What Is Love?

By Rena Hynes

This book is about love and how it impacts our daily life. We were created to love God and our neighbors. Everyone you come in contact with is your neighbor. Do not fail to introduce God to them either by your words or your actions. There is no greater love than a man lay down his life for his friends. We might find that hard to do but Jesus gave up everything, His very life because He loves us. It covers various ways we can express love. Sometimes we misrepresent love by what we say and by what we do. This book gives ideas how to channel your love when faced with confusion or misunderstanding of true love. Love at times, causes you to make some difficult decisions or withstand some harsh realities. However, as you trust God, stand still and watch the salvation of the Lord, you will come through successfully and full of joy. All of this is portrayed in the book of the lives of some faithful people of God, who withstood the test of time and won. My suggestion is that you read this book daily. I started out trying to read from Genesis to Revelation in one year but finished in seven months. You can follow the guide at your pace but discipline yourself to read as much as possible in one day. Then you can choose a verse or so that it will impact you greatly. You can also make notes as you read. When you are finished, go back and read what you wrote. You will find how much you will be blessed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641147316

Book preview

Genesis 1–5

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God saw everything He had made, and indeed it was very good. And so the morning and the evening were the sixth day. (Gen. 1:1–2, 31, NKJV)

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the hosts of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, before any plant of the field was in the earth and before the herb of the field had grown for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground. (Gen. 2: 1-5, NKJV)

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth didn’t have any shape. And it was empty. Darkness was over the surface of the ocean. At that time, the ocean covered the earth. The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. God saw everything He had made. It was very good. There was evening, and there was morning. It was day six. (Gen. 1:1–2, 31, NIRV)

So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing. So on the seventh day he rested from all of his work. Here is the story of the heavens and the earth when they were created. (Gen. 2:1-2, 4, NIRV)

Love will start with nothing and create everything. He has created the earth, the heavens, the seas, the nature and all the living things, including man. He surrounds us with the best of His creation. He gives us commands to keep His creation beautiful. It is a privilege given to us by God to live in this wonderful world. That is why it is important that we show love to one another. The world is given to us to till, to multiply and to enjoy all of its resources. Love is constantly refreshing the earth with rain, sunshine and all the seasonal elements. We must enjoy it and care for it.

When the enemy, the devil, deceives us, He made provisions for us to overcome the obstacles and bring us back to Him. He directs us to accomplish His plan for our lives. When Eve was tricked by the devil (Gen. 2:17). God restored them by covering their nakedness with sheepskins. Take for example when Cain killed his brother Abel (Gen. 4:8). When God asked Cain about Abel, his brother, he answered disrespectfully. God told him what his punishment would be. He appealed to God that his punishment was too great. Then God put a mark on him so no one would kill him. That is grace or favor. We can trust God to do that for us.

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Genesis 6–16

There were giants on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intents of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Gen. 6:4–8, NKJV)

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days. That was when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. The Nephilim were the heroes of long ago. They were famous men. The Nephilims were also on the earth later on. The Lord saw how bad the sins of man had become on the earth. All of the thoughts in his heart were always directed only toward what was evil. The Lord was very sad that he had made man on the earth. His heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, I created man on the earth. But I will wipe them out. I will destroy the people and animals alike that move along the ground and the birds of the air. I am very sad that I have made man. But the Lord was pleased with Noah. (Gen. 6:4–8, NIRV)

Love will always find even one righteous person to keep us safe in times of trouble. When corruption and wickedness are prevalent, Love will rise up and prevail to keep you safe from trouble. God saved Noah from the flood (Gen. 6:9). He saved Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:17) and He will keep you safe from disasters and distresses.

This world is heading for a revolution. We are experiencing trying times. However, some people are praying and seeking God for relief and good success. In His time, He will answer and crush the enemy. This is not the time to sit and give up. It is the time to be vigilant. Get up! Begin to encourage others, seek for their breakthrough, be a testimony to others and find Love’s direction for your life.

Notes

Genesis 17–22

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am Almighty God; walk before me and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly. And Abraham said to God, Oh, that Ishmael might live before You! Then God said: No, Sarah your wife will bear you a son and you shall call his name, Isaac; I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant and with his descendants after him." (Gen. 17: 1-2, 18-19, NKJV)

When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him. He said, I am the mighty God. Walk with me and live without any blame. Abraham said to God, I wish Ishmael could receive your blessing! Then God said, I will bless Ishmael. But your wife Sarah will have a son by you. And you will name him Isaac. It will be a covenant that will last forever. It will be for Isaac and for his family after him." (Gen. 17: 1-2, 18-19, NIRV)

I have been in many situations that seemed impossible but Love took a stand and there was a breakthrough. For example, my husband was diagnosed in 2008 with Multiple Myeloma cancer. He was dead for five days. He was on one hundred percent life support.

The Saints prayed, we prayed and he regained consciousness after five days. He lived five full years cancer free. Love will take the impossible and make it possible. There is nothing too hard for God to do. (Gen. 22: 17-22) Love will always find a way of escape for you, when you find yourself in difficult situations. Just trust Him and see the wonders He will perform in your life.

Notes

Genesis 23–25

Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the days of the life of Sarah. So Sarah died at kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. Then Abraham stood up before his dead and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying, I, am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, currency of the merchants. And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. (Gen. 23:1–4, 16, 19, NKJV)

Sarah lived to be 127 years old. She died at Kiriath Arba. It is in the land of Canaan. Sarah’s death filled Abraham with sorrow. He went to the place where her body was lying. There he sobbed over her. Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife. He spoke to the Hittites. He said, I’m an outsider. I’m a stranger among you. Sell me some property here as a place for a family tomb. Then I can bury my wife’s body. Abraham agreed to Ephron’s offer. He weighed out for him the price he had named. The Hittites there had heard it. The price was ten pounds of silver. Abraham measured it by the weights that were used by those who bought and sold. Then Abraham buried the body of his wife Sarah. He buried her in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre in the land of Canaan. Mamre is at Hebron. (Gen. 23: 1-4, 16, 19, NIRV)

Love is as strong as death (Song of Sol. 8:6). Even in death, He finds the correct place to lay your body and will take great care to see that your body is placed in a secure place. Love will pay the full price for the spot you will lay and is transparent about it: He will do it in front of many witnesses.

