The simple sentence that defines us.

 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Now this is a passage of Scripture that is very commonly quoted among believers. If you have gone to church for more than three months, chances are you have heard to read this passage. A speaker last week told us to look up this passage and read it out loud. Everyone read it agreeing that love is pretty stinkin' sweet, and agreeing that we all have areas of love to work on. But the next thing the speaker said totally rocked my world. He said this:

" If God is love (1 John 4:8,16), and He is, than I want you to replace the word love in this passage with the word God..."

 What an amazing revelation on that Scripture!! This might be something you already have revelation on, but it was totally new to me. I got a prophetic word from someone the other day and they told me God wanted me to read more about His character in the Bible, so that I can know Him better. I don't think there is a more simple description on the character of God in the whole Bible! I'm getting even more revelation on it as I type! 

So often we as Christians in the western church feel like Holy Spirit is the most "neglected" of the Holy Trinity, but really it can just as easily be God the Father! What perfect love the Father has for us! (1 John 4:18) This is something I don't think I understood the meaning of until today. Our speaker this week's name is Ron White, and he is an awesome father of our faith. He talked about the father heart of God, and at the end he stood at the door to give everyone a real hug and father's blessing. Since I have an amazing, loving, Godly dad I didn't think this would be a struggle at all. "Just go and hug the nice old man, and then I can eat some yummy lunch!" was the thought that passed through my head and I skipped to the front of the line to hug Ron. As soon as he hugged me, he took me by my shoulders and looked straight into my eyes. I don't think anyone has ever done that before, so fearless and so intentional. He said the simple phrase.. "I love you. Do you know that?" As soon as this phrase left his mouth I already has tears streaming down my face. What a simple phrase, one sentence, yet I don't think anyone has ever said that phrase to me so meaningfully ever in my life. I know this was because God was using Him to speak to me, and I realized at that moment the smallest fraction of the love my Father in heaven has for me. I began to realize that most people's love for me is based on what I do for them, which is fine because I know that's how I can love sometimes. But to have a perfect stranger come up to you, who has never talked to you before expect in introductions, can look into your eyes and say I love you and mean it so purely. I knew this was because God had loved Him in that same way. I broke! What an amazing thing to experience. I don't think I will ever forget this day because I saw into the Father's eyes, and I saw His perfect love for me that wasn't based on any performance or attitude of my own. 

Ron had another good quote today and I thought it was cute: "We are called human beings not human doings for a reason!"

So let's just "be" with God, let's let Him LOVE us just because, and out of that a real desire to lead a holy and pure life will come out of that. But if we do not have love, we have NOTHING! Focus on that intimate relationship with the Father today, instead of trying to please Him with your actions. 

Shout out to Michelle Malpaya and Ben Larson who actually read this. You guys are awesome and I miss you :)