A review of our bible study texts for this year:  Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore and

He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer

Review Week 2:  Loving with A Single Minded Worship

The Fruit of the Spirit is:

1.       the supernatural outcome of being filled with the spirit

2.       the living proof that the Spirit of God dwells in us

3.       one fruit with NINE different qualities

Three general types of LOVE:

1.       Eros = longing and desire              is a selfish love, "what can I get for myself?"

2.       Philos = friend or companion       bonds over common interests or like pursuits, can turn sour                                                                       (James 2:23)

3.       Agape = unconditional                   the love God has for us, enables us to use our gifts 

                                                                   effectively (1 Corinthians 13)

a.       patient

b.      kind

c.       does not envy

d.      does not boast

e.      is not proud

f.        is not rude (Philippians 4:8; actions provoke thought cycle)

g.       rich in love and slow to anger (we cannot be rich in love with a quick temper!  Help me Holy Ghost!)

h.      no record of wrongs

i.         protects

j.        trusts

k.       always hopes

l.         never fails!

Beth Moore reminds us in this lesson, we will not open ourselves to LOVE if we are suffering from the wounds of rejection.  Agape demands that we continually surrender our hearts to God so that we are available to love those HE WANTS us to love.  But the first time your heart was rejected, you built a wall of protection and may even now only be offering God a sliver of your heart in fear that you will be hurt again.  You must understand:

1.       The wounds of rejection often remain fresh and never lose their sting

2.       Rejection will cause you to open the door to people, things, habits, activities and behaviors that you would otherwise never be inclined to.

3.       Rejection can fuel emotions and agendas that are destructive and devastating to you and those around you.

4.       Failing to heal spiritually from rejection will inhibit your relationship with God.

Steps to activating Agape Love:

1.       Ask God to reveal and divinely heal any past hurt from rejection.  This will be painful but we know God is faithful to walk with you through each step of the process.

2.       Recognize the people God has put in your life that require you to supercharge your  agape muscle.  Hint: Those people you would rather not deal with at all....yeah, her.

3.       Admit to God that you have no love for this person.  Even confess your disinterest in wanting to love this person. 

4.       Then, consider how God has loved you in your unlovable moments (yes, you have had some) and how God  would respond to this person according to the scriptures, not your feelings.

5.       Act IN OBEDIENCE and respond to them  as God would.  Before you even see them again, begin praying for them.  They will be blessed and you will be transformed.

6.       Lastly, worship and delight in experiencing God pouring AGAPE through you!

Remember:

"Agape begins as a response and ends with a feeling."  This system is opposite of our human nature.  We are sensory beings so most all we do starts with a feeling.  Agape require that you take control of your thinking and mindfully interact with others rather than be lead by your feelings.

Agape always shows.  From John 17 and John 13:34-35 we see that Christ loves us and we are commanded to love.  Not just love within our hearts but love demonstrated to each other.  This kind of love can only be experienced through the divine power of the Holy Spirit.  We cannot agape apart from God. Romans 5:5

Our worship is intentional, trained focus on God and takes the focus OFF of ourselves and on to:

1.       God's Glory

       From the Hebrew word "kabowd": abundance, riches, honor, dignity, splendor, and reputation  Ex. 24:17

It is all around us in creation.  It exceeds our comprehension.  It is reserved for just God. And it demands a response.

2.       God's Priorities

God is always concerned about people so you should always be concerned about relationships.

God has a plan for you.  You must accept it and prepare appropriately to fulfill it.

God operates with purpose.  And God's purpose is always to bring you closer.  The more intimate your relationship the better you will hear Him.

3.       God's Attributes

Power, Mercy, Justice:  All exemplified through the Fruit of the Spirit

4.       God's Acceptance

       Feeling condemned hinders hearing from God

We must accept as Christians that we are accepted and approved by God through Christ. 

5.       God's Approval

Deuteronomy 4:29  If we are looking for approval apart from God then we are not seeking God with our whole heart.  The true desires of your heart (fortune, fame, anger, bitterness, fear) may be dropping the call signal between  your ears and His voice.  Hearing God can only happen when you honestly, intimately surrender your heart completely.  God loves you unconditionally and already knows how imperfect you are.  He wants to love you through the process of transformation. Matthew 23:23-29, John 4:22-24

 

Personal Reflections

How is Agape Love connected to our Worship?

Can we worship God without experiencing Agape Love?

Think about your personal relationships.  What will you now begin to do to ensure that you are sharing Agape Love?

Have you given God your whole heart?  What takes greater inventory of your heart worship or your demonstrations of Love?

What would the life of a Christian who never experienced Agape Love look like?

 

I look forward to reading your comments.  Please share your reflections and/or any ways that your worship and love have been transformed and renewed.  Live Well!