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IN THE KNOW @ Paula's Hope MONTHLY INSPIRATION Vol. 29 February 2023
LOVE. IS. = GOD. IS.
LOVE. IS...
I would like to invite you to do an exercise with me. I hope you follow the instructions to receive the most from this experience. To start, below you'll find a flyer (which you can download for your own copy). It is a rendition of what is known as the "LOVE CHAPTER" in the bible, I Corinthians Chapter 13.
Take a moment and read what it says. Go on. Take a read...
Take a moment and read what it says. Go on. Take a read...
NOW, since you have taken that moment and read it; think about what you read. Did you glean any insight as to what the bible says "LOVE IS"? How do these words affect you? Did they inspire you or stir any emotions within you? Ponder what you are thinking...and now let's move on with our exercise...
GOD. IS...
I am going to ask you to read the "LOVE CHAPTER" again. This time replace the word "LOVE" to the word "GOD". Now, read it again and see if anything changes for you...
Did anything change for you? Did you get any insights from replacing the word "LOVE" with the name "GOD"? Did reading it with the name "GOD" open you to a new understanding of who "GOD IS"? What His character is like, how he thinks, or feels or responds to us and our lives? Is LOVE and GOD the same? Remember your insights, maybe even write them down so you can remember what you may have learned and gleaned from the exercise.
NOW...Can I ask ONE MORE time for you to read this text?
Did anything change for you? Did you get any insights from replacing the word "LOVE" with the name "GOD"? Did reading it with the name "GOD" open you to a new understanding of who "GOD IS"? What His character is like, how he thinks, or feels or responds to us and our lives? Is LOVE and GOD the same? Remember your insights, maybe even write them down so you can remember what you may have learned and gleaned from the exercise.
NOW...Can I ask ONE MORE time for you to read this text?
YOU...
The part of this exercise might be the most profound because it becomes personal. It is about YOU! Just ONE MORE TIME, I'll ask you to read this text and instead of "LOVE", or "GOD", replace it with YOUR NAME! Yes, your name in the place of the "LOVE" text. Read it out loud this time. Come back when you are done....
Well, what happened? Did you see anything different about what you read and how you read it? What insights did you find about yourself in this exercise? Are you all the things I Corinthians says about "LOVE"? "GOD"? And what about "YOU"?
If you're like me, I'm afraid I fall short on many of the things the "LOVE CHAPTER" says I'm to be. So, if you're like me maybe the take home of the message is that we need to grow and learn to practice more the ways of love that scripture subscribes to us. Am I being patient? Am I Kind? Am I any of these things when dealing with my family and friends and even strangers in my life? Is my way of being in this world a reflection of this kind of love? Scripture tells us that "GOD IS LOVE" (I John 4:8) and if we are to reflect His image to the world then are we walking in the same manner of what LOVE IS? As HE IS? It is an affirmation that we are IN HIM and HE IS IN US when we love as He does!
You can download this flyer and use it as a devotional or an exercise to remind you of WHO YOU ARE to be in HIM! How we are to walk, behave, and show the world Christ in us and His Love to them!
I hope you learned some things about Love, God, and yourself through this exercise and that it was a blessing to you. Share it with your friends, and family members, even a bible study class. The impact may challenge as well as help people to re-evaluate their actions and encourage them to reflect GOD in a better way in our lives.
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
If everyone would walk in the ways of GOD and LOVE, the world would be a safer, kinder, and more beautiful place to experience.
May God bless you and may you be filled with GOD'S LOVE and the new creation you have been called to be in HIM! Shalom and Blessings...
Michelle Gillum, Paula's Hope Media Coordinator
Well, what happened? Did you see anything different about what you read and how you read it? What insights did you find about yourself in this exercise? Are you all the things I Corinthians says about "LOVE"? "GOD"? And what about "YOU"?
If you're like me, I'm afraid I fall short on many of the things the "LOVE CHAPTER" says I'm to be. So, if you're like me maybe the take home of the message is that we need to grow and learn to practice more the ways of love that scripture subscribes to us. Am I being patient? Am I Kind? Am I any of these things when dealing with my family and friends and even strangers in my life? Is my way of being in this world a reflection of this kind of love? Scripture tells us that "GOD IS LOVE" (I John 4:8) and if we are to reflect His image to the world then are we walking in the same manner of what LOVE IS? As HE IS? It is an affirmation that we are IN HIM and HE IS IN US when we love as He does!
You can download this flyer and use it as a devotional or an exercise to remind you of WHO YOU ARE to be in HIM! How we are to walk, behave, and show the world Christ in us and His Love to them!
