Podcasts about Perfect Love

Until the scripture of meditation, the sound will be muted in order to protect our congregation's privacy. The Scripture for Meditation and the Scripture Reading will be posted below.

Until the scripture of meditation, the sound will be muted in order to protect our congregation's privacy. The Scripture for Meditation and the Scripture Reading will be posted below.

Until the scripture of meditation, the sound will be muted in order to protect our congregation's privacy. The Scripture for Meditation and the Scripture Reading will be posted below.

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Read OnlineOne of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Mark 12:28We continue to read about Jesus' various interactions, teachings, and prophetic actions in the Temple area during Passover, just days before He would be arrested and killed. During the week, Jesus cleansed the Temple of moneychangers and merchants and was confronted with hostility by various religious and political factions.First, a group of chief priests, scribes, and elders challenged His authority to cleanse the Temple and then unsuccessfully conspired with some Pharisees and Herodians to trap Him in a legal dilemma. Next, some Sadducees confronted Him, but Jesus' answer exposed their misunderstanding of the Scriptures and the power of God. In today's Gospel, after witnessing that exchange, a scribe—impressed by Jesus' answer—came forward. Rather than trying to trap Him, he asks a sincere question: “Which is the first of all the commandments?”At that time, the scribe's question reflected a common rabbinical discussion about the hierarchy of the Law. Perhaps because of the widespread disagreements among the various religious factions—priests, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees—scholars often sought to determine a guiding principle for what had been identified in Jewish tradition as 613 commandments within the Torah. Some commandments, like the prohibition of idolatry, seemed weightier, while others, like dietary laws, were considered less important.Jesus' response does not simply rank the commandments; it reveals their true purpose by uniting them in a way that fulfills the entire Law. Instead of engaging in legalistic debates, He elevates the discussion by going directly to the heart of the Law with a twofold summary: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30–31). By doing so, Jesus shows that love—of God first and of neighbor as an extension of that law—is the foundation and fulfillment of every commandment.The scribe's response—“Well said, teacher”—demonstrates both humility and wisdom, and Jesus affirms his understanding: “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” This interaction contrasts with the previous confrontations between Jesus and the religious leaders. Rather than trying to trap or discredit Jesus, the scribe listens attentively and responds with sincerity, and “No one dared to ask him any more questions” (Mark 12:32, 34).Many in the crowd had likely been following Jesus' encounters with the various religious and political factions throughout the week. At first, they may have been uneasy, seeing the repeated attempts to discredit Him. But as Jesus responded with authority and truth, they witnessed the growing contrast between those who sought to manipulate the Law for their own purposes and those who, like this scribe, genuinely desired to understand it.Our own lives are sometimes burdened with controversy and division. Whether in politics, religion, academics, or daily life, disagreements arise that can easily lead to contention. When unchecked, these conflicts can foster division, hostility, and even obsessions that steal our peace. Jesus' interaction with this scribe offers us a path forward: the way of humble inquiry, sincere dialogue, and the pursuit of Truth grounded in love. When we approach discussions with a heart open to God rather than with a desire to win an argument, we draw closer to His Kingdom. Reflect today on the witness of this scribe. Though Jesus' teaching on love of God and neighbor is of paramount importance, so is the example this scribe set in pursuit of the Truth. Consider your own approach to God's Truth by examining your daily interactions with others. Do you struggle with being combative, resort to trickery, or obsess over being right and getting your way? Or do you seek the Truth that brings understanding and unity? Seek to imitate this scribe in humility and sincerity, and you, too, will not be far from the Kingdom of God.Lord of Perfect Love, the fulfillment of Your Law is found in the pure and holy love of charity. Help me to love You above all things, and from that love, to see and treat others as You do. May my love for You transform me into an instrument of Your divine charity, that through me, Your love may bring healing, unity, and peace. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: The Scribe Stood to Tempt Jesus By James TissotSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

[ 1 John 4: 17-21 ] Part 17 of "1-3 John: Letters of Gospel Assurance"

