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The Law does not librate
“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” 1 Corinthians 15:56(KJV) .
Matters of the Heart
A Marriage and Relationship Conference with Questions and Answers!
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Agape
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:8(KJV)
In this month's devotional, we have examined 'Agape' which refers to the God-kind of love. This kind of love is unconditional, it is a selfless and a self sacrificing love.
Agape is a reflection of God's love towards you. Do you know that God loves you unconditionally? His love for you is selfless and self sacrificing as demonstrated when he gave his only begotten son for your sins.
1 John 4:9-10 says, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
The question I would like to ask you today is this, “Have you accepted that love?” If you are not yet born again, that is, you have not yet received Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life, it means that you have not yet experienced Agape love. If you have not yet experienced Agape love, you will not be able to give Agape love.
So if you are not yet born again, I encourage you today to pray the prayer below because God's greatest desire for you, is for you to be saved. It is when you are saved, you will begin to know and appreciate the love of Christ towards you. That love will be poured into your heart, where it will begin to grow in your heart until it overflows to those around you. Please pray the prayer of salvation below if you want to receive Jesus as your Lord and personal saviour.
Say out loud, “O God, I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe that He is the Son of God. I believe that He died for my sins. I believe with all my heart that you raised Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is my Lord. I take Him as my Lord and personal savior. Jesus, come into my heart, make me a new person. I receive eternal life into my spirit and I ask that you fill my heart with your love even now. Amen.”
For further study read:
1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 16:14.
DOING THE WORD
Please pray the prayer in Philippians 1:9-11 for yourself.
In this month's devotional, we have examined 'Agape' which refers to the God-kind of love. This kind of love is unconditional, it is a selfless and a self sacrificing love.
Agape is a reflection of God's love towards you. Do you know that God loves you unconditionally? His love for you is selfless and self sacrificing as demonstrated when he gave his only begotten son for your sins.
1 John 4:9-10 says, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
The question I would like to ask you today is this, “Have you accepted that love?” If you are not yet born again, that is, you have not yet received Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life, it means that you have not yet experienced Agape love. If you have not yet experienced Agape love, you will not be able to give Agape love.
So if you are not yet born again, I encourage you today to pray the prayer below because God's greatest desire for you, is for you to be saved. It is when you are saved, you will begin to know and appreciate the love of Christ towards you. That love will be poured into your heart, where it will begin to grow in your heart until it overflows to those around you. Please pray the prayer of salvation below if you want to receive Jesus as your Lord and personal saviour.
Say out loud, “O God, I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe that He is the Son of God. I believe that He died for my sins. I believe with all my heart that you raised Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is my Lord. I take Him as my Lord and personal savior. Jesus, come into my heart, make me a new person. I receive eternal life into my spirit and I ask that you fill my heart with your love even now. Amen.”
For further study read:
1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 16:14.
DOING THE WORD
Please pray the prayer in Philippians 1:9-11 for yourself.
Monday, 30 December 2013
Get rid of lust
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”
Ephesians 4:22(KJV)
Our opening scripture lets us know that lust is deceitful. Therefore, judge your motives and guard your heart against lust, because if you allow lust into your heart, you will become a deceitful person.
If you know you have lust in your heart, no matter what it is you are lusting after, I encourage you today according to the Word of God, to put away lust from your heart. This is important because, if you let lust drive you, you will become wicked and insensitive to others. You will only be engrossed in those lustful desires.
Lust perverts the heart. When lust controls a man's heart, it will amaze you the extent he will be willing to go to satisfy his evil desires. The Bible records a very touching story concerning Amnon and Tamar, two of David's children in 2 Samuel 13. Both of them were children of David, born to him by different women. Amnon lusted after his own sister, Tamar who was a virgin. In other to satisfy his lust, he lied that he was sick and specifically asked for Tamar to come and care for him.
In the process of Tamar faithfully caring for her brother, Amnon, with sincere love, she was forcefully raped by him. After he raped her, he hated her. This proves to us that his love was emotional, it was based on his senses. He lusted after her beauty, he did not really love her from his heart. Amnon was later killed by Absalom, Tamar's elder brother from the same mother, because of what he did to his sister. (Read 2 Samuel 13:1-29)
Therefore, don't accommodate lust in your heart because it will always lead to a sad end.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I pray that my love will keep on growing because of your knowledge and insight, so that I will be able to determine what is best and remain pure and blameless until the day of Christ, in Jesus Name, Amen.
For further study read:
James 1:12-15, Hebrews 3:12-13.
DOING THE WORD
Stop feeding your heart with materials that feed lust.
Ephesians 4:22(KJV)
Our opening scripture lets us know that lust is deceitful. Therefore, judge your motives and guard your heart against lust, because if you allow lust into your heart, you will become a deceitful person.
If you know you have lust in your heart, no matter what it is you are lusting after, I encourage you today according to the Word of God, to put away lust from your heart. This is important because, if you let lust drive you, you will become wicked and insensitive to others. You will only be engrossed in those lustful desires.
Lust perverts the heart. When lust controls a man's heart, it will amaze you the extent he will be willing to go to satisfy his evil desires. The Bible records a very touching story concerning Amnon and Tamar, two of David's children in 2 Samuel 13. Both of them were children of David, born to him by different women. Amnon lusted after his own sister, Tamar who was a virgin. In other to satisfy his lust, he lied that he was sick and specifically asked for Tamar to come and care for him.
In the process of Tamar faithfully caring for her brother, Amnon, with sincere love, she was forcefully raped by him. After he raped her, he hated her. This proves to us that his love was emotional, it was based on his senses. He lusted after her beauty, he did not really love her from his heart. Amnon was later killed by Absalom, Tamar's elder brother from the same mother, because of what he did to his sister. (Read 2 Samuel 13:1-29)
Therefore, don't accommodate lust in your heart because it will always lead to a sad end.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I pray that my love will keep on growing because of your knowledge and insight, so that I will be able to determine what is best and remain pure and blameless until the day of Christ, in Jesus Name, Amen.
For further study read:
James 1:12-15, Hebrews 3:12-13.
DOING THE WORD
Stop feeding your heart with materials that feed lust.
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Love is Truthful
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9(KJV)
I want you to know that if you truly love others, you would not lie to them. So, today as you read this devotional, I want you to examine your heart and the motive behind your actions and the words you say. Does your words and your intentions or motives agree?
When you say you love someone, you are actually committing yourself to their well being. You are saying that you have their best interest at heart. Don't tell others you love them, so that you can take advantage of them to satisfy your selfishness and lust. That is not love but lust.
Let your love for others be genuine. Don't live a lie. If you love those you say you love, then never take advantage of them or their weaknesses, because if you do, then you never really loved them in truth.
If you are a young man or woman, don't lie to the person you claim to love, because you want him or her to marry you, or do you a favour. Don't lie to anyone, let them know the truth about you. It is important you know that if you have to lie to someone who you claim to love, you are not in love, rather you are in lust.
Any relationship you are trying to sustain on lies will ultimately be destroyed when the truth is discovered. Living a lie in any relationship; be it in courtship, or in marriage, with your boss, with a friend, or even with your parents, may prove that you are in that relationship with wrong motives. It means that you claim you love them because of what you gain from them. That is not love, that is lust.
Therefore, if you have been living a lie, you have to tell the truth to those you have lied to, if you truly love them, in other to save that relationship.
PRAYER
Dear Father, expose every seed of falsehood that has entered into my belief system, and grant me the fortitude to make the necessary adjustments where it is required, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Ephesians 4:25-30
DOING THE WORD
Be courageous, go and confess the truth to those you have lied to.
I want you to know that if you truly love others, you would not lie to them. So, today as you read this devotional, I want you to examine your heart and the motive behind your actions and the words you say. Does your words and your intentions or motives agree?
When you say you love someone, you are actually committing yourself to their well being. You are saying that you have their best interest at heart. Don't tell others you love them, so that you can take advantage of them to satisfy your selfishness and lust. That is not love but lust.
Let your love for others be genuine. Don't live a lie. If you love those you say you love, then never take advantage of them or their weaknesses, because if you do, then you never really loved them in truth.
If you are a young man or woman, don't lie to the person you claim to love, because you want him or her to marry you, or do you a favour. Don't lie to anyone, let them know the truth about you. It is important you know that if you have to lie to someone who you claim to love, you are not in love, rather you are in lust.
Any relationship you are trying to sustain on lies will ultimately be destroyed when the truth is discovered. Living a lie in any relationship; be it in courtship, or in marriage, with your boss, with a friend, or even with your parents, may prove that you are in that relationship with wrong motives. It means that you claim you love them because of what you gain from them. That is not love, that is lust.
Therefore, if you have been living a lie, you have to tell the truth to those you have lied to, if you truly love them, in other to save that relationship.
PRAYER
Dear Father, expose every seed of falsehood that has entered into my belief system, and grant me the fortitude to make the necessary adjustments where it is required, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Ephesians 4:25-30
DOING THE WORD
Be courageous, go and confess the truth to those you have lied to.
Saturday, 28 December 2013
Lust betrays.
“Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.” Proverbs 6:25(KJV)
Today, child of God, I want to counsel you not to build your relationship on lust. This is because any relationship that is built on lust would not last. Lust is temporal, lust is selfish and lust would betray you.
To the young men, do not give your love to a lustful woman, it can cost you, your life. The Bible says in Proverbs 6:26, “For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.” This is why as a Christian man, you should not consider getting married to a lady who is an unbeliever, just because she is beautiful, that will be building your relationship on lust.
Samson was used greatly by God in the Bible, but his weakness was his lust, because he did not check his lust, he gave his heart to a lustful woman and she betrayed him and brought him to a piece of bread. The Bible says in Judges 16:1(GNB), “One day Samson went to the Philistine city of Gaza, where he met a prostitute and went to bed with her.” Then, Judges 6:4(GNB) says, “After this, Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in Sorek Valley.” Please read Judges 6:5-20 and you will discover that Delilah was a loose woman, because she was willing to betray Samson to the Philistines because of her lust for money.
