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Showing posts with the label love

Fairytale in Norfolk

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series: Our Living Word 4/4 Word, became flesh ..a hopeful fairytale in Norfolk - with a spin... Once upon a time in Norfolk,... This fairy tale began in Norfolk, in a town whose name I cannot remember, where the pastor of the small community there believed that the values that the Lord Jesus had instilled in them should be passed on. He had been working in the social sector for quite some time. He wanted to pass God's Love to the neighborhood. One might think that socialization among English people mainly takes place in pubs. However, it is unlikely that most people will be kissing each other there. Although it is indeed possible to talk there, it is not particularly predestined that long term relationships will develop. The pub is good for many things, but not for presenting our Christian life, for example. Sarah Clark 1789 This city, whose name I have forgotten, is famous for its rich ancient culture. Its architecture and various flavors are deeply...

Paul and Peter on reciprocity

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meditation: Partial knowledge. Humbleness, patience, salvation sympathy, brotherly love, Unity of mind, "each otherness" in the apostolic life-model Paul: According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 1Cor 3:10 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. .. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1Cor 13:4-7.12. Peter ..according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to ...

The surprising cure for fear

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Diagnosis and Way out The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected. Proverbs 29:25 The Medicine There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out * fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because He first loved us. 1Jn 4:18-19 *The full love chases out the fear. Method and therapeutic lifestyle I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2Tim 1:6-7. When fear comes from our enemies we have a position with Christ (Jesus came that through his death) he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Heb 2:14-15 I bow my knees before the Father that.. He may grant you to be strengthened with power...

An influential life in the Holy Spirit and in Love - part 2

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The " Influential " series - Part Two From the first days of his earthly ministry, Jesus proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. More precisely, he announced that his Kingdom had arrived. If this is true it has many manifestations in the invisible and visible world. In this second chapter we will focus on the visible part, one of the most important Earthly Action of the Kingdom: the Love. By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible. Heb 11:3 {Holman Christian Standard Bible} The visible heritage (asset) By this all people will know.. I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. - the Lord says in Jn 13:34-35 This is how Jesus marked the influencer believers. In John's Gospel, he speaks ...

Worship, respect, unity, love

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Worship is a complex lifestyle in the Scriptures, not an event. Adoration, honor, praise, reverence focuses on the holiness of the majesty, the mightiness, the beauty of the Lord, – this is a constant priestly activity: sacrifice before the Lord, per-se. When we worship in holiness, unity and agreement, "God dwells among us": JHVH Shammah is his name which also clearly points to the name Immanuel : "Gd is with us". Gd's names represent His mighty character. Jesus clearly teaches that His Name should be holy before us: "hallowed be Your Name". His prayer model is the base of the everyday priestly prayer and adoration. In respect. In unity. In love. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:7-8 The full article is here ☆

Unity, Maturity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

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study in the Chapterhouse The Constant Need Ephesians 4:1-16 Holman Christian Standard Bible 1 Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness , with patience {tolerating}, accepting {bearing} one another in love, 3 diligently keeping the unity * of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to {called in} one hope at your calling— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. *Keeping the unity means: acceptance and active love ( agape: inviting love / or 'Hesed' ), creating an environment with mutual trust and support. See: David Guzik's article about unity (see: the apostolic heart in Rm.1:12 and 14:19 ) 7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the Messiah’s gift. 8 For it says: When He...

Consciously experiencing that love

We have a God whose love is so great that it led to the cost of the death of his beloved Son. Surely he's a God that you want to get to know & become more acquainted with. The possibility of knowing & consciously experiencing that love must be a goal with seeking. Terry Virgo

An influential life in the Holy Spirit and in Love - part 1

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The " Influential " series - Part One From the first days of his earthly ministry, Jesus proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. More precisely, he announced that his Kingdom had arrived. It has many manifestations in the invisible and visible world. The dynamic of the Kingdom basically: the life, ability and power of the King: The God Almighty . The better we understand His character and abilities, the better we represent his Kingdom in the visible world. The apostolic teaching says: By faith we understand that the universe* was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Heb 11:3 {ESV} *Lit. “we understand that the ages of the world (aions) were created by the word of God, so that out of the invisible came the visible.” Here is an important connection between aion and the Word of God The Holman translation is more specific: By faith we understand that the universe w...

Brotherly Love in the Church

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Sándor Háló – igemorzsa.hu "We also have this commandment from him, that he who loves God should love his brother." 1 John 4:21 We are sorely lacking in brotherly love in the church. Many who profess to love the Saviour make no effort to love those who are united with them in Christian fellowship. Our faith is one. We are all members of the same family, children of the same heavenly Father, with the same hope of immortality. How intimate and tender, then, should be the bond that binds us together! The world is watching, wanting to see if our faith sanctifies us. The secular will immediately notice every shortcoming in our lives, every inconsistency in our actions. Let us not give them an opportunity to attack our faith... There is no surer way to weaken our spirituality than to envy one another, to distrust, to be full of fault-finding and suspicion... This is not wisdom from above... The wisdom that comes from above is... peace-lovin...

