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Post by Aeliana on Jun 21, 2023 5:22:45 GMT -8
Love is Extravagant
1 John 3:1-7
Love from God isn’t something that always looks like sunshine and rainbows. It is a love that fights for us. This kind of love is one that is steadfast. It is honest even when it isn’t easy to listen to. It is a fight that doesn't always come across as tender but can be seen as pushy.
We may think this can't be love because love is kind and long-suffering and patient. But there is another side of love. It is jealous of anything that would lead you to hell. It's a love that fights the enemy on your behalf. It fights for the weak, sacrifices itself for others, and rescues people from evil. It speaks the truth in love, it requires trust, and it cuts away the places that lead you to hell. This love is extreme and extravagant.
God's love is one that will love humanity all the way to hell if it has to. What does that mean? Jesus is this love! He doesn't want anyone to go to hell. He has provided the way for all to be delivered, rescued, and restored. But because He is love, He gives us free will choice. And if we choose to love God, we must also leave our desires and our flesh behind. If we love our desires and flesh more, we give ourselves over to the enemy. Those are actions that will lead us to hell. God will fight for us with His love. But if we keep running back to play with the lion or the bear, the outcome will be obvious.
Point of Action:
Today listen to love, listen to God, and say, “No!” to His enemies. His love is so big and deep. Immerse yourself in Him and all will fall into place.
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Post by Aeliana on Jun 22, 2023 6:48:50 GMT -8
LOVE OVERCOMES OBJECTIONS
f I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John 13:14-15
Ever wonder what was going through Jesus’s mind as He washed the feet of Judas? A man He chose, taught, ministered to, and loved, but knew He would soon betray Him? Since He was tempted like we are, He must have thought about skipping Judas, or waiting until he left. What would I have done? Would I have seen past the betrayal? Would I have overcome objections and chosen to love?
As Christians, we are called to be like Christ and reflect His love in all that we do. That task is easier when people are lovable and kind, but not when they aren't. People you have chosen, trusted, and loved will fail you. That's tough! How will you react? Will you choose to forgive and love unconditionally like Jesus? That my friends is the challenge because we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us follow the example of Jesus.
Today, I encourage you to search your heart. Who is God challenging you to love, forgive, and serve? How can you follow Christ’s example to walk in the fullness He has for you?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for humbling yourself to serve. Help me to love, serve, and forgive in the same manner. Teach, guide, and forgive me when I fall short. May I be a reflection of your love to a world in desperate need of a savior. Amen.
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Post by Aeliana on Jun 23, 2023 9:42:52 GMT -8
Love Remains
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
Early in our marriage my wife and I had one of those knock up drag out arguments. We yelled and cursed, threw insults—the whole nine yards. Many times, this kind of fight can set the tone for the relationship. We were not following Christ at the time but my wife did something that so demonstrated the love of God. I am hypoglycemic, so my body doesn’t metabolize the sugar in my body correctly. The only treatment is to eat. I had suffered many blackouts and hospitalizations. My wife, cooking the whole time we were fighting, walked over, set my dinner down in front of me, and walked away saying, “I don’t like you right now but I love you and you need to eat”.
Romans 5:8 describes the unconditional love that I witnessed that night. Please read it again with this in mind.
What I witnessed that night was the earthly manifestation of the love of God in a marriage. Most times in a relationship our first impulse in a disagreement is to withhold love. This passage of scripture shows us how to react in a way the reflects true love. God’s love is not based on our performance, past or present. Praise Him for that because on our best day, we don’t deserve it. The love of God looks past our faults and meets our needs every time.
Faith Declaration:
By God’s grace, I will love like He does.
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Post by Aeliana on Jun 24, 2023 7:07:51 GMT -8
Love Considers
This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:38-39
Many people want to know how they can love God better. Let me ask a different question: “How can I love people better?”
This is what the Scripture says,
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20 Amp).
Throughout the year God has extended mercy and grace to all of us and our families. Giving grace to another person is simply to forgive them, unconditionally, just as God forgave us through Christ. "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13, NIV).
We can’t love God better or more if we can’t be honest with ourselves about our need to do better at loving people. But it takes time to consider a specific thing you can do to express love to them, and then courage to actually do it.
So how can I keep loving my brothers and sisters better? Please read the opening scripture again. How would you like to be loved? What would it look like for you to do that for other people?
Faith Declaration:
Today I will remember that I can love God better by loving people better. So I will ask God to help me consider specific ways I can show His love to people around me.
