Friday, June 24, 2011

Sacrificial Love

Recently in our mid-week services, my husband has been doing a study about true, Godly love. It's been very good!

Some of the Scriptures we've been studying are Romans 12:9-13 

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Those are some hard verses, aren't they?

Godly love is sacrificial love. It means helping others even if it's not fun, convenient, or easy.

Are we willing to do what verse thirteen says, to share and show hospitality? Are we willing to sacrifice our time or money to help someone? Are we willing to become personally involved, and open our home to others?

I believe we have to come to the point where we understand that everything we have belongs to God. (I Chronicles 29:12,14,16)
He doesn't want us to hold on tightly to the resources He's entrusted to us. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

If we want to be in a closer relationship to God, we have to be willing to love sacrificially.
Do we say that we love God, then just pass by someone in need? Sounds like the story of the Good Samaritan, doesn't it?

Of course we all have times when we stumble and fall, but in general, are we growing in Christ and willing to help others?

Just some things to think about. :)

Hope you all have a great weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Take care,
~Melanie
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15 comments:

  1. TheresaJune 24, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Great things to think about today, Melanie. I was just thinking earlier about being a cheerful servant :)

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  2. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    Dear Melanie...such wonderful words that you have shared! So much to think about and to ponder! I truly want to follow these verses...but I know that I fall short so often! I am spending more time in the Word...reading and studying my Bible...as well as spending more time with my Devotional...trying to get all that is there for me each day! I find it to be such a blessing to have my early morning time to start my day out in such a nice way. It helps me to love sincerely...be joyful in all ways...praying faithfully all through my day...as well as sharing hospitality. Thank you for sharing and weekend blessings to you and your family! Hugs ♥ Teri

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  3. Chatty CroneJune 24, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Melanie - very thought provoking and yes these verses are hard to follow - some time more then others.

    Is your blog header new? I love it. How did you do it? Was it hard?

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  4. Ginny HartzlerJune 24, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    This is all what makes it so much fun to be a deacon. He who wants to be great must be a servant, the upside down world. Power and things are good in a normal worldly world, but not in Jesus world!!! Happy, happy weekend!!!

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  5. Fred AltonJune 24, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    I am reminded of a saying I've heard somewhere ... "You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving!" Love does sacrificial things and hardly notices the sacrifice. Great post today Melanie.

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  6. bettyJune 24, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    I like your new blog header picture, Melanie! Very nicely done!!

    sounds like a great message series your husband is doing; love, real love, described as a verb mostly not an affection if you know what I mean, but an action word does take work doesn't it? To be sincere, to be hospitable, etc. Then there is the love described in 1 Corithinians 13; a lot of what love must be listed there. I think we can't do this type of love without the help of the Holy
    Spirit in our lives and the intercession of Jesus remembering what he did on the cross for us. At least I can't :)

    lots of good things to think about!! thanks for sharing your thoughts Melanie!

    enjoy the weekend ahead!

    betty

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  7. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Good Afternoon Mrs. Melanie,

    I hope this comment gets though...the weather's been causing our internet to go in and out all day!

    I really enjoyed reading this post. It is interesting how you mentioned the Good Samaritan. The one thing that I have found about love is that it is very easy to love those who show love and kindness back to you. It is not so easy to show love to those that do not.

    Even those who do not know the Lord love their friends and are kind to them. But the Lord's expectations of us are so much higher. Just as the Samaritan in Jesus' parable helped the man who was in need, the Lord wants us to love our enemies. I have failed many times here and the Lord continues to work on me in this area.

    I hope that you and your family are enjoying your weekend.

    God Bless,
    Josh

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  8. LauraJune 25, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Dear Melanie,

    What a wonderful post...sacrificial love...there is no greater gift that we can give to anyone...and no greater gift that we have been given.

    Just wanted to let you know...your name was drawn in my give-away! Just send me your address...and I'll get the bags right out to you!

    Hope you and your family have a very blessed Sunday!
    Laura

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  9. Love Of QuiltsJune 25, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Gongrats to you on your win. Great post. Trish

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  10. DebbiedoosJune 25, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    Wonderful teachings here Melanie. A lot to ponder and think about. I would hope at the end of the day sincerity would be a trait I am known for.

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  11. AnonymousJune 27, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Hi Melanie, hadn't stopped by in a while but saw you commenting at Debbiedoo's.

    This post is a perfect and timely reminder. In my opinion, love is always sacrifice.

    Thank you for sharing. Hope you have a blessed day.

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  12. Tonjia RolanJune 27, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    A very nice teaching. When we begin to see ourselves in others it is easy to make sacrifices and treat others as ourselves. It comes quite naturally when our thoughts are in the right place and without prejudice, judgment or motive. Love Tonjia

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  13. Krystal KatsJune 28, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    Hi Melanine your Father's Day post is really sweet. I Like what your studying for mid week service. We don't have a mid week service at our church but it's not an Assembly of God. I love the Assembly of God churches. I read each verse, I think these are really important and meaningful. Of course all God's word is meaningful and true. I am reading Revelations right now. Your blog is looking pretty spiffy! have a great summer. Big hugs

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  14. novita darmawanJune 28, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    hi, sis...
    i've just open your blog.. long time couldn't write and read..
    i like the new face of your blog..

    oh yes, these days i'm thinking to write about a sacrifice,too... woow... i was surprised when reading your new post about sacrifice...^^

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  15. Fred AltonJuly 2, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Thanks for all the great suggestions (maybe I should say, thank Lee?) ... the best of which I think will be a clothespin hanging on her hair! LoL

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