Category: Love

Love

Worldly Love VS Biblical Love

Jaime

Valentine’s Day is upon us. A “holiday” to celebrate love. But what is love, really?

The world’s definition of love is very different than what God says about love.

The World says:

Love is a Feeling

Feelings: an emotional response felt in the body.

They come and go, change quickly, arise without thought, and depend on our circumstances.

Feelings are part of being human, but love is not a feeling; it’s a choice, an action.

Colossians 3:12-14 says: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Love is an action that we consciously choose.

Love=Happiness

Happiness: a good, positive feeling

We feel happy when good things happen, when things go our way.

The world tells us: “You deserve to be happy. If it’s hard and you’re unhappy, it’s not meant to be. Follow your heart.” It’s self-focused and ultimately comes from a “what am I getting out of it” perspective.

John 15:13 says: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Love is Being Affirmed

Affirmation: putting a stamp of approval on everything a person does.

The world says: “You do you, do what makes you happy, live your truth.”

Encouraging others is great, but when we affirm them in all that they do, we are not truly loving them.

This can lead to thinking you’re unloved when someone disagrees with you or corrects you.

Affirmation says: “You’re all good all the time.” Biblical love says: “I care enough about you to tell you the truth (in love) even when you’re making choices I don’t agree with.”

Ephesians 4:15 says, “Speak the truth in love” to mature spiritually and grow to become in every respect like Christ, who is the head of the church.”

As believers, our goal is to continue growing in the likeness of Christ, which means ongoing growth and transformation.

As I think about what true love means, I can’t help but focus on Jesus’ death. Did he feel like being brutally beaten and nailed to a cross? Was he experiencing happiness while sacrificing himself? Did he affirm what others said about him to change his circumstances? Nope

John 3:16 tells us, “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.”

Love is costly, sacrificial, and other-centered.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Attitude, Love, Uncategorized

Someone Else’s Shoes

Jaime

I recently watched the movie “Freaky Friday” (2003 version) with my daughter. A mother and daughter switch bodies after eating a magical fortune cookie, experiencing what it’s like to walk in the other’s shoes.

To switch back, they need to understand and empathize with the other.

As I remain quarantined in my house with family, toilet paper, food, and technology, I can’t help but think of those who don’t have these luxuries (never thought tp was a luxury, but now I do).

The population on my heart today are those in prison, specifically in isolation. I know there are reasons as to why they are in those situations, yet, I feel for them as fellow human beings.

We are all experiencing the realities of this crisis in different ways. My prayer is for us to remain grateful, keeping our eyes focused on God and how He wants to use us in this time of struggle.

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

John 13:35 NLT
Attitude, Love

What’s Your Love Language?

Jaime

My love language is “words of affirmation.” My husbands are “acts of service” and “physical touch.”

When he tells me I’m doing a good job (at whatever it may be), my tail starts to wag. I feel loved and appreciated. But if I affirm him with words, it doesn’t have the same effect. I’m not speaking his language.

Putting gas in his car, rolling out the trash, rubbing his back; these things make him feel loved. These are not unrealistic expectations, yet I struggle with them. I can be straight-up lazy, and I enjoy my own dance space.

When I don’t get what I need, I get crabby and start copping resentments. Then he gets annoyed because his needs aren’t being met. It’s a sucky self-centered cycle.

God usually steps in, renewing my mind to a perspective that is not self-seeking, but sacrificial. And you know what? When I choose to speak fluently in his language (even if I’m still not feeling it), I’m almost always blessed by it. I can’t really explain it, other than a supernatural feeling of contentment and joy.

Our greatest command is to love one another. Who better to practice on than the person you’re going to spend the rest of your life with.

What is your love language?

Attitude, Love, Thought Life

I Lust You

Jaime

Love:

-an intense feeling of deep affection.

-a great interest and pleasure in something.

Lust:

– to have an intense sexual desire or need.

– an intense longing.

I’ve been “in lust” many times, often thinking it was love. All my lustful thoughts and feelings started with the phrase “I want.” Once I met the man who would eventually become my husband, the “I want” sentiment remained. Wasn’t there supposed to be a difference between the two?

Both definitions (received from Google and Merriam-Webster Dictionary) appear to be all about me. My desires, my needs, my interests, my pleasure.

No wonder my relationships didn’t work!

If my needs weren’t met, I’d leave. If I was no longer physically attracted to my partner, it was over (I was quite shallow and still can be). The interesting thing; the world encouraged this.

God flips the script, telling us that love is not self-serving, but quite the opposite. It’s about sacrifice and service. It’s not a feeling. It’s a choice. I have to choose my husband each day. Sometimes it’s a piece of cake, others, not so much.

When my feelings and thoughts communicate something different than the truth of God’s Word and His definition of love, I know it ain’t right. My part; commitment, willingness, selflessness (ouch), honesty, vulnerability, and last but not least, seeking love from the source Himself.

How do you know the difference between lust and love?

Love

Love Don’t Cost A Thing

Jaime

Have you ever heard the song “Love Don’t Cost A Thing?” I’m singing it as I write this. As much as I like the song, it’s just not true.

A newly married couple finds out the wife has cancer. Instead of enjoying their new life together, hubby takes a leave of absence at work to care for his sick wife.

“Love Don’t Cost A Thing.”

A single mother works three jobs to support her children. She hardly sees them due to providing for their basic needs.

“Love Don’t Cost A Thing.”

A young girl has sex for the first time. She thought her boyfriend loved her. Soon after, the boyfriend dumps her and is with someone else.

“Love Don’t Cost A Thing.”

A man is stripped naked, beaten beyond recognition, humiliated, and nailed to a cross. Why?

Because he loves us.

And…

LOVE COST HIM EVERYTHING.

Who in your life has sacrificed for you? In what ways can you show appreciation to them?