Looking For What Fits You!

People want to unite with a church that knows where it's going. When a church clearly communicates its MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE and DESTINATION, people are eager to get on board. This is because everyone is looking for something that gives meaning, purpose, and direction to life's tests and trials we face daily.

JUST A MERE OBSERVATION!!!!

RIOTS AND POLICE SHOOTINGS RAN RAMPART EARLIER THIS YEAR AND THE MEDIA COVERED IT ALL IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE PEOPLE LOOK BAD TO THE GREAT CORPORATION KNOWN AS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE WORLD. Yesterday Min. Louis Farrakhan celebrated the 20th anniversary of the MILLION MAN MARCH and there were people of ALL ETHNICITIES by the thousands out there PEACEFULLY SHOWING SUPPORT AND YOU COULD NOT FIND NOTHING BUT CELL PHONE CAMERAS RECORDING THE EVENT. WAKE UP "SHEEPLE"! We can change the way things are done around here when we quit electing and NOT HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE in those leadership positions. I'm just saying.....

"therightrevrhino"

Hold Out - NEW DIRECTION

YOU HAVE TO HOLD OUT THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES AND YOU WILL SEE THE RESULT OF THE LESSON IN THE BLESSING.  HANG IN THERE GOOGLE FAMILY IT WILL BE JUST FINE SOON ENOUGH.  KEEP NON ESSENTIAL FOLKS OUT OF YOUR STORM AND HOLD OUT.



"therightrevrehino"  D. Min.

Regain Spiritual Consciousness

1st Chronicles 11:22-23

This message is penned and recorded to remind us of being aware of our surroundings spiritually and secularly. It encourages us to do something that needs to be done WHEN YOU SEE IT NEEDS TO BE DONE. 

It reminds us that none of us are so lofty that we cannot be servants from time to time instead of always being serviced. This message encourages us to do some things yourself so that you KNOW that it was done properly and you don't have to check up on or ask someone how is the progress coming along.

Click here and enjoy:  Spiritual Consciousness

"therightrevrhino" D.Min.

Forgiveness is for YOU! Not for THEM!

This message of empowerment comes from St. Matthew 6:14-15

This message is penned and broadcast to encourage us to always forgive people who try to utilize all that they have at times in an attempt to hurt us. We must forgive and move on with our lives. Sometimes the relationship can be fixed and sometimes it cannot. Therefore, whatever the outcome is, always forgive so YOU CAN MOVE ONWARD AND UPWARD.

Click this link, listen in, and become empowered to move forward:  FORGIVENESS

"therightrevrhino"

YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO QUIT!!!!!

YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO QUIT

Isaiah 43:14-15, 22-2^nd Thessalonians 3:13

King James Version Utilized & Matthew Henry’s Commentary Study Aide

Simonton Genesis Ministries © May 2011

According to Dr. Webster, to quit means; (1.) to stop, cease, or discontinue: She quit what she was doing to help me paint the house. (2.) To depart from; leave (a place or person): They quit the city for the seashore every summer. (3.) To give up or resign; let go; relinquish: He quit his claim to the throne. She quit her job.

                               

In our first text, Isaiah 43:14-15 & 22, we find that God is talking to his people through Isaiah and he tells them who he is to them as a reminder.  God here claims titles of his honor that should have been very encouraging to them. He is the Lord their Redeemer, not only WILL HE redeem them, but will take it upon himself as his office and make it his business to do so. If he IS their God, he will be all that to them which they need, and therefore, when they are in bondage, he will be their Redeemer. He is the Holy One of Israel (v. 14), and again (v. 15), their Holy One, and therefore will make good on every word he has spoken to them. He is the Creator of Israel, who made them a people out of nothing (for that is creation), actually, worse than nothing; and he is their King, that rules over them as his people and presides among them. 

