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“Loving Others Valiantly Inspires Now Greatness! (L.O.V.I.N.G)”
Ramesh C. Reddy
Approach Question:
Observations: Paul's prayer consists of 2 requests: 1. This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge! 2. This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more with depth of insight! There are five reasons Paul brings these two requests before God on behalf of the saints: 1. That they may be able to discern what is best until the day of Christ. 2. That they may be pure until the day of Christ. 3. That they may be blameless until the day of Christ. 4. That they may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ! 5. That God can be glorified and praised!
Interpretations: I found it very significant that Paul did not just pray that their love may abound more and more but ADDED in knowledge and with depth of insight because I believe Paul understood that a loving response apart from the moral absolutism of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a loving response at all. That is why Paul emphasizes in his prayer 'more and more in knowledge and with depth of insight' I believe this knowledge and depth of insight has to do with moral absolutism that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Personal Savior.
Observations: 2. That they may be pure until the day of Christ. 3. That they may be blameless until the day of Christ. 4. That they may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ! 5. That God can be glorified and praised!
Interpretation:
Implications: The Apostle Paul's prayer is that things will be done in love but never forgetting that in that same love, moral absolutes have to apply too. A loving response is not based on humanism but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am touched that others pray that I may be more like how Christ wants me to be. I want that to be my prayer too! Actions and prayers are based on a loving response based on knowledge of the Word of God and depth of insight that comes from the Word of God leading to moral absolutes. I am so happy the Lord Jesus does not just love us and leave us there but shows us how to live our lives giving us the indestructible, infallible, inspirational Word of God to live our lives for His honor and glory! Breathe In Bible Live Eternally! "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV) So when the Lord Jesus places people in my life to teach me, rebuke me, correct me, and train me in righteousness so that I may be thoroughly equipped for every good work, it is because I am loved and that's the true loving response instead of letting me do whatever I like. Praise the Lord! Speaking out against sin but doing it with love is a loving response when it is based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I ask you now dear friend, what is your L.O.V.I.N.G response based on? Dear friend, if your loving response is based on being afraid to give absolute morals and absolute Truth, then you are not really loving the person as God wants you to love them. Not speaking out against sin and letting your loved ones continue to engage in it because you want them to feel loved, is not loving but actually hurting them to the point of death. A loving response does not mean turning the back on sin. Jesus never did that and Paul is imitating Jesus even in his prayer. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy!" (Proverbs) Paul specifically prays that their loving response will be in knowledge and depth of insight which both refer to the knowledge and depth of insight that comes from God's Word as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. There is no middle ground. A loving response and moral absolutes are two sides of the same coin when we understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jerry Bridges makes that point too in his book 'Transforming Grace' which Pastor Ed and I went through for awhile! It is amazing what a loving response can do in the lives of others and move them even into greatness because of the Lord's grace. Niki Cruz was a gangster that a pastor could have thought was incorrigible to invest time and energy in him. But in love with courage, joy, and humility, the pastor invested time in him and the results have been amazing even to this day. For the true story, read or watch 'The Cross and the Switchblade.' A loving God cannot just let His creation do whatever it likes and then be restored to Him in their sin without a cost because in His moral absolute perfection, a loving God cannot allow sin into His presence. So God in His love, made a way out for you and me. "For God so loved the world [you and me] that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes [you and me] in Him shall not perish but have Everlasting Life. " (John 3:16, NIV) God loves you so much that God in His love wants you to come to Heaven but He has to prepare the way so it won't conflict with His moral absolute Truth. This is where Christ comes in. Jesus Christ went to the cross of Calvary to ransom us from all our sin by shedding His precious cleansing blood for you and me. The ticket for our Salvation and redemption into Heaven was paid with the BLOOD OF CHRIST. That is how much Jesus loves you. You cannot save yourself for only Christ can save you! "He who had no sin became sin for us so that in Him we may become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV) That's how much Jesus loves you and that is the loving response based on moral absolute Truth. Jesus saves by His grace to free you from the bondage of sin and death but you have to accept the free gift of grace. The donor has been provided