1 John 4:13-21

Welcome to the All Nations Community Church podcast! In this week's message, Jaya Swamy continues our series on The Holy Spirit, focusing on the Spirit's attribute as the God of all comfort.In this episode, you will learn:How to find Emotional Comfort: The power of using worship to shift the atmosphere and drive out heaviness, even when you feel disconnected.How to find Spiritual Comfort: Why offering a "sacrifice of praise" in your wilderness seasons guarantees God's presence.How to find Physical Comfort: Why genuine spiritual rest requires balancing the "bread" of God's Word with the "living water" of the Holy Spirit.The Hedgehog Strategy: A practical, visual reminder of how to turn inward to the Holy Spirit when you feel overwhelmed by external pressures.Key Scriptures Referenced:Acts 17:281 Corinthians 6:16-191 Samuel 16:14-23Psalm 63:1-51 Kings 18 & 192 Corinthians 1:3-4Stay Connected: If this message encouraged you, please share it with a friend and leave us a review! For more information, resources, or to plan a visit, check us out at allnationscommunitychurch.com.

Do you feel like a failure as a mom? Listen in and be reminded how God works through imperfect mothers such as Lois and Eunice, who were remembered because of their faith. This Mother's Day, do you have Jesus, the one perfection needed in your life to be right with God? Do you trust in His grace, or do you continue to set unrealistic expectations?Onsite: 3/F Main Sanctuary Malate, ManilaFull Stream: https://NMEC.Online/LivestreamingIf you wish to support the Lord's work through our church:https://NMEC.Online/GivingNMEC Sunday Worship 2026 wk 19 SermonChapters:(00:00) The Reality of Motherhood(07:58) God's Grace in Imperfection(14:00) A Mother's Journey: Trusting God with Our Children(20:46) The Mandate of Motherhood(27:03) Imperfect Circumstances, Perfect Love(35:10) Grace Over Perfection(42:23) Faithfulness in Motherhood

Chaplain Porter: The Perfect Love that Changes Everything - 1 John 4:14-21 by Chaplain Braswell

Heaven is hard to picture because everything in us is trained to see life through “today.” In this episode, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks try to imagine what eternal life in God's love would actually be like—and why that vision matters right now. Father shares how funerals naturally force the question: where are we headed, what are we made for, and why do we settle for compromised relationships that stay “safe” but never become truly trusting, vulnerable, or healed?Using a strong image, Father compares heaven to the picture on the front of a puzzle box: you place the pieces better when you know what the finished product looks like. Joe extends it with real puzzle experience—the piece you've stared at 15 times finally fits when you turn it the right way. The same is true in love: we can't fully “see the box cover” of perfect love, but we can get glimpses through our best relationships—and through the promises of Scripture.Father then describes a startling aspect of heaven: the glorified body—totally subject to the will, no longer hiding the interior. That means total vulnerability without terror, because everyone is fully reverenced, protected, and purified in love. Joe connects it to modern life: AI can feel like relational “Doritos”—tasty convenience that ultimately weakens real human connection. The episode closes with a practical path forward: if we want to love better, we need self-knowledge about the defenses we built (often pre-cognitively) from real wounds—and then the courage to take wise, measured risks toward trust and repair.Key IdeasHeaven's perfect love “blows dust off” what we settle for: guarded, minimized, conflict-avoiding relationships.A vision of heaven is like the puzzle-box picture: it motivates and guides how we place the pieces of daily love.The glorified body suggests total integration: body fully subject to will, interior fully expressed—total vulnerability without fear.Healing isn't “try harder”; it's letting ourselves be loved in places of shame, usually practiced first in trusted relationships.Growth path: increase self-knowledge about where we guard, why we don't trust, and whether repair/apology/confrontation is needed.Scripture Mentioned (no links)“Eye has not seen, ear has not heard…” (St. Paul quote referenced)“We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (St. John quote referenced)“Love one another as I have loved you” (Jesus' command referenced)Links & References (official/source only)None explicitly referenced with clear official/source URLs in this transcript.CTA: If this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend.Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.com .Tags (comma-separated)Father and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, heaven, eternal life, God is love, perfect love, glorified body, resurrection body, vulnerability, trust, intimacy, communion, relationships, healing, shame, being seen, being loved, self knowledge, self awareness, defenses, self protection, woundedness, triggers, conflict avoidance, reconciliation, repair, apology, confrontation, spiritual growth, discipleship, funerals, mortality, puzzle box analogy, jigsaw puzzle, Bob Ross puzzle, AI and relationships, technology and connection, sales and human connection, Lent fasting, habit change, loving correctly, relationship with God, relationship with self, relationship with others

