He loves you, yea, yea, yea

Hello fellow seekers,

I missed you yesterday after a long weekend fellow-shipping with some awesome, spirit-filled believers in Chicago, but we are together again now, so let's rejoice in pray:

Lord, I thank you for every person in this world who knows You are God, You are the Lord, and You are the answer to any question in our hearts. I thank you for every hurting heart that is still wondering if you are real, and I ask You to reveal Yourself in an awe-inspiring way to each on of us.

Give us a sense of wonder at Your love for us. Make us be more aware than ever of how unique, special, and important we are to You. Fill our hearts with joy today, Lord, in the way only Your Holy Spirit can. Let our hearts be still, and know that You are God. In the name of Jesus, amen.

OK, I am ready to dive in and see how wondrous this God of ours is, how about you?

We spoke last time about learning to appreciate ourselves, just as we are right now. We talked about the importance of being authentic, being real and genuine. The truth is, we can't be it, until we know it.

Because all true change begins in the heart. Everything you do in life is going to be far more effective and meaningful if you start by changing the way you see yourself, and the way you treat yourself. The first belief that must change if you are going to develop true joy in being who you are, is this:

The false belief that your worth is the sum of what you have done for others, the result you have created by your efforts, and the stamp of approval, or disapproval, that's been placed on your psychological forehead.

Read John 5:41-44

41"I do not accept praise from _____, 42but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of _____ in your hearts. 43I have come in my Father's name, and you do not ______me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44How can you _______if you accept ______ from one another, yet make no effort to ________the praise that comes from the only God?" New International Version

See, we put more stock in fallible human being's opinions of us, than we do of God's opinion of us! That's backwards. People don't save our souls, God does by the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Who among your family and friends is willing to undergo what Jesus has for you? They might love you, they might be willing to die for you in a crisis, but think of taking on all of your sin, allowing yourself to be whipped until your flesh hung from your body, then crucified on a cross with spikes pounded through your wrists and ankles while being mocked and spit upon. No takers?

I care about the opinion of the one who not only planned me down to my DNA, made me, watched over me, protected me from all manner of harm that I put myself in, sent His Holy Spirit to speak to my heart daily, gives me wisdom and insight, comforts me when no human can, and has set aside a place in heaven for me to live for eternity in peace and joy. That's someone whose opinion I put above all others.

Read these scriptures:

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

1 John 4:9-12
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.

John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.


He loves you. Got it? I know that guy told you he loved you then treated you like dirt, I know that woman cheated on you and laughed at your pain, I know your father or mother didn't know how to parent you, I know those "friends" abused you, I know you can't call anyone sister or brother, I know.

And I know that He loves you.

Come back tomorrow to start learning to love you, too.

Love, Karen

Photo by iMAGINE, courtesy of http://www.photoxpress.com/

Ready, set, hooray! You are a revolutionary!

Welcome back!

What a wonderful day to mark the beginning of our new lives as Love Revolutionaries. Let's pray before we begin today's lesson:

Lord, what a journey we are on. I just want to sit in silence a moment and let You speak to my heart. Along the way You have inspired my dreams and goals. You have given me divine sparks of enthusiasm to help hurting people, and are still working in my spirit to help me overcome the prejudices and preconceptions that have stopped me from reaching out in the past. Talk to me Lord as I spend this moment receiving Your love again. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Now, sit for a few moments.

I feel inspired by these thoughts:
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We were asked to review the goals we set previously. Did you do that?
What are your revamped goals as a Love Revolutionary now?
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Your mission is take this information and do one thing each day to bring you closer to your goal.

The one thing I will do today to bring me closer to my goal above, is:
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Great -that's all there is to it. Easy, right?

Meet me here tomorrow as we learn an important tool in living the life of joy and peace that God intends for all of us, even revolutionaries. It's how to Stress Less.

Thank you for being a fellow love revolutionary with me. I have been blessed by knowing you were out there, a part of the same journey.

Lord, You have given us each our own mission as Love Revolutionaries. Give us whatever we need to follow through. In Jesus' name, amen.

See you tomorrow and love, Karen

Your first assignment as a revolutionary

Hello - welcome again to A Good Bible Study. Pray with me.

Lord, here we are again, seeking Your Word and Your Wisdom. I pray that each lesson You have revealed to each of us through this study, will become a part of who we are, of what we do, and how we live out our lives. Don't let this be one more thing we "did," then forgot as we went on to the next emotional, spiritual experience. A true revolution creates lasting change - and I want the changeto last in each person who sees this study, today or any other day. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Are you ready for your first assignment? It's not too difficult.

Name one thing different about you today, than from when you began this study:
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God met each of us where we were a few weeks ago, and He brought us to where we are today, hopefully more aware of His love, and for His desire for us to show that love to someone else.

Do you remember when we looked up 1 Corinthians 9:19-23? Read it again now.

Paul met people where they were. He didn't judge their practices, he embraced them so that he could relate to hurting people. Does that mean we should begin taking drugs, or committing crimes to show people we accept them? No, no, no. Come on and tell me you know the difference:
We should ________________________________________
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That's right. It means to stop judging people based on where they are at emotionally, morally, and socially and see their immediate needs.

No one cares about your message until they know you care about them.

Did you get that one, 'cause it's a good one. Read it one more time for good measure.

Think about the people you see on a daily basis: in the market, at work, in church, on the street where you live; those who are young, or old, or poor, even those who are sophisticated or highly educated.  Are there some specific ways you can change in order to relate to these people?
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How about your church, if you have one? Would all of these people be welcome there, or only some of them?
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In The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, by Joyce Meyer, we are asked to pretend for just a moment that you are meeting a friend. You are going to explain to this friend that you've joined a revolution. In fact, you have received a call to be a world-changing, life-changing operative - and this revolution is really going to make a positive difference in people's lives!

