Love

'...Let us...love one another...' 1 John 4:7 NLT       

    


I was sitting here this morning listening to some awesome worship music by Jesus Culture. I know some of you are going to say pastor you're on vacation you can take a break...yes I can and I am! But God challenged me to keep writing and to share what He's been placing on my heart the last few days. And yes I may just share some more. We got here Monday afternoon at Amy's sisters house. Kathy and Leo are the most amazing hosts. We are blessed to have such wonderful family who love us. Then I thought about you...what an incredible family who loves us! Church you are amazing. I heard a quote today from Betty White, "If you want to be the best always look to the positive, and never stop loving." Now she wasn't coming from a Christian standpoint, but good words to live by. So today guess what I'm sharing? Yes, Love. Love is slow to suspect but quick to trust; slow to condemn but quick to justify; slow to offend but quick to defend; slow to expose but quick to shield; slow to reprimand but quick to empathise; slow to belittle but quick to appreciate; slow to demand but quick to give; slow to provoke but quick to help; slow to resent but quick to forgive. I read about a church where the people make the following pledge to each other: 'I'll never knowingly say or do anything to hurt you. I'll always, in every circumstance, seek to help and support you. If you're down and I can lift you, I'll do that. If you need something and I have it, I'll share it with you. If I need to, I'll give it to you. No matter what I find out about you, no matter what happens in the future - either good or bad - my commitment to you will never change. And there's nothing you can do about it.' How amazing is that? I would love that to be our motto at our church... 1 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV says love: (1) 'Believes all things.' When someone you care about is called into question, love says, 'That's not the kind of person they are; that's not what they meant.' (2) 'Hopes all things.' Love sees people not just as they are, but as they can be through God's grace. And if you let Him, God will download that kind of love into your heart. (3) 'Endures all things.' The Greek word for 'endure' is a military term. It means driving a stake into the ground. It's like saying, 'I'll stand my ground in loving you.' Today, take the love that God has given to you, and give it to others. It will change your life! You are loved even on vacation...