What's Love...but a second hand emotion?
Are you kidding me? What's love? What does love have to do with it? That's not a question you ask to someone with whom your in a serious relationship. For if you do, you won't be in that relationship very long. And if you are asking that question, that relationship probably won't be going anywhere, anytime to soon.
Love has everything to do with everything. Love is...what makes the world go round!Love will make you go farther then you have ever gone and try harder then you've ever tried to achieve anything.
It will make you laugh, it will have you cry and have just about every other emotion in-between known to mankind.
There have been numerous songs written about love since the beginning of time. It has been said, that love is what makes the world go round. Love songs are always the ones that people remember and are the ones that stand the test of time.
1st John 4:7-8 KJ
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
So anywhere you read the word love you could insert Gods name. Most of us think we know about love, but did you know there are actually four types of love?
Philia is love between friends
Eros is the sense of being in love
Storge is Affection, love of family
Agape is unconditional love, Agape is Gods kind of Love!
There is nothing like the love of God. The Agape love, the true essence of love that God offers unconditionally. It has healed every heart, every hurt and everyone it has ever come in contact with. It can scale the highest mountain, or descend to the deepest sea, there's no place it hasn't already arrived at before humanity arrives!
1 Corinthians 13:1-10 Msg.
13 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
2 If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Illus.
“Did you hear about the teacher who was helping one of her kindergarten students put on his boots? He asked for help and she could see why?? With her pulling and him pushing, the boots still didn’t want to go on.?
When the second boot was on, she had worked up a sweat. She almost whimpered when the little boy said, ‘Teacher, they’re on the wrong feet.’?
She looked and sure enough, they were. It wasn’t any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on.
She managed to keep her cool as together they worked
to get the boots back on—this time on the right feet.?
He then announced, ‘These aren’t my boots.’?
She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, ‘Why didn’t you say so?’ like she wanted to.?
Once again she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off.? He then said, ‘They’re my brother’s boots. My Mom made me wear them.’?
She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. But She mustered up the grace and courage she had left to wrestle the boots on his feet again.She said, ‘Now, where are your mittens?’? He said, ‘I stuffed them in the toes of my boots' (from Sermon Central Illus.)
Yes there is a teachers love and for those who have the love of teaching, my hat is off to you especially in this trying age we live in.
In the fast-paced world we live in,
We have Facebook, We have Instagram, We have Twitter. Never in the history of the world has there ever been. More Avenues or devices to communicate with and on.
Everybody wants to get the word out. Everybody wants to say their piece, or speak their mind. Everybody has a cause and a message. Everybody wants to have a following and to make sure, what they're saying people are listening to.
But of all the stuff, all the things that we hear and read about on the news and on the net. Where is the positive message, Where is the love in the message, Where's the brotherly love on display?
I Believe that there has never been a time, when people have been more on edge then there is today! Tempers are short, Patience is thin, Our time seems to be more valuable then everyone else's, or so we think.
If you think about it, our time is our most valuable possession. Because it's the one thing that we have so little of and the one thing we can't control how much of it we have? And the one thing everybody hates to waste unless it's someone's else's, is time!
James 4:14 HCSB
You don't even know what tomorrow will bring...what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.
The king James refers to it as a "vapor" So with so little time and the preciousness of it. What are we actually doing with it and why aren't we doing more with it?
Daniel 12:4 KJ
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro...
We look for guidance from our world leaders and our would be leaders that are wanting to be our leader. And isn't it interesting that people are always truly attracted to the person who has the most positive message and promises to do the most good for them.
It's been that way for a long time. In fact it's probably always been that way by design and God has always been at the forefront of a positive message and the ability to deliver the promises He makes to us, with unarguably the most to offer!
Illustration:
An elderly man was desperately ill. Knowing the time for his departure was near, he called for his closest friends to come see him one last time. Attending him were his doctor, his pastor and his business manager.
The old man said, “I know you can’t take it with you, but who knows for sure? What if the experts are mistaken? I want to account for all possibilities. So I’m giving you each an envelope containing $100,000. When I die, I want you each to slip the envelope in my jacket pocket at the funeral service. Then, if I do need money in the life to come, I’ll be ready. And I’m giving the envelopes to you because you are my most trusted friends.”
