Song of Love

Friday, I asked the Lord, "Lord, what's my next topic?"  After all this is Passover week and next Sunday is Easter. Then I waited patiently for his response.

Saturday, again I waited patiently, prayed my usual prayers and went about my daily routine, but still no response from the Lord.

Palm Sunday came and went.  Again, I waited patiently. I watched the Passion of the Christ and was reminded of  what my Lord went through and how He paid with His life for my salvation.  Whispering, I said "Thank You Jesus!"

It was still dark outside when I awoke early Monday morning .  I didn't immediately get up but rather prayed in bed. Then silence. Suddenly, my  much awaited response came to me:  Snippets of  Song of  Love was stirring in my spirit.   I was familiar with this song but couldn't remember who had performed it.  I remembered I had sung this song over and over again into my spirit when I had first heard it but I hadn't heard it now for the past few years.  By now it's more familiar as I know it's my God who is playing it in my spirit!  Reassured that this was my next topic, I awoke and made a few notes in my booklet outlining what I wanted to include, so I wouldn't forget in order to start my research.  Mornings are busy and I can get distracted with daily chores.

For now, though, let's take a look at the various definitions for love:

Love
noun, verb, loved, lov·ing.

–noun

1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.

3. sexual passion or desire.

4. a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.

5.(used in direct address as a term of endearment, affection, or the like): Would you like to see a movie, love?

6. a love affair;  an intensely amorous incident; amour.

7. the benevolent affection of god for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God.

verb (used with object)

8. to have love or affection for: All her pupils love her.

9. to have a profoundly tender, passionate affection for (another person).

10. to have a strong liking for; take great pleasure in: to love music.

11. to need or require; benefit greatly from: Plants love sunlight.

12. to embrace and kiss (someone), as a lover.

verb (used without object)

13. to have love or affection for another person; be in love. 
Verb phrase

14. love up, to hug and cuddle: She loves him up every chance she gets.

Idioms

15. for love,

     a. out of affection or liking; for pleasure.

     b. without compensation; gratuitously: He took care of the poor for love.

16. for the love of, in consideration of; for the sake of: For the love of mercy, stop that noise.

17. in love, infused with or feeling deep affection or passion: a youth always in love.

18. in love with, feeling deep affection or passion for (a person, idea, occupation, etc.); enamored of: in love with the girl next door; in love with one's work.

19. make love,

     a. to embrace and kiss as lovers.

     b. to engage in sexual activity.

20. no love lost, dislike; animosity: There was no love lost between the two brothers.

Origin:
Before 900;  (noun) Middle English; Old English

—Synonyms
1.  tenderness, fondness, predilection, warmth, passion, adoration.  Love, affection, devotion  all mean a deep and enduring emotional regard, usually for another person. Love  may apply to various kinds of regard: the charity of the Creator, reverent adoration toward God or toward a person, the relation of parent and child, the regard of friends for each other, romantic feelings for another person, etc. Affection  is a fondness for others that is enduring and tender, but calm. Devotion  is an intense love and steadfast, enduring loyalty to a person; liking, inclination, regard, friendliness, adulate, worship.

—Antonyms
hatred, dislike, detest, hate.
 
Wow!  That's a great deal of various definitions for Love; however, I'm only addressing the Love of  God towards his creation.

The following scriptures reflect God's standards of  love towards us, his creation:

• Deuteronomy 6:5  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  
• Deuteronomy 7:9  “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; 
• Deuteronomy 23:5 Nevertheless the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.
•  Deuteronomy 30:6  And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. 
• Psalm 45:7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions. 
• Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy,  And to walk humbly with your God?
• Zephaniah 3:17: 

      The LORD your God in your midst,

      The Mighty One, will save;
      He will rejoice over you with gladness,
      He will quiet you with His love,
      He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Rebecca St. James

Song of Love

• Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 
• Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
• John 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

Rebecca St. James

Power of Your Love

• John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

And finally,  His ultimate gift of Love, Father God gave his Son, Jesus Christ:

• John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus, here am I, to worship you in spirit and in truth. I give you my gifts and talents in writing, to continue in your will. My hands are yours to do with as you desire.

Father God, I pray in the Name of Jesus, that your message spreads out to the world and that anyone reading this entry, carries it forward into their hearts and continues to spread your love forward.

