In an attempt to trap him, an expert in the law asked Jesus the following question:
..."Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?" Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." 
God's love is best described and translated with the word "agape". Agape love is the love that one writer expressed, "sets us free"! I love that. You and I are to love
(agape) God with every fiber of our being! He has loved us with this type of love.
He has loved us with "hesed" love. Covenant binding love that He will never break. Yet He has also loved us with "agape" love. The undeserved, self sacrificing love that goes beyond one's own pleasure and wants. It looks at the
greater good for the other. Haven't you and I received that kind of love from our God? Don't we want this kind of love? "It's been written, that we are all hard wired to express, "eros" and "phileo" but
agape love is a choice to make deep personal sacrifice and this kind of love transcends circumstances." Today is Valentine's Day in the United States! It's a big "love" day for a us. There will be millions of dollars spent on flowers, candy, cards and gifts! There will be some proposals, dinners and special nights celebrated. I wonder how much of most of this is "eros" or "phileo" love? Probably much of it. I am challenged by the fact that we are to love God. The kind of love that He blesses - that He honors - that kind of deep personal sacrifice. There is the "sticking point". SACRIFICE. We live in a world that knows little of personal sacrifice. In fact, we are told that we need to "get all we can, while we can, when we can!"
I am aware that many to whom I write, are living testimonies of sacrificial love! Most ministry women understand "Agape". You have and are making deep personal sacrifices to "agape" God and those He has called you! Let me cheer you on in the race ladies! Well done! Keep going! You can do it! He knows of your sacrifice of love! He sees! He will never forget! So when ministry and life is taking it's toll on you remember that the originator of "Agape" knows! He is watching and will never, never forsake you!
He keeps track of all your sorrows, He has collected all your tears in a bottle and He has recorded each one. (Psalm 56:8)� He is not going forget the sacrifice you are making! He will remember! He does remember! Love Him.....He loves YOU and counts it a high honor to call you His daughter!
I'll meet you in the
forums or in the
blog. I would love to hear how you have experienced the love of our God!
Love,
Diane Nix
John 15:5; Col. 3
Founder/Director