Proverbs 5:3-5(MSG) says, “The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft words are oh so smooth. But it won't be long before she's gravel in your mouth, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart. She's dancing down the primrose path to Death; she's headed straight for Hell and taking you with her.” These things have been written for our learning, so do not give your love to a strange woman, it will lead to your down fall.
Prayer.
Dear Father, I give you my heart, I give you my mind, I give you my emotions. Work in me by your Spirit, and cleanse me from all that defiles, as you strengthen me to fulfill your purpose for my life without reproach in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read
Matthew 5:27-30, Job 31:1
Doing the Word
Check all forms of lust in your life, by renewing your mind with the Word of God.
Today, child of God, I want to counsel you not to build your relationship on lust. This is because any relationship that is built on lust would not last. Lust is temporal, lust is selfish and lust would betray you.
To the young men, do not give your love to a lustful woman, it can cost you, your life. The Bible says in Proverbs 6:26, “For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.” This is why as a Christian man, you should not consider getting married to a lady who is an unbeliever, just because she is beautiful, that will be building your relationship on lust.
Samson was used greatly by God in the Bible, but his weakness was his lust, because he did not check his lust, he gave his heart to a lustful woman and she betrayed him and brought him to a piece of bread. The Bible says in Judges 16:1(GNB), “One day Samson went to the Philistine city of Gaza, where he met a prostitute and went to bed with her.” Then, Judges 6:4(GNB) says, “After this, Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in Sorek Valley.” Please read Judges 6:5-20 and you will discover that Delilah was a loose woman, because she was willing to betray Samson to the Philistines because of her lust for money.
Proverbs 5:3-5(MSG) says, “The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft words are oh so smooth. But it won't be long before she's gravel in your mouth, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart. She's dancing down the primrose path to Death; she's headed straight for Hell and taking you with her.” These things have been written for our learning, so do not give your love to a strange woman, it will lead to your down fall.
Prayer.
Dear Father, I give you my heart, I give you my mind, I give you my emotions. Work in me by your Spirit, and cleanse me from all that defiles, as you strengthen me to fulfill your purpose for my life without reproach in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read
Matthew 5:27-30, Job 31:1
Doing the Word
Check all forms of lust in your life, by renewing your mind with the Word of God.
Friday, 27 December 2013
Are you loyal?
“Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.”
Proverbs 18:24(GNB)
Love is loyal even under fire or trial. This means that if you say you love someone, your willingness to stand by them in times of difficulty and challenging experiences even when they cannot meet your own needs, is a proof of your love for them.
A good example of such love found in the Bible, is the love that existed between David and Jonathan. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 18:1, “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
Jonathan loved David, and he stayed true to his love for David, in his commitment to the preservation of David's life, even when King Saul, Jonathan's father wanted to kill David. Saul the King of Israel wanted David dead because he felt that the people of Israel would make David King after him, instead of his son Jonathan.
When Jonathan understood why his father wanted David dead, he still did not support his father who was supposedly trying to protect the throne for him, but instead, he sided with David, exposed his father's plot to David and arranged David's escape, because he loved David. (Read 1 Samuel 20:1-42)
Jonathan's love for David wasn't selfish, because as the heir apparent to the throne of Israel at that time, he was willing to step down, so that David would be King. That was true love that remained loyal even under fire.
(Read 1 Samuel 23:16-18)
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for I am strengthened in your will for my life, and I am delivered from wicked and unreasonable men, I ask that you surround me with men and women whose hearts are perfect towards you, in Jesus Name, Amen.
For further study read:
Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 27:10, Job 6:14.
DOING THE WORD
Be a faithful friend.
Proverbs 18:24(GNB)
Love is loyal even under fire or trial. This means that if you say you love someone, your willingness to stand by them in times of difficulty and challenging experiences even when they cannot meet your own needs, is a proof of your love for them.
A good example of such love found in the Bible, is the love that existed between David and Jonathan. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 18:1, “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
Jonathan loved David, and he stayed true to his love for David, in his commitment to the preservation of David's life, even when King Saul, Jonathan's father wanted to kill David. Saul the King of Israel wanted David dead because he felt that the people of Israel would make David King after him, instead of his son Jonathan.
When Jonathan understood why his father wanted David dead, he still did not support his father who was supposedly trying to protect the throne for him, but instead, he sided with David, exposed his father's plot to David and arranged David's escape, because he loved David. (Read 1 Samuel 20:1-42)
Jonathan's love for David wasn't selfish, because as the heir apparent to the throne of Israel at that time, he was willing to step down, so that David would be King. That was true love that remained loyal even under fire.
(Read 1 Samuel 23:16-18)
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for I am strengthened in your will for my life, and I am delivered from wicked and unreasonable men, I ask that you surround me with men and women whose hearts are perfect towards you, in Jesus Name, Amen.
For further study read:
Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 27:10, Job 6:14.
DOING THE WORD
Be a faithful friend.
Thursday, 26 December 2013
Love has temperance.
“… Love isn't selfish or quick tempered...” 1 Corinthians 13:5(CEV)
Our opening scripture shows us one of the characteristics of love by letting us know that love is not selfish or quick tempered. To be selfish means to be self centered, in other words, you are concerned only about your own needs, desires and wishes, but love is not selfish.
Love is selfless. Love is willing to endure and tame all selfish emotions, and put the needs, and the good of others first before her own.
Also we learn from our opening scripture that love is not quick tempered. In other words, love is not easily provoked to anger or annoyed. This proves to us that love has self control.
The same is not true of lustful people. Lustful people; who are driven by inordinate affections are hot tempered. If they do not show it outwardly by getting into a rage or showing extreme anger, they bottle it up inside of them, and continue to burn with hatred and meanness inside.
Love can control anger because it is self controlled and humble. Lust is prideful and boastful. Love is eternal,but lust is temporal.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I ask that you weed my heart from every form of lust and self centeredness. Let Christ be formed in me, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
1 Corinthians 10:24, 32-33, Philippians 2:19-21,
Romans 15:1-7, 1 Corinthians 9:23-27.
DOING THE WORD
Love your neighbors as yourself. What you do not want others to do to you, do not do it to others.
Our opening scripture shows us one of the characteristics of love by letting us know that love is not selfish or quick tempered. To be selfish means to be self centered, in other words, you are concerned only about your own needs, desires and wishes, but love is not selfish.
Love is selfless. Love is willing to endure and tame all selfish emotions, and put the needs, and the good of others first before her own.
Also we learn from our opening scripture that love is not quick tempered. In other words, love is not easily provoked to anger or annoyed. This proves to us that love has self control.
The same is not true of lustful people. Lustful people; who are driven by inordinate affections are hot tempered. If they do not show it outwardly by getting into a rage or showing extreme anger, they bottle it up inside of them, and continue to burn with hatred and meanness inside.
Love can control anger because it is self controlled and humble. Lust is prideful and boastful. Love is eternal,but lust is temporal.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I ask that you weed my heart from every form of lust and self centeredness. Let Christ be formed in me, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
1 Corinthians 10:24, 32-33, Philippians 2:19-21,
Romans 15:1-7, 1 Corinthians 9:23-27.
DOING THE WORD
Love your neighbors as yourself. What you do not want others to do to you, do not do it to others.
The Greatest Love
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13(KJV)
Love is willing to lay down his life for others. That is the highest display of love for someone else. That is exactly what Jesus did for us. He was willing to lay down his life for us, even when we were sinners, and did not please Him by our actions.
The Bible says in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus did not die for us because of our good works. No, He died for us, because He loved us inspite of our sins. That is the unconditional love He had for us.
God would have destroyed us with His wrath because of our sins, but He chose to save us because of his great love for us. He did not want us to perish, so, He decided to deal with the sin problem, through the death of Jesus. Now, if you believe with your heart in what Jesus did for you, you will receive His life, that will cause you to live in righteousness, above sin.
The death of Jesus completely paid for your sins and met the demands of justice, so that you can be free from the condemnation of sin, the power of sin, and the condemnation of satan.
I want you to know that Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but He came so that the world will be saved through Him. This is what the celebration of Christmas should be about, that Jesus, the Son of God came into this world, to save us with His love, and anyone who believes in Him will be saved, and will come into the unconditional love of God for the whole world.
If you are not born again today, this is what it is all about, therefore I encourage you to accept the love of God for you and pray the prayer of salvation below, so that your Christmas can be worth celebrating.
PRAYER OF SALVATION
“O God, I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe that He is the Son of God. I believe that He died for my sins. I believe with all my heart that you raised Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is my Lord. I take Him as my Lord and personal savior. Jesus, come into my heart, make me a new person. I receive eternal life into my spirit and I ask that you fill my heart with your love even now. Amen.”
For further study read:
John 3:16-18, Romans 3:21-26, Romans 5:6-9, Ephesians 2:13-17.
DOING THE WORD
Judge your acceptance by the unconditional love of God for you.
Love is willing to lay down his life for others. That is the highest display of love for someone else. That is exactly what Jesus did for us. He was willing to lay down his life for us, even when we were sinners, and did not please Him by our actions.
The Bible says in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus did not die for us because of our good works. No, He died for us, because He loved us inspite of our sins. That is the unconditional love He had for us.
God would have destroyed us with His wrath because of our sins, but He chose to save us because of his great love for us. He did not want us to perish, so, He decided to deal with the sin problem, through the death of Jesus. Now, if you believe with your heart in what Jesus did for you, you will receive His life, that will cause you to live in righteousness, above sin.
The death of Jesus completely paid for your sins and met the demands of justice, so that you can be free from the condemnation of sin, the power of sin, and the condemnation of satan.
I want you to know that Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but He came so that the world will be saved through Him. This is what the celebration of Christmas should be about, that Jesus, the Son of God came into this world, to save us with His love, and anyone who believes in Him will be saved, and will come into the unconditional love of God for the whole world.
