The Glory of God's Grace
Matters like Love cannot be discovered fully by natural man so they become matters for prayer. We need the help of God Himself to know the measure of the Love to which His Word points us. In the great opening Word of Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians, we find that all God is doing in us now is moving on to the praise of the glory of His grace (a glorious celebration), wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved—Ephesians 1:6.
Paul in his Ephesians Epistle helps us in the following passage, which is both powerful and provocative. He leads us to pray about the dimensions in Love. The Lord Jesus introduced us to the word agápe, practically unknown outside the New Testament. it names a specific kind of Love unknown before Jesus brought it with Him from His Father in Heaven.
(Literal translation from the Received Text of the Greek New Testament)
Ephesians 3:14-19
For this cause I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in the heavens and upon earth has been named,
...THAT He would give to you, once and for all, according to the abundant wealth of His glory, to be governed with enabling power by His Spirit in your inner man, that so you will have the faith to open your life to Christ so that He might dwell in your heart by faith...
...THAT you having been rooted in and built upon a foundation in Love, might have the spiritual strength to seize for yourself, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know with finality what the Love of Christ is,
...THAT you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
“prayer-starters”
ONE—The Origin of Love ...John’s Great Treatise on Love
1 John 4:7-10…Beloved, let us love one another: for Love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is Love. In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is Love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:11-13…Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. We know that we live in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. [niv]
Heavenly Father, Please send Your Spirit to search out everything in my heart that resists Your Love. Heal the wrong way I’ve perceived You and Your Love. Let me love others as You do. Thank you, Lord, for Loving me enough that you sent Your Son to redeem my life from ruin. I hold these ones before you now that you might make known to them the wonder of Your Love.
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TWO – God’s Greatest Expression of Love ...
John 3:16-18…For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
[niv];For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
Father God, Your Love is precious. It caused You to send Jesus, Your only Son, to suffer and to lay down His life for me–and every person in the world. Right now, I open my life before You to receive of Your Love, afresh and anew. Today, let it flow through me to these others.
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THREE – Love Is Stronger Than Sin.
Psalm 119:132,133...Turn to me and have mercy on me, as You always do to those who love Your name. Direct my footsteps according to Your Word; let no sin rule over me. [niv]
Romans 6:12-14...Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. [niv]
I John 3:7-10...Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.is born of God doth not commit sin; for His Seed remaineth in Him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Father, I don’t want anything left in me that will grieve You. Have mercy on me, Dear Lord, as You do to those who love Your Name. Direct my footsteps according to Your Word; let no sin rule over me. I offer the parts of my body to You as instruments of righteousness because Your have brought me from death into life. I renounce the control of sin in my life, for sin shall not be my master, because I am not under law, but under Your grace.
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Love does not seek to make itself known. It is content to perform whether anyone ever knows, or not. The real Love of God, when it is put into action in a believer, may be so hidden that none will ever know but God Himself. Paul, inspired marvelously by the Holy Spirit, was able to describe what this kind of love is like in I Corinthians 13. It is perhaps the greatest discourse on love there is. There the Greek word agápe occurs a total of eight times. In these thirteen verses are laid out fifteen qualities of this love .
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. [niv]
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FOUR—The Patience of Love
I Corinthians 13:4a…Charity suffereth long...Love is patient…
Ephesians 4:1,2…As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. [niv]
Colossians 3:12-14…Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
[niv] "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."II Corinthians 6:3-6…We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; [niv]
Heavenly Father, I ask you, Lord, to help me live a life worthy of Your calling. As I humble myself to Your gentle touch, I ask you to help me to be gentle and kind to those around me, dealing with them always with understanding, compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility, and patience in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love. I forgive whatever grievances I have against anyone who I have ill feelings towards. Help me forgive as You forgave me. As Your servant I commit myself in every way—in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses. Over all these virtues I put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
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FIVE—The Kindness of Love ...Being Kind to Those Who are Unkind
I Corinthians 13:4b…Charity...is kind...LOVE is kind…
Ephesians 4:32…And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
[niv] "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."Luke 6:27-36…Love for Your Enemies
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." [niv]Gracious Lord, thank you for Your loving kindness towards me, even when I don’t deserve it the least. Help me be kind to those around me, especially those close to me who sometimes do things differently than I would do them. Help me see things from their point of view that I might better understand their heart.
