Talking from my Heart
Thinking about church.
How it is supposed to be.
How God desires for us to meet together and to love one another.
I am praying about it. Heavily.
I am a church goer, I passionately love my God. However, sometimes
I find that church can be hard. It can hurt.
As I praying and thinking, this verse popped into my mind. It was about 3 a.m. when it came to me. When I got up I went to the Bible (the one I use online...Blue Letter Bible). I looked up the verse and began thinking about the love God is talking about.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
He's not talking about any old love, but the kind Jesus gave himself to us. The kind of love that is sacrificial and puts off self.
I must admit I am lacking in this kind of love very often.
When I read the definition of this love Jesus was speaking of I realized how short I fall.
Love: Greek-agapao;
1) of person
1) of person
a) to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly
2) of things (like church)
a) to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing
I need to continue to pray. Past disappointment. Past hurt. Looking to Him and looking hard at my own Love walk. I am sure that this is where I will find my answers, healing and peace. I want contentment and I want to experience Love.
For He calls us to gather together and asks us to Love one another; just the same way, as He loved us. Worship and church should be a reflection of His agape Love.
Lord, let it begin with me.
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8 comments:
Praying for you, Kimmie! This post reminded me of a sermon my Dad gave recently (his first sermon actually!). It was on this very passage, expanding on the very priniciples you found in this verse. If you'd like to hear it and be encouraged, here is the link: http://www.crosswayfl.org/content/growthtools_sermonsv2.aspx
Once you've reached the website, just click on Audio for the sermon by Jim Brown titled Love One Another.
I hope it encourages you to love in this new, deeper way!
Katie :)
Hmm... let's try that link again...
http://www.crosswayfl.org/content/growthtools_sermonsv2.aspx
If that still does not show up completely, I'll tell you what comes after /growthtools_
It's: sermonsv2.aspx
Sorry if that's confusing...
Katie :)
Thanks sweet Katie {>
Kimmie@overthemoonwithjoy
Yes, it's easy to greatly love those who love us back, but those in our church who aren't quite so lovable...I'm afraid I fall far short. Ohhh, imagine what the world would be like if we ALL love each other in the church as Christ loved us. Our light would burn so brightly that it would blind the world!
Praying here, too...
{{{Kimmie}}}
Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
I understand your feelings and love the way you shared your thoughts on this. Thank you Kimmie.
Please don't be too hard on yourself Kimmie. I don't think many people can attain that special love that Jesus had, thats one of the many things that make him special. Off hand I can't think of a more loving person than you so don't be in such an all fired hurry to uping your game or the rest of us will never catch up. Bob.
Sweet Kimmie,
I don't know what you're going through but I can imagine. I belong to the true church, the church of believers, of disciples, of followers.... but we don't attend services. Not anymore. This was a massive decision for us..... but one which has given us all a real sense of peace and freedom and our own family responsibility to continue the faith and the learning and the worshiping and the fellowshipping and the extension of hospitality and the praying here, in our home, within our little family. And we stretch out the love to others. We are still very much a part of the community. But yes, this has brought criticism and concern from friends, but I can only honestly tell you that since leaving the "church", I feel more than ever closer to my Lord and more a part of His "church". Confusing? Yes, probably! But oh what peace. The Sabbaths we now experience together are truly days of intentional rest and worship. For us, it's working.
The institutional church just doesn't sit well with me. It just doesn't. So, that's just us. But I understand. :) And I'll pray, for whatever God has in store for you next. xoxoxo
praying that love just oozes out of you!
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