Choosing Love: The Power of Deliberate Action

Devotional

Day 1: Love as a Deliberate Choice

Love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate choice that often requires sacrifice and commitment. Jesus exemplified this by choosing to follow God's will, even to the point of death on the cross. This teaches us that true love is an act of the will, not just an emotional response. When we choose to love, we are following Jesus' example and fulfilling God's command to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This kind of love often requires us to put others' needs before our own and to make sacrifices for the well-being of others. [29:54]

1 John 3:18 (ESV): "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you can choose to show love through action rather than just words. What specific steps can you take today to demonstrate this kind of love?

Day 2: The Power of Collective Prayer

When we come together in prayer, we can intercede for others and witness God's miraculous power. Our prayers for Joe's family in their time of crisis demonstrated the strength of communal faith and the belief that God can turn any situation for good. Collective prayer not only brings us closer to God but also unites us as a community, strengthening our faith and encouraging us to support one another in times of need. This act of communal prayer highlights the power of collective faith and the belief that God can turn any situation for good. [32:10]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Think of someone in your community who is going through a difficult time. How can you and others come together to pray for them and support them in their time of need?

Day 3: Learning Through "I Do, We Do, You Do"

The method of teaching that involves demonstrating, practicing together, and then allowing independent action is effective in both practical and spiritual growth. Jesus used this approach with His disciples, and it can be applied to our own discipleship and mentoring relationships. This method, known as "I do, we do, you do," helps individuals learn by observing, participating, and then practicing on their own. It is a powerful way to teach and learn, as it allows for hands-on experience and gradual independence. [41:24]

2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

Reflection: Think of a skill or spiritual discipline you have learned. How can you use the "I do, we do, you do" method to teach someone else this skill or discipline?

Day 4: The Importance of Fundamentals

Just as athletes continually practice basic skills, Christians must continually practice faith, love, and obedience to God's Word. These fundamentals are crucial for spiritual growth and effectiveness in our walk with God. By focusing on the basics, we can build a strong foundation for our faith and be better equipped to handle life's challenges. Practicing these fundamentals helps us stay connected to God and grow in our relationship with Him. [55:49]

Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV): "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."

Reflection: What are the basic spiritual disciplines you need to practice regularly? How can you incorporate these fundamentals into your daily routine to strengthen your faith?

Day 5: God's Plan for Us

God has a plan for each of us, a plan for peace and well-being, not for disaster. By staying connected to God and following His guidance, we can navigate life's challenges and fulfill our divine purpose. This requires us to draw close to God, reproduce His actions, and stay involved in His work. Trusting in God's plan means believing that He has our best interests at heart and that He will guide us through every situation. [29:38]

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you see God's plan at work in that situation? How can you trust Him more fully with your future?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today's message focused on the power of choice and the importance of love as a deliberate action rather than a mere feeling. We began by reflecting on the biblical command to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Love, as exemplified by Jesus, is a choice that often requires sacrifice and commitment. Jesus chose to follow God's will, even to the point of death on the cross, demonstrating that true love is an act of the will, not just an emotional response.

We also took a moment to intercede in prayer for Joe's family, who were involved in a car accident. This act of communal prayer highlighted the power of collective faith and the belief that God can turn any situation for good. We prayed for healing, protection, and peace for all those affected, emphasizing that fervent prayer can bring about miraculous changes.

The sermon then transitioned into a personal narrative about learning life lessons through experiences with family, particularly through activities like hunting and playing baseball. These stories illustrated the principle of "I do, we do, you do," a method of teaching and learning that mirrors how Jesus taught His disciples. This method involves demonstrating a task, doing it together, and then allowing the learner to do it independently. This approach not only applies to practical skills but also to spiritual growth and discipleship.

We were reminded that God has a plan for each of us, a plan for peace and well-being, not for disaster. By staying connected to God and following His guidance, we can navigate life's challenges and fulfill our divine purpose. The importance of fundamentals, whether in sports or in our spiritual walk, was emphasized. Just as athletes continually practice basic skills, Christians must continually practice faith, love, and obedience to God's Word.

