The John Bradburne Memorial Society’s Post

Love is universal and eternal; it is always manifesting itself and always identical in its essence. And it is a Divine Force; for the distortions we see in its apparent workings belong to its instruments. Love does not manifest in human beings alone; it is everywhere. Its movement is there in plants, perhaps in the very stones; in the animals it is easy to detect its presence. All the deformations of this great and divine Power come from the obscurity and ignorance and selfishness of the limited instrument. Love, the eternal force, has no clinging, no desire, no hunger for possession, no self-regarding attachment; it is, in its pure movement, the seeking for union of the self with the Divine, a seeking absolute and regardless of all other things. Love divine gives itself and asks for nothing. What human beings have made of it, we do not need to say; they have turned it into an ugly and repulsive thing. And yet even in human beings the first contact of love does bring down something of its purer substance; they become capable for a moment of forgetting themselves, for a moment its divine touch awakens and magnifies all that is fine and beautiful.

Sai Inspires Nov 24, 2024 Why is love the most powerful weapon in the Universe? Let us hear Bhagawan, the Lord of Love, inspire us most lovingly, today. It is most vital for everyone to recognise and practice the Love Principle. At all times love has existed among the good and the bad, in the forest or in a palace, in attachment or in separation, in one's conduct as well as in one's speech, in the mind as well as in action. It is all-pervasive. The most powerful weapon to destroy the forces of evil rampant in the world today is love. Unfortunately, men are not pursuing the right path to acquire sacred love. Love is the seed of love. It is also the branches, the flowers and the fruit. To enjoy the fruit of love, one must practise Love. Instead of seeking to know the true nature of love, man is engaged in the pursuit of wealth and power. No doubt wealth and power are necessary, but only within limits. The vast ocean, when it swells beyond its bounds, is censured for its misbehaviour. The human body and mind will be healthy only when food is consumed within limits. Excessive eating causes various disorders. Everything in the world is governed by the bounds set for it. However, love has no limits. - Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1996.

Love is universal and eternal; it is always manifesting itself and always identical in its essence. And it is a Divine Force; for the distortions we see in its apparent workings belong to its instruments. Love does not manifest in human beings alone; it is everywhere. Its movement is there in plants, perhaps in the very stones; in the animals it is easy to detect its presence. All the deformations of this great and divine Power come from the obscurity and ignorance and selfishness of the limited instrument. Love, the eternal force, has no clinging, no desire, no hunger for possession, no self-regarding attachment; it is, in its pure movement, the seeking for union of the self with the Divine, a seeking absolute and regardless of all other things. Love divine gives itself and asks for nothing. What human beings have made of it, we do not need to say; they have turned it into an ugly and repulsive thing. And yet even in human beings the first contact of love does bring down something of its purer substance; they become capable for a moment of forgetting themselves, for a moment its divine touch awakens and magnifies all that is fine and beautiful. But afterwards there comes to the surface the human nature, full of its impure demands, asking for something in exchange, bartering what it gives, clamouring for its own inferior satisfactions, distorting and soiling what was divine.

Sai Inspires Nov 23, 2024 As we celebrate the auspicious occasion of Bhagawan’s 99th Birthday, what is the aspect of His nature we must remind ourselves of and how do we strive to move towards that state? Bhagawan, the Lord of Love, inspires each and every one of us today! The divine power has neither birth nor death. I do not feel elated when praised or depressed when blamed. I treat these dualities of life with equanimity. I am happy both in pleasure and pain. There is only love in Me. My love lives by giving, giving and giving. It never receives. This is the difference between My love and worldly love which believes in receiving alone. That is why My love is ever-expanding. A small seed becomes a gigantic tree with many branches and fruits. All of them have their origin in the seed. Likewise out of love has emerged the creation. Love is God, live in love. Develop love. Love everyone wholeheartedly. Only when love is manifested will you attain self-realisation. In the first instance, develop self-confidence. Self-confidence is the foundation. Self-satisfaction is the wall. Self-sacrifice is the roof. Self-realisation is the mansion (of life). Everything is contained in the Self (Atma). With this Atmic Principle, acquire spiritual knowledge. The power in spirituality is limitless. The Power of Love far exceeds the power of the atom bomb. It transforms even those who hate. Develop such sacred love. - Divine Discourse, Nov 23, 1998.

AGAPE LOVE, MAY WE ALL LOVE LIKE THIS!🙏🙏🙏 Agape love is a Greek concept that refers to unconditional, selfless, and unwavering love. It's often described as a profound and enduring form of love that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of others, without expectation of reciprocation or reward. In essence, agape love is about showing compassion, empathy, and kindness towards all people, regardless of their circumstances or relationships. It's a choice to love others with a pure and generous heart, just as they are. In many spiritual traditions, agape love is considered the highest form of love, as it reflects the unconditional love of the divine. It's a love that seeks to serve and uplift others, without judgment or condition. Some common characteristics of agape love include: 1. Unconditional: Agape love accepts others without judgment or expectation. 2. Selfless: It prioritizes the needs and happiness of others. 3. Unwavering: Agape love remains constant and enduring, even in challenging times. 4. Compassionate: It shows empathy and kindness towards all people. 5. Generous: Agape love gives freely, without expectation of reward or reciprocation. May we all strive to embody this beautiful form of love in our lives!

