Highway of Love

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14, KJV)

GOD:

I AM patient and I AM kind.

I AM merciful and I AM good.

I AM faithful and I AM forgiving.

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth… (Exodus 34:6, KJV)

O Give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalm 136:1, KJV)

Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, extend to the skies, and Your faithfulness to the clouds. (Psalm 36:5, Amplified)

THe LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgressions… (Numbers 14:18, KJV)

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities… (Psalm 103:3, KJV)

I AM your Father and I AM love.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Luke 11:2)

God is love. (1 John 4:8)

GOD’s child:

I am patient and I am kind.

God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5, Amplified)

(God’s love in me)… endures long and is patient and kind… (1 Corinthians 13:3,4; Amplified)

I am merciful and I am good.

Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:36, NKJV)

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy… peace, patience… kindness, goodness… faithfulness, gentleness… self-control… (Galatians 5:22-23, Amplified)

I am faithful and I am forgiving.

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit… is faithfulness. (Galatians 5:22, Amplified)

And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32, KJV)

I am Your child, born of Your seed, and I am love.

Now are we the sons of God. (1 John 3:2)

Being born again, not of corruptible see, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23, KJV)

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God… (1 John 4:7, KJV)

God is love. (1 John 4:8, KJV)

That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]… (Ephesians 3:18, Amplified)

[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled… unto all the fullness of God… (Ephesians 3:19, Amplified)

Experience. It’s one thing to know a thing with what we call “head knowledge”, it’s quite another to know a thing by experience. I can know a lot about surfing, but it doesn’t compare to knowing what it’s like to surf by actually riding upon a wave. I knew a lot about falling in love. I think every little girl does. But that knowledge didn’t prepare me for how wonderful the experience would be when I fell in love with my husband.

I heard someone reading Ephesians 3:18-19 yesterday and when they read the words “experience of that love”, so many thoughts flooded my heart. I thought of the book of Acts. A narration of the acts of the apostles done in His Name and through His power. They were not simply the acts of the apostles, but acts of love. God demonstrating His love through the words and hands of men.

I thought of the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit. Once again, not simply manifestations of His Spirit, but manifestations of His love towards men.

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38, KJV)

I thought of Jesus, going about doing good, healing all. When people came in contact with Jesus, they came in contact with God’s love and they experienced His love. They were healed. They were fed. They were delivered. They were forgiven. They were made whole. Each one had an experience with His love.

Jesus said to the man delivered of demons, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (Mark 5:19, KJV). This man not only knew God’s love, He experienced God’s love.

I teach classes on healing and classes on love and I am more determined than ever that people who take these classes will not just gain head knowledge of God’s love for them, but in each class experience that love. And not only in a class setting, I pray that when others come in contact with me at the mall, at the gas station, in the grocery stores, that more and more people experience His love through me.

The Bible speaks of ambassadors for Christ. We are ambassadors of the One Who is love. Become one through whom this world can experience His love.

Anyone who has heard me teach has definitely heard me say this phrase, “This is my favorite scripture.” Each time I say it, I hear a few chuckles from those who know me best. They chuckle, because I say this about a lot of scriptures. However, there are a few scriptures that I have not said this about. Here is one of them.

And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity. (Matthew 24:12, Amplified)

This scripture speaks of love growing cold. The Greek word translated love is the Greek word agape. Agape is the God-kind of love that only Christians have abiding in them. When it speaks of love growing cold, it speaks of the love of Christians growing cold.

I have studied this verse a lot in an effort to not be one whose love grows cold, in an effort to help others watch for the pitfalls that could lead to this. One phrase that I came across in my studies was “waning love”.

It’s not something that goes from hot to cold in an instant. It’s a gradual process. I think of a boiling pot or a hot stove. When you turn the heat off neither become instantly cold. They gradually cool down until what was once hot is now cold.

This verse not only tells us the problem, but also the cause, “because of multiplied lawlessness and iniquity”.

I was thinking about this verse just the other day while driving on a very busy freeway. Cars were passing me going way above the speed limit. Cars were cutting me off where it seemed I barely had time to avert an accident. I’ve been flipped off a few times for going the speed limit. Honked at for not letting the tailgater behind me go around me so he could tailgate the car less than twenty feet in front of me.