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SIX—The Desire of Love to See Others Blessed ...Releasing Love’s Blessing on Others
I Corinthians 13:4c…charity envieth not… [niv] LOVE…does not envy…
Titus 3:3-5… At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, [niv]
Matthew 5:43-48…"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. [niv]
Romans 12:14-21…Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [niv]Father, please forgive me for being envious of Your blessing on others. Please grant me the grace to rejoice as Your blessings flow to others. And, I pray that Your anointing, peace and abundance will flow upon each of those I now hold before You. I pray especially for the ones who have been less than dear to me.
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SEVEN—The Humility of Love ...Taking a Lowly Place
I Corinthians 13:4d…charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up...[niv] LOVE…is not proud.
Philippians 2:3…Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
[msg] 1-4 "If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand."Proverbs 25:6-14…
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence,
and do not claim a place among great men;
7 It is better for him to say to you, "Come up here,"
than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
What you have seen with your eyes
8 do not bring hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 If you argue your case with a neighbor,
do not betray another man's confidence,
10 or he who hears it may shame you
and you will never lose your bad reputation.
11 A word aptly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.
13 Like the coolness of snow at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give. [niv]Luke 14:8-11…"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." [niv]
Dear Lord, Too often I want to lift myself up so others can see my value. Forgive me, Lord. Let me seek Your honor. Let me boast in Your works. Let me see the value and abilities of others around me. And, OH heavenly Father, as I hold them before you, help me edify and encourage them. Let there always be an opportunity to let Your value shine through my own humility as I lend a helping hand…
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EIGHT—The Behavior of Love ...Living in a Way That Does Not Cause Others to Stumble
I Corinthians 13:5a…Charity...Doth not behave itself unseemly… [niv] LOVE…is not rude…
Philippians 4:8…Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Ephesians 4:25-32… 25-28 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin"[Ps 4:4]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29-32Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. [niv]Please, Heavenly Father, mend my ways with the grace of Your salvation. If in any way my behavior is unpleasing or harmful to others, please make it known to me. Let me know the fullness of Your love. Let the desire of my heart be to walk in a way that is pleasing to you as well as those around me. Let them see Christ in me. Allow me to be an encouragement to them. Let me never cause anyone to stumble or become weak in their faith. Let Your love shine forth in these I hold before you now, causing them to walk in a manner that is pleasing unto You.
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NINE—Love Shows Concern for Others ...Expressing God’s Love by Helping Others
I Corinthians 13:5b…Charity...seeketh not her own…LOVE…it is not self-seeking…
Galatians 5:13-15..."For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself." [msg]
1 John 3:16,17…Hereby perceive we the Love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1 John 4:20,21…If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. [niv]
Dear Lord, stir within me the desire to serve you by serving others. Let there come forth in me a release of Your agápe love. Please, Lord, remove any tendency I have toward judging others, but enable me to look on them with compassion, seeking their well-being. Let me become a witness of Your Love and redemption.
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TEN—Love is Kind ...Discipline in Relationships with Others
I Corinthians 13:5c…Charity...is not easily provoked…
LOVE …is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [niv]James 1:19…Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Proverbs 14:17…"A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated." [niv]
Proverbs 15:1…A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Matthew 5:22-25…"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother (without cause) will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca’ (A term of contempt) is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison." [niv]Father of Mercies, Work into the love that I have received from Your Spirit a long-sufferingkindness toward the people around me. Help me to always speak with gentleness. Help me be content with what things I have while rejoicing in the prosperity of others. Please work a true humility into my spirit and set me free from the rudeness that sometimes comes upon me. Please set me free from this tendency. Help me, DEAR LORD, to be concerned about the welfare of others, whether I get along well or not.
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ELEVEN—Love Thinks No Evil ...Living With the Mind of Christ
I Corinthians 13:5d-6a…Charity...thinketh no evil,
...LOVE does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [niv]Proverbs 14:22… Do not those who plot evil go astray?
But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. [niv]Philippians 2:1-9…If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowlyness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:
1 Peter 1:13-16…Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He Who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Dear Lord, work in my mind. Where I have sometimes thought evil against others let Your love begin to rule in me. Let my thoughts toward others become thoughts of good and blessing. Fill me with desire to see others released in Your Love.
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TWELVE—Love…Seeks After Righteousness ...Tenderness Toward The Unrighteous
I Corinthians 13:6a…Charity...Rejoiceth not in iniquity...LOVE does not delight in evil...[niv]
Philippians 3:17-19…"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things." [niv]
1 Corinthians 2:1-7…1-5 "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's Power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's Power.
