Do You Agape Me?

God is Love (4 of 6)

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."  - John 13:34

Now there is a challenge if I have ever heard one. To love others as Christ himself loved us. How are we supposed to manage that? I have a saying in my household and with my friends and family and one day I intend on it being inscribed on my headstone in my final place of rest.

“I Love You More”

I say it to others and I watch their face. Generally there is a competitive streak that surfaces with the words. Most of the time I get, “No, I Love You More.” right back from them. The natural competitive nature of mankind comes out in even these 4 little words. Now take my words and put them in the full context of my belief:

“ I Love My Friends,
I Love My Family More,
I Love Lisa Most,
But none compare to
My Love for Christ! ”

This removes the competitive nature from the same statement, "I Love You More". In Greek there are different words to describe love:

Storge – meaning affection, “I care for you.”
Philia – meaning friendship, loyalty, equality and virtue between two people
Eros – passionate love, sensual, romantic and sexual in nature.
Agape – Love in it’s richest form between two individuals, or between man and God

In Hebrew, which much of the Bible originated in, the word was Ahava. This can be translated to mean “I give” or “to give”. So as we think about Christ’s statement in John 13:34 to love one another as He loved us – it comes down to serving others and giving to others. In John 21:15-17 we find Jesus asking Peter 3 times: “…Do you love {agapas} me?...”  to which Peter replied “...Yes Lord, I love {philia} You…”  Loving others as God has loved us is nearly impossible.  It requires completely giving of one’s self and giving for another’s gain without condition.  Only God has that capability, yet we are asked to pursue this “agape” love, by taking our eyes off of ourselves and seeking those opportunities to serve and help others in all we do. 

Prayer:

Loving Father,Lord, I love you and long to worship You.  I thank You for loving me unconditionally, despite my shortcomings and my transgressions.  You know my heart and You know my desire to serve You more deeply.  Help me Lord to put You first in everything I do, and to demonstrate Your love to those I come in contact with.  Let others see You through me, this I pray today.  Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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Loving the Unlovable

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

Let’s face it, there are times when all of us have taken a moment to look at our own lives and wondered; “How could God love me?”  With all of the screw ups, mistakes, bad choices and problems I have had in my life, I have found myself wondering the same thing.  But you see the scriptures are very clear that God’s love is immutable.  This means that it is never changing, constant and ageless.  We are created in the very love that is present and available to us throughout our life.  Through our own guilt we convince ourselves that this love is conditional and only available to those who live perfect lives.

Well, I’m here to tell you today, that if that were the case not a single person would go to heaven.  For outside of Jesus Christ there is none that are perfect – no not even a single one through all of time.  Moses, Abraham, King David, Elijah, Daniel, Isaiah, John the Baptist, John, Peter, Mark, Matthew, Paul the apostle, any of the Popes, Martin Luther, Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, you nor I have the capacity or ability to live within the perfection that is required for access to heaven.  Yet, despite our transgressions, our mistakes and our humanity; Jesus Christ came to provide a path of redemption and forgiveness that we might appear sinless and blameless before the Lord one day.  In 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Paul tells us, “…Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst…”  This comes from the man that wrote more books of the bible than any other author (traditionally believed to be 13 books, followed by Moses who wrote 6 books).  Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was known to be a highly educated man in the Jewish leadership community and had even oversaw the execution of many in the early Christian church.  He came to the realization that the one He was seeking to abolish, was actually pursuing Him to bring him back to the original intent of the Father in Heaven.

This intent, from the original creation, was to bring glory and return love to the Father.  This was lost in the Garden of Eden, but restored through God’s Son – Jesus Christ. To accept that God’s love is immutable we must come to the understanding that God sent Jesus Christ as the Savior for ALL mankind.  For if He was sent only to redeem some, than the sacrifice and grace that is offered by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has limitations and is thereby insufficient to fulfill the Father’s intent.  The sacrifice made on the cross is sufficient for the redemption of all mankind’s sins.  This includes the worst of the worst, the most unimaginable sinful act can be forgiven and redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Why does God love us so much?  Because He knows all things (omniscient) and has prepared a place for those who are unwilling to acknowledge His sovereignty and plan of salvation.  He created Hell for Satan and His angels, but clearly states in Matthew 25:41 and Revelations 20:15.  He also knows that those who refuse His grace and redemption will also be cast into the Lake of Fire.  God created man in His image and because He loves us, He wants only that we not be deceived by the world and confused by Satan’s deceptions on this earth.  Our actions, our mistakes, our transgressions and unrighteousness cannot separate us from this love.  No, the only thing that can separate us is our refusal of the grace and love He has offered through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Your name is above all things known.  You sit upon your throne and are worthy of all glory and honor.  We come before You in awe and wonder as we try to take in the depth of Your love for us.  We struggle with our own preconceived limitations on how to love and wrestle with comprehending Your unconditional grace and mercy.  Help shape us into the image of Your Son, and help us to live out the example You have given through His life and accept Your salvation through His death and resurrection.  We humbly lay our sins and transgressions at the foot of the cross and accept Your forgiveness, mercy and love even though we don’t deserve it.  In Your name we pray – Amen.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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God is Love (1 of 6)

