This photo is from Kat Kerr’s http://www.revealingheaven.com   When I was newly baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, in a Sunday evening service we all joined together singing in the Spirit. This photo is similar to the vision I saw during that harmonious time. The Supernatural of God is still really thrilling to me over 30 years later!

Let’s delve a bit into God’s love since the Spirit seems to be drawing me into studying it.

^{1 Corinthians 13:4} Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Paul starts this chapter telling us if we do mighty things for God but don’t have love, we are nothing. Verses 4-8a describe the love of God and the qualities that will grow in us as we come into deeper relationship with the Lord. Valiant effort to “do” love falls short without the Spirit of God working in us.

⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

We walk in love imperfectly in this life, but can grow in understanding as we get more revelation of the Father’s love for us. Hallelujah! As we seek Him, we find a deeper relationship and become more like our Lord and Brother Jesus Christ!

¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

Where does fear come from? Well, think about the original sin; Eve entertained doubt that God had their best interest in mind when the serpent (devil) posed the question: “Did God REALLY say…?” Being children of Adam and Eve, we were born with sin nature that includes fear and unbelief, among other things. Have I mentioned God told us in 366 Bible passages not to fear? (I know this thanks to Richard Wurmbrand)

Let’s look at a couple passages that show “love verses fear”.

Isaiah 51:12“I, even I, am he who comforts you.
Who are you that you fear mere mortals,
human beings who are but grass,
¹³ that you forget the Lord your Maker,
who stretches out the heavens
and who lays the foundations of the earth,
that you live in constant terror every day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
who is bent on destruction?
For where is the wrath of the oppressor? (NIV)

We have choices each day: what to think, what to do, what to say… we can turn to the truth of God or play into the devil’s hand by listening to the lies, bad reports, entertaining vain imaginations… Do you realize most of the things we spend time thinking/worrying about never happen? I recall many trips home from visiting my grandparents, Mom would spend the trip worrying about how she could care for them when they couldn’t live on their own any more. By the time they needed help, she’d already moved to Western New York and my grandparents came to live with my family. God’s grace was sufficient for us to care for them. I am so thankful for my relationship with Father God through Christ Jesus and the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit. I’ve learned a lot the past few years about trusting, walking in love and giving fear a boot in the pants. I’m not saying I’m perfected, but by grace I’m learning more each day. Here’s another passage that tells us not to be afraid.

Joel 2:20b Surely he has done great things!
²¹ Do not be afraid, land of Judah;
be glad and rejoice.
Surely the Lord has done great things!
²² Do not be afraid, you wild animals,
for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
²³ Be glad, people of Zion,
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
because he is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
²⁴ The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. (NIV)

Let’s pray, fast, and meditate on God’s Word. Then, as we focus on Truth, let’s walk in love and serve others. I pray we all grow deep in relationship with the Lord and the grace to walk in love. When we speak truth, may it be in God’s love. Lord, let us see others the way You see them. Amen.