DIVINE LOVE - How To Recognize Love - Part VI

DIVINE LOVE

(THE LOVE OF JESUS)

I am trying something different with this post. I want you to see if you can find these principles in the Bible yourself and I will post the ones that I have later.

How will we recognize the love of CHRIST ? How will we know whether we or anyone else claiming to be a Christian is revealing this love ? What does it mean to love as CHRIST loved ?

Love does good and nothing but good. The Bible speaks about How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good...(ACTS 10:38) Some Christians mistakenly believe that they must have “feelings of love” for others in order to love like Jesus. This is not true. Good and pleasant words and actions reveal the Spirit of Christ.

4 statements from the pen of an inspired writer help us to understand the love of JESUS and how it does good.

1. To love as Christ loved means to manifest unselfishness at all times and in all places, by kind words and pleasant looks.

2. Christlike love places the most favorable construction on the motives and acts of others. It does not needlessly expose their faults; it does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but seeks rather to bring to mind the good qualities of others.

3. The love which Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power. Every vital part‑‑the brain, the heart, the nerves‑‑it touches with healing. By it the highest energies of the being are aroused to activity. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care, that crush the life forces. With it come serenity and composure. It implants in the soul joy that nothing earthly can destroy,‑‑joy in the Holy Spirit, health ‑giving, life‑giving joy.

4. Christ's love is deep and earnest, flowing like an irrepressible stream to all who will accept it. There is no selfishness in His love. If this heaven-born love is an abiding principle in the heart, it will make itself known, not only to those we hold most dear in sacred relationship, but to all with whom we come in contact. It will lead us to bestow little acts of attention, to make concessions, to perform deeds of kindness, to speak tender, true, encouraging words. It will lead us to sympathize with those whose hearts hunger for sympathy.

The love of CHRIST is the truest and most accurate standard of measurement. We can best measure human love by comparing it to this love but because many do not make the comparison love is often misunderstood by them.

The love of Christ is a golden chain binding finite human beings to the infinite God. This love passes our knowledge. Human science can not explain it. Human wisdom can not fathom it. The more we feel the influence of this love, the more Christlike we shall be

What is the quality of your love ?

Is it of a character to make your associates more Christlike ?

By the grace of God, we will continue to study these things in another post. Have a marvelous weekend.

T.K.

© 2009 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 5 of a booklet entitled, "How To Recognize Love" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blogs... If you are interested in having the entire book email your request to education@issues-of-life.com. You can see what the cover looks like at www.issues-of-life.com and by clicking on products.

NATURAL REMEDIES - Specific Herb Uses - Part II

For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Revelation 18:23

In the book of Revelation in the Bible, the word sorceries comes from the greek word - pharmakeia

The word pharmakeia is where we get our word pharmacy from. Here is the entry in the Strong's Bible concordance.

Strong's number 5331 // farmakeia // pharmakeia // far-mak-i'-ah //

from 5332 ; n f

AV - sorcery 2, witchcraft 1; 3

1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning

Tired of being a slave to medication ? When people get sick and tired of being sick and tired, they desire a change. According to the Bible, in the last days, many people will be deceived and poisoned by a modern form of sorcery called drug medication. Drugs never cure. They only change the form and the location of the disease. Herbs when used with understanding, provide a safe and powerful alternative to poisonous drug therapy. Here is a continuation of a descriptive list of herbal properties in alphabetical order.

ANTI-ABORTIVES - Herbs used to counteract abortive tendencies

Cramp bark, False unicorn, Lobelia, Red raspberry, Witch hazel

ANTI-ARTHRITICS - Herbs used to relieve and heal arthritic conditions

Bitterroot, Blackberry, Black cohosh, Buckthorn, Burdock, Cayenne, Chaparral, Dandelion, Hydrangea, Sarsaparilla, Saw palmetto, Scullcap, Wintergreen, Yellow dock, Yucca root

