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Welcome to Relationship Advice by Nancy Pina
IN TODAY'S RELATIONSHIP ADVICE ISSUE:
Guest Article: Society's The Power of Love, Conclusion
By Dr. Charles Stanley
Today’s Relationship Advice by Nancy
"Joy increases as you give
it, and diminishes as you try to
keep it for yourself. In giving it, you will accumulate a
deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible."
*Norman Vincent Peale
"Just as friction between certain types of rocks produces
sparks of light, so it is the friction of our individualities
rubbing against each other that illuminates who we really are."
*Rev. Rowland C. Croucher
The Power of Love, Conclusion
By Dr. Charles Stanley
Another evidence of agape love is that it is not provoked. Godly
love makes it possible to have a quiet spirit, no matter what.
Being serene around loving friends is one thing; it is another
matter to remain composed around nonbelievers who hope to discover
and expose some hypocrisy in a Christian. Paul's expression also
relates
to touchy people who are ready to explode at the slightest
misdeed—such people are living with their focus on themselves and
their fuse already lit. Even if that has been our tendency, God's
supernatural love flowing through us enables us to step out of our
normal pattern and live on a higher level.
One of the main benefits of agape love is that it does not take
into account a wrong suffered. This supernatural love empowers us
to forgive, regardless of the circumstances. Some people are
"scorekeepers," remembering how they were wronged last week, last
year, and twenty years ago—this unforgiveness reveals a spirit of
imprisonment. The person keeping track of wrongs ends up in
bondage to the offenses. God does not intend for us to act that
way; He wants us to follow His
example—how many sins have you committed that our Father would not
forgive? None. When you trusted Jesus as your personal Savior, God
did not just erase the scoreboard; He tore it up. (Psalm 103:12)
It is His love in us that enables us to do likewise.
What's more, agape love "does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but
rejoices with the truth" This means God's love enables us to see
the hurt in other people's lives and to hate evil that befalls
them unjustly. At the same time, we can regard the perpetrators of
such evil in a new light: God loves every person equally, even
those we might consider despicable and unlovable. (John 3:16) He
wants us to love in the same way.
Verse 7 says that love "bears all things"—agape love empowers me
to keep to myself any negative remarks I hear about people.
Genuine love means looking out for another person's happiness,
security, and well-being; it covers a multitude of sins by not
being openly critical or spreading gossip. This term also refers
to bearing someone else's burdens (Galatians 5:2), which may be an
emotional, relational, financial, occupational, or spiritual load.
Burdens can seem overwhelming, but we are tapped into an
inexhaustible resource: God. If He is our source, then our love is
broad enough, deep enough, and wide enough to encompass someone
else who is hurting. (Ephesians 3:18-19)
When Paul says love "believes all things," he is not accusing us
of gullibility; rather, he is saying God's love is not suspicious
and does not seek a reason to criticize. Agape makes us willing to
believe the best about someone in the absence of absolute proof to
the contrary.
Love also "hopes all things," which simply means it enables us to
hope for the
best in others, no matter what is going on. Think about what gives
us the most
optimism in our lives, especially during times of difficulty and
suffering. When we
feel someone else's love, it makes no difference how dark or dingy
our circumstances may be—love invigorates us and breeds expectancy
in our life. As children of God, we can be the vessel through
which His supernatural love flows to a world hungry for hope.
Paul concludes this passage by saying that "love never fails." Not
only does this
indicate agape love will never run out; it also means that
whatever the situation, the
proper response always is love. Responding with agape keeps us
free—we are not
imprisoned by bitterness, anger, hostility, or an unforgiving
spirit. You can live in the
shackles of hatred, depression, and resentment, or you can be
free—the choice is yours.
God is waiting to lead you into an abundant life, redeemed by His
love.
Dr. Charles F. Stanley, pastor of the First Baptist Church of
Atlanta and founder
of In Touch Ministries, demonstrates a keen awareness of people’s
needs by
providing practical biblical truths for everyday life. Modeling
his ministry after
the apostle Paul’s message to the Ephesians, Dr. Stanley believes
that:
"Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned
me by the
Lord Jesus–the work of telling others the Good News about God’s
mighty
kindness and love" (Acts 20:24 LB). In Touch Ministries can be
found on
the web at
http://www.intouchministry.org
Relationship Advice by Nancy Pina
Dear Readers,
Last night a new show on ABC called "Hooking Up" debuted. It
follows the dating life of several singles living in New York and
their quest to find the right relationship via the internet.
The show did justice in portraying what people experience
emotionally and how agonizing the journey is when past issues are
left unresolved and not placing God as the center of their lives.
It revealed how deceptive some people are on their online
profiles- from posting very out of date pictures, to lying about
their name, occupation and motivations. Deception and lying – even
about things that seem trivial is never the way to begin any
relationship.
We attract like energy and each of these singles attracted
individuals who reflected back to them their suppressed pain and
emotions that they fear bringing to the light.
God uses our pain and fears as a way to bring us closer to Him and
to help one another. He turns every situation into good, if we
allow Him to work through us. Burying the past and hoping it will
disappear is only asking for these emotions to surface through
intimate relationships. The problem is within, not the quality or
quantity of available people.
If you had a chance to watch this show and can relate to the
people who were portrayed, I'd enjoy hearing from you this week.
Nancy
Please write to me at
asknancy@yourtruematch.com to see your advice here.
Confidential replies can be obtained through
your purchase of ‘The Right Relationship Can Happen’
Visit Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1931947082/103-3406444-9942253
Simply forward your receipt
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along with your relationship question.
I will reply to you within 24 hours or less.
With God on your side, who
dare be against you?
I pray that He shine
His light upon you and bless you with
peace, joy and happiness.
May God bless your life and may you
experience abundant love!
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