Scripture and ...

The world tells us a lot about what it believes love is. It says that love is a strong emotion that is more important than all else. That it comes and goes as it wants and we can't control it. That it should be easy and pleasant, not hard work. Here are some quotes from the world's view about love: "The heart wants what it wants. There's no logic to these things. You meet someone and you fall in love and that's that." -  Woody Allen "Some people think that it’s holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it’s letting go."  - Herman Hesse “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” — Lucille Ball This is very different from what love is in the Bible. The Bible displays love as a choice, a decision. It is putting others before yourself.  Here is a printable with Bible verses about love in the Bible .  Study the verses and highlight or underline what it i...

For Valentine's Day, I was going to do a hymn study on a hymn about God's love. God's love is the ultimate example of love.  His loving is giving, sacrificial, and gracious.  Our love can only hope to be a reflection of his agape love. Since I was unable to choose just one hymn, I have decided to share some of my favorites instead. And Can It Be? (Amazing Love) by Charles Wesley, 1738 And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain— For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? ’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds inquire n...

Galatians 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.  Not too long ago, I read a blog post by a friend called “Does Anyone Hear Her?” that has been on my mind ever since. The following quote hit me hard: “I have reached out in MANY different ways over the last six years…but no one has reached back…it brings GREAT sadness to my heart.” My initial reaction was from memories of others feeling like no one in their church cares about them. Yet, the more I thought about it, I was convicted of times when I didn’t reach out to others because it was out of my comfort zone. So, I started looking up verses about the body of Christ and how we should treat others in it. Here is what I’ve learned from this reflection and study of both personal experience and God’s Word. 1. We are members of a body. All believers are members of the body of Christ (Romans 12:5). Therefore, when someone is suff...