This is lawlessness. This is iniquity. In a minor form, but this is where little by little our love could grow cold, if we are not watchful.

[Love]… takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. (1 Corinthians 13:5, Amplified)

I had this thought as I drove that day. The people speeding and the people cutting me off and mistreating me, have a problem indeed, but if I take account of it, if I pay attention to these suffered wrongs, I too have a problem.

God told us there would be multiplied lawlessness and iniquity in these times. He also told us that this is the very atmosphere that can cause our love to grow cold. And not only out there on the highway, we most have to watch those little subtle things between us, that would cause our love to grow cold towards our fellow believer.

How do we keep our love from growing cold? Stay close to the source that started the flame in you to begin with. Yes, stay close to Him by reading His word, praying and spending time in His Presence. But also stay close to Him by forgiving, by taking no account of the evil done to you, by believing the best of one another. Yield to His love in your heart every chance you get and let those fires burn.

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. (Psalms 16:11, Amplified)

Live in Me, and I will live in you… (John 15:4, Amplified)

Today as I look back on my Christian walk, I see times of great joy and times of great sorrow. Whether they were joyful times or sorrowful times doesn’t seem to have been based on my circumstances. What I realize now is that it was based more so on whether I was abiding in Him… or not.

I have found great joy at the best of times and I have found great joy in the worst of times. How? By finding it in Him. In His Presence is fullness of joy. With Him are pleasures forevermore. But apart from Him… I have never found true and lasting joy in good times or in bad.

Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my exceeding joy… (Psalms 43:4, Amplified)

…I came that they may have and enjoy life… (John 10:10, Amplified)

So, how many of you were excited when you read the title of this post?

Why is it that the word obedience causes many to cringe or maybe choose not to read a post entitled Obedience? I think it’s because obedience may mean you may have to do something you don’t want to do. Or you may not get to do something you’d really like to do. But I believe for many, a change of perspective may make it a lot easier to obey.

Let’s take a look at a passage of scripture found in the book of Leviticus.

If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and do them, I will give you rain in due season… you shall lie down and none shall fill you with dread or make you afraid… you shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you… For I will be leaning toward you with favor and regard for you, rendering you fruitful, multiplying you, and establishing and ratifying My covenant with you. (Leviticus 26:3, 4, 6, 7, 9; Amplified)

For time and space sake, I did not include the entire passage, so I encourage you to go back and read it all. In my Bible the heading just above this passage reads The blessings of obedience. There are blessings that come when you obey. Yes, Jesus paid the price and made the way, but one of the things He made possible for us was the ability to now obey God’s Word by His grace in our lives.

But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). (James 4:6, Amplified)

Now, let’s talk about children and obedience. Most children if allowed to do whatever they wanted would play video games and not go to school. They would choose chips, sodas, and anything with sugar in it over vegetables, water and anything without sugar in it. But we as parents make good choices for them as they grow and require obedience because we love them and want the best for them.

When I hear the word obedience in God’s Word, I’m eager to hear what it is He is asking of me. Why? Because whether I understand it or not, whether I like what He’s asking of me or not, I know that the only reason He requires obedience in that area is because He loves me and wants the best for me.

I trust my heavenly Father. If He says do this, I know there is a blessing in it for me. If He says don’t do that, I want to avoid it, because I know He is simply watching out for me.

If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. (John 14:15, Amplified)

When you read that scripture, don’t think about a god who is somewhere-out-there and whose ways you just don’t understand. Instead, hear the heart of a Father Who loves His child and Who wants to bless His child.

I love it when I read the Word of God and one little word comes alive with such depth and meaning it almost takes my breath away. Today, that one little word was the word “holds” found in Psalm 63:8.

I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. (Psalm 63:8, NLT)

He holds me. The Creator of the Universe holds me securely in His hand.

As I was thinking about this, the phrase “to have and to hold” came up in my heart. It reminded me of some things I had heard concerning ancient Jewish betrothal customs. Here are just a couple.

The cup – “…the young man would pour a glass of wine for the young woman. If the young woman drank the wine, it would indicate her acceptance of the proposal.”

