Good Morning Girls - Intentionally Focused - Wk 7

Constant Mutual Love..., For Charity Covereth a Multitude of Sins........ & Hospitality without Murmuring.... 

Consider the sad ode.  Yes, consider the sometimes silly ode.  And yet more, take a moment to consider the sometimes heart wrenching ode of those who long to be a hermit awaiting the second coming of our Lord.

If one were to read I Peter 4:7, and to stop at that one snippet of scripture, one might believe that hermits are meeting the highest of all callings:

"The end is at hand.  Be prudent therefore, and watch in prayers."

Oh, yes!  I can relate to those who desire to be just such a hermit!  Being an introvert and therefore being recharged *more* by being alone than by being with others, such a life seems, at times, to promise heavenly bliss.......

However, the scripture does not stop with 'watch in prayers'.  Perhaps some people have truly been called to the life of a hermit....  However, according to scripture, that is not supposed to be the norm, whether it is appropriate for a few or not.  How do we know that?

In the very next verse(s), I Peter 4:8-11 God calls us to a very active life involved with the body of Christ":

8)  But above all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins.   9)  Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring,  10)  As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  11)  If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it, as of the power, which God administereth: that in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever.  Amen.  (Douay-Rheims 1899 Am.Ed.)

Let's ponder that again - using a bit of formatting to help with the pondering:

"Above ALL have....:

"CONSTANT
MUTUAL
CHARITY
AMONG
YOURSELVES

"FOR CHARITY COVERETH A MULTITUDE OF SINS......

"USING
HOSPITALITY...
WITHOUT
MURMURING   ................

"AS EVERY MAN HATH RECEIVED GRACE,

"MINISTERING
THE SAME (grace)
ONE TO ANOTHER

"AS......STEWARDS OF THE MANIFOLD GRACE OF GOD.

"If any man speak, let him speak,

. . . . . ........ as the words of God........"

......

Wait a moment here...... did you catch that?

"If any man speak, let him speak,

. . . . . ........ as the words of God........"

Astonishing!  What other god ever conceived of wants those he lords over to speak 'as the words of God'?

Furthermore, when we are called to speak 'as the words of God', what is it that we had to be reminded to do?:  show hospitality without murmuring!

Oh! Compare the gracious words of God with murmuring and weep with me....

....

In spite of our inclinations to murmur, God, filled with His manifold grace, has a plan to help us overcome our fleshly inclination to murmur.... and better, to:

"....speak.........as the words of God.....!"

Oh! God is at work in our lives, calling on us to join in as He goes about changing the stony hearts of men into loving and kind hearts of living flesh!

But how does one dare to even try to speak 'as the words of God'?  What does that look like?  And what if others who profess Christ seem to resist our sharing 'constant, mutual love' with them?

Certainly, the phrase 'let him speak *as* the word of God' must be understood in the context of being 'stewards of the manifold grace of God!'

What must this ability to speak 'like,' or 'as' "The words of God" look like?

Some men have claimed that their legalistic speakings were the very words of God.  However, it is most certainly clear that legalism is not the call upon 'stewards of the manifold grace of God.'

Rather, as stewards of His ****manifold***** grace, we are called upon to minister the manifold grace of God to the brethren and to extend Christ's offer of the manifold grace of God to the unsaved.

When that grace is shared among the brethren with 'constant mutual love' among *****all**** of them, then 'love covers a multitude of sins' in entirety.

On the other hand, when that grace is hoarded and shared only among a select few (be they leadership of the church, or be they against the leadership of the church, and/or etc.), the lack of love actually creates a new multitude of sins........

Is there anything to cover this new multitude of sins?

Yes!  Thanks to the glorious plan of the God of manifold grace!

The manifold grace of God can still come into the midst of the church through those who were left out in the cold, even through those who, being rejected by men, still place their steadfast faith in the Christ.  All such believers know that they are held close to the heart of the Father, the heart of the Heavenly Father whose heart cherishes their every tear......

Yes, those who are left out in the cold by those professing Christ still have the calling on their lives to be 'stewards of the manifold grace of God' - - - - sharing constant love with all who are willing to share love with them, and extending it towards those who will not share it with them - - - - - living at peace with others as much as it is possible with them.....

When the love they extend is not fleshly and self-righteous, when the love they extend is from the God of manifold grace, then the love which they extend does in actuality have the power to cover a multitude of sins...

.......but not by their effort - rather, as with all sin, the covering of sins can only be accomplished by the manifold grace of God........

