What is Love?

What is Love? Agape

Biblical love (agape) is an action word not an emotional word. It is about demonstration and not feelings. Agape is self-sacrificial, it is the action of placing others above self. It is the demonstration of Jesus’ life and His sacrifice on the cross.

2 John 6

This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

1 John 5:2-3

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.

1 John 2:3-6

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.  He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

John 14:21

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

John 15:12-13

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Even when we don’t have the same emotions that we have for loved ones towards our enemies, we can demonstrate Biblical love(agape) towards them with our actions regardless of the feelings being absent.

Matthew 22:36-40

 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

The very essence of the Law and the Prophets is to Love God and Love your neighbor. Understanding that the entire Law of God is to Love (agape) and by obeying the commands of God, we are essentially demonstrating our love to God and others.

Romans 13:8-10

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Again, the very essence of the Law, the point and objective of the law is to Love (agape). Because agape love does not commit adultery, agape love does not steal or murder. Agape love does not covet other people’s possession. So Paul, inspired by the commands of God through the Holy Spirit urges us to owe no one anything except obey the commands of God by doing so we are demonstrating our agape love to God and one another.  

Our monthly study for April- The book of Ruth

Hello ladies, our monthly Bible study begins tomorrow! Yippee! We are moving right along, and what better way to be accountable on Bible study than to join a group of other women around the world that are also doing this study. So before we begin, here are some available resources as promised. I've created this study guide as a book for anyone to purchase from Amazon but I've also made it available to download for free by joining my blog and clicking on the Bible study tab or joining the group at ladiesletspray.com, I will automatically email a new pdf study each month via your email.

This will be a short but in-depth study from April 3- 28, 2017. 

INTRODUCTION:

The book of Ruth resembles the gift of God’s grace given to us during our most difficult times. The story takes place sometime during the period of the rule of the Judges. Naomi, Ruth and Boaz are our examples in this study of people who chose loyalty over selfishness. They are some great examples of how believers should build friendships and relationships, not with instant gratification, but with loyalty, integrity, kindness, love and faithfulness. In this book, we see God’s protection over those who trust and believe in Him. We see God’s ultimate purpose as our redeemer illustrated in Boaz integrity to redeem Ruth. Despite how life dealt badly with Ruth from losing her husband, she remains faithful and loyal to her mother-in-law. She clung tightly to Naomi, even though in the natural her future looked more gloomy than glamorous. She chose to honor God’s original design for marriage and heritage.

Keynotes:

1. Character
2. Faithfulness
3. Integrity
4. Loyalty
5. Bitterness
6. Selflessness
7. Kindness
8. Humility
9. Compassion
10. Submission  
11. Marriage and Relationship Values
12. Heritage
13. Protection
14. Prosperity
15. Blessing
16. God’s Plans and Purpose

Although this is a short book, we’ll cover an in-depth analysis at specific topics and how we can apply it to our lives. We shouldn’t look at this book as a love story or some fantasy of our “Boaz” coming to redeem us because we ultimately have one savior and it is Jesus Christ. However, we should pay attention to key points and lessons to apply to our daily lives, in our relationship, in our marriages; our kindness and integrity towards our in-laws and family members.

Scriptures given are in KJV format, so please cross reference with a Bible you can understand.

 To purchase any of my study guides and resources: Go directly to amazon and click here

To pick up a free PDF format click on the Bible study tab on the top of this page or simply subscribe to this blog, I will automatically send you a study each month. OR CLICK HERE

                                              

This journal will accompany your studies each month as well as motivate your prayer life. 

You may also search for this HERE 

And grab one for hubby too- the male version that is. 

As always, If you have any questions or comments for me, please feel free to email me at ladiesletspray@gmail.com or look for me on social media. 

May the Lord be with you all and I pray that this study will be edifying to you as it was to me upon studying and writing this guide. 

Be blessed 

Xoxo

JoyfullyOsato 

February Monthly Study- The Book of Titus

Hello ladies, our monthly Bible study begins tomorrow! Yippee! We are moving right along, and what better way to be accountable on Bible study than to join a group of other women around the world that are also doing this study. So before we begin, here are some available resources as promised. I've created this study guide as a book for anyone to purchase from Amazon but I've also made it available to download for free by joining my blog and clicking on the Bible study tab or joining the group at ladiesletspray.com, I will automatically email a new pdf study each month via your email.

This will be a short but in-depth study from February 13-28, 2017. 