for you and now is the time to receive Christ's sacrifice to atone for your sins. Now when you accept Jesus Christ into your lives asking Him to become the propitiation for your sins and justify you by His grace so that you can be daily sanctified in Him, you will be saved and have Eternal Life. You will enter Heaven when you die because when God looks at you, He sees the righteousness of CHRIST covering over you by His BLOOD, so God's judgment will pass over you. Friend, God desires that none should perish but all come into repentance and that includes you and me. That is exciting to know to understand the love Christ has for us. Jesus wants our loving response to be based on His moral absolutes and not on our own fears or feelings."Faithful are the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy!" A loving response will not always be easy and will take courage but it will pay off eventually. It should always be based on courage, joy, and humility that come from the Lord. Pastor Ed of Oakland International Fellowship wanted me live out courage, joy, and humility in my own life which can be a struggle at times but I praise the Lord for mentors the Lord Jesus placed in my life in the past, present, and future. At this stage of my life, Pastor Hugo & Edwin mentor me :) When you give a loving response valiantly, it can inspire now greatness. That greatness comes from the work of the Lord working in our lives and in the lives of those we touch! Praise the Lord!May you love others valiantly inspiring now greatness! Amen! "Love Others Valiantly Inspiring Now Greatness!'(L.O.V.I.N.G)/"What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response based on?"
Prayer: May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen! No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turniLOVINGg them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His grace alone! Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426 "This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
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 2011 DEVOTIONALS: John 12:24: "Why should M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L day not be limited to a Picnic/BBQ Holiday?" (May 30, 11, 7:47 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:8: "Why cannot you be in a loving R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P in life?" (May 28, 11, 12:34 aPm.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:7: "Why cannot you be saved by G.R.A.C.E alone?" (May 27, 11, 9:23 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?" (May 26, 11, 1:03 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:3-5: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" (May 25, 11, 10:15 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" (May 24, 11, 10:50 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1-2: "What do you do to B.L.E.S.S others in life?" (May 20, 11, 9:18 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" (May 19, 11, 10:42 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of being a sinner?" (May 18, 11, 8:31 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1: Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life? (May 17, 11, 7:21 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 2:8: "Why bother with the C.R.O.S.S. when you are living in the 21st century?" (April 23, 11, 1:32 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy 2010 DEVOTIONALS: John 12: "Will you be the offspring of the S.E.E.D cultivated?" (Mon, March 29, 10, 10:09 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy John 12:3: "What costly S.A.C.R.I.F.I.C.E will you make for Jesus remembering His stinky/dirty feet?" (Sat, March 27, 10, 11:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Proverbs 23: "What has A.L.C.O.H.O.L done to you in life?" (March 20, 10, 9:17 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 10: "What do you do with an I.N.T.E.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N in life?" (March 13, 10, 11:40 p.m.) Mark 10:13: "Why S.H.A.R.E Jesus with others in life?" (March 09, 10, 4:59 a.m) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 10:13: "Why B.R.I.N.G Doggy Poo to Jesus?" (March 08, 10, 9:01 a.m) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 10: "When have you become an A.D.U.L.T.E.R.E.R in life and what now?" (Feb 24, 10, 9:31 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 10: "Why D.I.V.O.R.C.E the one you marry in life?" (Feb 22, 10, 12:15 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 10: "What do you do with what is P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D in your life?" (Feb 20, 10, 10:08 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy 1 Corinthians 13: "How will you be someone's V.A.L.E.N.T.I.N.E using 16?" (Feb 13, 10, 12:16 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 10: "Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?" (Feb 05, 10, 9:43 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 9: "How can you be a S.A.L.T in someone's life today?" (Feb 04, 10, 11:27 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 9: "What do you help your friends E.S.C.A.P.E from?" (Feb 03, 10, 12:30 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 9: "Why bother with H.E.L.L in life?" (Feb 02, 10, 2:39 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 9: "When are you planning to cut your hand, foot, or eye to escape Hell?"" (Feb 01, 10, 1:41 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Mark 9: "Why heed Jesus' W.A.R.N.I.N.G in your life?" (Jan 30, 10, 12:41 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy
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