Starting with verse twenty-two, God tells them they have become quitters.  They have QUIT and gotten weary of being his people and he goes on in this chapter to remind them that they cannot afford to quit because the consequences for quitting after being chosen by God can be very detrimental.  God let them know they made it more difficult than what it was and they had become weary.  They had cast off prayer: Thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob! Jacob was a man famous for prayer (Hos 12:4); his seed bore his name, but did not tread in his steps, and therefore are justly upbraided with it. God isn’t pleased when children degenerate from the virtue and devotion of their devout ancestors. To boast of the name of Jacob, and yet live without prayer, is to mock God and deceive ourselves. If Jacob does not call upon God, who will? (2.) they had grown weary of their religion: thou hast been weary of me." They had been in relation to God, employed in his service and in communion with him; but they began to snuff at it, and to say, Behold, what a weariness it has become! Note, those who neglect to call upon God do in effect tell him they are weary of him and have a mind to change their Master. (3.) They grudged the expense of their devotion, and were sarcastic and penurious in it. They were for a cheap religion; and in those acts of devotion that were costly they desired to be excused.  What sacrifices they did offer did not honor God and so they were, in effect, as no sacrifices (v. 23): Neither hast thou honored me with thy sacrifices. Some of them offered their sacrifices to false gods; others, who offered them to the true God, were either careless in the manner of offering them or hypocritical in their intentions, so it might be truly said they did not honor God with their sacrifices, but rather to dishonor him. They grew weary and quit.

Our second text in the New Testament tells us to keep on working and toiling for the Lord.  Paul exhorts those that did well not to be weary in well-doing (v. 13); as if he had said, "Go on and prosper. The Lord is with you while you are with him. See that whatever you do, that it is good and you will persevere therein. Hold on your way, and hold out to the end. You must never give over, nor tire in your work for God. It will be time enough to rest when you come to heaven, that everlasting rest which remains for the people of God."  He is actually telling them that you cannot afford to QUIT.  Keep doing well to those around you in and out of the church.  In time you will receive a great and proper reward. 

Many people in our 21^st century churches today are like those whom God addressed in Isaiah.  They have grown weary of being a Christian, a servant for Christ, a representative of the cross, a man of the cloth, a woman of God, and even a member of a ministry.  They have grown weary and just quit.  There are many people who have made a good start in their Christian race and then for some reason or another (excuse), they just quit.  Others, who have stated, “I know God called me to a particular work in the local church!” allowed something to distract them, and the result was they quit.  Still others have had a tremendous ministry, who were used mightily by God, and who were under a heavy anointing of God’s Spirit, but something happened (and who knows what) and they quit. 

You have those who have experienced God working miracles and wonders within their life and have had a glowing testimony, but somehow they cast it all aside and quit.  Then there are those who were faithful to their local church, both in attendance and financial support, but they became offended or dissatisfied with someone or something and they quit.  You have saints who could pray the paint off of the walls of a church during prayer, praise, and worship service and fast with gratifying results, but they allowed something or someone to disrupt them and they quit.  Still there are those who had been a wonderful blessing and help to the local church through their ways and means, but they took their eyes off of the Lord and just quit.  I stopped by to tell you that you cannot afford to quit when God has called you to your area of responsibility and expertise.

Allow me to tell you that every time a Christian grows weary and quits on God, Satan laughs at you and God.  Every time a Sunday school teacher quits teaching, Satan laughs.  Every time a church member quits attending services, Satan laughs.  Every time a tither quits giving the tithe, Satan laughs.  Every time a church worker quits working in the various ministries in the church, Satan laughs.  Every time a prayer warrior quits praying, a bible student quits studying, a visitation worker quits visiting the sick; calling the absentees and prospective members Satan laughs.  Each time a pastor quits preaching the truth and starts watering down God’s word, Satan laughs.  You cannot afford to quit when you are called, chosen, and sent by God.  The consequences are too severe.

I mean, people have quit for various reasons (or excuses rather).  Some have quit because somebody in the position of prestige and power didn’t shake their hand.  They have quit because someone has not given them a pat on the back, or bow at their feet, or let them sing “their” song, or beg them to stay.  Some have quit because they did not receive a compliment on their new suit or dress.  Some even quit because someone did not let them “rule the roost” for a time. 

Children of God, you must understand that you have to remain humble, prayerful, watchful, careful, and diligent in well doing toward your fellow man.  You cannot get weary of doing well.  How do you get tired of doing good things for yourself and for others?  That is a million dollar question.  If you grow weary of doing well then the other alternative is to not do well.  If you are weary of being positive, then the alternative is to become a negative and nasty attitude having individual.  You should often times ask yourself what would happen in your personal life if you quit on God.  What would happen if God quit on you?  Ask yourself that question and then take your time and look at all of the blessings he has bestowed upon you down through the years both spiritual and material and you should come up with an answer. 