Transparent—see through; crystal clear.

Do not play with Love for He is jealous. Make sure you are faithful to Him. He has paid a very high price to betroth you. Be trustworthy so He can rely on you.

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Genesis 26–31

Also Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there. But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, The water is ours. So he called the name of the well Esek, because they quarreled with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also. So he called its name Sitnah. And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called it Rehoboth, because he said, For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land. (Gen. 26:19–22, NKJV)

Isaac’s servants dug for wells in the valley. There they discovered a well of fresh water. But the people of Gerar who took care of their herds argued with the people who took care of Isaac’s herds. The water is ours! the people of Gerar said. So Isaac named the well Esek. That’s because they argued with him. Then Isaac’s servants dug another well. They argued about that one too. So he named it Sitnah. He moved on from there and dug another well. But no one argued about that one. So he named it Rehoboth. He said, Now the Lord has given us room. Now we will do well in this land. (Gen. 26:19–22, NIRV)

Love perseveres and does not argue with others but seeks peace, even if He has to walk away. Although they try to fight or curse you, do not try to get even with them. You will watch them come around and ask you for forgiveness and mercy because the Lord is with you. They will see you coming and find another way to avoid you because your love is stronger than their hate! That does not mean that you are a door mat, it just means that you are so covered with His love that people will be afraid to fight with you. They know they will have to fight with the Love that is within you.

Notes

Genesis 32–35

Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two maidservants. And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last. Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell his neck and kissed him, and they wept. (Gen. 33:1–4, NKJV)

Jacob looked up. And there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men! So Jacob separated the children. He put them with Leah, Rachael and the two female servants. He put the servants and their children in front. He put Leah and her children next. And he put Rachel with Joseph last. He himself went on ahead. As he came near his brother, he bowed down to the ground seven times. But Esau ran to meet Jacob. He hugged him and threw his arms around his neck. He kissed him, and they cried. (Gen. 33:1–4, NIRV)

Love forgets the past and clings to the future. Even though there were some disagreements in the past, do not allow that to hold you as a hostage. Brush it off, continue to forgive, and move along on your journey. There is so much to accomplish—why waste the time on frivolous things?

There is too much to gain to lose.

Accomplish—achieve; do; succeed in doing.

Frivolous—petty; small; trivial.

Notes

Genesis 36–40

And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, Lie with me. But he refused and said to his master’s wife, Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has in my hand. There is no greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against my God? (Gen. 39:7–9, NKJV)

After a while his master’s wife noticed Joseph. She said to him, Make love to me! But he said no. My master has put me in charge, he told her. Now he doesn’t have to worry about anything in the house. He trusts me to take care of everything he owns. No one in this house is in a higher position than I am. My master hasn’t held anything back from me, except you. You are his wife. So how could I do an evil thing like that? How could I sin against God? (Gen. 39:7–9, NIrV)

Love is faithful—He will not allow you to fall into sin. With the temptations around you, He will provide that route for you to take. If you truly love someone, it is difficult to hurt the one that is so close to you just for a temporary satisfaction. Think before you leap!

Genesis 41–45

Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, Make everyone go from me! So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph, does my father still lives? But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, Please come near to me. So they came near. Then he said: I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. (Gen. 45:1–5, NKJV)

Joseph couldn’t control himself any more in front of all his attendants. He cried out, Have everyone leave me! So there wasn’t anyone with Joseph when he told his brothers who he was. He sobbed so loudly that the Egyptians heard him. Everyone in Pharaoh’s house heard about it. Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph! Is my father still alive? But his brothers weren’t able to answer him. They were too afraid of him. Joseph said to his brothers, Come close to me. So they did. Then he said, I am your brother Joseph. I am the one you sold into Egypt. But don’t be upset. And don’t be angry with yourselves because you sold me. God sent me ahead of you to save many lives. (Gen. 45:1–5, NIRV)

Love will leave you speechless because He will show you the error of your ways. Be sure your sins will find you out! They meant it for evil, but Love meant it for good. All things work together for good to them that love the Lord. Rom. 8:28. Do not get caught up in the injustices of life—just follow God’s instructions, and you will be shocked at what he does for you.

Notes

Genesis 46–50

So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. (Gen. 46:29, NKJV)

The blessing of your father has excelled the blessings of my ancestors. Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, and the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers. (Gen. 49:26, NKJV)

Then Joseph had his servants get his chariot ready. He went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as he came to his father, Joseph threw his arms around him. Then Joseph sobbed for a long time." (Gen. 46:29, NIrV)

Your father’s blessings are great. They are greater than the blessings from the old-age mountains. They are greater than the gifts from the ancient hills. Let all of those blessings rest on the head of Joseph. Let them rest on the head of the one who is prince among his brothers. (Gen. 49:26, NIrV)

Love brings restitution, reunion, and blessings. He is very emotional over His people. He will cry over you, and He will cry to show compassion for those who are facing adversity. Love will give you a double portion of what you lost. Those who robbed you are now your servant. He is just in all His ways. Praise the Lord!

Restitution—making good of; giving back that which was taken.

Notes

Exodus 1–8

And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. Therefore, say to the children of Israel: "I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the