In this message from 2 Timothy 1:7, we look honestly at fear—not just surface fears like heights or roller coasters, but the deeper fears that drive our anger, anxiety, passivity, and performance. Through Paul's encouragement to a young and overwhelmed Timothy, we unpack what it really means that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. You'll hear how fear often hides underneath emotions like anger and control, why we so easily recognize the "spirit of fear" but struggle to recognize the Holy Spirit, and the crucial difference between trying to earn God's approval and resting in what Jesus has already finished. 

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Message from Jefferson Tokurah on April 8, 2026

04.05.2026 | Matthew 5:43–48 | Rev. Kent Woodrow

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear In this session from the sixth The Way of the Mystic revival weekend, David Hoffmeister explores the theme "Perfect love casts out fear: Shower the people you love with love." David uses this week's movie to illustrate the journey from a colorless, controlled existence to the vibrant reality of spiritual awakening. The discussion centers on a realm where "Sameness" has eradicated pain at the cost of deep emotion and true connection. David highlights how the ego's attempt to create a safe, predictable world by suppressing memories only serves to maintain spiritual slumber. David explores the necessity of reintegrating the "colors" of life—the feelings we feel—to truly understand the nature of love and wake up to truth. David guides us to realize that perfect love is a state of being reached when we allow the Giver - the Holy Spirit - to guide our every thought. Recognizing our true function is to hold the vision of the Kingdom of Christ, we find that the willingness to feel all emotions is the first step toward welcoming peace of mind and remembering God. These gatherings take place every weekend in February and March 2026 and include teachings, films, music, panel discussions, and live Q&A sessions with David Hoffmeister. Register for the Way of the Mystic for free here: https://programs.the-christ.net/courses/the-way-of-the-mystic To participate online in a Movie Gathering, join our online community: https://programs.the-christ.net/courses/membership-weekly-online-movie-gatherings Join our online community:  https://programs.the-christ.net/products/communities/tribe-of-christ If you are interested to know more about David Hoffmeister and Living Miracles events, here is more information:  https://circle.livingmiraclescenter.org/events. Read A Course in Miracles online here: https://acourseinmiraclesnow.com/ Learn more about David Hoffmeister here: https://davidhoffmeister.com

1) LOVE SHOWS UP AT THE PERFECT TIME 1 John 4:9-12 NIVDo I love others because God loves me?2) PERFECT LOVE GIVES ALL FOR US 1 John 3:16-18 NIVHave I thanked God for his sacrificial love for me?3) PERFECT LOVE IS GOD'S LOVE FOR US 1 John 4:16-19 NIV- Have I Accepted God's Perfect Love?

Sermon by Pastor Tyler Looney; March 22, 2026; First Methodist Church - Sweetwater, TX; ‘Free to Be Holy: Is Perfect Love Possible?' Matthew 5: 43-48 You are invited to join us for Worship Services at 309 Cedar Street in Sweetwater, Texas. For more information about our Church, please go to https://www.fmcsweetwater.com.(Music provided by spinningmerkaba, Sun Says Yes, under Creative Commons license - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/legalcode)

This week's message, The Path of Perfect Love, walks through 1 John 4:14–19 and the tension we feel when we fall short and begin to question where we stand with God. When you begin to understand the deep, otherworldly love of God, it changes the way you live. Love starts to lead instead of fear, and even in the moments you fall short, there's no hiding or striving, just a return. Pastor Kathryn Myers reminds us that repentance becomes something you rejoice in, not because you got it right, but because His love keeps drawing you back into communion with Him, restoring you, transforming you, and anchoring you in the truth that you are fully known and still fully loved.

