What does God mean to the "Believer"?
VERSE:
Psalm 73:25-26 (New International Version)
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
LESSON:
This verse tells us that the true "Believer" finds nothing more desirable in heaven or on earth than God.
It further tells us, as this writer declares, that "...God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever".
In other words ...God is my strength...and he meets my every need...forever. To the "Believer", God comes first in their life. In all things that we could choose to seek after in life, both in heaven and on the earth...God is the most to be desired.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
How does God expect us to "Pass Along His Love?
How does God expect us to "Pass Along His Love?
VERSE:
1 John 3:18 (New International Version)
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
LESSON:
Some people say that "Talk is Cheap". This verse seems to also be saying that. To only "say" you love, but not to put your love into action...or to truly love others in your everyday life...is a waste of everyone's time. We are also only fooling ourselves into thinking that we truly love others.
VERSE:
1 John 3:18 (New International Version)
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
LESSON:
Some people say that "Talk is Cheap". This verse seems to also be saying that. To only "say" you love, but not to put your love into action...or to truly love others in your everyday life...is a waste of everyone's time. We are also only fooling ourselves into thinking that we truly love others.
Friday, February 26, 2010
How can we see God's Love?
How can we see God's Love?
VERSE:
1 John 4:9 (New International Version)
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
LESSON:
How can we see Love from someone that we can not see? God has shown his love for us, for all times, by sending us his only Son, Jesus. It is through Jesus that we all receive a more full life in this physical life, and also receive eternal life in the after life. Always remember, that there is more to life than what you currently see in your life today!!!
VERSE:
1 John 4:9 (New International Version)
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
LESSON:
How can we see Love from someone that we can not see? God has shown his love for us, for all times, by sending us his only Son, Jesus. It is through Jesus that we all receive a more full life in this physical life, and also receive eternal life in the after life. Always remember, that there is more to life than what you currently see in your life today!!!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
What does the Lord God say about himself?
What does the Lord God say about himself?
VERSE:
Exodus 34:5-7 (New International Version)
5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
LESSON:
The words from this verse come from the time that Moses encountered God when he was given the 2nd copy of the 10 Commandments (perhaps some other time we will discuss what happened to the 1st set of tablets).
First God let's Moses know who he is..."The LORD, the LORD...".
He then begins to explain some of the qualities of God.
He says that he is "...the compassionate and gracious God...", "...slow to anger...", "...abounding in love and faithfulness...", "...maintaining love to thousands...", "...forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin".
But, God also tells Moses that his nature is NOT without limits when he says "...Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation...".
God's overwhelming nature or qualities are meant for our good...however...as a loving father...he knows that sometimes our behavior must be corrected...for our own good.
VERSE:
Exodus 34:5-7 (New International Version)
5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."
LESSON:
The words from this verse come from the time that Moses encountered God when he was given the 2nd copy of the 10 Commandments (perhaps some other time we will discuss what happened to the 1st set of tablets).
First God let's Moses know who he is..."The LORD, the LORD...".
He then begins to explain some of the qualities of God.
He says that he is "...the compassionate and gracious God...", "...slow to anger...", "...abounding in love and faithfulness...", "...maintaining love to thousands...", "...forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin".
But, God also tells Moses that his nature is NOT without limits when he says "...Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation...".
God's overwhelming nature or qualities are meant for our good...however...as a loving father...he knows that sometimes our behavior must be corrected...for our own good.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
What are God's invisible qualities...and how can I see them?
What are God's invisible qualities...and how can I see them?
VERSE:
Romans 1:20 (New International Version)
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
LESSON:
This verse seems to imply that we can see some of God's invisible qualities....by just looking around us. Yes, it recommends that you look around creation, around the physical world that we live in, including all of nature...and to seek signs of God. It tells you to look around you...and to see "...what has been made..." by God. It also gives a warning. If you fail to look around creation for signs of God, you can not use that as an excuse for not knowing who God is.
VERSE:
Romans 1:20 (New International Version)
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
LESSON:
This verse seems to imply that we can see some of God's invisible qualities....by just looking around us. Yes, it recommends that you look around creation, around the physical world that we live in, including all of nature...and to seek signs of God. It tells you to look around you...and to see "...what has been made..." by God. It also gives a warning. If you fail to look around creation for signs of God, you can not use that as an excuse for not knowing who God is.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
What are some of the other Traits of God?