Wisdom From the Spirit
6-7 "We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began." [niv]Father, I have had occasion to be sad over the actions of others, and sometimes my grief has been replaced by contempt and anger. Forgive me, Lord. Let Your love so fill my heart that I can regard those who fail me as you regard them so that I might become a factor in their deliverance and healing.
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THIRTEEN—The Ability of Love to Rejoice in Truth ...Helping Others Rejoice in Truth.
I Corinthians 13:6b…Charity...rejoiceth in the truth…LOVE…rejoices with the truth.
2 John 1:3-5...Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
[msg] 3-6…"Let grace, mercy, and peace be with us in truth and love from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, Son of the Father! I can't tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth, exactly as commanded by the Father. But permit me a reminder, friends, and this is not a new commandment but simply a repetition of our original and basic charter: that we love each other. Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed."Philippians 2:17-18... Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
Gracious Lord, let the love for Your truth increase in me. Bring forth in me as well as in these I hold before you, a rejoicing in truth, even when it is painful. Let all truth become joyful–truth about myself, truth about You, truth regarding Your Kingdom.
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FOURTEEN—The Ability of Love to Bear Stress ...Showing Concern for The Weak
I Corinthians 13:7a…Charity...Beareth all things…LOVE...always protects...
Galatians 6:1…Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
[msg] 1-3 "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived."Romans 15:1-6…1-2 "Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"
3-6 That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for Himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of His steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever He will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!" [msg]James 5:19,20…Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Heavenly Father, I need the release of Your love in my heart so I can bear the weakness of these I hold before you. I find no joy in their waywardness. I grieve for them. Let Your love work in me so I can become stronger to help them overcome.
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FIFTEEN—The Faith of Love ...Faith and Love work together
I Corinthians 13:7b…Charity...believeth all things…LOVE always trusts...
Galatians 5:6…For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Hebrews 11:17-19…"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death." [niv]
James 2:14-26… Faith in Action… 14-17 "Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed inrags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
18 I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, "Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department." Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove." [msg]
Dear Lord, My faith has been weak because my love has grown weak. Strengthen it within me. Help me love these sufficiently for whom I am trying to have faith, that I might see them set free in Your Love.
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SIXTEEN—The Hope of Love ...What Faith and Hope and Love Bring About all Together
I Corinthians 13:7c…Charity hopeth all things…LOVE...always hopes...
Romans 5:1-5… Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
[msg] 3-5 There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!Romans 5:6-8… You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [niv]
Precious Lord, thank You for giving me a hope that is steadfast and sure. Because I know you love me there is a certainty in my life with regard to what lies ahead. Please flood the hearts of these I hold before you with Your love so they can embrace this certainty, also.
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SEVENTEEN—The Endurance of Love ...Looking Unto Jesus For Patience
I Corinthians 13:7d…Charity endureth all things…LOVE always perseveres...
Hebrews 12:1-7…God Disciplines His Sons
1-3 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
do not lose heart when He rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines those He loves,
He punishes everyone He accepts as a son."
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.
For what son is not disciplined by his father?" [niv]Proverbs 3:11-12...My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of His correction: For whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Father God, I have need of Your love working in me so I can patiently hold out through this time of testing. I receive its release right now. Work in me, chasten and correct me so that quality that will enable me to stand even when darkness seems to consume me.
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EIGHTEEN—True Love Lasts Forever ...How Love Spans the Ages
I Corinthians 13:8-13…8-10 Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
11 When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good. 12 We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us! 13 But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation:
Trust steadily in God,
Hope unswervingly,
Love extravagantly.
And the best of the three is love. [msg]
What more is there to be said? It all winds up with what it all began with. Love. It’s that eternal Love that God is. It reached for us in His only begotten Son. It entered us and remains with us. It carries us into eternity.
Gracious Loving Lord,
I love You. I love You. I love You, Lord.
I thank you, I thank you, I thank you...
for Your never-ending love for me,
for Your Love that will never ever end.
Let Your love invade all of me.
My plea to You this day is that I might
adjust more and more to the Love
that has come to me from You.
Let those around me see Your love in me.
Forgive me for the times I have doubted Your Love.
And, Father, Please don’t cease working in me
as I continue seeking the fullness of Your Love.
Bring me into eternity with Your everlasting Love..._________________________________________________
Truth, hope and love are three qualities of Kingdom Life that will sustain us through anything—yes anything—that may come at us from the realm of evil. We draw hope and understanding from the few words at the beginning of I Corinthians 13:8.
