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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

God and Love

When it comes to God And love, God's love toward us is that of a father toward his children. ( Matt. 5:45) "That you may be sons of your Father in heaven." He spares nothing that is for our good, no matter what the price is. God gave His only - begotten Son, Jesus Christ who died for our sins that we may be saved. (Rom.5:8) God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself.

( Matt 5:44) Jesus commanded: "Love your enemies." God Himself established the principle, as the apostle Paul states: (Rom 5:8-10) "God recommends His own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us... For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life". A wonderful instance of God and love is God's dealing with Saul of Tarsus who became the apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-16). Loving our enemies, therefore, should be governed by the principle established by God and be exercised in obedience to His commandments, whether or not such love is accompanied by any warmth or affection.

A dictionary definition of love is: A feeling of warm, personal attachment of deep affection, as for a friend, for a parent or child, and so forth; also, the benevolent affection of God for His creatures or the reverent affection due from them to God; also, the kindly affection properly expressed by God's creatures toward one another. One of the synonyms for love is "devotion."

The Scriptures use "love" in all the forgoing meanings, and also add to the meaning of the word. Aside from those meanings, the Scriptures speak also of love guided by principle, as love of righteousness or even love for one's enemies, for whom a person may not have affection. This facet or expression of love is an unselfish devotion to righteousness and a sincere concern for the lasting welfare of others, along with an active expression of this for their good.

All mankind, even a person's own enemies, are to be loved and Christian works are to be exercised toward them. (Luke: 6:35-36) says: "Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful." The Bible, commenting on the fruits of the spirit, of which love is first, says: "Against such things there is no law." (Gal.5:22-23) says: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." This love has no law that can limit it. It may be practiced at any time or place to any extent toward those to whom it is due. In fact, the only debt Christians should be owing one another is love. (Rom. 13:8) says: "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." This love for one another is an identifying mark of true Christians.- John 13:8.

As to God and Love we can be sure that love is of God. The apostle Paul writes: "God is love." (1 John 4:8) says: "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." He also has other attributes, among them justice, power and wisdom. (Deut, 32:4) says: He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. (Job. 36:22) says: "Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him?" (Rev, 7:12) says "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

As for God and love, God also has the capacity to hate, a quality the very opposite of love. His love of righteousness requires his hatred of wickedness. ( Deut. 12:31) says: "You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods." (Prov. 6:16) says: "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him."

How to love God is the ability to come to know God as oneself. Love can come only by seeking and following God's spirit and the knowledge that comes from His Word. Love must be first to God, above all others. Otherwise, it will become misdirected. Knowing God's purposes is essential, because one knows then what is best for his own welfare and that of others and will know how to express love in the proper way. This love to God is described in the Bible as loving Him with one's whole heart, mind, soul and strength.' (Matt. 22:36-38).

Love is primarily a quality of the heart. (1 Pet. 1:22) says: "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart." We must know God and his qualities, and his purposes, and how he expresses them. (1 John. 4:7-8) says: "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."

When it comes to God's children, sometimes we ask, "What is God's love for me?". We can rest assured on the evidence our God and Creator of the universe is love in abundance. This can be seen in His creation itself. With what remarkable care it has been made for our health and welfare. God made us, not only to exist, but to enjoy the countless delights of living. Moreover God displayed His love in making man in His image and likeness.(Gen.1:26) says: "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

Reading the Bible, An Easy Task and Pleasant Hobby

Yes, I heard you say that you do not have time. Seems these days, no one has time to read the Bible. And I know the reason why. Most times, humans misinterpret what reading the Bible means. When you think about reading the Bible, what do you think? The average person pictures picking up the Bible and beginning at page one and continuing on until you finish reading the whole book. This is not the way to read the Bible. Well, it is one way, but usually it is not the most effective way to read it.

I will list for you some of the best ways to read the Bible, and then I will sit back and ask you to share your ideas with me also. Could you please write and tell me if any of these ideas has helped Gyou read more? And write and let me know what your own creative ideas are.

Good Ways to Read the Bible:

  • Open the Bible, randomly, and place your hand on one page, one paragraph and read just those few lines or the whole paragraph.
  • Go to a religious or spiritual bookstore and read the decorative items in there. (Most have Bible quotes on them), or pick up their Bible and read.
  • Go to Barnes and Nobles Booksellers and find the Bible or Reference section and look for the most fashionable or interesting-looking Bible and take a peak inside and read a few lines.
  • Go to a Bible class and read along with all your neighbors.
  • Decide to go to church one day and see what chapter of the Bible they are reading from.
  • Buy a children's Bible and read that.
  • Volunteer to read the Bible to children in your schools or churches.
  • Write the Bible. Yes, you heard. Take a pen and copy a paragraph from the Bible , onto an index card. So you read it once while writing and then later on in the day, you read the sentences one more time.
  • Go to the card section in any store and look for Easter or Passover cards and check out the quotes from scriptures there.

Those are all ways to read the Bible. What are your ideas?

Linda Perry, a published author, creator of genuine, unique television shows that air on Time Warner and on Cablevision in New York City. A warm-hearted individual who gives a voice to those who have been silent all along. This author produces television shows about almost all topics that help people in their lives. Many of the shows are entertainment; some are information and resources and still others are festivals, fiestas, and community events that bring all people together in one place in the city or in the country. The author has experience adopting, raising , caring for, feeding and watching all types of fish and other animals.

Be Happy With What You Have and Have What You Need, Not What You Want

No matter how much you acquire, it's virtually impossible to have it all. There's always something newer and better being introduced. Try to be happy with what you already have.

That quote is from a book about getting rid of clutter. The book is quite interesting and I found that quote to be one of the most helpful reminders. We should all remember, that as humans, we do not need to have everything that we see on television. I think for humans, that habit of wanting it all begins with the first Christmas that people celebrate with their children. Child's first Christmas and though usually the manger is no where in site, the Santa Claus and the presents are all around the place. And almost always there is great competition to make sure that your child has the best of everything.

If we stop right there , we could change the course of our financial history. If we would just bring more spirituality back into Christmas celebrations, we would all be so much more happy. Yes some children would be disappointed but after the first or second spiritual Christmas they would become used to it the same as they would become used to other things in life too.

I think, for me, I like that quote and I am going to read it every day. That should make a dent in what possibly might have been. Or at least, I will be more focused, and more knowledgeable about what I really want in life. True spirituality comes in wanting what you have and having what you need not what you want. I will try for true spirituality. I cannot say that my plan will work. But I can say that I will try and for me that is a good beginning.