THE GESTURE BEHIND THE GIFT: LOVE

                                                          

JEHOVAH AHAD/ AGAPE

“…God is love …” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…“The Son is …the EXACT representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV).  “…There is no greater LOVE than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT).

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It is an everlasting and unwavering Love. The “ONLY” LOVE that is ardent, tender, fierce, unspeakable, indescribable, and affectionate; particularly in the covenant relationship with HIS PEOPLE. He has “….loved [you]...with an EVERLASTING love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). A “…Love … [that] … never FAILS….” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). “…I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love …[toward you]…” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT). “…“The Son is …the EXACT representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV).  “…God … [demonstrated] … his love toward … [you], in that, while … [you] … were yet sinners, Christ DIED FOR US…” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

God’s LOVE is so POWERFUL he is willing to do WHATEVER is necessary to BRIDGE the GAP between him and his objects of AFFECTION. “…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 KJV). “… Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV).

God’s LOVE is so POWERFUL he SPARED no expense for the objects of his AFFECTION. God “…spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all?” (Romans 8:32 KJV).

In fact, God’s LOVE is so POWERFUL he created JESUS for the SPECIFIC purpose of being the  BRIDGE or ATONING SACRIFICE for the objects of his AFFECTION.“…God so loved the world, that HE GAVE his only begotten (specially created) Son, …” (John 3:16 KJV). “…“The Son is …the EXACT representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV). “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV). “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV).

God’s LOVE is so POWERFUL he desires to be INTIMATELY attached to the object of his affections. “…He that is joined unto the Lord is ONE spirit…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR]… HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “…“The Son is …the EXACT representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).

God LOVE is so POWERFUL he desires to be in the PRESENCE of the object of his affections forever. “… You set me in Your presence forever…” (Psalms 44:12 NASB). “…YOU MAKE HIM “MOST” BLESSED forever … in YOUR PRESENCE…” (Psalms 21:6 NASB). “…the Spirit of God dwell[s] in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “…“The Son is …the EXACT representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV). “…if Christ be in you… [then] …the Lord …[is] … in your presence …” (Romans 8:10 KJV & Exodus 33:16-23 NIV).

Jehovah Ahab/Agape, the GOD of Love.  “… the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers…” (Deuteronomy 7:8 NASB). “… Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; because the Lord loved Israel forever…” (1 Kings 10:9 NASB). “… Because the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “ … your God loved Israel establishing them forever …”(2 Chronicles 9:8 NASB). In “… His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old…” (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “… I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB). “… Even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods…” (Hosea 3:1 NASB). “ … I led them … with bonds of love, And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; And I bent down and fed them…” (Hosea 11:4 NASB).

No matter WHAT; God POWERFULLY LOVES “HIS” people!! “… Indeed, He loves the people…” (Deuteronomy 33:3 NASB).

Don’t get it WRONG; mankind CANNOT boast or brag about their LOVE for God; it is GOD and GOD alone that has LOVED mankind. “…NOT that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “….HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us…” (Romans 5:5 NIV).

He has NEVER changed in ALL of biblical history.  “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  “…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13 :8 NIV).

Jehovah Ahab/Agape, the GOD of Love has POWERFULLY loved through mankind’s many abandonments! “…But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and ABANDONED me….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…They ABANDONED ME and did not obey my word….” (JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT).

 “….They ABANDONED the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods …” (Judges 2:12 NLT).

“…They ABANDONED the Lord to serve Baal (THEIR HUMAN DESIRES)…” (Judges 2:13 NLT). “….They ABANDONED the Lord and no longer served him at all…” (Judges 10:6 NLT).

“…Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually ABANDONED ME and followed other gods (HUMAN DESIRE)…” (1 Samuel 8:8 NLT). “…He ABANDONED Lord, the God of his ancestors, and he refused to follow the Lord’s ways…” (2 Kings 21:22 NLT).

“…For my people have ABANDONED ME and offered sacrifices to pagan gods (HUMAN DESIRE), …” (2 Kings 22:17 NLT).“…He ABANDONED the Law of the Lord, and all Israel followed him in this sin…” (2 Chronicles 12:1 NLT).

“…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).