What if Moses had quit before Israel had passed through the Red Sea?  What if Joshua would have quit before it was time to shout down the walls of Jericho?  What if David would have quit before Goliath lay dead at his feet?  What if Nehemiah would have quit before he completed rebuilding the fallen walls of Jerusalem?   What is the Apostle Paul would have quit before he preached the Gospel to the Gentiles?  What if John would have quit when he became exiled on the Isle of Patmos?  Ask yourself these questions and figure if it is worth it for you to quit on God since you are claiming to be a believer. 

You want to know something? You do not have to worry about quitters in your ministry.  God is not short on people.  He just gives us an opportunity to serve and he tests us to verify our genuine willingness to serve.  Not for him, but for us to know that we are real in what we say and do for God.  Some have quit because somebody else quit.  Some have quit because others didn’t quit.  Some quit because they couldn’t or were not allowed to do “it” their way.  Some quit because they got “tired” of it like the people in Isaiah.  Some have quit because they could not get any help for or they were criticized out of the program that God, the pastor, and the church in general approved.  You cannot afford to quit. 

I know you have been placed in an area of responsibility and when you first came on board; you were welcomed with open arms.  You established relationships both business and personal with many whom wished you well.  You have been in and out of personal affairs with people who you thought were on your side.  You found out that they were really trying to ascertain your weaknesses to flaunt them to the rest of the wolf-pack that were jealous of your God given talents and gifts.  You know they were unstable because they quit as soon as the hill got steep, the path got rough, the load got heavy, the enemy got near, the night got really dark, the storm got bad, and the “fun in the sun” was over.  Yes they quit you because you had shown how serious you were and not looking for a one night stand but a good man or woman.  They quit because they saw you beginning to ask questions that made them uncomfortable.  Oh yes, but YOU cannot afford to quit.  They quit because they were not with GOD in the first place.  They just wanted you and you only for that brief moment in time.   

Saints, you will often look around many ministries and you will see indications that some of those members in those ministries would rather quit than stand up for Jesus Christ.  They would rather quit than fight the good fight of faith.  They would rather quit than yield to God’s perfect will for their lives.  They would rather quit than to trust in the promises of God.  They would rather quit than face persecution and opposition from the enemy.  They would rather quit that submit to spiritual discipline.  It is a sad thing because most “QUITTERS”, who call themselves children of God, fail to fully understand what it really means to quit doing what God told you to do and where he told you to do it. 

When you quit on God’s plan for your life it means you forfeit you position in Christ.  It means you lose your eternal rewards.  It means you cast aside your hope of heaven.  It means you break your commitment to God.  It means you deceive yourself with vanity.  It means you face your circumstances alone.  It means you subject your soul to torment and misery.  It means you may influence someone else to quit also.  It means someone else may get discouraged.  To quit means someone else must carry “your load” in the ministry.  It means someone else has to fill “your shoes.”  It means someone else has to fulfill “your responsibilities.”  It means someone else has to make up for “your absence.”

I stopped by to tell you not to quit because you cannot afford it if you are a saved, sanctified, Holy Ghost filled, and fire baptized child of the King.  I want you to know that you come from royalty.  You come from an aristocratic dynasty.  The goal of the enemy is to keep you from knowing who you really are in Christ Jesus.  If you are a child of God, there is power when you speak and you need to be mindful of the words you release when ministering to anyone.  I know that life has challenged you, but the Jesus in me is speaking to the Jesus in you sitting out there.  You were born to rule and there is a KING in you.  If you are in the body of Christ Jesus, then there is a King in you.  I am aware that times may be tough, but, don’t you quit.  You cannot afford it.  You have been in the race far too long and God has brought you a mighty long ways from where you first met him at the crossroad of decision.  I realize the climb may be steep, but, don’t you quit.  The valley may be dark and full of shadows, but, don’t you quit.  For I have never heard of a shadow hurting anyone.  A shadow may spook you, but it can’t hurt you.  I understand the path may be narrow, but, don’t quit.  Your cross may get heavy at times but, don’t quit.  I know the pastor’s sermon is quite long sometimes, but don’t quit.  I understand the local church may not be perfect, but, don’t you quit.  Use your gifts and talents for the perfecting of the saints as much as possible. 

