-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
April 30, 2009
THE SPONTANEITY OF LOVE
Love suffereth long, and is kind ...
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1co+13:4-8&sr=1
Love is not premeditated, it is spontaneous, i.e., it bursts up in
extraordinary ways. There is nothing of mathematical certainty in
Paul's category of love. We cannot say - "Now I am going to think no
evil; I am going to believe all things." The characteristic of love
is spontaneity. We do not set the statements of Jesus in front of us
as a standard; but when His Spirit is having His way with us, we live
according to His standard with out knowing it, and on looking back we
are amazed at the disinterestedness of a particular emotion, which is
the evidence that the spontaneity of real love was there. In
everything to do with the life of God in us, its nature is only
discerned when it is past.
The springs of love are in God, not in us. It is absurd to look for
the love of God in our hearts naturally, it is only there when it has
been shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
If we try to prove to God how much we love Him, it is a sure sign
that we do not love Him. The evidence of our love for Him is the
absolute spontaneity of our love, it comes naturally. In looking back
we cannot tell why we did certain things, we did them according to
the spontaneous nature of His love in us. The life of God manifests
itself in this spontaneous way because the springs of love are in the
Holy Ghost. (Romans 5:5.)
/--- Sponsor a Child with Compassion -----------------------\
For less than a dollar a day, you can make a powerful
difference in the life of a needy child. Click on the
following link to learn more about sponsoring a child
through Compassion!
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/92/ -------------------/
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
TWO HEARTS PRAYING AS ONE, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
"Praying together may be the single most important spiritual discipline
you and your spouse will ever share," say the Raineys--it reduces
conflicts and safeguards marriages from divorce.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?223
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST - by Oswald Chambers /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/devotionals/my_utmost \/
This email is made possible by YOUR donations! If you've found
our service encouraging or inspiring, we pray you'll give a voluntary
donation to keep this ministry going. Donations are NOT required,
but they are appreciated!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
This devotional is copyright Oswald Chambers Publications,
< http://www.oswaldchambers.co.uk >.
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-myutmost@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
To unsubscribe send a blank email to:
myutmost-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
======================================================================