I WANT TO START BY READING – the Word that Holy Spirit gave to Rev. Rick Renner in 2024 – Rev. Rick Renner has been stationed and still a missionary and a Pastor in Russia.
I have taken this prophesy directly from his website to read to you because of it’s accuracy regarding what is currently taking place in the world.
“The year 2024 will be visited with turbulent episodes across the entire globe, especially in the realms of finances and politics and in the nations. These episodes will be of a sort that they will potentially cause those who are not rooted in God’s Word to be deeply disturbed.
But for those who stay in faith…stay in peace…stay in love…stay in fellowship…and keep sowing seed for the sake of eternity — they will experience a supernatural power that will cause them to be unmoved, unshaken, well provided for, and to walk in a much-needed divine assurance, divine peace, divine power, and divine and supernatural victory.
Yes, those who stay in faith, in peace, in love, in fellowship, and keep sowing seed for the sake of eternity will be blessed, empowered, joy-filled, and sustained, and they will miraculously thrive even if the world around them is tossed with a tempest.
One of the purposes of prophecy is to wage a good warfare using the sure words of God that you receive from Him. Paul told Timothy, “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18). So as Paul told Timothy, we need to pay attention to what the Holy Spirit has prophetically spoken to us and wage a good warfare with it.
That was a powerful prophetic Word from the Spirit of God and that is why today, I want to Focus on the – God’s Kind of Love – Agape Love
What is Agape Love?
1 Corinthians 13 4-10
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [b]puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
Agape love transcends personal needs and desires and focuses on the needs and happiness of others. It is rooted in principles of compassion and empathy, and it’s considered the highest form of love. In essence, agape love, when embraced is a powerful and transformative force that shapes the lives and relationships of believers. It goes beyond the ordinary, embracing the highest ideals of compassion and sacrifice so that others can be happy.
The 5 main characteristics of Agape Love
- It is Unconditional and Selfless:
Agape love is not dependent on the actions or responses of the recipient. It’s given freely, without expecting anything in return.
- It is Forgiving & Sacrificial:
It involves putting the needs of others above one’s own, even to the point of sacrifice. It also involves letting go of the wrongs done.
- It is Inclusive and Universal:
Agape love is not limited to family, friends, or romantic partners. It extends to all people, including those who may be difficult to love.
- It is Motivated by Empathy and Compassion:
It’s fueled by a deep understanding and sharing of others’ emotions and a desire to alleviate suffering.
- It is Kind and Loves to Serve
Agape love often manifests as acts of kindness, compassion, and service to others, showing that love is not just a feeling but also a way of living.
How God demonstrated His love for humanity
Romans 5:8 says “but God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”.
Ephesians 2:4-7 (NKJV) says “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”.
The Bible says we are the undeserving recipients of His lavish agape love (1 John 3:1). God’s demonstration of agape love led to the sacrifice of the Son of God for those He loves.
We are to exemplify this same love by loving others with this kind of love (Agape Love) whether they are fellow believers (John 13:34) or bitter enemies (Matthew 5:44). Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan as an example of sacrifice for the sake of others, even for those who may care nothing at all for us.
Agape love as modeled by Christ is not based on a feeling; rather, it is a determined act of the will, a joyful resolve to put the welfare of others above our own.
We can demonstrate Agape Love by:
- Volunteering your time to help others
- Offering support and comfort to someone who is grieving or going through hardship
- Forgiving someone who has wronged you
- Loving your enemies as you love yourself
- Living a life of service and selflessness – blessing others
God’s Love verses Human Love
1 John 4:7 (KJV)
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
God’s Love:
- Unconditional: God loves us regardless of our actions, flaws, or worthiness.
- Eternal: God’s love is everlasting and unchanging.
- Selfless: God’s love is focused on the well-being and salvation of humanity, not on personal gain or satisfaction.
Human Love:
- Conditional: Human love can be based on external factors, such as appearance, behavior, or achievements.
- Fleeting: Human love can change, fade, or disappear as circumstances or emotions shift.
- Self-Centered: Human love can be motivated by personal desires, needs, or expectations.
- Emotional: Human love is often rooted in feelings and experiences, which can be subjective and unstable.
- Limited: Human love is shaped by our own limitations, biases, and perspectives.