Our Outline:  “From Rags to Riches, The True Story of Our Promotion into Glory through Our Lord Jesus Christ"The Divine Logic Behind Our Sufferings Reveals His Glory and GraceOur Sufferings Together With Christ Demonstrate God's Perfect Love

God's greatest demonstration of love is Calvary. If you want to know what God is like, look at the cross. If you have an argument with something God has done, and you think the Lord has mistreated people or withheld mercy when He could have given mercy, then look at the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ suffered and bled and died for the vilest of us. This is the love of God. The height of divine glory and love is seen at Calvary.

Support our Show:bit.ly/BuyMeACoffeeUKGHave you ever been more preoccupied with the packaging of your heart before God, kaysa sa tunay na laman nito? My friend, true faith isn't measured by theatrics or optics.

For Holy Spirit unconditional Perfect Love forgiveness, NOTHING nor no one is beyond saving, EXCEPT for those who don't BELIEVE.Contact Us: Covenants.llc1@yahoo.com; CovenantsOnLine.com; @COVENANTS; or by calling 304.528.9220.

Third Sunday in Lent Old Testament: Exodus 17:1-7 1From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2The people quarreled with Moses, and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?" 3But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?" 4So Moses cried out to the Lord, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." 5The Lord said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink." Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?" Psalm: Psalm 95 1 Come, let us sing to the Lord; *        let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *        and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is a great God, *        and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *        and the heights of the hills are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, *        and his hands have molded the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *        and kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For he is our God,   and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *        Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! 8 Harden not your hearts,   as your forebears did in the wilderness, *        at Meribah, and on that day at Massah,        when they tempted me. 9 They put me to the test, *        though they had seen my works. 10 Forty years long I detested that generation and said, *       "This people are wayward in their hearts;        they do not know my ways." 11 So I swore in my wrath, *       "They shall not enter into my rest." Epistle: Romans 5:1-11 1Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.9Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.11But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Gospel: John 4:5-42 5So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon.7A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." 8(His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) 9The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 11The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" 13Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." 15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." 16Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back." 17The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; 18for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!"19The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." 21Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." 25The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us."26Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one who is speaking to you." 27Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you speaking with her?" 28Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city. She said to the people, 29"Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?" 30They left the city and were on their way to him. 31Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." 32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." 33So the disciples said to one another, "Surely no one has brought him something to eat?" 34Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. 35Do you not say, 'Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. 36The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' 38I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." 39Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I have ever done." 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world."

Matthew 5:43-48 - In his 6th and final case study, Jesus takes us to where it all has led: the call to love--as God our Father loves--even our enemies. This was an earth-shattering teaching 2000 years ago and is no less difficult to live out today. But gazing at Jesus who has first loved us even when we were His enemies, we are motivated to love others like this and so bear God's family resemblance. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 10 of our series “Jesus's Sermon on the Mount: The Good Life in the Kingdom of Grace”] Questions for reflection: 1) What was so unique about this teaching at the time Jesus gave it? What is still unique about it? 2) "And hate your neighbor" is not a quotation from the Old Testament--what was Jesus doing with this? 3) What does it mean to love with this (agape, in Greek) love? 4) How does God embody and originate this type of love? 5) How does Jesus want to lead us into "perfection" or "completion"? When will this happen? 6) Who are some "enemies" that you struggle to love? How might you grow in this?

Welcome to Citipointe Church Online. We love that you're joining us for our online experience.Perfect Love Drives Out Fear | Ps Liam BarlowMarch 01st - 10:15am ServiceTo connect with or contact us, visit https://citipointechurch.com/connnectTo GIVE online, visit https://citipointechurch.com/givingIf you have made a decision today to follow Jesus, please let us know by filling out the form found here: https://citipointechurch.com/i-have-decided/Citipointe Church exists to unmistakably influence our world for good and for God.

This week on BTG, Pastor Nate continues his series "sermon on the mount" with a challenging message that has us evaluating our love towards mankind and not just our friends. Matthew 5:43-48Support the show

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Who is the greatest lover? You? Your bride? Someone else? Maybe it is God. And if so, we should pay great attention.