I hope you learned some things about Love, God, and yourself through this exercise and that it was a blessing to you. Share it with your friends, and family members, even a bible study class. The impact may challenge as well as help people to re-evaluate their actions and encourage them to reflect GOD in a better way in our lives.
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
If everyone would walk in the ways of GOD and LOVE, the world would be a safer, kinder, and more beautiful place to experience.
May God bless you and may you be filled with GOD'S LOVE and the new creation you have been called to be in HIM! Shalom and Blessings...
Michelle Gillum, Paula's Hope Media Coordinator
GOD IS...
Insight from Chris & Mindy
Discipleship Counselors @ Paula's Hope
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One of the non-profits we volunteer for is Paula's Hope, Inc. a free Christian Counseling service.
Mindy and I are not professional counselors (although Mindy is well trained and educated in the coaching discipline) but we are trained discipleship counselors, who try to work within the influence of God’s Holy Spirit. As part of our discussions with individuals and/or married couples, our first priority is to always point them to Christ. |
We do this without hesitation or restrictions. We are not hindered by the secular boundaries often encountered through other counseling services. We believe that only by working towards the purpose for which we are created can we be truly reconciled with the gifts that have been provided by our creator for that purpose. We are created to honor and glorify Him. In addition to referencing our own learning experiences (wins and failures), we also reference materials and tools that facilitate healing for our clients.
—We also have connections to other professionals if the need is outside the scope of our discipleship counseling--
One of the primary classes that we refer our clients to attend is the class, “7 Keys to Freedom”. This class helps us identify the roots that correspond to the branches of the tree that represents our life. These branches can produce fruit that is good or bad. Since most are seeking freedom from a bad fruit, our first focus is in helping to identify the root cause of those fruits. I came out of this class with a new understanding of three profound realities;
And since love without choice is not love at all, we must choose to love him, and make Him Lord of our lives to have this eternity. There is another death for those that refuse to make Him Lord, and that is the eternal death that our enemy will experience. So we must choose which path, which plan, which eternity we will chase. One is Gods. One is Satan’s. There is no in-between. You are in or you are out. Jesus says if you are lukewarm, He will spit you from His mouth. Life is a matter of choices, not chances. And those choices have consequences. You will live your life with convictions or you will live your life with regrets. Some of the choices you might make involve the choice of:
- Read the stories of Joseph and Moses in Genesis and Exodus
If you have a need for discipleship counseling or know a friend who does, please have them reach out to Paula’s Hope where we will point them to their only hope; our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God bless--
PS: I will be leading a “7 Keys to Freedom” class for men, starting Thursday, February 9th at 6pm. (SIGN UP HERE)
I would love to have you join me.
(There are also classes for women that are offered, so please call the office and get signed up. (479) 372-4370) or learn more online at: Keys to Freedom Study - Paula's Hope, Inc. (paulashope.org)
—We also have connections to other professionals if the need is outside the scope of our discipleship counseling--
One of the primary classes that we refer our clients to attend is the class, “7 Keys to Freedom”. This class helps us identify the roots that correspond to the branches of the tree that represents our life. These branches can produce fruit that is good or bad. Since most are seeking freedom from a bad fruit, our first focus is in helping to identify the root cause of those fruits. I came out of this class with a new understanding of three profound realities;
- God has a plan for our lives, but so does the enemy. We are living one of those plans.
- God is never the author of evil, and the enemy is never the author of good.
- The enemy is the ruler of this world. This world is corrupt, but it was man, through the influence of Satan (the enemy) that corrupted it.
And since love without choice is not love at all, we must choose to love him, and make Him Lord of our lives to have this eternity. There is another death for those that refuse to make Him Lord, and that is the eternal death that our enemy will experience. So we must choose which path, which plan, which eternity we will chase. One is Gods. One is Satan’s. There is no in-between. You are in or you are out. Jesus says if you are lukewarm, He will spit you from His mouth. Life is a matter of choices, not chances. And those choices have consequences. You will live your life with convictions or you will live your life with regrets. Some of the choices you might make involve the choice of:
- Bitterness or forgiveness
- Anger or acceptance
- Self-promotion or seeking Gods kingdom
- Self-pity over the past or putting the past behind you
- Comfortable compromise or painful obedience
- Read the stories of Joseph and Moses in Genesis and Exodus
If you have a need for discipleship counseling or know a friend who does, please have them reach out to Paula’s Hope where we will point them to their only hope; our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God bless--
PS: I will be leading a “7 Keys to Freedom” class for men, starting Thursday, February 9th at 6pm. (SIGN UP HERE)
I would love to have you join me.
(There are also classes for women that are offered, so please call the office and get signed up. (479) 372-4370) or learn more online at: Keys to Freedom Study - Paula's Hope, Inc. (paulashope.org)
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