Category: Love

God's Love is Kind

7/1/2019

“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”
~1 John 4:16-17

"But 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."
~Luke 6:35

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Limits of Love: Evil Not Enemies

6/3/2019

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“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”
~1 John 4:16-17

“Because of the evil of their deeds I will drive them from My house; I will love them no more.”
~Hosea 9:15(b)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies…”
~Matthew 5:43-44(a)

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Favor and Grace

2/4/2019

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“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”
~1 John 4:16-17

"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me."
~Proverbs 8:17

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."
~Proverbs 10:12

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12 Months of Giving - May

5/6/2018

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"Love Never Fails"
1 Corinthians 13:8(a) NKJV

Last month we read about how much God gave…His own Son; and how His Son gave the best He could: His own life. This month let’s recall what motivated God’s gift: Love. My main contribution to this month’s blog is to say this, giving is rooted in Love, so seek God for a heart of Love BEFORE seeking a hand to give. To make it clearer, why don’t we let the Apostle Paul say it,

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails… And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” ~1 Corinthians 13:1-8(a), 13 (NKJV)

If love is pulsing through our hearts, and flowing through our veins and fueling everything we say and do, eventually there won’t be a need for lessons on giving.

With Great Expectation,
Dawn~

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God’s Power...

9/25/2017

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"Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand."
Psalm 20:6 (NKJV)

...through prayer. “With the saving strength of His right hand.”

Last week I shared how I went for an extended period of time not believing in prayer, and therefore not praying at all. What I want to share today is that instead of praying, I began to lean on my own power of meditation and “attraction” to make things happen in my life. Meditating on scripture is great to grow and increase our faith in God’s promises. And how and what we think can certainly impact our reality by encouraging or discouraging us in certain directions. But meditation to manipulate situations and attract good fortune is something different. I won’t say that this strategy does not work, because I probably had just as much success with that as I did with materialistic, self-centered and self-directed prayers of desperation.

However, when I turned back to trusting in the power of God, began praying faith-based prayers of surrender, letting go of my agenda and simply trusting God’s plan and purposes for my life…THEN I began to see consistent answers to my prayers! I would be lying to say that I never pray self-centered prayers, or that God has never answered some of my self-directed prayers. Yet, whenever I pray, I never have any attachment to the outcome. I always want ONLY what God wants for me whether it is what I prayed for or just the opposite. Sometimes I get what I pray for, sometimes I get just the opposite. But I always trust that whatever the outcome, it is best.

The point I’m making here is that when I began trusting God’s power again and not my own, I can 1000% testify that however my prayers were answered, they ALL turned out for my GOOD…better than good, the best! Trusting God to work in my life through the power of prayer was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The decision was not a mental decision though. It was a decision of the heart. Like deciding to give someone your heart in love. You take a risk. You give them the best and most vulnerable part of yourself, and you trust that they will treat it well and do what’s best for you all the time. That is what prayer is like. Experiencing the power that comes with prayer is like giving your heart to true love…you can never go wrong!

Give your heart to true love today…trust in the power of prayer to make your life into everything God says is possible! He loves you with an everlasting love!

Victorious In His name,
Dawn~

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Time to Grow Up, Part 7

8/29/2016

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“causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
Ephesians 4:16(c)

This is week seven, the conclusion of our “Time to Grow Up” segment; and, the final reason in regard to the question, “Why is it so important for us to grow up spiritually?”. And let me say that we could not have ended this topic on a better note: LOVE.

I think it is sad that we as Christ followers (myself included…especially), often take offense at the attempts from others to help us grow. I understand that there are lots of reasons for this. Correction can be embarrassing, or can be delivered in a spirit of meanness; instruction can be resisted because of a lack of understanding, a lack of desire to change, or poorly communicated; encouragement can come off as belittling, patronizing, or manipulative; challenges can feel overwhelming and be delivered mercilessly. The reality is that resistance to growth can occur even if it is done in complete love. Growth is never easy, and it takes courage and humility to embrace it.

By the same token, being a vessel to help others grow is not easy. It takes courage, humility, and most of all love. Paul concludes this segment of Ephesians four with that word, “love.” Why does it take love for us as individuals to cause growth of the entire Body [of Christ] through edification of one another? Because only love will cause us to see the true potential of another and what they can contribute to the whole, and risk possible rejection, hostility, and alienation in order to help them reach that potential. Nothing else will embody all of those components.

So how would I summarize our “Time to Grow Up” segment of Ephesians Four? I would summarize it like this… If we want to see the love Christ came to show us, manifested in the earth, it will be embodied in a mature, effective, unified body of Christ followers; and, the end result of a mature, effective, unified body of Christ followers is Love. That’s it. Why grow up? The answer is Love. Love in the world; love in the church; love in our relationships; love in our homes; love of God...

