Promises for the Battle
Love
Loving God #4—Obedient Love
Jesus said, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, is the one who loves me. And those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and manifest myself to them.” John 14:21 Genuine affections in our hearts come to perfection—to completion—as they move us to action. Genuine joy about … Continue reading
Loving God #3—Eternal Life
A lawyer tested Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus replied, “ How do you read the Law?” He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus responded, “You … Continue reading
Loving God #1—Kindness to Lovers
Love is the affection of our hearts that arises as we view someone or something as valuable to us. Love is also the appropriate activity of our hands generated by the love in our hearts. God instructs us to love him because he is holy, that is because he has infinite, unexcelled, and irreplaceable worth. … Continue reading
Comfort #2—Ministry Comfort
I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Philemon 1:7 The comfort of love rests on the evidence of service. Love is comforting only if we know it is real. In an age when we hear the word “love” … Continue reading
Prayer #4— Good Answers
If you then, being deficient, know to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? Luke 11:13 No human parent loves perfectly. Sadly, we do not always value our children as we should. We are not always able or eager to … Continue reading
Forgiven #3—Forgiven Love
“Her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven. … Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:47–50 Jesus suggests that we imagine ourselves to be debtors who owe more than … Continue reading
Perseverance #7— Persevering Sowers
The one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. So let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not give up. Galatians 6:8–9 Ranger training … Continue reading
Encouragements to Love #8—Lovers’ Praise
Be imitators of God, as beloved children. Indeed, walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us. (Ephesians 5:1–2) We are amazed and encouraged as we consider how much you have loved us, O God. From before you established the earth you graciously chose us to be your children, to become … Continue reading
Encouragements to Love #7—Above and Beyond
May the Lord cause you to abound increasingly in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you, so that your hearts become established as blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13 As … Continue reading
Encouragements to Love #6—Blinded by Love
Because the culmination of all things is near, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer; above all maintaining a fervent love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7–8 (Proverbs 10:12; 17:9; James 5:20) The poets (Chaucer and Shakespeare) say, “Love is blind.” And it is, sort of. … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 