You'll explain that there has been training; there is an operations manual and a field guide. "There will be risks, daily maneuvers, special operations and programs, uncertainty, some uncomfortable conditions, and may be even some danger. And part of your assignment is to find others who have a desire for change and revolution!"

What would you say? How would you explain this to your friend?
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OK, now that you have figured out what you will say, who can you meet and tell it to? Who can you witness to about your faith and discover who will join you as a fellow revolutionary?

Write the names of two or three people to whom you can tell your story?
1. ______________________________
2. ______________________________
3. ______________________________

When and where will you arrange to meet with these people?
Date: __________________- Location: _______________
Date: __________________- Location: _______________
Date: __________________- Location: _______________

Read Philippians 1:6 and then pray with me:

Lord, change is scary. You have called us to change, to revolutionize the lives of those we meet. You have promised You will complete the work You begin in us so I know what You started, You will bring to the fullness of completion. All I need to do is be willing. I am willing, Lord. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Love, Karen

Photo by Christopher Meder, courtesy of http://www.photoxpress.com/

Rebel, or revolutionary?

Welcome back to A Good Bible Study!

Pray with me:

Heavenly Father, thank You for continuing to bless each person reading this. Thank You for continuing to work in our hearts to not only receive Your love, but share it with others. We are Your revolutionaries now - In Jesus' name, amen.

We talked about forgiveness recently. Have you changed your beliefs regarding active forgiveness since that discussion? If so, how? If not, why?
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What's so important about forgiveness anyway?

Read Ephesians 4:32

So, answer again, why is important to forgive others?
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Love Revolutionaries do things differently than most people. That's the thing about being a revolutionary - you bring about change. What is the difference between a revolutionary and a rebel?

In The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, Paul Scanlon, Pastor of Abundant Life Church, is quoted as saying, " Rebels are known for what they are against, but revolutionaries are known for what they are for."

As Love Revolutionaries we are going to be challenged to do some things differently, and that can be uncomfortable. Joyce Meyer says that "Often we see the need for change, and we learn about and pray for change, but then when it comes, it frightens us and makes us uncomfortable. Have there been things in our study that have challenged you or made you a bit uncomfortable?"

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What have you learned that you can do when you come up against fear, such as the fear of reaching out to someone who needs to know Christ, or the fear of making changes when people are used to us as we are?
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I encourage you to pray when you feel afraid, or unsure. The Holy Spirit is always with you, always listening and ready to answer your every need. God wants us to turn to Him, He promises that He is our strength, an ever present help in every storm. Let's pray now:

Lord, change is uncomfortable. It's very tempting to crawl back to our familiar way of doing things, even if those ways are bringing us pain, or keeping us in fear. Help us to remember that You have promised never to leave or forsake us. Help us come to You, allow Your comfort, and to choose to believe that You are working on it! In the name of Jesus, amen.

Love, Karen

This man went to heaven, and returned with a message for you

Hello again - it is good to see you in A Good Bible Study!

Let's pray:

Father, thank you again for meeting with us, for if two or more are gathered together in Your name, You are here! It is such a blessing to find so many examples of Your love, every where I look. You say if we search for You we will find You. I realize the more the I dwell on Your love and Your goodness, the more I see it! Give us more, Lord, more than we can almost take! In the name of Jesus, amen.

Taking a segue from our Joyce Meyer book, The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, but not from the subject of love, I want to share with you a video.

It's from this mornings television show "It's Supernatural, with Sid Roth." You might think supernatural means satanic. That is not true. According to Mirriam-Webster's dictionary, Supernatural means :

1. of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe; especially : of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil

2. a : departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature
    b : attributed to an invisible agent (as a ghost or spirit)
 
God is very much super-natural, He is beyond the visible observable universe except when He chooses to be otherwise. God made all the laws, and He bends them at His will.

We'd all love to have a sign, to have proof of God's love, right? What if you could talk to someone who had direct experience with God, face to face?
 
Watch this interview between Sid Roth and Dean Braxton. Dean died when his heart stopped for 1 hour and 45 minutes. In this interview he relates what his experience was during the time he was dead.

Some of the things he said rang so true that I began to weep and praise God while watching:

DEAN: "But what got me about his eyes is I literally saw the love for me, like I was the only creation of his that he loved, knowing that he loved everyone else, knowing that he loves you and everyone else on this planet. But I came to understand that in his eyes when he looks at me he loves me like I’m the only creation that he loves. People got to really understand that. Sometimes we don’t understand the deepness of his love for us.

SID: It’s a different type of love.

DEAN: It’s a different type, yes, yes. It was created just for me. The love for you is created just for you. So I can’t take his love away that he has for you away from you and you can’t take his love he has for me away from me. His love that he has for you, understand this, Sid, is created literally for you."

Have you ever wanted to know what awaits you in heaven? Watch this for Dean's experience. Comment back to me when you are finished. 
 
Love, Karen
 
Photo by Karsten Fischbach, courtesy of http://www.photoxpress.com/

R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find out what it means to me

Hello - it's good to see you again at A Good Bible Study! Let's pray and receive God's love and wisdom together:

Lord, so many things rush through my mind as I sit down to read your Word. Calm my spirit Lord, and help me to rest in the knowledge that You will order my day. In the name of Jesus, amen.

We talked about God's never ending love for you and for me. We talked about the fact that He loved us long before we ever became aware of His presence. He accepts our faults even as He helps us become aware of a desire to change. He knew what He was getting into when He created You, and when He called you.