The preparing of a place – “During the betrothal period, the bridegroom would prepare a wedding chamber for the honeymoon. This chamber was typically built in the bridegroom’s father’s house.” (quoted info from www.iclnet.org)

This of course brings a few other scriptures to mind.

And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you; For this is My blood of the new covenant… (Matthew 26:27, NKJV)

There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. (John 14:2-3, NLV)

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:31-32, KJV)

The price of His blood was paid so that He could have me. And now that I am His, He is holding me. Selah.

And behold, a leper came up to Him and, prostrating himself, worshiped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You are able to cleanse me by curing me. And He reached out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed by being cured. And instantly his leprosy was cured and cleansed. (Matthew 8:2-3, Amplified)

Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I have pity and sympathy and am deeply moved for the crowd, because they have been with Me now three days and they have nothing [at all left] to eat; and I am not willing to send them away hungry, lest they faint or become exhausted on the way. (Matthew 15:32, Amplified)

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. (Luke 22:41-43, KJV)

Willing = wishing, longing, desiring (from Rick Renner’s Sparkling Gems from the Greek)

Jesus was willing and able to heal. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

He had compassion and was not willing to send the people away hungry. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

God was not willing that you or I should perish. He was not willing for that cup to pass from Jesus’ hand, because of you and me.

Jesus struggled under the pressure of what lay before Him… torture, crucifixion, death on that cross, separation from God. Not My will but Your’s be done. He was willing to do it for the Father and for the joy that was set before Him, you and me set free and born again. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever.

He is a willing God. Willing to love you. Willing to bless you. Willing to heal you. Willing to save you. Not willing that you should perish or come to destruction, but have everlasting life. He is willing.

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and said unto him, I am willing… (Mark 1:41, KJV & Amplified)

The other day as I was just walking through my house, minding my own business, I suddenly had the thought, “I am someone special because I am special to God.” No person can tell me otherwise. No person’s opinion can make me anything less, for I am special to the King of Kings.

He’s the King of the Universe and He hears and answers my prayers.

He shed His blood for me.

He created the sun, the moon and the stars and He likes to sit with me in the mornings. He likes to hear from me and speak to me throughout the day and into the night. I am special because I am His.

You may have a person, or people in your life, who think you are someone special, but sometimes that can change. But God doesn’t change. You are and always will be special to Him.

As I write this post, I am listening to Phil Driscoll sing to the Lord, “You are so beautiful to me.” As my heart and my lips lift these words in love and in praise to my King, I hear Him say to me, “You are so beautiful to Me.”

Who can ask for anything more, than to be loved by the King Who created all things. You are loved. You are beautiful. You are special to Him.

…his banner over me is love. (Song of Solomon 2:4, NIV)

Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me. (Song of Solomon 2:13, NIV)

…let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. (Song of Solomon 2:14, Amplified)

My beloved is mine, and I am his… (Song of Solomon 2:16, KJV)

So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. (James 4:7, Amplified)

I hear many speak of attacks waged against them. They speak of spiritual warfare, binding and loosing, resistance and battle. God speaks of submitting to Him.

I smile when I think of this. Why? For many the subject of submission is a difficult subject. Really? Depends on how you think about it. Depends on who is asking. In this case Love is asking.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. (James 4:7, KJV)

God is love. (1 John 4:8, KJV)

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the …sacrifice… for our sins. (1 John 4:10, KJV & Amplified)

I believe many hear the words, “Submit to God” and think of a harsh task master with lots of rules. Even when they hear the words, “Submit to love”, I’m sure what comes to mind is what they must do. How they must love others.

Today I want to encourage you to submit to love. Submit to His love for you. Don’t question or doubt His love for you. Don’t question or doubt His goodness, His faithfulness, His grace toward you. Just believe He loves you. Just believe He is good to you. Just believe if you turn your life over to Him, He will do a better job of running it than you have. Trust in His love for you.

This will place you in resistance to the devil. He would have you question God’s goodness and His love. Stand firm in God’s love and the devil will flee.

The Bible says that the enemy goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. I take my stand in God’s love and let the enemy know, “My Father loves me and I know it. You’ll just have to go somewhere else because I’m not one that you can devour.”

Father, I trust You and I submit my life to You and Your love for me.