Why I Love

"We love Him because He first loved us." I John 4:19

This was the scriptural sentiment printed on the inside cover of the most recent birthday card I received from everybody's, Grandma Shirley. Of course, she is more of a Mom to me than a Grandma, and only my own Mom used the word love as many times in the card she sent me this year. My Mom and Grandma Shirley have a few things in common, not the least of which is that they both really love me very much. I believe this, know this and feel this.
I recognize sincere love because it is so similar to the love that Jesus loves me with. Of course the love of Jesus is the ultimate and truest love. Even though this is so, I can honestly say that my Mom and Grandma Shirley both love, with a precious love.

Veterans Day Reflections

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." I John 3:16-18

November 11, or what has come to be known as Veterans Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor Armistice Day - the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" In legislature that was passed in 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.' As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans. An important purpose of Veterans Day is to pause, reflect, and remember to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

A Big If

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John1:9

A big if, a humongous if. Maybe the most important if ever written. If you can't respond to the if, then the rest of the verse is superfluous. Doesn't make any difference. For the sake of illustration let's rewrite this key verse so that we can sense what we miss if we can't by the if.

Victory!

Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Alan:

"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4

I like the word VICTORY and the strong feelings of elation that accompany it. Originally applied to warfare, Webster defines Victory as 'the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist'. That definition seems to fit when we think about the real spiritual warfare and enemy we face everyday.

“Do You Really Understand?”

1 John 5:20a "We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding."

One of the most common problems in churches today seems to be misunderstanding. We, too often, aren’t on the same page, or even worse, in the same book. Sometimes we even seem to be on different planets. A lot of our communication problems come from not listening carefully. We all are very busy doing several things at once or are distracted. When we don’t focus, or truly pay attention to each other, there can be a real lack of understanding. The same is true with God. When we don’t listen to Him, or when we are distracted with life, it’s easy not to pay attention to what He is revealing to our hearts and minds.

Share God’s Love on Valentine’s Day!

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” I John 4:7

Ahhh, February 14th… it’s Valentine’s Day once again and the red roses are pouring out the doors of the florists, the Hallmark cards are flying off the shelves, heart shaped boxes of stale chocolates are purchased, and restaurants are booked weeks in advance so that people can find ways to express their love on this one day of the year. For those with romance in their life it is beautiful; for those who are single.. it can be painful, jokingly referred to as S.A D. (Single Awareness Day). It seems foolish in many ways to put so much emphasis on one single day to show love when in reality we should love one another every day of the year and not just wait until February 14th. It is nice to think and hear about love instead of all the doom and gloom on the media channels… but why DO we focus on this one day? The history of the holiday is shrouded in mystery mixed with historical events about several different men named Valentine from Rome to Africa who were martyred within the 2nd to 4th century during periods of civil and religious persecution. The most familiar story was about a priest in the Catholic Church who ministered during a difficult time in history. Some stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured. Another tells us that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men so they could serve in his military without distraction. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, chose to ignore Claudius’s decree and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Before the sentence was carried out, Valentine sent the first "valentine" greeting thus giving birth to our tradition of sending “valentines”. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter on a heart shaped piece of paper, which he signed "From your Valentine," an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a heroic AND romantic figure.

As much as we can admire the courage of this man on this annual event, we must always consider that GOD is the Author and Finisher of Love, and as His children, we must always remember to share His love to others. God showed the world the most amazing example of LOVE when He gave His only Son to die on the cross to take away our sins. John 3:16 is repeated so often that we sometimes speed through these familiar words and miss the intent of God’s Heart, so on this Valentine’s Day, let us realize that GOD sent us a Valentine when He sent Jesus to earth. God loves you so much, and wants to show you His love 365 days of the year, not with chocolates and cards but with His gift of eternal life so that we can be with him forever in His loving Arms. In the Bible, “love” is mentioned 697 times, so get the message… GOD LOVES YOU! Open your hearts and receive His love in a fresh way today, then find ways to share that love with those that God places in your life journey.

A friend of mine recently sent this to me and it really blessed me, so I’ll pass it along today for our closing thought.

Here is a NEW way to look at John 3:16 and remember that it was written as GOD’s Valentine to the world, and to you and me!

Jesus said:

"For God so loVed the world
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believes In Him
Shall Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."

Have a blessed Valentines’ Day, my beloved brothers and sisters,
Shalom, sister Lahoma

The Bible - Our Greatest Source of Wisdom

Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, Dolly:

On Monday many of us will take time to remember Martin Luther King, Jr. during the commemoration of his birth. Dr. King is revered by many Americans because of the work he did for human and civil rights. Have you taken the time to consider whether Dr. King was someone who should be honored? We should consult the Bible when we consider such things:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

Let’s test some well know quotes from Dr. King by consulting our greatest source of wisdom, God’s word.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Eph. 6:12-13

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isa. 42:16

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matt. 5:43-44

“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways [shall be] made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Luke 3:5-6

I just want to do God's will. And he's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: "Keep all these commands that I give you today. When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you.” Deut. 27:1-3

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Eph. 6:18

I believe Dr. King did his best to live a Christian life and to show God’s love to all. We may never reach the fame that Dr. King reached, but we can all do something to make someone else’s life better. As we focus on loving others this year, let’s remember to consult our guide book, God’s Holy Word, for instruction.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:7-12

Consult God's Word for all things,
Dolly

Loving Others

I John 4:11 “Dear friends since God so loved us we also ought to love one another.”

The commands to love God, love ourselves and love others are individually important but intertwined. We love God because of who He is. We love ourselves because of what He did for us on the cross. We love others in the same way, because of what He did for them. I have a little exercise that I use when leading groups on the subject of loving each other, and I'd like to share it with you.

When asked to love others, picture what God thinks of them instead of what you think or feel about them. If the mental picture is not enough, then stick out your arm like you have it around someone's shoulder and picture the person you should be loving there. Sometimes when we do this, it feels uncomfortable because we do find it hard to love each other. The next step, while your arm is sticking out around your imaginary person, is to ask God what He thinks of him. For example, the conversation might go like this, (picture my arm around someone imaginary):

“God, this is Hank", (not really, but it is a good name to use as an example). “How do you feel about him? Give me the strength and compassion to think of Hank as you do."

This is not at all easy to do! (not particularly because Hank is the example either) When I have done this, I sometimes drop my arm because I find it hard to be honest when I have my arm around somebody. Also, when I am before God asking questions, I find it harder to complain about anybody.

I suggest this exercise with your church family. Start with someone who is easy to love and then try someone who is harder. You'll be surprised at the results. I want to encourage you to love others in word and indeed. It is easier to say something nice than to do something nice. One of the most loving things we can do is just simply encourage each other.

Would you agree with me that some people are a lot easier to love than others? I believe that when we pray for people, we are loving them, even when we pray for our enemies. God's love is unconditional. He loves everybody, and He'll help us love everyone, even if they seem unlovable. If you struggle with this concept and the actions I have recommended, maybe you are really struggling with loving God or yourself...something to consider. I sometimes must forgive someone before I can love them or accept their forgiveness.

Loving one another glorifies God. I think He would appreciate our best effort in this area. It is so easy in one sense, yet so very difficult in another. I figure, if Jesus died for someone, they must be redeemable and lovable.

His love and mine,
Pastor Fred

A Family Never Ends

I John 5:11 And this is the testimony, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

The older I get, the more grateful I am for eternal life. The past few years have been difficult ones for my family. My Sister and my Dad died within two years of each other, I , lost my job after nearly 12 years, and my Mother-in-law was diagnosed with dementia and now lives with us. But through it all, we have become closer as a family, and we have learned so much about the depth of love God gives us through each other.

This year, for Christmas, I wanted to give something to my Mom that would comfort her with the truth that, even though my Sister and Dad are no longer with us here on earth, the family we have is an eternal one, and nothing, not even death, can take that away from us. So I began by collecting photographs containing my Sister and Dad for a collage. Then my amazing wife came up with a brilliant idea. She said, "Why don't you write a poem about family and put it in the middle of the collage?" And so I did just that. This Christmas, I hope you will be as blessed as I am by the experience of God's love shared with your family, and by the knowledge that the family of God never ends. Here is the poem. Merry Christmas, Everyone, and Happy Birthday, Jesus!

A Family Never Ends

A family begins, but a family never ends.
Across time and eternity, its loving reach extends.
It shapes who we are, and who we will become,
And reminds us with pride where we all came from.
It stays in our hearts no matter where we roam,
And provides us a place we can always call home.
God provides the love on which a family depends,
And since a family is love, a family never ends.

Love in Jesus,

Hank

He First Loved Us

Today's passage comes from the daily devotional series from one of my favorites, Charles Spurgeon. I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hank

"We love Him because He first loved us." — 1 John 4:19

There is no light in the planet but that which proceedeth from the sun; and there is no true love to Jesus in the heart but that which cometh from the Lord Jesus himself. From this overflowing fountain of the infinite love of God, all our love to God must spring. This must ever be a great and certain truth, that we love Him for no other reason than because He first loved us. Our love to Him is the fair offspring of His love to us. Cold admiration, when studying the works of God, anyone may have, but the warmth of love can only be kindled in the heart by God's Spirit. How great the wonder that such as we should ever have been brought to love Jesus at all! How marvellous that when we had rebelled against Him, He should, by a display of such amazing love, seek to draw us back. No! never should we have had a grain of love towards God unless it had been sown in us by the sweet seed of His love to us. Love, then, has for its parent the love of God shed abroad in the heart: but after it is thus divinely born, it must be divinely nourished. Love is an exotic; it is not a plant which will flourish naturally in human soil, it must be watered from above. Love to Jesus is a flower of a delicate nature, and if it received no nourishment but that which could be drawn from the rock of our hearts it would soon wither. As love comes from heaven, so it must feed on heavenly bread. It cannot exist in the wilderness unless it be fed by manna from on high. Love must feed on love. The very soul and life of our love to God is His love to us.

"I love thee, Lord, but with no love of mine,
For I have none to give;
I love thee, Lord; but all the love is thine,
For by thy love I live.
I am as nothing, and rejoice to be
Emptied, and lost, and swallowed up in thee."