Charity never faileth...Charity or love as many interpret the word agápe, has come to us from the eternal bearings of God Himself. It holds the quality of being eternal. When it enters us, it brings that quality with it. Through all the time it remains with us, it keeps that quality. Love never fails because it is eternal. The love that comes to us from God brings eternity with it.
Through all the years and days of our lives we can have this divine quality alive in us, no matter how difficult our path is. And, whatever lies ahead, this eternal quality remains. It enfolds our every day and every pain and every hopeless situation that seems to be waiting for us in the road ahead.
Those words ...never faileth are as strong as they could possibly be. Never comes from a compound word oudépote meaning, “never ever.” The word faileth comes from the Greek ekpip’to which means “to come to an end.” The kind of love that has come to us from God will never ever come to an end.
What can the man of sin do to bring us down? Why, he will come to his end before the love that sustains us will even grow weak! It will remain with us through every attack in all the realm where anti-Christ supposes he might prevail. There is no hope for him.
Our great shield, imparted unto us by the Lord out from His eternal being, remains. And the marvel is, while we are still in this age, we have opportunity day by day to live out of the Life and Love He imparts to us._________________________________________________
NINETEEN—God’s Love Reaching the Unlovely ...How we Receive God’s Love in Christ
Romans 5:8…But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:8-13...
4-10 The earlier revelation was intended simply to get us ready for the Messiah, who then puts everything right for those who trust Him to do it. Moses wrote that anyone who insists on using the law code to live right before God soon discovers it's not so easy—every detail of life regulated by fine print! But trusting God to shape the right living in us is a different story— no precarious climb up to heaven to recruit the Messiah, no dangerous descent into hell to rescue the Messiah. So what exactly was Moses saying?
The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. It's the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching. Say the welcoming word to God—"Jesus is my Master"—embracing, body and soul, God's work of doing in us what he did in raising Jesus from the dead. That's it.
You're not "doing" anything; you're simply calling out to God, trusting Him to do it for you. That's salvation. With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: "God has set everything right between Him and me!"
11-13 Scripture reassures us, "No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it." It's exactly the same no matter what a person's religious background may be: the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out for help. "Everyone who calls, 'Help, God!' gets help." [msg]Heavenly Father, many times I’ve felt compelled to do something to earn Your love. Help me, and these I hold before You, to do the one thing we can do–believe in what the Lord Jesus has done for us.
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TWENTY—God’s Love Overcoming Our Sin ...Becoming Accepted as the Beloved
Ephesians 1:3-6…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in Love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.
[lrt] 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in Love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.Ephesians 2:1-6…It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah. [msg]
Dearest Lord, I have been a great sinner, not worthy of Your love. How wonderful You are to love me and send Your Son to take my sin upon Himself and die!...for me! Help these I hold before you to open up to Your love revealed in Him.
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TWENTY One—Receiving God’s Love in Christ ...The Way Made Open
Luke 7:37-39…And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at His feet behind Him weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden Him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if He were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him: for she is a sinner.
Ephesians 2:11-18... "Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
For He Himself is our Peace, Who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.For throughHimwe both have access to the Father by one Spirit." [niv]Father, Let no sin keep me from You. Help me and these I hold before You come to You with sorrow as deep as that woman. I open myself to Your love.
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TWENTY Two—Abiding in Love
John 15:9…As the Father hath loved Me, so have I Loved you: continue ye in My Love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My Love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His Love.
Romans 12:9-13..."Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." [niv]
Jude 20,21...But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
[msg] "But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s Love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!"Dear Lord, refresh us in Your commandments. Show us clearly how they are all embraced in love for You and love for others. Wherein we lack, let Your Spirit continue to deal with us so we can have right to the tree of life. My ability to love seems to come and go according to the way others have loved me. I simply ask that You heal my inability to love others unconditionally. And, DEAR LORD, let others see Your Love in me so they will want to love You too. I name some people here whom I have not loved as I should have. Please help me mend these relationships.
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TWENTY Three—Living Out of the Resources of God's Love
I John 4:9-11—In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is Love, not that we Loved God, but that He Loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so Loved us, we ought also to Love one another.
[niv] "This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."Philippians 2:3-5—Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…
Ephesians 5:1,2—"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company withHimand learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that." [msg]
Dear Lord, there couldn’t be anything any more clear from Your Word. We are to Love one another. I haven’t always succeeded in this. So now I know, the only way I can succeed is by letting You Love through me. I give myself over to Your Love. Please let it become an active force in my life. And that, all for Your glory.