Perfect love is not flawless love — it is mature love, and mature love casts out fear. When we try to love from insecurity, survival instinct, or a need to be completed by someone else, fear filters what we give and receive. But as we allow God's love for us—revealed fully in Christ—to mature in us, we become whole in Him and are finally free to love others without fear.

The Discipline of the Lord (Hebrews 12:5-11) For Believers, discipline is NOT PUNITIVE but redemptive (corrective, protective) Motive: God's Love: Hebrews 12:6; 1 John 2:2 The discipline of the Lord (correction) can “feel like” punishment. (Hebrews 12:11) (Remember and Trust God's motives. This will be tested! Hebrews 12:5b: rebuke: address inappropriate actions, words, attitudes. Blessings of God's Correction: Hebrews 12:7-11 Love, honor, treasures His child Preserved life (Hebrews 12:9) Partakers of benefits of holiness (1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:6) Holiness: set apart to the Lord and separated from the evil one; the flesh, the world's values, and ways of thinking, speaking, choosing The Holy Spirit is the Agent of conviction of our sin: (John 16:8,9) Our sin's root is our unbelief: i.e: fear (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:16-18) Anxiety: (Philippians 4:4-7) The heart of God is that our discipline, correction is centered in our internal direction and correction! (The heart is “control center” of our lives!) [Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:18, 19] “Godly Sorrow”: true repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10, 11) [Recognize how our choices affect the offended and turn away!] If we won't listen and take corrective action internally, God may allow/direct correction from the “outside”. Hindrance from the enemy: if we engage in viewing, thinking, acting in line with the devil's territory, he will start operating in our space. (Spiritually illegal but given access by our cooperation or negligence) (Ephesians 4:27) This interference from the enemy can take various forms, i.e. physical, mental/emotional, relational, financial, etc. (1 Thessalonians 2:18; James 5:15) (Just because we are attacked by the enemy doesn't necessarily mean we are “out of order” in our relationship, fellowship with the Lord!) ASK THE LORD WHERE THE ISSUE IS! The Relationship Between Correction/Discipline and the spiritual law of Sowing and Reaping (Galatians 6:7-9) God's Grace to intervene (bring out) and to sustain (bring through) won't allow us to sink or skip the process! Withdrawn intimacy, distance; turbulence in relationships, resources, etc. Corrective words and action from others (2 Timothy 4:2) Correction from authority: Spiritual Leadership Home: leadership team – position of loving leadership, protection, “line drawing” (Ephesians 5:6) Church: Shepherds (servant leaders, feeders, protectors, overseers) (2 Timothy 4:2, John 10 – His voice by His word) Workplace order: (Ephesians 6:5-8) Legal Authority: (Romans 13:1-5) REMEMBER: His correction is from a heart of Perfect Love, for our benefit! (Hebrews 12:6, 10) ✸FAITH is in my spirit. It doesn't come from my mind. Faith in my spirit requires exercise to grow! (Mathew 17:20; Luke 17:5,6)

What if 1 Corinthians 13 isn't about you trying to love better? Discussion Questions: How do you think most people traditionally interpret 1 Corinthians 13? React to this statement: 1 Corinthians 13 is a revelation of God's love for you. Read verses 1-3. Why is love better than other spiritual gifts? Explain. Read verses 4-7 with the word "God" in place of "love." What does this do for your view of Him? React to this statement: God's love is what lasts; everything else is on a timer. Read verse 12. What do we see dimly right now? What do you look forward to most when you will see with clarity? What is the one big thing you learned from this message?

This morning we continue our study verse by verse through 1 John. This letter has been teaching us more and more about the love of God and why it is so amazing. We can understand how the perfect love of God in Christ is actually being perfected in the life of the believer as it is passed on in its purest form. The only way we, as followers of Christ, are able to love anyone at all is because of the overwhelming love of God, our Savior. He has given us this great blessing of being able to share the love of Christ with others. Scripture text for today is 1 John 4:16b-21.

