Love

11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.^[a] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

The Big Picture: LOVE

Unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for the well-being of another. In 1 Corinthians 13:1, Paul described “love” as a “more excellent way” than tongues or even preaching. The New Testament maintains this estimation of love throughout. The King James Version uses the word charity instead of “love” to translate the Greek word Paul used (agape). The word charity comes from the Latin caritas which means “dearness,” “affection,” or “high regard.” Today, the word charity is normally used for acts of benevolence, and so the word love is to be preferred as a translation of agape. Nevertheless, the reader who comes to the agape of the New Testament with the idea of benevolence in mind is better off than the reader who comes with the idea of physical pleasure and satisfaction.

In the Old Testament In the Old Testament, the verb “to love” has a range of meanings as broad as the English verb. It describes physical love between the sexes, even sexual desire (Judges 16:14; 2 Samuel 13:1-4). It describes the love within a family and among friends (Genesis 22:1-2). Love as self-giving appears in the significant commandment that Israelites love the stranger. The basis for such selfless love is God's act of redemption (Leviticus 19:33-34.

Hosea used the image of married love to teach us to understand both the faithlessness of Israel and the faithfulness of God. Israel's love is “like a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away” (Leviticus 6:4). God desires steadfast love, but Israel had been unfaithful. His own relationship with an adulterous wife allowed Hosea the insight that God had not given up Israel in spite of her faithlessness. The Shema (Hebrew for “hear”) of Deuteronomy 6:4-6 is echoed in Paul's declaration that love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10).

In the Teachings of Jesus In Jesus' teachings in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the Shema of Deuteronomy (the command to love God) is united with Leviticus 19:8 (“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”) (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28). Just before the parable of the Good Samaritan, a lawyer quoted the two commands to love and then asked Jesus: “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) Jesus gave the story of the Samaritan who took care of the man who fell among robbers to illustrate the selfless love which is to be characteristic of citizens of the Kingdom.

In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus gave the radical command to love one's enemies and to pray for those who persecute. Loving only those who love you is, according to Jesus, no better than those who are not His disciples. The love that Jesus' disciples have for others is to be just as complete as God's love (Matthew 5:48; compare Romans 5:8).

In these teachings, of course, the selfless love is a response to God's prior activity. It is a way of living expected of those who are citizens of the Kingdom. The teachings of Jesus on love of enemy, it will be noted, are a part of the Sermon on the Mount which is directed to Christian disciples. See Sermon on the Mount(Matt.5:1-12).

In the Teachings of Paul In the poem on love in 1 Corinthians 13:1, Paul associated love with the all-important biblical words of faith and hope (see also 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Galatians 5:6) and declared love the greatest. The context for this poem on love is Paul's discussion of relationships within the church. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 indicate that the gifts of the Spirit (ecstatic speech, wisdom, faith, and self-sacrifice) are good for nothing without love; only love builds up. The Spirit distributes His gifts for the common good (1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 12:7). 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 characterizes love: Love is patient and kind, not jealous or boastful, not arrogant or rude. Love is not selfish, irritable, or resentful. Love does not rejoice at wrong but in the right. Love bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things.

Finally, 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 contrasts love with preaching and knowledge, on the one hand, and faith and hope, on the other. All of these (with love) are important aspects of our lives here and now. Love in contrast to these, however, is not only for the here and now; it is forever. Love, therefore, is “the greatest” of the most significant realities we experience as Christians.

Paul's understanding and discussion of love make love a central theme, and his use of the noun agape makes that term almost a technical term. Prior to Paul, in fact, the Greek term agape was little used. Instead of using a word for love already filled with meaning, Paul took the seldom-used term and filled it with Christian meaning. This love of which Paul wrote is somewhat different from the love we normally experience and speak about. Christian love is not simply an emotion which arises because of the character of the one loved. It is not due to the loving quality of the lover. It is a relationship of self-giving which results from God's activity in Christ. The source of Christian love is God (Romans 5:8), and the believer's response of faith makes love a human possibility (Romans 5:5).

Even though love does not begin in the human heart, the believer must actualize love. In Paul's admonition to Christians to love, the nature of love as self-giving is manifest (Galatians 5:13-15). The Christian walk is to be characterized by love so that Paul could even speak of “walking in love” (Romans 14:15). The Christian is to increase and abound in love (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

Love is vitally connected with faith in that the believer's faithful response is one of love. Love is also connected with hope. In his prayer for love to increase and abound, Paul indicated that this increase of love has the end that the hearts of Christians might be established “unblameable in holiness” before God when Jesus returns with all his saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13.Paul also wrote of the hope we have of sharing the glory of God and declared that this hope does not disappoint us, because our hearts have been filled with God's love through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:2,Romans 5:5). Christian love is evidence of and a foretaste of the goal of God's purposes for His children.