Jesus, truly you are an awesome God! I love you Lord and thank you for showering your love over me and mine.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?  No?  Then pray this prayer of salvation:

Prayer of Salvation

We don't deserve it;
He Is Willing to Give It to You

Heavenly Father:  I come to your throne of  Grace, Splendor, and Majesty  in the name of Jesus Christ.  Your Word says that "whosoever shall call on the name of  the Lord, shall be saved" and "if thou shall confess with thy mouth, the name of  the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thy heart, that He died and that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

You said that my salvation would be the result of  the Holy Spirit giving me new birth by coming to live in me and that if I would ask, you would fill me with your Spirit and also give me the ability to speak in other tongues.

I take you at your word:  I confess that Jesus Christ is your son and is Lord.  I believe that He died and you raised him from the dead.  Father God, please forgive me of my sins, transgressions and iniquities--my faults and weaknesses.  I'm sorry.

Thank you for coming into my heart, for giving me your Holy Spirit, as you promised, and for being Lord over my life. Amen.


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Scriptures courtesy: Biblegateway
Reference: Abide In Me
Article courtesy: Corpus Christi Website Designs

Ask The Lord

Preparing for this particular posting, I prayed to the Lord and I asked for his help to create and develop it according to his will.  After all, going to the Creator would be the best way to do it!  So, what did I do?  I asked the Lord!
I was reading the Book of Zechariah and the first passage struck my spirit:

Zechariah 10

¹ Ask the LORD for rain
In the time of the latter rain.The LORD will make flashing clouds;
He will give them showers of rain,
Grass in the field for everyone.

When we ask the Lord, the result is: He will give! However, it's conditional.  God is not your personal genie.  He is not going to give to you if you do not ask with a right heart.

James 4:2

² You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

James 4:3

³ You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Ask is defined as a verb (used with and without an object), with it's origins, and synonyms:

verb (used with object)

1. to put a question to; inquire of: 

2. to request information about:

3. to try to get by using words; to request: to ask advice; to ask a favor.

4. to solicit from; request of: Could I ask you a favor? Ask her for advice.

5. to demand; expect: What price are they asking? A little silence is all I ask.

6. to set a price of: to ask $20 for the hat.

7. to call for; need; require: This experiment asks patience.

8 .to invite: to ask guests to dinner.

Verb (used without object)

10. to make inquiry; inquire: to ask about a person.

11. to request or petition (usually followed by for ): to ask for leniency; to ask for food.

Origin

Before 900; Middle English asken, axen, Old English āscian, āxia

Synonyms

to: question, interrogate. sue, appeal. beseech, beg, entreat. 
 

Following are a few supporting scriptures asking the Lord and how the children of  Israel asked the Lord; He answered them:

Judges 20:23

²³ Then the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until evening, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, “Shall I again draw near for battle against the children of my brother Benjamin?” 

And the LORD said, “Go up against him.”   
1 Samuel 1:20

²⁰ So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.” 

1 Samuel 1:27

²⁷ For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.

1 Samuel 12:17

¹⁷ Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the LORD, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking a king for yourselves."

1 Kings 3:11

¹¹ Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,

1 Kings 3:13

¹³ And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.

2 Chronicles 1:11

¹¹ Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—

2 Chronicles 20:4 

⁴ So Judah gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

Isaiah 7:11

¹¹ “Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; ask it either in the depth or in the height above."

Isaiah 45:11

¹¹ Thus says the LORD,
      The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker:

      “ Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons;
      And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.

Isaiah 58:2

² Yet they seek Me daily,
   And delight to know My ways,
   As a nation that did righteousness,
   And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.
   They ask of Me the ordinances of justice;
   They take delight in approaching God.

John 15:16 

¹⁶ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask  the Father in My name He may give you.

  
John 16:23-24
²³ “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
²⁴ Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

From Him comes:

• life
• liberty
• shelter
• finances
• happiness
• food
• rain for growing food
• clothing
• healing
• counsel
• victory over a battle
• wisdom
• knowledge
• redemption
• salvation

Pray (ask) for all areas of your life.  Receive the Lord of your Salvation; ask Him into your life; acknowledge Him. Don't assume that because He already knows what you need before you ask that you don't need to ask.  Asking, a form of communication, establishes a relationship.

If you do not ask, you do not receive; however, there is someone standing at the ready for you if you do not cover yourself with the Lord:


Luke 22:31

³¹ And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?  No?  Then pray this prayer of salvation:

Prayer of Salvation

We don't deserve it;
He Is Willing to Give It to You

Heavenly Father:  I come to your throne of  Grace, Splendor, and Majesty  in the name of Jesus Christ.  Your Word says that "whosoever shall call on the name of  the Lord, shall be saved" and "if thou shall confess with thy mouth, the name of  the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thy heart, that He died and that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

You said that my salvation would be the result of  the Holy Spirit giving me new birth by coming to live in me and that if I would ask, you would fill me with your Spirit and also give me the ability to speak in other tongues.