While it is not natural for those who are hurt by the church to love the church best, that is exactly what Christ did for His people..... for the called.........  for His bride - a bride who rejected Him, even rejecting Him at her own peril, taking a deadly poison into herself, a poison for which she had no antidote.  But Christ had that antidote - and willingly died on the cross in order to share that antidote with her(us) because those who had hated Him still needed Him - - - but more than that, He still loved them!  Yes, He loves us, and calls on us to share that love with others, even with an imperfect church, even when that imperfect church wounds us.

Which brings us round full circle for those who have that desire to be a hermit, and 'watch in prayers'.  Whether a longing to be a hermit arises out of one's natural nature to be introspective and introverted, and/or out of pain caused by the not-yet-perfect nature of the church, one must be active while one is at 'watch and prayers', sharing a 'constant mutual love' with each other in as much as it is possible with us..... in order for us to do the greater work:

..." that in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen."

......

Lord Jesus, help me, help us, oh, yes, help me!

Help me to forget the past you died to wash away!

Help me to focus on the fellowship of the saints in heaven, where your perfect love will flow through us perfectly - when we will no longer fall short of expressing your perfect love in this fleshly form.

Help me to press on towards the high calling to love perfectly, to bridle my tongue, to see the lost through your eyes.

Help me to see your church *only* through your eyes as well:  your beloved who has thankfully taken the antidote to the poison of spiritual death which she had taken into herself, but your beloved who still needs nursing because of the poison of the sting of death which is still affecting her life through her *mortal flesh*.......

Your beloved who needs to take seriously the admonitions to live a holy life even while here on earth (Romans 8:13, James 1:22-27, etc.) - not that works save, but that those who have new life in them will respond to your voice, your word, your call to love others as you yourself are love.

Help me(us) to remember that we have *the mind of Christ* - that if our mind is distracted by the cares of this world, that our mind can be renewed again to 'the mind of Christ' (Romans 12:1-3).

Help me(us) to turn my(our) heart(s) towards heaven (Matthew 6:21).

Help me(us) to love God with my(our) whole heart (Luke 10:27).

Help me(us) to set my(our) heart(s) and mind(s) in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7), yea, even to have (a) purified heart(s) through faith (Acts 15:9) and have the word of faith in my(our) heart(s) (Romans 10:8), even have the word of God written on my(our) heart(s) (2 Cor 3:2), that such word written on my(our) heart(s) makes me(us-each) an epistle of Christ (2 Cor 3:3).

Help me(us) to overcome the flesh - to actually be recharged more by seeing your love proclaimed, than by anything else this world has to offer.

All that God may be honored through Jesus Christ........ in us....... by the incredible work of your manifold grace.

Hot Cocoa Chats @ Christmas Time (good for adults too!)........

1) What does it look like for us as Innkeepers to make room for Jesus today? 

Answers:  (might include……..)

Let the Word of God dwell in you richly, hide the Word of God in your heart, study to show yourselves approved – e.g. carm.org,

be still and know that I am God; (know Him better)

whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done unto me…..; love one another, consider others before yourself; love others as you love yourself, which is second to loving God with all your heart, strength and mind; - - - - - etc.

2) Christmas is a time of giving.  Why? What needs do you have?  Who can meet them? Read Phil 4:9

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  (NLT)

When God promised a savior, He set a plan of action   into place to provide for our every need. It seems like it took a long time to us humans. Still – King Jesus obeyed each & every thing God asked Him to do *for us* – even when that meant being born, a king, in a stable in a conquered nation, even when it meant being crucified on a cross.

What can we learn about ‘doing well’ when we look at the birth of Jesus?  How can we be more like Him, willing to do whatever God wants us to do for others?  Which *other* Jesus-stories might help us know how to obey regarding problems you or I have had this week, or might have next week?

   3) Read Isaiah 6:1-8 (when Isaiah said, “Here am I, send me!” was He a type of Christ?).  Then consider this question:  When mankind needed help, did Jesus come willingly?

John 10:18b  “I have authority to lay (my life) down and authority to take it up again.  This command I received from my Father.” (he said this about facing death on the cross, but by inference, he also said it about coming as a king to be laid in a manger in a conquered land…….) But humble in His coming or not, He came in fullness.  Yes:

He came in fullness as the light and life of men.  He came as the Word of God in all its fullness.

We need both the Light & the Word to know where to be on the path, and what to do on that path. (Read John 8:12 – Why do we need to follow Him?  Why do we need to share that Light & Word?)

4) Why did Jesus come?