If you are reading this, you have been called to His purpose. Don't freak out. It's o.k. Nothing changes until you ask for change.

Look at all the relationships in your life, in your past. How many did you walk away from when it didn't feel good anymore, when you didn't feel appreciated, approved of, or excited about? Think about the people for whom you turned off the love. Who were they and why did you end the relationship?
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As humans, there are times when it is loving to ourselves, and ultimately to others, to end a relationship, as long as we are honest about the cause. People can't change if everyone accepts their bad behavior or don't explain what it is they are doing to cause you to move on. That's what people do.

I am so glad that no matter how unloving I have been in my past, God has never had enough of me, and moved on. He feels the same about you!

The fact is, we can't cut off everyone who doesn't please us, or lift us up, or meet our needs all the time. Nor can we bring hurting people to know God's love if we won't accept them where they are at right now.

How can we be in relationship with people "in training?" By setting boundaries.

Boundaries define what we will and will not allow in our relationships. They are enforced not so much with words, but with our responses. When we are teaching a small child, so much of what they pick up is by watching us and observing our responses to their behavior. If I am pleased, I smile. If I do not want a behavior repeated, I say a firm, "No." and show what I want to happen, instead. People learn the same way as adults.

Letting others know our expectations for treatment, showing pleasure when we are treated well, and saying, "No" when we are not (then showing what we expect in the future) goes a long way in strengthening relationships. Like small children, adults will test our boundaries a time or two.

I have found that if I know what I expect, know how I will respond when treated with respect, and how I will respond when I am not treated well, there is no need to argue my case. I do what I say I will do with love, with compassion, and with resolve. People will learn the door is always open as long as respect is maintained.

We all want to be respected. We all gravitate towards people who respect themselves, and respect others.

The next time you are tempted to cut someone out of your life, pray about it first. Ask God to reveal any way you have allowed this behavior, even encouraged it by not addressing it before. Ask for the courage to speak up and make some new boundaries.

No one needs to approve your boundaries, and at first, no one is going to like them, either. Respect yourself enough to stick to your word, and soon others will not only respect you, but will try to follow in your example.

Read James 1:5

"If any of you lacks _________, let him as of God, who gives to all liberally and without approach." NKJV

The wisdom mentioned refers to insight as to how to learn from one's difficulties (Nelson Study Bible Notes)See Proverbs 29:15

""Correction and discipline (or the rod and rebuke) give wisdom." NKJV

Lord, as we begin to help hurting people, we realize that not everyone is going to know how to receive our kindness. We might be mocked, laughed at, or be met with resentment. Give us hearts that see past the anger to the pain. Instead of condescension, help us demonstrate true compassion. Let us help not to show others how helpful we are, but to show others how heart-broken we are for their needs. Give us a sense of self-respect, so we are not at the mercy of other's opinions. Help us stand strong, so others know they can trust us to help them grow. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Love, Karen

Photo by Luisafer, courtesty of http://www.photoxpress.com/

Can you feel the change?

Welcome back to A Good Bible Study - it's good to see you!

After a day of rest yesterday, I am excited to get back in the Word of God! Let's pray:

Father, thank you for giving us rest. Help us to take advantage of Your good commandment and obey. It is so important to recharge our batteries and love ourselves! We forget that without us, a lot of what other people enjoy in our homes, just wouldn't happen. So empower us Lord to obey You here. Thank you, and in the name of Jesus, amen.

As we near the end of our focus for this particular series, The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, by Joyce Meyer,we are becoming, more and more, Love Revolutionaries. Can you feel the change?

It might have started out with a fervor and is now mellowing into a strong undercurrent of our daily lives. Perhaps for you it has been slowly building as you see the effects of loving God, loving others and loving yourself, in action. May be you came out of the gate with a new burning goal to put love in action and have not looked back since.

In whatever way the Love Revolution is working itself out in your life, I am proud of you. You've stuck with me and are allowing yourself to let love in and let love work in you, and through you. We are not done yet, but I want you to spend some time today thinking about the changes you have experienced over the past few weeks as a result of your time in this study. Share some with the rest of us in the comments. No one wants to feel alone.

The greatest change I have experienced is feeling more sense of responsibility for the way I love my immediate family. I want them to have my best love, my kindest tone of voice, my most sincere apologies and most immediate forgiveness.

For some of you that is an easy task, but it can be a challenge for me especially when I am under deadlines and have a busy schedule. Then I am quicker to bark orders than say please, much of the time. This has been a continuing journey for me over the past few years, remembering "Relationship First, Schedule Second" and the Love Revolution is helping me keep the heat under my heels.

In what ways are you changing, or seeing the need for change? Write out your answer, it is much more powerful when you do:
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Pray along with me:

Father, I want Your love more than anything else in this world. I can't even love myself without You, much less anyone else. Not in a way that fills me up, instead of slowly draining me dry. Lord, I just can't do it all without You. There is not enough of me to go around. Give me what I lack, Lord. I want to love You with all that I have. I want to love others because I have so much love I just can't stand not to share it. I want to treat myself with love, because I am the image of You, and I am worth loving. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Love, Karen

Photo by Dabobabo, courtesy of Photoxpress.com

Who loves you, baby?

Hello! Welcome again to A Good Bible Study - let's pray and get into the Word.

Dear heavenly Father, help us to set aside our busy plans for just  few moments and spend time with You. Help us to remember that when we give ourselves this time, our whole day goes better, our moods are more stable and peaceful, and our family is able to see us at our best. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Way back in the first chapter of The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, by Joyce Meyer, we looked at Matthew 22:37-39. Let's re-read that passage now.

