Practice Love

5/7/15

- Love is a skill that can be learned. It's something you can get good at and that means you get better at love by practicing love. 

- God wants you to become a great lover, a skilled lover, a master lover. Yet, most people never learn how to love. 

- "Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all." (1 Timothy 4:15 HCSB)

S: “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” (1 Samuel 1:17 NLT)

When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the LORD remembered her plea, and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the LORD for him.” (1 Samuel 1:19b-20 NLT)

I asked the LORD to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there. (1 Samuel 1:27-28 NLT)

Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD! The LORD has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. (1 Samuel 2:1 NLT)

No one will succeed by strength alone. (1 Samuel 2:9b NLT)

....he increases the strength of his anointed one.” (1 Samuel 2:10b NLT)

"Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14 NLT)

O: With the faith of Hannah, nay we go in peace as we become experts of love and may our request to the Lord be granted. As we practice love over and over and over again may God remember the plea we asked of him. For we know, just as Hannah asked the Lord specifically for her son and granted her request, God will grant us our request, whatever it maybe, as long as we ask and have faith. Enough faith to give back to the Lord the request we had given him after we had received it! Our request belongs to the Lord! And we will worship God!!!! 

A: I asked God for the money and opportunity to get into BU and by faith! My request was answered. I asked God to be a full member of BU and by faith! My request was answered. I asked God in desperation to get to Lansing for an Unthinkable weekend and by faith! (Come on somebody) My request was answered above and beyond! I was specific about my request. And by faith the Lord granted my request!!!! (Hallelujah) The flight was made at the last minute and money was wasted but God remembered my plea! He granted not just one but two request! I will share my testimony amongst some middle school students and I will be flying out Michigan. By faith all my request have been answered! I worship God and thank him! And I give this testimony, this opportunity back to him. For it belongs to God! 

P: My heart is overwhelmed and I rejoice!!!! My heart rejoices in your sovereignty oh Lord my God! You have made me strong!!!! I rejoice over my enemies for you have rescued me! My success however, is not in this strength alone, it is in you!!!! For only you can increase the strength of your anointed! Now that by faith my request has been granted it is time to stop doubting and sabotaging your will. If I continue to procrastinate my calling, knowing what I possess through you, something worse instead of great may happen to me. By faith you have heard my request and granted my request. Now I give the weekend, to you LORD, and therefore my dreams will belong to you for my whole life. I worship you my LORD and praise your holy name. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.