1. How’s Your LOVE Life? (Based on « The Relationship Principles of Jesus » by Tom Holladay) John 13:34 & 35

2. How’s Your LOVE Life? We communicate with body language and behaviour; with signals, signs and symbols; and of course through the language of speech which can be either verbal or written. If God is love, which we all know that He is; then our language should first of all be a language of love, no matter what means or methods we use to express it.

3. How’s Your LOVE Life? People hear not only with their actual ability to hear physically with their ears, but they also hear with their own preconceived mindset, no matter what the subject is. Jesus clearly shows us through His examples, that our words can heal a relationship, can heal or restore someone’s faith, can heal a broken heart or a wounded spirit, and can heal a shattered hope.

4. How’s Your LOVE Life? There are four very common ways in which we erode trust. The first is to speak with the absence of truth. The second common thing we do is we use flattery, which is another way of speaking an untruth; only this time our lie has a personal agenda.

5. How’s Your LOVE Life? The third common thing we do is break our promises. Finally, the last common way we erode trust is to keep silent. Our hearts affect the words that come out of our mouth; and the words we say, in turn affect our heart.

6. How’s Your LOVE Life? This is a connection that we can’t sever, so we need to be aware of it and fight the battle on both fronts. We need to take the feelings in our hearts seriously, and deal with them so that the words we speak are not unkind, wounding others as well as ourselves even more.

7. How’s Your LOVE Life? It usually involves crucifying self and any selfish desires you or I may have. I believe that most people genuinely desire to be honest in everything, but when it comes right down to it, we often find it easier to be somewhat dishonest. We tend to think that protecting someone else’s feelings supersedes honesty.

8. How’s Your LOVE Life? Truth without love doesn’t work well. Without love, truth can be like a weapon. At the same time, you need to know that love without truth is equally as destructive. Jesus shows us that speaking the truth in love will force a necessary decision. Rejection brings pain, but acceptance brings great joy.

9. How’s Your LOVE Life? To really use the language of love effectively, it is often more important how you talk to God about someone than how you actually speak to the person. The manner in which you talk to God about your relationships will determine your ability to let go of hurts, the wisdom you are able to infuse into your decisions, and the way in which you are able to see into the future with eyes of faith.

10. How’s Your LOVE Life? A lot of people don’t see their time spent with God in prayer as an effective tool for dynamic change in their personal relationships. Jesus continually taught that prayer is a conversation. Jesus taught that we were to come to God with persistence, confidence and reverence.

11. How’s Your LOVE Life? We don’t have to ask Him repeatedly to do something, in order to force Him into a corner. It indicates our dependence on God as the only source of solution. Jesus used three powerful ways to strengthen his communication.

12. How’s Your LOVE Life? He used human touch. He asked questions that had the ability to challenge and break down barriers. He painted pictures with words. When Jesus was criticized, He gave a clear confident response. When Jesus was doubted, He offered proof.

13. TITLE When Jesus was ridiculed, He remained silent. When Jesus was backed into a corner, He turned on the light. When Jesus was rejected, He went elsewhere. To communicate with the language of love that Christ demonstrated, be courageous. Have the courage to speak in truth, but take the time to talk to God first.

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