The word 'love' comes from two Greek words - phileo and agape. One is of human origin, the other divine. (1) Phileo requires two people to appreciate each other; agape can be entirely one-sided. (2) Phileo is conditional. If its demands aren't met, it ends. Agape comes with no strings attached. (3) Phileo relationships can end due to changing circumstances. Agape exists, full stop. (4) Phileo requires some level of emotional reward. Agape flourishes regardless; any reward only enhances it. When Jesus said, '...As I have loved you, so you must love one another' (John 13:34), He was using the word agape, not phileo. Why? Because He knows that we can choose to love one another at all times, regardless of what does or doesn't happen. In her book, Love Is So Much More, Lord, Ruth Calkin writes, 'Marriage means - putting up with personality weaknesses, accepting criticism and giving each other freedom to fail. It means sharing deep feelings about fear and rejection, turning self-pity into laughter and taking a walk to regain control. Marriage means - gentleness and joy, toughness and fortitude, fairness and forgiveness and a walloping amount of sacrifice. Marriage means - learning when to say nothing, when to keep talking, when to push a little, and when to back off. It means acknowledging 'I can't be God to you - I need Him too.' Marriage means - you are the other part of me and I am the other part of you. We'll work through this with never a thought of walking out. Marriage, my love, means us!'

 

Prayer
Heavenly Father, Help me to “agape” love others, no matter what the daily circumstances or mood changes there may be in that persons life that day.  Thank you for having that kind of love for me everyday.  In Jesus’ Precious Name I pray, Amen.