“The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.”  - Proverbs 15:9

Time and time again I have heard the question “Who is God?” come up in conversation or debate.  There have been numerous doctoral theses written about the character of God, the spirit of God, the essence of God or the presence of God.  For this first week of the year 2012 I want to focus strictly on who God is to me – Love.

As a husband, father and grandfather I have personally experienced this emotion called love with enormous depth and intimacy in my life.  I cannot put into words the feelings I have for my wife of nearly 25 years, or for any of my 5 children or 2 grand-children.  There are times I sit and stare, just to take it all in and realize how unbelievably blessed I am to be given such a wonderful gift from the Lord, just to be a part of their lives for one more day.  I watch with incredible pride when I observe them spontaneously doing something kind and generous for another or when I see them demonstrate love to one another or a friend.  All too often I see them demonstrating love to others and helping others without provocation or expectation of a reward – just because it’s the right thing to do.  Where does this benchmark of right and wrong come from?  How do they learn what is good vs. what is evil in this world?

It’s easy to look at my children and grand-children and say they learn right and wrong from Lisa and I, but it is so much more complicated than that.  There is a legacy of right doing that has a foundation in the very essence of the One who created all mankind to begin with.  Every generation must decide to what extent they will base their teaching of the future generations on the biblical principles or man’s principles for righteousness.  But even then, we must ask the question; “Can mankind have a concept of good and evil (right and wrong) if it were not first established at some point in time?” 

     Who has deemed that murdering someone is evil?
     When did mankind first determine that stealing from another person is wrong?
     Why is love good and hatred bad?
     What happens when you intentionally hurt another individual (physically or emotionally)?

You see, if you seek the ultimate foundation for the truth to basic questions like these, there must be a benchmark of righteousness that was established for mankind to follow.  The alternative is that at some point in time these boundaries and guidelines were established by an individual just like you.  Therefore, we would simply be continuing to propagate that person’s rules of right and wrong/good and evil.  If this indeed is the case, than who says they were right, and who gave them the authority to establish these rules.  I propose that there is a supreme authority in God the Father, who created a foundation of right and wrong in His scriptures.  He gave us the Holy Spirit to counsel us and convict us when we are outside of this basis of righteousness.

In God’s eyes every man and woman are equal.  There is no greater portion of love given to one over another based on who the person is, but rather whether the person is within the boundaries of His established rules.  Proverbs tells us that God detests the way of wickedness (evil, unrighteousness).  God does not detest the individual, only the action.  The person is given the boundaries and choice to live and act within these boundaries or outside of these boundaries. 

God’s love, mercy and grace fall upon those within these boundaries because they are pursuing His righteousness.  By choice, some are walking away from God’s love by living outside of these boundaries and then questioning His very existence.  Walk with righteousness, in the full glory of the Lord’s love and be filled with His presence, purpose and these questions become blatantly clear.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You have established the foundation of right and wrong for all of mankind.  You have given us the scriptures as our guideline and the Holy Spirit as our counselor for righteousness.  As a society we have strayed from Your laws and purpose in loving others.  Forgive us Lord.  Work within me to be a light to others that they might see Your truth and righteousness.  Help me to hold myself accountable to Your baseline and to live within Your boundaries that I might experience Your love to the fullest.  Use me Lord as You see fit to bring You glory in all ways.  In Your name I pray, Amen.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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Looking Forward – Eyes Ahead

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  -Jeremiah 29:11

Well there you have it. 365 days have passed in 2011 and most people around the globe are watching the final hours, minutes and seconds tick away on another year in their life. A moment of reflection on the events of the year will lead some to regrets, depression and even self pity. We can all agree that 2011 was a tumultuous year, filled with global unrest, unreal natural disasters and an economic roller coaster that have left many devastated and feeling lost when looking forward.  Many are even asking “So, where is God in all of this?”  Is that you?  Are you caught up in the hopelessness of the world? 