I admit it is not easy to keep working while others criticize, but don’t you quit.  I admit it isn’t easy to keep praying, when others won’t; to keep building, when others interrupt; to keep witnessing when others laugh; to keep believing, when others doubt; and to love, while others hate.  I want to inform you that quitting is not the answer you are looking for at all.  Besides, you really can’t afford to quit.  Too much has been invested in you.  If you think you are not valuable to God let me enlighten you on how God feels about you. 

God gave his son for you, you can’t quit.  The Son gave his life for you, you can’t quit.  The blood of Jesus was shed for you, you can’t afford to quit.  God’s grace is sufficient and his mercy is everlasting, you can’t afford to quit.  People are praying for you, you can’t quit.  The Lord is preparing a place for you, you can’t quit.  Jesus is coming back again for you, you cannot afford to quit.  Do you see your value to God once you step into the body of Christ?

What if Jesus would have quit when he was criticized and ridiculed; slapped and spat upon; betrayed and falsely accused; beaten and bruised; forsaken and left alone; harassed and hassled; and condemned and crucified?  Where would we be today?  Had he quit we would still be lost.  Had he quit he would have lost his son ship in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Had he quit there would be no opening of the grave changing it to a transformation station.  Had he quit Satan would be totally in charge.  Had he quit Christianity would not exist.  Had he quit the captive would still be captive.  Had he quit he would have lost is royal priesthood.  Had he quit we would not be descendants of royalty by adoption.  Had he quit there would not have been a getting up on the third day morning.  Had he quit there would not have been ascension back to the Father.  Had he quit there would not be daily intercession for you or me. 

I am glad that he didn’t quit.  I am glad he hasn’t quit.  I am glad that he won’t quit.  He won’t quit giving us brand new mercies each day.  He won’t quit interceding on our behalf each day of our lives.  He won’t quit guiding us along the narrow way.  He won’t quit healing us.  He won’t quit helping us achieve our goals as long as we give him the glory.  He just won’t quit. 

Since Jesus won’t quit, you cannot afford to quit either.  Don’t quit singing if that is your gift.  You cannot afford it.  Don’t quit playing that Christian Music, if that is your gift you can’t afford it.  Don’t quit teaching if that is your gift you cannot afford it.  Don’t stop praying if that is your gift it is a gift you cannot afford.  It is a gift you did not pay for it.  Don’t quit teaching, preaching, or reaching if anyone of these is your gift you cannot afford it.     DON’T QUIT ON GOD BECAUSE GOD HAS NOT QUIT ON YOU AND YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO QUIT WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED CHOSEN AND SENT.

Do You Know Him? Philippians 3:10

An audio message to encourage you all, who deal with psychopathic saints, to keep right on following God and what God gave you.  Do what you were assigned to do and go forth from there. You cannot allow RELIGIOUS PEOPLE to continually slander you and cuss you out with their mouths and messed up psychoanalytical minds.  This message encourages you to CUT THEM OFF and move forward with your life.  If they knew God like they said they do, they would not get bent out of shape when you don't do what they think you should do.

Click below and enjoy!!

DO YOU KNOW HIM?  



"therightrevrhino"

It's Just Spiritual Masturbation

1st John 4:8-21

This message was recorded and penned to remind us to be watchful of strange spirits that we get tied into from time to time. The best of us get caught up at times with things of our past and we begin to enjoy those OLD FEELINGS that we used to feel. This message reminds us to keep God's Spirit in the forefront and stop grabbing old feelings in our minds and spiritually masturbating with them.  Click, listen, and enjoy.

CLICK HERE : IT'S JUST SPIRITUAL MASTURBATION

"therightrevrhino"

FOUR TYPES OF LOVE

FOUR TYPES OF LOVE

By A. J. Watkins D.Min. © March 2002

There is much confusion today on the subject of love because we are limited to only one English word (love) with a broad range of meanings. For example, if someone said, "I love my wife, I love my dog, I love apple pie," obviously they are not talking about love in the same degree or definition.

In the New Testament period there were four major Greek words that were used.

Eros Love - A word that was not actually used in the New Testament but was alluded to. It meant physical passion; its gratification and fulfillment. The Greek word is probably not used in the New Testament because the origin of the word came from the mythical god Eros, the god of love. It is inferred in many scriptures and is the only kind of love that God restricts to a one-man, one-woman relationship within the bounds of marriage (Heb. 13:4; Song 1:13; 4:5-6; 7:7-9; 8:10; 1 Cor. 7:25; Eph. 5:31).

