For God So Loved the World

Thanksgiving day, with all its delights of food, family, and friends, has passed and the season for preparation begins. As we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child during the season of Advent we also prepare for His coming again.  His infinite love tells us He will come again and gather all those who are His to Himself to live forever with Him in His presence.

Even the death of Jesus was a preparation.  He prepared to go to the Father who loved the world so much that He sent His son to us.  And at that time of preparation Christ's thoughts and prayers were for His children.  Listen to the prayer He prayed to God the Father on behalf of those He loved most---us.

"My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.  All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory.  Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name, now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are." John 17:9-11 NLT

"Now I am coming to you.  I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.  I have given them your word.  And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.  I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.  John 17:13-15 NLT

"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.  I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one---as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.  And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me...May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.  Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am.  Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began."  John 17:20-21, 23-24 NLT 

Jesus Christ has prayed for us and prepared us to receive His love and to give His love.  I pray this Advent season will be one of preparation for us all---preparing our hearts to show Jesus how much we love Him and the people He loves so much.

To God be the Glory!  Amen. 

 

 

God is Head Over Heels in Love with You

May you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.       Ephesians 3:18-19a.  NLT

The following is a passage by David G. Benner from his book, Surrender to Love, that speaks to knowing the fullness of God's love and understanding His love through meditation on His word, the Bible:

   Does it seem hard to believe that when God thinks of you, love swells in his heart and a smile comes to his face?
   If your identity does not rest on knowing yourself deeply loved by a God who is head-over-heels in love with you, spend some time prayerfully meditating on several passages.  First, however, let me describe what I mean by meditation.
   Christian meditation is like spiritual daydreaming.  Rather that analyzing or thinking about the passage, simply let yourself soak in it.  There is no need to do anything with the words you read.  Instead let them do something to you.  Don't be preoccupied with examining what is happening.  Just allow the words to turn over in your mind and wash over your heart.

Dr. Benner suggests meditating on Psalm 23, Psalm 91, and Romans 8:31-39, among others.  I pray you will come to know the wondrous love of God for you.

To God be the Glory!  Amen

 




 
 

Nothing is More Important

John Stott as quoted by Siang Yang-Tan in Full Service

If only the veil could be taken away from our eyes, if only we could see Jesus in the fullness of His divine human person and His saving work, then we would see that He's worthy of our complete allegiance, our love, and our worship.  Nothing is more important.

Loving Like Jesus Does

I have often thought that the people who are hardest to love are those who need love the most.  Lord Jesus, help me to love others like you love me.

Love is patient and kind.  Love is not boastful or jealous or 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.
                                    1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT