General Articles

Definition of Love :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR10

What is the definition of love? Well, if you look in the dictionary, you’ll find some superficial meanings. According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Love is defined as a noun. “A feeling of affection and concern toward another person, kinship or close friendship. A strong feeling of affection and concern for another person accompanied by sexual attraction. A feeling of devotion or adoration toward God or a god.”

See what I mean? Love is a noun, but it should also be a verb, which is an action word. For a Christian, love should be the motivation to show God’s love to a lost world. This world is ruled by Satan, and he has corrupted love, just like he corrupts all lovely things from God. He corrupted the perfect life in the Garden of Eden, and he has turned love into a self-centered thing that doesn’t resemble God’s love at all. God’s love is perfect. He is forgiving to those who are repentant. He has rules because He knows what is best. He sent His only Son to give His life as the final sacrifice to take our sins away. That’s love.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

The world can only bring death and unhappiness. Only faith in Jesus Christ can bring eternal life and the joy of salvation.

If we love God, we put selfish motives behind us and care for other people. The Apostle Paul was totally changed by God’s love. He had been a very angry man who hated Christians. He was on his way to arrest a group of Christians who had fled to Damascus, and that’s where he met Jesus. From that moment on, his life was changed. He became a Christian and a leader in the Christian community. His letters, inspired by the Holy Spirit, have guided Christians for nearly 2,000 years. If modern missionaries followed Paul’s example, we would have many more people accept Christ. He understood God’s love.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

Is this talking about love or about charity? I really don’t know why the King James translators used the word “charity,” but we need to look at the Greek word for charity. It’s “agape,” which is defined as affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love. Most modern translations translate agape as love.

Paul had learned a lot since he met Jesus. He could do all kinds of works, but that wouldn’t be love. Many Christians feel pride if they speak in tongues and use other gifts of the Spirit to prove their “holiness.” In truth, none of those things replace love. If you speak in tongues but then use your mouth to use vulgar language or don’t have a Godly love for other people, then you’re just making noise. If your knowledge of Scripture is deep but you don’t have love for others, then you’re not truly understanding Scripture. Christian love is a verb.

How does God’s love shine in your life?

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

There are some words in that passage that may need defining. Love is patient and kind. If you lose patience with others, then you’re putting yourself above them. Jesus, God Himself, is kind and patient with you, and we must use Him as our example to follow. If you love like God loves, you won’t be jealous of others or strut around showing off; you won’t be filled with pride. Love won’t let you be rude or demand your own way. You won’t be easily angered by the shortcomings of others, and you won’t think evil toward others. Love doesn’t take joy when evil happens but rejoices in truth.

Love doesn’t give up on others. If you’re a parent and have a rebellious child, you don’t stop loving that child and praying for repentance; you believe the child can and will change, and whatever the circumstance, you love them through the problems. That’s how God loves you. Even when we fail, He loves us. You can be more tolerant of others when you honestly look at yourself and see your faults, but know that God loves you anyway. God’s love is perfect love, and we need to strive to live to honor Him. God is the true definition of love.

Works cannot save us; only faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus will bring repentance to our hearts and salvation for our souls. Doing good things is the result of our faith, or it should be. We can tell the world we love Jesus, but if we don’t have love, we are showing others a dead faith.

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20).

The problem with works is that many times works are used instead of faith and love. It can be easy to show others how Christian you are because you speak in tongues, but that means nothing if you turn around and brag about your gift or speak evil of others. Is that showing God’s love? No, it isn’t. Go back through the list of things that Paul named as things that reflect God’s love and attitudes that are opposed to God’s love, and see if you need to change your actions to reflect God. Are you short-tempered? Maybe you’re jealous of others.

I’m not pointing fingers, because I see myself in that list. On the other hand, recently, I have had a very difficult situation. Some Christian friends have shown me the sacrificial love of God, and I’m very humbled by their kindness. I truly don’t know what I would have done without these fellow Christians who have done so much. I thank God for them and hope that somehow I can pass a blessing on to someone else. The kindnesses they’ve shown are seen by others who aren’t Christians, and that is an added blessing that could draw a lost soul to salvation.