Storge Love - Storge is the natural bond between mother and infant, father, children, and kin. William Barclay states, "We cannot help loving our kith and kin; blood is thicker than water" (N.T. Words, 1974).

Phileo Love - Phileo love is a love of the affections. It is delighting to be in the presence of another, a warm feeling that comes and goes with intensity. The Bible encourages it but it is never a direct command. God never commands phileo since this type of love is based on the feelings. God Himself did not phileo the world but rather operated in agape love towards us. I cannot have a warm tender feeling toward an enemy but I can agape love them.

Agape Love - Agape love is God's kind of love. It is seeking the welfare and betterment of another regardless of how we feel. Agape does not have the primary meaning of feelings or affection. Jesus displayed it when he went to the cross and died for you and me regardless of how He felt. In the gospels Jesus prayed, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Mt. 26:39; Mk. 14:36; Lk. 22:41-43; Jn. 18:11). Jesus sought the betterment of you and me, regardless of His feelings. Matthew 7:12 states it this way, "So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets"
We can agape our enemies regardless of how we feel. If they are hungry, we can feed them; if they thirst we can give them a drink (Rom. 12:20-21). We can choose to seek the betterment and welfare of others regardless of how we feel.

Jesus was the greatest expression of love that ever came into the world, but it is never recorded that he ever said the words, "I love you!" Why? because 95 percent of all love is non-verbal. Jesus did not love with just words but in deed and truth (1 Jn. 3:18). If your actions contradict your words, what are people going to believe, your words or your actions? Your actions of course. Vine's Expository Dictionary states, "Love can be known only from the actions it prompts" (p. 21).

The following is a description of agape love, also called "Charity" in the New Testament (1 Cor. 13). This paraphrase is based upon research of the Greek and English words and their meanings in 1 Cor. 13:4-8.

LOVE SUFFERETH LONG - God's love has a tolerance for and endures trying situations and persons beyond an average standard. God's love is patient.

LOVE IS KIND - God's love is of a friendly nature, generous, hospitable, warm-hearted, and good. God's love is charitable and helpful, showing sympathy and understanding for others. It is considerate, forbearing, tolerant, courteous, and thoughtful, desiring only to promote another’s welfare. It is generous, liberal, and beneficial, demonstrating itself in kindly acts.

LOVE ENVIETH NOT - God's love does not resent another's good fortune or desire to have what is his. God's love is not jealous and does not deprive another of what he has.

LOVE VAUNTETH NOT ITSELF - God's love does not boast and brag or abound with self-praise. It is not vain or proud.

LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UP - God's love is not high-minded or puffed up with pride.

LOVE DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY - God's love does not act, react, function, or perform in a manner which is in bad taste, improper, or in violation of what is right.

LOVE SEEKETH NOT HER OWN - God's love does not demand its own way.

LOVE IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED - God's love is not easily annoyed or incited to anger or resentment.

LOVE THINKETH NO EVIL - God's love does not reason about or reflect upon that which causes or constitutes misfortune, suffering, difficulty, or the like. God's love does not ponder upon wickedness.

LOVE REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY - God's love feels joyful when right, sincerity, integrity, honesty, and truth prevail.

LOVE BEARETH ALL THINGS - God's love makes it possible to withstand all stress and difficulty. Because God is love, He supports and carries on His own Person whatever is placed upon Him. God's love protects, covers, and keeps off anything which threatens the benefit and welfare of another. God's love holds back, refrains, and is tolerant and patient in all circumstances.

LOVE BELIEVETH ALL THINGS - God's love puts faith in others, believing the best of everyone (without criticizing or looking for fault).

LOVE HOPETH ALL THINGS - God's love persists in hoping, against all odds, in confidence and expectation of fulfillment of that which is promised.

LOVE ENDURETH ALL THINGS - God's love causes one to carry on through, despite hardships.

LOVE NEVER FAILETH - God's love never proves insufficient in duration or is unsuccessful in effectiveness. Love will never disappoint or prove undependable. God's love goes on forever and will never come to an end.