I take you at your word:  I confess that Jesus Christ is your son and is Lord.  I believe that He died and you raised him from the dead.  Father God, please forgive me of my sins, transgressions and iniquities--my faults and weaknesses.  I'm sorry.

Thank you for coming into my heart, for giving me your Holy Spirit, as you promised, and for being Lord over my life. Amen.

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Scriptures courtesy: Biblegateway
Reference: Abide In Me
Article courtesy: Corpus Christi Website Designs

Fields of Grace

Grace, the freely given, unmerited favor and love of god. This word appears approximately 145 times in the bible.  I also noticed grace appearing simultaneous with mercy, peace and truth in the bible.  Let's take a look at the blessings and consequences with and without grace that affect all areas of our lives:

It's Origin:
1125–75; Middle English  < Old French  < Latin grātia  favor, kindness, esteem, derivative of grātus  pleasing
 

Grace is defined as: 

–noun

1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.

2.a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.

3.favor or good will.

4.a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior: 

5.mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.

6.favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.

7.an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable granted to the debtor before suit can be brought against him or her or a penalty applied:

 Theology .

     a.the freely given, unmerited favor and love of god.

     b.the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.

     c.a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.

     d.Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.

8.moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.

9.a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given.

10.to favor or honor: to grace an occasion with one's presence.

—Idioms

11.fall from grace.
 
Theology. 

     a.to relapse into sin or disfavor.

     b.to lose favor; be discredited: He fell from grace when the boss found out he had lied.

12.have the grace to, to be so kind as to: 

13.in someone's good / bad graces, regarded with favor (or disfavor) by someone: It is a wonder that I have managed to stay in her good graces this long.

14.with bad grace, reluctantly; grudgingly: He apologized, but did so with bad grace. 
15.with good grace, willingly; ungrudgingly: She took on the extra work with good grace.

Grace is but one of many of God's character, his attitude of  truth, mercy, and compassion towards his creation--mankind.  

We're polluted with sin.  We fail.  We fall from doing what is right.  We bow down to the weakness of temptation.  Yet, in His grace God hasn't totally destroyed man. We don't deserve God's kindness but because of his grace, he saves us from sin.  Grace is a blessing from God, releasing his love, patience, healing virtue, protection, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, kindness, thoughtfulness, joy, and peace that surpasses all understanding, a release from bondage:

Genesis 6:8
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Exodus 33:12‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’
Ezra 9:8
And now for a little while grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage.

Grace is also a spirit:

Zechariah 12:10And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
Hebrews 10:29
Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

So how about the consequences for the lack of grace?  Without God's grace, destruction is released because there isn't any protection to guard you, no love, no kindness, just an empty place in our lives.  No understanding, no wisdom, no happiness is found without God.  If you don't want to participate in God's eternal world (heaven), he will withdraw his grace.  What a pain, what a loss!  To live forever without God...unimaginable! Choose!  Do not deny the Lord Jesus Christ from being a part of  your life.

Hebrews 12:15
looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 
Hebrews 13:9
Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

Fields of Grace 

by Big Daddy Weaver

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.
Proverbs 3:34
Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.
John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Just A Closer Walk WithThee

by B.J. Thomas

1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?  No?  Then pray this prayer of salvation:

Prayer of Salvation

We don't deserve it;
He Is Willing to Give It to You

Heavenly Father:  I come to your throne of  Grace, Splendor, and Majesty  in the name of Jesus Christ.  Your Word says that "whosoever shall call on the name of  the Lord, shall be saved" and "if thou shall confess with thy mouth, the name of  the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thy heart, that He died and that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

You said that my salvation would be the result of  the Holy Spirit giving me new birth by coming to live in me and that if I would ask, you would fill me with your Spirit and also give me the ability to speak in other tongues.

I take you at your word:  I confess that Jesus Christ is your son and is Lord.  I believe that He died and you raised him from the dead.  Father God, please forgive me of my sins, transgressions and iniquities--my faults and weaknesses.  I'm sorry.

Thank you for coming into my heart, for giving me your Holy Spirit, as you promised, and for being Lord over my life. Amen.

Revelation 22:21
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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Scriptures courtesy: Biblegateway
Reference: Abide In Me
Article courtesy: Corpus Christi Website Designs