If you are not born again today, this is what it is all about, therefore I encourage you to accept the love of God for you and pray the prayer of salvation below, so that your Christmas can be worth celebrating.
PRAYER OF SALVATION
“O God, I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe that He is the Son of God. I believe that He died for my sins. I believe with all my heart that you raised Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is my Lord. I take Him as my Lord and personal savior. Jesus, come into my heart, make me a new person. I receive eternal life into my spirit and I ask that you fill my heart with your love even now. Amen.”
For further study read:
John 3:16-18, Romans 3:21-26, Romans 5:6-9, Ephesians 2:13-17.
DOING THE WORD
Judge your acceptance by the unconditional love of God for you.
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
Love Standard
“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” Romans 12:2(AMP)
As a child of God, you must not love like the world. The Bible tells us in our opening scripture, not to conformed to this world. In other words, we must not imitate the world in the way that they love, or express their love. Do not follow the wrong crowd or accept their ideals on what is love, and how to love.
Fill your mind and meditate on what the Bible teaches about love. The ideals of the Bible, and the life of Jesus revealed in the Bible should be your model for love, and loving others. Anything outside of that will lead you out of the will of God, and your life will not be pleasing to God that way.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8(ESV), “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…”
In John 13:34, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Therefore, let the Bible and Jesus be your standard for love and loving others.
PRAYER
Dear Father I thank you for I am strengthened with might according to the riches of your glory by your Spirit in my inward man against all negative influences and hate in the world. I live free from selfishness and bitterness in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Proverbs 10:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 4:8-11
DOING THE WORD
Practice only what the Bible teaches about love.
As a child of God, you must not love like the world. The Bible tells us in our opening scripture, not to conformed to this world. In other words, we must not imitate the world in the way that they love, or express their love. Do not follow the wrong crowd or accept their ideals on what is love, and how to love.
Fill your mind and meditate on what the Bible teaches about love. The ideals of the Bible, and the life of Jesus revealed in the Bible should be your model for love, and loving others. Anything outside of that will lead you out of the will of God, and your life will not be pleasing to God that way.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8(ESV), “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…”
In John 13:34, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Therefore, let the Bible and Jesus be your standard for love and loving others.
PRAYER
Dear Father I thank you for I am strengthened with might according to the riches of your glory by your Spirit in my inward man against all negative influences and hate in the world. I live free from selfishness and bitterness in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Proverbs 10:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 4:8-11
DOING THE WORD
Practice only what the Bible teaches about love.
Monday, 23 December 2013
Love walks in the light
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” Ephesians 5:8(KJV)
Our opening scripture today is an instruction. The Lord is telling you, “…walk as children of light:” Do you know that the love of God that we are learning about does not walk in darkness? When we say darkness here, we mean sin and other negative vices. Love walks in the light, it is lust that walks in the dark.
For example, as a child of God, weather you are a teenager, or an unmarried adult, do not get into a secret relationship with anyone from the opposite sex. This is because lust thrives in secrecy, because it is in the dark, but love thrives in the light.
Therefore, I want to encourage you to express your love in the light as a child of God. So, before you commit yourself in any relationship, let your Pastor or those in authority over you know. This will help you to receive the right counsel, and protect your heart and your relationship from lust and other vices. Been accountable to spiritual authority will expose lust and protect love.
Do not get into any ungodly relationship with anyone, because the Bible says in Ephesians 5:11-15(ESV), “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,”
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for you are at work in me, both to will and to do of your good pleasure in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Isaiah 2:5, Colossians 3:1-14
DOING THE WORD
I encourage you to repent and come out of any ungodly relationship you are involved with.
Our opening scripture today is an instruction. The Lord is telling you, “…walk as children of light:” Do you know that the love of God that we are learning about does not walk in darkness? When we say darkness here, we mean sin and other negative vices. Love walks in the light, it is lust that walks in the dark.
For example, as a child of God, weather you are a teenager, or an unmarried adult, do not get into a secret relationship with anyone from the opposite sex. This is because lust thrives in secrecy, because it is in the dark, but love thrives in the light.
Therefore, I want to encourage you to express your love in the light as a child of God. So, before you commit yourself in any relationship, let your Pastor or those in authority over you know. This will help you to receive the right counsel, and protect your heart and your relationship from lust and other vices. Been accountable to spiritual authority will expose lust and protect love.
Do not get into any ungodly relationship with anyone, because the Bible says in Ephesians 5:11-15(ESV), “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,”
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for you are at work in me, both to will and to do of your good pleasure in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Isaiah 2:5, Colossians 3:1-14
DOING THE WORD
I encourage you to repent and come out of any ungodly relationship you are involved with.
A fruit of the spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, …”
Galatians 5:22(KJV)
From our opening scripture today, we learn that love is a fruit of the spirit. This means that as a child of God, it is important you know that you have received the capacity to love, because love has been ingrafted in your spirit as a child of God.
The Bible says in Romans 5:5 that, “… the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” So, as a child of God, you shouldn't make statements like, “I can't just love anybody.” Or “I find it very difficult to forgive others.” If you are that way, it means you have not come to understand that agape is in your nature; the God-kind of love has been poured into your heart, such that your heart is flooded with love.
Love from your spirit, because that is where the love of God is. Don't love from your head or your emotions. Emotional love can be corrupted by worldly passions and the wrong desires, that is why you must constantly learn to renew your mind by the Word of God, so that you can be able to discern the good, acceptable and perfect will of God for you.
Galatians 5:13-16(GNB) says, “As for you, my friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another. For the whole Law is summed up in one commandment: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." But if you act like wild animals, hurting and harming each other, then watch out, or you will completely destroy one another. What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.”
CONFESSION
I declare that God's grace and spiritual blessing is heavy upon my life, God's favour is working for me, and the love of God establishes my heart to express the perfections of the divine nature in Jesus Name, Amen.
For further study read:
Galatians 5:16-26, Romans 8:5-9.
DOING THE WORD
Let God's love from your spirit guide you to love in line with the Word of God.
Galatians 5:22(KJV)
From our opening scripture today, we learn that love is a fruit of the spirit. This means that as a child of God, it is important you know that you have received the capacity to love, because love has been ingrafted in your spirit as a child of God.
The Bible says in Romans 5:5 that, “… the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” So, as a child of God, you shouldn't make statements like, “I can't just love anybody.” Or “I find it very difficult to forgive others.” If you are that way, it means you have not come to understand that agape is in your nature; the God-kind of love has been poured into your heart, such that your heart is flooded with love.
Love from your spirit, because that is where the love of God is. Don't love from your head or your emotions. Emotional love can be corrupted by worldly passions and the wrong desires, that is why you must constantly learn to renew your mind by the Word of God, so that you can be able to discern the good, acceptable and perfect will of God for you.
Galatians 5:13-16(GNB) says, “As for you, my friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another. For the whole Law is summed up in one commandment: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." But if you act like wild animals, hurting and harming each other, then watch out, or you will completely destroy one another. What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature.”
CONFESSION
I declare that God's grace and spiritual blessing is heavy upon my life, God's favour is working for me, and the love of God establishes my heart to express the perfections of the divine nature in Jesus Name, Amen.
For further study read:
Galatians 5:16-26, Romans 8:5-9.
DOING THE WORD
Let God's love from your spirit guide you to love in line with the Word of God.
Saturday, 21 December 2013
Seed of equal benefit
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Romans 13:10(KJV)
The Bible says in our opening scripture, that love worketh no ill to his neighbour. In other words, love does not seek to harm his neighbour in any way. Love does not plan to avenge himself. Love is always willing to forgive that individual that hurt you.
Kenneth Copeland told a story of how he was in the airport going to Hawaii. He placed his camera on his neck, but as he bent down to get something, before he raised his head again, his camera was gone from his neck. A fast guy has stolen the camera from him.
When this happened, he became very bitter about the loss of his camera. Then the Lord asked him, “why are you angry with the young man?” He answered, “he stole my camera.” Then the Lord said, “why don't you forgive him,” then he answered saying, “okay, Lord I forgive him.”
So, after he boarded the plane and was on his way flying to Hawaii, the Lord spoke to him again saying, “why don't you count the camera that the young man stole from you as a seed of equal benefit.” Kenneth Copeland agreed and counted it as a seed. Then God asked him, “then, what is your harvest?” he answered, “I demand for the best camera.”
When he got to Hawaii, he entered the shop of a Japanese man that couldn't speak english well, and he asked him for the cost of a Nikon camera that was on display, and the man said, $50. He gave him $50 and he was also able to get the lense for the camera almost at no cost.
Therefore, he was able to get a camera better than the camera that was stolen for less money. This was made possible because he turned the loss of the previous camera as a seed of equal benefit, instead of been bitter over the loss. I encourage you to follow this principle, and you will always get the same result.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I let go of every bitterness against anyone who has taken anything away from me unjustly. I expect to receive a thousand times more than what was taken in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Genesis 37:26-28, Genesis 45:1-8, Genesis 50:15-20.
DOING THE WORD
Count whatever has been stolen from you as a seed of equal benefit, then name your harvest.
Romans 13:10(KJV)
The Bible says in our opening scripture, that love worketh no ill to his neighbour. In other words, love does not seek to harm his neighbour in any way. Love does not plan to avenge himself. Love is always willing to forgive that individual that hurt you.
Kenneth Copeland told a story of how he was in the airport going to Hawaii. He placed his camera on his neck, but as he bent down to get something, before he raised his head again, his camera was gone from his neck. A fast guy has stolen the camera from him.
When this happened, he became very bitter about the loss of his camera. Then the Lord asked him, “why are you angry with the young man?” He answered, “he stole my camera.” Then the Lord said, “why don't you forgive him,” then he answered saying, “okay, Lord I forgive him.”
