Love.

"...but the greatest of these is love!" -1 Corinthians 13:13b

Hi!  Hope you're having a wonderful week and also hope that this post is an encouragement to you!

Love.  Sometimes I just need a good heart and mind reminder from God of what it is.  The world is constantly trying to tell me what it is (in it's own pursuit of it), without involving Christ.  In music, in advertisements, in magazine articles, movies, on radio programs, etc.  Most all of those avenues only know love on one level though.  When God is involved, the "levels" are endless and inexhaustible!  Sometimes, I just need reminded that love is not defined by the world, but by me meaning all the world to Jesus and Him meaning all the world to me.  :)  God reminded me of something that I had journaled years ago in regards to what He was showing me that love is and for today's post I thought it would share it!  I pray that it encourages your heart as much as it made mine excited to be reminded of the truth of TRUE love! 

Love is:

A righteous pursuit - A sincere covenant - A selfless unity - A servant surrender - A holy abandon - A powerful bond - A sacred devotion - A lasting friendship - Unspeakable joy - An unconditional promise - Uncontainable glory - A faith claim - A constant cherish - A steadfast truth - A wondrous mystery - A mighty dedication - Time-transcending beauty - A soul's desire and a spirit fulfillment - A spectacular miracle - An incredible adventure - Wholehearted contentment - Overwhelming blessing - A tender compassion - Valiant protection - A kingdom alliance - A forever redemption - A deep sharing - Sweet sacrifice - A victorious joining - Un-ending forgiveness - A gentle submission - A reverent fear - A pure conscience - Willing deference - Unfailing exhortation - Humble correction - Wise counsel - Passionate perseverance - A peaceful abiding - A heavenly celebration - A continual giving - An explicit trust - A marvelous unfolding - A well-known secret - A calm assurance - Indescribable excitement - A strong seal - An ultimate belonging - 

~The Delight of Christ!~

"...That in all things He might have preeminence." - Colossians 1:18b  "Set your affection (fond attachment, love and devotion) on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." -Col.3:2-3  "And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness." -Col.3:14  "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ." -2 Thessalonians 3:5  "But godliness with contentment is great gain." - I Timothy 6:6  "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." -1 Peter 1:22  "...And as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.  Finally be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren,  be pitiful, be courteous:" - 1 Peter 3:7b-8  "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.  This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!" - Psalm 116:23-24  "Keep thy heart with all diligence:  for out of it are the issues of life." - Proverbs 4:23  "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings to search out a matter!" -Provers 25:2  "Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinking no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  Love never fails." - Corinthians 13:4-8a  "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.  Let all your things be done with love." - I Corinthians 16:13-14  "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God!  Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us!" -Ephesians 3:19-20

I hope your "true love meter" is overflowing with encouragement!! And just think - what I've mentioned and what the Scriptures mention above, is only a glimpse of God's design for love! It's only a glimpse because HE IS LOVE and He is infinitely wonderful and we will forever get to learn what love truly is!  What a happy thought indeed! :)

Blessings,

Bri

P.S. Those flowers pictured above were a love gift for my Mom. ;)  Love your loved ones and the whole world friends - just as Jesus loves you!!! :)