"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!" Psalm 139:1-6
Omniscience; God knows all things.
How very humbling to know that God knows everything there is to know about me, even things that I don't yet know. He sees all because he is the one who has planned out my life, no matter how far I stray he still knows. This is something to wrap your head around. Amazing that He loves us that much!
"I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night- but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you." Psalm 139:7-12
Omnipresence; God is in all places.
We cannot hide from God. So many times have we wanted to. Adam and Eve tried to hide from God as well. He knew where they were but asked them anyway where they were hiding. God gives us chances to reveal ourselves to him. No matter what we do that is wrong, God still loves us. Stop trying to hide from him, he already knows.
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them ; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! They blaspheme you; your enemies misuse your name. O Lord, shouldn't I hate those who hate you? Shouldn't I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139:13-24
Omnipotence; God can do all things.
God created us, every single detail. The color of our eyes, our hair, our skin even how tall or short we would be. How's that for being able to do all things?! He can and does do more than that! He can heal us from sickness (all kinds of sickness). In the bible Jesus (God in the flesh) turned the water into wine at the wedding at Cana. He raised Lazarus from the dead, and calmed the storm and fed the 5000. My God is an AWESOME God! His thoughts of us are also precious. When looking that word up in the dictionary it says that it is of high price. What a high price indeed that was paid for you and me!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Love #8....
Agape, Godly love...
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Eighth, love believes the best about people; it "thinketh no evil" (KJV), "does not keep a record of wrongs" (HCSB). In other words, love overlooks insult or wrong (Proverbs 17:9; 19:11; Ephesians 5:11).
This is definitely God's love that does this!
I'm not sure about you but it's very difficult for me to overlook an insult or a wrong doing that has been made toward myself or even a family member. We need God to step into these situations and help us to love this way. Only by His grace and mercy will we be able to overcome ourselves and love in an agape way.
God love challenge #8, our final challenge.....
Pray that God can help you to believe the very best in everyone, no matter what they have said or done to you. This is most difficult of all, in my opinion. Especially when others continue to insult you. God's word says that "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers." Matthew 5:11 (NLT). We have to show love, it's not an option.
I pray that if anyone has been reading these past entries on love that you have taken away something that is helpful. Loving in the midst of controversy isn't easy, especially when division comes and lack of forgiveness. I truly believe that we can forgive when we can truly love someone regardless of how they treat us.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Eighth, love believes the best about people; it "thinketh no evil" (KJV), "does not keep a record of wrongs" (HCSB). In other words, love overlooks insult or wrong (Proverbs 17:9; 19:11; Ephesians 5:11).
This is definitely God's love that does this!
I'm not sure about you but it's very difficult for me to overlook an insult or a wrong doing that has been made toward myself or even a family member. We need God to step into these situations and help us to love this way. Only by His grace and mercy will we be able to overcome ourselves and love in an agape way.
God love challenge #8, our final challenge.....
Pray that God can help you to believe the very best in everyone, no matter what they have said or done to you. This is most difficult of all, in my opinion. Especially when others continue to insult you. God's word says that "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers." Matthew 5:11 (NLT). We have to show love, it's not an option.
I pray that if anyone has been reading these past entries on love that you have taken away something that is helpful. Loving in the midst of controversy isn't easy, especially when division comes and lack of forgiveness. I truly believe that we can forgive when we can truly love someone regardless of how they treat us.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Love #7.....
Agape, Godly love....
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Seventh, love is not easily provoked (irritated, exasperated, or made angry).
Does this mean that I have to keep my cool if someone, anyone, upsets me?
YES!
Jesus did not loose his temper when he was being wrongly accused before they crucified him. While they beat him he kept silent. I'm not saying that we should let people beat us physically, but sometimes when others do things to us ( wrongly accuse us, tell lies about us or to us, or just treat us badly) we are to STILL show God's love to them by not becoming instantly angry or becoming irritated. Seems the further in this we get the more challenging it is huh?