What are some of the other Traits of God? There are many, and we will cover some of them in upcoming verses and lessons.
VERSE:
Psalm 86:15 (New International Version)
15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
LESSON:
In the previous lessons we talked about how Love comes from God. This verse tells us about a few of God's other traits, in addition to also mentioning Love. They include "compassionate", "gracious", "slow to anger", and showing "faithfulness". These are all traits of God that we should emulate. During this Lenten season...we should take a little time each day to reflect and to compare how close we feel that we each reflect these images of God.
VERSE:
Psalm 86:15 (New International Version)
15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
LESSON:
In the previous lessons we talked about how Love comes from God. This verse tells us about a few of God's other traits, in addition to also mentioning Love. They include "compassionate", "gracious", "slow to anger", and showing "faithfulness". These are all traits of God that we should emulate. During this Lenten season...we should take a little time each day to reflect and to compare how close we feel that we each reflect these images of God.
Monday, February 22, 2010
What are the two most important Love Commandments?
The last lesson for this series on "LOVE" asks the question of what are the two most important Love Commandments?
VERSE:
Matthew 22:36-40 (New International Version)
36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
LESSON:
In this lesson, Jesus was being tested by the Pharisees (Who was an expert in the Jewish Law). Jesus eloquently answered his question with two NEW Commandments that deal with Love. Love for God, and Love for your neighbor. Jesus teaches us in this verse that the Love of God is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important commandment is to Love your neighbor as yourself. To emphasize how important these two single commandments are, Jesus further instructed that "ALL of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments". In other words, without the understanding of these two Love commandments, we can not understand the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament.
VERSE:
Matthew 22:36-40 (New International Version)
36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
LESSON:
In this lesson, Jesus was being tested by the Pharisees (Who was an expert in the Jewish Law). Jesus eloquently answered his question with two NEW Commandments that deal with Love. Love for God, and Love for your neighbor. Jesus teaches us in this verse that the Love of God is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important commandment is to Love your neighbor as yourself. To emphasize how important these two single commandments are, Jesus further instructed that "ALL of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments". In other words, without the understanding of these two Love commandments, we can not understand the Law and the Prophets of the Old Testament.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
What is Love, What is not Love, What is Love?
What is Love, What is not Love, What is Love? (Am I repeating myself?)
VERSE:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New International Version)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
LESSON:
This may be a familiar verse to you...but perhaps not. Read it slowly and carefully. It is easy to miss some very important lessons on Love.
This verse tells us What Love is, What Love is not, and then again, what Love is. It tells us that Love is Patient, kind, but does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil, rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Wow. That is a mouthful! Before we worry about why we do not feel that we are being loved by others in the way we would like to be loved, we need to first measure our love for others against this check-list. How many can you honestly check-off today? How many more can you check-off after tomorrow is done? When you can honestly check-off all of them...then you are truly loving another person in the way that God wants us to love them!!!
VERSE:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (New International Version)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
LESSON:
This may be a familiar verse to you...but perhaps not. Read it slowly and carefully. It is easy to miss some very important lessons on Love.
This verse tells us What Love is, What Love is not, and then again, what Love is. It tells us that Love is Patient, kind, but does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil, rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Wow. That is a mouthful! Before we worry about why we do not feel that we are being loved by others in the way we would like to be loved, we need to first measure our love for others against this check-list. How many can you honestly check-off today? How many more can you check-off after tomorrow is done? When you can honestly check-off all of them...then you are truly loving another person in the way that God wants us to love them!!!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Have we been commanded to Love?
Have we been commanded to Love?
VERSE:
Romans 13:9-10 (New International Version)
9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
LESSON:
As far as how the commandment to Love relates to the other commandments, this verse instructs us that if you Love, you will not be doing the negative things that the other commandments warn against. If your Love "...does no harm..." to your neighbors...then you can not be doing the other things the Bible warns against doing to your neighbors. "Love" expressed in this way would therefore be "...the fulfillment of the law..." (Doing what God commands you to do).