In the Writings of John The Johannine writings magnify the significance of love as forcefully and fully as any other writings. John's writings account for only one tenth of the New Testament but provide one third of the references to love.

The key text in the first half of the Gospel of John is John 3:16. This passage indicates the relationship of the Father's love to the work of Christ and of both to the life of believers. These themes are repeated throughout the Gospel of John. The second half of the Gospel of John emphasizes the ethical dimension of love among Christians. The key passage is Jesus' new commandment in John 13:34-35 (sec also John 14:15,John 14:21,John 14:23-24; John 15:9,John 15:12,John 15:17).

This command of Jesus to love one another gives us insight into the nature of Jesus Christ for the church and the nature of Christian love. What is commanded is not an emotion; it is the disciplined will to seek the welfare of others. Jesus speaks with the authority of the Father, the only One with authority to make such demands of men and women. Jesus speaks as the incarnate Word (John 1:1,John 1:14). He has authority to give conditions for discipleship. The relationship of this commandment to Leviticus 19:18 should be noted. Both command love, but Jesus' commandment includes the clause: “as I have loved you.”

When the overall importance of love in the Gospel of John is seen, the dialogue between Jesus and Peter concerning Peter's love for Jesus and Peter's tending the sheep (Leviticus 21:15-17) becomes more significant. Our love for Jesus Christ is closely related to our fulfillment of the pastoral task.

The Letters of John make explicit statements about the ethical implications of love. Our appreciation of these letters and the command to love is increased when we realize that John's opponents claimed that they loved God in spite of their unlovely temper and conduct. They claimed enlightenment and communion with God. (They were Gnostics or “Knowers.” See Gnosticism). John's distress at the gap between profession and practice is seen in his repeated admonition to love. The “old commandment” which John saw as basic for Christians is belief in Jesus and love for one another (1 John 3:23). This love is be manifested in deeds (1 John 3:18). John left no doubt about the relationship of love and belief in God. Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness (1 John 2:9). Whoever does not do right and love his brother is not of God (1 John 4:20; 1 John 4:8 is the climax: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

In 2 and 3 John this command to love is repeated in direct and indirect ways. 2 John 1:5-6 is addressed to the church, and they are explicitly reminded of the command from Jesus to love one another. 3 John 1:5-6 speaks of the love of the “Beloved Gaius” in terms of giving service to Christian brothers. Diotrephes, however, will live in infamy, for he put himself first, refused to welcome the brethren, stopped those who wanted to welcome the brethren, and put them out of the church (3 John 1:9-10).

Love and Judgment The judgment account in Matthew 25:31-46 illuminates and is illuminated by the New Testament teachings on love. The account depicts not only what happens at the end. The narrative makes plain that what happens at the end is what happens here and now. Christians love because they have been loved. In such love, God's eternal purposes are being experienced and carried out by his people (Matthew 25:34-36).

The Bottomline:

And by its abiding, and its superiority.

Charity is much to be preferred to the gifts on which the Corinthians prided themselves. From its longer continuance. It is a grace, lasting as eternity. The present state is a state of childhood, the future that of manhood. Such is the difference between earth and heaven. What narrow views, what confused notions of things, have children when compared with grown men! Thus shall we think of our most valued gifts of this world, when we come to heaven. All things are dark and confused

now, compared with what they will be hereafter. They can only be seen as by the reflection in a mirror, or in the description of a riddle; but hereafter our knowledge will be free from all obscurity and error. It is the light of heaven only, that will remove all clouds and darkness that hide the face of God from us. To sum up the excellences of charity, it is preferred not only to gifts, but to other graces, to faith and hope. Faith fixes on the Divine revelation, and assents thereto, relying

on the Divine Redeemer. Hope fastens on future happiness, and waits for that; but in heaven, faith will be swallowed up in actual sight, and hope in enjoyment. There is no room to believe and hope, when we see and enjoy. But there, love will be made perfect. There we shall perfectly love God. And there we shall perfectly love one another. Blessed state! how much surpassing the best below! God is love, 1Jo 4:8, 16.

Where God is to be seen as he is, and face to face, there charity is in its greatest height; there only will it be perfected.

Prayer: Father, please forgive me for not loving as I should. Your Word says that I am made in Your image; therefore it is my desire to love as You do. Right now I tap into the anointing to change, which is made available to me through Your love. I pray that the atmosphere of my life, my home, my church, and my place of work will change as a result of Your love demonstrated through me. Let it begin today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
CONFESSION: In the name of Jesus, I decide right now to accept my responsibility in this walk of love. I love You, Lord, and the evidence of my love is the love I show to others. I receive Your power, Your anointing and all that comes as a result of my obedience to walk in love. I will even demonstrate love to my enemies. I open myself up to this love walk. Change me, rearrange me and make me new again. I thank You, God, that I will not miss the very best that You have for me. I won’t just wear a Christian label, but I will live as a Christian as well. I believe that I receive right now the faith to walk in love, in Jesus’ name. Amen

catcmo2006 qould like to:Thank You for allow in this site,group sites, web sites and other prayer sites as well in holding one another up for prayer's being totally united in everyone around this world, it's about Jesus Christ first and prayers,intecessory prayer's and at other times about this vast world we live in today which this old world as we all know it is slowly departing to be reaching our home in glory.