Are you walking in love and trusting the Holy Spirit's power for the manifestation of this virtue? (Gal. 5:22)

Sin is the transgression of the principles of love. Always let love be your highest aim and your greatest pursuit (1 Cor. 14:1).

We have all heard the old cliche: "Love makes the world go round." There is more truth to that than you might realize. Love...Eternal Love, is indeed the Motivator or the First Cause of all existance. It was out of Love that the earth, the sun, the stars, indeed...the entire solar system, was Created. It was not an "accident". It was for a purpose.

The four loves given to us by the Greeks are: Philios Love, Storge Love, Eros Love, and Agape Love. If you have not read the first three, please stop here and go back and do so. It is important, because the next Love we shall discuss on this page, Agape Love, is the Supernatural Glue that holds the other three in place for an Eternity.

Briefly, a recap:
Philios Love is the first of the four loves. It is a human love that is very selfish in nature. Stemming from man's innate desire to be accepted and loved, it is selfish in nature and expects reward in loving the beloved.
Storge Love, the second of the four, is more of a maternal type of love. It too, is a human type of love. Though less selfish than Philios, it expects reward for loving the beloved as well. It is a more solid type of love, being instinctual in nature, but nonetheless, it must be "rewarded" to keep on loving.
And, finally, there is Eros Love, another human type of love. This is more of a physical type of love, yet it can also be nonphysical in nature. It too, is very self serving, and expects reward for loving. It is the love that is most often abused and misused, and confused for "love" when in fact, it is not "love" at all, but lust. This is the love that Hollywood has made billions on, tons of books and articles have been written about, and poets have pined and lamented over her beauty. Eros, as well as Philios and Storge, can be very beautiful loves such as a close friendship, a bonding between parent and child, or lover and beloved, and a sexual union of man and woman as One Body.

All three of the above named loves are human in nature, meaning that they do not "need" God to exist. They do exist on their own, either separately or in conjunction with one or both of the others. But, being "human" types of love, they tend towards entropy and wither and die, as all things human must die. Unless they find a way to be cohesive to each other, by a Bond beyond human strength and understanding, it is their destiny to dissolve, dissipate, and die. Fortunately, there is a Supernatural Element that can and does bond the three loves together in an Eternal way. That Supernatural Glue is Agape Love, or God's Love, and that is what we shall discuss on this page.
Agape Love                                                      

I can think of no better way to begin my dissertation on Agape Love, than to quote the Words of Holy Scripture:

"If I speak in human and angelic tongues but I do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of Prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but I do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, It is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick tempered, it does not brood over injury, It does not rejoice over wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.

If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially, and we prophesy partially, but when the Perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; When I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present, we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present, I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.

So faith, hope, love remain, these three;
But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The Apostle Paul gave to the world the most beautiful explanation on what love truly comprises. His words cannot be surpassed by any song, any love letter, any book, any poem, or any movie. His words are Eternal words, for they speak of God, and God's Love...Agape.

Agape Love is God's Love. It is Perfect, Total, Complete, Selfless, Undying, Unconditional, Eternal, and it is for all men, for all times. God is Love and Love is Good. All things created by God are Good. Read the Creation accounts in Genesis; notice that after everything God did and made, "He saw that it was Good". God's Goodness and Love are beauty Divine, incomprehensible to our finite minds. God is God, and therefore, Infinite, and because we are men, and finite, there is no possible way that we can ever totally comprehend or grasp the concept of Agape. We only know what God has revealed to be True. There is no way any human being, wise and educated, can ever know all there is to know about God....and therefore, God's Love.

But we do know that God Created man in His own Image and Likeness, truly an act of Love. Why did God create man? Was He bored? Lonely? No. He created man simply because He is Love. That is God's job: He Loves to Love. God does not need man to exist; man needs Him to exist. God holds all of Creation in His Hands, and therefore we are totally dependent on Him to sustain our very being.

