“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 22:37-39, NIV).
Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13; and Ephesians 4:32 are the Christian Character Traits that we must have to be righteous followers of Christ. Peace and Blessings.
“Behold, I am the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me. (Jeremiah 32:27).
Brothers and sisters when we surrender ourselves to follow Jesus Christ, His power is unlimited! Preparing for eternal life one day at a time. Peace and Blessings.
“From one man He [Jesus] made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” (Acts 17:26).
Sociology was one of my first academic classes required for my nursing degree. I can recall an assignment of openly confronting prejudice by exposing our inner feelings of “I dislike this group of people because…”
Being truthful required a spoken answer of identifying the individuals who we targeted our discrimination against, and giving the reasons for our prejudice.
As we listened to each other’s [mostly absurd] answers, we realized that learned behaviors [usually from parents and family members] produced unsubstantiated discrimination and prejudice against those who had never harmed us.
Shame and embarrassment permeated the atmosphere, yet there was an interesting twist when I verbalized my answer of, “I am not prejudiced,” which was met by a sharp rebuttal from our professor, “It is impossible for you not to be prejudiced!”
With confidence, I disclosed to my professor and classmates that I was raised by parents who taught us to love everyone.
From a young child, my mother taught us the magnitude of God’s love by singing this song, “Jesus loves the little children of the world. Whether red, or yellow, black, or white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
“We love because He first loved us.”(1 John 4:19).
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:19).
Possessing the Loving Heart of Christ
The Love Commandments: “And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Matthew 22:37-39, ESV).
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11).
The sign of a converted heart is one that is filled with God’s love. God is love. We were Created from Love, and Redeemed by Love.
“The Samaritan woman said to Him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’ (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)” (John 4:9, NIV).
Jesus demonstrated love in His ministry by speaking powerful messages of hope. He exhibited patience, compassion, and the healing of countless multitudes of people without regard to their backgrounds.
God’s love will permeate Heaven’s atmosphere. And only believers who love others freely in their earthly lives will receive the glorious reward of living forever in the Lovely New Heaven and New Earth.
Reflection: Are there any biases or prejudices hidden in your heart that would prevent you from receiving your reward of Eternal Life?
“Prejudice can stem from the perception that certain groups or ideas pose a threat to one’s own belief system or way of life.”
In the Scriptures, God reveals that either we love or hate. There is no middle of the road feeling of “dislike” identified in the Bible. Disliking others reveals that we do not have the loving heart of Christ.
Because the manner in which we were raised varies, our different experiences define our perception of love, and define our boundaries of inclusion. But once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we embrace love as defined by God.
God gives us His characteristics of Agape love in 1 Corinthians 13.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, NIV).
Love Your Enemies “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 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 5:43-45).
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” (Proverbs 10:12).
God will never condone biases for any reason. If we focus on our differences then it is easy to target those who embrace unbelief in God, practice pagan worship, celebrate various cultural customs, and live alternative lifestyles.
Yes, God hates sin, but He loves humanity, including sinners. “Jesus was and is absolutely inclusive. There is no ‘them versus us’ at the foot of the cross; Jesus paid the highest price for each one of us.”
Love Is the Catalyst for the Spiritual Transformation of Our Hearts
Sanctification is the lifelong, daily, and gradual Spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the Righteousness of Christ’s Loving Character, performed daily by the Holy Spirit.
The Prerequisite of Sanctification: We must possess the Righteous Characteristics of Christ: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV).
Christians who have hearts filled with Christ’s love shine brightly. They will know we are Christians when our temperament is gentle, our smile is genuine, and our spoken words are positive and uplifting.
“Heaven will be more diverse than we can imagine, with every people, nation, color, tongue, and gender (Revelation 5:9). Father, grant us your grace, that as Christians we may display your inclusive outlook, here and now. In Jesus’ Loving Name, Amen!”
Prayer: King David’s prayer must be our prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, KJV). Yes and Amen.
“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12).
Spending time with Jesus invites the Holy Spirit to perform the spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the Righteousness of Christ, only then can we reflect His perfect love to others.
One of the best benefits of intentional time with Jesus is when facing life’s overwhelming challenges, we are not anxious or worried because our first response is to humbly bow before the Throne of Grace asking for His help in our time of need.
And with confidence, we thank Him in the same prayer for giving us His perfect resolution, and a victorious outcome. Yes, we can always rely on Jesus’ promises to “never leave us or forsake us.”
Lord God, we thank You for loving us with a love so deep that we do not understand it, yet we are extremely grateful for Your Agape Love. We ask forgiveness for not spending enough time with You. In faith, we commit to daily personal worship. Teach us how to live and to live with grateful hearts. We ask this prayer in the Loving Name of Jesus, Amen.
Because we have embraced the worldview of self-reliance, believers are suffering from the same mental and emotional unrest as unbelievers who do not have true peace, joy, and happiness.