###

Key Takeaways

1. being, not for disaster. By staying connected to God and following His guidance, we can navigate life's challenges and fulfill our divine purpose. This requires us to draw close to God, reproduce His actions, and stay involved in His work. [29:38]
### [29:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:16] - Love is a Choice
[29:54] - Jesus' Sacrifice
[30:56] - Interceding for Joe's Family
[32:10] - Power of Collective Prayer
[33:34] - Faith and Healing
[35:27] - Praying for the Accident Victims
[38:06] - Personal Stories and Lessons
[41:24] - Learning Through "I Do, We Do, You Do"
[46:07] - Fundamentals in Life and Faith
[50:11] - Baseball and Life Lessons
[55:49] - Importance of Fundamentals
[59:28] - Personal Testimony and Calling
[69:01] - God's Ability and Our Faith
[89:38] - Drawing Close to God
[96:46] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Matthew 22:37-39, what are the two greatest commandments that Jesus mentions?
How does Philippians 4:13 relate to the idea of Jesus' example of love and sacrifice? [29:54]
What does Jeremiah 29:11 reveal about God's intentions for our lives? How does this align with the sermon’s message about God’s plan for us? [29:38]
In the sermon, what method of teaching did the pastor describe using with his family, and how does it relate to Jesus' method with His disciples? [41:24]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it significant that love is described as a choice rather than a feeling in Matthew 22:37-39? How does this understanding impact our daily actions and relationships? [29:16]
How does the concept of collective prayer, as demonstrated in the sermon, reflect the communal aspect of faith described in the Bible? [32:10]
What are the implications of the "I do, we do, you do" teaching method for our spiritual growth and discipleship? How can this method be applied in our own mentoring relationships? [41:24]
How does the emphasis on fundamentals in sports, as described in the sermon, parallel the importance of practicing basic spiritual disciplines in our Christian walk? [55:49]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you had to choose to love someone despite not feeling like it. How did that choice impact your relationship with that person? [29:16]
Think about a situation in your life where collective prayer made a difference. How can you encourage more communal prayer in your small group or church community? [32:10]
Identify a practical skill or spiritual discipline you have learned through the "I do, we do, you do" method. How can you use this method to teach someone else in your life? [41:24]
What are some fundamental spiritual practices you might have neglected recently? How can you reintroduce these practices into your daily routine to strengthen your faith? [55:49]
Consider God's plan for your life as described in Jeremiah 29:11. What steps can you take to stay connected to God and follow His guidance more closely? [29:38]
How can you demonstrate love as a deliberate action in your interactions this week, especially with those who are difficult to love? [29:54]
Reflect on a personal experience where you had to rely on God's strength to overcome a challenge. How did Philippians 4:13 resonate with you during that time, and how can it encourage you in current or future challenges? [29:54]

Sermon Clips

1. "Love is a choice. It's not a feeling. It's not a whoo-hoo goosebumps. Is that a reaction to it? Is it a manifestation? Is it a manifestation of it? Yes. But is that love? No. No. It's a choice. Jesus had a choice. He had a choice in the garden. He said, Lord, is there any way this cup can be passed? But he loves us so much, he chose to die on the cross for you." [29:54] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Satan, whatever you mean for harm, God will always turn it to good. Lord, I thank you for your healing power. Lord, you're no respecter of person. Lord, I thank you just the same way as people are being healed this week. The Bible says the fervent prayer of a righteous woman. Avaleth much. Lord, it happens." [32:10] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Lord, I thank you that you desire above all things that we be in health even as our soul prospers. Lord, I thank you that you are wonderful, you're great. Lord, just give a peace of mind and the reactions and the things that Joe as he is driving. Lord, calm him down, relax him, bring the angels to comfort him. Lord, that his decisions are in the decisions of not out of fear but out of faith that is love, power and a sound mind." [33:34] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You learn how to do things the right way, you get the basics of what the word says then over time you start manipulating it or you just start taking what you want with it and then you start shooting yourself with it and breaking the rules not but and these rules ain't there to keep you under bondage these rules are going to be more effective of course how are you how are you effective by being alive how are you effective by being here you can't be effective if you're shooting each other or a bb goes in your eyeball now you're blind you know so anyway um think about that that's what we taught this morning." [41:24] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You gotta change your mindset. Sometimes it's not going to happen how you want it to happen. That's okay. But you learn from it. You know? And so, I grew up playing baseball with my dad. My dad always played catch with me. And it was, it was so much fun. He taught us how to throw and how to hit." [55:18] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "I saw my dad coming down and laying hands on the sick and they're recovering. I saw my dad like lay hands on people and by the power of Jesus, their arms got in line. I saw necks being healed, knees being healed. I saw my dad perform weddings and even home goings. And I grew up knowing that and I always heard my dad always speaking scripture. He knew scripture and always speaking it, speaking it, speaking it." [57:51] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "You don't have to have a prodigal period. If you can learn the right way and apply the right way and keep on doing what you were taught instead of start shooting your brother with the BB gun and stay on the path of righteousness. I'm not questioning your gift of righteousness, but there's a path of righteousness that God has. And it's righteousness and peace and joy through the Holy Ghost." [01:00:30] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "You wonder how you're going to drive and as in, I do, we do, you do. Number one, you have to draw. The Bible says draw close to me and I'll draw close to you. You've got to draw off the Holy Spirit. You've got to imitate Him. Which brings you to the R. You've got to what? Reproduce what God does. And with you staying connected to the vine, you're going to reproduce as God. Because you are the fruit of the vine." [01:29:38] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "You get excited about hearing the voice of God. You get excited about driving into your future. You get excited about seeing people come to Christ. You get excited about being able to be able to share your testimony, your story. Because the Bible says you overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. Amen? And so, because you're so excited about eternity, that's what you drive on. You drive on eternity." [01:35:13] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "You should be driven by the love of Jesus Christ. And that's going to drive you to others. That's going to drive you to being involved and engaging with other people. Amen? So, praise God. I'm excited about our new Drive little mini series. I do, we do, you do. And you're going to get all of those scriptures that I told you in the next weeks to come." [01:36:15] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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