The Love Response
Words of Faith 7-23-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Jude 1
[20] But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. [21] Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

What do we do when some in the Church reject the Lordship of Jesus and use "grace" as an opportunity to sin both in action and words? How do we deal with the invasion of the world into the Church and a Christian culture marked by accommodation and compromise?
We might expect that Jude would recommend an attack of some sort, but that was not the case. In fact, the first response commended by Jude was that of prayer in the Holy Spirit. That means a prayer life that is a growing prayer relationship.
What grows out of such a conversation is an increasing knowledge of God reflected in the experience of His love. We are to "keep ourselves in God's love" while we await Christ's coming. Whether we see Christ in the Rapture at the Day of the Lord or in the moment He has planned for us to step into eternity, the Lord Jesus will bring us into eternal life by His mercy.
How do we keep ourselves in God's love? We focus on the love that He has expressed to us. Here is an experiment. Try this. How are you praying right now? On the fly? In the shower? Only in a panic? Methodically in a set place? From a book? Well, make a change, even if a simple one, and set some time to focus on His love.
If you already pray for a long time, set aside a brief period simply to focus upon His love for you—maybe in a different setting. If you have been accustomed to speaking a lot in prayer, be quiet and listen. If you have been used to praying on the run, make a place to just be still and talk. If you have been praying only at a set time and place, try talking to the Lord in the car, in the shower, or while doing some task.
Now, talk to the Lord about His love for you. Do you have questions about His love for you? Let Him lead you in the Scripture. You might use this season of incarnation to realize and recognize the immense love of God that is expressed in the birth of His Son Jesus. Focus on the ways that you have experienced the love of God rather than the ways you have experienced disappointment and hurt.
Finally, whatever he leads you to do as an expression of His love, do it. Step out in faith to express the love of God.
Here is a little meditation called the Father's Love Letter. I have sent it out before—but it bears consideration again.

My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me, you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child, and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home, and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is… Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad Almighty God

(Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications © 1999-2010 www.FathersLoveLetter.com)

Father God, show me the changes that You would want me to make, be it ever so small or very great. Show me the thing that You would like for me to do differently or the place where You would like for me to meet You. Show me the way You want me to experience your love and express Your love to others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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