There are two parts of Jesus' instructions. The first has to do with much of what we have focused on in this study: actively loving God (and as a result, His people.) The other is equally important: loving your neighbor as yourself.

Was that more than yourself? Was that instead of yourself? No. It was as yourself, the same as yourself, like you do yourself.

If you don't love yourself, care for yourself, protect yourself, how are you supposed to do it properly for anyone else?

Joyce Meyer says it this way, "You have to spend time loving yourself. That doesn't mean being in love with yourself; it means to respect yourself enough to take care of yourself."

In our society, we are told we need to work (at home, in business, at a job, to help others) in order to be valuable. God says you are of value, and that is why you need to have balance between work and rest. The standard God set is 6 days of work, and 1 day of rest.

How can you plan your week so that you are taking the 7th day for your rest and recuperation?
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I take care of my family Sunday through Friday, and while I don't ignore them on Saturday, that's the day I am "off-duty." We all eat cereal or sandwiches or whatever we want that day, and no one is allowed to ask me to take them to a friend's, go to the grocery store, help with a project, or do a load of laundry, because it's my day off, period.

Sometimes I snuggle with the kids and watch family movies all day long. Other times I read, or sit outside and brush my dogs or watch the kids play tag. I do whatever I don't have time for the rest of the week and wish I did.

I encourage you to find a way to re-fill your tank on the 7th day. You will find you are more productive the other 6 days, too. Taking care of yourself also means you have the energy and the desire to give to others. Respecting yourself enables you to know when to say "yes," and when to say "maybe, later."

Try it this week and let me know how it goes. It might be difficult at first. When I implemented Mom's Day Off about two years ago, I had to shut off my phone ringer to stop my husband and friends from calling on that day to ask me for favors or to join them for activities. At first everyone thought it was a little weird.

But, you know what? I didn't care. I was tired. I was run down from always giving and doing for others and never giving or doing for myself. I have more balance now, and it started with loving and respecting myself . . . as I do others.

Lord, thank you for giving us a day off. Thank you for always going first and showing us the way. Help us to be good to ourselves, because You love us and we are valuable. I thank you in the name of Jesus, amen.

Love, Karen

Photo by Pavel Losevsy, courtesy of Photoxpress.com

A revolutionary is who you are, not what you do

Hello again! It is so good to see you here at A Good Bible Study. Let's pray and get right into the Word:

Lord, thank you for this time and opportunity to share Your love with each other through this study. I ask you to open the eyes, ears, and hearts of each of us reading these words right now. Give us a burning passion to learn who You are and who we are to You, and give each of us an unquenchable will to receive all the Wisdom You have to for us in this message, and in Your Word. Change us today - change us for the rest of our lives! In the name of Jesus, amen.

Do you remember last week when we explored our gifts, talents, and resources? We each came up with one idea to put into action. Have you followed through on that intention? Why or why not?
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Martin Smith, Delirious?, said, "When we think of worship . . . our minds go to Sunday morning in a church building . . . (but) you can't start a revolution with nineteen minutes of singing together. It has to be your whole life."

I say, it has to be who you are, not what you do.

When I do things because I "should," but don't really have a heart for, after a while, I start avoiding doing those things. I either have to get back to the heart of why I should do it, and get excited about that why, or I need to stop doing it and find something I do have a passion for instead. Does that make sense?

Paul said we are the church, not some building we meet in. The church (that's you and me) has got to love God and love each other every day, not just during the sermon or the hymns.

Read Ephesians 1:22-23 below, and also look it up in your own bible to compare.

"And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way." New International Version

Now read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 below and in your own bible.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." New Interntional Version

So, church . . . In The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, Joyce Meyer asks us what obstacles we are facing in setting and taking action on our Love Revolution goals?
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Go back and re-read what you wrote about your gifts, talents, passions, and resources. Does the goal you set fit in with those abilities and desires? If so, what will you do this week to take one more step toward doing something to accomplish your plan?
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If what to chose is something you realize is not a good fit, right now, think of something you can do, no matter who grand or how small, today to make it a reality. Remember, every mountain is climbed by taking one step at a time, in one direction. Every day, it is just one step at a time.

I will do _______________________________________________ today as the first step in achieving my revolutionary goal of ___________________________________
______________________________________________________!

Congratulations! The first step is the hardest and you can do it!

Lord, thank you for helping me re-focus on letting my love be an action, not just a loft idea. Give me wisdom as I use the passions, the drives, the gifts and talents You have given me to enable me to enjoy helping others and showing them love. Make it clear to me who I need to contact. Show me what resources are available that I am not aware of. Open the doors for me Lord, and give me the will to walk through! I want to be excited about something Lord! In Your name, amen.

Love, Karen

Photo by Laurent Hamels, courtesy of Photoxpress.com

Q-TIP (quit taking it personally)

Welcome back to A Good Bible Study! I hope you have had as wonderful a week as me - if not, we are going to change all that right now. Let's pray:

Father, we thank you for the beauty you have created in our world - it helps to offset the evil that tries to ruin the good for us. Help us to keep our eyes on You, on Your beauty, Your love for us. Help us to remember that hurting people, hurt. Give us hearts so full of love that all we can see in those who can't seem to get along with anyone, is their need for, and fear of, love. Let us be the key to unlock someone's heart to love. Help us to remember to use Q-TIP when we are tempted to quit it! In the name of Jesus, amen.

Let's dive right into chapter seven of The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, by Joyce Meyer. Read 2 Corinthians 11:24-28.

Sometimes all we get for our trouble to help others is mistreatment. Has that ever happened to you?
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Afterwards, are you tempted to just say, "forget you then, see if I care what happens?"
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In the above passage, Paul was not boasting about what a great martyr he was, in fact, he reluctantly boasted because he needed to remind his church of his true motives in defense of the charges false teachers were spreading about him.