ANTI-ASTHMATICS - Herbs used to relieve asthma

Agrimony, Angelica, Aniseed, Apple Blossoms, Balm of Gilead, Beetroot juice, Black cohosh, Blue cohosh, Boneset, Cayenne, Chaparral, Cleavers, Coca, Coltsfoot, Comfrey root, Cramp bark, Daisy, Elecampane, Eucalyptus, Evening primrose, Flaxseed, Garlic, Hickory bark, Honeysuckle, Horehound, Hyssop, Jamaica ginger, Licorice, Lobelia, Mullein, Myrrh, Plantain, Pleurisy root, Prickly ash, Red clover, Saw palmetto, Senna, Skunk cabbage, Slippery elm, Spikenard, Stinging nettle, Sunflower seeds, Thyme, Vervain, Walnut leaves, Wild cherry, Wild yam, Yerba santa leaves

ANTI-BILIOUS - Herbs used to eliminate a biliary or jaundice condition in the body. (Acts upon the liver)

Agrimony, Apple bark, Balmony, Barberry, Bayberry, Bistort, Bitter root, Bittersweet, Black alder, Blackstrap molasses, Blessed thistle, Blood root, Boneset, Borage, Buckbean, Butcher’s Broom, Camomile, Cascara sagrada, Cayenne, Chicory, Cleavers, Dandelion, Elecampane, Fennel, Gentian, Goldenseal, Hops, Horehound, Hyssop, Jamaica ginger, Lungwort, mandrake, Marigold flowers, Mountain laurel, Oregon grape, Origanum, Parsley, Peach, Plantain, Poke root, Pomegranate, Prickly ash, Red root, Senna, Sorrel, Spearmint oil, St. John’s wort, Stinging nettles, Sweet marjoram, Turkey rhubarb, Tumeric, Vervain, Wahoo, Wild cherry, Wild yam, Wood betony, Wormwood, Yarrow

ANTI-CATARRHAL - Herbs which heal catarrhal (mucus) conditions in the body.

Acadia, Angelica, Anise, Balm, Barberry, Bayberry, Bistort, Bittersweet, Black walnut, Bladderwrack, Blood root, Boneset, Buchu, Burdock root, Cascara sagrada, Cayenne, Cherry, Cloves, Coltsfoot, Comfrey, Coriander seed, Cramp bark, Echinacea, Elecampane, Eyebright, Fennel seed, Flaxseed, Garlic, Golden seal, Hyssop, Lemon, Lemon balm, Licorice, Lobelia, Lungwort, Marshmallow, Milk-thistle, Mullein, Oregon grape, Parsley, Peppermint, Safflower, Sanicle, Sarsaparilla, Saw palmetto berries, Sesame, Skunk cabbage, Thyme, Uva-ursi, Vervain, Apple cider vinegar and honey, Watercress, White oak, Wild cherry, Wild yam, Wintergreen, Wood sorrel, yarrow, Yerba santa

ANTI-EMETICS - Herbs used to lesson nausea and prevent or relieve vomiting

Anise, Bilberry, Bitter orange, Catnip, Cayenne, Cloves, Cramp bark, Fennel, Gentian, Giant Solomon’s seal, Golden seal, Jamaica ginger, Lavender, Lobelia, Marigold, Origanum, Peach leaves, Peppermint, Pimento, Red clover, Red raspberry, Spearmint, Sweet balm, Sweet basil, White clover, White oak, Wild marjoram, wild yam

To be continued...

You should not use herbs as a means to treat disease or illness unless and only if you have followed these steps first in dealing with disease symptoms.

1. Ascertain the cause

2. Correct the wrong habits and change the unhealthful conditions

and then...

3. Assist the body to heal itself

The use of herbs should complement obedience to the 8 laws of health. More information about this at www.issues-of-life.com under health issues.

to be continued...

By attempting to put into practice anything that you have read in this article you release Tyrone Keels from any responsibility for the results if you are dissatisfied with the outcome. Read the full disclaimer for health issues at www.issues-of-life.com

RAW FACTS ABOUT HUMAN LOVE - NEVER UNCONDITIONAL: How To Recognize Love - Part V

OTHER THOUGHTS ABOUT HUMAN LOVE...

(Today's post may be a little challenging for some to accept because of what they have previously learned, have been taught or have heard.)

One Christian writer has said, "Human love is a sacred attribute; but should not be allowed to mar our religious experience, or draw our hearts from God." Why not you ask ? Because God is love..the very essence and meaning of love...

