it’s done from a loving heart, no one likes punishment. Yet the writer of Hebrews tells us to rejoice when we’re being disciplined by God. Because it’s one of the kindest things He can do. For through discipline, we see the love our Father has for His children. As parents ourselves we understand that raising successful, independent, and healthy children comes from training them up in the way they should go. Training rooted in love, correction tempered with compassion, and punishment doled out with mercy. God wants just as much for His children to be successful. So from His great love, He doesn’t turn a blind eye to our mistakes. Instead He disciplines us as much as needed, and only as long as needed. And all for our good and His glory.

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August 26th – Luke 6:24

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Luke 6:24

No matter how much it may appear that someone’s life is full of prosperity, it means nothing if they haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Because material things may fill our lives but can never fill our hearts. Nor can they provide the comfort and peace of resting in the eternal promises of Jesus. That’s why it’s so important we as Believers, are sharing the gospel. And not just because Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matt. 28:19) But also out of kindness, compassion, and love. There are many who are hurting, empty, and lost in this world. Those desperately in search of hope and happiness. We have the great privilege of being able to share with them the “Good News” they are seeking. Everyone of us has a unique testimony to give. And you never know if yours is the one God will use to help one of His lost find their way home!

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August 21st – 1 Corinthians 13:4

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1 Corinthians 13:4

1 Corinthians 13 is one of best known passages in the Bible on the subject of love. It’s read at countless weddings, including my own. But weddings and romance weren’t on Paul’s mind in this teaching. Instead Paul’s focus was on a church full of division, who had little interest in the fruit of love. Every day society bombards us with false ideas of what love is. It makes us think that love just happens to us. That we have no control. We’ve all heard the expression “the heart wants what the heart wants”, or someone described as “hopelessly in love”.  But the Bible teaches completely the opposite. Love is a choice we make, something we can control, and the fruit of a spirit filled life. Love is the root of the sacrificial death of Jesus. And as willingly and kindly as He love us, He calls us to love others.

August 21st – 1 Corinthians 13:4 Read More »

August 11th – 1Corinthians 13:4-5

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1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Loving one another doesn’t always come easy. And some days, it doesn’t come at all. And although no one can love as unconditionally and perfectly like Jesus, still we are called to love like Him just the same. But what is Christlike love? Contrary to popular culture, it isn’t butterflies in the stomach, or a sappy song on the radio. Genuine, Christlike love isn’t found in a feeling. Rather it’s found in the way we treat others. Each time we show patience, kindness, and goodness to another, we are loving them the way Jesus does. Christlike love isn’t envious of another’s blessings or based in arrogance and pride. It doesn’t intentionally hurt others, nor keep a scorecard of another’s past mistakes. Instead it demonstrates it’s deep love for God by obediently loving others not in words, but in godly deeds.

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July 23rd – 1 John 4:16

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1 John 4:16

The greatest selling love song of all time is called, “Love Is All Around”, by an 80’s Scottish rock band. It start outs, “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes. The love that’s all around me, and so the feeling grows”. That perfectly describes the love I feel for God. He is my Master, Lord, Savior, Friend, and Father. And as full as my heart is for Him, what makes it burst at the seams is the love that He in turn feels for me. Many are the attributes of our most high God. He is good, merciful, faithful, wise, and all powerful; just to name a few. But above of else, God is love. And we can rely on that love, as proven through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. All we need do is open our hearts and receive His free gift of grace. That’s it. No strings attached, no conditions to meet, no standards to reach. God wants to pick up us, wipe away our tears, replace our sorrow with joy, and make us royalty in His kingdom forever. And all because He loves us!

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July 21st – 1 Thessalonians 3:12

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1 Thessalonians 3:12

As passionate as the apostle Paul was about Jesus, he was equally passionate about those he led to the Lord. Like a father who loves and cares for his children, Paul was there to teach, strengthen, and inspire young believers as they grew in their faith. Knowing firsthand the trials and persecution Christian’s endure, Paul understood the importance of encouragement. Encouragement is defined as, “the action of giving someone support, confidence, or hope”. As a result of God’s abundant mercy, we have a living hope through Christ. (1 Pet. 1:3) And that blessed hope needs to be shared with a hopeless world. So today and everyday, be an encourager! Because sometimes something a simple as a warm smile or a kind word can make all the difference to one who is hurting. Therefore share God’s Word earnestly, abound in love increasingly, and encourage each other joyfully!

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July 4th – Galatians 5:22

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Galatians 5:22

The moment we receive Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit enters into our hearts and gets to work. And the result of His labors is evidenced by the spiritual fruit we produce. Described by Paul, this fruit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Throughout the Bible we are told of the importance of love. So no wonder Paul lists it first. But a very close second is joy. Because no matter our circumstances, God wants us to experience the fullness of His joy. An everlasting joy that can never be taken away. The Greek word for joy is chara, and is described as the natural reaction to the work of God, whether promised or fulfilled. There’s nothing that will humble us quicker than when we truly realize the favor and grace God shows us daily. So with thankful heats, how could the fruit of joy not be in spilled over into all we do!

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May 8th – Colossians 1:11

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Colossians 1:11

Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Colossae is one that is equally important for the Christians of today. That God’s power will strengthen each and every one of us. And through that power we will receive the ability to endure; being unmovable during trials and suffering. Along with it, the fruit of the Spirit of patience. For patience is rooted in love, especially long suffering towards others. And both are attributes of the Father, bringing with them great joy. We live in a world that is anything but Christlike. Today people are easily offended and lose patience with each other quickly. By showing the world another way, the way of Christlike patience, not only is God happy, but so are we. Because obedience always fills our hearts with the joy the Lord!

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April 29th – Psalm 136

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Psalm 136

What I love most about this Psalm is that twenty six times in twenty six verses, we are told God’s lovingkindness is everlasting. Lovingkindness is showing someone mercy, goodness, and love. Everlasting is something which endures forever, with no beginning and no end. Can there be a more perfect way of describing God and His feelings for us? He is faithful and good. And even though we fail Him daily, the Lord will never fail us. Just as He cared, provided for, and protected Israel until they reached the promised land, so God will do for us. So give thanks to the God in heaven, Lord of lords, King of kings, and Creator of all! Exalt Him, the Miracle Maker, for His indescribable and unmerited love. Because to God alone goes the glory! And only He is worthy of all praise!

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April 4th – Matthew 22:34-40

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Matthew 22:34-40

All Jesus did and endured was because of His great love for us. And when approached by a Pharisee who asked what was the greatest commandment of all, the Lord’s answer? Love. Love for God, and each other. Love is so vital, Jesus adds, upon this is the foundation of the Law and the Prophets. But loving as Jesus loves can only happen if our love for Him, is greater than our love for ourselves. And the proof of this is in the way we treat others. For as the apostle John points out, to say that we love God and yet not love others, makes us liars. (1 John 4:20) So hearts that put Christ first, no longer demonstrate a self centered, sinful love, but the completely selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus.

That kind of love may seem impossible. But the closer we get to Christ, and the more we experience His unconditional love, an amazing thing happens. Our heart begins to change. Once hardened, selfish, and worldly, through the work of the Spirit, it becomes softened, open, and overflowing with gratitude. Gratitude for all that God has done for us. And from that thankfulness, springs forth the ability to see, and more importantly, love others as Jesus does.

Our goal as Christians, is to become transformed into the image of Christ. To mirror His unconditional love, loving one another just as He has loved us. (John 15:12) 1 John 4:9-11 powerfully reminds us, “God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love another.”  This is the message echoed throughout the Bible and especially in the teachings of Jesus. And to me, it is the greatest love story of all!

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