God is Love

Have you ever entered into a relationship where those three words, I love you are spoken and no sooner than you utter them, secrets pop out from nowhere? Do you wonder why that is?

When you use the term love you are actually calling on God.

Why?

God is love. God is truth. God is the light.

When love is spoken, the truth and the light peeks through darkness. When you open your heart and reveal that you love someone, you are calling on God without even knowing it. You don’t have to recognize or acknowledge Him for Him to exist. He just does.

For a moment, let’s forget what the television, media, jewelry commercials and Valentine’s Day advertisements say is the definition of love. To really understand love, you must go to the source.

The Word of God/The Bible

Love is

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1-3

Without love, we have nothing. If we think of love and are reminded that God is love and truth then that would imply that without God and truth, we have nothing. We can give everything we have to the poor, but if we do out of obligation or for recognition and without love, it’s pointless. Love should be our motivating factor.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 4-7

When God is invited in, of course being the truth and light, things will be revealed and your love will be tested. If someone is telling you lies, God will reveal it because you called on Him. If they are avoiding, hiding, covering up or with holding truth, that is the same as lying. Love protects, trusts and rejoices in truth, not lies.

God = Truth
Devil = Lies

Love is patient. No rushing, no guessing, no anxiety and no worries. It doesn’t seek itself, it’s wants to give, nurture and provide; not take, with hold or have ulterior motives. It does not envy or boast; always wanting to see if the grass is greener on the other side or walk around bragging with pride because you have it and others don’t. It doesn’t live in and throw up the past over and over again instilling guilt and shame, it forgives. It doesn’t take revenge or wish misery on others when wronged or hurt. Over time it heals, restores and looks forward to the future. It is not easily angered, looking for an argument or keeping one going. It doesn't compete, it compliments. It does not throw temper tantrums nor is it violent. It is not superficial or shallow, It is humble and deep. Love is sacrificial and unconditional. True love perseveres, overcoming obstacles and challenges.

“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 8-9

This means of all spiritual gifts that you may have been blessed with, are useless unless you utilize them with love, a pure heart and in good cheer.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” 10

Ok, so what if lies are uncovered and the past revealed itself. We are all sinners, right? Now what?

Love never fails. Truth never fails. When truth does reveal itself, the reaction from the offended can make the offender run from truth or hold tight to it. Truth is perfect so when it’s revealed, the imperfection starts to fade away so the offended should take a deep breath and analyze the situation and react calmly.

In the spirit, truth is the main artery to the heart. When truth is hidden, you are cutting off the blood and oxygen to the heart and it begins to weaken and then symptoms begin to appear; signs telling you that something isn’t right. When the truth is revealed, the blood rushes back to the heart and revives it. It is important to recognize the symptoms and not ignore them.

When truth is hidden it can leave permanent damage and scarring called “bitterness.” If the heart isn’t treated with patience, kindness, care and concern nursing it back to health, it will not fully heal and the problem will progressively become worse. If truth isn’t fully disclosed and only is revealed in fragments, every time the heart heals from the last attack, more lies can end up hardening the heart creating resentment. Brutal truth (light) will overpower all lies(darkness)

Attempt to think of this before you react to truth in rage. The offender will be afraid to disclose truth in the future, so it will be revealed slowly or run from it and the artery will start building up slowly deteriorating. God reveals truth, but making the offender ashamed of it will determine if you receive it all at once or in pieces. It may also make them run from truth in all other areas in their life as well.

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 11-12

Like a child means to have not reached maturity. Spiritual maturity is something you have to diligently seek and grow into overtime. You will not change over night. You have to learn to walk a new way, talk a new way and think a new way. If someone has not matured, then when it comes to love, they will be ignorant to it. As you grow older you may look in the mirror and see a man/woman in the reflection but if you have not sought truth, wisdom and knowledge, (God) your spirit is still that of a child. As you start to seek it, it will make itself known and you will then become fully known. This gives the old saying “To know me is to love me and to love me is to know me” a whole new meaning.

Loving and praying for your enemies is also calling on God. God is truth but He is also just. If you consult God with your conflicts, He will bring justice to the situation. Attempt to leave revenge in the hands that it belongs; The Lords alone. Not only will He settle the conflict, but you will also be blessed for your obedience.

