Above All...Have Fervent Love

As we approach a special day, celebrated every year, dedicated to love....may we all remember how God calls us all to have a "fervent" love for each other!!

 WHAT IS "FERVENT LOVE"?
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Fervent love is more than a feeling or emotion; it is an
active love that expresses itself in deeds. One of these deeds is forgiveness.
As the apostle says, “Love covers a multitude of sins.” If we truly love others,
we will be willing to forgive them, no matter what they might do to us.





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Fervent love must be expressed with a pure heart.  This
is not a selfish love, a conditional love, or a manipulative love.  It is
not loving in order be loved.  It is not giving in order to get.  It
is with a pure heart, a heart that only desire the best for the other person, a
heart that is not motivated by selfish gain or personal ambition.













By showing hospitality without
grumbling we show love fervently. Peter
realized that we are still weak and sinful and the world is still messed
up.  We will run into roadblocks when we welcome people into our homes and
we will be tempted to become discouraged and upset as a result.  It may
take a lot of work to prepare a meal and clean the house.  When your
guests arrive the food may be burnt, the living room might look like a
disaster, and the children may be screaming.  If they are staying for an
extended period, it may throw your whole routine into disarray. It can be very
tempting to grumble.  Yet, Peter says, “Show hospitality to one another without
grumbling.”   







We are to have unfeigned love for
our Christian brothers. Unfeigned means genuine, sincere, without pretension,
hypocrisy, or play-acting. We are not to pretend, play, and act like we love
one another; we are to love one another genuinely and sincerely.











God's eternal love provides the perfect example!





God has loved us into existence. God has loved his whole creation into 
being and God sustains us every moment of our lives because God loves us
 and first loved us. If we can begin to grasp that, take that in and let
 it really sink into our awareness, then there is no other response than
 to love God in return when we realize what God has done by first loving
 us. Then, as a 
consequence of that, too, John says, "Dear friends, if such has been the
 love of God for us we, too, must love one another." (Jn 15:9-17) We begin to see the challenge. Love "one another as I have
loved you", and "greater love than this no one has than to lay down their life
for their friends". The kind of love that Jesus is talking about is total,
unconditional, unlimited love. This is love that is always going to be there,
no matter what, and is willing to pay
any price, even to lay down one's life for the one you love.












I love the
words to this old song, sung in a new way by "Mercy Me".





























 
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude
of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If
anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If
anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all
things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the
power for ever and ever. Amen."



1 Peter 4:7-11 











Continuing to give thanks, listing
the many gifts from the Lord!
Linking over at  "Multitude on
Mondays". 

1,605 - A challenge to know how to respond to parenting
issues....learning to lean on God more than ever!



1,606 - More snow, icecicles, and cold!!!...o.k. this one is getting
to be a challenge for me to be thankful for!



1,607 - Attending a weekend women's retreat that our church held.



1,608 - Having some quality one-on-one time with God!



1,609 - The Lord, getting me through a difficult, emotional weekend.



1,610 - Thankful that my nephew, who was seriously injured at his
house this past weekend, will be o.k.



1,611 - Being able to go to the chiropractor for some back issues.



1,612 - Watching the winter Olympics on T.V....thanking God for the
many gifts he gives to His children!











Linking over to these blog hops:








































Comments









  1. a joyful noiseFebruary 14, 2014 at 3:24 PM
    Thank you for sharing with us here at "Tell Me a Story."  Fervant love is sometimes difficult in this selfish world, yet that is the love wherein Christ loves us and gives of himself.  Being Hospitable and courteous is what we would do if Jesus came to visit.  In the same manner we must love those who come to visit and show them hospitability without grumbling!  Not always so easy but we are commanded to do so.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cairncottageFebruary 15, 2014 at 7:21 AM
      I agree, Hazel. It's not an easy thing to do...we are living in a very selfish world and most people would be shocked if people took that verse seriously and did what it says!! Hope you have a blessed weekend!!
      Delete
  2. Kiittäkää Aina ja KaikestaFebruary 14, 2014 at 7:30 PM
    Such beautiful words. And Peter is right, love covers a multitude of sin. We are all sinners and wold not be saved but for grace.
    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cairncottageFebruary 15, 2014 at 7:22 AM
      Amen, Joanna!! God is SO good! Thanks so much for stopping in and leaving a comment!! 
      Delete
  3. Joan Davis (Jo)February 15, 2014 at 8:21 AM
    ...and the greatest of these is love!  It is the attitude of the heart that makes all the difference, doesn't it?  We can help and serve, but if we don't do it with love, it doesn't mean a thing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cairncottageFebruary 15, 2014 at 4:22 PM
      Absolutely, Joan! And not just with love, but it emphasized we should have 'fervent' LOVE!!! WOW!! That isn't always an easy thing to do!! (without God, impossible!)
      Delete











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