LET ALL THAT YOU DO BE DONE IN LOVE.

In I Corinthians 16:14 Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth saying "Let all that you do be done in love."............ But, what kind of love is he talking about here? Romantic love? Brotherly love?...... The Greeks had various definitions of love. Eros is probably what most people mean when they announce with a smile, "I'm in love." This type of love covers everything from queasy stomachs and warm fuzzy feelings to strong sensual passion.We recognize philia and its meaning from the name Philadelphia, that is, the city of brotherly love. This is the love of friendship, best friends, and the fellowship of being with those people you enjoy.Unlike the previous two types of love, agape is not limited to being held hostage by its environment and someone's perception. The reason why agape can soar above these is because it is based upon the commitment of a decision. It entails the decision to proactively seek someone's well-being.

Is the love that Paul is talking about any of these three? Well, lets find out.

In I John 4:7-8 it says, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." The love that Paul is talking about is neither of the three, but merely the love of God. Yes the concept of eros, philia, and agape are great, but the love of God surpasses them all. Paul is urging the people to love as God would love. Paul tells us to have a heart that loves with joy, patience, kindness,goodness, faithfulness, and peace. The love of God is keeping all of His commandments. 1 John 5:3 "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments And his commandments are not burdensome." As we go through out our day to day lives, everything that we do should be done in the love of God. And if you really think about it, how burdensome could that be considering what all He has ultimately done for us.(John 3:16). When we do God's will and stay faithful to Him there is no greater love in this world. And what a reward we get when we love Him so. (Matthew 7:21)

-The Girls-

BEAUTY

What is the true definition of a beautiful woman? Long Hair? Short Hair? Blue Eyes? Brown Eyes? Skinny? Fat? Short? Tall? We are surrounded by television shows, magazines, movies, etc. that drill a certain stereotype on the way a woman should look if she is striving to be beautiful. But do these characteristics really make someone beautiful? In the Bible, God says absolutely not. In 1 Samuel 16:7 it says "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." God doesn't want us women to spend countless minutes and hours in front of the mirror trying to impress everyone with what we look like. God wants us to spend our time developing the beauty within our hearts, so it can be reflected in everything that we do and are. As we get older, our physical body is going to change, (Proverbs 31:30 - "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting: but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.") but if we keep our heart pure and free from sin physical appearance will never matter. When a women keeps herself unspotted from the world, the Lord could not ask for a more beautiful daughter.I wish all of us could have the mind set for ourselves and others as we do with babies and toddlers. No matter if they are covered in dirt, bald, snaggle toothed, or covered in rolls,a child oozes beauty. But a major part of that has to do with the innocence of their hearts. So girls, as you are running the Christian race and you are unhappy with your freckles, or stomach, or hair just have confidence in knowing you are beautiful anyway, because all you need to worry about when it comes to beauty is your heart.

-The Girls-