The theme of love is throughout the Bible but is greatly misunderstood by many on what true perfect love is. In this message Elder Kevin Lofton looks at what perfect love is as taught in scripture

The Discipline of the Lord (Hebrews 12:5) For Believers, discipline is NOT PUNITIVE but redemptive (corrective, protective) Motive: God's Love: Hebrews 12:6; 1 John 2:2 The discipline of the Lord (correction) can “feel like” punishment. (Hebrews 12:11) (Remember and Trust God's motives. This will be tested! Hebrews 12:5b: rebuke: address inappropriate actions, words, attitudes. Blessings of God's Correction: Hebrews 12:7-11 Love, honor, treasures His child Preserved life (Hebrews 12:9) Partakers of benefits of holiness Holiness: set apart to the Lord and separated from the evil one; the flesh, the world's values, and ways of thinking, speaking, choosing The Holy Spirit is the Agent of conviction of our sin: (John 16:8,9) Our sin's root is our unbelief: i.e: fear (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:16-18) Anxiety: (Philippians 4:4-7) The heart of God is that our discipline, correction is centered in our internal direction and correction! (The heart is “control center” of our lives!) [Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:18, 19] “Godly Sorrow”: true repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10, 11) [Recognize how our choices affect the offended and turn away!] If we won't listen and take corrective action internally, God may allow/direct correction from the “outside”. The Relationship Between Correction/Discipline and the spiritual law of Sowing and Reaping (Galatians 6:7-9) God's Grace to intervene (bring out) and to sustain (bring through) won't allow us to sink, or skip the process! Withdrawn intimacy, distance; turbulence in relationships, resources, etc. Corrective words from others Hindrance from the enemy: if we engage in viewing, thinking, acting in line with the devil's territory, he will start operating in our space. (Spiritually illegal but given access by our cooperation or negligence) (Ephesians 4:27) This interference from the enemy can take various forms, i.e. physical, mental/emotional, relational, financial, etc. (1 Thessalonians 2:18; James 5:15) (Just because we are attacked by the enemy doesn't necessarily mean we are “out of order” in our relationship, fellowship with the Lord!) REMEMBER: His correction is from a heart of Perfect Love, for our benefit! ✸FAITH is in my spirit. It doesn't come from my mind. Faith in my spirit requires exercise to grow! (Matthew 17:20; Luke 17:5,6)

What if perfect love already won? Discussion Questions: React to this statement: We love because He first loved us. Read Romans 5:9. How does being justified by God spell "love" for us? Read Romans 5:10. How does being reconciled by God spell "love" for us? Read Ephesians 3:16-19. What is the power for? Why do we need it? Read Ephesians 3:20. What do you think the "far beyond" is here in context? Why? React to this statement: You have an incorruptible love for Jesus Christ. What is the biggest takeaway for you from this message?

February 08, 2026 - Jeremy Hinote - Perfect Love Drives Out Fear in Marriage by Buford Church of Christ

