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God is love. Are we?

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:16-18)

God is Love.  And the same tender, loving One who bled and died for us on the cross will open the seals mentioned in the Book of Revelation, releasing judgments on the Earth.  The same One who is Lover is also Judge.  And as we “live in love”, fear will truly leave.  But “living in love” does not merely mean that we have experienced His love, but that we have allowed it to change us and make us like Him.  And as we become more and more like Him, we will not be frightened by anything — even His judgments.

TV LOVE…

Here’s a short vid I made about true intimacy…

Come away with Me!

“Ah!  I hear Him!  My Beloved!  Look!  Here He comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.  My Lover is like a gazelle or a young stag.  Look!  There He stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice. My lover spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with Me.” (Song of Songs 2:8-10)

Sometimes the reason our lives are so wearisome or sad or anxiety-ridden is that we have not heeded the call to go off with Him alone for a day or two and reconnect with the only One who truly loves us — and the only One who is able to truly refresh and encourage and heal us…

Per-severe.

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36)

This concept just keeps coming back to me.  To persevere.  And to persevere is often a severe action and heart focus and mindset.   In some ways, such a foreign word to our culture.  But absolutely necessary for spiritual victory.

LIGHT vs DARKNESS

From Heaven’s view, it has never been about Black vs White. It has always been about Light vs Darkness. Light reaches out across racial, cultural and economic distinctions, and Darkness uses these things to build walls. Light seeks justice, and Darkness seeks revenge. Light speaks hope and Darkness speaks despair.

How to know really important stuff.

“The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD — and He will delight in the fear of the LORD.” (Isaiah 11:2-3)

One of the many amazing things about Jesus (when He walked this earth, back in the day), was that, in any given situation, He knew what the true PRIZE really was. He seldom responded to any situation the same. He was always listening to the Spirit, never allowing the external things to mislead Him. He never relied on a FORMULA, because He had true discernment which in turn came from the fear of the Lord.

“…if you CALL OUT for insight and CRY ALOUD for understanding, and if you look for it as for SILVER and search for it as for HIDDEN TREASURE, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:3-6)

Acquiring true DISCERNMENT requires the Fear of the Lord…and, like anything of real, lasting value and importance, takes a lot of effort (passionate pursuit!). But it’s so worth it.

Unsanctified mercy.

“One that loved not wisely but too well.” (William Shakespeare)

The test and defining reality of true Love and true Wisdom is Eternity.  It is good to comfort people with God’s comfort. But when we see someone struggling in sin and only give their life a hug and never dare to share the Truth, then we are actually enabling them in their bondage.  I call this “unsanctified mercy.”

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Proverbs 27:6)

“And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

I am not saying that we should aggressively confront people or start out a conversation with the issue of sin.  The apostle Paul said that he wanted to be “all things to all men, that some might be saved.”  It is so important to meet people where they are, and to come along side them in their struggle.  But that is never enough.  At some point, we need to be God’s vessel for helping them move from where they are, past their sin, into the life and freedom God is calling them to.

“Instead, speaking the Truth in Love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)

 

The ultimate PHOTOBOMB!!!

HUMANISM= the ultimate selfie.
THE INCARNATION = the ultimate photobomb.