Revival News
January 2007
from voice of revival magazine
Love
People say, 'I love my dog', 'I love going on holidays', 'I love my wife', 'I love my car', 'I love God'. The word 'love' has many meanings, all of which encompass a strong preference for someone or something.
In the Bible, the strongest meaning is that used to describe God's character: "...for God is love" (1 John 4:8) and "...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Romans 5:5). Here we see love as the very essence of the nature of God. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit (born again) we have that character.
One of the better definitions of 'love', is 'serve'. The Word of God states: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God served the world by sending His only begotten Son to save those who believe. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments". How do we love God? It is not an indefinable emotional feeling, but rather we serve (love) God as we do what He says.
In answer to the lawyer who asked Jesus about the greatest (most important) commandment, Jesus replied: "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40). We must love (serve) God regardless of our circumstances.
God is the expression (very image) of love, and that nature is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit we can neither experience God’s love nor express it to others in spreading the message of salvation. God's love can - and does - save people.
This article first appeared in Voice of Revival Magazine - September 2002 (pdf 4.7mb).
New Zealand Rally
Held in 2006 at Hawkes Bay - a tremendous time of encouragement and fellowship under the theme: "Life Zone - Abundant, Victorious, Everlasting".
The weekend included ministry, items, skits, good coffee, great fellowship. Pastor Lloyd Longfield (the founder of RCI), shared his testimony and a short encouragement. Pastor Mick (from Christchurch) showed video footage of a recently Spirit-filled lady from Capetown, South Africa. RCI Wellington cleverly helped us aboard "Kingdom Airlines" as we took a spiritual journey on this fictitious airline.
A movie was presented by the Hawkes Bay young people. The story written and produced by the local crew told of a young surfer in pursuit of the ultimate truth. Starting out in search of fulfillment in the surfing world, this young man ultimately receives the Holy Spirit.
Part of the crowd at the New Zealand Rally, Hawkes Bay
Love
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [love], I am become as sounding brass.... And though I have... all knowledge and... all faith... and though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor... and have not charity [love], it profiteth me nothing.
Charity [love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not... vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,... not... unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity [love] never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away...But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away...
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face... then shall I know.... And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity [love].
See the full text at 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Currumundi! - 2nd National Youth Rally
Youth Rally - 25 to 28 January 2007
Currumundi Recreational Camp, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, 25-28 January 2007. More about this rally.
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