VERSE:
Romans 13:9-10 (New International Version)
9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
LESSON:
As far as how the commandment to Love relates to the other commandments, this verse instructs us that if you Love, you will not be doing the negative things that the other commandments warn against. If your Love "...does no harm..." to your neighbors...then you can not be doing the other things the Bible warns against doing to your neighbors. "Love" expressed in this way would therefore be "...the fulfillment of the law..." (Doing what God commands you to do).
Friday, February 19, 2010
What should we share with others because of God's Love?
What should we share with others because of God's Love? Why should we do this?
VERSE:
1 John 4:11-12 (New International Version)
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
LESSON:
We receive Love, and learn about what Love truly means, through our experience with God. Because God loved us first, we should feel the desire to "love one another". God's love for us...enables us to truly love others. If we "love one another" then we show (prove) that God lives within us and that we are loving others the way God intended us to ("...his love is made complete in us...").
VERSE:
1 John 4:11-12 (New International Version)
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
LESSON:
We receive Love, and learn about what Love truly means, through our experience with God. Because God loved us first, we should feel the desire to "love one another". God's love for us...enables us to truly love others. If we "love one another" then we show (prove) that God lives within us and that we are loving others the way God intended us to ("...his love is made complete in us...").
Thursday, February 18, 2010
What should we give to God in response to his Love?
What should we give to God in response to his Love? Why should we do this?
VERSE:
1 Chronicles 16:34 (New International Version)
34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
LESSON:
God asks only that we Love him in return. What we should also do, of our own free will, is to "...Give thanks to the LORD...". Why should we do this? Because "...he is good; his love endures forever...".
VERSE:
1 Chronicles 16:34 (New International Version)
34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
LESSON:
God asks only that we Love him in return. What we should also do, of our own free will, is to "...Give thanks to the LORD...". Why should we do this? Because "...he is good; his love endures forever...".
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Can anything separate us from God's Love?
Can anything separate us from God's Love? (Or in other words...can we ever think, or say, or do anything that would cause God to stop loving us?)
VERSE:
LESSON:
The answer is "NO". This verse tells us that through the Love of Jesus Christ, we can never be separated from God's love. This is a wonderful promise and a wonderful assurance that can be relied upon. Nothing, no nothing, can separate us from the Love of God.
VERSE:
Romans 8:38-39 (New International Version)
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
LESSON:The answer is "NO". This verse tells us that through the Love of Jesus Christ, we can never be separated from God's love. This is a wonderful promise and a wonderful assurance that can be relied upon. Nothing, no nothing, can separate us from the Love of God.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
What should be our response to the notion of "Love"?
After having read yesterday's Verse and Lesson about where Love comes from, what should be our response to this notion of "Love"? What should we do about it?
VERSE:
LESSON:
After having read yesterday's lesson, and now reading today's verse, it is a simple lesson. "Love one another". We are not to keep Love to ourselves, we are to share it with others!!!
VERSE:
1 John 3:11 (New International Version)
Love one another
11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.LESSON:
After having read yesterday's lesson, and now reading today's verse, it is a simple lesson. "Love one another". We are not to keep Love to ourselves, we are to share it with others!!!
Monday, February 15, 2010
What is the nature of Love and where does it come from?
With Valentine's day having just taken place this past weekend, I thought that a good 1st verse and Bible lesson for this new BLOG would be one that deals with the very important Life Question "What is the nature of Love, and where does it come from?".
VERSE:
VERSE:
1 John 4:10 (New International Version)
10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
LESSON:
LESSON:
So, what is the nature of Love, and where does Love come from? A physician or scientist might propose that Love comes from a certain region of the brain and is simply an emotional feeling that we experience, based upon an electro-chemical stimulus that occurs naturally and randomly within the brain.
But does that really answer the question? If you have ever loved someone, or been loved by someone else, the answer would most probably be "No".
This Bible verse offers us more than the "electro-chemical" scientific answer. It tells us that the source of Love is God. It further tells us that we received Love first from God, and not the other way around. God demonstrated his love for us by sending his Son to die for our sins. God's Love covered our sins. We learn to truly "Love" by emulating God's love for us as we love others. Yes, you can experience an "electro-chemical" feeling without God. But can you truly "Love" someone else without knowing God? I would suggest, no, not in the way that God intended us to Love others.
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