Monday, Feb 09, 2009

TWG - February 9, 2009 - The Four Loves

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Well here I am again. Let me tell you about my weekend. Saturday I ran to the dump and went to men’s breakfast. Had a great time. Love being with those guys. After that Susan and I hung sheetrock. Well, she put screws in the wall while I did the hanging. We had to run to Lowes to pick up two more sheets. I guess I miscalculated. Then it was two long sessions of music practice. Sunday was our first session of Discovery Class II. It was well attended and went by so fast, I could hardly believe it! Church was awesome. We talked about something none of us do too well – Maturity! Susan wasn’t feeling well Sunday afternoon, and that made me a bit blue. Then Sunday evening we had a great Awana meeting and right in the middle of it a renter called to say we had a busted pipe and a leak! When we got there we were relieved to discover it was only an overflowed toilet! Whew! Crisis averted. That gets you up to date on my slice of life.

Today is February 9, this is time with God, I’m Pastor Dennis - I’ve been waiting here for you. Welcome to our life transforming community. Together we are strong. As we walk though the word together we help each other grow.

Today's Scripture reading is Joshua 17; Psalm 141; Luke 1:26-80
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com

Today’s thought comes from 1John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Love. Some people love chocolate, others love dogs. When I was a kid we used to say, “then marry it!” Love has many shades of meaning. We may love chocolate, but we are not “in love” with it, or are we? And sometimes we think we are in love and it is just infatuation. There is a difference between love for lovers, love for family and friends, and love for stuff. The Greek language has 4 different words for love, and even that doesn’t do the idea justice. 1st there is “storge” or fondness. It is affectionate love. We are fond of our acquaintances and some family members. We like having them around and we demonstrate affection towards them. 2nd there is “phileo” or Friendship. This is a bond between people who have a common interest. It’s like a fraternity, a club, or a fellowship. 3rd there is “eros,” It is a lovers love that encompasses all the feelings and passions of two people in love. This is the love that is blind. 4th there is “agape” love. This is unconditional love. This is a sacrificial love. It puts the other person first. It is the kind of love that is pictured by a man who says of his wife, “she is queen in my house!” He delights in his beloved. This is the kind of love that Jesus gave when he said, “no greater love has any man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” It is a Christian virtue. So which of these four did John use in 1 John 2:15? Do not be fond of the word? Do not be friends with the world? Do not be in love with the world? Or Do not agape the world (make it your beloved)? It is the last and highest of all loves that he chose. Do not agape the world! This encompasses all the loves. Don’t put the world first, don’t be infatuated with it, don’t make friends with it, and don’t be affectionate toward it. When he says “don’t love the world,” what he means is to do the opposite of love! Treat it with suspicion, guardedness and even hostility. It is not your friend! The world system is an enemy and we must be on the guard against its intrusions into our value system. Your spiritual life depends on it!

Dear Father. Help me to love you and not to love the world system. Please guard my heart and mind against its incursions into my life. I need you and I must have your love. Please help me to demonstrate the highest love possible for you and your kingdom.

You are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 10:31 AM |   

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