There he was, having been beaten with whips five times, beaten with thick sticks three times, was stoned once (usually fatal), shipwrecked three times, and once survived a day and a night alone in the sea. Due to his traveling all around to spread the Word, Paul was always in danger from robbers, other Jews who sought to silence him, from wild animal attacks, and now false teachers seeking to profit themselves by discrediting him!

Could you continue to travel and preach under these conditions? Today, I think a lot of people would tell Paul that these hardships were a sign that God was not with him, didn't support him, or was trying to punish Paul for some kind of sin.

What would people tell you if all your efforts resulted in your being beaten, hunted, almost murdered, and frequently "torn apart" in the media, today?
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Paul was forced to recite all he had put up with in the pursuit of everyone else's happiness in order to demonstrate that he was not in this for money or for fame, and he really didn't care if it cost him his life, his freedom, or his health. He would not rest until everyone, even those who mistreated him, knew and believed in the love, the eternal love, of Jesus Christ.

Name one thing you believe in so strongly you would go through literally anything to promote?
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Would Paul go through all that if he didn't really, truly, in his heart of hearts, know that it was not only the truth, but it was worth anything to share? Otherwise, Paul would have sold us a feel-good bill of sale that would only break your commitment at the first disappointment. Been there, felt that, how about you?

Look, God isn't going to sell you a fairy tale. He doesn't lie to us and say if we believe in Him then He will take away all pain, all disappointment, and all critical voices . . . at least not during our earthly lives. Quite the opposite, in fact.

He promises others will laugh at our expense. He guarantees there will be hardships. He assures us there will be opportunities to take the easy way out in this life, and give up the life-altering rewards in the next. But He won't pull your leg and say do this, and everything will work out the way you have always wanted and everyone will just applaud your every move.

He does promise that with or without Him, life can be very hard. And He promises to be with you, and me, when it is easy and when it is unbearable. He promises that if we let Him, He will show us the way out. Finally, He promises to fill us up with hope, love, joy, and peace no matter what is going on in our lives if we ask Him, and if we choose to believe in His willingness to do so.

He even promises that no matter what happens, if we go thought hardships because of our dedication to Him, and others don't understand, others try to stop us, or in the worst cases, we or those we love lose our lives in order to stay faithful, it will . . . be . . . worth it.

But how can we help people that are not like us, or don't even like us? Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 to discover how Paul was able to relate to so many different kinds of people and share the love of Jesus:

"For though I am _____ from all men, I have made myself a ________ to all, that I might win the more, and to the _____, I become as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the ______, as under the law; to those who are without law, as ________ law (not being without law toward _____, but under law towards ________), that I might win those who are ______ law, to the ______, that I might ____ the weak. I have become all things to _____ men, that I might be all means ______ some. Now I do this for the _______ sake, that I may be _______ of it with you." New King James Version

My Nelson Study Bible says this commentary about the above verse:

    ~Paul was willing to conform to the customs of other people, whether Jew or Gentile, in order to bring      them to Christ. For example, in order to relate to the Jews in Jerusalem, he made a Nazirite vow in the temple. Around those who were under the law-the Jews-Paul obeyed the (Jewish) Law (traditions.) Around those who were outside the (Jewish) Law-gentiles-Paul did not observe Jewish custom.

     Paul clarified this, in case anyone misunderstood his actions. He obeyed God's law through obedience toward Christ. This was actually a broader law than the Law of Moses (which the Jews followed;) this was the fulfillment of Christ's will. ~

Read 1 Corinthians 11:1; Romans 13:8; and Galatians 6:2.

Lord, help us to remember that our differences don't have to be a reason to separate us from one another. Help us to let go of our rules, and let only Your commandments be our law. To love the Lord our God with all our hearts, minds, souls and bodies and to love one another as ourselves, for these are the greatest commandments. If we do that, we cannot help but be welcome in Your eyes and be welcoming, to all others. And when others reject our love help us to Quit Taking It Personally, and get out of the way so You can do what we cannot. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Remember: Q.-T.I.P.

Love, Karen

The next week's study lessons

Hello - welcome back to A Good Bible Study!

I am going to be out of touch for the next week - a long awaited trip with my husband - so, I have some verses and lessons for you to do on your own for the next seven days. You can do it - this will be good for you to look through the bible and let the Holy Spirit move in you. Come back each day, and just work through this post. Let's pray:

Father, bless each person reading this now. Open Your Word to them in an awe-inspiring, heart-pumping, Holy-Spirit-praising kind of way. I mean, knock their socks off, Lord! Let each person experience the joy of your living Word in a fresh way this week. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Day One: From The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, by Joyce Meyer:
"When Kristen Hendricks and Jamie Scroggs heard Joyce say, 'What you can't stand, you are called to fix,' they decided to use the abilities God had given them. They created Purse of Hope, a program to gather funds to rescue, educate, and heal victims of suffering worldwide."

"I've never cried that much in my life . . . the second the video started, I just started crying and I didn't know why. I was really in shock because I didn't really know that stuff was happening . . . just the fact that it was everywhere, and in America . . . I had no idea. That's when we came together . . . and decided to do something about it." - Michigan Teenagers

"Five teenagers started Relentless Ministries to raise money for world needs. They organized a walk-a-thon and a benefit concert, sold T-shirts, and more. As a result of all their hard work, they raised more than $24,000!

"At the end of the video stories, Kristen Ohlman, one of the teenagers, says, 'This changed my life by showing me that I can do something bigger than myself. When you just give your all to God and just say, "God, use me to do something," He will really use you.'