Human love is based upon feelings and God's love is based upon principle. Human love is weak and changeable, but God's love is full and deep and unchangeable. Notice that the word is unchangeable and not unconditional. The Bible never describes God’s love as unconditional but it does describe His love as unchangeable. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8) For I [am] the LORD, I change not Malachi 3: 6

The phrase "unconditional love" did not originate with God or the church. Unconditional love is a man-made love. It was derived from the published works of a psychoanalyst named Erich Fromm who did not have a very high opinion of God. Here is a sample of his thoughts.

"I am not blessed, because God is good. I also never want to desire that God gives me blessedness by his goodness, because he would not be able to. I am blessed only because God is reason (vernünftig) and because I recognize this." Copyright © 1999 and 2004 by The Literary Estate of Erich Fromm c/o Dr. Rainer Funk, Ursrainer Ring 24, D-72076 Tuebingen Fax: +49-7071-600049, E-mail: frommfunk[atsymbol] aol.com. Parts of this paper on mysticism and religion were included in: E. Fromm, On Being Human, New York: Continuum 1994, pp. 160ff.

The phrase "unconditional love" was coined by German psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in 1934, and the concept was developed in his 1956 book, The Art Of Loving. His ideas were refined in the 1960s by the humanist psychologist Carl Rogers.

You can read all about Erich Fromm and his works on his website here - http://www.erich-fromm.de/e/index.htm?/translate_c?shownews=1

GOD's love is not unconditional. There are certain character qualities and individuals with these qualities that He actually hates.

These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19

In fact the Bible makes clear that people, even His own people can choose to reach a permanent condition of wickedness where God cannot continue to love them.

This is exactly what happened in Hosea 9:15 when God finally said, "I will love them no more." It should be very obvious that if someone stops loving you, his or her love is not unconditional.

God chooses to love human beings regardless of their condition unless human beings choose to reach a permanent condition where God cannot love them. What condition would that be ? A settled condition of complete and utter rejection of the love of God in Christ.

God's love for a human being can be limited by the condition of a mind that has chosen to reject His love. God cannot love a person against his or her will.

The words “unconditional love” are misleading and deceptive. These words say to the human heart, “There is no urgent need to change.” You will always be accepted just the way you are. God loves you so much, He will not require you to be any different than what you are. You don't have to change. The words create a false standard that human love is expected to measure up to. Since human love is based upon feelings, and feelings change with circumstances and conditions, unconditional love can never be a reality for human beings.

HOWEVER...

God's love IS UNCHANGEABLE. It is unchangeable because it is not merely a feeling but a principle. Human beings can experience this love and demonstrate it but only with God's help. "because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5:5) This love is not subject to circumstances or conditions.

Think about the love of God with me for a moment...

Parents love their children, but the love of God is larger, broader, deeper, than human love can possibly be. God gave up His only Son to His enemies in order to save His enemies. All the paternal love that has come down from generation to generation, through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness that have opened in the sons of men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean, when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue can not utter it; pen can not portray it.

Have you human love for the few with whom you are associated ? You must have a deeper love than this. You must have the love of Jesus, which is an abiding, increasing love...

Human love must be refined, elevated and purified by CHRIST and apart from HIM, it is not consistent. Consistency is a jewel. Without consistency there can be no security and without security there can be no trust. This is why GOD, helps us to trust Him by multiplied assurances and securities.

By the grace of God, we will continue to study these things in another post. Have a marvelous weekend.

T.K.

© 2009 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 4 of a booklet entitled, "How To Recognize Love" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blogs... If you are interested in having the entire book email your request to education@issues-of-life.com. You can see what the cover looks like at www.issues-of-life.com and by clicking on products.

NATURAL REMEDIES - Specific Herb Uses - Part I

For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Revelation 18:23

In the book of Revelation in the Bible, the word sorceries comes from the greek word - pharmakeia

The word pharmakeia is where we get our word pharmacy from. Here is the entry in the Strong's Bible concordance.

Strong's number 5331 // farmakeia // pharmakeia // far-mak-i'-ah //

from 5332 ; n f

AV - sorcery 2, witchcraft 1; 3

1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning

According to the Bible, in the last days, many people will be deceived and poisoned by a modern form of sorcery called drug medication. Drugs never cure. They only change the form and the location of the disease. Herbs when used with understanding, provide a safe and powerful alternative to poisonous drug therapy. Here is a descriptive list of herbal properties in alphabetical order.

