THE TEST OF LOVE

We so often take this time at the beginning of a new year to make resolutions that we often fail to keep, but wouldn't it be a perfect time to reflect on: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith, test yourselves....?" (II Corinthians 13:5) We can become so comfortable in our journey sometimes, that we may not realize that we have strayed from the straight path. After all, aren't we doing better than most out there? We must never fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others, but must always measure our walk with the Word of God. Can we walk through these scriptures, ask ourselves if we meet the standard of the Word, and if not, can we not ask forgiveness and make sure that we are truly in love with our God and Savior and in love with our neighbor? May the Lord open our eyes and our hearts so that we may stay pure before Him and powerful in building the Kingdom. Command to Love: Jesus said, "Honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 10:19) Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang (hinge) on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40) Having been asked which was the Greatest Commanment, Jesus answered, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these." (Mark 12:29-31) Jesus said. "A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:24) Evidence of Love: Jesus said: "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35) Jesus said, "If you love Me, Keep My commandments." (John 14:15) Jesus said, "Whoever has and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me." (John 14:21) Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will obey my teaching, (My words). My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our Home with him." (John 14:23) God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Love does no harm (does not kill, does not commit adultery, does not steal, does not lie, does not covet, etc) to it's neighbors. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law. (Romans 13:19) Love is patient; love is kind; love does not envy; does not boast; is not proud. It is not rude; love is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....(I Corinthians 13:4-8a) The fruit of the Spirit (dwelling in you) is Love, (which produces) joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Test of Love: Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven...." (Matthew 5:43-35) Jesus said, "But I tell you who hear me, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:-27-28) Jesus said, "He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching (My words)." (John 14:28) Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly beloved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us...(Ephesians 5:1-2) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a noisy gong and a clanging symbol. (I Corinthians 13:1) He who would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. (I Peter 3:10-11) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (I John 2:15) We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. ( I John 3:14) This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, (therefore) we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. ( I John 3:16) If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (I John 3:17) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not, does not know God, for God is love. ( I John 4:7-8) The Ultimate Test of Love: When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 213:33-34) Jesus said, "Greater love has no man than this, that He lay down His life for His friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command." (John 15:13-14) Beloved, if God so loved us, we 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. (I John 4:11-12) Jesus told us to love one another as He has loved us and that same love is what the world needs to see and experience from us. We are Jesus to this world......Let's love them like Jesus!

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It's Christmas!

Early business reports seem to demonstrate that the consumer is more hopeful, more positive about the future than what expert economists have been predicting. Sales are at an all-time high and the Christmas buying season has just begun. Some reports say that the consumer is actually in better financial condition than they were in 2004 because they have been paying down their debts, down-sizing perceived needs to actual need, paying cash instead of credit and basically bringing their financial priorities back to a reasonable level. The Christmas season is the last, great money maker of the year and most retailers measure their overall, year-end success or failure by the sales generated during this season. How do we, as followers of Christ, measure our relationship to the One who is the reason for this Christmas season? Do we remember, as we are caught up in the bargain hunting, Black Friday specials and Cyber Monday deals, that the Gift that was given when Christ was born cost Him His life? Do we shop for gifts to give to those we love because we are so grateful and thankful for the Gift that has been given to us? It is so easy to get caught up in this culture of frenzied shopping along with parties to plan, meetings to attend, dinners to prepare, all culminating in that great time of getting and giving all those gifts that have been purchased. As we lavish all of this exciting season upon ourselves, do we even think of those who are cold, without homes, without a place to stay warm and dry and without food to eat? Do we do more than a ’token’ act of random kindness just to meet the requirement of caring for others? At some point, the Bride of Christ must see this world through the eyes of the Bridegroom. If our hearts are filled with joy because of the incredible Gift of Salvation and this is what generates all of the gift giving activity…..then we are on the right pathway to bring honor and joy to our Savior…… So we praise our Savior that despite the gloomy calculations of this world’s economy, there is a silver lining: consumers, overall, are paying down debt, not relying on credit and are taking a hard look at what their priorities are in the day in which we live. I like to think that the Biblical perspective of true followers of Christ have had an influence on this economy and on those around them, by setting an example of being debt free, and/or working toward being debt free, and being good stewards of what God has blessed them with. Page Two It’s Christmas And I would like to think that we, as ambassadors of Christ, are so thankful and grateful for all He has done for us and the world that our joy spills over on this lost and dying world during this Christmas season and brings them into a saving knowledge of the One who stepped out of heaven, came to earth and paid the price for all our sins….. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end….” (Isaiah 9:6-7) “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord, and this shall be a sign unto you: you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:11-14)