God love challenge #7...
When you're around the people that have or might treat you wrongly, treat them with love. Pray that God can help you keep your cool in situations where you might become angry with someone because of something they have said or done. This is really difficult for most people. When our feelings become hurt, it's not easy to forgive and /or show love to that person who wronged us. God can help. Always.
Stay tuned for our final God love challenge #8.......
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Seventh, love is not easily provoked (irritated, exasperated, or made angry).
Does this mean that I have to keep my cool if someone, anyone, upsets me?
YES!
Jesus did not loose his temper when he was being wrongly accused before they crucified him. While they beat him he kept silent. I'm not saying that we should let people beat us physically, but sometimes when others do things to us ( wrongly accuse us, tell lies about us or to us, or just treat us badly) we are to STILL show God's love to them by not becoming instantly angry or becoming irritated. Seems the further in this we get the more challenging it is huh?
God love challenge #7...
When you're around the people that have or might treat you wrongly, treat them with love. Pray that God can help you keep your cool in situations where you might become angry with someone because of something they have said or done. This is really difficult for most people. When our feelings become hurt, it's not easy to forgive and /or show love to that person who wronged us. God can help. Always.
Stay tuned for our final God love challenge #8.......
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Love #6....
Agape, Godly love....
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Sixth, love does not seek its own things.
This statement can stand alone and speak volumes.
This type of love, Agape, is not selfish. We as humans are very selfish. I cannot begin to tell you how many times my motives have been selfish ones in relationships with people. No matter what the relationship is. I know that I have been the receiver of selfish motives as well. It's not good to be on either end of this.
God calls us to love others and to hold them higher than ourselves. That what ever they need is more important at the moment than our selfish motives. Yes maybe we want to say things or do things just to "dig" at another person, but that is selfish and God says we are not to be that way.
God love challenge #6....
Put aside your selfish motives, whatever they may be and put others before you. Love them unconditionally without wanting anything back. Love just because God says to. I know, some people are difficult to love, sometimes things are done to us that we want to get back at them. But that is unbecoming (we have already covered that one). Try to love without reserve. Pray to God for help in this area. I know I have to every day..
Stay tuned for God love challenge #7.......
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Sixth, love does not seek its own things.
This statement can stand alone and speak volumes.
This type of love, Agape, is not selfish. We as humans are very selfish. I cannot begin to tell you how many times my motives have been selfish ones in relationships with people. No matter what the relationship is. I know that I have been the receiver of selfish motives as well. It's not good to be on either end of this.
God calls us to love others and to hold them higher than ourselves. That what ever they need is more important at the moment than our selfish motives. Yes maybe we want to say things or do things just to "dig" at another person, but that is selfish and God says we are not to be that way.
God love challenge #6....
Put aside your selfish motives, whatever they may be and put others before you. Love them unconditionally without wanting anything back. Love just because God says to. I know, some people are difficult to love, sometimes things are done to us that we want to get back at them. But that is unbecoming (we have already covered that one). Try to love without reserve. Pray to God for help in this area. I know I have to every day..
Stay tuned for God love challenge #7.......
Friday, April 6, 2012
Love #5......
Agape, Godly love....
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Fifth, love does not behave itself in an unbecoming fashion. Believers are to avoid even the appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22).
Let's take a look at this. When we act unbecoming, we are acting , forgive me here, ugly. That's the only way I can put it. Just plain ugly. I don't know about you, but I don't want others to think of me as an ugly person. Any thoughts we might have toward others that isn't a loving thought, in any way is putting on that appearance of evil. Which makes us ugly. In 1 Peter 3:4 we are to clothe ourselves with inward beauty and that a gentle and quiet spirit is unfading and precious to God. This will make us truly beautiful.
God love challenge #5.....
Take the ugly out and replace it with beauty. Sounds simple, I know. I do know however that God can change EVERYONE. I have personally witnessed this and am thankful that He does. Pray you can be changed from the inside out. God loves you no matter what. Show His love to others.