ALTERATIVES -Herbs used to alter the existing nutritive and excretory processes and gradually restore normal body functions. (long term thorough blood cleansers which slowly and steadily restore normal function)

American bittersweet, balm of Gilead (bark), barberry, bayberry, beth root, bistort, Black cohosh, Black spruce, Black walnut, Bladderwrack, Blue Cohosh, Blue flag, Blue violet, Borage, Brigham tea, Buckbean, Bugleweed, Butternut, Carob, Carrot, Cascara sagrada, Cayenne, Chaparral, Chickweed, Chicory, Cleavers, Comfrey, Cramp bark, Culver’s root, Echinacea, Elecampane, False Unicorn, Garlic, Golden Seal, Hickory, Honeysuckle, Hops, Hyssop, Mandrake, Mountain laurel, Oregon grape, Plantain (cooling), Pokeroot (relaxant), Pomegranate, Prickly ash (dried bark), Purple loosestrife, Red clover, Red raspberry, Sanicle, Sassafras, Sorrel, Spikenard, Squaw vine, St. John’s wort Stillingia, Wood betony, Yarrow, Yellow dock

ANALGESICS - Herbs used to allay (relieve) pain when administered orally

Black willow (ovarian), Camomile, Catnip, Dill, Flaxseed, Giant Solomon’s Seal, Lobelia, Mullein, Scullcap, Skunk cabbage, Solomon’s seal, Stinging nettle, Wild yam, Wood betony.

ANAPHRODISIACS - Herbs used to lessen sexual functions and desires

American black willow, Black willow, camphor, Celery, Coca, Garden sage, Hops, Life everlasting, Oregon grape, Scullcap, White pond lily

ANODYNES - Herbs used to relieve pain when applied externally

Bittersweet, Bugleweed, Camomile, Camphore, Catnip, Coca, Corn silk, Elecampane, Figwort, Fireweed, Hops, Hydrangea, Jamaica ginger, Life everlasting, Marigold, Mullein (especially flower and oil), Mustard, Passion flower, Peppermint (methyl), Pleurisy root, Poke root, Red cedar tops, Saffron, Sanicle, Sassafras oil, Stinging nettle, Tomato tops, Vervain (with flax seed), Water plantain, White lily, White pond lily, White lettuce

ANTACIDS - Herbs used to neutralize acid in the stomach and intestinal tract

American Angelica, Apple, Barberry, Black horehounds, Bladderwrack, Caraway, Catnip, Cloves, Coolwort, Elder flowers, Fennel, Galangal, Garden carrot, Parsley, Peppermint, Slippery elm, Sweet marjoram, White poplar

ANTHELMINTICS - Herbs used to expel or destroy intestinal worms

Aloe, Alstonia bark, American centaury, American senna, Apricot seed, Balm of Gilead (bark), Balmony, Balsam fir, Banana root, Beech, Bistort, Bitter root, Black walnut, Blue cohosh, Buckbean, Blue flag, Buckthorn, Butternut, Cabbage tree, Cajuput oil, Camomile, Carrot, Cascara sagrada, Castor oil, Catnip, Cedar gum, Cloves, Common melon seeds, Dulse, Elecampane, False unicorn, Feverfew, Garlic, Gentian, Garden sage, Hops, Horehound, Hyssop, Male fern, Mandrake, Marigold flowers, Mullein, Onion, Peach, Plaintain, Pomegranate, Primrose, Pumpkin seeds, Senna, Sorrel, Stinging Nettle, Thyme, Turkey rhubarb, Valerian, Vervain, Watermelon seeds, White birch, White oak, Wild carrot, Wormwood

To be continued...

You should not use herbs as a means to treat disease or illness unless and only if you have followed these steps first in dealing with disease symptoms.

1. Ascertain the cause

2. Correct the wrong habits and change the unhealthful conditions

and then...

3. Assist the body to heal itself

The use of herbs should complement obedience to the 8 laws of health. More information about this at www.issues-of-life.com under health issues.

to be continued...

By attempting to put into practice anything that you have read in this article you release Tyrone Keels from any responsibility for the results if you are dissatisfied with the outcome. Read the full disclaimer for health issues at www.issues-of-life.com

RAW FACTS ABOUT HUMAN LOVE - How To Recognize Love - Part IV

While it is certainly true that we can enjoy happiness by being WITH one or more than one human being...

