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Faith and Love

In my meditations lately, I have been thinking about FAITH and LOVE.  And how confusing it is for me to make a request of God (and see others make requests of God), with faith that He WILL answer. ..and yet, the answer we look for doesn’t come.  In other words, I’ve learned that having faith isn’t an “end all” to my prayers, it needs to be there, but it doesn’t guarantee the outcome that we want. 

“Faith to move mountains, mountain moving faith” IS A GOOD THING.  However, the Bible says, “Faith abides, but the greatest is LOVE”.  When my mind made that connection, I was amazed. 

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains (!!), and have not love, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.”

Those are pretty radical things–giving all to the poor, having all knowledge, having enough faith to move a mountain, giving my body to be burned!  As Christians, we are encouraged to do “radical things for Christ” all the time, at least I am–in sermons, in the books I read, in my own thinking, and yet—–these radical things, although they SOUND so sacrificial, will profit me NOTHING if I do it without love. (we need to be aware of our motives)

Verses on LOVE:

“Biblical love has God as its object, true motivator, and source.  Love is a fruit of the spirit.  The ultimate example of God’s love is the Lord Jesus Christ, who said, ‘I give you a new commandment:  that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.'”  John 13:34  (this is something I wrote in my journal from some book, I don’t remember which one)

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  Galatians 5:14

“For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou SHALT LOVE thy neighbor as thyself.  LOVE worketh no ill to his neighbor.  Therefore LOVE is the fulfilling of the law.”  Romans 13:8b-10

“For IN JESUS CHRIST neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision:  but FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY LOVE.”  Galatians 5:6

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments HANG ALL THE LAW and the prophets.”  Matthew 22:36-40

I can’t do away with my faith and my good works for love’s sake.  Instead, because of my love, I will work and I will have faith in my precious Lord.  Works and faith, and every fruit of the Spirit, the profiting kind, because of LOVE—and, remember, we love BECAUSE of Him. (not by our own efforts or “goodness”)  In my mind, in my thinking, love should always come first. 

Beautiful.  God’s way is the best, most wonderful, and most gratitude-provoking way to live.

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Look who got to finally use his new umbrella!  (bought with birthday money)

 

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I am sure it is a great mistake always to know

enough to go in when it rains. 

One may keep snug and dry by such knowledge,

but one misses a world of loveliness.  ~Adeline Knapp

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Anyone who says sunshine

brings happiness has never

danced in the rain.  ~Author Unknown

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  1. I think it is that radical, all consuming love that directs our prayers so that what we ask for is the will of the Father. When I am praying “Your kingdom come, and Your will be done…” and meaning it with all the devotion in my heart, those prayers will be answered. When we love God so much that we trust Him without question, our faith will be mighty. It will never even cross our minds to doubt, because we will be so immersed in the intergrity of God’s faithfulness that what we ask will always be His will and it shall be done. Blessings to you and your family, sweet lady!

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  2. “…but the greatest of these is love” — God’s unfailing love — in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!!
    One of my favorite hymns has the refrain:  “Amazing love, how can it be that that thou my God shouldst die for me?”
    Love the umbrella pictures and the pointer finger with the bandage still on it!

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  3. So great!  So true!  Thanks for making the connection.  Sometimes we look back and think, “Ohhh, that was so simple; how did I miss it?”  Praise be to God for His infinite mercy and grace.  It is so nice to know that I don’t have to understand everything, but I can still trust Him even when I don’t get it.  I love your heart.  Keep trusting!!!  Keep loving!!!

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  8. Davids umbrella pics made me smile he is such a sweet boy! How is his finger?
    The devo’s were just what I needed to hear and for me the point is a selfless love like God has with all of us not only should we love family, friends, neighbors but everyone. -love ya amanda

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  9. Thanks for sharing this today….something I’ve pondered before, too….why, even with “faith” God still sometimes chooses to not answer the way we asked….so I guess if we have faith in God to be able to do anything whatsoever He chooses, but have love foremost, we leave the final decision in His hands…does that make any sense? (my brains a little foggy this morning)
    Love the rain pics~

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  11. Great post, Shan… It is so hard to die to yourself so that you can show love to others.  I think the key is unselfishness.  We cannot truly be expressing love to someone if we are doing it to get something for ourselves (or to make our lives easier)  Sacrifical love is that you do for others without strings attatched.  Nice thoughts to meditate on.
    I love the Pictures of Davey….Meg and Marissa each got an umbrella a couple of moths ago.  One girl has Dora the other is a Princess one.  Everytime it even is just sprinkling they want to go out in the rain with their umbrellas.  Too cute.
    ~Colleen~

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  12. Instead, because of my love, I will work and I will have faith in my precious Lord. – Love that line there..  so perfectly put! 
    I love your pictures and how you tell a story of your family w/ them!  So precious. 

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  13. Yes, without love we are tinkling cymbals, just noise.  One of my favorite preachers, David Wilkerson, preaches such good and heartfelt messages that may seem hard to some, but they are preached through a broken heart and love for others.  I once had a pastor friend, and he said whenever he needed council, that David Wilkerson was the most merciful and loving of all his pastor friends.   It just came to mind as I read your entry on love.
    The pics of your little boy and the umbrella he bought are precious, liked the quote too. : )
    Hope all is well, love your new profile pic.  Blessings and love,  ~Amelia

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  16. I almost forgot to add… We chose the rong type of xanga so when you go to our site just go to to the upper left hand corner of it and click weblog and it will show you our posts.
    David

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  20. Shan I am teaching on this very thing tonight! (as a part of the VINE LIFE series I am teaching  John 14-16) I love when the Lord wings His truths to our hearts at the same time. It is like sharing Family Hugs. blessings and love, m in sc

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  22. I catch my children feeling love, like when my James is hugging his cat and says, “I just love you so much.” I will tell him to concentrate on that feeling in his heart and explain THAT is God. He will usually look at me and smile, give me a hug and say, “I love you, mommy.”   

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