Happy Sunday!
We don't learn a thing the first or even the fifth time we hear it. That's why the Word says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God". (Romans 10:17) We must hear the Word over and over again until it becomes apart of us. Last week Dr. Winston used a visual example. He took a water bottle and squeezed it to show that whatever is in a thing will come out of that thing when under pressure. Look at your own life. If you walk through your bedroom in the darkness of night and stub your toe on the dresser, what words squeeze out of your mouth? What happens when a reckless driver cuts you off in traffic? What happens when the co-worker you can barely tolerate gets the promotion you clearly deserve? If you are anything like me, we can stand to hear this word again.
Jesus did not suggest that we love others, He commanded it! John 13:34-35 says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (World English Bible) He wasn't talking about the wishy washy love we see displayed on reality television! He was talking about AGAPE Love. Love that is unconditional. Love that is willing to love you even if you don't choose to love them back. We all want love, artists make millions singing about love, but the love we experience seems to fall short of what we really seek.
Climbing without compromise requires love, and our mountain moving faith won't work without love. Galatians 5:6 says,"but faith which worketh by love." (KJV) I bet you're saying, "You just don't know how hard it is to love these people!" Oh, but I do and so does our Heavenly Father! Dr. Winston reminded us that "No natural man can defeat Satan." Ephesians 6:12-13 says, "For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground." (Good News Translation) Don't be afraid! God thought of everything! Jesus said, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over allthe power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (KJV) With God's power through the Holy Spirit we can Love!
Where can I get this Agape Love? I'm so glad you asked! Romans 5:5 says, "And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love." (Voice) Isn't that awesome. God tells you to love, then gives you his love to do it! That's why we always, always WIN! 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume." (Easy-to-Read Version)
Allowing God's Love to flow through me...love and prayers, Cynthia
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