Love Languages
Dr. Randy T. Johnson
“When they [the wise men] saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11
In 1988, Gary Smalley and John Trent published The Language of Love. Since then, over 500,000 copies have sold and millions of people have been helped to better communicate with those they love. The concept is that there are basically five ways in which people best receive love: words of affirmation, quality time, touch, acts of service, and gifts. It is an interesting and helpful study for couples and parents to examine.
Have you ever considered God’s love language? I want to have some fun with it.
Words of Affirmation - The word “praise” is used 238 times in the Bible. Thirteen of the times it is found in Psalm 150. Verses 1-2 say, “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!” After encouraging us to use instruments, verse 6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” God feels loved when we praise Him. Speak of His goodness.
Quality Time - Psalm 46:10 is so powerful, “Be still, and know that I am God.” We need to slow down at times and just enjoy the presence of God and let Him enjoy our full attention. Matthew 6:6 adds, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” In Luke chapter 10, Jesus appreciates Martha’s actions, but He enjoyed and commends Mary for choosing to spend time with Him. God feels loved when we focus on Him.
Touch - Matthew chapter 8 describes Jesus healing a man with leprosy. One of the details is surprising, “And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matthew 8:3). Jesus did the unthinkable. He knowingly and intentionally touched a man with leprosy. A touch can be powerful. In John chapter 20, Jesus encourages Thomas to touch His wounds from the crucifixion. Finally, James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” God feels loved when we reach out to Him.
Acts of Service - Romans 12:11 tells us, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” We should want to do meaningful things for the Lord as a thank you for all He has done for us. Luke 4:8 adds, “And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Both the Old and New Testaments record the command that we are to serve the Lord. God feels loved when we do things for Him or in His name.
Gifts - Psalm 76:11 says, “Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared.” God does not need anything we have, but He feels loved when we choose Him over material possessions. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Suffice to say, God feels loved when we bring Him gifts.
The wise men took a journey to see the Star. They expressed love by worshiping Him, spending time with Him, and giving gifts. These gifts probably helped meet the needs of the family as they waited for the time to return home.
Have you considered giving Jesus a gift this year?
Dr. Randy T. Johnson
“When they [the wise men] saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11
In 1988, Gary Smalley and John Trent published The Language of Love. Since then, over 500,000 copies have sold and millions of people have been helped to better communicate with those they love. The concept is that there are basically five ways in which people best receive love: words of affirmation, quality time, touch, acts of service, and gifts. It is an interesting and helpful study for couples and parents to examine.
Have you ever considered God’s love language? I want to have some fun with it.
Words of Affirmation - The word “praise” is used 238 times in the Bible. Thirteen of the times it is found in Psalm 150. Verses 1-2 say, “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!” After encouraging us to use instruments, verse 6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” God feels loved when we praise Him. Speak of His goodness.
Quality Time - Psalm 46:10 is so powerful, “Be still, and know that I am God.” We need to slow down at times and just enjoy the presence of God and let Him enjoy our full attention. Matthew 6:6 adds, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” In Luke chapter 10, Jesus appreciates Martha’s actions, but He enjoyed and commends Mary for choosing to spend time with Him. God feels loved when we focus on Him.
Touch - Matthew chapter 8 describes Jesus healing a man with leprosy. One of the details is surprising, “And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed” (Matthew 8:3). Jesus did the unthinkable. He knowingly and intentionally touched a man with leprosy. A touch can be powerful. In John chapter 20, Jesus encourages Thomas to touch His wounds from the crucifixion. Finally, James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” God feels loved when we reach out to Him.
Acts of Service - Romans 12:11 tells us, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” We should want to do meaningful things for the Lord as a thank you for all He has done for us. Luke 4:8 adds, “And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Both the Old and New Testaments record the command that we are to serve the Lord. God feels loved when we do things for Him or in His name.
Gifts - Psalm 76:11 says, “Make your vows to the Lord your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared.” God does not need anything we have, but He feels loved when we choose Him over material possessions. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Suffice to say, God feels loved when we bring Him gifts.
The wise men took a journey to see the Star. They expressed love by worshiping Him, spending time with Him, and giving gifts. These gifts probably helped meet the needs of the family as they waited for the time to return home.
Have you considered giving Jesus a gift this year?
Posted in Company at Christmas
Recent
Archive
2023
January
Reach • Devotion 1Reach • Devotion 2Reach • Devotion 3Reach • Devotion 4Reach • Devotion 5Reach • Devotion 6Gather • Devotion 1Gather • Devotion 2Gather • Devotion 3Gather • Devotion 4Gather • Devotion 5Gather • Devotion 6Grow • Devotion 1Grow • Devotion 2Grow • Devotion 3Grow • Devotion 4Grow • Devotion 5Grow • Devotion 6Giving • Devotion 1Giving • Devotion 2Giving • Devotion 3Giving • Devotion 4Giving • Devotion 5Giving • Devotion 6Galatians 1Galatians 2
February
Galatians 3Galatians 4Galatians 5Galatians 6God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 1God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 2God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 3God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 4God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 5God’s Design in Marriage • Devotion 6Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 1Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 2Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 3Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 4Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 5Sex: The Word vs. the World • Devotion 6Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 1Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 2Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 3Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 4Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 5Dangers: Little Foxes • Devotion 6Delights • Devotion 1Delights • Devotion 2
March
Delights • Devotion 3Delights • Devotion 4Delights • Devotion 5Delights • Devotion 6Final Class • Devotion 1Final Class • Devotion 2Final Class • Devotion 3Final Class • Devotion 4Final Class • Devotion 5Final Class • Devotion 6A Place for You • Devotion 1A Place for You • Devotion 2A Place for You • Devotion 3A Place for You • Devotion 4A Place for You • Devotion 5A Place for You • Devotion 6The Helper • Devotion 1The Helper • Devotion 2The Helper • Devotion 3The Helper • Devotion 4The Helper • Devotion 5The Helper • Devotion 6True Vine • Devotion 1True Vine • Devotion 2True Vine • Devotion 3True Vine • Devotion 4True Vine • Devotion 5
April
True Vine • Devotion 6The World • Devotion 1The World • Devotion 2The World • Devotion 3The World • Devotion 4The World • Devotion 5The World • Devotion 6Peace • Devotion 1Peace • Devotion 2Peace • Devotion 3Peace • Devotion 4Peace • Devotion 5Peace • Devotion 6Focus on Jesus • Devotion 1Focus on Jesus • Devotion 2Focus on Jesus • Devotion 3Focus on Jesus • Devotion 4Focus on Jesus • Devotion 5Focus on Jesus • Devotion 6The Church at Ephesus • Devotion 1The Church at Ephesus • Devotion 2The Church at Ephesus • Devotion 3The Church at Ephesus • Devotion 4
Categories
Tags
no tags