Think back to December 31^st, 2010 and the plans you outlined for 2011.  Man has continually attempted to control the twists and turns of life, only to finally come to the realization that we really aren’t equipped or prepared for total control.  Not a single person knew that a massive earthquake would hit 6 miles off the coast of Japan and cause a major tsunami, resulting in the deaths of thousands and the breakdown of the Fukishima nuclear plant.  No one could have predicted the massive floods and tornados in the US, Indonesia or Thailand and the devastation and destruction that resulted from the rising waters.  Could we have seen the global financial collapse coming as we have become more dependent on banks and the global dollar?

We all tend to look back at the past and highlight the struggles, hurts and problems of life, but have you noticed how infrequently we look back on the success’, blessings and achievements.  I was speaking with a young man just the other night and he made a comment that makes a lot of sense.  Every night he reflects on the day and makes a mental note of the goodness of the day.  I paraphrase his comment to a single question, “How did I make a difference today?”  This forces us to find the positives, success and how we have helped others rather than dwelling on what didn’t go right.  It also gives us the opportunity to see God’s fingerprints of love on our lives and the lives of those around us. 

You see, God wasn’t missing in action in 2011.  He was on His throne, right where He always has been and always will be.  God is sovereign, God is omnipresent, God is omniscient and God is omnipotent.  Nothing happens without His knowledge, nothing caught Him by surprise this year.  Many believe that God is a chess-master moving people around the game-board of life, but nothing could be farther from the truth.  We are all making choices with the knowledge and wisdom we have gained through our life experiences and education.  God’s influence on these decisions comes into play through the strength of relationship we have with Him and the amount we are willing to allow this influence to sway our thinking.  All too often, we know the plans God has for us, but are unwilling to execute or live within the guidelines of His plans.

God wants nothing more than to love us and us to love Him back.  We want material possessions, wealth, health and power to influence others.  He wants us to serve others, live within our means and give to others in need and take our eyes off of ourselves.  You recall Jesus answer to the Saducee in Matthew 22:35-40, ‘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.’   Every year we lay out 5 to 10 resolutions for the New Year, and they are generally focused on improving our personal life situation.  What if we took those resolutions this year and laid out a plan on how we are going to influence and improve other’s lives?  What a difference that would make in the world, if we authentically took our eyes off of ourselves and focused on others for a solid year.  Consider thinking of others first this year and lay out a plan on how you can help them, love them and serve them throughout 2012.  This will be an amazing year if we are within God’s plan for us.

Prayer:

Loving Father,

Renew my spirit Lord.  Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I might see others as You see them.  Help me to be a greater positive influence in the lives of those around me, living with a servants heart and a loving passion to help others.  In Your omnipotence You know all things and in Your sovereignty we all live within Your guidance.  Press upon mankind this year a spirit of revival to recognize Your glory and give You honor in everything we do.  Thank You in advance for an incredible year of 2012.  In Your name we pray - Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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Is God Still With You?

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” -John 1:14

Four days have passed since Christmas morning. I’m sure that sometime during the last 5 or 6 days you have read through or heard the story of Jesus birth in Bethlehem as captured so beautifully in Luke 2. As the time passes and we become more engaged in our day to day life again, the stresses begin to accumulate, the worries start up again and for some the message of Christmas begins to blur again for another 11 months. We need to make a stand against the temptation to slide back into our pre-Christmas routine. As foretold in Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Things are not the same.

His life was foretold by over 20 different people as far as 800 years before His birth. Everything from who His parents would be, where He would be born, what His life would stand for, His persecution, His death and His resurrection. Most historical figures and leaders lived a great life and then their story was captured and documented for the interest of educating the minds of the future. But He was not like other historical figures. Unlike any other person in the history of the world, Jesus Christ, was biography was written before He ever breathed His first breath.