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TWENTY Four—Loving Ourselves ...Seeing God’s Design For Us
Psalm 139:13-18…
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in Your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you.Heavenly Father, thank You for the way You made me. I am a wonder of Your creation. I have no right to despise how You made me, or to think ill of the parents through whom I came into the world. I thank You for them, and for me. Who and what I am is Your gift to me.I praise You for who You made me to be. And I am ready to Love that person. I praise You for taking the mess I’ve made of my life and making it into something useful for Your Kingdom. That’s grace! I Love You for it!
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TWENTY Five—Love’s Fulfillment ...Releasing God’s Love to Others
Matthew 19:19…He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Romans 13:8-10…"Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code—don't sleep with another person's spouse, don't take someone's life, don't take what isn't yours, don't always be wanting what you don't have, and any other "don't" you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love." [msg]
Galatians 5:14-16…For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Heavenly Father, please help me see that You do not create worthless people. I confess I’m not worthless, nor are those around me worthless. As You have released Your love toward me, so help me release it toward those around me.
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TWENTY six—The Royal Law of Love ...The Law and Prophets Agree
James 2:8-11…"You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself." But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period." [msg]
Matthew 22:37-40…Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[niv] Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[Deut. 6:5] This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[Lev. 19:18] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."Dear Lord, Help me here. My contempt for myself has too often caused me to have contempt for my neighbor. I see I am breaking Your Royal Law. With the help of Your grace, allow Your Love to move through me. I repent and present myself to be a channel of love to those around me. Help me remember that you Love everyone around me as much as You Love me—even if I think they’re not very Lovable. Help me remember You died for them, just as You died for me.
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TWENTY Seven—Back to the Basics of Love ...The Assurance Love Gives
1 John 3:11-15…For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
[niv] "This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him."Father, You know I’ve had difficulty here, but today I turn my weakness in loving those who oppose me over to You. Take also my weakness in doing good, in blessing others, and in praying for those who withstand me. I receive Your strength in these points.
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TWENTY Eight —Abiding in Love’s Light ...The Light that Love Releases
1 John 2:9-11…He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:6-8…"Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in Him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining." [niv]
1 John 4:17-19...Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first Loved us.
Romans 8:38-39...For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Dear Lord, I renounce all fear of the future and present myself before You for an infusion of faith. I’ve learned that faith comes from You and begins its work in my heart, not my mind. The salvation You are extending to us is beyond the ability of my mind to even try to understand it. Oh, but it’s not beyond the ability of my heart to trust You! With the help of Your grace, allow Your Love to move through me that others might see the light of Your Love in my life. I Now, please put it within the hearts of these that I name to also trust You. Fear be gone from us all! In Jesus’ Name!
A Final Glorious Prayer
After Jesus had broken bread with His disciples He spoke with them of the things that were about to come. And He prayed with them, He prayed for Himself, He prayed for His Disciples and He prayed a prayer for all believers. What a Glorious prayer from our Lord recorded in John 17. Take this prayer and soak in it. It is recorded her from the New International Version. I suggest you soak in it, meditate in it and rest in it.
Also, spend time soaking in some of the Words about the End from David, Daniel, Jesus and Paul that will instill confidence in your heart that He will complete His Work in you until He comes again.
Psalm 17 & 27:5; Daniel 12:1,2; Matthew 24:21,22;
Philippians 1:3-6Jesus Prays for Himself
1...Jesus...looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. 2 For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. 4 I have brought You Glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, Glorify Me in Your Presence with the Glory I had with You before the world began."
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 "I have revealed You to those whom You gave me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to me and they have obeyed Your Word. 7 Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. 8 For I gave them the Words You gave Me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine. And Glory has come to Me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name—the Name You gave me—so that they may be one as We are One. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that Name You gave Me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13 I am coming to You now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of My joy within them. 14 I have given them Your Word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the T ruth; Your Word is Truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I Sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly Sanctified.
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. 22 I have given them the Glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are One:
23 I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have Loved them even as You have Loved Me.
24 "Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My Glory, the Glory You have given Me because You Loved Me before the creation of the world.
25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know You, I know You, and they know that You have sent Me. 26 I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love you have for Me may be in them and that I Myself may be in them." [niv]Heavenly Father, I pray as Jesus prayed, that You would be with me where I am; that You would guide my steps in grace. I pray that I might behold Your glory, which thou hast brought into the world through your only begotten son whom thou lovest before the foundation of the world. And, O righteous Father, the love that you gave to Your son also abide in me that through Your grace I might be holy and pure as a witness to the world of Your love.
Bless Your Holy Name...
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