Prince of Peace

 Here is an article I wrote in inspireafire. com that explains how we find enduring peace and how

we can overcome anxiety.

https://inspireafire.com/prince-of-peace/

He First Loved Us

We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 KJV

In our relationship with God, Jesus is the initiator. Not only did He first die for us when we were sinners, He desires to be the one who takes the lead in our relationship with Him. He first loved us and that love motivates us to love Him and others.

 
The Attributes of the God-Kind of Love

The Bible also says that God is love (1 John 4:8 and 4:16). 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a picture of Love’s character. Here are some of the attributes of the God-kind of love.

Love is patient

Love joyfully puts up with the failings of others.

Love is kind

Love is gentle and puts others above himself or herself.

Love is not jealous

Love does not seek harm to those who excel, rather love rejoices in the success of others.

Love is not proud

Love doesn’t put on airs. It considers others as better than itself.

Love is not rude

Love is not impolite or ill-mannered.

Love does not demand its own way.

A person who loves does not believe he or she is the most important person in the room.

He or she listens to the advice of others.

Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

It is not easily offended and is quick to forgive.

Love does not rejoice at injustice.

Love hates the mistreatment of others.

Love rejoices when truth wins out.

Love sides with the truth.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful.

Love always endures even when facing difficult people and circumstances.

The Ability to Love

The above is a snapshot of the God-kind of love. This love has been shed abroad in our hearts as believers through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). We have this love in us. It is in us as a seed, but it can grow. The more we receive God’s love for us, the easier it becomes for us to share that love with God and with others. The Holy Spirit empowers us to love.

Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love God with all of our heart, soul mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30).

God’s love should also compel us to tell others about Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV says, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

In fact, everything about us should be motivated by love. Of course, none of us have attained this. But when we fall, we fall into His arms and we get back up. As we practice love over time, we will see the fruit of love grow within us.

His love is also related to the truth of God’s word. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15 NIV.”  Feeding on and obeying God’s word is central to walking in the love of God.

Love is a Byproduct

But we must always remember that the fruit of God’s love is a byproduct of our relationship with Jesus. His love for us comes first. As mentioned earlier, He first loved us. His love for us and within us motivates us to love God in return and to love others. As we abide in the vine (our relationship with God), we produce fruit (See John 15). As we feed on God’s word and spend time in His presence, we are changed from glory to glory.

One of the ways that we can love is through our giving. Do we give financially so that others can be blessed? Are we kind to the poor, the widow and the orphan? Are we generous in meeting the needs of the less fortunate? This is a measure of how well we love.

And, of course, our relationships mirror how well we love. Are you a husband? How well are you loving and cherishing your wife? Are you a wife? Do you love and respect your husband? Are you kind to your children? Children, are you obedient to your parents?

Forgiving Others

There may be those in your life that you have grown bitter towards. With God’s help we can and should forgive. It may start as an act of faith. Feelings of love may not be evident at this time. But as you pray for this individual and choose to forgive, it becomes easier.

While we love God and others, we should establish healthy boundaries. We are to forgive everyone who has hurt us, but that doesn’t mean we should continue in unhealthy relationships. If we are unsure as to how to do this, we can ask someone who is spiritually mature to help us.

In Conclusion

God has given us the blueprint for love in His word. He has shown us what God’s love is like. He has come as the Initiator. We love Him and others because He first loved us. His ability to love has been gifted to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus has commanded us to love, and He gives us the ability to do so. The more we love God and others, the more we reflect the heart of our Master. Let’s place love as one of the key foundations of our lives. How is your love walk today?

Here is another article I found for further study and inspiration

https://livinghopechurch.net/the-15-attributes-of-love/

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Humble Mary

 Here is a poem I wrote that appeared in inspireafire. com. It is about the mother of Jesus.

https://inspireafire.com/humble-mary/

Discovering the True Meaning of Christmas

           

As a child on Christmas morn, my heart raced in anticipation of unwrapping the

presents lying beneath our family’s Christmas tree. My brother and I awoke early and called my parents to commence with the festivities. In addition to the allure of presents, my mind raced with the magical cheer of the holidays. At church, the minister spoke of the Christ-child born in a manger. But the story did not grip me. It did not change my life, not until the Holy Spirit wrestled with my stubborn heart. When I was eighteen attending a gospel concert, the true meaning of Christmas came alive for me.

 

He always existed, and always will. His life spans from eternity past and on to infinity.

He is the great I am. He is Three in One - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Since Adam’s fall at the beginning of the world, God intended for Jesus to be born into the earth. God spoke these words to the serpent (Satan), after Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit.

