IOW: All We Need is Love

Karen is hosting In Other Words at In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus. Visit her to read more IOW posts and to link your own.

Love needs to be based on character, if you know and love God you see He has a lot of character we are in love with. The best thing we can do for our spouse is to grow in character as listed in 1 Corinthians 13. It’s a love of choice. We choose to love God, He chooses to love us. Love of choice is the most powerful love, God calls that agape love, it’s a love that lasts, we should never settle for anything else between us and God and others. It’s a love that grows. Keep fervent in your love, allow it to stretch and strain as you watch it grow.

~Wayne Corderio

The Nelson Study Bible describes the love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 as agape: "a love that is based on the deliberate choice of the one who loves rather than the worthiness of the one who is loved." This is the way God loves us. Is there anything more profound or more precious in life? God loves us -- so much so that He was willing to sacrifice His very heart for us:

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 NKJV)

Again, the Nelson Study Bible elaborates on this agape: "God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us the way we are."

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:16-17 NKJV)

"...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6 NJKV)

As we walk with Him, God teaches us His character and the most wonderful quality of His love. He does not withhold that love for any reason... He is the perfect example of self-less love. I really draw strength from this word of encouragement from Adrian Rogers' book, What Every Christian Ought to Know Day by Day: Essential Truths for Growing Your Faith: "There is nothing you can do to make God love you more; there is nothing you can do to make God love you less." Unlike humans who love according to mood, God loves perfectly according to His flawless character. If we want to love as He does, we must learn to love deliberately, purposefully, and unconditionally.

"Love suffers long and is kind." (1 Corinthians 13:4a NKJV)

"True love puts up with people who would be easier to give up on." ~Nelson

Just like God doesn't toss us aside when we hurt Him (every time we sin by commission or omission), we are not to toss aside those who hurt us. In fact, we are taught by Him to love any way...as Christ did while He hung on the cross being mocked, He called to His Father: "Forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34 NKJV)

"Love does not envy." (1 Corinthians 13:4b NKJV)

"If our love is directed toward others, we will rejoice in the blessings they receive rather than desiring those blessings for ourselves. Fundamentally, the selfless love that God calls us to does not involve pride or glory. It does not parade itself and is not puffed up. In fact, true love does not seek its own. If we truly love others, we will set aside our own plans, agendas, and entitlements for the good of another." ~Nelson

"Love is not provoked." (1 Corinthians 13:5c NKJV)

Love doesn't snap at perceived wrongs. It is not quick-tempered. It is not touchy and grouchy. How I wish this particular trait of love was installed genetically! God doesn't let circumstances affect His love for me. Why do I let them affect my outward affection for those who mean the most to me?

"Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth." (1 Corinthians 13:6 NKJV)

We are always to look for, pray for, seek for the best for others. We are to believe and hope all things that are good. Love never gives up. This is so hard when we've been beaten down emotionally by circumstances caused by others. God is the only one who can change lives for the better. We must be willing to love when God directs us to...sometimes we must walk away from a person to prevent harm to our children or ourselves...but our hearts must always pray and love.

"Love endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:7d NKJV)

"Love accepts any hardship or rejection, and continues unabated to build up and encourage. The love described by Paul in this 'love chapter' means determining what is best for another person and then doing it. This is the kind of love that God shows us." ~Nelson

I've had a hard time watching a loved one suffer at the rejection of a spouse. It has controlled lives for a decade and a half. The children have learned terrible things about what love without God does to people. I do not have the mind of God in this matter because I am emotionally caught up in the very real pain, but I am working on learning to pray harder for the salvation of the offender. My first priority is to help my loved one get through this...to try to guide everyone to rest in the agape God has for them. And then leave the rest of it in His hands.

"Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:8a NKJV)

God's love never, ever fails. We can trust in Him to guide our hearts to love the way He loves. Although love sometimes hurts, true agape will ultimately return to us--either here on this earth or most assuredly, in heaven.

1. The source of love is God: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love not, that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:7-10, 16 NKJV)
   
   
2. The model of love is Christ: "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John 3:16 NKJV)
   
   
3. The embodiment of love by believers is love for others: "And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." (1 John 4:21 NKJV)
   
   
4. The extent of love is the Sacrifice of life: "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John 3:16 NKJV)
   
   
5. The results of love are the abiding presence of God and life eternal: "No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. We know that we have passed from death to live, because we love the brethren." (1 John 4:12, 16; 3:14a NKJV)
   

IOW: All We Need is Love

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2009/02/iow-all-we-need-is-love.html

Saturday Selah: A Friend in Need

Friendship gives license to show up at the door of need without asking, "When would you like me to come?" or "What would you like me to do?" Nor does friendship call out, "Just let me know if you need anything."

Practiced friendship whispers, "I'll be there" and promptly steps through the door with sensitivity, respect, and understanding.

But what about honoring the right to invite? Those who wait for parchment invitations wait long, for need rarely throws a party--rarely even has a voice.

Yet need has its own needs. It needs protection from strangers tromping in with work boots and good intentions. And it needs relief from acquaintances wearing the spiked heels of advice and pat answers.

Need waits with longing for the familiar entrance of dear ones who pad barefoot through the soul on ordinary days. ~Susan L. Lenzkes

I had a hard time with today's Selah. A dear one of mine is suffering and I am hurting along with her. Not knowing how to help has made me feel frustration at my own helplessness. Susan Lenzkes' words were just what I needed to read. I know now that the most important part of my role in the situation is as arms and hands and ears, not mouth and tools. I must hug and hold and listen, not advise and fix.

Thank you, Lord for giving me Your wisdom through the writing of another woman of faith.