Before you tell someone that you love them, ask yourself, Am I prepared for truth to be revealed? Can I handle the truth? Am I spiritually mature or am I still that of a child? This doesn’t just apply to romantic relationships, it applies to all relationships, whether good or bad.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 13

Without love, hope and faith are lonely. They need love to survive. God is love and truth instills hope and faith. Without the clear and concise understanding of love, you cannot give it nor can you receive it and before you can give or receive it, you must seek it. Jesus, in His words said it best.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” Matthew 6:33

With love, your humble servant of Christ,

Katrina Green
President
Butterfly Ministries, Inc.

Take a Stand. Spread the Word. Save the Butterflies ♥


"It is the mission of Butterfly Ministries, Inc. to empower and inspire positive transformation in girls and young women by encouraging them to take a stand against gender exploitation and to give rise to a historic revolution."

COMING SOON! Join the Butterfly Movement!

Launching Fall 2010!

"Strength and honor was her clothing" Proverbs 31:25

The gift of Salvation

What is the best gift that you have ever received? A George Foreman Grill? A flat-screen T.V.? A diamond ring?

What if I told you that the best gift that you have ever received, you had before you were even born? The gift of Salvation.

Oh yes, of course with Good Friday/Resurrection Sunday/Easter weekend coming to an end, I have to post on my thoughts of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

It makes me think about his thirty-three years on this earth. Thirty-three years of miracles, wisdom, Truth, care, understanding, compassion, purpose and above all, unconditional and sacrificial love. True love. AGAPE love.

He arrived as a miracle and left as a miracle.

He came to not only teach us but lead by example as how we should handle almost every situation every type of person we come in contact with. With love. He came to fulfill a law in a land that twisted the law into what they wanted it to be. He came for the sinners, the poor, the desolate and the sick to pave a path that there is hope and He has arrived. He told timeless parables that even as two millenniums have passed, the meaning still has the power as it had as if He spoke them today.

“Everyone who hears truth hears My voice." John 18:37

When He spoke, He spoke with pure truth and wisdom. Every time I read the gospels, each of His words jump out of the page and plant a seed in my spirit. Reading the words of Jesus makes me feel pure again, restored, sanctified, and builds me up to face anything. In a world full of lies, I download truth from His words. In a society full of hate, pride, greed and fear, by reading His words, I download love, humility, contentment, and courage. His words are powerful, meaningful and each time I read them, I am filled with His healing waters and His spirit. For that, I attempt to read them often.

Another significant part of Jesus and His words is when He did not speak. When He was brought and questioned among the Pharisees. They interrogated Him yet He remained silent. They hit him, but He said nothing. He knew that you cannot reason with the unreasonable. He also knew speaking could jeopardize the fulfillment of His purpose. To endure the suffering of the cross. So He let them beat him. And when they were tired and stopped, He stood up to endure more, so they beat Him again. Although it was agony, He wanted the brutality and His suffering to be witnessed and recorded so that all would know what true, unconditional and sacrificial love is.

There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. I know I still struggle in these areas, so for that reason I just keep reading the beautiful words of Jesus until I get it right. With so much harmful information that we download in this world every single day, reading the soothing, calming and peaceful words of Jesus creates within me contentment, peace and happiness.

While thinking of Jesus and His parables, every year I notice that on Easter/Resurrection Sunday, many people attend services that haven’t all year and I can’t help be reminded of Jesus parable of the sower.

"While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'
"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." Luke 8:4-15

Just like the farmer’s seed, some never make it to service for some reason or another. Then there are those that do. Some walk down the alter and give their life to Christ but then they walk out of the church doors and life distracts them from the Lord so they fall behind. Some are too afraid to walk down that alter because they either are too shy to have their vulnerabilities on display or they feel unworthy and then there are those who walk down that alter and are forever changed. God called to them and they heard the calling. Yes, they may stumble, but they get up, pick up that cross again and keep on walking with that cross on their back following Christ.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26

Following Christ is a tough job and there are not many people who are willing to endure that walk with Jesus. Jesus already knew that. He said it takes a person with a "noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." but sadly, many will not follow.

So what kind of seed are you among the crop?

If you have a change of heart and you didn’t make it to service or if you did, you didn’t walk down to the alter, it’s not too late. Tonight when you go home, close the door and confess to Jesus that you are willing to pick up that cross and follow Him and please fill you with His spirit, please fill you with strength and perseverance to see it through. Jesus is waiting. If He gave His very life without you even having to ask, how much more will He give you if you do?

Be blessed!

© Copyrights, All rights reserved


Katrina Green
President
Butterfly Ministries, Inc.

