love story of God LOVE…ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES…NEVER FAILS…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6-8 NIV Shout ‘wonderful’

LOVE…ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES…NEVER FAILS…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6-8 NIV Shout ‘wonderful’

When you meet someone who needs encouragement, give it to them! Why? Because more people die of broken hearts than swelled heads. And that’s true whether they live in a mansion or a mud hut. The story is told of a little boy who wanted to play darts with his father. He said, ‘Come on, Dad, let’s play darts. I’ll throw, and you shout “wonderful!’’ You may smile, but we tend to become what the most important people in our lives think of us. So think the best, believe the best, and express the best toward them – for your words are helping to shape their destiny. And remember, change happens by inches, not miles! You didn’t get there overnight and they won’t either. Even when change seems simple, it’s rarely ever easy. The only way we can break old habits is to form new ones – and that takes time and practice – lots of it! You can’t tell people something just once and expect them to get it. No, they need to hear it over and over before they can make the adjustment. And how you tell them, the look in your eyes and the tone of your voice, can determine whether they freeze in fear or soar above the obstacles. It can also determine the coping skills they hand down to their children. So this is no small matter. Be persistent! Never give up trying to help them improve. Express gratitude for every step of progress they make. Flying off the handle doesn’t help them; or you. The way to get lasting results is through patience and love. Remember, ‘Love…always hopes, always perseveres… never fails…’

…NOTHING CAN GET BETWEEN US AND GOD’S LOVE…’ ROMANS 8:39 TM Secure in God’s love!

…NOTHING CAN GET BETWEEN US AND GOD’S LOVE…’ ROMANS 8:39 TM Secure in God’s love!

Opinions are powerful things! They either build us up or tear us down. They create a ceiling above which we cannot rise. That’s why it’s important to get God’s opinion of you and stick with it. If others disagree, so what? You wouldn’t be so critical of yourself or so conscious of the opinions of others if you really knew how God felt about you! He made up His mind about you before you sinned. So when you sin, repent. Then dismiss the guilt for guilt is the product of doubt; it denies you the benefits of God’s grace. Stop running from person to person looking for love. Just open your Bible; it’s a living love letter, a statement of intent from a Father who wants nothing but the best for His children. If you doubt that, read this: ‘Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture…None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that… nothing can get between us and God’s love…’ (Romans 8:35-39 TM). ‘But I fall so far short,’ you say. We all do! Yet nothing you’ve done has changed God’s mind about you, and nothing ever will! His love remains; it’s unconditional, constant and guaranteed: ‘…His mercy endures forever’ (Psalm 136:1 NKJ). God’s love for you is set in concrete; it has no cut off point! And that’s the foundation you can build your life on!

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US…’ 1 JOHN 3:1 NIV God loves you – He really does!

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US…’ 1 JOHN 3:1 NIV God loves you – He really does!

Nothing could make God love you more than He does right now: not greater achievement, greater beauty, greater recognition; not even greater spirituality. And nothing could make Him love you less: not your character flaws, your past failures and regrets. The irony is, we spend our lives trying to earn a love that can only be received by faith when we acknowledge that within us there’s an emptiness only God can fill. And He will. But the truth is, learning to live in the love of God is the challenge of a lifetime. Many of us grew up with parents who withheld their love as an expression of their disapproval. And we think God does that too. But He doesn’t. ‘How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!’ (1 John 3:1 NIV). C S Lewis wrote: ‘God, who needs nothing, loving into existence wholly superfluous creatures in order that He may love and perfect them. God did not make us because He was bored, lonely, or had run out of things to do. He created us to be the objects of His love! Sometimes our actions make us unlovely, but we are never unloved. And because God loves us – we have value. And nobody can take that value away. God’s love revealed at Calvary fastens itself onto flawed creatures like us, and for reasons none of us can ever quite figure out, makes us precious and valued beyond calculation. This is love beyond reason. And this is the love with which God loves us.’

…NOTHING CAN GET BETWEEN US AND GOD’S LOVE…’ ROMANS 8:39 TM Secure in God’s love!

…NOTHING CAN GET BETWEEN US AND GOD’S LOVE…’ ROMANS 8:39 TM Secure in God’s love!