Stay tuned for God love challenge #6.......
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Fifth, love does not behave itself in an unbecoming fashion. Believers are to avoid even the appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22).
Let's take a look at this. When we act unbecoming, we are acting , forgive me here, ugly. That's the only way I can put it. Just plain ugly. I don't know about you, but I don't want others to think of me as an ugly person. Any thoughts we might have toward others that isn't a loving thought, in any way is putting on that appearance of evil. Which makes us ugly. In 1 Peter 3:4 we are to clothe ourselves with inward beauty and that a gentle and quiet spirit is unfading and precious to God. This will make us truly beautiful.
God love challenge #5.....
Take the ugly out and replace it with beauty. Sounds simple, I know. I do know however that God can change EVERYONE. I have personally witnessed this and am thankful that He does. Pray you can be changed from the inside out. God loves you no matter what. Show His love to others.
Stay tuned for God love challenge #6.......
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Love #4.....
Agape, Godly love....
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Fourth, love does not promote itself; it is not puffed up. Paul says in Phil 2:3 "In humility consider others as more important than yourselves."
As a mom, I can love this way with my children very easily. When it comes to loving others this way, especially if they have hurt me, its not so easy.
God love challenge #4....
Pray that God can instill in you the desire to consider others as more than yourself. I pray this every day. It isn't an easy task because of my human nature to be selfish, but it is necessary in order to live the love that God wants me to live.
Stay tuned for God love challenge #5.......
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Fourth, love does not promote itself; it is not puffed up. Paul says in Phil 2:3 "In humility consider others as more important than yourselves."
As a mom, I can love this way with my children very easily. When it comes to loving others this way, especially if they have hurt me, its not so easy.
God love challenge #4....
Pray that God can instill in you the desire to consider others as more than yourself. I pray this every day. It isn't an easy task because of my human nature to be selfish, but it is necessary in order to live the love that God wants me to live.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Love #3.....
Agape, Godly love.....
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Third, love is not envious and does not jealously desire what it does not have.
How many times have we ever said, "oh, I wish I had ...."( fill in the blank.)
I can think of several times that I have said that, and filled in the blank with many different things that I wanted. Truth is, when you desire the things that others have or even just stuff that you wish you could have, makes you miserable. Have we ever thought that maybe we aren't meant to have those things, relationships, jobs, houses, cars, clothes, money. God has a perfect plan for our lives (Jer 29:11). Part of that plan is for us to show His love to everyone. Here's where the challenge comes in....
God love challenge #3....
When you feel you might be slipping into the "I wish, I had" mode, go to God in prayer and ask Him to take that from you. Thank Him for all He has given you and express to Him that He is all you need. Blessings will follow. Love others even if they have something you would like to have. This isn't an easy challenge, it will take time and work. Again, God didn't say living for Him was easy!
Stay tuned for God love challenge #4.......
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Third, love is not envious and does not jealously desire what it does not have.
How many times have we ever said, "oh, I wish I had ...."( fill in the blank.)
I can think of several times that I have said that, and filled in the blank with many different things that I wanted. Truth is, when you desire the things that others have or even just stuff that you wish you could have, makes you miserable. Have we ever thought that maybe we aren't meant to have those things, relationships, jobs, houses, cars, clothes, money. God has a perfect plan for our lives (Jer 29:11). Part of that plan is for us to show His love to everyone. Here's where the challenge comes in....
God love challenge #3....
When you feel you might be slipping into the "I wish, I had" mode, go to God in prayer and ask Him to take that from you. Thank Him for all He has given you and express to Him that He is all you need. Blessings will follow. Love others even if they have something you would like to have. This isn't an easy challenge, it will take time and work. Again, God didn't say living for Him was easy!
Stay tuned for God love challenge #4.......
Monday, April 2, 2012
Love #2.....
More Agape, Godly love....
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Second, love is kind.
When translated kind means gracious, virtuous, useful, manageable, mild, pleasant, benevolent. Not bitter , harsh, hard or sharp.
