Encouraged Love

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. Hebrews 10:23-24 (ESV)

Real life Megan Leavey with her dog Rex

Photo credit: Cpl. Michelle Brinn

by Linda Ellsworth

Linda is the member care coordinator for Christian Camping International, Canada. Megan Leavey is a movie based on the true story of the uncompromising love of two heroic soldiers wounded by an IED in Iraq in 2006. When an IED explodes, Corporal Megan Leavey’s partner saves her life. Her partner is the sniffer dog “Sargent Rex,” who is also wounded in the explosion. Although she and Rex are allowed to recover at home, she receives the command that Rex is to return to duty in Afghanistan. Megan comes out of deep depression and determines to bring Rex home, fighting to adopt him in his retirement. Within the context of this battle is the rebuilding of Megan’s relationship with her estranged father, who has not been the best dad. However, he has followed every nuance of her military career. When Megan discovers this and asks him why, he utters the most profound statement: “(because) . . . how I love you is stronger than what I’m not!”

Throughout Scripture we are encouraged to love both God and each other. It is this “encouraged love” that is the outcome of a relationship with God the Father. Abba. Daddy. The One who loves perfectly.

Encouraged Love: The Characteristics READ I Corinthians 13:1-13 In honesty, how often have you read through this passage thinking “That’s nice . . .” and then walked away . . . nothing changed? Verses 1-3 expose all of us to the truth of action without love. In verse one, our “false love” is exhibited through our

_________________________ In verse two, our “false love” is exhibited through: a) Gifts of _________________ and ______________________.

b) Our _____________________ even so extreme that it could

_________________________. In verse three, our “false love” is exhibited through: a) Our bounteous ____________

_________________________ b) Our sacrificial _____________

_________________________ Re-read your answers above. Think about your life to date. Relate situations where you have gone out of your way to exhibit the great characteristics listed in these verses:

_________________________ In each situation that came to mind, was your motivation one of love? OR was your motivation self-serving?

Verses 4-8 show us what “God-love” looks like and what it is not: verse 4: Love is ____________________ and ______________________

_________________________. What situations might prevent you from exhibiting the two characteristics noted above? a) ________________________

_________________________ b) ________________________

_________________________ Love is not borne out of arrogance/ self conceit. When have you been or might you be tempted to be “arrogantly loving?”

verses 5, 6a: Following the negative characteristics listed below, note a time in which you have indulged in each of these acts/attitudes/behaviours (be honest): a) Rude ___________________ b) Self-centered _____________ c) Arrogant _________________ d) Easily provoked ___________ e) Blaming _________________ f) Happy over wrongdoing

verses 6b-8: Following the positive characteristics listed below, discuss situations in which God-love prompted action: a) Always truthful ____________

_________________________ b) A burden-bearer ___________

_________________________ c) Faith-filled _______________

_________________________ d) Full of hope ______________

_________________________ e) An endurance prompter _____

_________________________ f) Eternal __________________

Pursue Love READ Chapter 14:1a How in the world do we pursue love? Look back at the story of Megan and Rex. Megan’s love for that dog was born out of adversity. It was moulded out of trust into an unbreakable partnership. Megan persevered under almost impossible odds to bring her dog home.

And in the midst of her struggles, do you remember what her Dad said? “How I love you is stronger than what I’m not!” That statement exemplified her father’s life, her life and often our lives.

Jesus’ love for us was moulded out of trust in the Father. It was borne out through adversity. It was fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus persevered under impossible odds to bring us Home . . . sacrificial love personified.

And we can personify that love of Christ. “How we love is stronger than what we are not,” since that God-love dwells in US in the person of the Holy Spirit!

Encouraged Love: Love In Action READ Philippians 4:4-9 Paul challenges us to love in action. verse 4 The key word in this verse is joy. Often, we find great joy in the things around us: friends, family, relationships, nature, etc., but how often have these things, though good in themselves, crept into our lives as a type of “temporal joy”?

_________________________ Paul states that our joy is to have

a singular focus, out of which all other joy flows. Why do you think that is?

_________________________ verse 5: We are to be gentle to the point of:

_________________________ verse 6: We are not to

_________________________ Instead, we are to

_________________________ (and make sure we do so with

_________________________ As a result, God has a very special and precious promise in verse 7:

verse 8 tells us very specifically how and with what we are to fill our minds. What do these foci mean to you? “Whatever things are: a) True

_________________________ b) Noble (Honourable)

_________________________ c) Just

_________________________ d) Pure

_________________________ e) Lovely f) Of Good Report (commendable)

Because of our intimate relationship with Jesus, we WILL exhibit the characteristics of the love of Christ. We grow in intimacy as we faithfully interact with Him through reading the Word and meditating on it and as we engage in two-way communication with the Saviour through the intercession of the Spirit.

verse 9: Love is an ACTION, It is to be PURSUED and PRACTICED.

JEsu, Joy of Man’s DEsirinG

by J.S. Bach (1723) Jesu, Joy of man’s desiring, Holy wisdom, love most bright; Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring Soar to uncreated light.

Word of God, Our flesh that fashioned, With the fire of life impassioned, Striving still to truth unknown, Soaring, dying round Thy throne.

Through the way where hope is guiding, Hark, what peaceful music rings; Where the flock, in Thee confiding, Drink of joy from deathless springs.

Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure; Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure. Thou dost ever lead Thine own In the love of joys unknown.

The PROCESS is RELATIONSHIP. The OUTCOME is PEACE The vISUAL is obvious to all.

In light of Paul’s words in Philippians 4, how does the hymn (Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, see sidebar) speak to your heart?

For further study, (and a great deal of conviction), read If by Amy Carmichael, Dohnavur Fellowship; Christian Literature Crusade; Fort Washington, Pennsylvania 19034; 1938 