Opinions are powerful things! They either build us up or tear us down. They create a ceiling above which we cannot rise. That’s why it’s important to get God’s opinion of you and stick with it. If others disagree, so what? You wouldn’t be so critical of yourself or so conscious of the opinions of others if you really knew how God felt about you! He made up His mind about you before you sinned. So when you sin, repent. Then dismiss the guilt for guilt is the product of doubt; it denies you the benefits of God’s grace. Stop running from person to person looking for love. Just open your Bible; it’s a living love letter, a statement of intent from a Father who wants nothing but the best for His children. If you doubt that, read this: ‘Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture…None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that… nothing can get between us and God’s love…’ (Romans 8:35-39 TM). ‘But I fall so far short,’ you say. We all do! Yet nothing you’ve done has changed God’s mind about you, and nothing ever will! His love remains; it’s unconditional, constant and guaranteed: ‘…His mercy endures forever’ (Psalm 136:1 NKJ). God’s love for you is set in concrete; it has no cut off point! And that’s the foundation you can build your life on!

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US…’ 1 JOHN 3:1 NIV God loves you – He really does!

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US…’ 1 JOHN 3:1 NIV God loves you – He really does!

Nothing could make God love you more than He does right now: not greater achievement, greater beauty, greater recognition; not even greater spirituality. And nothing could make Him love you less: not your character flaws, your past failures and regrets. The irony is, we spend our lives trying to earn a love that can only be received by faith when we acknowledge that within us there’s an emptiness only God can fill. And He will. But the truth is, learning to live in the love of God is the challenge of a lifetime. Many of us grew up with parents who withheld their love as an expression of their disapproval. And we think God does that too. But He doesn’t. ‘How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!’ (1 John 3:1 NIV). C S Lewis wrote: ‘God, who needs nothing, loving into existence wholly superfluous creatures in order that He may love and perfect them. God did not make us because He was bored, lonely, or had run out of things to do. He created us to be the objects of His love! Sometimes our actions make us unlovely, but we are never unloved. And because God loves us – we have value. And nobody can take that value away. God’s love revealed at Calvary fastens itself onto flawed creatures like us, and for reasons none of us can ever quite figure out, makes us precious and valued beyond calculation. This is love beyond reason. And this is the love with which God loves us.’

…YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE.“ ’ REVELATION 2:4 NAS Do you love God?

…YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE.“ ’ REVELATION 2:4 NAS Do you love God?

The Church in Ephesus was the kind of church you’d have wanted to attend: ’ “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false” ’ (Revelation 2:2 NAS). So far so good. Who can argue with orthodoxy? But all was not well: ‘ “I have this against you,“’ says the Lord ’ “…you have left your first love.“ ’ John Stott writes: ‘They had fallen from the early heights of devotion to Christ which they had climbed. They had descended to the plains of mediocrity. In a word…the hearts of the Ephesian Christians had chilled.’ This word ‘chilled’ puts a shiver up your spine. What a horrible way to describe the heart of a Christian! Stott continues, ‘Their first flush of ecstasy had passed. Their early devotion to Christ had cooled. They had been in love with Him, but they had fallen out of love.’ How much had changed since Paul penned his last letter to that church ‘Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible’ (Ephesians 6:24 NAS). Then Stott concludes ‘they toiled with vigour, but not with love. They tested their teachers with orthodoxy, but had no love in their hearts.’ Wow! You can go to church, read your Bible and pray daily, yet not truly love God. Loving God is a commitment, an attitude resulting in action, a focus, a daily decision to acknowledge Him in all you say and do. So, do you love God?

…YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE.“ ’ REVELATION 2:4 NAS Do you love God?

…YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE.“ ’ REVELATION 2:4 NAS Do you love God?

The Church in Ephesus was the kind of church you’d have wanted to attend: ’ “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false” ’ (Revelation 2:2 NAS). So far so good. Who can argue with orthodoxy? But all was not well: ‘ “I have this against you,“’ says the Lord ’ “…you have left your first love.“ ’ John Stott writes: ‘They had fallen from the early heights of devotion to Christ which they had climbed. They had descended to the plains of mediocrity. In a word…the hearts of the Ephesian Christians had chilled.’ This word ‘chilled’ puts a shiver up your spine. What a horrible way to describe the heart of a Christian! Stott continues, ‘Their first flush of ecstasy had passed. Their early devotion to Christ had cooled. They had been in love with Him, but they had fallen out of love.’ How much had changed since Paul penned his last letter to that church ‘Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible’ (Ephesians 6:24 NAS). Then Stott concludes ‘they toiled with vigour, but not with love. They tested their teachers with orthodoxy, but had no love in their hearts.’ Wow! You can go to church, read your Bible and pray daily, yet not truly love God. Loving God is a commitment, an attitude resulting in action, a focus, a daily decision to acknowledge Him in all you say and do. So, do you love God?

DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD…’ 1 JOHN 2:15 NAS Change your world

DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD…’ 1 JOHN 2:15 NAS Change your world

John writes, ‘Do not love the world…’ But what does that mean? First, let’s look at what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean being so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly use. Loving the Lord more doesn’t mean loving those around you less; or feeling awkward around them; or losing touch with them; or not knowing how to communicate with them; or alienating them by giving off signals that you are somehow spiritually superior to them. If ‘…we have the mind of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV) shouldn’t we be as attractive to a lost world as Jesus was? As the world of finance, politics, education and entertainment, etc gets more off track, we have two choices: condemn it or influence it! Become what we’re supposed to be, light! Isaiah the prophet spoke into the lives of kings. The three Hebrew children changed the politics of Babylon. Joseph the economist saved Egypt from famine. Yes, satan is at work taking Christ out of Christmas, prayer out of schools, and God out of government. But he won’t win, and he knows it. His strategy however, is to convince you that he can win. He doesn’t want you to see the real battle between light and darkness. He doesn’t want you to feel a sense of urgency and personal responsibility. But the God who promised to ‘…crush satan under your feet…’ (Romans 16:20 NKJ). is raising up an army of spirit-empowered believers who will demonstrate what it’s like to live in a different kingdom. Will you be part of His army?

DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD…’ 1 JOHN 2:15 NAS Change your world

DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD…’ 1 JOHN 2:15 NAS Change your world

John writes, ‘Do not love the world…’ But what does that mean? First, let’s look at what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean being so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly use. Loving the Lord more doesn’t mean loving those around you less; or feeling awkward around them; or losing touch with them; or not knowing how to communicate with them; or alienating them by giving off signals that you are somehow spiritually superior to them. If ‘…we have the mind of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV) shouldn’t we be as attractive to a lost world as Jesus was? As the world of finance, politics, education and entertainment, etc gets more off track, we have two choices: condemn it or influence it! Become what we’re supposed to be, light! Isaiah the prophet spoke into the lives of kings. The three Hebrew children changed the politics of Babylon. Joseph the economist saved Egypt from famine. Yes, satan is at work taking Christ out of Christmas, prayer out of schools, and God out of government. But he won’t win, and he knows it. His strategy however, is to convince you that he can win. He doesn’t want you to see the real battle between light and darkness. He doesn’t want you to feel a sense of urgency and personal responsibility. But the God who promised to ‘…crush satan under your feet…’ (Romans 16:20 NKJ). is raising up an army of spirit-empowered believers who will demonstrate what it’s like to live in a different kingdom. Will you be part of His army?

…BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE…KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT…’ EPHESIANS 4:2-3 NKJ Family matters (1)

…BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE…KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT…’ EPHESIANS 4:2-3 NKJ Family matters (1)

When it’s easier to talk to outsiders than it is to your own family, something’s wrong. Your family should be a support system – a safety net to catch you when you fall. We like to visualise ‘family’ as a hard-working dad, a stay-at-home mum, two children, a dog, and a house with a fence. But for many people family means money problems, troubled kids and warring spouses. That’s why Paul writes: ‘…walk…with…longsuffering, bearing with one another in love…keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ (Ephesians 4:1-3 NKJ). It takes a big dose of grace to make it all work! So start praying for your kids, instead of just setting boundaries that create distance between you when you don’t see eye to eye. You won’t always agree, but you must learn to respect each other. When God said, ‘Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it’ (Proverbs 22:6 NIV), He didn’t say what qualifies as ‘old,’ or when your investment would start paying off. Every family has its ups and downs. And every family tree produces a few nuts! In fact, sometimes the best part is underground! But if you bail out when things get tough you would miss the rewards you’d have gotten by hanging on. Often the child that blesses you most is the one who didn’t reflect your views, married someone you didn’t like, and doesn’t invite you over to dinner! In the long run none of that matters because your family is a life-long investment. What’s important is to love and support one another unconditionally right now.

…BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE…KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT…’ EPHESIANS 4:2-3 NKJ Family matters (1)

…BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE…KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT…’ EPHESIANS 4:2-3 NKJ Family matters (1)

When it’s easier to talk to outsiders than it is to your own family, something’s wrong. Your family should be a support system – a safety net to catch you when you fall. We like to visualise ‘family’ as a hard-working dad, a stay-at-home mum, two children, a dog, and a house with a fence. But for many people family means money problems, troubled kids and warring spouses. That’s why Paul writes: ‘…walk…with…longsuffering, bearing with one another in love…keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ (Ephesians 4:1-3 NKJ). It takes a big dose of grace to make it all work! So start praying for your kids, instead of just setting boundaries that create distance between you when you don’t see eye to eye. You won’t always agree, but you must learn to respect each other. When God said, ‘Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it’ (Proverbs 22:6 NIV), He didn’t say what qualifies as ‘old,’ or when your investment would start paying off. Every family has its ups and downs. And every family tree produces a few nuts! In fact, sometimes the best part is underground! But if you bail out when things get tough you would miss the rewards you’d have gotten by hanging on. Often the child that blesses you most is the one who didn’t reflect your views, married someone you didn’t like, and doesn’t invite you over to dinner! In the long run none of that matters because your family is a life-long investment. What’s important is to love and support one another unconditionally right now.