So, after he boarded the plane and was on his way flying to Hawaii, the Lord spoke to him again saying, “why don't you count the camera that the young man stole from you as a seed of equal benefit.” Kenneth Copeland agreed and counted it as a seed. Then God asked him, “then, what is your harvest?” he answered, “I demand for the best camera.”
When he got to Hawaii, he entered the shop of a Japanese man that couldn't speak english well, and he asked him for the cost of a Nikon camera that was on display, and the man said, $50. He gave him $50 and he was also able to get the lense for the camera almost at no cost.
Therefore, he was able to get a camera better than the camera that was stolen for less money. This was made possible because he turned the loss of the previous camera as a seed of equal benefit, instead of been bitter over the loss. I encourage you to follow this principle, and you will always get the same result.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I let go of every bitterness against anyone who has taken anything away from me unjustly. I expect to receive a thousand times more than what was taken in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Genesis 37:26-28, Genesis 45:1-8, Genesis 50:15-20.
DOING THE WORD
Count whatever has been stolen from you as a seed of equal benefit, then name your harvest.
Friday, 20 December 2013
The debt you owe
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8(KJV)
Our opening scripture today shows us that love is an obligation we have as children of God. Love is a debt you owe others. You owe your wife, your husband, your children, the Body of Christ, the duty of love.
The Bible says in Romans 13:8, “… for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” In the Old Testament, if you want all of God's blessings to come upon you, you will have to fulfil the whole law. But now in the New Testament, we have been given a commandment according to 1 John 3:23, “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”
So, we have been commanded by God, to believe in the Name of Jesus Christ, and to love one another. When you love, you have fulfilled the whole law, and your love life is a connection to the manifested blessing in your life.
Therefore, the reason why some Christians are not seeing the manifested blessing of God in their lives in the way they ought to see them, and all they have is a result of their sweat, is because they have not learnt to love.
Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” That is the only debt you should owe everyone, the debt of love.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I make a commitment today, to love others as you have revealed to me in your Word. Thank you Father for your grace is sufficient for me and your strength is perfected in me to love even as I ought to in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Colossians 3:12-14, Matthew 22:37-40.
DOING THE WORD
Please forgive all those who have offended you.
Our opening scripture today shows us that love is an obligation we have as children of God. Love is a debt you owe others. You owe your wife, your husband, your children, the Body of Christ, the duty of love.
The Bible says in Romans 13:8, “… for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” In the Old Testament, if you want all of God's blessings to come upon you, you will have to fulfil the whole law. But now in the New Testament, we have been given a commandment according to 1 John 3:23, “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”
So, we have been commanded by God, to believe in the Name of Jesus Christ, and to love one another. When you love, you have fulfilled the whole law, and your love life is a connection to the manifested blessing in your life.
Therefore, the reason why some Christians are not seeing the manifested blessing of God in their lives in the way they ought to see them, and all they have is a result of their sweat, is because they have not learnt to love.
Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” That is the only debt you should owe everyone, the debt of love.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I make a commitment today, to love others as you have revealed to me in your Word. Thank you Father for your grace is sufficient for me and your strength is perfected in me to love even as I ought to in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Colossians 3:12-14, Matthew 22:37-40.
DOING THE WORD
Please forgive all those who have offended you.
Thursday, 19 December 2013
Love your wife
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Ephesians 5:25(KJV)
Our opening scripture shows every husband, that the kind of love they ought to have for their wife, should be the kind of love that Christ has for the Church. This means that as a married man, you should love your wife, just as Christ loved the Church.
From the scriptures, we know that the love that Christ has for the Church is a self-giving love, therefore as a married man, your love for your wife should be a self-giving love. You must constantly give of yourself to her, because Jesus gave himself for the Church.
Secondly, I want you to see the purpose of this self giving love from Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” This means that Jesus loved us so that, He can sanctify and cleanse us by the washing of water by the Word.
Therefore, as a married man, be conscious of the words you speak about your wife. Let your words make her know that you respect and honour her. Don't insult your wife. Hold her in high esteem. Remember, she is bone of your bone, and flesh of your flesh. Both of you are one.
As a husband, inspire your wife, speak well of her. Don't talk her down. Use your words to make her what you want her to be. It is your love for your wife expressed through your words that will make your wife without fault.
Finally, Ephesians 5:28(CEV) says, “In the same way, a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself.”
INSTRUCTION
Please pray for married couples today. Pray that their marriages will be sustained in love; against divorce. Pray that peace and prosperity will be sustained in their homes.
For further study read:
Matthew 19:3-6
DOING THE WORD
If you are married, do something special for your spouse today.
Our opening scripture shows every husband, that the kind of love they ought to have for their wife, should be the kind of love that Christ has for the Church. This means that as a married man, you should love your wife, just as Christ loved the Church.
From the scriptures, we know that the love that Christ has for the Church is a self-giving love, therefore as a married man, your love for your wife should be a self-giving love. You must constantly give of yourself to her, because Jesus gave himself for the Church.
Secondly, I want you to see the purpose of this self giving love from Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” This means that Jesus loved us so that, He can sanctify and cleanse us by the washing of water by the Word.
Therefore, as a married man, be conscious of the words you speak about your wife. Let your words make her know that you respect and honour her. Don't insult your wife. Hold her in high esteem. Remember, she is bone of your bone, and flesh of your flesh. Both of you are one.
As a husband, inspire your wife, speak well of her. Don't talk her down. Use your words to make her what you want her to be. It is your love for your wife expressed through your words that will make your wife without fault.
Finally, Ephesians 5:28(CEV) says, “In the same way, a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself.”
INSTRUCTION
Please pray for married couples today. Pray that their marriages will be sustained in love; against divorce. Pray that peace and prosperity will be sustained in their homes.
For further study read:
Matthew 19:3-6
DOING THE WORD
If you are married, do something special for your spouse today.
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
Activate your faith
“…what matters is faith that works through love.” Galatians 5:6(GNB)
From our opening scripture, the Bible lets us know that our faith as sons and daughters of God, works through love. The International Standard Version puts it this way, “What matters is faith that is active through love.”
This shows us that, the reason why the faith of some believers is not active, is because they have not come to understand the role of love in activating their faith for the manifestation of the results of the Word of God they desire to see in their lives.
The Bible says in James 2:13(MSG), “For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly…” This proves to us that our expectations are governed by our attitude. In other words, if you are a person who finds it very difficult to forgive others, you will find it very difficult as well to receive forgiveness from God when you need it.
Also, if you are a very selfish person that does not show any concern for others and their needs, because you don't believe you should give anything free to anybody, you also, will find it very difficult to believe that God will meet your needs, neither will you trust in the favour of God, because you believe you have to pay for everything, and struggle through life.
Some people complain, saying, “nobody ever gives anything to me, nobody loves me, and I have never experienced favour.” Instead of complaining, check your love life. When last did you willingly do something good for others because of the love of God? Are you quick to forgive? Amend your ways today, and you will discover that your faith will become active to receive from God.
INSTRUCTION
Since its more blessed to give than to receive, sow a seed into the life of someone today, expecting to reap a harvest.
For further study read:
Ephesians 6:23-24, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.
DOING THE WORD
Don't give yourself all the attention, be kind to others today.
From our opening scripture, the Bible lets us know that our faith as sons and daughters of God, works through love. The International Standard Version puts it this way, “What matters is faith that is active through love.”
This shows us that, the reason why the faith of some believers is not active, is because they have not come to understand the role of love in activating their faith for the manifestation of the results of the Word of God they desire to see in their lives.
The Bible says in James 2:13(MSG), “For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly…” This proves to us that our expectations are governed by our attitude. In other words, if you are a person who finds it very difficult to forgive others, you will find it very difficult as well to receive forgiveness from God when you need it.
Also, if you are a very selfish person that does not show any concern for others and their needs, because you don't believe you should give anything free to anybody, you also, will find it very difficult to believe that God will meet your needs, neither will you trust in the favour of God, because you believe you have to pay for everything, and struggle through life.
Some people complain, saying, “nobody ever gives anything to me, nobody loves me, and I have never experienced favour.” Instead of complaining, check your love life. When last did you willingly do something good for others because of the love of God? Are you quick to forgive? Amend your ways today, and you will discover that your faith will become active to receive from God.
INSTRUCTION
Since its more blessed to give than to receive, sow a seed into the life of someone today, expecting to reap a harvest.
For further study read:
Ephesians 6:23-24, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8.
DOING THE WORD
Don't give yourself all the attention, be kind to others today.
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Love-the principle of life
“"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for.” Matthew 5:7(MSG)
Today I want to encourage you to learn the way of love. It is the principle of life. The Bible shows us the way of love in our opening scripture; by letting us know that the man who shows genuine concern by caring for others, is blessed. In other words, a blessing resides on the man or woman who walks by love.
I want you to know that walking in love is not a weakness, neither will it cause you to be disadvantaged. When you are a person who expresses unconditional love to others, some persons may think you are stupid, or that you have lost your mind. Don't let them discourage you in your character of love.
Walking in unconditional love will empower you and rightly position you in the center of God's favour, so you can be, do, and have all that God has ordained for you to be, do, and have.
Love will always get God's attention, because, it is the nature of God. The Bible says in 1 John 4:11-12, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” Also, in 1 John 4:16 the Bible says, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
Therefore, know that as you walk in love, you cannot be disadvantaged because God dwells in you, and you in God, and He will ensure that you are cared for in every way.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for as I daily walk in love, I am rightly positioned in the center of your favour which empowers me to be, do and have, all that you've ordained for me to be, do and have, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
2 Peter 1:5-9, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
DOING THE WORD
Maintain love and good works.
Today I want to encourage you to learn the way of love. It is the principle of life. The Bible shows us the way of love in our opening scripture; by letting us know that the man who shows genuine concern by caring for others, is blessed. In other words, a blessing resides on the man or woman who walks by love.
I want you to know that walking in love is not a weakness, neither will it cause you to be disadvantaged. When you are a person who expresses unconditional love to others, some persons may think you are stupid, or that you have lost your mind. Don't let them discourage you in your character of love.