Some Christmas memories arrive wrapped in nostalgia. Others arrive wrapped in ache. Rachel Wojo shares a tender story of opening her parents’ old nativity set—one that carried decades of meaning. As she unwrapped each figurine, the gap between the serene scene in her hands and the messy reality of her life felt impossibly wide. Many of us feel that gap at Christmastime. The nativity scenes we display look peaceful:Mary is calm.Joseph confident.The shepherds composed.Baby Jesus is quiet and glowing. But the real manger wasn’t polished or picturesque: It smelled like livestock. It echoed with labor pains. It held a newborn King in a feeding trough. It was full of fear, sweat, uncertainty, and miracles wrapped in humble cloth. The beauty of the manger is not that it was perfect—it’s that God entered the imperfect. Luke tells us the shepherds’ announcement left people “amazed”—a word meaning wonderstruck, stunned, stopped in their tracks. Not because circumstances were ideal, but because God Himself had stepped into the world through the messy, the ordinary, and the unexpected. We often think God will meet us once our life feels more peaceful, more put-together, more “holiday ready.” But the manger whispers another truth: God does His most breathtaking work in the low places.God shows up in stables.Glory often comes wrapped in straw, fear, and the unplanned. If this season feels far from picture-perfect—if grief, transition, financial strain, illness, or loneliness shadow your December—remember this: The first Christmas was not perfect.But Emmanuel came anyway. And He still does. Bible Reading:“And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” – Luke 2:18 (NIV) Takeaway Truths The real nativity scene was messy, imperfect, and full of holy wonder. God is present when life is not peaceful or predictable. The manger reminds us that Christ enters the world right into our mess. We rediscover wonder when we stop trying to make life perfect and start looking for God in what’s real. Let’s Pray Heavenly Father, Thank You for being the God who enters stables and brings glory into the lowest places. Thank You that You do not wait for perfection before You draw near. Forgive me for believing You need my life to be tidy before You can work in it. Help me rediscover the wonder of the manger—the miracle of Perfect Love entering an imperfect world. For everyone whose holiday season feels broken, empty, or nothing like the pictures, remind them that You are the God who specializes in the unexpected places. When I’m tempted to hide my mess, remind me that You came through one.Thank You that no situation is too humble, too painful, or too chaotic for You to enter with transforming love. In the name of Jesus, who still comes to us in the low places,Amen. Scriptures for Further Reflection Luke 2:14 Isaiah 9:6 John 1:14 Philippians 2:5–8 Additional Encouragement Finding God in holiday grief — Crosswalk.com Devotions for when Christmas feels heavy — Christianity.com Listen to more daily audio prayers at LifeAudio.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As we continue to follow the missions of Paul and Barnabas, Fr. Mike highlights the fickle nature of humanity and the futility of striving for the praise of men. He also encourages us to remain courageous in the tribulations we face, finding strength in other believers, and running toward the eternal and imperishable goal of salvation. Today's readings are Acts 14, 1 Corinthians 9-10, and Proverbs 28:7-9. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

NOTE: When you sign up for Patreon, PLEASE do it through a web browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.) and NOT an app on your iPhone. The Apple app charges 30% !!! If you just click on the link above, it should be fine. In this episode of The Becket Cook Show, Becket sits down with beloved pastor, author, and speaker Francis Chan for one of the most vulnerable, powerful conversations he’s ever had. Francis opens up about his lifelong struggle with insecurity, fear of rejection, and striving for God’s approval — and the radical encounter that changed everything. This episode is packed with wisdom, Scripture, honesty, and encouragement. If you’ve ever struggled with fear, insecurity, dryness in prayer, or feeling distant from God… this conversation will deeply strengthen your faith.

Duck Commander Sunday returns with thousands gathering to honor Phil, world-class worship, and hundreds baptized in the parking lot. Jase preached through tears, then sprinted off to his tee time, while the family celebrated Phil's lasting legacy. Al and Zach are shocked that Jase finally watched his first episode of Unashamed and was impressed enough to dig deeper into John's message. The guys explore how the Spirit testifies through us, why resurrection courage overcomes fear, and what it means to live life on a mission. Check out LO Worship and Laela Dasher Skinner singing their song “The Perfect Love of Jesus” feat. Aodhán King at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maK41B9Aj0Y In this episode: John 3, verse 16; John 14; 1 John 2, verse 1; Revelation 12, verse 11 “Unashamed” Episode 1158 is sponsored by: https://mrpen.com/unashamed — Get 10% off your first order with our code Unashamed at checkout! https://rocketmoney.com/unashamed — Cancel unwanted subscriptions with Rocket Money. The average person saves up to $740 a year when using all of the app's premium features! https://myphdweightloss.com — Find out how Al is finally losing weight! Schedule your one-on-one consultation today by visiting the website or calling 864-644-1900. https://meetfabric.com/unashamed — Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family. http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters: 00:00–06:51 Duck Commander Sunday Recap 06:52–12:16 How Did Zach Father Such Talented Kids? 12:17–24:10 Jase Watches “Unashamed” for the First Time 24:11–31:10 West Monroe Gar Rodeo Monster 31:11–40:21 Letting the Spirit Speak in Your Voice 40:22–47:13 A New Old Phil Podcast!  47:14–56:18 Jesus the Advocate & Spirit the Counselor — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices