Abounding Love (Part 2)

God wants to use you to help and reach other people!  That's a fact.  It is also a fact that He can only do it if you possess an "abounding love" for people.  It is through love that we are able to see people as God sees them. It is through love that we can lead the lost to God.  And it is only through love that we can heal the sick, mend the broken-hearted, and see the supernatural accomplished.

There are two forces in the world; love and fear.  And these two are obviously counter to each other.  Love brings life, health, and peace.  Fear just the opposite; sorrow, oppression, and troubles.  Just as there are two forces, there are also two voices; God and satan.  The voice of God is the voice of love and the voice of satan is the voice of fear, doubt, and anxiety. It's important we know the difference and we listen to the voice of love if we want to be used by God.


1.  Allow compassion to move you as it moved Jesus.  Matthew 14:14 tells us Jesus was "moved with compassion."  Everywhere Jesus went He saw people the way God saw them.  If we want to be used by God, we have to operate in love and be moved with compassion. The flow of God's love in your life will move you towards the people God wants to reach!

2. Recognize that love has a "drawing" power.  Everybody desires love. And when we realize that, we will begin to see the power of the love of God. God's love is in every believer and God wants His love to work in you and flow out of you to a world that needs love.  Don't wait for someone to love you first.  Just begin by showing your love to everyone and then sit back and witness the drawing power of God's love.

3.  Follow God's love wherever it flows.  God's love may take you to places and to people, where under normal circumstances, you would never go or see.  But to be used of God, we must allow God's love to direct us.  In the Amplified Bible, the epistle of 2 John verse 6 describes it this way: "And what this love consists in is this: that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching). This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love [guided by it and following it].

4.  Know that God wants to use you!  Greater than your desire to be used by God, is His desire to use you!  Because God has shed His love abroad in your heart (Romans 5:5) you have the potential for that love to flow out of you.  How can you ensure that God's love flows out from you? It's simple, you live your life with a clean heart, a humble spirit, and a desire to live at peace with others.

When we recognize this four things, God will bless our lives and use us for His glory!  What can you do to begin to allow God's love to flow out of you to help someone else?

What do you think?  Leave some feedback.

Abounding Love (Part 1)

Jesus summed up all of the Law and the prophets with one word...Love.  It is this one word, this one decision and act on our part that makes all the difference in how we relate to God and to others.  Without sincere love, we will view God as distant and disinterested.  And we will view people as expendable and bothersome.  As Jesus was explaining to His disciples the depth of His love for them and for us, He made one very clear statement: "This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12).  Jesus wants us to love everyone just like He loved us!  Now to do this, we must know something of the love of God.  You see, God's love and Jesus' love for you is an "agape" love.  This is a love that is ardent, supreme, perfect, without question and pretense.  It is a love of self-denial.  A love that puts others first.

If we are going to walk in the "God kind of love" then we must be willing to follow four basic principles.

1.  Put On Love (Colossians 3:12-14)

As Christians, we are to literally "wear" love!  Just as we might be identified by our clothing we put on in the morning, we should be identified by the love of God we "put on" each day.  Putting on this love, is a decision on your part and it is an act on your part.  Too many people view love as an "emotion."  But the emotion we experience when we are involved in a "love" relationship is simply a by-product of our love for an individual or for God.  True love is a decision.  We make a conscious decision each day to love God and love others.  Then we "act" out that love through our deeds.  Love is demonstrated by definite acts on our part.

2.  Be Rooted And Grounded In Love (Ephesians 3:17)

When Paul speaks of being rooted and grounded in love, what he is talking about is "stability."  Love gives us a stability where we can be founded and established.  Love is the soil in which we must grow and the foundation on which we must build.  This kind of "divine" love isn't optional, it is a commandment we must live by.

3.  Walk In Love (Ephesians 5:2)

Some might ask, how do you walk in divine love?  After all, we aren't God.  Walking in divine love or "agape" love is done through "definite acts."  Just as in the story of the Good Samaritan, where he availed himself to "show" his love for the injured person by taking care of him and paying for his extended care with the inn keeper.  Divine love is shown through definite acts and it is also done in "truth."  Divine love is genuine in doctrine, profession, and in deeds.  Divine love doesn't do things for others just to be seen or for what one can get out of it.  The walk of divine love is not based on word or tongue, but a definite act on your part. (1 John 3:18).

4. Let God Teach You Love By Example (1 Thessalonians 4:9)

Paul told the Thessalonians that he didn't need to teach them about brotherly love, because they had been taught of God to love one another.  How did God teach us?  By his own example of giving His Son Jesus to die for all of humanity.  God taught us love by example while we were yet rebels and sinners (Romans 5:8).  If God loved His enemies enough to send His own son to die for our sins, surely we can love one another.

Find a place to start showing love today.  Help a friend, neighbor, or whoever, and start giving your love away.  Freely you have received, freely give!  What will you do today, to show the love of God to others?

Living In The Realm Of The Supernatural

God wants you to live in the realm of the "supernatural."  Jesus himself said, "if thou canst believe, ALL things are possible to him that believeth."  (Mark 9:23).  Unfortunately the church, to a large degree, has discounted the supernatural as though it doesn't exist any longer.  For many, they have become so self-sufficient that they don't need to believe God for much anymore, or at least that is what they think.

Yet, when Jesus established the church it was to be a church of prevailing power that operated in the "supernatural."  And because of that, God desires His people to live and operate in this realm.  The early church certainly did and God expects us to also.