Walking in unconditional love will empower you and rightly position you in the center of God's favour, so you can be, do, and have all that God has ordained for you to be, do, and have.
Love will always get God's attention, because, it is the nature of God. The Bible says in 1 John 4:11-12, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” Also, in 1 John 4:16 the Bible says, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”
Therefore, know that as you walk in love, you cannot be disadvantaged because God dwells in you, and you in God, and He will ensure that you are cared for in every way.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for as I daily walk in love, I am rightly positioned in the center of your favour which empowers me to be, do and have, all that you've ordained for me to be, do and have, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
2 Peter 1:5-9, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
DOING THE WORD
Maintain love and good works.
Monday, 16 December 2013
Continue in Love
“With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, …” 2 Samuel 22:26(KJV)
Our opening scripture shows us one of the most important reasons why you need to walk in unconditional love towards others. This is because, when you give love to the undeserving, and you are merciful to them, God's favour will also be abundant towards you, to give you what you do not deserve as well, and be merciful to you.
When you are a person who gives unconditional love to others, God will also cause you to be favoured by others, who will be willing to give to you, or to do things for you that you do not deserve.
Maybe you went for an interview, and they wanted to give the job to someone from a particular region in that state, and you are not from there. But, because you have sown seeds of love to the undeserving, God remembers you and causes those persons to favour you and give you the job that you didn't qualify for.
It is important you know that refusing to walk in love can make your life difficult. Observe what the Bible teaches in Galatians 6:7-10(MSG), “Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others--ignoring God!-- harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for my heart is stirred up right now by your Spirit to continue in love, and to maximize the opportunities that come my way to be good to all men, even the undeserving, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Matthew 5:7, Hebrews 6:10, Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 25:34-40.
DOING THE WORD
Show love to the undeserving.
Our opening scripture shows us one of the most important reasons why you need to walk in unconditional love towards others. This is because, when you give love to the undeserving, and you are merciful to them, God's favour will also be abundant towards you, to give you what you do not deserve as well, and be merciful to you.
When you are a person who gives unconditional love to others, God will also cause you to be favoured by others, who will be willing to give to you, or to do things for you that you do not deserve.
Maybe you went for an interview, and they wanted to give the job to someone from a particular region in that state, and you are not from there. But, because you have sown seeds of love to the undeserving, God remembers you and causes those persons to favour you and give you the job that you didn't qualify for.
It is important you know that refusing to walk in love can make your life difficult. Observe what the Bible teaches in Galatians 6:7-10(MSG), “Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others--ignoring God!-- harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for my heart is stirred up right now by your Spirit to continue in love, and to maximize the opportunities that come my way to be good to all men, even the undeserving, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Matthew 5:7, Hebrews 6:10, Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 25:34-40.
DOING THE WORD
Show love to the undeserving.
Sunday, 15 December 2013
Sow seed of Love 3
“Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church--a love marked by giving, not getting.”
Ephesians 5:25(MSG)
From our opening scripture, it is obvious that as a husband, your love for your wife should be self sacrificing. This is because God expects us to love our wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it.
Therefore, whenever she offends you, don't become bitter against her. Instead, see her weaknesses as an opportunity to sow seeds of love into her life. So, if she comes to you afterwards, with a list of all the things she needs to buy, don't see it as an opportunity to accuse her and make her feel bad. Give her the money she has asked for, and even more if you can.
Remember that when you ask the Father for something, the Bible tells us in James 1:5, that God gives to you liberally, without upbraiding you, in other words, without fault finding or rebuke. So give to your wife liberally knowing that when you love your wife, or anyone unconditionally, God will surely reward you for it.
Conditional love is not love at all. In a Christian marriage, love is unconditional. Be good to your wife and talk to her well no matter what she may have done.
In 1 Peter 3:7, the Bible says, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”
INSTRUCTION
If you are married do something special for your spouse today. Give them a surprise of love.
For further study read:
Colossians 3:18-19, Ephesians 4:31-32.
DOING THE WORD
Please pray Philippians 1:9-11 for your family members today.
Ephesians 5:25(MSG)
From our opening scripture, it is obvious that as a husband, your love for your wife should be self sacrificing. This is because God expects us to love our wives just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it.
Therefore, whenever she offends you, don't become bitter against her. Instead, see her weaknesses as an opportunity to sow seeds of love into her life. So, if she comes to you afterwards, with a list of all the things she needs to buy, don't see it as an opportunity to accuse her and make her feel bad. Give her the money she has asked for, and even more if you can.
Remember that when you ask the Father for something, the Bible tells us in James 1:5, that God gives to you liberally, without upbraiding you, in other words, without fault finding or rebuke. So give to your wife liberally knowing that when you love your wife, or anyone unconditionally, God will surely reward you for it.
Conditional love is not love at all. In a Christian marriage, love is unconditional. Be good to your wife and talk to her well no matter what she may have done.
In 1 Peter 3:7, the Bible says, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”
INSTRUCTION
If you are married do something special for your spouse today. Give them a surprise of love.
For further study read:
Colossians 3:18-19, Ephesians 4:31-32.
DOING THE WORD
Please pray Philippians 1:9-11 for your family members today.
Saturday, 14 December 2013
Sow seeds of Love 2
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
Ephesians 5:1-2(MSG)
Today I will like to give counsel to every young person reading this devotional. If you are living with your parents or guardian, I encourage you to sow seeds of love into their lives. Do not become stubborn and rude to them because they are not able to provide all the basic things that you require as a child, maybe in the standard some of your friends may be privileged to enjoy.
Don't regret that they are your parents, or begin to wish you were born by somebody else. Instead, see it as an opportunity to sow seeds of love to them. Love them unconditionally, and hold them in high esteem. It is also important that you honour them by being obedient to them.
Do what you are asked to do and even more, and above all, let them know that you love them and appreciate them. As you do, you can never be disadvantaged, because you are setting yourself up for greatness, because God will surely reward you for it by giving you favour that will bring an abundance into your life that your parents cannot give you.
Therefore, instead of complaining, use every unpleasant situation in your relationship with others as an opportunity to sow seeds of love into their lives.
INSTRUCTION
As part of sowing seeds of love, take some time today to pray for your parents.
For further study read:
Ephesians 6:1-3, Proverbs 20:20, Proverbs 23:22, Proverbs 30:17, Matthew 15:4-6
DOING THE WORD
Honour your parents, let them know you love and appreciate them today by doing something special for them.
Ephesians 5:1-2(MSG)
Today I will like to give counsel to every young person reading this devotional. If you are living with your parents or guardian, I encourage you to sow seeds of love into their lives. Do not become stubborn and rude to them because they are not able to provide all the basic things that you require as a child, maybe in the standard some of your friends may be privileged to enjoy.
Don't regret that they are your parents, or begin to wish you were born by somebody else. Instead, see it as an opportunity to sow seeds of love to them. Love them unconditionally, and hold them in high esteem. It is also important that you honour them by being obedient to them.
Do what you are asked to do and even more, and above all, let them know that you love them and appreciate them. As you do, you can never be disadvantaged, because you are setting yourself up for greatness, because God will surely reward you for it by giving you favour that will bring an abundance into your life that your parents cannot give you.
Therefore, instead of complaining, use every unpleasant situation in your relationship with others as an opportunity to sow seeds of love into their lives.
INSTRUCTION
As part of sowing seeds of love, take some time today to pray for your parents.
For further study read:
Ephesians 6:1-3, Proverbs 20:20, Proverbs 23:22, Proverbs 30:17, Matthew 15:4-6
DOING THE WORD
Honour your parents, let them know you love and appreciate them today by doing something special for them.
Friday, 13 December 2013
Sow seeds of Love 1
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
Ephesians 5:1-2(MSG)
As a married man or woman, a single man or woman, a boy or a girl, or a child living at home with your parents, you can begin to sow seeds of love to those around you. When those around you offend you, do not react in the same way to also offend them as they did to you. But rather, see that situation as an opportunity to sow seeds of love into their lives.
For instance, as a married woman, maybe your husband said something unkind to you, and did not apologize before he left for work, don't react in bitterness by deciding not to cook for him because he offended you. No, go ahead and sow a seed of love by cooking for him as you would have done. When he returns, don't nag about the offense, but instead attend to his needs willingly and gladly.
Don't forget that when you give unconditional love to others, God will reward you for it.
Therefore, it doesn't matter who you are, you may be the one serving others, or you may be the boss. Please always use your position as an avenue to love and serve others.
CONFESSION
I declare that I am a child of love, I do not hate because God has given me the Spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind. Greater is He that is in me, than the hate in the world.
For further study read:
Ephesians 5:22-23
DOING THE WORD
If you are holding any offense against your spouse or anyone, please reconcile today.
Ephesians 5:1-2(MSG)
As a married man or woman, a single man or woman, a boy or a girl, or a child living at home with your parents, you can begin to sow seeds of love to those around you. When those around you offend you, do not react in the same way to also offend them as they did to you. But rather, see that situation as an opportunity to sow seeds of love into their lives.
For instance, as a married woman, maybe your husband said something unkind to you, and did not apologize before he left for work, don't react in bitterness by deciding not to cook for him because he offended you. No, go ahead and sow a seed of love by cooking for him as you would have done. When he returns, don't nag about the offense, but instead attend to his needs willingly and gladly.
Don't forget that when you give unconditional love to others, God will reward you for it.
Therefore, it doesn't matter who you are, you may be the one serving others, or you may be the boss. Please always use your position as an avenue to love and serve others.
CONFESSION
I declare that I am a child of love, I do not hate because God has given me the Spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind. Greater is He that is in me, than the hate in the world.
For further study read:
Ephesians 5:22-23
DOING THE WORD
If you are holding any offense against your spouse or anyone, please reconcile today.
Thursday, 12 December 2013
God rewards love.
“Why should God reward you if you love only the people who love you? Even the tax collectors do that!” Matthew 5:46(GNB)
From our opening scripture today, we see that if we only love those who love us alone, we would have no reward from God for those acts of love shown.
Do you only show love to your wife when she is obeying you and doing what you want her to do? Do you love your husband only when he is pleasing you? If your answer to those questions is yes, it means you will have no reward from God for your acts of love. This means that when you demonstrate unconditional love to your wife, your husband, your children, your friends, etc. you will surely receive a reward from God for those acts of unconditional love.
It is important you know that true love always goes the extra mile. The Bible says in Luke 6:35-36(GNB) “"If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that! And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount! No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.”
Always remember that you have a great reward as you choose to walk in love.
PRAYER
Dear Father I ask that you expose every seed of falsehood that has entered into my belief system concerning love, and I commit to go the extra mile in my love for others by the working of your grace in me in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Luke 6:32-36, 1 Peter 2:19-23.
DOING THE WORD
Do not stop being good to others, you will receive your reward.
From our opening scripture today, we see that if we only love those who love us alone, we would have no reward from God for those acts of love shown.
Do you only show love to your wife when she is obeying you and doing what you want her to do? Do you love your husband only when he is pleasing you? If your answer to those questions is yes, it means you will have no reward from God for your acts of love. This means that when you demonstrate unconditional love to your wife, your husband, your children, your friends, etc. you will surely receive a reward from God for those acts of unconditional love.
It is important you know that true love always goes the extra mile. The Bible says in Luke 6:35-36(GNB) “"If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that! And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount! No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.”
Always remember that you have a great reward as you choose to walk in love.
PRAYER
Dear Father I ask that you expose every seed of falsehood that has entered into my belief system concerning love, and I commit to go the extra mile in my love for others by the working of your grace in me in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Luke 6:32-36, 1 Peter 2:19-23.
DOING THE WORD
Do not stop being good to others, you will receive your reward.
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Love & Lust
“Love is never tired of waiting; …”
1 Corinthians 13:4(BBE)
Most times some people may think that they are in love, meanwhile they are actually in lust. What is lust? Lust is an intense driving desire to satisfy the cravings of the flesh.
Lust is focused only on satisfying the cravings of the flesh. Lust does not care about the other person. It is only concerned about its own selfish desires. Lust is not committed to the well-being of the other individual, it is only focused on what it can gain.
Lust is what will make an unmarried person, whether male or female demand to sleep with someone of the opposite sex. That's not love, it is lust, because both of you are not married. According to the Bible, the only person you should sleep with, is your own husband or wife. God said in Exodus 20:17(MSG), “No lusting after your neighbor's house--or wife…” In other words, as a child of God, it is wrong for you to begin to desire any man or woman that you are not married to.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:4(ISV), “Love is always patient …” Therefore, if you are not married, then you must be willing to wait patiently, keeping your passions only for your wife, or your husband. That is true love. True love waits, because love is always patient.
The Bible tells us about Jacob in Genesis 29:18 “And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.” Jacob was willing to wait for seven years to make Rachel his wife because he loved her.
Therefore, as an unmarried man or woman, boy or girl, have this understanding about love; true love is patient. So, anyone who cannot wait to be married to you before they sleep with you, does not love you, they are in lust.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for I am strengthened with all might by the Holy Spirit for all patience, endurance and joyfulness for a life without reproach in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Hebrews 13:4, 1 John 2:15-17
DOING THE WORD
Renew your mind with the Word of God and cultivate self control.
1 Corinthians 13:4(BBE)
Most times some people may think that they are in love, meanwhile they are actually in lust. What is lust? Lust is an intense driving desire to satisfy the cravings of the flesh.
Lust is focused only on satisfying the cravings of the flesh. Lust does not care about the other person. It is only concerned about its own selfish desires. Lust is not committed to the well-being of the other individual, it is only focused on what it can gain.
Lust is what will make an unmarried person, whether male or female demand to sleep with someone of the opposite sex. That's not love, it is lust, because both of you are not married. According to the Bible, the only person you should sleep with, is your own husband or wife. God said in Exodus 20:17(MSG), “No lusting after your neighbor's house--or wife…” In other words, as a child of God, it is wrong for you to begin to desire any man or woman that you are not married to.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:4(ISV), “Love is always patient …” Therefore, if you are not married, then you must be willing to wait patiently, keeping your passions only for your wife, or your husband. That is true love. True love waits, because love is always patient.
The Bible tells us about Jacob in Genesis 29:18 “And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.” Jacob was willing to wait for seven years to make Rachel his wife because he loved her.
Therefore, as an unmarried man or woman, boy or girl, have this understanding about love; true love is patient. So, anyone who cannot wait to be married to you before they sleep with you, does not love you, they are in lust.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for I am strengthened with all might by the Holy Spirit for all patience, endurance and joyfulness for a life without reproach in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Hebrews 13:4, 1 John 2:15-17
DOING THE WORD
Renew your mind with the Word of God and cultivate self control.
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Love Genuinely
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14(KJV)
Child of God, I want you to know that anybody who cannot accept you, especially in terms of your physical stature, doesn't love you.
A young man said to his girl friend, “if you don't bleach, I will not marry you.” So, she went to bleach, and yet this young man did not marry this girl, even after she had bleached her skin for him, because of the promise of marriage.
Some Christian young ladies will see a young single Pastor who can preach well and then say in their hearts, or may be to others, “I love him.” Yet she knows in her heart that the reason she is saying that she loves him, is because of his gift; and his ability to preach or teach well.
When she marries him and then discovers other traits in him that displeases her, its already too late then for her to quit, because she is already married to him. It is then she has to learn to love him inspite of his flaws.
Therefore, don't build your marriage on a love that will not last, instead build your marriage on agape (unconditional love). When you build your marriage on agape, it is then you can be certain that you are going to have a great marriage.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I ask that you purify my heart, my motives and passions by your love so that I will always make excellent decisions so that I will remain sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, in Jesus Name, Amen.
For further study read:
Romans 12:9-10, 2 Corinthians 6:6, 1 Timothy 1:5,
1 Peter 1:22-23.
DOING THE WORD
Love from a pure heart.
Child of God, I want you to know that anybody who cannot accept you, especially in terms of your physical stature, doesn't love you.
A young man said to his girl friend, “if you don't bleach, I will not marry you.” So, she went to bleach, and yet this young man did not marry this girl, even after she had bleached her skin for him, because of the promise of marriage.
Some Christian young ladies will see a young single Pastor who can preach well and then say in their hearts, or may be to others, “I love him.” Yet she knows in her heart that the reason she is saying that she loves him, is because of his gift; and his ability to preach or teach well.
When she marries him and then discovers other traits in him that displeases her, its already too late then for her to quit, because she is already married to him. It is then she has to learn to love him inspite of his flaws.
Therefore, don't build your marriage on a love that will not last, instead build your marriage on agape (unconditional love). When you build your marriage on agape, it is then you can be certain that you are going to have a great marriage.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I ask that you purify my heart, my motives and passions by your love so that I will always make excellent decisions so that I will remain sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, in Jesus Name, Amen.
For further study read:
Romans 12:9-10, 2 Corinthians 6:6, 1 Timothy 1:5,
1 Peter 1:22-23.
DOING THE WORD
Love from a pure heart.
Monday, 9 December 2013
TRUE LOVE
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17(KJV)
The question I will like to ask you today is this, “Does your love fluctuate?” Most times when people tell others, 'I love you', sometimes, they say so because, they are mutually attracted to that person. It could also be because of what they know they will benefit, or because of what they are already benefiting from that relationship.
Today, I want you to know that if the only reason why you have said that you love someone is because of a physical attraction you have for that person, or because of what you are benefiting from them, it simply means you don't really love them. This is because, the moment you no longer feel attracted to them, or you are no longer benefiting anything from them, you will likely turn away from them. That is not the standard to use in measuring your love for others.
Some men think that they love a woman, and they are going to marry her because she is tall, fair and slim. Others believe that they love a woman because of her voice or the way she sings. That is not how you measure true love. This is because if your love for others is just because of their physical appearance,Or their physical abilities, such love is weak and it will not last.
True love, is agape. Agape is a self-giving and self sacrificing love. It is not like phileo that fluctuates because it is based on feeling. Agape is constant, it does not fluctuate. Therefore, measure your love with agape (self-giving and self sacrificing), and not with phileo (your feelings or your senses).
PRAYER
Dear Father, I ask that you cause me to increase and abound in love towards other believers and towards all men, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Ruth 1:6-19.
DOING THE WORD
Reach out and encourage someone who may be going through a challenge. You can call them, or visit them and pray with them. You can also support them in any way you can.
The question I will like to ask you today is this, “Does your love fluctuate?” Most times when people tell others, 'I love you', sometimes, they say so because, they are mutually attracted to that person. It could also be because of what they know they will benefit, or because of what they are already benefiting from that relationship.
Today, I want you to know that if the only reason why you have said that you love someone is because of a physical attraction you have for that person, or because of what you are benefiting from them, it simply means you don't really love them. This is because, the moment you no longer feel attracted to them, or you are no longer benefiting anything from them, you will likely turn away from them. That is not the standard to use in measuring your love for others.
Some men think that they love a woman, and they are going to marry her because she is tall, fair and slim. Others believe that they love a woman because of her voice or the way she sings. That is not how you measure true love. This is because if your love for others is just because of their physical appearance,Or their physical abilities, such love is weak and it will not last.
True love, is agape. Agape is a self-giving and self sacrificing love. It is not like phileo that fluctuates because it is based on feeling. Agape is constant, it does not fluctuate. Therefore, measure your love with agape (self-giving and self sacrificing), and not with phileo (your feelings or your senses).
PRAYER
Dear Father, I ask that you cause me to increase and abound in love towards other believers and towards all men, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Ruth 1:6-19.
DOING THE WORD
Reach out and encourage someone who may be going through a challenge. You can call them, or visit them and pray with them. You can also support them in any way you can.
LOVE CONQUERS BITTERNESS
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21(KJV)
Today, I want to share a story about Smith Wigglesworth and his wife, Polly. Polly was always coming late from Church, and Smith became bitter against her. So, on a particular day, when she came late from Church, he instructed her not to go back to the Church any longer, but she answered and said to him, “Smith, you are my husband, but you are not my Lord.”
When she said that to him, he got angry and chased her out of the house, and locked her out. She remained outside and slept in front of the door of the house through that cold winter night. The next morning, he opened the door and she stumbled into the house, greeted him politely, and went to prepare breakfast for him that morning.
As a result of this act and loving attitude expressed by Polly towards him, he said that his heart smote him, he felt sorry for his actions and he went on a ten day fast, during which he got a call into the ministry, and became an apostle of the faith, because his wife, Polly, showed him true love(agapao).
She choose to express the love of Christ; that unconditional demonstration of good will towards others, irrespective of their behavior towards you. That was what she did, and she was able to win her husband, and conquer his bitterness against her with the love God.
As a result Smith Wigglesworth was able to say, “All that I became under God, was because of my wife.”
Child of God, know that love will always conquer bitterness, hate and selfishness. Receive grace today to walk in such love.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you because I am strengthened with might by your Spirit to be able to love and act as I ought to, no matter the demand on my emotions to act otherwise, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
2 Kings 6:8-23, Matthew 5:43-45, 1 Peter 3:1-4.
DOING THE WORD
Sow the seed of love, knowing that your attitude can save a soul.
Romans 12:21(KJV)
Today, I want to share a story about Smith Wigglesworth and his wife, Polly. Polly was always coming late from Church, and Smith became bitter against her. So, on a particular day, when she came late from Church, he instructed her not to go back to the Church any longer, but she answered and said to him, “Smith, you are my husband, but you are not my Lord.”
When she said that to him, he got angry and chased her out of the house, and locked her out. She remained outside and slept in front of the door of the house through that cold winter night. The next morning, he opened the door and she stumbled into the house, greeted him politely, and went to prepare breakfast for him that morning.
As a result of this act and loving attitude expressed by Polly towards him, he said that his heart smote him, he felt sorry for his actions and he went on a ten day fast, during which he got a call into the ministry, and became an apostle of the faith, because his wife, Polly, showed him true love(agapao).
She choose to express the love of Christ; that unconditional demonstration of good will towards others, irrespective of their behavior towards you. That was what she did, and she was able to win her husband, and conquer his bitterness against her with the love God.
As a result Smith Wigglesworth was able to say, “All that I became under God, was because of my wife.”
Child of God, know that love will always conquer bitterness, hate and selfishness. Receive grace today to walk in such love.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you because I am strengthened with might by your Spirit to be able to love and act as I ought to, no matter the demand on my emotions to act otherwise, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
2 Kings 6:8-23, Matthew 5:43-45, 1 Peter 3:1-4.
DOING THE WORD
Sow the seed of love, knowing that your attitude can save a soul.
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Self Sacrificing love
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8(KJV)
Our opening scripture expresses the heart of the Father to us and how He commended His love towards us. The word, 'commendeth' in our opening scripture, means to exhibit. In other words, it means that God ‘exibited’ His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God sent Jesus to die for us when we did not deserve it. Jesus died for us when we were still sinners. He came and sacrificed Himself, not because we loved Him, no, but because He loved us. The Bible says in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
This is the same quality of love God expects us to express to those around us. That pure selfless and self sacrificing love. When you allow such love to govern your heart, it will purify your motives, your intentions and your actions.
As a man or woman of love(agape), what should be your response when your husband, or your wife, your brother, or your sister, or maybe your friend offends you? What should you do to them?
Should you react out of bitterness? If you do, you are not walking in love according to the Bible.
Don't avenge your self when others offend you, but instead retaliate with love. Loving others is not a choice, it's a commandment in the New Testament. Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
INSTRUCTION
Today, I encourage you to pray for the salvation of souls; pray that men and women around the world will come to the knowledge of truth of God's unconditional love towards them and accept the sacrifice of Jesus.
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
For further study read:
John 3:16, Ephesians 2:1-10.
DOING THE WORD
Thank the Father for His love towards you, and then reach out to someone today with the message of God's love.
Our opening scripture expresses the heart of the Father to us and how He commended His love towards us. The word, 'commendeth' in our opening scripture, means to exhibit. In other words, it means that God ‘exibited’ His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God sent Jesus to die for us when we did not deserve it. Jesus died for us when we were still sinners. He came and sacrificed Himself, not because we loved Him, no, but because He loved us. The Bible says in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
This is the same quality of love God expects us to express to those around us. That pure selfless and self sacrificing love. When you allow such love to govern your heart, it will purify your motives, your intentions and your actions.
As a man or woman of love(agape), what should be your response when your husband, or your wife, your brother, or your sister, or maybe your friend offends you? What should you do to them?
Should you react out of bitterness? If you do, you are not walking in love according to the Bible.
Don't avenge your self when others offend you, but instead retaliate with love. Loving others is not a choice, it's a commandment in the New Testament. Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
INSTRUCTION
Today, I encourage you to pray for the salvation of souls; pray that men and women around the world will come to the knowledge of truth of God's unconditional love towards them and accept the sacrifice of Jesus.
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
For further study read:
John 3:16, Ephesians 2:1-10.
DOING THE WORD
Thank the Father for His love towards you, and then reach out to someone today with the message of God's love.
Friday, 6 December 2013
True Perfection
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
Colossians 3:13-14(KJV)
Do you know that the first proof of love is revealed in what we say about that individual or thing that is the object of our love?
So, what have you been saying concerning your wife, your husband, or your neighbour? That is a proof of how much you love them. This is because we speak well of those we love.
Therefore, when others curse you or speak evil of you, what are you supposed to say? Are you supposed to curse them back and quarrel with them? No. The Bible says in Matthew 5:44-48, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Therefore, if you are going to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect, you have to express this love(agapao).
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for your unconditional love and acceptance towards me. Therefore, I choose to love others just as you have loved me, I forgive them, and I also ask that you forgive them in whatever they've done or said against me in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Ephesians 5:1-2, John 13:34-35, Acts 7:54-60.
DOING THE WORD
Choose to forgive others just like your heavenly Father.
Colossians 3:13-14(KJV)
Do you know that the first proof of love is revealed in what we say about that individual or thing that is the object of our love?
So, what have you been saying concerning your wife, your husband, or your neighbour? That is a proof of how much you love them. This is because we speak well of those we love.
Therefore, when others curse you or speak evil of you, what are you supposed to say? Are you supposed to curse them back and quarrel with them? No. The Bible says in Matthew 5:44-48, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Therefore, if you are going to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect, you have to express this love(agapao).
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for your unconditional love and acceptance towards me. Therefore, I choose to love others just as you have loved me, I forgive them, and I also ask that you forgive them in whatever they've done or said against me in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Ephesians 5:1-2, John 13:34-35, Acts 7:54-60.
DOING THE WORD
Choose to forgive others just like your heavenly Father.
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Love is unconditional
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”
1 John 4:11-12(KJV)
Love is the unconditional demonstration of good will towards another person irrespective of their behaviour towards you.
You know you are walking in love, when you are expressing an unconditional demonstration of good will towards others, irrespective of their behaviour towards you. You are bound by love to be good to everyone, as much as it concerns you.
Let your love for everyone; whether its your wife, your husband, your friend or your neighbour be unconditional, so that when they offend you, you will not change your attitude towards them.
This is the Bible way to love. Anyone can love others based on how they feel towards them, but, true love is more than a feeling; it is a demonstration of good will towards the undeserving. A.R Bernard said one time, “I love my wife, and the day my wife deserves my love, I don't love her.” That is an unconditional commitment to another.
Child of God, we have been called to love the unlovable. So, let God's love dominate and strengthen your heart to keep on loving, even when others turn away.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for as my love increases more and more according to the knowledge of your Word, let my heart be dominated and strengthened by your love, to remain committed to the well being of the undeserving. In Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
1 John 4:9-12, Romans 5:6-8.
DOING THE WORD
Forgive just as God has forgiven you. Stop holding the offenses you are holding against others.
1 John 4:11-12(KJV)
Love is the unconditional demonstration of good will towards another person irrespective of their behaviour towards you.
You know you are walking in love, when you are expressing an unconditional demonstration of good will towards others, irrespective of their behaviour towards you. You are bound by love to be good to everyone, as much as it concerns you.
Let your love for everyone; whether its your wife, your husband, your friend or your neighbour be unconditional, so that when they offend you, you will not change your attitude towards them.
This is the Bible way to love. Anyone can love others based on how they feel towards them, but, true love is more than a feeling; it is a demonstration of good will towards the undeserving. A.R Bernard said one time, “I love my wife, and the day my wife deserves my love, I don't love her.” That is an unconditional commitment to another.
Child of God, we have been called to love the unlovable. So, let God's love dominate and strengthen your heart to keep on loving, even when others turn away.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for as my love increases more and more according to the knowledge of your Word, let my heart be dominated and strengthened by your love, to remain committed to the well being of the undeserving. In Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
1 John 4:9-12, Romans 5:6-8.
DOING THE WORD
Forgive just as God has forgiven you. Stop holding the offenses you are holding against others.
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Should you love your enemy?
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.” Matthew 5:43(KJV)
From our opening scripture today, we see that right from the time of Jesus, some persons have practiced loving their neighbour, and expressing hate for their enemy. But Jesus teaches us something else in Matthew 5:44, because He said, “…Love your enemies, …”
The love Jesus is referring to here is from the Greek word agapao; which is unconditional love. He is not referring to phileo which refers to being fond of someone. This is because you can not be fond of your enemy, who is working against you, or contrary to your well being.
Therefore, even if you are not expected to be fond of your enemy, or have a pleasant feeling towards them, because of the wrong things they have done against you, there is one thing that you owe them. You owe them unconditional love. Romans 13:8 God's Word translation puts it this way, “Pay your debts as they come due. However, one debt you can never finish paying is the debt of love that you owe each other. The one who loves another person has fulfilled Moses' Teachings.”
Do you know Jesus expressed love towards His enemies (those who tortured Him and afflicted Him with pain, and those who crucified Him), by forgiving them. The Bible says in Luke 23:33-34, “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” That is unconditional love(agapao) in expression.
Therefore, note that you have the capacity to express unconditional love towards all who have worked against you, or brought you pain in any way, because you are a child of God, so, you are a child of love, because God is love(agape).
PRAYER
Dear Father as your child, I choose to love as you love, therefore I let go of bitterness against all those who have offended me. I choose to forgive them and to love them as you do in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Luke 6:27-36,
Romans 12:17-21, Proverbs 20:22, 1 Peter 3:9.
DOING THE WORD
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
From our opening scripture today, we see that right from the time of Jesus, some persons have practiced loving their neighbour, and expressing hate for their enemy. But Jesus teaches us something else in Matthew 5:44, because He said, “…Love your enemies, …”
The love Jesus is referring to here is from the Greek word agapao; which is unconditional love. He is not referring to phileo which refers to being fond of someone. This is because you can not be fond of your enemy, who is working against you, or contrary to your well being.
Therefore, even if you are not expected to be fond of your enemy, or have a pleasant feeling towards them, because of the wrong things they have done against you, there is one thing that you owe them. You owe them unconditional love. Romans 13:8 God's Word translation puts it this way, “Pay your debts as they come due. However, one debt you can never finish paying is the debt of love that you owe each other. The one who loves another person has fulfilled Moses' Teachings.”
Do you know Jesus expressed love towards His enemies (those who tortured Him and afflicted Him with pain, and those who crucified Him), by forgiving them. The Bible says in Luke 23:33-34, “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” That is unconditional love(agapao) in expression.
Therefore, note that you have the capacity to express unconditional love towards all who have worked against you, or brought you pain in any way, because you are a child of God, so, you are a child of love, because God is love(agape).
PRAYER
Dear Father as your child, I choose to love as you love, therefore I let go of bitterness against all those who have offended me. I choose to forgive them and to love them as you do in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
Luke 6:27-36,
Romans 12:17-21, Proverbs 20:22, 1 Peter 3:9.
DOING THE WORD
Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
The Standard for Love
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13(KJV)
Love is the essence and nature of God. Therefore, to know God, is to love God. That means, if you do not love those who Jesus died for, it shows you do not know God, in other words, you are not yet acquainted with the character of God.
This is because every born again child of God has the capacity to love, because you have the nature of God, and love is the behavioral expression of the divine nature. Therefore, you have the capacity to love others unconditionally, even as God has unconditionally loved us.
It is important you understand that God originated love, in other words, love has its origin in God. Therefore, God is the standard for determining what love is. This means that without God, there is no love. Also, without God, you cannot define love, and neither can you know what love truly is.
So, from God's point of view, loving others is treating them the way God will treat them.
If you don't, it means you do not love them. And if you do not love them, it means you don't know God. This is because, God is the standard for determining what love is.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I ask that you cause my love to abound more and more in knowledge and in all judgement in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
2 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 4:8,
1 John 2:7-10.
DOING THE WORD
Measure your love for others by God's love for you.
Love is the essence and nature of God. Therefore, to know God, is to love God. That means, if you do not love those who Jesus died for, it shows you do not know God, in other words, you are not yet acquainted with the character of God.
This is because every born again child of God has the capacity to love, because you have the nature of God, and love is the behavioral expression of the divine nature. Therefore, you have the capacity to love others unconditionally, even as God has unconditionally loved us.
It is important you understand that God originated love, in other words, love has its origin in God. Therefore, God is the standard for determining what love is. This means that without God, there is no love. Also, without God, you cannot define love, and neither can you know what love truly is.
So, from God's point of view, loving others is treating them the way God will treat them.
If you don't, it means you do not love them. And if you do not love them, it means you don't know God. This is because, God is the standard for determining what love is.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I ask that you cause my love to abound more and more in knowledge and in all judgement in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
2 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 4:8,
1 John 2:7-10.
DOING THE WORD
Measure your love for others by God's love for you.
Two kinds of Love
“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.”
1 Thessalonians 4:9(KJV)
From our opening scripture, the two Greek words used for love in the New Testament are used here. They are: Philadelphia; meaning, brotherly love, and Agapao or Agape; meaning, unconditional love.
It is from Philadelphia we get the word Phileo; which refers to fraternal affection, brotherly love, or kindness. It also means to be fond of someone or something. So, when the Bible says in Hebrews 13:1, “Let brotherly love continue.” He is instructing us to always serve one another with kindness. In other words, God expects us to continue to treat each other kindly.
The other word used in the Bible for love is the Greek word Agapao. Agapao refers to unconditional love. This is a love that transcends feeling. This is the God kind of love to which we have been born with and we ought to express as children of God.
In contrasting between Phileo and Agapao referred to in the Bible. Phileo is love that is based on feeling, in other words, it is based on the senses. This is the human kind of love expressed for someone, or for something, because of the favourable feeling you have towards them.
For example when you say, “I love ice cream.” You are actually referring to phileo because, your love for ice cream is based on your senses.
Agapao is not based on your feeling, but rather it transcends feeling. It is the God kind of love and it is unconditional. Agapao is the highest kind of love, but Phileo is a lesser kind of love because it is dependent on your senses and how you feel towards someone or something.
From the illustrations above, I believe you can clearly understand the difference between Phileo and Agapao or Agape as it is commonly called.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you because I am born to love, therefore, I receive grace to daily express your unconditional acceptance and love to all men, especially my brothers and sisters in Christ, in Jesus Name. Amen
For further study read:
John 13:35, Romans 12:9-10, Galatians 5:13, Hebrews 10:24
DOING THE WORD
Do something kind for someone today.
1 Thessalonians 4:9(KJV)
From our opening scripture, the two Greek words used for love in the New Testament are used here. They are: Philadelphia; meaning, brotherly love, and Agapao or Agape; meaning, unconditional love.
It is from Philadelphia we get the word Phileo; which refers to fraternal affection, brotherly love, or kindness. It also means to be fond of someone or something. So, when the Bible says in Hebrews 13:1, “Let brotherly love continue.” He is instructing us to always serve one another with kindness. In other words, God expects us to continue to treat each other kindly.
The other word used in the Bible for love is the Greek word Agapao. Agapao refers to unconditional love. This is a love that transcends feeling. This is the God kind of love to which we have been born with and we ought to express as children of God.
In contrasting between Phileo and Agapao referred to in the Bible. Phileo is love that is based on feeling, in other words, it is based on the senses. This is the human kind of love expressed for someone, or for something, because of the favourable feeling you have towards them.
For example when you say, “I love ice cream.” You are actually referring to phileo because, your love for ice cream is based on your senses.
Agapao is not based on your feeling, but rather it transcends feeling. It is the God kind of love and it is unconditional. Agapao is the highest kind of love, but Phileo is a lesser kind of love because it is dependent on your senses and how you feel towards someone or something.
From the illustrations above, I believe you can clearly understand the difference between Phileo and Agapao or Agape as it is commonly called.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you because I am born to love, therefore, I receive grace to daily express your unconditional acceptance and love to all men, especially my brothers and sisters in Christ, in Jesus Name. Amen
For further study read:
John 13:35, Romans 12:9-10, Galatians 5:13, Hebrews 10:24
DOING THE WORD
Do something kind for someone today.
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
What is Love
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; …” 1 John 4:7(KJV)
In understanding the concept of love, our opening scripture proves to us that love has its origin in God. The Weymouth New Testament translation records 1 John 4:7 to show us that. It says, “Dear friends, let us love one another; for love has its origin in God,…”
Therefore as children of God, we have been born of love, so it is our nature to love. This is why the concluding part of 1 John 4:7 reads thus; “…every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” In other words, we can say that love is the evidence of the new birth. So, do not struggle to love others, know that it is your nature to love. Also, it is important you know that, your love life is the proof of your intimacy with God.
Moving on in our understanding of love, the Bible says in 1 John 4:8, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” Notice that the Bible doesn't say that, God is loving. But rather he says, “God is love.”
Therefore, with this understanding of what love is, we can define love as the behaviourial expression of the life and nature of God.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you because your love has been shared abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit that lives in me. I ask that your love would continually dominate my heart and my actions, so that my life will daily be a source of hope and comfort to hurting humanity, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
1 John 3:14, 1 John 4:20-21.
DOING THE WORD
Judge your intimacy with God with the quality of your love life.
In understanding the concept of love, our opening scripture proves to us that love has its origin in God. The Weymouth New Testament translation records 1 John 4:7 to show us that. It says, “Dear friends, let us love one another; for love has its origin in God,…”
Therefore as children of God, we have been born of love, so it is our nature to love. This is why the concluding part of 1 John 4:7 reads thus; “…every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” In other words, we can say that love is the evidence of the new birth. So, do not struggle to love others, know that it is your nature to love. Also, it is important you know that, your love life is the proof of your intimacy with God.
Moving on in our understanding of love, the Bible says in 1 John 4:8, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” Notice that the Bible doesn't say that, God is loving. But rather he says, “God is love.”
Therefore, with this understanding of what love is, we can define love as the behaviourial expression of the life and nature of God.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you because your love has been shared abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit that lives in me. I ask that your love would continually dominate my heart and my actions, so that my life will daily be a source of hope and comfort to hurting humanity, in Jesus Name. Amen.
For further study read:
1 John 3:14, 1 John 4:20-21.
DOING THE WORD
Judge your intimacy with God with the quality of your love life.
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