On a cold, snowy night, there was bird seeking for a shelter. The bird flew over a mile. As he passed thru a flat terrain, he saw a house which the light of fire furnace can be seen through its’ front windows. It was a comforting light that attracts the bird to direct his route to the house, so that his frigid body will be warmed. Suddenly the bird slamed the window and hurt itself. The man inside the cozy house saw the hopeless bird. He ran outside to see that the bird had flown away. The man ran after the bird but the bird flew as fast as it can. The man felt sorry for this bird and he said “if only I could be a bird, so that I can talk to him and tell him that I want to help”. —that was the perfect illustration of what Jesus did for us. Jesus came to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21). Jesus came so that he can communicate to us, and to have a fellowship with us. But it does not end with that, Jesus came so that we could experience life and live it to the fullest (John 10:10b). http://jhnfhlport.wordpress.com/2012/12/01/why-he-was-laid-in-the-manger/  

John 17:3  Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.  (NIV)

He came so we can know Him more, because:

………  This is eternal life!

5)  Why did God allow Herod to try to destroy Jesus even when Jesus was a mere wee thing? 

Answers might include:

Well, there is the fact that Satan wants to destroy as many men as possible, and thus wants to see God’s plan of salvation destroyed.  There is the fact that too many men are willing to help Satan in his plan to fight God.

But more than that, consider this:

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.    (Hebrews 12:3 NIV)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ... Intentionally Focused Study: Week 5 - Study Notes using SOAP Bible Study Method

(S)-SCRIPTURE:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  (NIV)

9     Two are better than one,
.           because they have a good return for their labor:
10   If either of them falls down,
.           one can help the other up.
.      But pity anyone who falls
.           and has no one to help them up.
11   Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
.            But how can one keep warm alone?
12   Though one may be overpowered,
.            two can defend themselves.
.      A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (CJB)

9    Two are better than one,
.           in that their cooperative efforts yield this advantage:
10  If one of them falls,
.           the other will help his partner up -
.     Woe to him who is alone when he falls
.           and has no one to help him up.
11  Again, if two people sleep together, they keep each other warm;
.     but how can one person be warm by himself?
12  Moreover, an attacker may defeat - someone who is alone,
.            but two can resist him;
.     and a three-stranded cord is not easily broken.

(O) - OBSERVATIONS - 'COOPERATIVE EFFORT':  WHAT IS THIS?  WHAT IS IT NOT?

"Two are better than one.... and a three-stranded cord is not easily broken":  These are main themes throughout scripture - sometimes overtly stated, other times inferred, and still other times exemplified.

Union, being united together, united together with both another (or others) - and God:  that is one of the highest ideals.

In verse 9 of the Complete Jewish Bible for Ecclesiastes 4 above, 'their cooperative effort yields....advantage' comes across quite differently than the western translation, 'they have a good return for their labor'.

According to a quick viewing of the Hebrew definitions for the text in 4:9 via Strong's Concordance, the Western translation seems to be a rather literal translation.  That is all well and good.  However, Hebrew scholars often cite the fact that various words take on added meaning depending on how they are combined.  Thus, I'm inclined to give extra credence to the CJB translation.

Certainly each of the two translations can point in the same direction, but they can also point in quite opposite directions, depending on the paradigm from which one or the other is read.

'They have a good return for their labor' does not echo the 'two are better than one theme' quite as clearly as 'their cooperative effort yields...advantage.'

My attention is utterly drawn to this idea of God's honoring 'cooperative effort' in light of 'two are better than one.... and a three-stranded cord is not easily broken.'

Might understanding the Jewish meaning behind this term 'cooperative effort' help us understand God's view of 'kingdom living' in which we glorify Him and love others more and more fully and effectively?

...........

In these modern times, one might honestly ask if this 'cooperative effort' is communal/socialistic in nature.  Historically speaking, however, Israelites were called upon in the writings and the prophets to live out God's ideals of 'cooperative effort' in a patriarchal, land owning society.  Such efforts were hardly socialistic.

Old Testament text doesn't seem to say, "Here is an example of 'cooperative effort' in action."  [We might prefer for God to be so direct, however, as Solomon put it, we are to work at discerning hidden lessons.]

Were the hidden lessons so well disguised that no one ever found them?  In Old Testament days, some Israelites did indeed live holy lives through the grace revealed to them in the writings and the prophets (as evidenced by scripture saying that this man or that woman lived righteously before God).  Those Israelites have exemplified the best of what 'cooperative effort' must mean in rich ways through the grace of our Lord.  It would be beneficial to study out their lives in light of this phrase 'cooperative effort yields...advantage.'  However, overall, Old Testament Israelites were too distracted by the cares of this world to take the time to understand, let alone fulfill the ideals of 'cooperative effort.'

PRAYER:  Father God, help us to take time to listen to the Holy Spirit with open hearts and minds so that we may discern what 'cooperative effort' means in its fulness in order that we may fulfill all that You are asking of us today - that we may walk together with each other before You - gaining every advantage for Your name and Your kingdom as possible.

........