If you take a look at the Words of Scripture, and the teachings of the Church, you will notice over and over that God has revealed His identity to man. Though it is a mystery to us, and something we cannot possibly understand, God has revealed that He is Three Persons...yet One God: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. In the Gospel of John, we learn that:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." - John 1: 1-5

The "Word" that John refers to is the only Son of God, Jesus Christ. Through Him, all things were made. The words of John are only one instance in reference to the Trinity...now we have the Father and the Son. God first revealed His Trinity Personage in Genesis, when He said "Let us make man in our image; after our likeness." (Gen 1:26). Christ taught the Apostles on numerous occasions that He would send His Spirit to be with them always, after He was gone. And, on Pentecost, He did just that. The Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, though they were in a locked room, in the form of Tongues of Fire, and filled them...and from there, they went out and taught about Jesus to the world. Thus, now we have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three Persons; One God. All equal in Being; All Divine; All God.

The Trinity is a Perfect model for Agape. The Father begot (not made) the Son, The Father Loves the Son, the Son loves the Father. Their combined Love for each other begets the Holy Spirit. So we see, that the Trinity is the Perfect model of Love...Pure Love. That is Agape Love.

Philios, Storge and Eros are all "human" loves....Agape, however, is God's Love. Unlike a human love, Agape cannot die...for God cannot die. God is Eternal, and therefore, His Love is Eternal as well. Agape is also Perfect, it is Unconditional, it is Totally Forgiving. No human being that I am aware of, aside from Jesus Christ, had or has, or ever will have, the ability to love in this manner. How, then, can we as men taste of Agape? How can we possibly join our human loves to God's Love? We can't. But God can...and will...if we will let Him.
God is the Author of Love. He knows how the story ends, because He wrote the Book on Love.
And, if we trust Him, learn from Him, follow His teachings and His ways, then we too can share in His Agape Love...just as we too can share in His Eternal Life being finite men that one day must die.

When you have in place the elements of a loving and lasting relationship (Philios, Storge, and Eros), and combine, or allow in, Agape, you then have your love Eternally Bonded. And that is what God intended we do when He gave us the concept of Love. He meant for it to be Eternal. He meant for us to be with Him forever, and He meant that man and woman should become one...as He is One. But, He never intended that man and woman become one...and then seperate. That is absurd. If God intended man and woman to be One...don't you think He also intended that union to be Eternal? And without God in the picture, that love is not love at all...it is merely a human emotion that turns to lust and confuses itself, and eventually fails and dies. It makes perfect sense to me to tap into the Divine plan for Love if you want to experience True Love. And, the only way to do that, is to come to know, LOVE, and Serve your God. When a man and a woman share that common bond of Faith, then, Agape can work. A couple that prays together...stays together.

We as humans can never completely know Agape in this lifetime, for we cannot completely know God in this lifetime. It is impossible. But, God knows us…each one of us...personally. And, He loves us...all of us…unconditionally, perfectly, totally, and undyingly. The major difference between Agape Love and all the others is this: Agape loves for loves sake. It expects no rewards, it wants nothing in return…except that love be given back to it. And the neat thing is that the more you give back to Agape, the MORE you receive in return. It is an unending well of strength and supply from which to draw, and if a couple can tap into this Well, their love will be an Eternal Love.
The words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 is Love. It is Agape. If I have all things human, (and that includes Philios, Storge, and Eros), but I have not Love (Agape), I have nothing. I am nothing. Agape Love is the Supernatural Glue that Eternally Bonds human love together. It is a love that is freely given by the Lover, and it expects nothing in return. The common bond of our Faith, the common thirst for Love of our God, the common need to learn more and more of His Love, is Agape...it is the Cement that bonds our human love into an Eternal Love...one that cannot possibly die.

AGAPE love always seeks the welfare and benefit of others. I cannot say I love someone and destroy them by my covetousness, lying, cheating, breaking up their family, etc. Love must stay within the boundaries of God’s commandments in order to not hurt others or yourself.

God is not mad at you. He loves you! Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and humble of heart; and ye shall find rest for your souls"! – (Matt. 11:28-29).

Recognizing Hypocrisy and True Discipleship

The Christian's Great Interest by William Guthrie.

This is a great read for many who want to distinguish TRUE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP from HYPOCRISY. Chapter 5 of this great read not only gives great examples of differences between the two attitudes; it also delivers great ministering material for those who preach, teach, and evangelize utilizing God's Word. I would recommend this book for all believers and those seeking to know God for themselves. Excerpt from chapter 5 is below. Enjoy!!!

One of the best books describing the true nature of conversion is The Christian’s Great Interest by William Guthrie. Consider what William Guthrie says in chapter 5 of his book about the differences between the true Christian and the hypocrite. Here are some ways in which the hypocrite may be like the Christian. Quoted with quotation marks below verbatim. Get the book and see for yourself.

