Embracing God's Love: A Journey of Joy

Devotional

Day 1: The Depths of God's Love

God's love is the deepest part of His nature, and it is revealed to us through the Spirit. This love is so profound that it surpasses human understanding. The Spirit searches the depths of God and makes this love known to us, forming the foundation of our relationship with Him. Understanding this love is crucial because it enables us to love others genuinely and sacrificially. It is not just a feeling but a commitment and a choice we make because He first loved us. This love transforms our lives and empowers us to walk in love, reflecting God's nature to the world. [46:00]

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (ESV): "But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God."

Reflection: How can you allow the Spirit to reveal more of God's love to you today? Spend some time in prayer, asking God to deepen your understanding of His love.

Day 2: Reflecting God's Love to Others

We are called to love others because God first loved us. This love is sacrificial and unconditional, as demonstrated by Christ's death on the cross while we were still sinners. Our ability to love others, especially those who are difficult to love, is a testament to God's transformative love in our lives. Loving others is not always easy, but it is a reflection of God's love for us. When we choose to love others, we are embodying the love of Christ and showing the world what true love looks like. [49:04]

Romans 5:8 (ESV): "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is difficult to love. How can you show them God's love today, even if it requires sacrifice?

Day 3: Our Identity in Christ

Knowing who we are in Christ changes everything. We are made in God's image, and His Spirit within us empowers us to live supernaturally. This understanding helps us to see ourselves and others through God's eyes, leading to a life of purpose and divine alignment. Our identity in Christ transforms our self-perception and empowers us to live differently. It lays the foundation for living a supernatural life, enabling us to walk as Jesus did and to reflect His nature in our daily lives. [51:14]

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Reflection: How does knowing your identity in Christ change the way you see yourself and others? What steps can you take to live out this identity more fully?

Day 4: Choosing Joy in God's Presence

True joy is not dependent on external circumstances but on who Jesus is. It is a limitless, transformative reservoir that we can tap into through surrender and trust in God. This joy enables us to remain hopeful and generous even in the midst of trials and afflictions. Joy is a choice rooted in God's presence and hope in His word. By choosing joy, we reflect God's nature and demonstrate the power of His presence in our lives. [25:04]

2 Corinthians 8:1-2 (ESV): "We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to choose joy despite difficult circumstances? How can you surrender this area to God and trust in His presence?

Day 5: Walking in Love and Joy

As believers, we are called to embody the fruit of the Spirit, starting with love and joy. These virtues are not just feelings but choices that reflect God's nature. By walking in love and joy, we become living testimonies of God's grace and power, impacting the world around us. Love and joy are transformative and have the power to change our lives and the lives of those around us. When we choose to walk in these virtues, we are reflecting God's nature and demonstrating His love and joy to the world. [23:57]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: How can you intentionally walk in love and joy today? What practical steps can you take to reflect these virtues in your interactions with others?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today's message centered on the profound and transformative power of God's love and how it shapes our lives. We began by reflecting on the recent Healing Journeys Today conference, which showcased powerful testimonies of divine healing, reinforcing the belief that healing is already ours through Christ. This segued into a deeper exploration of love, particularly God's love for us, which is the deepest part of His nature. We examined 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, emphasizing that the Spirit reveals the depths of God's love to us, a love so profound that it surpasses human understanding.

We discussed the challenges of loving others, including ourselves, and how God's love enables us to walk in love. This love is not just a feeling but a commitment, a choice we make because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We delved into Romans 5:8, which illustrates that God loved us even while we were still sinners, and how this sacrificial love calls us to love others, even those who seem unlovable.

The message also touched on our identity in Christ. Understanding who we are in Him transforms our self-perception and empowers us to live differently. We are made in God's image, and His Spirit within us quickens our mortal bodies, enabling us to walk as Jesus did. This understanding lays the foundation for living a supernatural life, as discussed in the upcoming class on flowing in the supernatural.

We then transitioned to the fruit of the Spirit, starting with love and moving to joy. Joy, like love, is a choice and is not dependent on our circumstances but on who Jesus is. True joy is a limitless, transformative reservoir that requires surrender and is rooted in God's presence and hope in His word. We explored how joy can persist even in severe affliction, as seen in the Macedonian churches' generosity despite their poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-2).

In conclusion, we are called to walk in love and joy, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to live out these virtues in our daily lives, reflecting God's nature to the world.