 

“I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring

and her offspring; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15

 

At the proper time, Jesus came to earth. The Maker of the Universe entered the womb of Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. Soon Jesus was born into the earth. He was worshipped by angels, shepherds and later by kings. The infinite One took on finite flesh. He who was 100% God became 100% man as well. He lived a sinless life and then paid the price for our sin through his execution on the cross. After three days, He rose again, and now He lives to intercede for us at the right hand of God. This is the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus was born, lived, died and rose again so that we can find our hope in Him.

 

When I was a child, the true revelation of Christmas evaded me. Like trying to grasp

slippery sand, I failed to understand. The eyes of my heart were blinded to spiritual things. It takes the Holy Spirit to illuminate our hearts. Satan desires to blind us from the truth but when we turn to Jesus, the veil is lifted.

 

Have you received Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Have you done business with Jesus by repenting of your sins and receiving His pardon for them. Have you obtained His free gift of eternal life? This is an exchange where we give Jesus our faults and He gives us His eternal salvation.

Jesus said we must become like children to enter the kingdom of God. He desires that our hearts be thrilled with anticipation not for the gifts beneath a Christmas tree, but for His gift of salvation He longs to give us.

The Bible teaches that none of us can earn this gift. It has been completely paid for through the blood of Christ. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.

Here is a prayer for you to receive Christ as your Lord and Savior. Please pray it if you would like to join God’s family or if you know the Lord but have grown cold in your relationship with Him.

 

Dear Father God,

 

Thank you for sending Jesus to die for me and to be risen from the dead. I admit that I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness. I repent of my sins and I turn to you. I declare that You are the Lord of my life! Thank you for your free gift of salvation that I cannot earn. I thank you that I will live with you in heaven forever. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

 

Here some things to do to help you in your newfound faith:

 

l  Read the Bible Daily– it is food for the soul.

l  Pray – Talk to your Heavenly Father.  He is Your Friend and He will talk to you as well.

l  Start attending a loving, Spirit-filled church that teaches from the Bible.

l  Tell others about your newfound relationship with Jesus.

 Merry Christmas!

© Copyright 2021 by Tom Toya  

 

 

 

 

 

Door of Hope

Hosea was a prophet in the Old Testament. God commanded him to marry a prostitute named Gomer. After they married, she was unfaithful to Hosea. Her life represented the nation of Israel. Israel showed her unfaithfulness to Jehovah by running after other gods. And Gomer was unfaithful to Hosea so the Lord told Hosea to separate from the woman. Gomer experienced shame from her disobedience. The Lord told Hosea to seek her out again and to love her. This was likened to His love and commitment to Israel. But the Lord gave her a promise through Hosea, and the Lord offers that same promise to us.

The Lord said, “There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make Anchor a door of hope.” Hosea 2:15 NIV.  Here the word vineyards represents abundance and fruitfulness. The Hebrew word for Anchor means trouble. We could write the verse as, “There I will give her back her abundance and fruitfulness and make Trouble a door of hope.”

If we turn away from the Lord, we will experience lack. This is especially true spiritually. Disobedience breeds spiritual lack or thinness of soul. If we walk away from our Creator, we will experience shame. Turning away from the Lord can also affect us physically, relationally, emotionally and financially. But God is married to the backslider (Jeremiah 3:14). He loves us even if we walk away. However, He always calls us back into a vibrant relationship with Himself.

When a person walks away from the Lord, he or she experiences darkness and trouble. But the Lord calls them home. He offers them a door of hope in exchange for their trouble.

If you examine your heart and find that your relationship with the Lord is not as it should be, turn back to the Father. He loves you, and He will treat you with compassion. Allow Him to turn your trouble into a door of hope.

Here is a prayer that will lead you back to the Lord if you’ve strayed…

Dear Father God,

I am not where I should be spiritually. I have walked away from you and I am sorry. Forgive me for my sins and make me clean. I surrender to you, and I declare that You are my Lord and Savior. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for me and thank you that He is risen. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

The Highest Praise

Don’t give gratitude

Only when you’re in the mood

Don’t give thanks and praise

Only with hands raised

 

Go about your day praising and singing

Lift up your voice, keep it ringing

 

Give thanks in every circumstance

Not for the trials that land

Give thanks in every circumstance

Don’t leave it up to chance

 

I am grateful, so grateful

Not just when the blessings flow

But also in the barren times

When I wonder where to go

 

Thank the Lord for who He is

For this is the highest praise

We Won't Bow Down

 Here is an article I wrote for inspireafire, com called We Won't Bow Down. I hope it encourages you.

https://inspireafire.com/38566-2/