Certainly the kings of the various kingdoms surrounding Israel called upon their people to rise up together in 'cooperative effort' at times.  Such efforts, being directed by dictators, were hardly socialistic.  Furthermore, and more importantly, even the best of kings rarely cared about their part in 'cooperative effort', thereby throwing off any honest efforts of the people in general to live according to this ideal of 'cooperative effort' throughout their lands.

In more recent ages, the kings of various kingdoms in 'Christendom' also struggled with their own part of living in line with this call to 'cooperative effort'.  The only king I know of who sought earnestly to serve his people in every way possible in order to fulfill his part in the Messiah's view of 'cooperative effort' in all aspects of life was Alfred the Great of England, which led to his being such a wise king that his people lived as a self-ruling land in which crime was hardly known...... - which is precisely why Alfred was the only king called 'the great' in all 'Christendom.'  (A brief introduction into the life of Alfred the Great can be read online in chapters 15-17 here.)

Clearly 'cooperative effort' does yield great advantages.  All of England was blessed because one man, the King of England, sought to fulfill 'cooperative effort' with his people.

.............

Going back to Biblical ages, the notable exceptions to rule by kings were Israel, who was ruled by judges for some 400 years before begging for kings; and Greece, who threw off her kings after realizing the inherent problems with rule by kings, precisely because kings rarely understand this 'cooperative effort'.

After throwing off her kings, Greece held to various philosophies regarding 'cooperative effort' throughout her glory days.  If one studies Greece's earliest views of 'cooperative effort,' in which each man was called upon to meet the needs of the nation in times of crisis - even to the point of laying his life down for his Greek city-state if need be, though he was not forced to do so; and compares them with the ideals furthered by the Messiah himself, one will find that they are strikingly similar.  It has been argued that the earliest Greek commitments to this view of 'cooperative effort' which they held to dearly for some time after throwing off her kings was one of the reasons why Greece rose in power and influence. However, over time, Greek ideals of 'cooperative effort' devolved significantly, first in one problematic way, then in another.

What caused this spiral downward?  Philosophical changes regarding 'cooperative effort' spiraled downward because Greece's highest ideals called upon all Greek men to strive to live like the ideal, perfect man (that's why their statues glorified men and women who exemplified the perfect human form - nature bore witness to them the fact that a 'perfect man' is identifiable in nature, and we are all to strive to be like that perfect nature); however, no one could fully manage to live up to such a perfect ideal.  Just as many today reject the Pollyanna quality of television shows like Leave it to Beaver, some Greeks began to challenge the veracity of the call to 'cooperative effort', when no one could achieve it!  Each subsequent change in philosophy was an effort to compensate for and expect men's falling short.  Of course, no code but strict adherence to the code of perfection or an understanding of the gift of grace could settle all issues in Greece.

In short, the Greeks gave up on trying to be like God's perfect Son.

At the same time, each alteration to their initial understanding of 'cooperative effort' drove their ideals further and further away from the truth.

Their efforts to find a way to aspire once again towards becoming that perfect man, and therefore their becoming that perfect state, all became more and more corrupt.  Their greatest of philosophers, struggled to try to solve these issues.  Socrates came closest.  Right after him?  Plato, plunged off the deep end.  Plato actually published arguments that all men ought to give up the identity of their own children so they would not hoard for their own prodigy when the nation was in want.  Admittedly, Plato's friends later managed to get him to rescind that portion of his writings; however, cooperative effort had at least considered that extreme relatively early on.

ANOTHER WORK IN PROGRESS....... I'LL TRY TO FINISH THIS ONE THIS WEEK.....

Why had Plato embraced this extreme?  By this approach to procreation, he reasoned that each man would more freely apply all his strength, and abilities, and wealth, whenever needed, freely and liberally in a cooperative, communal effort for the well being of the nation - for the good of all.  This type of 'cooperative effort', this type of communal living were to be guided by the alleged wisdom/need of the people.  In Plato's case, greater natural endowment would produce various levels of influence over decisions related to such communal efforts - thus 'pure equality' was not the goal, but all men were to be seen as vital parts of the nation who should each be encouraged to contribute to the good of the cooperative effort.

In Israel, the 'cooperative effort' was seen quite differently.  Cooperative effort was needed for survival, but also valued within the kingdom - with neighbors being 'brothers', and thereby obligated to care for each other.  Consider the lesson to the Israelites during their Exodus when God condemned the Edomites who would not allow Israel to pass through their lands  (Numbers 18).  At other times, one tribe was called upon by God to help other tribes.  The 'cooperative effort' was to be based upon the brotherhood of the nation at all times - and thus growing out of patriarchy rather than communal ideals.

The church was intended to be established upon these highest of ideals, this brotherly design, which was indeed re-emphasized by the Messiah - with God being the heavenly patriarch, or heavenly Father of all who called upon the name of the one who saves:  Jeshua.