God’s love is eternal. He has given us blessings in this life that are amazing. The gift of speaking in tongues is one of those blessings, if used properly. He has given us prophecy to be a guide as we move swiftly to the end of time. He has given men wisdom to understand the truth of His word. These, and other gifts, are wonderful blessings from God, but one day, they will be meaningless.

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away” (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Love is eternal. The love of God will take Christians to eternity with Jesus. He is building a mansion for us right now. The building is almost done and ready for His bride. If you love God, then share the Gospel with someone, but let the Holy Spirit guide you in presenting the Gospel. Show His love to someone who just might be ready to accept God’s love. If you don’t speak up, they may miss their chance for salvation. Or, you could be the one who shares the Gospel with the final person to accept Christ in order for the Rapture to happen. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

Instead of looking in a dictionary for the definition of love, look to Scripture. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).

Just like sugar is sweet and water is wet, God is love.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

Interesting :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: by RR10

Concerning Pres. Trump, a friend of mine recently reminded me that the Bible mentions the last trump.

Actually, the word “Trump” appears in the Bible twice, and both passages are about the Rapture.

  • The trump of God (I Cor. 15:52), and the Last trump (I Thess. 4:16).

Some scholars believe the number 7 has significance in the Bible.

Some have noticed that:

  • God created the heavens and the earth in 6 days and rested on the 7th.
  • Man is to work 6 days and rest on the 7th.
  • The Jews were to plant crops 6 years at let the land rest during the 7th.
  • Methuselah died 7 days before the Flood.
  • God told the Jews to celebrate 7 Feast Days.
  • There are 70 (10 X 7) weeks of Daniel.
  • The Jews spent 70 (10 X 7) years in Babylon.
  • The Tribulation Period will begin with a 7-year covenant.
  • The days of our years are threescore and ten (70), etc.

In the Book of Revelation, there are 54 sets of 7.

  • There is a 7-sealed scroll.
  • 7 letters to 7 churches.
  • 7 seal, 7 trumpet, and 7 bowl judgments.
  • 7 thunders, 7 spirits of God, 7 I Am’s.
  • 7 stars, 7 golden candlesticks, 7 hills and more.

God named at least four people in the Bible before they were born:

  • Isaac (Gen. 17:19).
  • King Cyrus (Isa. 44:28; Ezra 1:1-11).
  • King Josiah (I Kings 13:2; II Kings 23:10-15).
  • Jesus, also called Immanuel or Emmanuel (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:31).

At least two of these people were born at a set time or in the fullness of time:

  • Isaac was born at a set time (Gen. 17:21).
  • Jesus was born in the fullness of time (Gal. 4:4).

Here are some things that were reported about Pres. Trump and Prime Min. Netanyahu when Trump was elected the first time.

  • Trump was born 700 days before Israel became a nation in 1948.
  • Benjamin Netanyahu had been in office 7 years, 7 months, and 7 days on the day Donald Trump was elected.
  • Trump was 70 years, 7 months, and 7 days old on the day he was inaugurated.

Is this a coincidence?

I do not know.

I just find it interesting.

Also, I am not predicting the day or the hour of the Rapture, but I believe it is entirely possible that he will be the last President before the Rapture.

Here are some recent events that seem to relate to Bible prophecy.

One, concerning God blessing those that bless Israel: at a press conference following Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu on Feb. 4, 2025, Netanyahu thanked Trump,

  • For being the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.
  • For inviting him to be the first foreign leader to visit the White House during Trump’s second term.
  • For freeing up the shipment of munitions that Israel had bought from the U.S. and that the Biden administration wouldn’t allow to be shipped at a time when Israel was fighting a war of seven fronts.
  • For ending U.S. sanctions on law-abiding Jews in Israel.
  • For confronting anti-Semitism (on college campuses, etc.) in the U.S.
  • For cutting off funding to the UNRWA that employed Hamas terrorists.
  • For putting sanctions on Iran’s oil exports because of Iran’s efforts to build Nuclear weapons.