Take a Stand. Spread the Word. Save the Butterflies ♥


"It is the mission of Butterfly Ministries, Inc. to empower and inspire positive transformation in girls and young women by encouraging them to take a stand against gender exploitation and to give rise to a historic revolution."

COMING SOON! Join the Butterfly Movement!

Launching Spring 2010!

"Strength and honor was her clothing" Proverbs 31:25

Love covers a multitude of sins

The closer that this ministry is coming to its destination, the more questions I am asked and I am very happy to answer because they are very valid questions. I need to prepare myself for this responsibility as well as set expectations for the community.

Most recently, I have been asked, “What if they some of the ladies are a different religion or don’t believe at all. What if they are homosexual? Will you not allow them to join?”

Butterfly Ministries will not discriminate anyone on the basis of race, ethnicity, cultural beliefs, sexual preference, religion or the lack thereof.

I have a very clear and specific purpose. To spread God's love by empowering young ladies to take a stand and to encourage others to get know Him personally, not to judge them.

Encourage - To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; contribute to the progress or growth of.

We will not push them, force them, scare them nor will we withhold our services if they don't commit their life to Christ.

We will advocate, educate, empower, encourage, inspire, motivate; take a genuine interest in them. Kindness will lead them to God. Not fear. Fear does not encourage Faith but discourages it.

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2-3

We all fall short in the eyes of God and have our own sins to account for. After they make the choice to bond with God, He will instill something in that person that is between Him and them. Even if they choose not to, it is still between them and God. My mission is to encourage that bond with God, not to play God.

"For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:2

Another important and very valid question is, “How will you deal with issues such as:

• mental disorders
• teen pregnancy
• addictions
• suicidal thoughts
• physical, sexual or emotional abuse
• express the desire to harm themselves or others

I currently work in non-profit and during the past 5 years that I have worked there, I have grown both personally and professionally. They have put me in situations that challenged my leadership quite often. They made me a more well rounded person overall. I have learned so much from them and because of my experience there, I am equipped to take on this ministry.

I have learned that many non-profits and ministries fail by trying to take on things that they are not staffed, equipped, trained or experienced to handle. They attempt to duplicate efforts that already exist in the community. This is where successful partnerships are very vital to the growth and success of your organization. I have program areas that I will focus on and when the bulleted issues above arise, I will have partnerships with natural alliances in the community that I will make referrals to such as Therapists, Pastors, Social Workers, Healthcare Professionals and Child Protection Agencies.

They will specialize in children’s needs and be fully equipped to intervene as needed.

This reminds me of a partnership that our organization has had with another non-profit for the past 5 years. They build homes for low income families with a mortgage at zero interest making their home affordable and safe. The Family Services Manager and I started both companies around the same time. We contacted one another because we saw that there was a gap that needed filled and our partnership needed strengthened.

We work together to make sure that the families that we serve do not fall through the cracks. If they apply for a home and are denied because they have barriers keeping them approval, she refers them to me and our program helps them with financial literacy, education, resolving their credit issues and budgeting to help them remove those barriers. After those barriers are removed, we then refer them back for approval. She doesn’t try to take on that burden and responsibility, she refers them to us, a trusted partner because she knows that partnerships are what make a non-profit or ministry successful.

In that aspect, she doesn’t just deny a family, stepping on their dream and just let them walk away confused and discouraged. She instills hope and faith in the family and let them know that they aren’t denied, it’s just that they have some work to do before they are approved. We also attend one anothers events, serve on committees and support each others fundraisers.

It is a wonderful partnership.

"To all of you, be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit." 1 Peter 3:8

I feel absolutely blessed to walk the path that God has put me on. Despite ALL of my challenges, I have learned more than I ever thought I would but realize I have alot more to learn. I have met some amazing people that inspire me but have many more to meet. I have overcame and accomplished more than I ever thought possible but God requires more and I am His humble servant!

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2

"Above all, continue to love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8


Be Blessed this Weekend!!!


© Copyright – All rights reserved
November 2009

Katrina Green
President
Butterfly Ministries, Inc.

"It is the mission of Butterfly Ministries, Inc. to empower and inspire positive transformation in girls and young women by encouraging them to take a stand against gender exploitation and to give rise to a historic revolution."

COMING SOON! Join the Butterfly Movement!

Launching Spring 2010!

"Strength and honor was her clothing" Proverbs 31:25