True and abiding happiness can never be derived FROM any human being. Our happiness comes not from what is around us, but from what is within us; not from what we have, but from what we are. Real happiness is found only in being good and doing good. It is found in love because, {Love does good and nothing but good} It is found in GOD because GOD is love and to imitate GOD’s example of doing good is the essence of real happiness. Being good and doing good are indispensable to the perfection of character. However, You must be good before you can do good. Goodness and faithfulness must be found combined in the characters of those who are to inherit eternal life. Goodness is the result of divine power transforming human nature. Here is how the process works. Jesus conveys the circulating vitality of a pure & sanctified Christ‑like love through every part of our human nature.

The divine love emanating from Christ never destroys human love, but includes it. By it human love is refined and purified, elevated and ennobled. Human love can never bear its precious fruit until it is united with the divine nature and trained to grow heavenward. Read & study 2 Peter 1:4-7,11 for more details about growing heavenward.

Full And Complete Joy Is Found In The Presence Of God. Lasting, Satisfying Pleasure Proceeds From God - Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy ; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore. Psalms 16: 11

Without Christ True Love, True Goodness Or Abiding Happiness Is Not Possible - I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:51

Any Manifestations Of True Goodness And Of True Love By A Human Being Is The Result Of The Working Of God's Holy Spirit - But the fruit OF THE SPIRIT is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, GOODNESS, faith. Galatians 5:22

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God. Mark 10:18

Goodness Results In Truly Deep Happiness Which Is Joy - For God giveth to a man that [is] good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, AND JOY. Ecclesiastes 2: 26

By the grace of God, we will continue to study these things in another post...

T.K.

© 2009 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 4 of a booklet entitled, "How To Recognize Love" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blogs... If you are interested in having the entire book email your request to education@issues-of-life.com. You can see what the cover looks like at www.issues-of-life.com and by clicking on products.

A Good News Wednesday

Hi. I thought someone might like some good
news for a change. Smiling is good for you. Making someone else smile is even better.

A wise man once said...

A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17: 22

Here are a few links to stories that are positive. It is good news rather than bad news.

Stolen Wallet - RESTORATION

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/06/newyork.wallet.cherry.tree/index.html

Blood Donor - GIVING

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/06/28/elderly.blood.donor/index.html

Life Savings – GIVING

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/1645010,CST-NWS-kind30.article

Kidneys – GIVING

http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bal-kidneyswap0707,0,6981234.story

Homeless to Harvard – DETERMINATION

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-harvard20-2009jun20,0,1882109.story?page=1

Homeless to Scholarship - DETERMINATION

http://newsroom.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/29/homeless-teen-wins-scholarship/

Rescuing Dad - RELATIONSHIP

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/21/ap/strange/main5031752.shtml

Need a hug ? Check out this last link to a video on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

Have a great evening !

T.K.

LAST DAY EVENTS - The Cities

I had yesterday and today off. I am putting this together quickly because it is of vital importance to all. We could be looking at a government default on debt between July and September. In the Bible, the cities established or prepared by God were places of refuge and in the future a reward to the righteous who will be saved.

Wicked cities often received the judgments of God and were warned before this happened. As we near the return of Jesus Christ and the approach of significant national and global crisis, the Bible counsel to flee the cities is even more applicable now.

ALARM AGAINST THE CITIES

The great day of the LORD [is] near, [it is] near, and hasteth greatly, [even] the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day [is] a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. Zephaniah 1:14-16

IN THE BIBLE WICKED CITIES WERE WARNED AND DESTROYED

Jericho - Hebrews 11:30

Sodom and Gomorrah - Genesis 19:29

Nineveh - Nahum 3:7

Jerusalem - Ezekeiel 9:4/ Jeremiah 52:4,5

Babylon - Jeremaiah 51:31

Tyre - Ezekiel 27:32

and many other wicked cities - Micah 5:14/ Joshua 11:12

JESUS MINISTERED TO PEOPLE IN THE CITIES

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35

Matthew 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities

And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on [his] face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