love story of God LOVE…ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES…NEVER FAILS…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6-8 NIV Shout ‘wonderful’

LOVE…ALWAYS HOPES, ALWAYS PERSEVERES…NEVER FAILS…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:6-8 NIV Shout ‘wonderful’

When you meet someone who needs encouragement, give it to them! Why? Because more people die of broken hearts than swelled heads. And that’s true whether they live in a mansion or a mud hut. The story is told of a little boy who wanted to play darts with his father. He said, ‘Come on, Dad, let’s play darts. I’ll throw, and you shout “wonderful!’’ You may smile, but we tend to become what the most important people in our lives think of us. So think the best, believe the best, and express the best toward them – for your words are helping to shape their destiny. And remember, change happens by inches, not miles! You didn’t get there overnight and they won’t either. Even when change seems simple, it’s rarely ever easy. The only way we can break old habits is to form new ones – and that takes time and practice – lots of it! You can’t tell people something just once and expect them to get it. No, they need to hear it over and over before they can make the adjustment. And how you tell them, the look in your eyes and the tone of your voice, can determine whether they freeze in fear or soar above the obstacles. It can also determine the coping skills they hand down to their children. So this is no small matter. Be persistent! Never give up trying to help them improve. Express gratitude for every step of progress they make. Flying off the handle doesn’t help them; or you. The way to get lasting results is through patience and love. Remember, ‘Love…always hopes, always perseveres… never fails…’

LOVE…IS NOT IRRITABLE OR TOUCHY…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5 TLB A ‘yes’ face!

LOVE…IS NOT IRRITABLE OR TOUCHY…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5 TLB A ‘yes’ face!

Chuck Swindoll writes, ‘The most significant decision I make each day is my choice of an attitude. When my attitudes are right there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.’ If you believe that you will take charge of your emotions, begin to focus on what’s good, and reject anything that makes you a petty, bitter person. And your face will say ‘Yes.’ One day President Thomas Jefferson and a group of companions were travelling across the country on horseback. They came to a river that had overflowed its banks because of a recent downpour. The river had washed away the bridge so each rider was forced to cross it on horseback, fighting for his life against the currents. This caused a traveller who was not part of the group to step aside and watch. After several riders had plunged in and made it to the other side, the stranger asked if President Jefferson would carry him across. The President agreed without hesitation. So the man climbed on and the two of them made it safely to the other side. As the stranger slid off the horse onto dry ground, one of Jefferson’s companions asked, ‘Why did you select the President?’ The man was shocked and admitted he’d no idea that it was the President who’d helped him. ‘All I know,’ he said, ‘is that on some of your faces was written the answer “no,” and on some was written the answer “yes.” His was a “yes’ face.” A good attitude has a ‘yes’ face. Try to remember that today!

LOVE…IS NOT IRRITABLE OR TOUCHY…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5 TLB A ‘yes’ face!

LOVE…IS NOT IRRITABLE OR TOUCHY…’ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-5 TLB A ‘yes’ face!

Chuck Swindoll writes, ‘The most significant decision I make each day is my choice of an attitude. When my attitudes are right there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.’ If you believe that you will take charge of your emotions, begin to focus on what’s good, and reject anything that makes you a petty, bitter person. And your face will say ‘Yes.’ One day President Thomas Jefferson and a group of companions were travelling across the country on horseback. They came to a river that had overflowed its banks because of a recent downpour. The river had washed away the bridge so each rider was forced to cross it on horseback, fighting for his life against the currents. This caused a traveller who was not part of the group to step aside and watch. After several riders had plunged in and made it to the other side, the stranger asked if President Jefferson would carry him across. The President agreed without hesitation. So the man climbed on and the two of them made it safely to the other side. As the stranger slid off the horse onto dry ground, one of Jefferson’s companions asked, ‘Why did you select the President?’ The man was shocked and admitted he’d no idea that it was the President who’d helped him. ‘All I know,’ he said, ‘is that on some of your faces was written the answer “no,” and on some was written the answer “yes.” His was a “yes’ face.” A good attitude has a ‘yes’ face. Try to remember that today!