HOW TO GROW IN THE GOD KIND OF LOVE PT 2

Growth in any area of our life is not automatic. We must choose to grow. Growing in love is no different. We must choose to grow in the love of God.  There are few things that you must do if you are going to grow in the GKO Love.

Review:

MEDITATE UPON IT.

The first way to grow in the God kind of love is meditate the word of God.   Matthew 12:35 NKJV “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things

SEE IT! Firstly, meditate by beginning to see it.

SAY IT!Secondly, we have to say it. Start speaking it, and declaring it, “I am walking in love”

NOW PART 2…

SOW IT!

Thirdly, we have to sow it! Who are the people in your life who challenge you to walk in love? Consider this person, or these people, your love project. Plant acts of love towards them.  The following is a powerful love verse: Romans 12:14-21 AMP “Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them. (This can be hard sometimes but with meditation you can do it, I know you want to curse them in the name of the Lord, sometimes I feel the same way, but we can do this!) 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief]. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits. [Prov 3:7.]   17 Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. [Prov 20:22.]  18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. [Deut 32:35.]  20 But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. [Prov 25:21-22.]  21 Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.  Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount to pray for those who despitefully use you.  Sow acts of love towards ALL people. 

  STAY WITH IT!

Fourthly, we need to stay with it and be consistent no matter what!  We sow and sometimes we may get frustrated, but we have to stay with it.  Keep walking in love, no matter what.  Walk in love towards your neighbor.  The devil will really fight us once we say we are going to walk in love. The devil will make sure to plant a love buster in our path. If we miss it, just repent to God and the person (also everyone that saw what you did) and keep on stepping! I like the movie “Nemo.”  Delores, the fish, just keeps singing and she just keeps swimming, swimming, and swimming! Well, don’t you be discouraged about your love walk, just keep loving, loving, and loving!

FOCUS UPON IT!

 Think about what triggers your old man.  Then ask yourself who triggers your old man.  There is always a person or type of person who triggers these things in you.  Why does this happen?  Usually it has to do with some unresolved conflict or problem, which hasn’t come to a resolution.  Forgive that person, and then give love.  Pray for those who despitefully use you. You will have to keep your focus. We can’t just meditate on love.  We need to focus on love and express it towards a person or a type of person we may struggle with.

EVALUATE IT BY SELF-EXAMINATION

 Go through 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.  Ask yourself if you can endure long, and if you are patient and kind.  You may endure long, but you may not be patient and kind about it.  If we see this, we must then examine ourselves.  Love is never envious or boiled over with jealousy.  Ask yourself if that is you.  Listen to how you talk about yourself.  Look at people and how they react to the way you talk.   If people seem to take offense, you may be rude to them.  Are you manipulating people and controlling people to get what you want?  Ask the Holy Spirit to check you in these areas.  I can remember when I did things and the Holy Spirit said, “Hey that’s self seeking.”  I didn’t realize that I needed to do self-examination. Go through the Bible to get more help in the areas you need guidance.  Ask a friend if you walk in love.  Then listen.  Keep a journal to keep track of what you’re doing and how you are operating.  You can keep track of what you’re doing.  Review that journal.  Write down what God is speaking and teaching you; be careful not to fall into old habits.  We must train ourselves and develop new habits, as we learn to walk in the God-kind of love.