Jesus Christ Helps Us

7.Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.^[a]
8 You gave them authority over all things.”^[b]

Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.^[c] 12 For he said to God,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.
I will praise you among your assembled people.”^[d]

13 He also said,

“I will put my trust in him,”
that is, “I and the children God has given me.”^[e]

14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had^[f] the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters,^[g] so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

The Big Picture: TEMPTATION

Used in KJV to refer to testing, trying, and enticing to evil. When the KJV was translated in 1611, “temptation” meant all of these, but the word has narrowed in meaning in modern times. Modern translations use “testing,” “proving,” “trying,” and “tempting.” Four distinct uses of the Hebrew (nsh) and Greek (peirazo) words for trying or tempting are:

God tests the loyalty or disloyalty of persons. “God did tempt (nsh) Araham” (Genesis 22:1). God “tested” Abraham's loyalty to God when He told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Hebrews 11:17 says: “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac.” In Deuteronomy 8:2 Moses said: “God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove (nsh) thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” (Compare Exodus 20:20; Judges 2:22.) Christ also tested the loyalty of persons. Jesus asked Philip a question “to prove (peirazo) him: for he himself knew what he would do (John 6:6).”

Jesus' enemies tried Him to get something to use against him. “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting (peirazo) desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven” (Matthew 16:1). (Compare Matthew 19:3; Matthew 22:18,Matthew 22:35; Mark 8:11; Mark 10:2; Mark 12:15; Luke 11:16; Luke 20:23; John 8:6.)

Persons are tempted or enticed to sin. James 1:13 says, “Let no man say when he is tempted (peirazo), I am tempted by God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” Both the Old Testament and New Testament make it clear that God does not entice persons to sin, but both indicate that God allows human beings to be tempted. (Compare 1 Chronicles 21:1; Matthew 4:1,Matthew 4:3; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2,Luke 4:13; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; Revelation 2:10.) These passages refer to the temptation as coming from the “tempter,” “devil,” or “Satan.” In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul said: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” James 1:14 says that “every man is tempted, when he drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” Persons are thus tempted from without by the tempter or from within themselves. Jesus taught His disciples to pray: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). Since God does not entice to sin, this is a cry of the soul for help in the midst of temptation.

Persons are not to test God. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16 when He said: “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matthew 4:7). People did put God to the test. (Compare Exodus 17:2,Exodus 17:7; Deuteronomy 6:16; Deuteronomy 9:22; Numbers 14:22; Acts 5:9; Acts 15:10; 1 Corinthians 10:9; Hebrews 3:8-9.) When the apostles and elders from the Jerusalem church came to Antioch and questioned the admission of the Gentiles into the church, Peter said that the Holy Spirit had been given to the Gentiles: “Why tempt ye God?” (Acts 15:6-11).

The Bottom Line:

Humble, cautious fear is urged, lest any should come short of the promised rest, through unbelief.

Neither the state in which the church is at present, nor its more completely restored state, when the prince of this world shall be cast out, and the kingdoms of the earth become the kingdom of Christ, is left to the government of the angels: Christ will take to him his great power, and will reign. And what is the moving cause of all the kindness God shows to men in giving Christ for them and to them? it is the grace of God. As a reward of Christ's humiliation in suffering death, he

has unlimited dominion over all things; thus this ancient scripture was fulfilled in him. Thus God has done wonderful things for us in creation and providence, but for these we have made the basest returns. (Heb 2:10-13)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life to You totally, spirit, soul, and body. I ask that You bend, break, and mold me into the person that You want me to be. Lord, teach me to trust in You and to live and walk by faith in You and Your Word. I commit to You, Lord, to take accountability and responsibility in my walk with You and Your Word. No more will the enemy’s devices and the deceptions of the old man easily sway me. I purpose to firmly fix my eyes and heart on You, Lord, totally today. I press, push and apprehend all that you have for me today, keeping in the back of my remembrance that the enemy loves a lazy or slothful mind. satan, I come against you and all hosts of hell and I reject everything that you would have for me today. satan, I refuse all snares, pits, and traps that you have set to draw me away from my Lord Jesus Christ. I rebuke you, satan, and all your hosts in the name of Jesus from every assignment you have assigned against me or my family, my property, my health and my finances. Father I ask and believe for Your best in my life today and that Your will and purposes be done in and through me. I also ask that You keep me in Your perfect will and make me a yielded vessel fit for Your work today. I place myself under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust", for I chose to dwell in the secret place of the Most High. In Jesus Name, amen. catcmo2006 Thank You for allow in this site,group sites, web sites and other prayer sites as well in holding one another up for prayer's being totally united in everyone around this world, it's about Jesus Christ first and prayers,intecessory prayer's and at other times about this vast world we live in today which this old world as we all know it is slowly departing to be reaching our home in glory.