Faith is a gift from God. Sometimes we have to have a conversation with ourselves, asking, “What am I doing?” We were not created to function in a survival mode.
In John 16:33, Jesus warns us that staying on the Path of Righteousness is tough, yet, He tells us to be courageous because He will help us. Divine Strength is ours, when we ask for it.
Jesus is only a prayer away. Our prayers for God’s help are answered immediately! Stop carrying your burdens and give them to Jesus who promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Yes and Amen.
God is Sovereign, Omnipotent, Faithful, and a Loving Father. Trust Him with your life. Pray, Wait, Obey, and Persevere. Peace and Blessings.
Bible Study: Exodus 14 and 2 Chronicles 20.
Lord God, we desperately need Your help. We thank You in advance for Your Divine intervention and the victory we will receive. In Jesus’ Holy Name, we pray, Amen.
“Through all our trials, we have a never-failing Helper who says, ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.I love you with an everlasting love…'” (Jeremiah 31:3).
“He [Jesus] does not leave us alone to struggle with temptation, to battle with evil, and be finally crushed with burdens and sorrow.”
“The griefs that lie too deep to be breathed into any human ear, I know. Think not that you are desolate and forsaken.”
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” (John 16:33, Amplified Bible).
Lord God, we desperately need Your strength as we travel through this journey of life. There are many believers who feel that You don’t love us, yet, You are who You say You are, a Righteous Refuge that we can run too, and receive help. Thank You for Your Abiding Love. We ask this prayer for help in the Worthy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love is a Fruit of the Spirit, and the Fruit of the Spirit represents Christ’s Righteous Character [Galatians 5:22-23].
“When love fills the heart, it will flow out to others, not because of favors received from them, but because love is the principle of action. Love modifies the character, governs the impulses, subdues enmity, and [elevates] the affections.”
“This love is as broad as the universe, and is in harmony with that of the angel workers. Cherished in the heart, it sweetens the entire life and sheds its blessing all around.”
“Without a living faith in Christ as a personal Savior it is impossible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world.” Unless we possess Agape Love, we will not have the power to demonstrate the difference Christ makes in one’s life.
We cannot give to others that which we do not ourselves possess. It is in proportion to our own devotion and consecration to Christ that we exert an influence for the blessing and uplifting of mankind.” EGW
Lord Jesus, we live in a world void of love. We ask You to teach us how to love others as You love them. Please remove all the harshness from our character. Empower us with the Holy Spirit so that we can represent Your Righteous Character. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
Glorifying and honoring God is demonstrated by putting Him first. Being aware of God’s Presence requires that we separate ourselves and meditate daily on His Goodness through meaningful worship. When our gift of time is used to spend quality time in prayer and Bible study, we view life through spiritual eyes with wisdom and discernment.
The believer’s life is one of purpose, to be spiritually transformed which requires a journey of trials and hardships. Despite our circumstances, from placing our faith and trust in God, we receive Christ’s strength through the power of the Holy Spirit. Instead of anxiety and worry, we possess the courage and perseverance to keep moving forward.
Although each believer’s earthly journey is unique, every path is God-designed to produce the spiritual growth and transformation required to receive the reward of eternal life. Our confidence is based on God’s Faithfulness and His promises.
Faith is believing God’s love never ceases and He always knows what is best! Through surrender and obedience, each day, we consecrate ourselves to God. The willingness to place our lives in our Heavenly Father’s hands gives us the joyful expectation of always receiving the blessings of victorious outcomes. Peace and Blessings.
Thank You God for your ever-present love and faithfulness. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ” -Matthew 22:37
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:35
“It is no secret what God desires and requires of those who would claim to love and obey Him. He specifies very clearly in Micah 6:8 (and in similar passages elsewhere): ‘He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?’ ” (NKJV).
The two greatest sins are both tied to love. The failure to love God and to love everyone else results in the loss of receiving our reward of eternal life. Many believers feel that loving God is easy, but add qualifiers and conditions for loving others.
“Loving Everyone” includes those who have despitefully used you, attempted to defame your character, and abandoned, or abused you. Everyone is the 8 billion plus people that live on the planet Earth. Loving others unconditionally reveals that our hearts are overflowing with Agape love.
Our role model is Jesus. In His earthly life, Jesus was hated by the majority of the Jewish leaders who not only schemed everyday to kill Him, but also attempted to entrap Him by asking questions which appeared to have no correct or acceptable answer. Jesus proved that loving others despite their hatred is possible.
God is Love! Yes, God, the Father knew the majority of people would reject the gifts of His precious Son and Salvation, still, Jesus humbly, lovingly, and willingly gave His life for us. Are we willing to walk in the Loving footsteps of Christ by asking God to teach us how to love?
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” -1 John 4:11
Lord God, we ask you to teach us how to love as You love us. And we ask for forgiveness for not loving others as you love. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, we pray, Amen.
Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions 
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