The capacity for love

The capacity for love gives depth to human relationships, brings people closer to each other physically and emotionally, and makes people think expansively about themselves and the world.  In his triangular theory of love, psychologist Robert Sternberg theorizes that love is a mix of three components: some (1) passion, or physical attraction; (2) intimacy, or feelings of closeness; and (3) commitment, involving the decision to initiate and sustain a relationship.  The presence of all three components characterizes consummate love, the most durable type of love.  In addition, the presence of intimacy and passion in marital relationships predicts marital satisfaction.  Also, commitment is the best predictor of relationship satisfaction, especially in long-term relationships.  Positive consequences of being in love include increased self-esteem and self-efficacy.[4]

The Bible records why Christians should love one another :-

1) God has commanded us to love (1 John 2:7-11)

2) We have been born of God and God's love lives in us (1 John 3:10-24)

3) God first revealed His love to us (1 John 4:7-21)

"We love ... because He first loved us."

What happens to a believer who does not love the brethren? 

1) he lives in darkness, though he thinks he is living in the light (1 John 2:9).  He thinks he sees, but he is actually blinded by the darkness of hatred.

2) he becomes a cause of stumbling (cf. 1 John 2:10).

an unloving brother stumbles himself, and in addition he causes others to stumble.  The best way to help other Christians not to stumble is to love them. Love makes us stepping-stones; hatred (or any of its "cousins," such as envy or malice) makes us stumbling blocks.

3) it retards a believer's spiritual progress (1 John 2:11). 

Real love - The LOVE of God

Every year without fail on February 14, the world takes delight in celebrating Valentine's Day - a day in which people celebrate and express love or feelings for each other. It is also the time to develop a sense of belonging and friendship.

To love and be loved by someone is the most beautiful and fulfillng experience.

True love knows no bounds and consists of great sacrifice and care. It also embraces compassion, kindness, respect and thoughtfulness.

Real love comes with a lot of responsibility, commitment, understanding, tolerance, acceptance and humility.

The word love appears in Scripture more than 500 times. The essence of the gospel is love, as we see in John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

The Bible gives us some practical suggestions about becoming the person who demonstrates the love of Christ. We are to give preference to one another (Romans 12:10), edify one another (Romans 14:19), care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25), serve one another (Galatians,comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and pray for one another (James 5:16).

5:13), bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), forgive one another (Colossians 3:13)

It is always better to give others a piece of our heart than a piece of our mind.

TO KNOW LOVE, OPEN YOUR HEART TO JESUS,.

TO SHOW LOVE, OPEN YOUR HEART TO OTHERS.

This thing called LOVE

Love - it's such a simple word yet it means a lot of different things, and varies from one person to the other. It has no age limit. People discover it at any age.

To a child, love could just be a cuddling from his parents or his loved one. But to the teenages, love could be spending time with his or her love one. To the elderly, love is everything.

A love that has stood the test of time is one built on trust, loyalty and respect.

Whatever love means to you, it does not matter. For love is universal.

But to God, love is sending His Son to died for our sin as John 3 : 16-18 recorded "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

1 John 4:9-15 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

LOVE IS THE DOOR THROUGH WHICH WE PASS FROM SELFISHNESS TO SERVICE.

TRUE LOVE IS AN ACTION, NOT JUST A FEELING.

HAPPY VALENTINE to all lovers, couples and everyone.

Bare your love

Female students in higher learning institutes here are being persuaded not to wear panties on Valentine's Day as an expression of true love for their boyfriends. The "no panties promotion"to being held for the first time, has apparently being gaining interest among the students, who are passing the news by word-of-mouth. [The Star dated 29-01-10]

In loving relationships, people warn one another of the inevitable consequences of foolish behaviour. The fact is, when we love, we take risks. People could very well hurt us, disappoint us, or even leave us. We must ask ourselves, why do we do what we do? and, are our actions affecting other people life?

What a demeaning way to show ones love? Are women suppose to sell their reputation to show their love?

Sometimes conservatism has a higher value than liberalism, especially when it protects ones values and ensures ones reputation are unscathed.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The best place to find love is not in another person but in a book, the Bible. The Bible tells of God's great love for us.

Love Hurts !

Sometimes love sure hurts ! But love is much more than feeling - it's a life-long commitment.

Mothers and fathers sometimes express the difficulties and heartaches of guiding their children through their teen years - " Maybe if they didn't love their children that much it wouldn't be so hard. "

Even though love brings pain and sorrow, what would life be without it ?

In his book The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis wrote :
"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully around with hobbies and little luxuries ; avoid all entanglements ; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness ...... The only place outside heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers ...... of love is hell."
To love is to take risks, to expose our hearts. Sometimes it hurts.

It hurt Jesus Christ, but He kept on loving - even at the cost of His life. And He asked us to

" love one another as I have loved you "[John 15:12].

Truly loving our spouse, that teenager, that neighbour, that colleague is Christlike, and it's better than locking your heart in the coffin of self-centeredness.

Paul showed us that LOVE is the most excellence way as being expressed in 1 Corinthians 13.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Love is in the air

Love is in the air, but Valentine's Day should not be the only time to express love for your partner or loved ones, rather it should serve as a reminder to devote time and energy to your relationship everyday.
A song made famous in 1975 by the Wynners group express love as ...

L-O-V-E, love...
La La La ... love...
I will not give you riches
Riches are not my wishes
I'll give you the vow of my life
L-O-V-E Love La...

L is for life and living
O is the oath of giving
V and E, vow of eternity
L-O-V-E Love La...

Though the word may be simple
Yet the feeling is true and deep
Here's a pledge for you to keep
My true love L-O-V-E

I'll make your life worth living
I'll take and I'll be giving
Please take my vow of eternity
L-O-V-E Love

BUT the greatest Love is found in the Book of John Chapter 3 verses 16 & 17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
In 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 - Love is described as ... patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres.
So remember to put your trust in Jesus, for God's love is a fabric that never fades, no matter how often it is washed in the water of adversity.