And he put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. Luke 5:12,13

JESUS OFTEN DID NOT LODGE IN THE CITY

And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. Matthew 21:17,18

And when even was come, he went out of the city. Mark 11:19

JESUS WARNED WICKED CITIES OF THE JUDGMENT (Matthew 11:20-24)

JESUS WARNED THAT THERE WOULD BE PERSECUTION IN THE CITIES

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. Matthew 10:23

WICKED CITIES WILL BE DESTROYED IN THE LAST DAYS

And the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape: the valley also shall perish, and the plain shall be destroyed, as the LORD hath spoken. Jeremiah 48:8

And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. Revelation 16:19

Here are some thoughts and a recommendation from Christian publications on the subject...

It was not God's purpose that people should be crowded into cities, huddled together in terraces and tenements. In the beginning He placed our first parents amidst the beautiful sights and sounds He desires us to rejoice in today. The more nearly we come into harmony with God's original plan, the more favorable will be our position to secure health of body, and mind, and soul.--MH, pp. 363-365.

Get out of the cities into rural districts, where the houses are not crowded closely together, and where you will be free from the interference of enemies.--CL 9.5

Let every man be wide awake for himself, and try to save his family. Let him gird himself for the work. God will reveal from point to point what to do next. {PH068 22.1}

Country living is the recommendation given by the testimony of Jesus for these last days. We may have to work in the city and labor for souls who live there but we should make our home in the country or rural areas. Let us hasten to take heed to the admonition of the Lord...

Order the free DVD from www.urbandanger.com and get informed.

T.K.

HUMAN LOVE & DIVINE LOVE: How To Recognize Love - Part III

Up until this point we have been considering the principle of love, real true love as demonstrated in the life of Christ. His love was divine in origin and was the practical illustration of how love should be revealed.

By studying the life of Christ we learn that if love is to be recognized it must find expression through three basic features of one’s personality and character.

Love should be seen in the looks and manners and heard in the tones of the voice. Mark 10:21/ John 19:26/ John 13:23

Immediately, as we evaluate our own lives, we begin to see problems. As human beings our looks, our manners and our tones of voice do not always reveal love. Human love is not consistent.

THERE ARE ONLY TWO TYPES OF LOVE:

DIVINE LOVE & HUMAN LOVE

HUMAN LOVE

Have you ever noticed when someone close to you seems to love you and at other times that person seems to dislike you ? Is good to you and sometimes not so good ? Consider this...

Human love may change but CHRIST’s love knows no change

...GOD is love.” (1 John 4:8) “...I am the LORD, I change not.” (Malachi 3:6)

Have you ever wanted the attention, recognition, appreciation or love of another human being ? Think about this...

1. The heart yearns for human love, but this love is not strong enough, or pure enough, or precious enough, to supply the place of the love of JESUS.

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love : Jeremiah 31:3

2. When it is cherished in the heart the love of CHRIST is preferred to the love of any human being. (Romans 8:38,39/Luke 10:27)

Notice how one author shares some inspired principles of guidance for human relationships...

Your love for that which is human is to be secondary to your love for God. The wealth of your affection is to flow forth to Him who gave His life for you. (John 15:13)

We are to have supreme love to God, and our friends are to be loved secondarily. Our love for husband, wife, brother, sisters, father, or mother, must be inferior to our love to God. (Matthew 10:37)

And only as we love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially. (Matthew 22:37-39) This is contrary to the popular idea that people must love themselves first in order to love others. Actually, it is in the tendency of human nature for people to love themselves first and in a false way or too much. This is called self-love or selfishness and it really isn’t love at all. Those who sow selfishness will reap selfishness. In rejecting the love of Christ they reject that which alone can impart purity and steadfastness to human love.

Notice that human love is not to be discarded or totally abandoned. It is to receive its purity and steadfastness from the love of Christ. Human love alone will never satisfy the deep longings of the soul which were implanted there by the Creator Himself. Neither you or I however, would want to live this life without human love so don't despair. God's plan for human love gives it a beauty, depth, value and purpose that most people have never experienced...

We will continue to study these things in our next post...

© 2009 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 3 of a booklet entitled, "How To Recognize Love" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blogs... If you are interested in having the entire book email your request to education@issues-of-life.com. You can see what the cover looks like at www.issues-of-life.com and by clicking on products.