"1. A hypocrite may be influenced by the gospel in every part of himself. He may come to great knowledge of God’s truth (Heb 6:4). His emotions about Christ may be high (Matt 13:20). He may even experience drastic changes in the outward man, like the Pharisee who prayed, “God, I thank You that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, etc.” (Lk 18:11–12).

2. A hypocrite may look to others like he’s a true believer. He might talk of the law and the gospel (Ps 50:16), openly confess his sin to his own shame (1 Sam 26:21), and humble himself in sackcloth (1 Kgs 21:27). He may even carefully consider what duties he needs to perform and seek after them (Is 58:2), persevere even in hard times, give his possessions away to God and the saints, or even give his body away to be burned (1 Cor 13:3).

3. A hypocrite may advance far in God’s ordinary graces. He may come under great convictions of sin, just as Judas did (Matt 27:3–5). He may tremble at the word of God, just as Felix did (Acts 24:25), rejoice in receiving the truth (Matt 13:20), and have many experiences of tasting the good graces of God (Heb 6:4).

4. A hypocrite may have some characteristics very similar to the saving graces of the Holy Spirit. He may have a kind of faith, like Simon Magus who “believed also” (Acts 8:13) but then proved to be a false believer. He may have a kind of legal and outward repentance that looks very much like true repentance (Mal 3:14). He may have a great and powerful fear of God, like Balaam did (Num 22:18). He may experience a kind of hope (Job 8:13). The hypocrite may even have some love, as Herod had of John (Mk 6:26).

5. A hypocrite can even have great and powerful experiences of God. He may have “tasted of the heavenly gift” and become “partakers of the Holy Spirit” and experienced the “powers of the age to come” and yet not be genuinely converted.

So, what are the marks of a true believer? How is genuine conversion to be distinguished from false conversion? Guthrie provides five marks of a true believer that are not possessed by the hypocrite.

1. A true believer’s heart is changed forever. In Jeremiah 32:39 the Lord says, “I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever.” Hypocrites never have a changed nature. Hypocrites want Christ for the good that He might do them in the world. But a true believer’s heart loves Christ as the all-satisfying treasure of this life and the next.

2. A true believer’s changed life comes from a heart of love to Christ. Hypocrites can clean up their outward behavior to be seen by men, to ease their troubled consciences, or to keep themselves from the consequences of their sins. But true believers love Christ and keep His commandments for His sake, to serve Him, to know Him, and to bring glory to His name (Ps 119:6).

3. A true believer seeks Christ and His kingdom above all else. This is the one thing necessary: Christ’s friendship and fellowship. But that is never the “one thing” and heart-satisfying choice of the hypocrites. True believers, on the other hand, desire that this “better part would never be taken from them” (Lk 10:42).

4. A true believer submits to the righteousness of God. He abandons all hope in himself and his own righteousness, and rests wholly in the righteousness of Christ for his acceptance before God. A true believer rests in Christ and Him only as his Savior. Hypocrites don’t do this (Rom 10:3). They depend, in some degree, upon their own righteousness.

5. A true believer has the three great essentials of genuine Christianity. First, he is broken in heart and emptied of his own righteousness so as to loath himself (Lk 19:10). Second, he takes up Christ Jesus as the only treasure and jewel that can enrich and satisfy (Matt 13:44). Third, he sincerely closes with Christ’s whole yoke without exception, judging all His “will just and good, holy and spiritual” (Rom 7:12). A hypocrite does none of these things."

Indeed you can learn the differences my friends.

"therightrevrhino"

What God Did For Himself On Calvary

Romans 3:25-26
This message was penned and recorded to empower Disciples and Believers with power to answer questions about God's Righteousness. It gives answers to how God reconciled humanity back to himself through Jesus Christ's death. It points out the benefit of having Jesus Christ in your life if you are indeed a Disciple of God's Word. This expository message reveals knowledge and wisdom in regards to God's judgment, grace, and mercy.

"therightrevrhino"


CLICK HERE:    WHAT GOD DID FOR HIMSELF ON CALVARY

Be The Difference

A message that encourages you to not only talk about being different but showing others that you are different.  Listen in and enjoy.

"therightrevrhino"