by Jeanie | Feb 14, 2009 | Uncategorised
One of my favourite songs is “Because you Loved me” by Celine Dion. I love the tune but more importantly, the lyrics. She starts off by enumerating the things her lover has done for her and finishes off with the line “I am everything I am because you loved me”.
John 3:16 reveals to us the greatest gift God gave us in that he sent his son to die for our sins.
Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
So, we can conclude from these verses that love commands giving; cheerful giving, sacrificial giving, substantial giving.
As couples all over the world celebrate their love for one another today, you’ll probably notice them exchanging gifts or showing their appreciation; some, with remarks such as – I love you honey and I want to thank you for everything that you’ve been and done for me, for believing in me, standing by me, helping me, etc. These are ways of them saying, I am everything I am because you loved me.
Have you heard the saying “Giving is the other side of receiving”? Well, here’s how I like to think of it. We inhale to exhale and exhale to inhale. Try taking in as much air as possible without releasing any, how do you feel now? Selah!
John, the writer said: We love him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). Love is reciprocal. When you give it, you in turn will receive it. Friend, whatever your position is or has been, whether you’re on the giving or receiving side; today, you have an opportunity to balance the equation.
Paul in writing to the Galatians said :
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.(Galatians 6:7)
So, I want to encourage you today to sow carefully and purposefully; don’t just cast your seeds anywhere or anyhow. Sow into good soil, sow a quality seed and I promise, you will reap a mega harvest of LOVE.
GOD BLESS
Other Valentine Editions
Love at the Upper Room – You Showed Me
Beloved
Come and see the man!
Love conquers all…
Will you be mine?
His Love, My Salvation
Endless Love
You qualify!
I Love You
by Jeanie | Feb 3, 2009 | Uncategorised
Last week, we studied the life of a young man, David who was able to overcome a challenge he was faced with because he was competent and also confident to say it even in the face of opposition. Today, we’ll look at the life of Caleb who at 85 was fervent and determined to fight for and obtain his inheritance. Have a good read.
In Joshua 14, we see the record of this man of God coming up to Joshua to remind him of the promises of God through his servant Moses to him. My first question for you today is do you still remember the promises of God concerning you? Chances are that Joshua remembered that promise but may not have given the land to Caleb until he came and asked for it. Friend, have you asked for your inheritance or are you folding your hands just waiting for something to happen? Caleb was bold and went to ask for it, in fact the scripture was meticulous in telling us that the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal; will you draw nigh today, and ask?
In verse 10, Caleb speaks of his belief that God kept him alive since the time he gave him that word to fulfil His promise; Friend, the very fact that you are still alive today is because the Lord will perform his word to you just as he promised.
…..for I am watching over my word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12b
40 years later, Caleb was still passionate about a promise. He waited 40 years and was still willing not weary to fight for his inheritance. How long has it been since that word was spoken to you? Are you still as passionate and strong in faith as then? Can I encourage you not to give up but hold on?
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
The inheritance was for those who were strong and had the courage to fight for it. I know you remember what God has told you, you’ve asked and keep on asking; you probably have demonstrated your ability to capture it but can I encourage to take that one step further and fight for it
He goes on to say in verse 12 “Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” I want you to note that Caleb was not ignorant of the fact that there were giants there because the Anakites were giants not the standard ones; these people were rather long-necked and yet Caleb now 85 was not intimidated but he said “The Lord helping me, I will overcome, I will drive them out and possess the land. Friend, that’s the attitude you and I ought to have. It is only with the Lord’s help that we can overcome, we will never make it t by our might or power but by His Spirit, we can!
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.
Revelation 12: 11a
For the arms with which we are fighting are not those of the flesh, but are strong before God for the destruction of high places. 2 Corinthians 10:4
Verse 13 of Joshua 14 says that Joshua gave Caleb Hebron; God will give you your inheritance, that land of promise, that desire of yours, that very thing you have been believing him for. Receive it today in Jesus Name!
More in this series:
You are able 1
You are able 3