God was with Adam in the Garden, with Moses on Mount Sinai and David in his battles. He was with many other individuals throughout the scriptures. He carried these hero’s and saints through their struggles, trials, hardships and their weakness’. God not only gave them insight through His authority and power on earth, He gave them the wisdom and confidence to know that He was always there for them, no matter what. Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac because he knew God would provide a lamb. David battled Goliath because he knew God would overcome. Job gave up everything he had and relied solely on God’s love and promise as disease and experiences near death came upon him. These are just a few examples of what happens when God is with someone.

Jesus means Immanuel, God With Us. This single statement was prophesied by Isaiah, and restated by the angel to Joseph in a dream. When God was with the saints of old, we saw how He protected, nurtured and cared for them. Through the birth of Jesus Christ, that exact power and blessing is available to all of us. He came to us because He knew we could not come to Him in our fleshy, sinful state. God’s desire is for us to be with Him for eternity, so He took it upon Himself to come to us, and walk side by side with us through this life to allow that reunion one day. He will carry us when we are weak, provide knowledge and insight into righteousness, convict us when we fall and set us back on a path of purpose for His kingdom. God is with us – that means you, me and everyone since Christ’ birth. It is upon us to seek His guidance and love. Some believe that this promise was only for those who walked with Jesus for those 33 years. This could not be farther from the truth. He promised us a comforter, counselor and teacher in the Holy Spirit to be with us always, until the day of His return. His death was not the end, but rather the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise. Immanuel, God is with us, lives on through His resurrection and continues to provide strength, love, security, comfort, help and wisdom if we only reach to Him.

Prayer:

Almighty God,

You came to us through a child, born in the humblest of settings to fulfill a promise for all of mankind. You promised to walk with us, guide us and be our strength, if we would only turn to trust You. We come before You Lord, seeking Your will in our lives, Your wisdom and Your love. Just as You carried the saints of old through their struggles and temptations, guide our steps in a path of righteousness as well. Help us to recognize Your control and will in our life. In Your name we pray - Amen

© Sondove Enterprises,               2010
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Do We Need Christmas?

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”  - John 11:25-26

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865 by John Wilkes Booth in a tragic manner that would forever be memorialized in the hearts of Americans. Considered to be one of America’s greatest Presidents, he did considerable things to get this country through the Civil War, and reunite the country afterwards. His Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves across the Confederate states and eventually across the entire United States of America. Upon his death, there were definite dividing lines between those who defended his works and those who opposed it. His grave was the site of no less than 5 examinations over the course of twenty five years following his death. Each in an attempt to prove that he was indeed dead and that his body had not been “taken up” as had been the rumors of the day. It was in September 1901 that his body was exhumed for the last time and sure enough, he was still there as was witnessed by 23 individuals at the sight on that day.

Jesus Christ was born to break the bondage and slavery of all mankind, from the evil and unrighteousness of Satan in the world. In contrast to Mr. Lincoln though, three days after His death and burial, Jesus Christ was not in the grave. This was witnessed by no less than 6, but likely many more on that glorious resurrection morning. The two guards, Mary and the other Mary, Peter and John are captured in scripture as witnessing the empty tomb with the stone rolled away. Even more wonderful though is the large number of witnesses to Jesus Christ walking amongst the people and talking with them after his death and resurrection.

Jesus Christ was born for the resurrection. He claimed so Himself numerous times throughout the New Testament. He was born that man no more shall die, not referring to a physical death, but a spiritual & eternal death. God is perfect, and demands perfection to enter into His kingdom of heaven. You and I are incapable, despite our best efforts of achieving the perfection that is required to meet God’s standards. The gates of Hell are wide and inviting to all of mankind as the easy path through life. Sin is tempting and impossible to avoid in our human state, but Jesus Christ because of His divine soul and incarnate birth was capable of resisting Satan right through the point of death on the cross. His death and three days in the depths of the earth seemed an apparent victory for Satan. It was on that third day though, through His resurrection that Jesus Christ broke the chains of slavery for all time and provided a perfect sacrifice for all of mankind’s sin and allow us to enter into God’s perfect heaven through His sinless perfect life.

He lived 33 years of sinless perfection in God’s eyes. He resisted the temptations of this life, the trials and pitfalls that face all of us. He overcame pride, envy and jealousy through humility and a servant’s heart. He loved unconditionally, and opened the door of heaven to all mankind, not just a chosen few. If His resurrection is false, then all of Christianity is false as well. The foundation of Jesus Christ birth, death and purpose on this earth was for the resurrection to take place and create the path of salvation for us to be redeemed back into the grace of our Father in heaven. There is no other way for you nor I to cleanse our sinful life enough to enter into God’s eternity. Good works will not cleanse your soul, prayer will not cleanse your soul and money certainly cannot cleanse your soul. Belief in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, alone will wash away the sins of this life and allow you and me to stand before the Lord perfect. We need Christmas, because we needed a Savior and a path of salvation to draw us back into the arms of God the Father.