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Post by Aeliana on Jun 25, 2023 5:57:10 GMT -8
Love Builds Up
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1 Corinthians 8:1
God is a builder. Even in the broken world, we live in He is building His church. The method He uses to build is love. It is His nature and He gives us the wonderful privilege of sharing His love. When we do it builds lives, bonds us together, and blesses those that experience it.
We must be careful when building because there are many things that can divide us from others and break down what was built. A simple disagreement over an opinion can cause bitter fighting. Even an internal thought that we know better than someone else can elevate our pride and separate us from people.
Thankfully God has given us a power that brings us together and builds us up again; love! Where things have been broken we can build again by getting back to the beginning. His love doesn’t divide us, it unites us. When we operate in His love it builds bonds that cannot be broken and make us stronger together than we ever could have been apart.
Show God’s love every way you can to as many as you can through your words and deeds. Bless and build lives through the power of love. Ultimately you will be building alongside God in building His church!
Point of Action:
Look for opportunities to express love and build others up. Recognize any people you have been divided from and seek the Lord for His wisdom. Ask God how He wants you to show love and then follow the directions He gives.
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Post by Aeliana on Jun 26, 2023 5:19:59 GMT -8
Love Bears Burdens
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
“Bear” is defined as: to carry; to hold up; support; to be accountable for; to have a tolerance for; endure. We often think that sympathizing with someone is bearing their burden, but relating to someone’s pain, offense, sin, or worrisome situation can often just add to the weight rather than help alleviate.
Have you ever shared a bad report about yourself and someone responded by telling you how they knew someone who didn’t overcome such a thing? Maybe you were offended and someone shared that they were also offended, or just took up your offense? When others are burdened by situations or circumstances, we are called to help carry a part of the weight and help them through it, not add to it.
Here are several ways to bear another’s burden:
Offer a God perspective that helps bring them emotional healing or a resolution to a situation, and help walk them through that process
Lead them back to faith by sharing scriptures or testimonies of overcoming
Offer to be part of the solution by meeting practical needs and showing the goodness of God in their difficult seasons
Be the accountability partner that points them to the truth in the Word that speaks to their issue
Pray with them instead of commiserating and jumping into the muck with them
Remember, Bearing one another’s burdens fulfills the law of Christ [Christian Love] (Galatians 6:2 AMP).
Point of Action:
What personal self-sacrifice, even small, could you offer to lighten another's burden today?
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Post by Aeliana on Jun 27, 2023 6:56:40 GMT -8
Love Does Kind Things
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 1 Corinthians 13:4
1 Corinthians 13 is the Bible chapter on the attributes and characteristics of love. The Apostle Paul starts with the first two characteristics in verse 4. “Love is patient, love is kind.” I believe he starts off with these two attributes of love because these are sometimes the toughest acts of love we can show as Christians, but it will be the most important and effective ways to show God's love to others.
Have you ever heard of the phrase “kill them with kindness?” It’s easy to be kind to the people you like or those who are nice to you, but what about those who have offended you? What about that person who cut you off on the way to work, or that person who said something mean to you, cursed you, or stole from you? One of the prime actions of love is to do kind things instead, and that is what God has called us to do. Read 1 Peter 3:9.
When you respond with forgiveness, a gentle answer, or a blessing instead of a negative retaliation, you’re not killing the flesh, but you are killing that offense, grudge, curse, anger, or evil coming against you. You are now stepping out of the flesh and into the supernatural way of loving with kindness. Who knows, maybe your act of kindness toward someone will be the first experience they have of the loving kindness of God.
Point of Action:
Remind yourself of a specific time God has shown you His loving kindness. Ask Him to show you how you can love by doing something kind today to someone in your life who isn’t expecting it.
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Post by civic on Jun 27, 2023 6:58:56 GMT -8
Love Does Kind ThingsCharity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 1 Corinthians 13:4 1 Corinthians 13 is the Bible chapter on the attributes and characteristics of love. The Apostle Paul starts with the first two characteristics in verse 4. “Love is patient, love is kind.” I believe he starts off with these two attributes of love because these are sometimes the toughest acts of love we can show as Christians, but it will be the most important and effective ways to show God's love to others. Have you ever heard of the phrase “kill them with kindness?” It’s easy to be kind to the people you like or those who are nice to you, but what about those who have offended you? What about that person who cut you off on the way to work, or that person who said something mean to you, cursed you, or stole from you? One of the prime actions of love is to do kind things instead, and that is what God has called us to do. Read 1 Peter 3:9. When you respond with forgiveness, a gentle answer, or a blessing instead of a negative retaliation, you’re not killing the flesh, but you are killing that offense, grudge, curse, anger, or evil coming against you. You are now stepping out of the flesh and into the supernatural way of loving with kindness. Who knows, maybe your act of kindness toward someone will be the first experience they have of the loving kindness of God. Point of Action:Remind yourself of a specific time God has shown you His loving kindness. Ask Him to show you how you can love by doing something kind today to someone in your life who isn’t expecting it. Thanks this is at the very top of my list for biblical truths to live by. You will know them by their love !