A friend loves at all times. ~Proverbs 17:17

Saturday Selah: A Friend in Need

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2009/01/saturday-selah-friend-in-need.html

Thankful Thursday: Favorite Love Scriptures

I love that Iris picked God's word as the theme for today's TT. You can visit her at Grace Alone to read more posts and to leave a link to your own.

I'm jumping ahead of February in focusing my favorite Love verses.

I think it's important to remember as we start this new year that we are strongly grounded in the faith that God loves us and we must share that love with others.


First, proof that God loves us:

But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8 [NKJV]

In this the love of God is manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins. - 1 John 4:9-10 [NKJV]

Then, God expects, commands, us to love others:

For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. - 1 John 3:11 [NKJV]

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. - 1 John 3:23 [NKJV]

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. - 1 John 4:11 [NKJV]

Next, we must show our love:

We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death - 1 John 3:14 [HCSB]

Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. - 1 John 4:7 [HCSB]

Our love for God is shown to the degree we show love to others:

If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? - 1 John 4:20 [The Message]

Our love must be active, an act of the will:

But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? - 1 John 3:17 [NKJV]

Our love is in direct response to God's love for us:

We love Him because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19 [NKJV]

And this love causes us to respond in love to others:

The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both. - 1 John 4:21 [The Message]

Love is the best we have to offer to God and others:

We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. AND THE BEST OF THE THREE IS LOVE. - 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 [The Message]

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Thankful Thursday: Favorite Love Scriptures

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2009/01/thankful-thursday-favorite-love.html

Mr. Amazing Saved the Day!

God gifts people in so many ways. I can write, strike up conversations with all sorts of folks, bake up a storm.... But Mr. Amazing is my hero. To the average eye, he's a quiet, mild-mannered mail carrier. To my eyes, he's so much more.

After working all day, he listened to how I described my car crisis yesterday, told me what he thought the problem was and went to work fixing it. Before bed last night he had replaced the starter and tested the engine. Yesterday afternoon my car wouldn't even start...today it purrs like a kitten.

I am blessed to spend my life with Mr. Amazing. I think Solomon wrote about him:

Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works...
Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might...

Ecclesiastes 9:7, 9, 10 (NASV)

True love doesn't have to prove itself with roses and chocolates. Those are just romantic bonuses. True love is proven in everyday faithfulness.

Love: All that I do and all that I say is for your highest good. ~Pastor Patrick Elliott

Mr. Amazing Saved the Day!

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2008/10/mr-amazing-saved-day.html

WFW - Love 4-Ever

Love that lasts a lifetime is a gift, but one that requires assembly and faithful maintenance. Blessedly, for believers, God sends it with an instruction manual.

Word-Filled Wednesdays can be found at The 160 Acre Woods.

WFW - Love 4-Ever

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2008/09/wfw-love-4-ever.html

Finding "A Path Made Straight"

I visited CWO Internet Cafe during my quiet time today. I read a piece called 'Written on My Heart" by Elise Hooper. Intrigued by her insights on leaving the signature of God as we go about our everyday life, I followed the link to her blog A Path Made Straight.

I spent time reading and getting to know her through her writing. I found myself with a huge lump in my throat as I read her description of the last day her daughter nursed. I remembered the day nearly 23 years ago as my own daughter, 8 months old, also turned her head away. Her need for independence from me lasted until her mid-teens. The suddenly she "needed" me again. I got to share in her joy when her own little one came 2 years ago. Whew! Those years from new mama to nana went by so fast!

The lump in my throat became tears as I read, with the feeling of looking through a window into a warm kitchen, Elise's description of cooking with her little Eliana. Read what she said about this experience: "The small skipped beats in my heart when I recognize a moment that has not been missed are like the clicks of a camera. I will never forget what you taught me tonight."

I didn't even intend to go to that link on Elise's page. I was trying to click on the section entitled A Time...to lead. Somehow my mouse skipped down to A Time...to love. I was well through Letters to Eliana, May 15, 2007 before I looked over at the list to see where I had clicked. My mistake or God's providence?

You see, I think God had a lesson for me to learn from this dear woman. Not about leading, but about loving. I think He wanted to reinforce in my heart and mind that one can not lead someone to Him without first demonstrating love. And to demonstrate His kind of unselfish love we must walk closely to His side to learn how to love, starting with those He places nearest to us.

I urge you to seek out those who show a life of devoted submission to Him. You will know them by their love. Even though Titus 2 tells the older women to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children, the gift of teaching is not reserved for the older ones. God gifts those who are spiritually mature to teach those of us who might not be quite so far along our path to Him. 1 Timothy 5:11 says ~ "Let no one look down on our youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."

Even though I'm a 44 yr old mother of adult daughters and a teen son and nana of a 2 yr old grandson, I learned a valuable lesson in love and cherishing special moments from Elise. I even had an opportunity to put the lesson into action this afternoon when my great-niece (also 2 yrs old) visited for playtime with my grandson. Hunter is not used to sharing...his toys, his sippy cups, or his nana. It could have been a very trying time for us all, but I knew I had applied Elise's example well when Hallie curled up beside me and said, "I like you." She snuggled a bit closer and said, "I love you." This was a particularly precious moment because I haven't had a chance to take care of her in my home since she was 4 months old. Somehow, the 3 or 4 times I've seen her over two years and this afternoon's playtime have given her an inkling that I'm to be trusted with the best gift she can share with me, her affection.

Thanks, Elise! I look forward to more time visiting "A Path Made Straight." I highly recommend it to those in the midst of child-raising, for those of us about to get to the other side of it, and any of us needing see an example of the Proverbs 31 & Titus 2 woman in action.

Finding "A Path Made Straight"

http://typingone-handed.blogspot.com/2007/06/finding-path-made-straight.html