What does the above mean to you personally?
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Is there something you are being called to fix?
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Lord, help us to respond to your call to fix things, even if all we can do is make a phone call, pack up some boxes of extra clothes, or even organize a fund-raiser. Help us to not do . . . nothing. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Day Two: Pray with me. Lord, today fill me up with ideas and give me the courage to act on my inspiration! In the name of Jesus, amen.

Since yesterday, what opportunities have presented themselves to you to be a help to someone, to be a part of a "fix," or to get involved in a cause that tugs on your heart?
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How can you use your talents and gifts to help in these areas?
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Look up three verses in your bible that have to do with helping others and write them here:
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Father, as I read Your Word, and discover Your thoughts, I ask you to make it change my heart. Give me a desire to help others, an opportunity to help others, and the resources to help others, in Jesus name, amen.

Day Three: Let's open our bibles and pray for a fresh insight from God: Father, as we read Your Word, change us! In the name of Jesus, amen.

Read Ephesians 4:16

He makes the whole body fit together ________. As each part does its own special _______, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is _____ and _______ and full of _______ New Living Translation

What does this tell you about yourself as a part of the body of Christ?
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Lord, help me to be a healthy, working, part of the body. Make me useful and give me a glad heart about it! In Jesus' name, amen.

Day Four: Lord, this week I want to develop a love for all people. It has got to come from you, Lord. Let your Holy Spirit fill me with Your Love this week, like no other time in my life. Thank you, in the name of Jesus, amen.

Read Philippians 1:6

And I am certain that God, who began the _____ ______within you, will ______ His work until it is finally finished on the day when ______ ______ returns. New Living Translation

If God has begun to stir something in your heart, will He complete it and empower You to do whatever He inspires in you? _______________

Father, thank you for assuring me that if You put it into my heart, into my vision and into my spirit, it will be accomplished! In the name of Jesus, amen.

Day Five:  Lord, we meet again and thank You for being here with us. You say that whenever two or three gather in Your name, You are with us! Matthew 18:20 There are many of us reading this, meeting here, and so You are here. We thank you in the name of Jesus, amen.

Read Psalm 138:8
The LORD will _____ His _____ for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the _____ of your hands. New International Version

If God gives you a purpose, you will feel it in your heart. If He does, who is responsible to fulfill it, you or God? ____________

Does that mean you should do nothing? ____________

God says we should do what we can for today, and trust tomorrow to Him. So what can you do today?
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Lord, help us to be sensitive to what You have given us to do, and give us the will and the excitement to do it! In Jesus' name, amen.

Day Six: Lord, we are nearing the end of this week of searching Your Word and searching our hearts. Help us to find meaning in both. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, amen.

Read John 14:26

But the ________ (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the _____ _____, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will _____ you all things. And He will cause you to _____ (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. The Amplified Bible

You are not alone. When Jesus left His earthly body, He gave us a mystical, magical, marvelous gift! He sent God's Holy Spirit to our hearts, to communicate with us, to Love us, to teach us, and to remind us of His Word. You are never alone if you have asked Jesus to forgive your sins, and to guide your life. If you have never done that, do it now.

Just ask, out loud or in your heart. "Jesus, I want you to lead my life. I am so sorry for the way I have kept you out of my life, and I want you now. I can't do this on my own. I give you everything and want everything You have for me. Amen."

If you prayed this prayer, welcome home beloved in Christ! We are all celebrating with angels for you!!

Father, help us all to renew our love for You, and we ask you now to forgive us our sins. Help us to be aware of when we are drifting away from you, and bring us home. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Day Seven: Lord, I can't wait to see what is in Your Word for me today! Thank you for getting all distractions out of my mind and filling me up with all the patience and understanding I need for the day ahead. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Today is the first day of Chapter Seven of The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, by Joyce Meyer. This chapter is about discovering what real love is about. Radical love, the kind that "God gives and Jesus lived." I like that!

Read Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own _____ toward us, in that while we were ____ sinners, Christ died for us.
New King James Version

God didn't wait to love us till we straightened up. Thank God!

How does this verse relate directly to The Love Revolution?
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How is this an example of radical love?
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God didn't have to send His willing Son to die for us. God doesn't have to love us. Jesus didn't have to give up His freedom for us. How did Paul respond to Jesus' act of love? Read 1 Corinthians 9:19

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. New International Version

Lord, give me the fervor of Paul to love those around me radically, so they might be won to Christ! In the name of Jesus, amen.

Love, Karen

Photo by Kavita, courtesy of Photoxpress.com

Be transformed

Hello. Welcome again to A Good Bible Study! Get ready to be transformed.

By the way, I am so excited to hear how your day went after yesterday's session. It was a moving, meaningful lesson for me, one of those good crying, praying, loving God loving me kind of moments.

Let's pray for more of those:

Father, I thank you for opening  my heart more fully to you. I pray for a soul-searching, heart-wrenching, love-fest kind of session today in your Word, for each person reading this. You know what we each need, Lord. We want it and we want it abundantly! In the name of Jesus, amen.

God has so much for us. The great thing is He does 99% of the work. All we have to do is be willing to be renewed. Are you willing?

If not, what is holding you back?
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Say a prayer on your own right now, asking God to remove any obstacles in your heart or mind.

When you're done, begin by reading Romans 12:2 to see what God can do with a willing heart.

"And do not be ____________ to this world, but be ________ by the renewing of your mind, that you  prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God." New King James Version

The Message translation says it this way: "Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

Conformed means to mold or form yourself to the world, which is defined as the current age or era. The Nelson Study Bible New King James version emphasizes that spiritual transformation starts in the heart and mind.

