Love

I Hope You Are Listening!

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34

white framed rectangular mirror

Photo by Abel Tan Jun Yang on Pexels.com

Jesus could have likewise said, “So I am giving you a new commandment. Listen to one another just as I have listened to you…!” Listening is one part of love. Stop for a moment and ask yourself, “How has God listened to you?” Has He listened, not only when it was to his advantage? Has he given His attention only when we were being kind to a stranger or when we were singing in church? No! Fortunately for us God also listened when we got into trouble and when we fell into sin. God has listened at those times and He has been ready to bring us restoration and forgiveness. When we know deep in our hearts that God will always listen, we will be ready to hear what He has to say.

Now think about the people around you in the nursing home. Who is listening to them? Are you? Am I? One woman who was a nursing home resident wrote, “No one touches me who is not paid to do so.” In other words, “No is willing to help me unless it is to their advantage.” We, as Christians have a unique opportunity to show others the love of Christ by listening. When we slow down long enough to hear what others are saying, we are also offering them the hope that God is listening too!

Invisible Things

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

In the storms of life when the shore is nowhere to be found we find ourselves stripped down to just three eternal things: faith,hope and love. God gives us these treasures: not as a prize to be received in heaven but as a light to guide us through.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13

If you are discouraged or even angry at circumstances that seem to be spinning out of control – trust in God’s promise. He loved us so much that He allowed Jesus to die on a very real cross for a world where men put nails through His hands and feet. When no one yet believed He died in Hope of resurrection. When no kindness was offered to Him He offered heaven to a thief and forgiveness to His enemies. When He drew His final breath He trusted His Spirit into His Father’s hands. How can we be afraid to follow Him? There is no stronger hope on earth than His word. There is no other path that leads to Heaven than faith. There will never be a reward more lasting than the mighty Love of Jesus Christ!

No Fear in Love!

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 1 John 4:18

Have you ever stopped to wonder what you are afraid of? I know I do more often than I would like. I am afraid of Dentists, flying, death and decisions. I am afraid of losing loved ones and I am afraid of being alone when they are gone. Of course none of these are reasonable fears at all by the Bible’s standards. I am just saying these are my own battles.

The Bible also tells us to pray about everything so as I was praying about my fears, God spoke to my heart with a question this morning. “Are you afraid to pray?” As I thought about that the absurdity of it hit me in the face. If I was afraid to pray then I wouldn’t be praying! And I am not afraid to pray because I remember that Jesus taught me to begin praying with the words, “Our Father.” So why would God listen to my prayer? Why would He be willing to allow me (Or anyone else) come to Him with my problems, needs and desires?

The answer is wrapped up in the mystery of the God of love and the love of God! If that very same God of love who sent Jesus to teach us to pray is interested in listening to me; how much more because of the cross of Jesus Christ will He be ready to receive me when one day we stand before His throne?

Be blessed! Have a great prayer time with your Father today. We can live without fear because when we come to Him – He will cast out all we are afraid of and replace it with His perfect love!

 

1549893108728_1280x1280.jpg