Our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whose birthday we are commemorating  this month demonstrated “Perfect Love.” The Agape love of God is poured upon all  humanity before we even knew of our need for help. Romans 5:8 says while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He has commanded us to  also love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). The essence of our theme “Perfect Love,” is to remind us of God’s love for us. The essence of this study is to show us the amazing wonders of His love and elicit a  positive response from us in loving him in return, and living a life of total obedience in  line with His perfect will

We need to constantly remind ourselves of the dimensions of the Father’s Love, the  Demonstration of His Love for us in our daily living, God’s desire to show His Love to  the world through us and how we can live in love among ourselves as brothers and  Sisters. It is meant to be experienced and expressed daily.

The subject of love is an important theme in this letter of John. Note that in the one hundred and five verses of this epistle, the word love is used fifty-nine times.  John had already given some strong instruction about love in the second and third chapters. And nowhere in the fourth chapter, he returns to that theme.  When you look at these verses a little closer you notice a new term John has added to the mix. Four times in these verses he uses the word perfect to describe the love he talks about so much.  John uses three different forms of the word translated perfect, perfected, and perfection. But all three come from the same root word which means “to bring to an  end or completion or full development.” In other words, “complete or mature.” Some things about Agape love:  Agape love is the foundation for all legitimate love - I Corinthians 13.  Agape love is the core of all of God's relationships with us. There is one commandment that is repeated three times in these verses; it is the  exhortation to “love one another.” (vs. 7, 11, 12)

Romans 5:8 1 John 4:9-10 Love is the sure and ideal way to advance in God, and life.  

Love is of God and overcomes the world and everything it offers.  

Love always wins: 1 Corinthians 13:8a,13

As we approach the Christmas season, we are again reminded of the ultimate expression  of God‟s love for us as individuals and for humanity. That ultimate expression of God‟s  love is Christ, who took on humanity and offered himself up for the sins of the world.

Dictionary definition - Strong feeling of deep affection for someone or something. Sometimes we need to be reminded that God loves us. We focus on the difficulties of life and  wonder, “Where‟s the love?” But if we pause and consider all that God has done for us, we remember how much we are loved  by God, who is love (1 John 4:8-10). In Scripture there are several Greek words for love, but the highest is „agape‟ – love that is  defined and driven by self-sacrifice. Nowhere is this truer than in the love our heavenly Father has shown us in Christ.  We are deeply valued by God. So what is Love? God is love, and He‟s pouring out that love on you and me.

WHAT IT MEANS TO ADVANCE (BIBLE STUDY): SIS. EBUBE EZEOBI

You may not have the eloquence of TD Jakes, but a word of faith in your mouth can strengthen a believer. And as we all shine as light in our various corners, living the life of Christ and growing daily in our devotion to Christ, progress is being made. One step at a time, the Holy Spirit is building us up unto the full measure of the stature of Christ.

Remember, the turtle only makes progress when he sticks out his neck. Dare to advance in your personal walk with God, service to the church of Christ, and save souls from hell.

Are you a citizen of the kingdom of God? Are you living like a citizen of the kingdom? Are you advancing the kingdom of God through your worship, work, wrestling and  witness?

One of the things we all love in life is to advance/move forward or progress in life. We want to advance in our careers Advance in our businesses Advance in our finances Advance in our relationships, etc. It is therefore curious when we see a man or woman who likes advancement in these  areas, but does not show as much enthusiasm for spiritual advancement.