Learning to love each other

Love should always be the compass that guides us, especially for those who desire to live a life of love.  1 Corinthians 13 provides a great example in God's word of what love is and what love is not. I love to read  these verses on love in different translations because each translation provides such great insight into this scripture.  Below I have listed the passion translations version, it is one of my favorite translations and I love the imagery it provides.  The other day as I was reading these verses in the Passion Translation I had the thought, "what if verses 8-10 came first prior to verses 4-7" that talk about what love is and is not.  I just thought that by swapping the verses we see how great an emphasis God puts on love.  Not only loving Him but loving each other.  Jesus sums up the commandments in these two statements:  Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself (see Mark 12:30-31).

When we love there is no jealousy, there is no offense (love is not easily offended nor is it easily irritated), there is no self promotion because we are honoring others.  I know I am not there yet because I can get in the way, but every time I feel myself go of course I remind myself what love is and what love is not.  I pray and ask God to help me love the one in front of me because He loves them.  No matter how people treat me or what they do my desire is to become love because God is love.  A few other great scriptures that direct us to love others are; Matt 22:37-39, John 13:34-35, Rom 12:10, 1 John 4-7-8, and John 15:12-13.  I know there are more than this but this is just a start on your path to loving God and others more.  Next time you have an irritating person in front of you remember they are not only made in God's image but that He loves them. Push past the snarky comments or retorts and just breath and ask God to help you, I know He will because He continually helps me.

Love never stops loving.  It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away.  It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent.  Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten.  Our present knowledge and our prophecies are but partial, but when love's perfection arrives, the partial will fade away.

Love is large and incredibly patient.  Love is gentle and consistently kind to all.  It refuses to be jealous  when blessing comes to someone else.  Love does not brag about one's achievements nor inflate its own importance.  Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor.  Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense.  Love joyfully celebrates honesty and fins no delight in what is wrong.  Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others.  Love never takes failure as defeat for it never gives up.

1 Cor 8-10, 4-7 TPT

Again I love how the Passion Translation reads.  I know tongues, prophecy, and words of knowledge are important and we can move and operate in each of these areas but without love it is nothing, a loud and crashing symbol.  God help us to learn to love with open arms like Yo do so we may display you well everywhere we go!!

Chasing You

I'm chasing you, I'm so in love, captivated, I just can't get enough.  I'll spend my days, running after your heart, your heart, your heart.  Whoa!

Do we spend our days running after God's heart?  Do you know He longs to be in an intimate relationship with each and everyone of us?  Eden was created as a place where man could dwell with God and fellowship with Him.  Take a few minutes each day and begin to chase after God.  I know from experience as we begin to take steps to pursue Him, he takes a huge step towards us.  I am so thankful He is able to draw nearing to me as I draw near to Him.  Sometimes I see Him so extremely close I can lean in and kiss His face.  If you have never seen God's face ask Him to show it to you.  It is such a beautiful and glorious face.  His eyes are so full of love towards everyone of us.

James 4:8 TPT -  Move your heart closer and closer to God, and He will come even closer to You.

Other translations read, draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Today take time to draw near to God, pursue Him, chase after Him.  You will experience such joy and freedom, it is completely amazing!!  Don't be afraid when He reveals Himself to you.  I know the first time I saw the face of Jesus it was inches from my face.  I jumped back at first and then leaned in and just beheld His beauty. It is the face of the one I love!!!