Israel's socio-economic system did indeed entail a national charity system.  However, it was governed and directed by the government of the priests - thus it was more patriarchal in nature.  Still, in addition to the government's call to help lift up the downtrodden through national charity, more was demanded of the common Israelite.  As seen in the teachings of the Messiah as He walked and talked among His people, God had intended brother to help brother through brotherly love throughout the centuries.

This 'cooperative effort' thus was to be brother helping brother whenever a brother had fallen down and needed help getting back up.

Israel never fully realized this beautiful brotherhood as a nation - though many Israelite people did embody these principles.

Does the church have a chance of being the church triumphant on this earth if we do not embrace this greater view of the Cooperative Effort of the Brotherhood (aka:  the Holy Spirit living and loving through us)?

A - "It is not good for man to be alone." (We need God to be there, seeing to various details....)

David had Jonathan.  Their union, their 'male bonding' in today's terms, was sealed by the fact that both of them brought God with them, into everything.

B - God & His Son are active together - are not alone.  Together they direct creation (Genesis 1:1...):  God spoke His plan via the Word (John 1:1...).  The Word worked into being the plan God spoke.  (The Holy Spirit was also there, seeing to the details put forward by God through the Word.)

C - Jesus and the Holy Spirit minister to the saints this side of heaven.  Jesus provided the means by which the needs of His people will be met.  Then He directed the Holy Spirit to comfort us, teach us, and guide us, help us where we are weak (Romans 8:26), pray for us when we do not know how to pray (Romans 8:26).

Romans 8:26  "In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should.  But the Spirit Himself intercedes for us, with gr(oanings to deep for words.
    
D - It is good for believers to share in each other's troubles, "

E - The third strand in the cord.

In marriage the third strand is God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the ruach hakodesh.

While it is good for us as people to be joined together with others in one way or another - always, it is that third strand in the cord which most stabilizes us and makes it difficult to break us.

In New Testament thinking, we are to "Pray without ceasing."  I Thessalonians 5:17

Understanding what it would mean to desecrate God's Holy Name, and understanding what it would mean to avoid desecrating God's Holy Name is very differently expressed in the Jewish language than in the English language.  

(A) APPLY


.


(P) PRAYERS




http://www.inner.org/Nav_time/month.php?article=t0005
http://theresurgence.com/2013/06/25/the-work-of-the-holy-spirit-in-the-life-of-a-believer

CELEBRATE TRUE LOVE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY

- -

(Construction Signs: The main construction is here, but the construction workers and equipment  are still here to finish finessing the fine details........ sorry for any distractions along the way........, but I wanted to get this out for anyone wanting to start getting ready for Valentine's Day early this year...........)

Oh, yes, it is time for a mighty ode.........

A POWERFUL ODE, not so much to Valentine's Day - - -  But

A POWERFUL ODE:

TO A SEASON OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE POWER OF TRUE LOVE..... 



In this age when the raging conflict between the prince and the dragon streams before us in vivid technicolor, spectacularly arrayed as never before imagined; there is a growing sense among mere mortals, that if mankind were to simply stop their bustle, even just barely long enough to see past their pericardia, that they would hear in the rustling winds of the change of time, an invitation, and a very conspicuous invitation at that, for it has been sent out, not by just anyone, and not to just anyone,  - - - and not to just someone.  Rather, it has been sent from utter supremacy, yet apportioned out specifically-generally  (or is that generally-specifically) to Everyman.

It is in truth a royal invitation:


                                    TO FIND, 
                                    CELEBRATE, 
                                    AND SHARE:     

                                                                                TRUE LOVE!!!


With whom?  Besides, can TRUE LOVE even be found?!  

Oh my, yes!  Absolutely!  

Where could such certainly come from?  From the nature of the invitation itself......

But more on that some other time..........

What of this TRUE LOVE?  The question is all straightforward enough:  Who can find it!??

However, as it turns out, the answer becomes more intriguing:

It has been decreed that utterly anyone who believes in TRUE LOVE can find it.......
  ........  and who doesn't really and truly believe in TRUE LOVE........ 

Those who might like to take a stroll on the same side of the street as Mr. Scrooge (as a young businessman), might rebuff the notion that Everyman has in inherent, desperate yearning for TRUE LOVE.

However, reasoning proves the case:  Who isn't born with a sense of the great virtue of TRUE LOVE?  After all, what child doesn't sense injustice when TRUE LOVE doesn't rule all?  And furthermore, how could there be great virtue in something that does not exist?



........ who doesn't believe in it with a great hunger, a truly desperate hunger - way, way, way down in the depths of their heart of hearts!?

Come as a child, yet again, to the dream of finding true love......

