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Love, It's Not all about Chemistry or EmotionsGrowing up I always felt I needed some instructions on what I was supposed to do to truly love. I never was one looking for the perfect but wanted to be able to give more than I received. Now that I have teenagers, I want to be able to help them get past the hormones and emotions and live a Godly life in all areas. About two months ago, our Worship Leader shared the following passage with us from The Message Bible. Philippians 1:9-11 “So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.” I have read this passage before but this version really simplifies it and outlines what I had been seeking, the Biblical view on living a life of love. The passage starts out as this is my prayer. Paul was speaking to the Philippi but it is also applicable for a parent to pray for their teens or a person to pray for that friend who might be seeking. The words are so powerful. It’s not all about emotions but use your head. In a society where most movies and shows are splashed with very suggestive screens and information that indicates it all about the thrill, the pleasure, what a refreshing message to share that love should be sincere and intelligent. The section that really speaks to me is “Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary”. This refers to being cautious, deserving imitation, serving as an example. It further goes on to say, “a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all”. How powerful is that, just as a child wants their parent to be proud of them, we should want to make Jesus proud and to let all know what we have accomplished is because of Jesus. This passage takes the spot light off of the person in the mirror and gives the glory to God for sending his Son to teach us how to love by following his example. As a teen or even an adult it is awesome to have some guidance on how to love so that we may be able to give that true love, enduring love to others because of what Christ has given us.
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