If you are dedicated to following your culture's concerns and values, you will be tossed back and forth by the current of popular opinion. But those who are dedicated to God's truth can stand the test of time. "We can resist the temptation of our culture by meditating (thinking about it frequently and studying what it means) on God's truth and letting the Holy Spirit shape our thoughts and behaviors."

Joyce Meyer, the author of the study I'm in the midst of, The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, calls this verse a "revolutionary war verse."

She says, "Love is the power of the Gospel . . . Jesus died for all, that all those who live might no longer live those selfish, self-centered - me,me,me - lives, but they might live to and for Him. He died so that you would not have to live a life that you are in all alone. Love is the highest form of spiritual warfare." p. 53

Read 2 Corinthians 5:15

Understand?

Joyce recommends we write this verse down, and take it out throughout the day and read it. Let it sink into your spirit, and commit it to memory. It is why He gave his earthly life, and why He rose from the dead, to demonstrate to all of us who will not believe without seeing, that He is the Christ, the Son of God, able to take the punishment we deserve, and yet have the Authority to transform Himself from death to eternal life.

You know, the historical evidence, aside from the Bible even, is so overwhelming that Jesus lived as a human being, was crucified just as described in the Word, and was raised from the dead to resume His ministry on earth for another 40 days, to demonstrate He did what He said He would do . . . is remarkable. Read books like The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel (for one) that research and document the historical evidence.

Not one writing of the day, not even from His enemies, not one religion (even the Muslim religion) refutes the fact that He lived, was crucified, and rose again on the third day, performed all the miracles in Scripture, and ascended into heaven in full view of the people (Acts 1:3). It would take more faith to disbelieve Jesus, than to believe.

He is real, and you would not be here today if some part of you did not believe that already. He wants to renew you from the inside out. He is renewing me even now. If you have not already, join the revolution!

Lord, thank you for every moment you took on human form and lived as us, and for us. You took the pain that was mine, you accepted the blame that rightly belongs to me. Change me Lord, every day do the work for me so I know it wasn't my effort that made this new creation, it was Your love! In the name of Jesus, amen.

Stay still, read 2 Corinthians 5:15 again, and be transformed.

Love, Karen

Photo by Dmitry Remesov, courtesy of photoxpress.com

When "I surrender" is the weapon you need to conquer fear forever

Welcome back to A Good Bible Study! What changes in your emotions and heart have you been experiencing over the past couple of weeks? Make a comment, or email and share privately what's been happening. I promise, if you sincerely want change, God will perform a radical selfish-ectomy on your heart!

You might have also been experiencing a feeling of fear, or dread, about what might happen if you really give your heart to God, and give His Son, Jesus full access to the innermost recesses of your heart. I know that is what happens to me, all the time. But, what I have learned is that fear of any kind is always from Satan, not God. Satan wants to keep you distracted so you won't experience the power and strength that comes from real love, God's love. I have taken some really good advice from Joyce Meyer and that's "Do it afraid!"

The moment you are tired of being afraid that God is going to change your whole world, (He is, you know, but it's the best ride you will ever have!) and say "Yes, God, I'm afraid but I am more afraid of staying the same, so yes, I want You, I want Your love, I want to love others the way You love!" that is when joy begins for you.

If you want to get very little out of this study, give very little. Rush through, skip the prayers, just read without writing down your responses.

If you want to be changed forever, and love the changes, and have people around you talk about the fact that they don't know why, but there's something different about ______, there's a lightness, something that just makes them want to be around you, how you just don't get upset about the small stuff so much, and how you have something in you that they want, too . . . then start out this bible study time by just telling God you want to be a better person in some way at the end of this 15 minutes or half an hour of spending time in His Word.

Tell Him to not let you waste even one session reading through like it's a task to check off! Try reading the prayers aloud and meaning them. This is not rote prayer, traditional prayer that has lost it's meaning and become something you recite ritually. These prayers are powerful if you agree with them, and you also pray them as your own prayer and request from God. God looks at our hearts, not our outer actions. It is so important to understand the difference.

You can also say your own individual prayer before starting the day's study, asking for what you want to get out of it. Even a simple prayer of "God, overcome my human tendency to rush through Your Word, and help me to get everything out of this study today, that I can. In Jesus' name, amen," is so, so powerful if you mean it.

You don't have to pray feeling some emotion. You just have to pray with honesty. You can even pray for a genuine feeling of desiring to get more out of it. What do you have to lose by trying? Believe me, when God moves on your heart to change it, it is exhilarating, never fearful. Satan tries to block us with fear, because he knows fear is the most powerful weapon he has to distract us from God. Your only way out is to surrender, but to God, not to fear. Tell God how afraid you are, and then surrender.

God tells us the way to Life, is to lose your life. This means the way to His eternal Life of joy on earth and eternity in heaven, is to let go of the things in our life, like pride, selfishness, fear, greed, etc. that we think give us so much, and make room for real power - His strength in us. It's like in all the movies, where the hero realizes that he must sacrifice something he really, really wanted, to save his friends or help someone he loves get what they want and deserve, and he finds out that the rewards of that sacrifice end up being so much better than the prize he thought he wanted!

So, don't let fear keep you from your happiness! God promises if you seek Him first, all you have to do is tell fear (yep, try it out loud) to leave in the name of His Son, Jesus - fear and all other spirits of Satan are required to obey. It might sound weird, and you will never know unless you try it.