The Wisdom Of Solomon

Proverbs 11:13-15(KJV): 13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

Thoughts for the Day The book of Proverbs is packed with wonderful bite size truths that are practical for every day living. In examining the three verses above, we are given some of her gems of wisdom. These verses mostly deal with avoiding relationship problems. Verse 13 instructs us not to be a talebearer who reveals secrets, but rather, to conceal questionable matters that would do harm to people. People who cover other's sins have a faithful spirit. Those who blab everything are just gossips. Many years ago when I was young, at a time when I fully surrendered to the Lord, my eyes were opened to this very sin for which I was guilty. At the time, I was also in bondage to tobacco. To my surprise, the Lord began first working on restraining the things that were coming out of my mouth that He classified as gossip. He did get around to my tobacco habit next and delivered me of that too. However, as I was reflecting on the work He had done in my life, I wondered why He did not deal with me about my smoking first, as it was an obvious sin. He quietly spoke to my heart one day and told me that my mouth was more damaging to my Christian walk than my smoking was. This was not excusing my tobacco habit, as it had to be corrected too; however, He showed me the things we speak are powerful for our good or our destruction. Proverbs 18:20-21: "A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Many of the things that we reap in this life can be traced directly to the things that we have spoken. Most of the time before we take action on things, we talk about them first. Therefore, if we allow the Holy Spirit to control what we speak, we will be a blessing to others, as well as produce good fruit in our own lives. It all begins with speaking and praying the Word of God. Verse 14 cautions those who would make major decisions on their own without any counsel. When one does this, it sets them up for a fall. However, when several counselors pool their experience and come together to look at a situation, they can approach the situation in a safer manner. This scripture, of course, is assuming these are godly counselors. Worldly counselors do not have access to the wisdom of God and even their joint contributions can still be wrong. Asking for God's guidance, should always be first and foremost. Verse 15 gives us some financial advice in the area of relationships. We are told not to be surety for a stranger. What is surety? It means that a person will give security for the payment or will pledge to pay another's debt if they fail to pay it. We are told that if we do this for a stranger, someone we do not know that well, we will end up "smarting" or "hurting" for it. Strangers, who have the audacity to ask someone they do not even know to be surety for them, usually do not possess the character to repay the debt in the end. It is better to hate this kind of dealing, so that we will not be stuck with the penalty of paying someone else's debt. Proverbs is full of good advice and as we apply it to our lives, we will dwell in peace in this earth. We will not fall into the traps of the devil that will cause us trouble and pain, if we heed the advice in this book of wisdom.

Prayer for the Day Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the many things You have delivered me from. I am very grateful that I am free of those things that were destroying me. Father, help me to be patient with those around me that are struggling with their sins. Remind me to pray for them and help me not to talk about them in the wrong way. Lord, I do need Your counsel also, as I have many decisions to make and I do not want to make the wrong ones. Help me to recognize and appreciate godly advice that comes from others. I humble myself and ask that You lead me in all of Your ways. I pray for my brothers and sisters, as well. May we all submit to Your will in all things. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

catcmo2006 would like to: Thank You for allow in this site,group sites, web sites and other prayer sites as well in holding one another up for prayer's being totally united in everyone around this world, it's about Jesus Christ first and prayers,intecessory prayer's and at other times about this vast world we live in today which this old world as we all know it is slowly departing to be reaching our home in glory.

March 13, Morning

There is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

Forasmuch ... as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same.
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. In Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace. By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

1 Tim. 2:5. Heb. 2:14. Isa. 45:22. 1 John 2:1. Eph. 2:13,14. Heb. 9:12,15. Heb. 7:25.

March 13, Evening

O my God, my soul is cast down within me. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee. He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Be not faithless, but believing. Lo, I am with you always. Ps. 42:6. Isa. 26:3,4. Ps. 55:22. Ps. 22:24. James 5:13. John 14:27. Matt. 6:25,26. John 20:27. Matt. 28:20.

catcmo 2006 would like to:

Thank You for allow in this site,group sites, web sites and other prayer sites as well in holding one another up for prayer's being totally united in everyone around this world, it's about Jesus Christ first and prayers,intecessory prayer's and at other times about this vast world we live in today which this old world as we all know it is slowly departing to be reaching our home in glory.