1 John 4:18 offers a profound insight into the nature of God's love and its transformative power. The statement "There is no fear in love" reveals that true, perfect love dispels all fear. This perfect love is embodied in God's unwavering and unconditional love for us.   Fear often stems from a sense of impending judgment or punishment, a reminder of our human imperfections and shortcomings. However, the verse reassures us that these fears are erased forever in God's perfect love. His love is not contingent upon our performance but is freely given, embracing us fully as we are.   This verse invites us to reflect on our own experiences of fear and love. Are there areas in our lives where fear overshadows the peace that God intends for us? The promise that "perfect love casts out fear" encourages us to allow God's love to fill every aspect of our being, displacing fear with His comforting presence.   Being "perfected in love" means growing in our understanding and experience of God's love. As we accept and embrace His love more deeply, our fears diminish. We begin to live with a confidence rooted in His love, which assures us that we are cherished and valued beyond measure.   Let this truth inspire us to seek a deeper relationship with God, one where His perfect love reigns and fear is defeated. As we immerse ourselves in His love, we can extend that same love to others, creating a ripple effect of peace and assurance. May we continually strive to be perfected in His love, living fearlessly and boldly as beloved children of God.

In the realm of perception, one's outlook shapes their reality. A mind inclined towards deep exploration of life, seeking the boundless beauty and vastness beyond comprehension, recognizes no authority except that of the Divine. God, the ultimate catalyst of transformation, holds sway over every mind. Love, it is said, does not heed our bidding. It selects us, irrespective of circumstance or compatibility. Whether in synchrony or dissonance, across continents or ages, it arrives unbidden, a force unto itself. Love transcends mere attraction or preference; it is a connection, an ethereal energy, an inexplicable force sweeping through the soul like a tempest. It defies control, asserting its dominance over heart and mind. To surrender to love is wisdom, acknowledging the profound mystery of life's orchestration. For who are we to challenge the divine design when love presents itself? "The Evidence of Divine Arrangements" and "The Proof of God's Collections" are not mere repositories of knowledge; they are portals to introspection, beckoning individuals to delve into life's mysteries. Through this journey, one may uncover insights into the universe and their own existence, forging a deeper connection with the essence of being.

Day 8: Love is a Verb: Exploring Love Through the Lens of Christ What is love to you? Is it just a word, like a noun, or is it an action, like a verb? To me, love is God, it’s life, but let’s take a moment to see what love is from God’s perspective. Love gives, love sacrifices, and sometimes love feels like a gamble from one angle. Not trying to tangle, but love is hard to handle. The older I grow, I realize love is what the world needs most, though some may say otherwise. Like the sun, love is bright; like the moon to the night, love has depth, length, breadth, and height. Only love sends His only begotten Son to lay down His life. Love always pays the price and gets the prize, like a two-way dice. Don’t let the world deceive you, love is more than a cold stone. Sorry, I meant Cold Stone. If you know, you know. I mean love should come from deep within, spirit, body, and soul. Love, indeed, is more than gold. So, dear reader, what is love? Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Dear reader, love is a verb. #LoveIsAVerb #LoveThroughChrist #GodsLove #ChristianLove #LoveSacrifices #TrueLove #LoveInAction #FaithInLove #BiblicalLove #LoveAndFaith #LoveIsKind #UnconditionalLove #GodIsLove #LoveAndGrace #ChristLikeLove #LoveBeyondGold

What Does Love Look Like? We often define love by what we value or enjoy the most. But with so many different definitions of love that are often contradictory, Jesus’ followers should desire the truth. A true definition of love doesn’t come from culture, our own values, or from within ourselves—it comes from God, because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). So, any right understanding of love must come from God. In fact, an entire chapter of the book of 1 Corinthians is entirely devoted to defining what love is. Take a look at a few verses: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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. Love never fails." ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-8 ‭NIV 1 Corinthians 13:6 says that love does not delight in evil. Evil is anything opposed to God or His ways. When we disobey God’s law, choose to do the wrong thing, or cause harm to someone else—that is evil. Essentially, evil is when we fail to love God and love others. For instance, if someone difficult doesn’t know the love of Jesus, we shouldn’t delight in that. Love should lead us toward sharing the truth about Jesus with them. Or, if someone who hurts you is suffering, we shouldn’t rejoice over their pain. Instead, we should forgive them, just as God forgave us. Love rejoices in God’s truth being told, lived, and shared. Take some time to consider how your own definition of love is different from God’s definition. What actions or thoughts need to change for you to be more loving? Ask God to show you two or three people you can share His love with today.

What Does Love Look Like? We often define love by what we value or enjoy the most. But with so many different definitions of love that are often contradictory, Jesus’ followers should desire the truth. A true definition of love doesn’t come from culture, our own values, or from within ourselves—it comes from God, because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). So, any right understanding of love must come from God. In fact, an entire chapter of the book of 1 Corinthians is entirely devoted to defining what love is. Take a look at a few verses: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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. Love never fails." ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-8 ‭NIV 1 Corinthians 13:6 says that love does not delight in evil. Evil is anything opposed to God or His ways. When we disobey God’s law, choose to do the wrong thing, or cause harm to someone else—that is evil. Essentially, evil is when we fail to love God and love others. For instance, if someone difficult doesn’t know the love of Jesus, we shouldn’t delight in that. Love should lead us toward sharing the truth about Jesus with them. Or, if someone who hurts you is suffering, we shouldn’t rejoice over their pain. Instead, we should forgive them, just as God forgave us. Love rejoices in God’s truth being told, lived, and shared. Take some time to consider how your own definition of love is different from God’s definition. What actions or thoughts need to change for you to be more loving? Ask God to show you two or three people you can share His love with today.