Two, concerning God blessing those that bless Israel: on Feb. 5, 2025, it was reported that most polls show that Pres. Trump is the most pro-Israel Pres. ever for five reasons:

  • Urging Jordan and Egypt to Resettle Gaza Arabs.
  • Building the Most Pro-Israel Cabinet Ever.
  • Designating Iranian-Backed Houthis as Terrorists.
  • Permanently Cutting Off All Funding to UNRWA.
  • Lifting Biden’s Sanctions on Jewish Settlers.

(My opinion: I am thankful that Trump is blessing Israel the way he is and pray that he continues, but I am very concerned that Israel will feel more secure and more willing to sign a worthless peace treaty. I am very concerned that Israel may soon transition from fighting a war on seven fronts to an attitude of peace and safety. We also know that Israel will feel secure when the Battle of Gog and Magog takes place and Israel’s secure feeling might be shaping up. These things will happen.)

Three, I have heard a few people say, “We can’t make America great again without God.”

On Feb. 6, 2025, in a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Pres. Trump said, “Let’s bring God back into our lives.”

Following the breakfast, Trump signed an executive order to create a task force to root out anti-Christian bias in the U.S. federal government.

He directed Attorney Gen. Pam Bondi “To move heaven and earth to defend the rights of Christians and religious believers nationwide.”

Four, concerning God blessing those that bless Israel: on Feb. 7, 2025, Japan pledged to invest one trillion dollars in the U.S.

Japan wants the two nations to collaborate on energy, technology, and manufacturing; they want to import record amounts of natural gas from the U.S. and to work with the U.S. to drill for more oil and natural gas in Alaska.

Japan also wants to work with the U.S. to promote peace and security (peace and safety) on Earth.

Five, concerning a possible Psa. 83 war before the Battle of Gog and Magog: on Feb. 6, 2025, it was reported that Jordan is preparing for war with Israel in case Trump tries to go through with his plan to move Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt.

According to the article, Jordan knows they could not win a war with Israel, but they could be forced into one. So, Jordan wants a peaceful solution to the issue, not a war with Israel.

Six, concerning the U.S. taking over Gaza: on Feb. 5, 2025, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said Pres. Trump’s plan to take over Gaza was intended to pressure neighboring Arab nations to propose their own solution to the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Waltz said Trump’s plan would improve the lives of the Gazans, and Trump wants the Arabs to propose an alternative that will do likewise (improve the lives of the Gazans) instead of something that will lead to another war.

(More: In response to a question about the Saudis insisting on a Two-State Solution in exchange for a normalization agreement with Israel: Prime Min. Netanyahu said, “The Saudis can create a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia; they have plenty of land over there.”)

(More: On Feb. 10, 2025, U.S. Sec. of State Marco Rubio said if they (the nations in the region) don’t like Donald Trump’s plan (to take over Gaza), then it is time for these countries to step forward and offer their solution.)

Seven, concerning the Israel-Hamas ceasefire: following a Hamas announcement that it is suspending the next hostage release, on Feb. 10, 2025, Trump said, “If all (no more partial releases) the Gaza hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 p.m., I would say cancel the ceasefire. Let all hell break loose.”

Trump’s statement was viewed as a “release all of the hostages or else” warning to Hamas, and Israel immediately scheduled meetings to discuss the “or else.”

Some of the hostages have been abused for 494 days (incarcerated, beaten, burned, starved, kept in the dark, ridiculed, etc.), several have died, and Trump was saying enough is enough, the U.S. will support whatever Israel decides to do.

(More: Following discussions on Feb. 10, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) raised readiness levels in the Southern Command and postponed leave for combat soldiers and operational units.)

(More: On Feb. 9, 2025, on Fox News, Pres. Trump’s nominee for Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said, “As long as Hamas exists, that is a threat to the Israelis. They want the destruction of the Jewish state. One thing we know is that Hamas is not going to be able to exist. That’s just a done deal.”)

(More: On Feb. 11, 2025, Netanyahu said, If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon – the ceasefire will be terminated, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated.”)

Eight, under the previous administration, military recruiting was way down.

Since the election of Trump, recruiting is soaring.

December’s recruiting was the best in 12 years.

January’s recruiting was the best in 15 years.