Shortly thereafter, the man did die. Each of his three friends was seen slipping something into the deceased’s coat pocket as he walked up to the casket to pay his final respects.
Following the service, while these friends were visiting with each other, the doctor, with a sheepish look on his face, said, “Guys, I have a confession to make. You know with the cost of medicine today, I don’t make that much money. The hospital is desperate for funds. We can’t even replace the CAT scan machine that’s broken down. So, I took $20,000 for the new CAT scan and put the rest in the coffin.”
The minister cleared his throat and looked down at his shoes. He said, “I, too, have a confession to make. As you know, our church is seriously overburdened by the needs of the homeless.
I couldn’t just see burying that money. So, in hopes of helping the homeless, I took $50,000 out of the envelope and put the rest in his pocket.”
Looking sternly at the doctor and the minister, the businessman exclaimed, “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I am astonished and deeply disappointed that you would treat a solemn trust so casually. He was our friend. I want you to know that I placed in his casket my personal check for the full $100,000.” (From Sins We Love, by Randy Rowland, p. 125-126)
TBS. The love of money is the root of all evil! The accuser would have you think that money is bad. The word says money is not bad, however it says that the love of it is.
In other words, if you want to be blessed so you can also be a blessing to others in the process, that's good...that's Gods plan!
But if you want to be blessed for only your own selfish motives…”you guessed it, that's bad.”
Their are some, who would consider that line of thinking a bit scandalous. You know the crowd, “how dare you question my motives?” But imagine if you're only motivation was, only wanting to be blessed so you yourself can be a blessing? The more you get, the more you share. Without the worry of, if there will always be enough!
Proverbs 11:24 MSG says it pretty plain about giving and wanting!
“The world of the generous gets larger and larger;
the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.”
Entitlement thinking is at an all time epidemic level around the globe?..Which has led us down the selfish pathway, almost to the point of no return! Joes got that, so I ought to have that! Jim has one of them, so etc. No one wants to pay the price for anything anymore.
Somehow the accuser has got Society in the mindset of thinking that if they only had everything they wanted. And however much they wanted and the bank account to go with that want. That "then" they would be happy and somehow "then" they would have it all.
TBS. nothing could be further from the truth!
1 Corinthians 13:3 MSG
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
The Bible tells us that of all the people in the Bible and there are literally thousands to choose from. There was one who was a man after Gods own Heart and that was David.
Why do you suppose that was? Because David loved and worshiped God? That's exactly right! David had the true essence of what all Christians strive for. "No Not religion" A hundred times No, not religion!! David had a genuine love and a real lifelong relationship, with the creator of the universe!
1 Samuel 17:45 KJ
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
At a young age David was the one who stepped up and said "Excuse me?" Do you know who you're talking about? I want you to know that you're talking about a friend of mine.
I want you to know that I won't stand for you talking that way, about someone that I love and respect, someone that I adore and worship! Anyway you look at it, that kind of attitude is just as refreshing today, as it was then!
All of Israel it seems as though they had been distracted by the giant who had been mocking and ridiculing God and his capabilities! Instead of what they knew God was capable of!
Here's a question for you...Was David the only one that loved God there? No, I'm sure their were many who loved God there that day. It probably numbered in the thousands! After all those were Gods chosen people.
You can love God and still be distracted by the circumstances of what your going through. The thing is, David's relationship and Love for God, was closer and bigger to him, than what the distraction was to all of Israel!
And it seems as though we see the same thing today. There are a lot of distracted people saying, show me some tolerance for the way I am. Without the willingness to do the same in return!
It seems as though everything is so extreme in the world. And it is by the accusers design. So much violence, so much discourse, so much blatant lack of God in people's lives and in the world.
God is looking for people like David to stand up! To speak out and say wait a minute, it doesn't have to be this way. To be bold and speak out in spite of their circumstances and show the world about the Love of God!