Great thread.
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Post by Aeliana on Jun 28, 2023 10:20:45 GMT -8
Love Puts Others First
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:10
There’s a true story in the Old Testament about two mothers who are brought before King Solomon, both claiming the living baby and saying the dead one belongs to the other. When the king brilliantly announced that the baby should be cut in half so each could have half, the real mother was willing to give up her baby to the lying woman so that he might live. He then ordered that the baby be given to her. (full story 1 Kings 3:16-28)
We often hear this passage celebrating the wisdom of Solomon but let us not overlook the love of the mother who was willing to sacrifice what was hers so that her baby could live.
At The Rock, our founding Pastors defined godly love as “personal self-sacrifice for the betterment of someone else.” Jesus says in John 15:13, Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. Jesus modeled His love by sacrificing His own life so that others can experience life.
Our faith allows us to know that God will take care of our needs which gives us permission and the space to prefer others. “Your needs at my expense.” This love is radical, contagious, and will revolutionize our world. This is the love that we are called to.
Faith Declaration:
Today I will remember the example of Jesus’ personal self-sacrifice and put others first.
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Post by Aeliana on Jun 29, 2023 6:39:24 GMT -8
LOVE REMOVES OBSTACLES
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
The fundamental object of Christianity is submission to the Lordship of our Lord and Savior. Unfortunately, whenever we disregard God’s commandments, we choose to substitute our own will for the will of God; when we do this, we practice lawlessness and, therefore, sin. “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:12, 13).
Certainly, some sins are obvious to anyone, but the subtle attitudes of pride and self-centeredness are the root of all sins. In Scripture, God warns us many times against the attitudes of lawlessness. To stay alert to the deception of these attitudes is two-fold:
We must love truth more than anyone or anything else.
We must passionately desire His will more than our comfort or lives.
Understand that the word “love” in this verse is agape, a sacrificial love that voluntarily suffers inconvenience, discomfort, and even death for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return. Moreover, it is not a feeling but a motivation for action that we are free to choose or reject. Therefore, we demonstrate sacrificial love by choosing to love truth more than ourselves and desire His will above our own, “…walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Ephesians 5:1, 2).
Point of Action:
To protect our hearts from pride and self-centeredness, we must continue in “agape love.”
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Post by Aeliana on Jun 30, 2023 5:49:39 GMT -8
LOVE REMEMBERS
We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
One thing I really love about this verse is how direct it is. We love, because he loved us first, and remembering where love comes from will help us love people better. In verse 8 John wrote that if we do not love others, we do not know God because He is love.
I know in our flesh it’s easy to try and gauge whether someone is deserving of our love. We think like this about the value of love: if the value is high, then the price to receive our love should be high. The problem with that thinking is that we are now saying that the cost to purchase this love has not already been paid. 1 John 4:9 states that His love was revealed to us when He sent His Son to the cross to die for our sins. So, if His love has already been revealed to us, and the price has already been paid for this love, then why are we attempting to charge for it again?
1 John 4:16 reminds us that God is love, and if we reside in love—live in love, dwell permanently in love—then we live in and dwell permanently in God, and He lives in and permanently dwells in us.
So, this means that if I want to dwell in Him today, and I want Him to dwell in me today, then I first need to remember to live and dwell in His love. I need to choose to love today because He first loved me. If I am looking for a reason to love, He gave me one 2000 years ago.
Point of Action:
Take some time in prayer today to remember the love that was first revealed to you when Jesus paid the ultimate price. Because of His love for us, we can now walk and live in His love today and forever. Ask God, who do you want me to show love to today?
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Post by Theophilus on Jul 1, 2023 4:23:36 GMT -8
My love is undeniable.
1 John 3:16
This is how we have discovered love’s reality: Jesus sacrificed his life for us. Because of this great love, we should be willing to lay down our lives for one another.
There was no greater expression of My love that could have been demonstrated than when My beloved Son laid His life down for you. For the cross was, and is, and will forever be, the eternal token of the immeasurable price I was willing to pay for your redemption dear one.