Now, yes, now is the time to find it!  No, ..... let's state that a little more emphatically:

NOW IS THE BEST TIME OF ALL TO FIND, CELEBRATE, AND SHARE TRUE LOVE:

....... DURING THIS SEASON OF LOVE .............


Many of us have heard of it, but many have not realized it for what it is.........

Where do we see TRUE LOVE most clearly........., most nobly, ........ more concerned with protecting others........., with securing the beloved against the enemy........?

Of course, we see TRUE LOVE most clearly; aye, most poignantly, in the great, historic clash between good and evil, between the Prince and the Dragon........

Throughout all of the great epic tellings of this conflict one thing drives us all.  There is a great pathos, a great and desperate hungering for the power of TRUE LOVE to touch us and heal us from wrong done to us by a great enemy.  

This pathos is not only ingrained in us, we seek, as much as we are ever able, to suppress it deep down in our inmost being.  In spite of our best efforts to suppress our sense of need, that pathos made itself heard throughout the ages through all of the various tales of conflicts between the Prince and the Dragon.  

In spite of our attempts to veil ourselves from the desperate emptiness, that desperate, desperate, yes, utterly desperate hungering has cried out to our heart in form after form anyway.  And oh, how that heart cry has played itself out in tale after epic tale!  A few of those epic forms have been authored in powerful terms, in forms we all embrace - as they express the reasonable nature of that desperate heart cry, which seems, at least for a short time, to bring some amount of comfort to us.  Those of us who have not had the eloquence to express the pathos of our need in such epic ways, have merely trudged on, groaning under the weight of the desperate need:  the need to understand, receive, and bask in the power of TRUE LOVE.

And the greatest of those epic tales is that conflict which is being played out between Christ and the great serpent - an epic conflict which mankind bore witness of in great part - - - at the cross......

Oh, for the prince to have simply destroyed the dragon!

But that would not have sufficed!  That would not have demonstrated the incredible nature of TRUE LOVE.  (Nor would it have met the desperate needs of the prince's beloved kingdom.........  but that is getting ahead of things........     )


As for this matter of dmonstrating the incredible nature of TRUE LOVE.  It, is after all, on the cross, that Jesus demonstrated most clearly what TRUE LOVE really is:




              John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, 

                                                   

                                                                      that a man lay down his life for his friends.



Back on that most horrible day, back when the prince and the dragon met at the cross, back when the utterly unthinkable horrors of the worst nightmares came to life!  Back when the dragon slayed the prince, those who knew the prince and trusted Him even more looked on in horror!

How could this have ever even come close to happening?  What had gone wrong?  How could the dragon have prevailed?  Was it not true that TRUE LOVE CONQUERS ALL after all? Was it all a lie?  

Ode to the bitter pain they felt.  Their beloved prince was slain.  

Who else could possibly face the dragon now?  What hope could there possibly be in stopping the forces of evil from taking over absolutely, utterly everything - destroying everything in its path?

What they did not realize was that they were in much greater peril than their prince was in - even when their prince was in the midst of all of the pain and darkness and emptiness and utter disgrace and isolation of death, 

One day they would finally realize; one day they would understand that there was only one antidote to the poison of sin in their lives, and that their devoted, courageous, heroic, powerful, glorious, and yes, their compassionate, tender, and loving prince knew it!  They had taken in a poison for which there was only one antidote.

Slaying the dragon wouldn't have ever produced an antidote to the poison.  But for a prince who loved His people so incredibly much, an antidote had to be obtained.  

There had to be an antidote for the poison for the prince to save His beloved from death.

you, and for everyone who had mistaken the weapons of the enemy, for everyone who had chosen to drink the poison called sin.

Jesus, in a fashion opposite to our great hunger for the Prince to simply Slay the dragon - - -  rather than slaying the dragon, did the unimaginable...... 

Why did He not simply slay the dragon?  Because He is not merely the king!

Jesus is the one who wears the Crown of Love, and He was in a position in which no one understood the nature of the Crown of Love.  If He simply slayed the dragon, no one would have ever understood the nature of the love behind that crown.  

Of course, the serpent didn't see that coming.  He never understood love in the first place. And in so many ways, we are like him - we could not understand the nature of TRUE LOVE either - not until it was demonstrated with such glorious self-sacrifice.

Yes, when the prince died, the great serpent thought that he had won!  But, that wasn't really what happened.  Rather, Jesus loved us so very much that He chose to pay the price for our sin.  

Sin?  Oh, yes, it was a terrible weapon used upon us by our most vicious enemy - the serpent!  

When we embraced the serpent's lies, we also embraced his most potent weapon.  It was pure poison.  We took death into ourselves!  The only possible outcome from that poison was death!  

Death was a price we could pay, but it was a price that we could only pay in finality.  We could never recover from such a judgment.  

Jesus had the antidote for the poison we took.  Jesus chose to not only be God, but to wear the glorious Crown of Love.  In love, He took on our death.  In love, He bore our death.  In love, He took on the task of conquering death.  

Once He conquered death, He also conquered evil.  The outcome is decided.  The conquering force of the one who wears the Crown of Love is proven already.  Yes, there are still skirmishes out and about, and perhaps the serpent still thinks he might find a way to win (if not, he wants to create as much trouble as he can while he still has any room to wiggle).

But whatever it is that the serpent believes, it is clear that Jesus overcame every evil plan of that serpent when, in three days, He rose from the dead.

He conquered evil and death - and is marching forward towards His full triumph as we speak!!!

More than that, He wants to share with you all of the power over evil, all of the power over death, that He established as final.

Those of us who have joined Him on His march to glory!  Those of us who have joined Him on His way?  We are already celebrating the fulness of His glory which is to come!

But we have not been celebrating as fully as we ought to have been!!!!!  It is time for a change!


It is time for the beloved to establish a great celebration of TRUE LOVE.

It is time for the beloved to clarify to the world what TRUE LOVE really is.

It is time for the beloved to realize the riches of the gift of TRUE LOVE bestowed upon us (hint, read the psalm study below to find out more.......).

It is time for the beloved to CELEBRATE TRUE LOVE TOGETHER.

It is time for the beloved to draw in the hearts of those who are dying for lack of love, .......

It is time to help them join in the celebration of LIVING A LIFE OF TRUE LOVE TOGETHER.



No, living a life of true love together is not easy.  But the conquering force of TRUE LOVE can help us oust any force that raises its head against us!

We need have no fear!

We have the greatest hero of all!  The Crown of Love is His.  The glory of that crown is His.

The joy of the conquering power of love.........

.............. is His to share..........

...................He is offering the joy of the conquering power of love to you right now.....


........in the midst of conflict swirling about in your heart, in your life, in the lives of those you love, it does require courage to hold to faith in the conquering hero!

But he will conquer, have no doubts about that.  

And when He does, the celebration in His kingdom will have no end!

...........

In the meantime, the forces of evil are gathering against the one who bears the Crown of Love.

In the meantime, the forces of evil do all that they can to send confusion through the land.

In the meantime, the forces of evil do all that they can to confuse anyone and everyone possible........., 

.............to bring confusion about what it is that makes up good, and what makes up evil.......

Why would they do anything to confuse those in the land?  Why would they stir up confusion about what is good and what is evil?  Why would they bring in any confusion about who is good and who is evil?

So that those in the land might not recognize the enemy for what it is!  A terrible force for evil seeking utter destruction of anything and everything good!

Furthermore, they bring in any and all confusion about who and what is good, and who and what is evil, so that those in the land might not recognize the conquering hero for who He is!  The one who will bring promised peace to the land again!

Oh, yes, mankind has prided himself with the ability to discern good and evil for himself for a good long while........, yet many today are brought under the power of deception - and at their own peril!

The forces of evil are well practiced in their arts of foolery.  They have successfully brought great confusion into the land in every way possible........


..................in order to bring doubt into the hearts of those who long to see TRUE LOVE CONQUER ALL.


There is no need to doubt.

There is no need to be confused.

There is no need to back down.

Bleaker days might even be ahead for some of us, but in the end, the 'rising' forces of evil.........

...................will fail!!!!!!!!!!!!

........the 'rising' forces of evil..............

...................will fall!!!!!!!!!!!!

........the 'rising' forces of evil................

.......................................will be brought low.


They are doomed.

The final celebration may not have begun in full earnest,  but there is still reason to celebrate today!

It is time to be celebrating the conquering hero:  the one who wears The Crown of Love.

For yes, TRUE LOVE CONQUERS ALL!



.......................will you listen to the truth of the promise of love today?  Will you put your faith in the one who wears conquering crown: The Crown of Love?



Will you embrace, and receive, and celebrate, TRUE LOVE today?


Will you share it with others, ........... as He shared TRUE LOVE 2000 years ago?


If so, come on in.  The celebration has already begun!  It will become a greater celebration one day, but there is no need to wait for the full celebration to be encouraged by the conquering power of TRUE LOVE.

Please do come in...............  there is a place ready, just for you.............




..........



Ahhhh!........


Is that you????????

So you've come on in???????????


So, you've decided to stop in and see how the celebrations are going?


Oh!  I'm so glad you have come!  


May I help you off with your coat and offer some refreshments......, 


Oh, and yes, you can feel free to take off your mask whenever you are good and ready (yes, shhhhh, the mask won't fit in when you get really involved in the celebration........but......)