Let's pray together:

Lord, I admit I have been holding back because of fear. I'm not going to be controlled any more. I want what You have. I would rather follow You even though I am afraid of what You might change, than stay the same and live with no power at all in my life. I say now, out loud, that I resist fear and all other evil spirits in the name of Jesus, and I know that You promise me that these spirits are required to leave me now, in the name of Jesus. I don't want to leave any doors open for those spirits to return, instead I want Your Holy Spirit to be everywhere in me that fear used to reign. Take me Lord, I am yours. In Jesus' name, I will never be the same, in Jesus' name! Amen.

Stay by yourself awhile and feel whatever it is you are feeling, let it sink in, you are a child of God, and the more you give Him of yourself, the more He gives you of Himself. Love, Karen

Photo by JoLin, courtesy of photoxpress.com

Love: What's in it for me?

Hello, dear friends. I am so glad you have come back to a Good Bible Study. We've covered some challenging topics together inspired by The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Journal, by Joyce Meyer. No, you don't have to have your own copy to follow along, but if you want one, click on the link above.

Well, are we brave enough to continue? Let's pray for courage!

Lord, I am grateful for everyone reading this today. Give us willing hearts to continue searching for Your kind of love. Fill us with insight and aha! as we open our bibles. Let us be truly changed by what we learn. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Do you ever consider helping someone out and then immediately wonder "what's in it for me?" or "am I going to enjoy this or not?" I used to follow those kinds of thoughts with something along the lines of "well, I am earning God's favor or pleasure by what I'm doing so chalk up another heaven point for me." Even in striving to serve God, I considered the benefit to myself as a reason to take action.

As we discussed yesterday, God's love is not earned and is not contingent on our behavior. Neither is our salvation. God loved us before we were even born. Our salvation has nothing to do with our gifts or sacrifice, it has only to do with accepting Jesus' gift of sacrifice. If we are seeking to obey God for our own glory, we are still off-track.

I still struggle with wanting others to know when I am doing something good. It's my daily prayer for God to help me let go of the approval and acceptance of others, and seek only His. People are fickle: what's good today is bad tomorrow. Only God remains the same.

Read Mark 10:29-31. Jesus promises what kinds of rewards for anything we must sacrifice in order to follow Him? __________________________________________________

Did you include the "reward" of persecutions? Are trials and troubles a reward any of us would enjoy?

Why is it that Jesus amended His descriptions of all that God would provide for those who gave up the comforts of home and family in order to follow Him and be at His service, with being persecuted for their trouble?
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Have you ever heard the term "nothing worth having comes easy?"

In the journaling section of chapter three of The Love Revolution Devotional Workbook and Field Guide,we are asked to imagine having a conversation with Jesus about rewards and servanthood, like he did with his disciples in Mark 10:42-45.

Read those verses and ask yourself what might Jesus say about your life in regards to servanthood, sacrifice, and your current plans for life? Would he lovingly correct? What scriptures come to mind?

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I look forward to reading your comments as you honestly explore your own motives for helping others, and begin to understand that with great reward, comes great responsibility, and all too often, great sacrifice. Still want to be great??

With love, Karen

Photo by djcodrin, courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

The price of love

Welcome to the Good Bible Study!

We pray that God will bless us with minds open to His wisdom. Lord, we all desire love. Some of us are so lonely today and wondering when You will bring love into our lives. Prepare our hearts for what is needed to receive, and give, love. In Jesus' name, amen.

When we watch television and movies, what is the message we receive about love? It seems to me that the media portrays love as only true and valid when it is easy, when it is reciprocated equally, and when it requires nothing from us. "Love is immediate, love is always passionate, love is easy and has no faults, love always affirms me, always makes me happy and pleased, love is until I grow bored, tired, or am asked to give, grow, forgive or sacrifice." Is that what love is?

What does the bible tell us about love?

Read 1 John 4:7-8. From whom comes love? __________

Read Matthew 22:36-40 What is the greatest and second greatest commandments?
To _______ God, with all your ________, _________ and _________
and then to ___________ others as _______________________.

Read John 13:34-35. How do others know we are followers of Jesus? _____________________

Read 1 John 4:20-21. Is love a feeling shown by words, or a commitment demonstrated by our actions?
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Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Based on this verse and the ones above, how important do you think having a loving attitude and being loving in the choices we make in dealing with others, is to God?
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God describes for us very clearly His definition of love. Since love comes from God, and is our greatest commandment, it's obviously very important to understand what love looks like in action - do you agree?

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Write below what you have learned love is:

If I love, I need to make a decision to be _________ and kind with God's timing, with myself and my own failings, and with others. I do not need to be __________ of what others have, or to ___________ about my own blessings and successes. I will be happy when good things happen to others, we all need some joy in our lives! There is no need to make anyone else feel inferior, or puff myself up to feel O.K. I am God's precious child no matter what my circumstances!

I don't need to be ____________ about my gifts or _______ to others who are not living up to my expectations. I don't have to have my ______ way all the time. Being __________ and grumpy all the time is just immaturity making itself known. Instead of being _________ when others let me down, I can remember that I have my bad days, too.

When others get caught in wrongdoing, I am not going to ________ in their shame, instead I am going to be thankful for the ___________ coming out, so others can make a new choice. If I have committed to love others, that means I will have to ________ a lot of emotionally painful or uncomfortable interactions and situations along the way, but I can also believe the best of my future, hope for the most from others, and endure anything necessary to act in the most loving manner at all times.

Loving is not easy. Loving is a sacrifice. In fact, most of the time being loving is next to impossible! Thankfully, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13.

Father, we ask you to strengthen us with Love. Let love come to our mind when we are faced with unlovable people. Let us serve You with love, when we feel those around us don't deserve it! Let us remember that You love us first, when we were unlovable. 1 John 4:19 In Jesus' name, amen

Love, Karen

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant (5) or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; (6) it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. (7) Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
English Standard Version

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