Understanding God's Love 03/20/11

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16. “ No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”1 John 4:12

“ For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Tim 1:7

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Rom 5:8

With the love that God has poured into our hearts, we will be able to overcome the hate, envy, impatience and unkindness.

“ Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children  and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Eph 5:1-2 “ May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.”2 Thess 3:5“ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”Deuteronomy 6:5

“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,  13 and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” Deuteronomy 10:12-13                                      

“In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:17-18  (from NIV)