Love

LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

Our responsibilities in marriage are best realized when we are in Christ.

Ephesians 5:31, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

What are your responsibilities to your spouse? Are you the bread winner? Are you the dish washer? Are you the launderer? Are you the lawn care technician? Are you the mechanic? If you had a job description, just what would it look like?

I’m not so sure any of us can fully understand what our role is in our marriage until we know the creator of marriage. The creator of marriage is God. He created it in the garden when He created Eve, giving her to Adam to be a helpmeet to him.

When we give our life to Christ, repenting of our sin, and confess Him as Lord and Saviour, it is then we begin to understand what our responsibilities to our spouse are. We learn to love them as Christ loves them. We learn to forgive them as Christ forgave them. We learn to be patient as Christ is patient toward us!

Do you love your spouse? Do you love your spouse as Christ loves your spouse? If not, maybe you need to repent and trust Jesus as Saviour!

THE REASON WE CAN LOVE

If you neglect your love to your neighbor, in vain you profess your love to God; for by your love to God, the love to your neighbor is begotten, and by the love to your neighbor, your love to God is nourished. --Francis Quarles

1 Peter 1:22-23, Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Love is truly expressed when one has been touched by the love of God. Prior to salvation we did not love our spouses, children, or the world the way we ought to. Yes, we loved them but not with the same love that God has expressed toward us. He loves us unconditionally and sacrificially.  

Have you been touched with the love of God? Do you know what it means to be loved by God? He is the reason we can love!

LOVE MOTIVATES

You can serve without loving but you can’t love without serving.

John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God loved us so much that He sacrificed His only begotten Son on the Cross. He didn’t just sit back and talk about His love toward us. He didn’t brag to His angels about it. He didn’t carve it in a mountain side or an old oak tree. He sacrificed His Son on a tree on Calvary’s mountain. His love was the motivation of His sacrifice. Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Why do you sacrifice for your spouse? Why do you sacrifice for your children? Why do you sacrifice for your church? We do it out of love friend! Love is the greatest motivator!

Do you love the Lord; put it on display by keeping His Commandments! Do you love your spouse and children; put it on display! Serve them and love them unconditionally! You see friend, love motivates!

LOVE THEM THROUGH IT

I never knew up to that time that God loved us so much. This heart of mine began to thaw out; I could not keep back the tears. I just drank it in...I tell you there is one thing that draws above everything else in the world and that is love. -Moody

Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 In a time when there is so much division, we that have been touched by the love of God ought to be sharing that same love with this lost, dying, and hurting world. No, I didn’t say we need to lay down and let them run all over top of us! We can share the love of God and boldly stand on His Word. Men and women alike, in the eye of danger, stood and shared the love of Jesus with their enemy and God protected them, provided for them, and at times; He proved His Word was best to live by!

            Child of God, are you facing some enemies of this life? Have you tried everything you know to do and the enemy is still pressing on? Don’t give up! Don’t give in! Stand on the precious promises of God’s Word and love them through it!

FALL AGAIN  

Fall in love with God all over again!

Revelation 2:4, Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

            In the book of Revelation, John told the church at Ephesus they had left their first love. They had grown comfortable with the sin they were living in. Even though it robbed them of their joy, the Ephesians accepted the conditions, grew callous, and continued until God gave them the cure.

            I believe there are many Christians living comfortably in sin today. They are accepting the conditions of their sin. They are growing callous in the sin. And God has given the same cure the Ephesians had— Remember God’s grace, repent of the sin, and do thy first works! Ultimately, falling in love with God all over again!

TELL ABOUT HIS LOVE  

Jesus founded his kingdom on love, and it is going to stand. - D.L. Moody

1 John 4:19, We love him, because he first loved us.

            Oh, we could preach on the love of Jesus for the rest of our lives and not exhaust the content of His love toward us. We could tell about when our Saviour took the scourging He took. We could tell about when He got up on the Cross of Calvary and lay His life down for us. We could tell about when our Saviour conquered death, hell, and the grave for us. It isn’t just lip service, its life sacrifice! Friend, this is the very reason why we tell about His love! We tell about His death, burial, and resurrection! We preach the Gospel, telling people Jesus is alive and He wants you to be alive as well!

            So, friend don’t just go about your day telling others about what you hate or the ills of today’s society. Tell them about the love of Jesus!

WHO HATES YOU?