INTRODUCTION:

As believers, we’ve been called to live a godly life. We’ve been called to be set apart, consecrated, sacred and sanctified. Paul wrote this letter between his first and second imprisonment in Rome to guide Titus in working with churches on the island of Crete. Paul had left Titus in Crete to oversee and organize the churches, because the island needed a strong leadership. Titus was a Greek believer. He was taught and mentored by Paul. Paul loved Titus like his own son, and wanted to see Titus succeed in his ministry. Paul developed Titus by giving him specific instructions in the form of discipleship. Paul gave Titus the requirements and instructions to discern and appoint elders in the churches. Titus was instructed to promote righteous living in the churches and to do what is right in the communities.

Keynotes:

1. Character
2. Discipline
3. False Teaching
4. Family Values
5. Wholesome Teaching
6. Roles and Responsibility
7. Righteousness
8. Encouragement and Correction
9. Submit to Authority and Government
10. Gentleness and Humility
11. Avoid Quarrels and Arguments
12. God’s Mercy and Grace
13. Paul’s Salutation and Remarks

As believers, we are to be grounded on the word of God. Our lives should exemplify the teachings as stated in the Bible. Paul warns Titus about false teachers and ministries that speak lies and are only doing it for the love of money. Paul instructs the older men, the women, and even the younger generation to live wisely.

Scriptures given are in KJV format, so please cross reference with a Bible you can understand.

 To purchase any of my study guides and resources: Go directly to amazon and click here

To pick up a free pdf format click on the Bible study tab on the top of this page or simply subscribe to this blog, I will automatically send you a study each month. OR CLICK HERE

                                              

This journal will accompany your studies each month as well as motivate your prayer life. 

You may also search for this HERE 

And grab one for hubby too- the male version that is. 

As always, If you have any questions or comments for me, please feel free to email me at ladiesletspray@gmail.com or look for me on social media. 

May the Lord be with you all and I pray that this study will be edifying to you as it was to me upon studying and writing this guide. 

Be blessed 

Xoxo

JoyfullyOsato 

Monthly Study: January Recap

Hello ladies, we are officially done with the first month of the year. Our study on God's commandment. Yes we do still observe God's commandments and it is part of our walk as a follower of Christ. Here are two video highlights I recorded for the summary.

Blessings, our next study will begin February 13.

Bitter or Better? Allow God to change your situation

When life gives you lemons, do you make lemonade?

 Quite often, life can seem so daunting and we begin questioning God. The life of Naomi, in the book of Ruth is an example of how some of us might feel during our must difficult situation in life. At times, we may look on the outside and see that everyone seems to moving so smoothly, yet ours seem like a scene out a very sad movie. If you're not familiar with Naomi's story, its pretty sad and discouraging. The Bible states that Naomi, not only lost her husband but her two sons as well. She was left with her two daughter in law, Orphan and Ruth. She attempted to send the two daughter in law back to their mother's houses but Ruth clung to Naomi and refused to go back. As Naomi, returned back to her homeland, on her way, she met with the people in the town, they recognized her. So they asked themselves, "is this Naomi?" here was her reply:

And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

 I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?  Ruth 1:20-21

The Hebrew meaning of Naomi is pleasantness and Mara means bitter. Here is a woman who literally lost everything, her husband dies then shortly after, both her sons also die. What a bitter life! I mean, we can't question God but a lot of us are on the same boat. As I write this, I think of my experience, with losing both mt parents at a young age, my father died when I was 7 years old and my mom soon passed 7 years later. It left me confused and at the time I had no conception of how God works. I was left feeling bitter for a while. It affected my life in so many ways, socially, economically, physically but ultimately as I got older and I came to know the Lord, I became better. So the lesson here is that we are allowed to be bitter but as we walk with God, we let God turn our bitterness into BETTER. The Lord will surely do it. He did it even in Naomi's situation. Naomi was bitter and she had a reason to be bitter, but due to her daughter in law, Ruth's obedience and commitment to her, Naomi was able to changer her situation from Bitter to Better. Take a notice, that Ruth also lost her husband, but she persevered and remained committed to God's will in her life and the Lord ultimately brought her fulfillment. 

Today I pray that the good Lord turns your situation from bitter to better. May His abounding hand be upon your life. May every bitter situation be turned to BETTER. May God give us grace and favor like Ruth with wisdom, kindness, patience and peace. May every situation that seems daunting be reversed to greatness. May the Lord give us strength, hope and faith to stand strong in the face of adversary. In Jesus' name amen.