"Love," Paul says, "never fails" (1 Cor. 13:8 NIV).
The verb Paul uses for the word fail is used elsewhere to describe the demise of a flower as it falls to the ground, withers, and decays. It carries the meaning of death and abolishment. God's love, says the apostle, will never fall to the ground, wither, and decay. By its nature, it is permanent. It is never abolished.
Love "will last forever" (NLT).
It "never dies" (MSG).
It "never ends" (RSV).
Love "is eternal" (TEV).
God's love "will never come to an end" (NEB).
Love never fails.
Governments will fail, but God's love will last. Crowns are temporary, but love is eternal. Your money will run out, but his love never will.
How could God have a love like this? No one has unfailing love. No person can love with perfection. You're right. No person can. But God is not a person. Unlike our love, his never fails. His love is immensely different from ours.
Our love depends on the receiver of the love. Let a thousand people pass before us, and we will not feel the same about each. Our love will be regulated by their appearance, by their personalities. Even when we find a few people we like, our feelings will fluctuate. How they treat us will affect how we love them. The receiver regulates our love.
Not so with the love of God. We have no thermostatic impact on his love for us. The love of God is born from within him, not from what he finds in us. His love is uncaused and spontaneous.
Does he love us because of our goodness? Because of our kindness? Because of our great faith? No, he loves us because of his goodness, kindness, and great faith. John says it like this: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us" (1 John 4:10 NIV).
Doesn't this thought comfort you? God's love does not hinge on yours. The abundance of your love does not increase his. The lack of your love does not diminish his. Your goodness does not enhance his love, nor does your weakness dilute it. What Moses said to Israel is what God says to us:
The LORD did not choose you and lavish his love on you because you were larger or greater than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! It was simply because the LORD loves you. (Deut. 7:7-8 NLT)
God loves you simply because he has chosen to do so.
He loves you when you don't feel lovely.
He loves you when no one else loves you. Others may abandon you, divorce you, and ignore you, but God will love you. Always. No matter what.
This is his sentiment: "I'll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I'll call the unloved and make them beloved" (Rom. 9:25 MSG).
This is his promise. "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself" (Jer. 31:3 NLT).
From A Love Worth Giving
by Max Lucado
Friday, November 20, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
CVI is my Motivational DNA!!
Melissa’s Motivational DNA Type is: CVI
(Connection-Variety-Internal) The Relater
Relaters are caring and creative. They relish life and cherish relationships. Relaters are outgoing, friendly and well-liked. They are resourceful and inventive, with an ability to compromise to get the job done. They are team players that bring out the best in others. Warm and enthusiastic, they balance concern for others with a zeal for personal growth.
Relaters are personal and practical in their approach to problem-solving. They have an innate ability to creating win-win solutions. Relaters value what is really important and desire to make a positive contribution to society. Blending loyalty with adventure, Relaters are fun friends and devoted partners.
CVI Motivators: Genuine appreciation for a job done well, opportunities for personal growth, fun co-workers, teamwork, new experiences and an inspiring work environment.
CVI De-Motivators: Isolation, rigid routine, pressure-cooker deadlines, quenching creativity, disapproval and conflict.
Pretty interesting: find out yours at http://getmotivatedbook.com/
1. You are a people person, so the best way for you to achieve your objectives is to collaborate with a partner or group of people who share the same purpose. Find or create a support group that will cheer you on until you reach your goal.
2. Follow-through is a challenge for your motivational style. You must become accountable to your goal and do something each day, no matter how small, that moves you closer to your target.
3. Take some time to soul search and ask yourself why your goal is important. Write down those reasons and refer to them often. It is the “why,” not the “how,” that inspires your motivational type.
(Connection-Variety-Internal) The Relater
Relaters are caring and creative. They relish life and cherish relationships. Relaters are outgoing, friendly and well-liked. They are resourceful and inventive, with an ability to compromise to get the job done. They are team players that bring out the best in others. Warm and enthusiastic, they balance concern for others with a zeal for personal growth.
Relaters are personal and practical in their approach to problem-solving. They have an innate ability to creating win-win solutions. Relaters value what is really important and desire to make a positive contribution to society. Blending loyalty with adventure, Relaters are fun friends and devoted partners.
CVI Motivators: Genuine appreciation for a job done well, opportunities for personal growth, fun co-workers, teamwork, new experiences and an inspiring work environment.
CVI De-Motivators: Isolation, rigid routine, pressure-cooker deadlines, quenching creativity, disapproval and conflict.
Pretty interesting: find out yours at http://getmotivatedbook.com/
1. You are a people person, so the best way for you to achieve your objectives is to collaborate with a partner or group of people who share the same purpose. Find or create a support group that will cheer you on until you reach your goal.
2. Follow-through is a challenge for your motivational style. You must become accountable to your goal and do something each day, no matter how small, that moves you closer to your target.
3. Take some time to soul search and ask yourself why your goal is important. Write down those reasons and refer to them often. It is the “why,” not the “how,” that inspires your motivational type.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Thanks in Giving
Sometimes you sit back an realize that your life has so much meaning...
Money, fame, or titles does not matter because they don't define YOU!
People that truly love you and genuinely care about you...surround you.
You realize that the heart of ministry is Compassion..
You realize that that those who seem to oppose you are really just interested in who you really are...and don't know how to go about it.
You realize that salvation matters....not little cares of life.
You realize that the God you serve is so amazing that he sends you love notes and hugs daily!
You realize that the people in your life are there for a reason.
You realize that things may not be perfect but God is!
The simple things that can not be bought matter more than any-THING money could afford.
It's in these moment of clarity that I cannot help but Praise the Lord for his goodness..
This year my family decided to celebrate Thanksgiving early because some of us will be on our mission's trip, touching people in another country and for that I am grateful to be a part of the body of Christ reaching out. Although I am just one person, God wants to use my experience, my willingness and obedience to love on others in another country. As I sat at the table laughing and enjoying my family I realized....What a blessing I have to be able to sit in their company and laugh until it hurts.
Truly this feeling could not be found anywhere
Take a moment and...
Learn to appreciate people!
Learn to appreciate Life!
Learn to appreciate yourself!
Learn to THANK our kind, just, loving and merciful SAVIOR!
Money, fame, or titles does not matter because they don't define YOU!
People that truly love you and genuinely care about you...surround you.
You realize that the heart of ministry is Compassion..
You realize that that those who seem to oppose you are really just interested in who you really are...and don't know how to go about it.
You realize that salvation matters....not little cares of life.
You realize that the God you serve is so amazing that he sends you love notes and hugs daily!
You realize that the people in your life are there for a reason.
You realize that things may not be perfect but God is!
The simple things that can not be bought matter more than any-THING money could afford.
It's in these moment of clarity that I cannot help but Praise the Lord for his goodness..
This year my family decided to celebrate Thanksgiving early because some of us will be on our mission's trip, touching people in another country and for that I am grateful to be a part of the body of Christ reaching out. Although I am just one person, God wants to use my experience, my willingness and obedience to love on others in another country. As I sat at the table laughing and enjoying my family I realized....What a blessing I have to be able to sit in their company and laugh until it hurts.
Truly this feeling could not be found anywhere
Take a moment and...
Learn to appreciate people!
Learn to appreciate Life!
Learn to appreciate yourself!
Learn to THANK our kind, just, loving and merciful SAVIOR!
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