David was victorious in every aspect of his life, his whole life long. And if you will have the courage, you can also be Victorious in your life! God is still on the throne and God will do the same for anyone who is willing to have a relationship with Him and to stand up and be counted for the cause of Christ!
Another reason that David was a man after Gods own heart. Not only did David love and adore God, "But he worshipped Him!" David may have strayed and been tempted and even sinned.
He was human you know, he was faced with the same struggles that everyone is faced with. But each time he fell short, he came back to God, repented and ask for forgiveness, worshipped God and God Forgave him!
2 Samuel 6:12-16 YLT
12 And it is declared to king David, saying, ‘Jehovah hath blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he hath, because of the ark of God;’ and that David goeth and bringeth up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the city of David with joy. 13And it cometh to pass, when those bearing the ark of Jehovah have stepped six steps, that he sacrificeth an ox and a fatling.
Wherever the presence of God was, was blessed. That's why He stopped after six steps and said OK let's praise God, lets Love on God, let's get our worship on right here in the middle of nowhere! He was overcome with the need to say,
"Hallelujah I just feel like Shouting right now and praising God"
14 And David is dancing with all strength before Jehovah, and David is girded with a linen ephod, 15and David and all the house of Israel are bringing up the ark of Jehovah with shouting, and with the voice of a trumpet,
There was such an anointing such an excitement in David's praise and worship. He didn't care what those around him thought. As far as he was concerned, it was an audience of one! That's how our worship should be!
I can tell you that I have seen someone dance in the spirit before the Lord and I can tell you that it is beautiful and captivating to say the least. And I can also tell you their were people there that day, who didn't feel the same way that I did. I was blessed that day and it's sad to say, but they missed it completely!
16and it hath come to pass, the ark of Jehovah hath come in to the city of David, and Michal daughter of Saul, .hath looked through the window, and seeth king David moving and dancing before Jehovah, and despiseth him in her heart.
They started praising and worshipping God and it continued the whole time they were bringing the Ark of God to the city of David!
Has anyone here this morning ever worshipped God with all their strength? David did and who do you think was more blessed, the one who did the worshipping or the one who critiqued the worshipping? Everyone is not always going to approve of your love for, or your relationship you have with God.
Some may think it's scandalous, some may ridicule it, some may even be jealous of it. It doesn't matter what everyone else thinks, or what anyone thinks of your relationship with God, for that matter!
Everyone else cannot have a relationship for you with God, and they won't!
Everyone cannot walk your journey and they won't!
Everyone cannot go where you're going and they can't!
Everyone cannot accept the destiny God is taking you to, only you can!!
No one else can live your abundant life and go along on the journey to the preordained places of blessings and opportunities, that God only has waiting and prepared just for you!
Far too many in life feel as though they are only entitled to the status quo of what life has to offer them. Mean while completely missing out on the abundant life God faithfully offers free to all who will come.
It's because they have bought into the lie that the devil has been perpetrating since he fell from heaven. Christians have forgotten who's they are and the promises God has made to them!
Illus. The Rain...
It was a busy morning, about 8:30 , when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an
appointment at 9:00 am .
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour
before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?' He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me...but I still know who she is.'
A lot of times we feel like we have been kicked around and beat up by the world and lost focus of a who God really is. Let me tell you, not for one minute, has God forgotten who you are! He knows your name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, He even knows the amount and has recorded the tears you have shed your whole entire life!
If you're Christian I want you to know!!
You're a child of the king!
You're a child of the most high God!
You're an heir to the throne!
You are fearfully and wonderfully made and God loves you!! God..Loves..You!
If you're not a Christian today You are somebody too, today is the first day of the rest of your life and you can become a Christian and establish your relationship with Him today!
Realize that God loves you too, why not ask Him in your heart and become a part of his family! Today, you can start a relationship with him and spend eternity with him forever in heaven!
What's love got to do with it? Love has everything to do with it! But without God involved in the equation, love would be nothing more than words written on the piece of paper. For God is Love and Love is God!
John 3:16 NKJ
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
No greater love hath a man have for another than to lay down his life. That's how much Love God has for you, a Love that will see you thru anything!
Let's pray!
