Post by Sos_Matt on Mar 30, 2013 13:52:36 GMT -8
We all say we love God so much and we will do anything for Him is that correct? What kind of love is it? Is it the love we have for a husband or wife? Maybe as a family member? Is it the same love where it slowly vanishes over time? You ever notice in relationships the first couple of months everything seems to be so perfect. The love is at its peak and you would do anything for them. As we all know that love slowly become the norm. You start living for yourself more. Do not get me wrong, we still love that person but you start to feel comfortable and want your own space. Nothing wrong with that. But what about if that same love you send to those people is what you are doing to your Creator? Its the life is good so I really do not need to pray at this time. Right when the storm comes, its down to your knees praying for God to fix the situation.
Lets open up this Bible Study with Romans 8:28- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (NIV)" I truly love this verse. It clearly states to HIS purpose. Situations may seem like huge mountains to climb for us to hike up. However, we should know that if we LOVE HIM as we should, everything will work out for the good. What did God say after He created everything for 6 days? It was good.
So where in the Bible can we find exactly what the definition of love is?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Lets break down some things in these small verses: Love it endures. Things may just fall apart right before your eyes as if you are in a tornado. We have all snapped at people because we are having bad days. How many of us got so mad that we actually cursed God? I sadly have. I just let my emotions get the best of me and pretty much said "If you loved me this wouldn't have happened." But in this verse we are seeing love WILL suffer but yet it is still kind to others especially our Creator.
Here we see love does not envy. Do we envy our neighbors or celebrities? Do we drool over those beautiful homes and nice cars that God has allowed those people to have while we are in our 1-bedroom studio in the Pinto? Do we think "Well they are lucky, they had everything handed to them or I wish I had that!" Of course we have. Could you imagine creating life and having it turn on you and not like how you created it? Parents can you relate to that? When your child comes home and maybe cusses you out or totally disrespects you? That is a heartbreak. We, as human beings are not perfect. Could you imagine creating these children and knowing you are Almighty and having them still turn on you? Even when you know what is best for them?
Does not parade itself up. I know all of us have done that. We suggest that we alone are just that great from our hard work. Yes, we did train, practice and study but without God we wouldn't be able to do those things. God gave us those gifts and we need to give all glory to Him.
We can read the rest of verses 5 and 6 and know we have all broke those when it comes to loving God.
Lets take a look at the four things stated in verse 7 as the main point of love:bears, believes, hopes,and endures all things.
Bears: Do we bear the "trouble or burden" to following God? Or do we easily backslide further into what we know is wrong. Do we reach out to help those spread the Word or are we sitting back knowing we are "safe." Do we bear the life that has been presented for us or do we complain stating its not fair?
Believes: Here is a huge one! The Bible is 66 books for us to read and to relate to. The crossing of the Jordan could symbolize trusting God and leaving behind the old you. David vs Goliath could symbolize overcoming something you see never being able to. It could be about running from God and His calling for us as with Jonah. Do we just believe the certain things or do we actually believe that a donkey talked? 1 Peter 1:6-7 "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Hopes: Do we hope for better times or are we in a state of mind that nothing will get better? Do we have hope and faith that God has a plan for us?
Endures We tend to want things right now. But we must endure the road to get where we need to go. Immediately think of the 40 years in the forest. Jeremiah 29:11-14 " 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
He knows the plans He has for us. He has plans for us to prosper. These journeys are to give US a hope and a future! That right there speaks great volumes. He will listen to our needs. Just humble yourselves, trust in Him, and love Him as we should!
Lets open up this Bible Study with Romans 8:28- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (NIV)" I truly love this verse. It clearly states to HIS purpose. Situations may seem like huge mountains to climb for us to hike up. However, we should know that if we LOVE HIM as we should, everything will work out for the good. What did God say after He created everything for 6 days? It was good.
So where in the Bible can we find exactly what the definition of love is?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Lets break down some things in these small verses: Love it endures. Things may just fall apart right before your eyes as if you are in a tornado. We have all snapped at people because we are having bad days. How many of us got so mad that we actually cursed God? I sadly have. I just let my emotions get the best of me and pretty much said "If you loved me this wouldn't have happened." But in this verse we are seeing love WILL suffer but yet it is still kind to others especially our Creator.
Here we see love does not envy. Do we envy our neighbors or celebrities? Do we drool over those beautiful homes and nice cars that God has allowed those people to have while we are in our 1-bedroom studio in the Pinto? Do we think "Well they are lucky, they had everything handed to them or I wish I had that!" Of course we have. Could you imagine creating life and having it turn on you and not like how you created it? Parents can you relate to that? When your child comes home and maybe cusses you out or totally disrespects you? That is a heartbreak. We, as human beings are not perfect. Could you imagine creating these children and knowing you are Almighty and having them still turn on you? Even when you know what is best for them?
Does not parade itself up. I know all of us have done that. We suggest that we alone are just that great from our hard work. Yes, we did train, practice and study but without God we wouldn't be able to do those things. God gave us those gifts and we need to give all glory to Him.
We can read the rest of verses 5 and 6 and know we have all broke those when it comes to loving God.
Lets take a look at the four things stated in verse 7 as the main point of love:bears, believes, hopes,and endures all things.
Bears: Do we bear the "trouble or burden" to following God? Or do we easily backslide further into what we know is wrong. Do we reach out to help those spread the Word or are we sitting back knowing we are "safe." Do we bear the life that has been presented for us or do we complain stating its not fair?
Believes: Here is a huge one! The Bible is 66 books for us to read and to relate to. The crossing of the Jordan could symbolize trusting God and leaving behind the old you. David vs Goliath could symbolize overcoming something you see never being able to. It could be about running from God and His calling for us as with Jonah. Do we just believe the certain things or do we actually believe that a donkey talked? 1 Peter 1:6-7 "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Hopes: Do we hope for better times or are we in a state of mind that nothing will get better? Do we have hope and faith that God has a plan for us?
Endures We tend to want things right now. But we must endure the road to get where we need to go. Immediately think of the 40 years in the forest. Jeremiah 29:11-14 " 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
He knows the plans He has for us. He has plans for us to prosper. These journeys are to give US a hope and a future! That right there speaks great volumes. He will listen to our needs. Just humble yourselves, trust in Him, and love Him as we should!