So if you ever doubt your value to Me, look to the cross. If you ever question your eternal place in My family, look to the cross. If you ever struggle to feel My love, be comforted in knowing that when Jesus laid down His own life for you, He proved My love once and for all.
Whether you feel My love in the realm of your soul or not, My love for you is undeniable. For there was no higher sacrifice that I could have made on your behalf. So take heart today My child and embrace the eternal reality of My undying love for you that was expressed completely and wholeheartedly in the death and resurrection of your Big Brother, Jesus.
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Post by Theophilus on Jul 1, 2023 4:24:44 GMT -8
My love invites you to rest.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
If you are exhausted dear one, and you feel like you are carrying burdens too great to bear, I have good news for you. My Son invites you to enter into His very own rest. A rest so deep, that it will blanket you with a peace that passes your understanding. And a rest so tranquil, that it will restore and refresh your weary soul.
For I never created you to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders My child. You were created for rest just like Adam was. For I created Adam on the afternoon of the sixth day of creation and then I rested from My work. I did this so Adam would enjoy the Sabbath rest of the seventh day with Me. And My heart is the same for you dear one.
So come to Jesus today and enter into the rest that is part of your eternal inheritance. For it is My heart's desire that in this sacred place of communion, you will be able to cast every care upon Me, knowing I care for you.
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Post by Aeliana on Jul 2, 2023 12:02:32 GMT -8
LOVE SEES GOD IN PEOPLE
Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand.For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. Genesis 33:10
Can you see God’s face in the face of your brother or sister? Not without a heart that has been transformed by God’s love.
These words are stunning. Not only because it is so unusual for anyone to experience this and say it to someone else. But because it is what Jacob said to Esau…
after Esau swore to kill Jacob for deceitfully stealing Isaac’s blessing of the firstborn, and Jacob fled for his life to another country for 14 years!
while he and his young, large family with servants and cattle were traveling back to see his parents again!
when Jacob saw Esau coming to him with 400 men!
right after waking up from a night filled with wrestling with the Angel of God!
But there is the key. Jesus, in His Old Testament incarnation as “the Angel of God,” came to wrestle with Jacob, and Jacob engaged Him in the match that lasted until daybreak. God won and Jacob named the place, “the Face of God, because I saw God face to face and lived.”
This extreme reconciliation with its striking words seems inexplicable. We don’t know how it happened. But somehow Jacob saw the face of that same God in his brother. God must have been working with Esau too, to respond the way he did, but Jacob had no way of knowing that.
Jacob insisted on giving an enormous blessing to his brother, from whom he had stolen the blessing a decade and a half earlier, and honored him as the first-born son by bowing and calling him, “Lord.” Years later they were still at peace when they buried their father Isaac. Sometime after that Esau voluntarily moved his family and cattle business to Edom so Jacob could have the land of Canaan promised to Abraham and Isaac.
Prayer:
Open my eyes to see Your face, Jesus, so I can see Your face in the faces of people around me, and show them the grace and generosity of Your face in mine. Amen.
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Post by Aeliana on Jul 2, 2023 12:05:28 GMT -8
GOD OUR LOVING FATHER
John 17:11 “ And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”
The names of God reveal what He is like … and what His love is like. As Jehovah Raphah, the Lord our Healer, he shows His love by healing us. David called him “my Rock”: He offers Himself as stability in any situation, strong and steady. Isaiah was told His name would be “Emmanuel,” which means “God with us,” a great expression of His love by coming down as a human.
Jesus emphasized a name during His time on earth - Father. This was new insight into the love of God; previously He was mostly known as Jehovah (the One who exists, or I am who I am), or Adonai (Master, Lord). Jesus revealed Him as not just a father, but as “our” father. He taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven…” and taught about a number of things that our Heavenly Father does because He loves us.
Our Father forgives generously and receives His children joyfully when they repent. (Luke 15:20-24)
Our Father enjoys His children who are discreet about their spiritual accomplishments; He publicly rewards them when they pray, fast, and give in secret. (Matthew 6:1-18)
Our Father is kind and blesses both good and bad people, and He desires His children to do the same. (Luke 6:32-36)
Our Father is a good provider and takes care of His children’s needs. (Matthew 6:30-33)
Point of Action:
Whether you are currently drinking in the deliciousness of God’s love, or His love seems like a distant memory to you, meditate on the revelation of God as your personal Father, and invite Him to touch your heart today.
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