Prayer:

Almighty God,Your Son Jesus Christ came into this world for the purpose of providing a path of salvation. Your Word tells us that through His death and resurrection You have opened the door to heaven for those of us that believe on Him. Forgive me for my sinful flesh and my worldly desires. Wash my heart and mind anew as we continue to celebrate Your Son’s birth. Help me to rekindle my spirit with Your word and Your promise of eternity with You. Strengthen me this day to walk in Your grace and share Your light with all that I meet. In Your name we pray – Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2010
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Christmas Blues

 “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.””  - Matthew 2:13

Well, it has come and gone. All of those weeks preparing for Christmas, and it seems to be gone in a flash. The excitement of family joining together, the presents under the tree, the Christmas carols, the shopping, the Christmas dinner all have become a part of our memories now. Was it everything you expected it to be? All of that excitement reached a crescendo and now life begins to resort back to normalcy once again. Perhaps the family has left to return home, the tree is now at the curb-side and there is that dreaded feeling of emptiness as you evaluate what has transpired. Did you get everything you wanted? Did the reunion with family members and friends meet your expectations or leave you wanting more?

The post Christmas blues meet many of us head on after the build up to an emotional high on Christmas morning. We all have expectations going into Christmas. Following that wonderful event we are then left to compare the reality with our expectations, and many times if falls short. The joy, laughter and happiness that fill your heart leading up to Christmas may seem distant now. I propose that it is simply because you are focusing on the event and not the act of Christmas. You see the gifts, the fellowship, the reunions and the parties are nothing more than an event celebrating the act of His birth. Many have argued that his birth did not even happen in December, and I’m okay with that. You see, it’s not about the exact day He was born, it’s about celebrating His birth, which leads us to celebrating His life, His death and His resurrection.

We know that Mary & Joseph went through a period of Christmas Blues so to speak. After the birth of Jesus you would expect that they would have time to just rest in peace and raise God’s Son. A chance to celebrate His birth and God’s choice to bring Him to the world as a part of their family. Mary had spent 9 months preparing for the event of Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem. The event comes and goes quickly, and the little family heads back to Nazareth to renew their life. While in Nazareth an angel appears to Joseph once again and tells him to take the child to Egypt. Without hesitation, Joseph packs up his family, leaves his work, his home and goes. When God speaks to you and tells you to move, you move. God was in ultimate control of every part of the Christmas event, and didn’t stop once the baby was born. It wasn’t as if God brought Christ into the world and then told Mary & Joseph, “Alright, now it’s up to you. Good luck.” No. He was involved every step of the way.

Just like in your life and mine. God didn’t bring you to a point of salvation and then walk away. At your baptism He didn’t wash you clean and then say, “Okay, now stay that way. My work is done.” God never promised you and I an easy path in life, as a matter of fact He promised just the opposite in John 16:33, “in the world you will have trouble.” The key is to continue relying on God to see you through and around these troubles. The Lord is still in control, even when you feel lost, empty and alone. It is more important to listen to His word and be in accord with His direction on your life when you have reached the summit and are on the way down the other side. The Christmas Blues can bring along with it serious depression for those left wanting more, and feeling lost in a world of materialism, self centeredness and jealous envy of others. What is important is to look upward and focus your attention on the One for which Christmas is all about. Throughout the year we can celebrate the Messiah in our lives, through our actions and in our quiet times. Draw near to Him each day and re-discover the wonder of Christmas over and over.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the wonder of Your Son’s birth. Thank You for helping us through this stress-filled, exciting time of Christmas, while keeping our eyes focused on You and not on ourselves. Help us to let go of the emptiness that can ensue following this blessed event, and draw closer to You. As You demonstrated through Joseph’s dreams You are in control at all times. You alone can lead us through this depression and back into our Savior’s arms. Guide us Lord to daily walk with You and never feel alone in this world. In Your name we pray - Amen

© Sondove Enterprises ,2010
For additional Daily Thoughts, visit: http://www.10minutereader.com