LOVE

In the first and second edition of the WEEKLY DEVOTIONS we talked about, "PRAYER" and "WISDOM." Keep on praying this world is in great need of it.

In the third edition of the WEEKLY DEVOTIONS we will talk about the "LOVE" of God and neighbor.

How much does God really love us and how does He demonstrate it to us and how should we demonstrate it to others?

Let’s take a closer look.

What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: … Psalm 8:4-6

For God, the value of a man or a woman is not judged by their talents, success or by what possessions they may have. Our value comes from the fact that God created us, we were made in His image and likeness and the fact that His only sinless Son, Jesus Christ, died for us and was resurrected. When we believe and turn to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we are set free from the bondage of sin. We have been cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and can now turn to God the Father and begin a personal relationship with Him. God didn’t just talk about how much He loved us but demonstrated it at Calvary; God gave His very best, His Son Jesus Christ, for us while we were yet sinners. Greater love has no one than this, which he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13. That is exactly what Jesus Christ did.

In the Bible it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son…" John 3:16-18

Then Jesus outlines how we should Love. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; Matthew 5:44-45. Then one of the Pharisees, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ‘This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:36-39 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.