In the meantime, feel free to keep it on.  We'll all understand....... we've been there.......



Oh, and on the way to the celebration, to help prepare you for what is to come, please read the particulars about this invitation below.........

Then share it with others, and draw them into THE CELEBRATION OF THE AGES.......

THE CELEBRATION OF TRUE LOVE.......

..........


Of course, after you join us, we hope you will invite others to join you too!


Open up the grand CELEBRATION OF TRUE LOVE  to others in your own home or community, inviting them to come in and learn of 

       THE POWER 
           THE COMFORT 
                THE PEACE 
                     THE JOY AND GLORY 

                                 WHICH IS THEIRS, IF THEY SIMPLY ACCEPT THE CONQUERING POWER OF TRUE LOVE........, yes, in the midst of conflict......., 

............believing in theconquering power of true love???....... yes, that is called faith.......

Will you accept it today?

............... in your own life? ........

You'll be so glad that you did.............

............

When you do, you will find that the love of the conquering hero truly is unfailing!

You will find yourself, as many have done in the past (and as many of us are doing today)........, yes, you will find yourself celebrating that unfailing love!




Here is the voice of one who already accepted the invitation!  Can you hear him?




The same invitation is yours!  Oh, do accept His invitation to the celebration of love today!

     I, by your great love, can come into your house;......  Psalm 5:7a....   

Oh, yes, do trust his love:

         ...I trust in your unfailing love;   Psalm 13:5  

Oh, do, please realize that His love surrounds us:

         the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.   Psalm 32:10b  

Then you too will value His love enough to share your appreciation of His love with Him.  Can you hear the echoes of others who have been caught up in the joy and celebration of his love?

         Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.   Psalm 36:5  

         How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.   Psalm 36:7  

         For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.   Psalm 57:10  

More than faithful!  More than gracious!  

Oh, wonder of wonders!  Miracle of Miracles!  His love is so great that He even offers to share the very glory of His crown, The Crown of Love, with each of us........ 

See here, how He is offering to share the very glory of His crown, The Crown of Love, with you.....:

         ... Who ...  crowns you with love and compassion..... !!!  Psalm 103:4

What wonders!  Join us as we glorify Him for His love:

         Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.  Psalm 63:3  

Then come along with us as we share His love with others:

         I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness   Psalm 40:10a    

And together we will sing a love song to Him:

         But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.   Psalm 59:16  

And yes, love songs are two way - - - So listen carefully for His love song to you:

         By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—.....   Psalm 42:8a  

Where you are weak, struggling, or need healing, seek, find; He will give you the strength and courage to accept His loving provision even in the midst of a struggling world:

         But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.   Psalm 69:13  

If you are feeling unsure about His promise to you, know that you are not alone.  Cry out to Him and let Him know how you feel, but keep seeking Him - and you will find that everlasting love:

         Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?   Psalm 77:8   

         Show us your unfailing love, Lord, .....   Psalm 85:7a  

Know that the psalmist, in harmony with God's promises, found his way out of the mist; and yes, he truly found that God is still, and ever will be faithful:

         When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.   Psalm 94:18  

If, when you doubt, you stumble, be concerned to get back on course; but fear not, for He will lift you up!  And then you will realize more and ever more of the immensity of the conquering power of True Love.  Then, oh yes, even then, you will fall in love with God all over again...........:

         You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.   Psalm 86:5  

         For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths.............   Psalm 86:13a  

Then you will celebrate having found His faithful love and peace - - a love that is established for all eternity, just as the psalmist and many others who love His name have done before us.......:

         Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.    Psalm 85:10  

         I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.   Psalm 89:2  


Join in with others who trust Him rather than placing their trust in man - join in with others who, once upon a time, believed in the fairy tale of 'faith in man'......., and who now place their faith solely in God, for certainly, there is no solid footing upon which one may stand when trusting man............:

God's conquering love will not fail.  It is an unfailing love.  Celebrate it today!

         Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.   Psalm 48:9  

And invite others to join with the body of Christ as they trust Him forever, and trust in man.......never........

         .....trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.  Psalm 52:8b

He is, afterall, not a God of the past, but a loving God whose love continues through all generations.....

         For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.   Psalm 100:5

Then keep on celebrating, forever and ever!  ......singing of His love.... 

Yes, take time during the Celebration of TRUE LOVE, to prepare your heart to press on towards the high calling and......

         .......sing of the Lord’s great love forever; (and) ..... make (His) faithfulness known through all generations.    Psalm 89:1 

Let each one of us say in our own hearts, then together as one voice:

         .........I will sing of your love and justice; to you, Lord, I will sing praise.   Psalm 101:1

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2)  A list of hymns related to love

3)  the Pinterest link for Valentine's Day: Celebrate & Discover True Love Together