To Love, to Be Loved

1 John 4:17-18 (The Message)

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

I do personal devotions (outside from donuts and devotions) every week. Last week the topic was on LOVE. From reading the scripture we can understand a few things about God and its correlation with love.

1. God IS love, or God=Love

2. When we commit to a life of transformation and renewing of the mind, we establish our covenant with God. Hence, allowing Him to use us and for us to call upon Him. Notice how it states "permanent residence." Not, rent, a lease, etc. PERMANENT resident = Home = Stability.

3. In love there is no room for worry or fear. When you love someone, you TRUST them. You don't worry about shoulda, coulda, wouldas. It's a form of respect. And with love, a friendship is first established. So question, do you fear your friends? Your lover? Etc.

4. If Love (which is God) is not top priority on our list there is NO way that we are fully developed in God. There is no way that we are allowing Him to take full reign in our lives nor are we able to exude love to others.

To have a better understanding of what Love (God) is, here is a familiar scripture:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version)
God is patient, God is kind. He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. He is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. God never fails.

So, my dear friends, if God is love and we have taken a PERMANENT residence in God, are we the equivalent to love? Can you take out the word "love" in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and replace it with your name?

We talk a lot about loving each other and being sisters; however, if you don't know what love is how can you fully exude love? It's not until you look in the mirror and challenge yourself because if God is in you, love is too.

I leave with my ring back tone (which is referring to God and not some random guy lol):
"God is kind when the world is cold. God stays strong with the fight gets old. God's a shoulder to lean on, God's in YOU!"

Love and Peace,

Brann