iCrucified

Posts Tagged ‘Love’

I love Jesus, so I’m singing about it. I don’t care about what I hear from the critics who mock “Jesus is my boyfriend” types of praise and worship songs…I really don’t. I love Jesus. I worship Him. I am glad that He is a warrior and I would willingly ride into any battle against the spiritual forces of evil with Him…He is Warrior, He is King, He is also the jealous Lover of my soul…and I love Him.

I will sing of my love for my God and I will rest in the comfort that He loves me back. Praise Him; Because of His love, I am free and will serve Him throughout eternity. I Love You, Jesus! Praise You, King Jesus! Amen.

BecauseOfYourLove 08NOV09 by icrucified

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Over twenty-two years ago Laurie and I attended a small “revival” meeting in Start, Louisiana. The visiting evangelist was a man named Danny Stevenson. During that evening toward the end of the service, Brother Stevenson came to Laurie and I laying hands on us in prayer. During his prayer he spoke words that reflected a shared (Laurie and I) life in service and ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ. Through trials, turmoil, and many years of my own rebellion and selfishness we arrived today as one…Laurie and Jeff, sharing ministry side-by-side teaching about what marriage looks like in the eyes of the Creator of marriage. While ministry and serving Jesus is a joy to me beyond expression, today a memory was made that will stand as cherished for the remainder of my days.

I am including with the audio file, two .pdf documents:

• Sermon outline and small group study questions
• Sermon transcript

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Wrapping it up: 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed [Days 36-40]

LtJC – Days 36-40:

The way of Agape is not easy. More often than not, it is love that is dispensed and manifest in the faces of the unloved, in the lives of the broken, and in the hearts of the hateful…when those who are the loving are persecuted, despised, maligned and martyred. The way of Agape is selfless, sacrificial, and serving…the way of Agape is the highest calling of all. The way of Agape begins with loving God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength. The way of Agape ends with loving our neighbor as ourselves. Anything in between those two points is a distraction…

The final 5 days (leading up to Palm Sunday) were focused on living examples of Jesus Creed love (days 36-40). The first example given (mentioned in my previous entry) is support. Support is evidenced in many ways not the least of which is our finances. It can be seen in other ways as well; for instance, the sharing of material resources, time, and serving with our gifts and abilities. The bottom line is love for Jesus supports his teaching and his kingdom. Read the rest of this entry »

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40 Days Living the Jesus Creed [Days 28-29]

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” [1 Cor. 13] Give us strength with changed heart, O Lord, to love You with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength…and help us, O Lord, for Your namesake to love our neighbor as ourselves. [Amen]

LtJC – Day 28:

“God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean” Acts 10:28

Jesus Creed Thoughts for the day…

• Other people are listening for God
• Resistance to boundary-breaking is normal
• God is impartial
• God dwells with all who face God Read the rest of this entry »

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40 Days Living the Jesus Creed [Day 26-27]

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” [1 Cor. 13] Give us strength with changed heart, O Lord, to love You with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength…and help us, O Lord, for Your namesake to love our neighbor as ourselves. [Amen]

LtJC – Day 26:

We’re talking LOVE…AGAPE Love… “unflinching love” Read the rest of this entry »

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Book: Love as a Way of Life Devotional

Author: Dr. Gary Chapman

Summary: In his book Love As a Way of Life, best-selling author Gary Chapman shows readers how to cultivate a new lifestyle built around the seven characteristics of authentic love. Now in a companion devotional, he provides ninety inspirational readings to help Christians consistently live out the characteristics of love in every relationship. Each devotional entry showcases biblical truths that guide a life of love, offering fresh insight and practical guidance in how to make love a lasting habit. Over the course of three months, readers will learn to follow God’s lead as they practice the characteristics of a loving person: kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty.  The Love As a Way of Life Devotional makes an ideal gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Couples, parents, new graduates, and anyone celebrating a milestone in life will welcome this inspiring daily guide to richer, more satisfying relationships.

Review: The Love As A Way of Life Devotional by Gary Chapman and Elisa Stanford (Review by Laurie Borden) Read the rest of this entry »

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I found this conversation between J Piper, T Keller, and D Carson that was shared by DJ Chuang on his site. I wanted to come back to it to watch it in its entirety so am putting it on my blog for easy reference. Feel free to check out the discussion…It has been embedded in playlist form.

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I’ve read a lot of books over the past year and I’ve recommended quite a few of them on this blog…even took the time to review a number of them here, but I think I have not read a book in a long time that I have “connected” with feeling affirmation (and some degree of challenge-conviction) in a very long time.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God  written by Francis Chan is, in my opinion, a must read. One of the things I appreciate most from this book is that Francis shares a belief that I have concerning the teachings of Jesus; he really meant what He (Jesus) said. The call to discipleship (aka following Jesus) is radical, counter-cultural, single-minded, and very often…lonely. It is about being Kingdom minded and completely sold out to the purposes and glory of God Almighty and nothing less.

In an age and society that idolizes moderation and balance, this book may be a very difficult read for some people. Francis talks about what it looks like to be a “lukewarm Christian” the kind that Jesus says; “because you are lukewarm I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” He (Francis) also talks about what it means to be completely in love with Jesus…magnificently obsessed with living for God.

If you are tired of marginal Christianity (which is not Christianity at all), you will be encouraged and challenged by this book. I put it at the top of my must read list and cannot recommend it highly enough. If you get it now, it will not be soon enough. Read it, be challenged by it, and then begin to live it…Crazy Love.

Shalom!

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