Where Do You Begin?


Get Acquainted With The Word Of God -- If you really desire to live in the realm of the supernatural, you have to be very close to the Word of God.  Many areas of the supernatural are addressed in God's Word.  You need to know what they are, memorize them, and quote them until they become revelation to your heart.  When you do this, you will see supernatural results.

Renew Your Mind With The Word Of God -- The supernatural begins with getting our mind renewed with the Word of God.  You do this by "not listening" to the voices of doubt and unbelief!  Don't go by sight or by feelings or by circumstances.  But do believe what God's Word says.  Do renew your mind by seeing things as God sees them.  This renewing of the mind comes with knowing that the "unseen" is more real than the seen! That's how God sees it.

Dare To Believe And Trust God In Every Situation -- If you want to live in the realm of the supernatural, you have to begin to trust God in every situation you encounter.  It doesn't matter if it's finances, sickness, difficulties, temptations, etc.  living in the supernatural will begin when you stand on the Word and believe what it says no matter if things look impossible.

Know And Use Your Authority In The Word -- As a believer, you have authority and can do the supernatural through Jesus.  Through God's Word you can defeat Satan and live in the supernatural power of God.

So get acquainted with the Word of God and stop listening to doubt and unbelief and get your mind renewed.  Dare to believe and trust God in every situation of your life and use the authority God has given to you.  God wants you to live in the supernatural so why not start today?

Facing The Impossible

Everyone at some point in their life will face a situation or situations that seem "impossible."  A time when things are beyond their human ability to conquer and overcome.  In fact it is during these times that individuals most often experience emotions of hopelessness and despair.  

Yet for the believer it doesn't have to be like that.  For those in Christ, there is hope, victory and endless possibilities through their Savior Jesus.  It is during these times when we are facing impossible situations that God comes on the scene and changes everything.  There are four truths you need to know if you are going to see the impossible become possible.

 

1.  GOD IS AWARE OF YOUR IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION

 

Never "underestimate" God!  He is very aware of every situation you are facing.  Because He is aware, never be afraid to ask Him to help you solve the problem.  Take it out of your hands and put it into God's hands.  Nothing is impossible when you allow the supernatural God into your situation.

 

2.  GOD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN

 

Because God always has a plan, that plan may require you to wait on Him.  Waiting on God requires discipline, strength, and trust (Isaiah 40:31).  There are times that God's plan may require you to do something unusual.  What God is looking for is obedience.  His plan never involves calculation on your part, but rather trusting in His resources, strength, and ability.  When you do that, Jesus will surprise you when He turns your impossible situation into possible.

 

3.  NEVER UNDERESTIMATE WHAT GOD CAN DO

 

God has the best plan for your life and you have to surrender all to Him for it to work.  1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all our care upon Him, because He cares for us.  As God works in your life, never underestimate who or what He will use to make the impossible possible.

 

4.  GOD USES IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS TO TEACH US

 

God never wastes a trial.  He wants us to learn something from every situation we encounter.  As we study His Word He will take those difficult circumstances and use them to strengthen your faith.   Through them, He will show you His love and your need to depend upon Him.  He will also use these times to motivate you for greater service.

 

Take the time this week to read and study more about how God turned the impossible into possible when Jesus fed the thousands (John 6:1-14).  The exciting thing is He will do it for you too if you will allow Him and make sure to not put any "limits" on God (Psalm 78:41).  What are you facing that seems impossible?  God is ready to change it!

What's Next

Happy New Year!  I am expecting God to do great things in 2013 and I pray you are too.  Entering into this new year, should involve more than just reflecting on the past and promising to do better in the future.  To really make a difference you have to commit to more than just making a few "new year's resolutions."  You have to be ready and willing to address four areas in your life that will empower you to change where you are to where God wants you to be. 

• Opportunity --Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us we are to be very careful how we live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  As we look around it is very apparent that we live in a time where "evil"  is ever present.  To make the most of every opportunity, there are three areas you should examine. 

• A deeper walk with God -- begin today to make definite plans to set aside time for God. Don't say "I'll start tomorrow."  Do it today.
• Relationships need to be healed -- This begins with extending forgiveness even before you are asked.  You take the initiative to forgive and restore your relationships that are damaged.  Ask God to show you specific ways you can demonstrate love for others.
• Service to God and man -- Opportunities for service are unlimited.  Pray for God to open your eyes, heart, and wallet so you can see the hurting people around you and make a difference.

• Commitment -- Commitment isn't like a "new year's resolution."  Commitment begins with a focus on God not everything else such as finances, health, career, etc.  Although these are important, they must be approached from God's point of view.   Focus on God first and all the other stuff tends to fall into place.

• Change -- To change something means to alter or make it different and it is a process that starts on the inside of you.  Although God's principles never change, His methods do.  The first change you should make should be a "spiritual" change that will cause you to be more like Jesus.

• Vision -- The word "vision" literally means the ability to see things to come, to have foresight, or the power to perceive the invisible.  Without the ability to visualize worthy goals and how they can be realized, very little will be achieved.  When it comes to the Lord's work we need an elevated vision of what God is wanting to do. 

What are your plans for the new year?  Are you ready to make 2013 the best year yet?  You can when you take advantage of the opportunities God presents to you, and make a commitment  to focus on Him in every area of your life.  Then you must be willing to make the necessary changes God wants you to make and endeavor to allow God to keep His vision before you.  When you do that, 2013 is going to be great!