In no one else in all history do you find an abiding hatred, an immortal hatred except against our Lord... The hatred against Christ has never weakened even after twenty-centuries... because he is still an obstacle-an obstacle to sin, to selfishness, to godlessness, and to the spirit of the world. --Fulton J. Sheen

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. John 15:18

Christian, while you’re standing for righteousness remember it’s not you the world hates—it’s the God you serve! It’s the Lord Jesus! No matter what, lift high the message of Christ and go on for the glory of God. Never mind those who don’t like you. Ignore those that speak evil of you. And if someone tells you they hate you, lower that plow a little deeper and press on for the glory of God! He will draw men unto Himself, He will save them that bow, and He will take care of those that reject Him.

Show Some Love            

            You will find as you look back on your life that the moments that stand out above everything else are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love. --Henry Drummond

Luke 23:34, “… Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

            During His hours on the cross, even though Jesus had been beaten beyond recognition, mocked, and ridiculed, He reached out to those around Him in love. He spoke to His mother with compassion. He spoke to one of the thieves with the promise of heaven. He cried out to the Father to forgive those who lied, putting Him on the Cross.

            What we can learn of this spotlight of Jesus on the Cross… Even in our dark hours we can show love to those around us. Whether they be our foes or our friends. It may be hard for us but I am reminded what Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. So, show some love on this Friday!

AN OBEDIENT LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN  

            A Sunday School teacher once asked her class 'How is the will of God done in heaven?' One child answered, 'Cheerfully.'  Another, 'By everybody.'  A third 'All the time.'  But the best answer was, 'It is done without asking any questions.'" -D.L. Moody

Proverbs 6:20-23, My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

`           There are benefits of following Jesus. We don’t follow and obey for the benefits, we follow and obey the Word because we love Him. However, an obedient Christian will be following His Word recognizing the authority and being accountable to its commands. An obedient Christian will be following His Word, taking advantage of the benefits it produces such as being able to avoid adversity.

            Are you a hearer only? Do you tune into the online services listening to the Christ honoring music and Christ centered preaching? Do you ever do anything with what you have heard? Do you ever open a conversation with someone only to share Christ? That is what we are to be doing church. We are to be obedient to the Word; building bridges in order to see that family member, that co-worker, that drunk on the street come to know Jesus as Saviour. It is in our obedience that we show we truly love Him!

LOVING BEYOND THEIR FAULTS  

          To love someone means to see him as God intended him. --Feodor Dostoevski

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

            Love is still a choice. To love your neighbor that doesn’t mow his yard, take off his trash, and plays loud music at midnight, is a choice. To love your wayward child that has broken your heart more times than you care to remember, is a choice. To love your spouse that has been unfaithful, uncaring, or unloving, is a choice.

            The Lord didn’t love us because of who we are, for we are wicked to the core. He chose to love us based on Who He is. So, when you chose to love the unlovable, it is based on the love of God that is in you and that has showed you compassion, love, mercy, and grace.

            We will you forgive as much as Christ has forgiven you? Will you love the unlovable? Will you love beyond their faults and follow scripture?

LOVE AGAIN  

   Marriage is one of the greatest things we can do on Earth.

Mark 10:9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

            When a man and woman commit their lives one to the other, I would imagine neither of them are looking to divorce in the future. I would imagine they both are looking for a lifetime of memories. Unfortunately, life happens. One or the other becomes unsatisfied with the way the other is going and before you know it, they end up on an episode of Jerry Springer.

            It’s a sad day when a couple that was once in love with one another succumbs to Satan’s temptation to quit. But, instead of divorce, how does a couple mend hearts and love again? Sacrifice. Both parties must live a life of sacrifice. They must say, “Not my will but God’s will be done.” Sacrifice like our Saviour sacrificed, obediently. Learn to love like Jesus loves; unconditionally. Learn to forgive like Jesus forgives; limitless. Learn to compromise in the non-essentials. Do things together. When you sacrifice your will for the will of your spouse, you will begin to mend, heal, and love again!          

LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

If you play with fire, sooner or later you’re going to get burnt! 

Proverbs 4:23, Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Adultery doesn’t just happen one day when you’re bored. It begins in the mind. It begins by fantasying about how a different life would be. It begins by being flirtatious at work, at the supermarket, or sadly enough, at church. It begins by striking up a conversation with another man or woman that’s not your spouse about your marriage. It begins by allowing Satan to work in your life when he has no place in it! 

Husbands, love your wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. Love her when she isn’t what you see on tv or in some magazine. Wives, love your husbands likewise. Love him when he isn’t the man in a Hallmark movie or a Harlequin novel. 

Love your spouse unconditionally! Love them enough to forgive. Love them enough to forget. Love them enough to show the love of Jesus to others! 

LOVE BEYOND YOURSELF!

Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young. -Pinero

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

            I describe love as sacrifice. You see, love goes above and beyond what the world would suggest. The world says love is a feeling. While it feels good to be loved, that type of love changes because feelings change. The world says love is physical. While love is manifested in physical attraction, our physical bodies will change—what then? Some describe love as an emotional attraction to someone. Well, many people’s emotional state changes more than the weather. What happens when our emotions are like a roller coaster with the one we “love”?   

            Friend, to really find out what true love is look at The Lord Jesus! Look at His sacrifice for your salvation! His love toward you isn’t based on His feelings, your physic, or His emotions! His love toward you is based on His character. His character is defined in 1 John 4:16, “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.”

LOVE IS SPELLED OBEY

Wicked men obey from fear, good men, from love. –Aristotle

If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

Our obedience in serving the Lord comes from the love He has shown to us. In love He sent His Son to the Cross. In love He sent His Word to man. In love He sent His Spirit to be our comforter. In love He will save you and me from our sin. In love He’s coming back to get His people. In love He will not let sin enter Heaven’s gate. In love He will separate the saved from the lost. In love He will keep His Word.

What an example for you and I in the way we ought to obey and serve Him. It all should be done out of love! Love of the Lord!

BE COMPASSIONATE  

Being compassionate involves others not self.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36

When you and I go out to this lost, dying, and hurting world with the Good News of the Gospel, we will see the results of living in sin. It will bring you to tears. It will bring you to your knees. It will move you with compassion!

It’s easy to sit in our air conditioned homes, driving our luxury cars, eating from the drive through menus, not doing anything for the Lord! I believe that’s why many will not lift a finger or open their wallets for the Lord! They are scared God will want them to get involved, leaving the comforts of home, giving to something bigger and better, getting their eyes off self and on someone else.

When we get out of our comfort zone, getting our hands dirty doing the work of the Lord, it’s hard not to have compassion!

I DON’T WANT A BROKEN LEG!

Sometimes God must break some legs in order to get us to follow him.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Hebrews 12:6

It would seem mean and or evil to some that God would punish those that run from him. But truth be known, if he didn’t love us, he would just let us run wild in this world. I am so glad my father in heaven loves me enough to correct me when I am going astray. Even with a broken leg if necessary!

            Are you walking and or running away from God’s leading in your life? You’re standing in a dangerous place friend! Please heed to his word, letting him work in you and through you for his glory and your good.

JESUS LOVES ME  

            Dandelions do not determine God’s love in our life!

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. 1 John 4:9

            I don’t know if kids still do this or not but when I was growing up we would pick the petals off dandelions to determine if someone loved us or not. She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me, she loves me not. Until we got to the last few petals and either we stopped because we saw the outcome coming or we manipulated the petal count to our favor. That’s no way of determining love!

            I am so thankful for the Word of God. I am thankful we have God’s Word that we don’t have to pluck the petals off of a dandelion! We don’t have to question, guess, or go to some psychic. We have concrete assurance that God loves us in His Word. For He has said, “Herein 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 4:10

If you’re doubting God’s love toward you, just look to the Cross of Calvary! He gave His all for He loves you!

LOVE LIKE CRAZY!  

Faith makes all things possible...love makes all things easy. -D.L. Moody

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Matthew 5:46

            When you love someone like Jesus loves them hopefully sooner or later they will begin to understand the reason why you are able to do so. It’s not just because you want more friends. It’s not because you are in need of some self approval. It’s because you want them to have the complete peace of God you received when you repented and trusted Jesus as Saviour!

            How is your love life when it comes to loving the unlovable? Remember—Jesus loved you before you ever started loving Him! We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

LOVE ‘EM ENOUGH  

Pointing others to Christ is done more with the lips than the tongue.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25

             If more of us spouses would take the lead in church attendance maybe our spouses would follow the lead. Maybe more men would step up to the roll God has called them to being a leader in the house instead of being a wimp. Maybe more women would be a Proverbs 31 woman; loving their husbands and their children. Maybe our children would walk in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; loving Him, making their parents proud, and seeking to do God’s will. Maybe sinners would get saved and saints would get sanctified.

            Child of God, love the ones in your circle of influence to “Be thou the example”! Talk is cheap! Actions speak louder than words! Love ‘em enough to; GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH this morning!

WHAT’S YOUR DRIVE IN MISSIONS?  

Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. -Spurgeon  

Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 3 John 1:7

Drive is just another way of saying motivation. Our motivation should be the love of Jesus Christ. His compassion, His longsuffering, His mercy, and His grace should motivate us to tell others about Him. It should provoke us unto good works. It should spark a desire to stand up, speak up, and proclaim the Gospel to every person we come in contact with.

John told Gaius, “…for his name’s sake they went forth.” What’s your drive in Missions? Just look to Calvary and it tells the old, old story of Jesus and His love!