Wow, how often have we been only gracious instead of bitter? Mild instead of harsh? I know personally, I haven't been on the good side of this with others that hurt me very often. I may not show it, or say it, but its in my heart....and that's what God sees.
God love challenge #2....
Be gracious, mild, and pleasant with everyone you encounter. No matter what your feelings are toward them. God commands us to love (John 13:34). The more we trust God to help us show the right characteristics of His love, the easier it will become for us to do it. God never said living for Him would be easy, its necessary.
Stay tuned for God love challenge #3.....
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
Second, love is kind.
When translated kind means gracious, virtuous, useful, manageable, mild, pleasant, benevolent. Not bitter , harsh, hard or sharp.
Wow, how often have we been only gracious instead of bitter? Mild instead of harsh? I know personally, I haven't been on the good side of this with others that hurt me very often. I may not show it, or say it, but its in my heart....and that's what God sees.
God love challenge #2....
Be gracious, mild, and pleasant with everyone you encounter. No matter what your feelings are toward them. God commands us to love (John 13:34). The more we trust God to help us show the right characteristics of His love, the easier it will become for us to do it. God never said living for Him would be easy, its necessary.
Stay tuned for God love challenge #3.....
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Love....
Agape; Godly love......
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
First, love is long suffering. It doesn't seek revenge on those who have done wrong toward it, it suffers through those wrong doings so that it can act redemptively. How many of us can say we exhibit this characteristic of love? I know that I can't.
This kind of love is overflowing with the name of Jesus....because this is who he is in every way, through every circumstance. To be able to see everyone and every situation through the eyes of God's love would truly be an amazing gift.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud....
To always act toward everyone with patience and kindness is a struggle, especially towards those who have hurt us. No matter what the offense, we are to show patience, kindness and to be humble before them. Godly love, lesson one.....
God Challenge #1.....
Show patience and kindness toward everyone, even those who have hurt you. When you can do this and mean it with your heart, forgiveness and healing will come like a flood.
Stay tuned for lesson and challenge #2........
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!"
First, love is long suffering. It doesn't seek revenge on those who have done wrong toward it, it suffers through those wrong doings so that it can act redemptively. How many of us can say we exhibit this characteristic of love? I know that I can't.
This kind of love is overflowing with the name of Jesus....because this is who he is in every way, through every circumstance. To be able to see everyone and every situation through the eyes of God's love would truly be an amazing gift.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud....
To always act toward everyone with patience and kindness is a struggle, especially towards those who have hurt us. No matter what the offense, we are to show patience, kindness and to be humble before them. Godly love, lesson one.....
God Challenge #1.....
Show patience and kindness toward everyone, even those who have hurt you. When you can do this and mean it with your heart, forgiveness and healing will come like a flood.
Stay tuned for lesson and challenge #2........
New....
As I sit here listening to the rain pour down outside, I am reminded of the storms that have just recently swept through my life. I am not only reminded of my own personal storms but I am reminded of the storms that very recently have touched the lives of those around me .
What is rain? Not in a scientific way, but in a figurative way.
Cleansing.
When I think about all the storms that have happened recently and in my past, the rain makes me remember what comes after it. Sunshine...blossoms....newness...healing.
Rain is necessary in every aspect of our lives, scientifically and figuratively. I welcome it with open arms. I want to be renewed with the assurance that God can and does cleanse me of all my faults and loves me no matter what. Through Him we are all made new, after the rain.
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, a new life has begun." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
What is rain? Not in a scientific way, but in a figurative way.
Cleansing.
When I think about all the storms that have happened recently and in my past, the rain makes me remember what comes after it. Sunshine...blossoms....newness...healing.
Rain is necessary in every aspect of our lives, scientifically and figuratively. I welcome it with open arms. I want to be renewed with the assurance that God can and does cleanse me of all my faults and loves me no matter what. Through Him we are all made new, after the rain.
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, a new life has begun." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
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