Jehovah Ahab/Agape, the GOD of Love POWERFULLY RESCUED his people over and over and over again. “…Their enemies crushed them and brought them under their cruel power. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin. Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love. He even caused their captors to treat them with kindness. Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord!” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT). “…He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love…” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT).

God’s POWERFUL LOVE restores his people, who abandoned him, BACK into a blessing“…Ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: …” (Zechariah 8:13 KJV).

God’s POWERFUL LOVE is faithful. “…Great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalms 117:2 KJV).

God’s LOVE is so POWERFUL that even if YOU forget the covenant vows you made to him; he won’t forget the covenant vows he made to you! “… [GOD] remembered his covenant with them (THROUGH ABRAHAM) …” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT). To Abraham he made these covenant vows: “…I will BLESS thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a BLESSING: And I will BLESS them that BLESS thee …in thee shall all families of the earth be BLESSED…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).

God‘s POWERFUL love ENDURED for his people, who ABANDONED him, for thousands and thousands of generations. “…Showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments…” (Exodus 20:6 NIV).

God’s POWERFUL LOVE keeps EVERY promise he makes to the objects of his affection no matter what it costs or takes to do it. God says, I “…am WATCHING over my word to PERFORM it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB “…So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it SHALL NOT return unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

God’s POWERFUL LOVE KEPT his covenant with Abraham and because he did, modern-day believers enjoy the blessings of Abraham. “…Christ hath REDEEMED us from the curse of the law …That the “BLESSING of Abraham” might come on [“US”]… through Jesus Christ …” (Galatians 3:13-14 KJV).

Jehovah Ahab/Agape, the GOD of Love LOVES his people. “… Indeed, He loves the people…” (Deuteronomy 33:3 NASB). “…“The Son is …the EXACT representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV). “…There is no greater LOVE than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT).

“…God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ DIED FOR US…” (Romans 5:8 KJV). “…Christ died for [your] SINS according to the scriptures;  And …he was buried, and … rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).

Jehovah Ahab. Jehovah Agape. Jesus.  It is NOT just his NAMES and TITLES; it is the POWERFUL Spiritual being BEHIND the NAME. “… Glory in His holy name …” (1 Chronicles 16:10 NASB).  “…THY NAME is GREAT in might…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).

Jehovah Ahab is one of his names or titles to PROCLAIM on the ROOFTOPS, but remember it is his HOLY NATURE that proves WHY he is WORTHY of that NAME!! “…Moses said, “…show me your glory.” “… Glory in His holy name …” (1 Chronicles 16:10 NASB).  “…THY NAME is GREAT in might…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).  “…The Lord said, “… I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence …” (Exodus 33:16-23 NIV).

PROCLAIM HIS NAME!! JEHOVAH AHAB!! JEHOVAH AGAPE!! JESUS!!! “… Glory in His holy name …” (1 Chronicles 16:10 NASB). “…THY NAME is GREAT in might…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).  “…God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were STILL sinners…” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT).    “…For God SO LOVED the world, that he GAVE…” (John 3:16 KJV). “…NOT THAT WE LOVED, God, but that HE LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…God ….GAVE his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16 KJV).   

JEHOVAH AHAB. JEHOVAH AGAPE. JESUS. THE GOD OF LOVE NEVER CHANGES!! “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  “…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13 :8 NIV).

 GOD’S POWERFUL CONSISTENTLY HAS THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS DAY AFTER DAY.  “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  “…Jesus Christ is the same … forever” (Hebrews 13 :8 NIV). “…Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, Love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).  

GOD’S POWERFUL LOVE NEVER WEAKENS OR SEPARATES from the objects of his affection!!  “… [Nothing] … will be able to separate … [you] … from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB).

GOD’S POWERFUL LOVE BONDS YOU TO HIM “IN” an INTIMATE UNION!!! “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…Love … the perfect BOND of UNITY...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). God, through Christ, has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV).

JEHOVAH AHAB!!! JEHOVAH AGAPE!! JESUS!! “… Glory in His holy name …” (1 Chronicles 16:10 NASB).  “…I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence …” (Exodus 33:16-23 NIV). “…THY NAME is GREAT in might…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). 

THE GIFT IS GREAT AND THE LOVE BEHIND THE GIFT IS EVEN GREATER MAKING "JESUS" A POWERFUL GIFT OF LOVE!

JEHOVAH AHAB!!!

JEHOVAH AGAPE!!