A Good Word!

I visited Cornerstone Fellowship Church today.
Pastor Steve Madsen spoke of the undeniable quality of a true church: love.

Here's the link for the morning service, although my notes are on the 2nd service:
http://cornerstoneweb.org/series/love-god-love-others/1-john-310-23/


Some golden nuggets:

We are our brother's keeper

I John 3:13-16

"Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[b] if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.  16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."

"Don't be surprised when unrighteousness acts negatively towards righteousness but you should expect the church in love..."

Genesis 4:7

"7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

"Cain made the issue between him and God and didn't want to deal with it. He, instead, made it an issue between him and his brother."


Firstfruits

First fruits... Show me your faith at the beginning of the season
"First and best"
Trusting God for provision before it comes to pass
That is what Abel did... that is what God commands of tithes...
What is our attitude?

"We are never gonna know God until we trust Him."


Love & Hatred

We are called to love and not hate...but we first admit that we hate in order to get rid of it...and start loving

"Hatred is the absence of love as darkness is the absence of light..."

"Christians are really good at saying 'I don't hate anyone,' but if hatred is the absence of love, then we should see the definition of what love is."

I Corinthians 13: 4-17
"4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

If we know the definition of love is... and hatred is the absence of love, then we should know the definition of hatred....

I Corinthians 13:4-17 (opposite)
" Hate is impatient, hate is unkind. It envies, it boasts, it is proud.  It dishonor others, it is self-seeking, it is easily angered, it keeps record of wrongs. Hate does not delight in good but rejoices in covering up the truth.  It always harms, always mistrusts, always despairs, always gives up."


Prayer (paraphrased and some of my thoughts)


Daniel prayed 3 times a day.
When his life was in danger, he did nothing different. He still prayed 3 times a day, not hiding anything. It was his relationship and intimacy with God that brought trust and knowing Him together.

When we go throughout the day, prayer gives us opportunities to make things right with God and with others. Its not a matter of pride or if you were "right." It is opportunities to get rid of hate or opportunities where "sin is crouching at your door; it desires you but you must rule over it." Where God can take those offensive or ugly part of the days into amazing miracles of love. Praying/communicating with God is something essential throughout the day and He helps us get through the day in victorious ways!


1 Week Challenge

Notice someone in the body giving love to another. Facebook or Twitter it this week with "#showlove#" at the end of the statement. (i.e. I saw a family member show love by buying a meal for someone off the street that needed it #showlove#)

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