If you want to find out more about this correlation between Love and maturity in Christ, you can go to the 2015 Winter Session Christian Woman Chronicles Bible Study Blog. Let's be motivated by Love to grow into full maturity in Christ!

Seeking to Grow my Walk with God and Others,
Dawn~

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Getting Back to the Basics

1/25/2016

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“bearing with one another in love”
~Ephesians 4:2(c)

“Bearing with” is defined in the original Greek as : to hold up. This type of "holding up" refers to holding up under the weight or burden of another. It basically means to stand firm in the relationships with other Believers, and there are two ways to look at it.

We put up with each other’s weaknesses. Period. We don’t cut and run. We don’t cut each other off. We don’t stop speaking, ignore, or abandon one another. Relationships get strained, but we reconcile, even if we have to redefine boundaries.
We show support to those who are struggling…and we ALL are struggling with something! Again, we don’t cut and run or ignore those who are heavy burdened. We support them through encouragement, kindness, friendship, and sometimes correction and instruction. But we don’t let them sink!

Either way you look at it, Paul says we should bear with one another in Love.

A year ago, we began 2015 with a Bible Study Blog on the Christian Woman Chronicles Page about Love, taken from the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 13. One of the things we learned was that no matter what our Gift, calling, or “anointing,” if we don’t have Love for one another, we are not being effective. We can’t even get to the outward part of progressing in a godly manner until we deal with the condition of our heart in our walk with God and others; and Paul gets right to it!

The Love we show one another when we bear with them is not an emotion. It has nothing to do with how we feel. It has everything to do with obedience to God’s Word, how we are to treat one another. We don’t just bear with those we like, agree with, admire, respect, or are friends with. We don’t just bear with those we have pity on or those who treat us “right.” If people are to truly see Christ-like progress in our Salvation walk, this is step one. If lowliness and gentleness are the Christianity PhD courses, Love is kindergarten class. Jesus Himself said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) This is Christianity 101. We need to master it!

How do we master Loving others according to scripture?

Study what the Bible says about it.
Meditate on scripture so it comes to mind when it’s needed
Ask God for Grace to obey. This is not a human or natural way to love, so we need God’s power to do it.
Remember that obedience leads to increased Grace. There will be times we will just have to obey with tears in our eyes and bitterness in our hearts. The more we obey, the more Grace we receive to obey, and the more bitterness fades.
Look for opportunities to show Love. They are all around us, all day, every day!

Seeking to Grow my Walk with God and Others,
Dawn~

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A Journey of Love Pt. 4

3/23/2015

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[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:7-8a, 13 (NKJV)

February has the distinction of being the month when people from many countries worldwide celebrate Love. On "The Christian Woman Chronicles" page of this website, our Winter Bible Study Blog has been celebrating the topic of Love since Feb. 2nd! Our mission? Falling in Love with Jesus. We were created first and foremost to Love The Lord, and we were Saved to help others Love Him as well. Ironically, when we do the first, the second tends to be an automatic consequence. Even more ironic is that, by helping others (showing them how) to Love Jesus, we end up fulfilling the whole Law which is, "Love The Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

But as we will see in our study passages, we can often confuse what we do for others, and how spiritual we appear to others, with how much we Love others...and The Lord. This could not be further from the truth! In this Study we will focus on learning how to relate to God and others, and minister out of our Love for Jesus above all else. We will prayerfully learn to keep the whole purpose of Salvation at the forefront of all we do and say: Love.

I welcome you to join in on a sweet and simple journey, already in progress, to breaking down into basics, the growing into an authentic and intentional Love relationship with Jesus that will spill over into everything you do, and everyone you meet. Won't you join us over the next few weeks as we grow in our, "Mission: Falling in Love with Jesus!"

Blessings,
Dawn~
~Pouring my life out in worship, like Costly Oil~

Week Four : Showing Others What Loving Jesus Really Looks Like

Let’s be honest. We ALL know people, probably dozens of them, who verbally claim to Love Jesus and represent God’s Love, but if they’d never opened their mouth, we wouldn't know it. I have some days like that when I’m in traffic. In those moments, I honestly wonder about myself!

But when we are talking about meaningful life, relationships, and eternity (ministry), there is nothing greater for us to communicate in all we do than our Love for The One who gave His all in order to prove His Love for the world. If His motivation was/is Love, then as His followers and ambassadors, should our motivation be any less? If His every action spoke Love, should ours speak anything less?

He bore all that the Father commissioned Him to bear, believed all the Father spoke to Him, hoped for all that was promised Him, and endured all that was required for Love to reign. He is our ultimate example, and our Love for Him compels us to follow in obedience and submission. It is not an easy path, but how can I not walk it in honor, gratitude, and Love for Whom I live?