Nine, concerning lawlessness and the deportation of criminal illegal aliens: on Feb. 4, 2025, Pam Bondi’s first day as head of the Dept. of Justice (DOJ), she ordered the DOJ to halt all federal funding to sanctuary cities.

Bondi also announced that the DOJ will investigate and possibly prosecute jurisdictions that hinder the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Bondi promised to work with the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) to completely eliminate transnational criminal organizations and drug cartels, which are recognized by the U.S. government as foreign terrorist organizations.

Some of these terrorists have been involved in prostitution, sex trafficking, theft, and more.

(More: On Feb. 10, 2025, it was reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing a large-scale immigration enforcement action in Los Angeles, Cal., a sanctuary city where perhaps 10% of the residents are illegals who work for less than the state-mandated minimum wage and pay no taxes.)

Ten, concerning corruption in Washington and world government: on Feb. 6, 2025, the Trump administration started shutting down the U.S. Agency on International Development (USAID).

In addition to multitudes of ungodly and wasteful projects, it turns out that over the years the U.S. has given billions of dollars to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Bill Gates’ GAVI Alliance, and George Soros’ Open Society Foundations.

The globalist agenda has taken a major hit.

(My comment: Many times, people have asked me why our government wouldn’t do something about Soros, Gates, and others, and one reason might be because our government was giving them money to do what they were doing.)

Here is a partial list of some of the things USAID funded that Jean Worland posted on Feb. 7, 2025:

Here is a link to an article that Worland provided:

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/documents-show-how-usaid-funded-ridiculous-projects-elon-musk-reacts-7645010

(BTW: Someone asked how Musk is finding so much so fast, and the answer was Artificial Intelligence; AI. This should remind us that the angel Gabriel said knowledge will increase at the time of the end; Dan. 12:4.)

(More: The lives of some Musk employees who are investigating USAID have been threatened; the FBI is investigating and promising to take legal action if necessary.)

(More: On Feb. 9, 2025, it was reported that more than 6,000 journalists at some 700 media outlets worldwide were paid to allegedly spread America’s liberal agenda.)

(More: On Feb. 9, 2025, it was reported that FEMA employees sent $59 million to luxury hotels last week – money that Congress appropriated for disaster relief – to luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal immigrants. According to the report, they have spent $1.4 billion dollars on this since the fall of 2022. The report said Trump had suspended the payments, but FEMA employees sent the money anyway, and they will be disciplined.)

(More: On Feb. 11, 2025, it was reported that Musk has found people who are supposedly 150 years old and still drawing Social Security.)

Eleven, following the revelation that some media groups were receiving millions of dollars through subscription contracts: on Feb. 6, 2025, Trump ordered the General Services Administration (GSA) to cancel all media contracts.

(My comment: I doubt that Trump can drain the entire swamp, but he has gotten rid of a lot of polluted water in the last 17 days.)

Twelve, concerning potential violations of the law by Dr. Anthony Fauci, it turns out that former Pres. Biden’s blanket pardon protects Fauci from federal prosecution but not state prosecution.

On Feb. 9, 2025, it was reported that 17 State Attorney Generals are launching an investigation to see if Fauci should be prosecuted for suppression of dissent, misleading testimony before Congress, and other issues during the Covid pandemic.

Thirteen, concerning the Battle of Gog and Magog, concerning Trump’s offer to negotiate peace with Iran before he approves an attack to take out Iran’s nuclear facilities: on Feb. 7, 2025, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said, “Negotiations with the U.S. will not solve any problems.”

(My opinion: Negotiating with Iran is a waste of time. Even if Trump could get a peace agreement, Iran would not keep it.)

FYI: God does not send anyone to Hell (all of us are born with a sin nature and destined to go to Hell because we sin), but God has provided a way (Jesus) for everyone to go to Heaven (and He is the only way to get there; John 14:6).

Finally, are you Rapture Ready?

If you want to be rapture ready and go to heaven, you must be born again (John 3:3). God loves you, and if you have not done so, sincerely admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the virgin-born, sinless Son of God who died for the sins of the world, was buried, and raised from the dead; ask Him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, come into your heart and be your Saviour; then tell someone that you have done this.

duck_daymond@yahoo.com