Love is Action

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This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need — how can God’s love reside in him? 1Jn 3:16 Recommended articles: · Brotherly love · Is "Hesed" equal to "agape"? · label: Our Living Word · Luther about incessant faith

Is "Hesed" equal to "Agape"?

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God is Love – 1/3 The shapes of the love — A study on divine love and the intertwined Christian character ..how the two loves are linked Kindness and faithful love (hesed) pursue me every day of my life. I make my home in the house of YHWH for all time to come. Psalm 23:6 For this is how God (agape) loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16 What is Hesed? The word that is translated to “faithful love” is the Hesed (חסד) which is a Hebrew word that is difficult to translate directly, as it encompasses a range of concepts including "love, kindness, loyalty, mercy", and "covenant faithfulness". This word is translated in other places as “goodness,” and “steadfast love.” God's love for His covenant people in the Old Testament is expressed by the Hesed . This love expressed in the Hebrew texts as hesed we'emet for example in Gen 24:49; 32:11; 47:...

The breastpiece (breastplate)

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The shapes of the love — A meditation   God is Love – 3/3 The High Priest in the Old Testament : You are to make an embroidered breastpiece (breastplate) for making decisions.. ... Place a setting of gemstones on it, four rows of stones: ... The 12 stones are to correspond to the names of Israel’s sons. Each stone must be engraved like a seal, with one of the names of the 12 tribes. Exo 28:15.17.21 The breastpiece on the High Priest Whenever he enters the sanctuary, Aaron is to carry the names of Israel’s sons over his heart on the breastpiece for decisions, as a continual reminder before the Lord. Exo 28:29 ↑ ↓ The High Priest in the New Testament : ..because He, Jesus remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. Heb 7:24-25   In these turbulent times, we must recognize Christ’s true ...

Imitators of God

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By David Guzik on Dec 31, 2023 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2) The thought in these lines from Ephesians 5:1-2 continue the thought from the end of Ephesians 4, where he described how Christians should relate to one another. The believer has an example for how they should treat other believers: God Himself. Christians are to be imitators of God. The idea is simple – that believers are to make God their example and model. It does not say here, “Think about God” or “Admire God” or “Adore God,” though those are all important Christian duties. This is a call to practical action, going beyond our inner life with God. We could say this is a continuation of the same idea Paul mentioned in Ephesians 4:13 regarding the extent of Christian growth: to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness...

Fear VS Acceptance

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The apostolic "concept" of divine love, referred to as "Agape," is distinguished from other forms of love like friendship or affection. Agape is correctly understood as a cultural and linguistic concept (and not as a theological subject). In Greek, it is used for giving, absorbing love, sometimes describing events such as invitations, hospitality and celebrations, (often associated with weddings.) The link between the teachings of Jesus and this imagery is very close. Jesus Christ emphasizes that Agape {or charity-love} is a representation of the invitation to His Kingdom. This invitation has consequences and various fruits in our lives. I begin this note with the Hymn of Love: 1Cor 13 If I am able to speak the language of men or of angels, but have not divine love in me, I shall be like a noisy cymbal or a rattling cymbal. If I have received the gift of prophecy, if I know all secret truths, if I have all knowledge, if I have f...

The 3 weak segments of the protestant life

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..and the cure for restoration This article is part of the "Vitalize" pack • pre • 0. Our base is.. • 1. Priesthood • 2. Pastoral work • 3. Preaching with Teaching • + sharing By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. {that the visible came out of the invisible} Heb 12:3 ..as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2Cor 4:18 Pre Protestantism have seen many changes, variations, (and ramifications) since Martin Luther. Even in the early days, Calvin himself modified (theologically developed) Luther's original prophetic vision. Meanwhile, the ever-ubiquitous Catholic culture continues to "keep pace with the world" and with its needs in various human activities. I think We, faithful folks are not...

Invitation

A   nd where there agape exists, there is a loving invitation and calling. We have a calling to the nations, and NOT an increase in numbers in a club. Club members meet for fellowship - but not to save other people's lives. There is a difference between filia and agape .

From Guilt to the Throne

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Guilt or Throne? spiritual, mental hygiene, mutual need, purification, confidence, etc. This article is part of the "Vitalize" pack you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. Psalm 41:12 Dear saints and beloved! I recently visited a church which has a beautiful family life but suffers from a typical 21 century sickness. The guilt. Interestingly, leaders have told me that members are not as eager to come and get their lives back on track when they commit sins. They simply do not confess them openly. Since it is pastoral responsibility first - I really don't understand, why... The place we came from I believe that guilt is one of the most serious attacks on the humankind. People, nations can do "amazing" things to get rid of guilt. They walk thousands of miles, they squeeze themselves, they oppress themselves and unfortunately they oppress others just to see their own lives as super...