I have fallen in Love! And I want everyone I meet to see and know what that looks like!

Reflective Questions
Explain verse 7 in your own words.
What do you think is so significant about “these three” faith, hope, and Love?
What do you think Paul means by “abide?”
Why do you think these three abide?
Why do you think Love is greater than faith and hope?
How do these three verses help us reflect our Love for Jesus, and His Love for humanity? Example?
How has Love made a difference in how you relate to God and others?

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A Journey of Love Pt. 3

3/9/2015

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"But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."
~1 Corinthians 13:8b-12 (NKJV)

Week Three : True Spiritual Maturity Operates from a Position of Love

A parent is never more the epitome of a parent than when they are giving or allowing consequences or reward out of a heart of Love. Parents also know that as a child matures, there are some rewards and consequences that must end, or cease; they grow out of them. Children eventually grow out of other things as well. They grow out of their bottle, their walker, their training wheels, depending on mom and dad to drive them everywhere, and eventually mom and dad’s house. It is a parent’s job to help that process along. If they have been loved and trained properly, even tough Love at times will help children grow out of child-like character traits, habits, and behaviors.

So, also, should we Believers mature and grow out of being dependent on certain aspects of spiritual immaturity that primarily define how we relate to one another. That is what this week’s passage is about; and it is shocking where this Biblical call away from spiritual immaturity is found : The Love Chapter! In reading this week’s passage, even more than the first three verses, I am reminded that people don’t see Christ in all the “special effects,” as much as they see Him in the love they feel, even in the midst of difficult interactions. Love is never easy. Neither is Love for the weak. Love is a grown man and woman’s approach to life, relationships, and ministry.

It’s time to grow up. Love is a more excellent way.

Reflective Questions
What do you think it means that prophecies will fail, tongues will cease, and knowledge will vanish away?
Explain verse 9 in your own words.
What is Paul referring to by, “that which is perfect?” “That which is in part?” Scripture references?
What are some common practical examples of doing away with that which is “in part” when “that which is perfect” comes?
What is the implication of verse 11 in relation to spiritual gifts, Love, and what we are learning in our study?
In reading verse 12, how do you think relating to others through just our spiritual gifts keeps us from really relating, knowing one another, and being transparent? How does relating to one another out of Love make it possible for us to have just the opposite?
How has Love made a difference in how you relate to God and others?

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A Journey of Love Pt. 2

3/2/2015

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"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth"
1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (NKJV)

Week Two : Repentance and Responding = Falling in Love with Jesus

One thing I have learned about being in Love relationships is this : if you want a person to know that you love them, it will require countless hours and energy toward rejecting certain behaviors (repentance), and embracing others (responding), in order to display actions and attitudes that speak of your Love. A great example is the relationship between a parent and child. Although as parents we know we don’t have to “prove” our Love, we do need to be able to communicate our Love to our children in a way that they understand. This effort usually requires breaking negative, hurtful, or ineffective habits that we learned from our parents. It may also often require doing things differently with one child, than what we did with another. In taking these actions, we are in essence turning way from (repenting) what we have “always” done, or are comfortable doing, and embracing (responding in) ways that help them experience our Love for them in a meaningful and personal/individual way. This Love in action creates a bond like no gift or skill can! The exact same goes for our Lord. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you Love me, keep my commandments.” In this week’s passage, there are some challenging actions and attitudes to turn away from and/or embrace. But as we do so, those around us begin to experience our Love for them; and, we begin to experience a Love relationship with Christ that is a deep well of intimacy beyond human understanding.
FALL INTO that deep well friends!
Fall in Love with Jesus!!

Reflective Questions
With which traits listed in verses 4-6 do you struggle most?
What should be our first response when our actions and attitudes don't reflect LOVE? Second response?
How does repentance show and grow our Love for Jesus??
How does responding in obedience show and grow our Love for Jesus?
What is your favorite Bible verse about Loving God and others?

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<<Previous

God's Love is Kind

Limits of Love: Evil Not Enemies

Favor and Grace

12 Months of Giving - May

God’s Power...

Time to Grow Up, Part 7

Getting Back to the Basics

A Journey of Love Pt. 4

Week Four : Showing Others What Loving Jesus Really Looks Like

A Journey of Love Pt. 3

Week Three : True Spiritual Maturity Operates from a Position of Love

A Journey of Love Pt. 2

Week Two : Repentance and Responding = Falling in Love with Jesus

Make Mondays Matter

~dlb~
dawnlbedingfield

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Week Four : Showing Others What Loving Jesus Really Looks Like

Week Three : True Spiritual Maturity Operates from a Position of Love

Week Two : Repentance and Responding = Falling in Love with Jesus

Make Mondays Matter

~dlb~dawnlbedingfield

Archives

Categories

~dlb~
dawnlbedingfield