Love - Charity -Agape

1 Corinthians 13:8
Charity never faileth ...

The KJV uses Charity instead of the word love. In the Greek, the word is agape.

In the dictionary, Charity - is from the word caritas - Christian love.

God is agape love.

1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all your things be done with charity.

Colossians 3:14
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

I wonder why I make this so hard. I guess it is the goatly behavior of 'but'.

But they did this, do I have to love them?

But they hurt me, do I have to love them?

But they said mean things to me, do I have to love them?

But I don't want to do that, do I have to love them?

Love, charity, the agape God kind of love that is patient and kind, not boasting or arrogant, self serving, making records of wrongs.

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

I can have great faith, and wondrous hope, but it is the God kind of love that is greatest.

God is love, He died for us even while we were sinners, and welcomes us back into His Kingdom.

Love trumps all. Stronger than revenge, able to defeat evil, love never fails.

DAY 201

Psalm 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Still trying to get my trust balanced. Now I find out that not only is my trust rusty it is also picky.

The Lord showed me last night that not only do I need to trust Him, but I need to trust others. Trust that He is at work in the lives of those around me. Regardless of how I see it.

Whoa. God at least is worthy of trust. He does no wrong. But other people, like me, yikes. How am I to trust others?

We know He has placed authorities over us. Like them or not, God is still in control and holds the hearts of the leaders in His hand.

If He is working in my life, then I have to know that He is working in the lives of those around me. I have to relinquish the lie I've swallowed that it is up to me to fix the lives of those around me. Only God can do that.

I guess it all boils down to believing that God knows all things and has all things in His hands. Nothing happens that He doesn't know about.

Trust lives in the belief that God loves us. To the degree we understand God's love for us is the level we can trust.

Words are easy to say. Belief carries them down to the heart.

Romans 5:5

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

DAY 111

Full blown and blowing Spring. I love the new life that comes over the trees, grasses, and flowers.

Love, the love of God, how do we know He loves us?

There are times when you can feel that warm joy and peace. Maybe when you see an awesome site, or know that He worked on your behalf.

But what about the times when you feel dead, lost, alone? Is He still there and still loving you?

YES! God's love is not conditional. His grace is poured over us, like a never ending river of life, His love showers us. In those dry times, we don't see it or feel it, but it is still there. We don't see the wind, but it is there regardless.

Grab hold of His Word to sustain your faith in the dry times. These are rocks we can stand on. Truth that is not based on our feelings or circumstances.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Joh 15:9 - I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ...

These are but a few. Search and find those that speak to your heart and memorize them.

Stand fast and do not be deceived. God loves you.