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Key Takeaways

1. God's Love is the Deepest Part of His Nature: The depths of God's love are unfathomable and eternal. This love is revealed to us through the Spirit, who searches the depths of God. Understanding this love is crucial because it forms the foundation of our relationship with Him and our ability to love others. [46:00]
2. Loving Others is a Reflection of God's Love for Us: We are called to love others because God first loved us. This love is sacrificial and unconditional, as demonstrated by Christ's death on the cross while we were still sinners. Our ability to love others, especially those who are difficult to love, is a testament to God's transformative love in our lives. [49:04]
3. Our Identity in Christ Transforms Our Lives: Knowing who we are in Christ changes everything. We are made in God's image, and His Spirit within us empowers us to live supernaturally. This understanding helps us to see ourselves and others through God's eyes, leading to a life of purpose and divine alignment. [51:14]
4. Joy is a Choice Rooted in God's Presence: True joy is not dependent on external circumstances but on who Jesus is. It is a limitless, transformative reservoir that we can tap into through surrender and trust in God. This joy enables us to remain hopeful and generous even in the midst of trials and afflictions. [25:04]
5. Walking in Love and Joy Reflects God's Nature: As believers, we are called to embody the fruit of the Spirit, starting with love and joy. These virtues are not just feelings but choices that reflect God's nature. By walking in love and joy, we become living testimonies of God's grace and power, impacting the world around us. [23:57]
### [23:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[43:10] - Healing Journeys Today Conference Recap
[45:27] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 2:9-12
[47:05] - The Depths of God's Love
[48:04] - Understanding Love Through God
[49:04] - God's Sacrificial Love
[50:41] - Identity in Christ
[52:21] - Fullness of God in Us
[53:27] - Living Supernaturally
[56:50] - Loving the Unlovable
[59:38] - Forgiveness and Love
[61:24] - God's Unending Love
[69:46] - More Than Conquerors
[73:34] - Defining Love (1 Corinthians 13)
[83:00] - Fruit of the Spirit: Love and Joy
[90:39] - Joy in Giving
[97:52] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, who reveals the depths of God's love to us? ([46:00])
What does 1 John 4:19 say about why we are able to love others? ([49:04])
How does Romans 5:8 illustrate God's love for us while we were still sinners? ([49:35])
What example from the sermon shows how joy can persist even in severe affliction? ([01:32:18])

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding the depths of God's love, as revealed by the Spirit, impact our relationship with Him and others? ([46:00])
In what ways does knowing that God loved us first (1 John 4:19) challenge or encourage you to love others, especially those who are difficult to love? ([49:04])
How does the sacrificial love described in Romans 5:8 call us to live differently in our daily interactions? ([49:35])
What does the example of the Macedonian churches' joy in giving despite their poverty teach us about the nature of true joy? ([01:32:18])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt God's love deeply. How did that experience change your perspective or actions towards others? ([46:00])
Think of someone in your life who is difficult to love. What practical steps can you take this week to show them love, inspired by 1 John 4:19? ([49:04])
How can you remind yourself daily of your identity in Christ to help transform your self-perception and actions? ([51:14])
Joy is described as a choice rooted in God's presence. What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to cultivate joy, regardless of your circumstances? ([01:30:04])
Identify a situation where you struggled to forgive someone. How can the understanding of God's sacrificial love in Romans 5:8 help you move towards forgiveness? ([49:35])
The sermon mentioned the importance of living supernaturally. What is one area of your life where you can start to rely more on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your own strength? ([53:27])
How can you practice generosity this week, inspired by the Macedonian churches' example of joy in giving despite their affliction? ([01:32:18])

Sermon Clips

1. "And really reinforced what we believe here that you already have healing. God has healed us. That happened at the cross over 2,000 years ago. And we just need to understand that and then learn how to appropriate that in our lives and to walk in healing. Amen?" [44:27] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The deepest realms of God is love. That is the depths. You can't go any deeper in God. But the thing is love is so deep you'll never get to the end of his love. You'll never get to the point where you understand and walk fully fully in his love every moment of every day. Because loving is hard." [47:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We love because he first loved us. He loves you. You may have trouble with that. You may struggle with that. That's human. But the word of God says he loves you. He loves you so much he did the most amazing powerful love filled act that anyone could ever do. And we'll get to that verse today. Is that he sent his son to die for you while you were still sinners." [49:04] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "He loves you. Well but wait a second he doesn't know me very well. He knows you better than you know yourself. And he still loves you. And while you were still a jerk he loved you. While you were still selfish he loved you. While you were still fill in the blank. Even though you are. Even though you did. Even though. Doesn't matter what you did. Doesn't matter what you said. Doesn't matter how you acted. He loves you." [50:08] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "If you know who you are in him everything else falls in line. Everything else makes sense. If you know that you are made in his image you won't look at yourself and go oh I hate my nose. I hate my ears. I hate my whatever. You don't look at yourself and if you knew who you are in him you're made in his image. In the spirit and image of Jesus. In the spirit and image of God." [51:14] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "If you really knew who you were now, you would act differently. And I'm laying a foundation here. Because you have the fullness of God in you, you do live differently. I'm not saying well, you're not there yet. No, you're there. You have the ability right now to walk like Jesus walked. To talk like Jesus talked. Like, to do the miracles. To do everything that he did. We have everything now. We just have to realize it, understand it, and start to walk in it. To appropriate it." [53:27] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "How do we love the unlovable? We just follow him. We understand that he did it for us so we're expected to love others for him and then let him do it. Let him do it. It's true. I heard it this week. I heard it teaching somebody else much smarter than me stole my sermon last week. And I heard about it. I heard it. He didn't actually. He probably, probably the same Holy Spirit." [59:38] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "He expects you to not act like a human being anymore. He expects us to walk in love anyway. One more time. Even when they've crossed the line years ago. Love them. Love them. And that only comes from God. Like I said last week, you'll have to watch last week's sermon. It's only possible through Him. But He can do it. I'm a living testimony of that. Amen?" [01:09:14] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, in Christ Jesus, our Lord." [01:10:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Love is patient. Love is patient. I'll just help you with the first one. God's patient with you. He realizes you're not going to be perfect today. But He's patient. He's okay. Here's the amazing thing about God is He sees the end from the beginning. He knows who you're going to be. He knows who you are and He knows who you're going to be. He knows what it looks like in 30 years. He knows what it's going to look like in three weeks. You're not going to be the same. If you walk in Him, if you're in Him, every day you change. You grow. Hopefully. But He's patient." [01:14:43] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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