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THE SEASONS...

The last time you heard from me, we were coming out of the wintery blast of 2011. Across the nation, about 75% of the states in America were covered with ice and unbelivable amounts of that beautiful but deadly white stuff called snow.

The chill has now left the air, grass is turning green and trees are budding out in preparation to provide shade from the summer sun which will soon be upon us. How awesome are the seasons of God!

Now, those who are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, (lack of sunlight & causes depression), are looking forward to getting outside and soaking up some of those wonderful rays that provide Vitamin D to their muscles and bones. They are now filled with energy and hope for tomorrow. How awesome that God provided these benefits for us as the fall and winter seasons roll by into full blown summer!

We are cleaning house; putting away winter clothing; quilts; comforters; heaters; raking yards; cleaning the guttering (once again); dusting; emptying closets; cleaning out cabinets and drawers.....getting ready for celebrating life with a little less baggage to carry.

These wonderful experiences also should apply to our spiritual life, our walk with God. From time to time we need to take inventory of our journey and make sure that all the old baggage, the hurts, dissappointments, the losses, we have experienced have added to our life joy, faith, and longsuffering/patience. That those things which were meant to harm us have become the good that God meant them to be.

For it is God's plan for us to live with joy! Yes, trials will come, but because we know Him and have a relationship with Him, we can count it all joy, whatever this journey Home brings our way. When the dust settles, and we catch our breath, we can still say, ....."and yet will I trust Him!"

New and glorious events are coming our way, let's clear the deck so that we are ready and prepared to be Jesus to this world.

I pray for all of you that our God will heal you; bless your finances; heal your marriages; save your families and protect you with His mighty hand. May He cover you with the Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, and carry you through tomorrow as you reach out to touch the lives of others in His Name. May He bless every relationship you have in this world and may your relationship with Him be greater and more real to you than it has ever been. Breathe His breath, hear His heartbeat, love like Jesus. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Heal us, O Lord, and we will be healed! Save us and we shall be saved, for You are our hope today and for all eternity!

BREAK OUR HEARTS WITH WHAT BREAKS YOUR'S

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A TIME TO WEEP....

For sometime now, I have been more or less home bound because of health issues, only leaving home to keep doctor appointments or visiting the Radiology Department for tests at our local hospital.

I have not attended church since December 19 but my church family has been so loving and diligent about checking on me and making sure that I have need of nothing, especially during this winter blast that left about 40" of snow stacked up on top of each other following three rounds of the beautiful white stuff.

I have comforted myself, knowing that I am the Temple of God and the Holy Spirit dwells in me. I have found comfort in listening to the New Testament and hearing the Word come alive in my ears. I've enjoyed listening to our Pastor's sermons on our website; enjoyed Christian programing on television and participating in group, studying the Abiding Life.

I have been comforted by the postings (unrelated to my health issues)of my friends and family on Facebook and Twitter. I have been strengthened by the reminder that I am the healed of God and that by His stripes I am healed. Reminded that I am loved and missed and not forgotten.

I have missed being with my church family to worship Him together and to hear His Word expounded upon, but did not have a sense of loss somehow. But today, I wept. Today, even though He is as close as my breath, I have grieved for the fellowship that is my church family. I need them more than they know and more than I have ever realized, not because of illness, but because of a new awareness of the impact that the fellowship of love has on my life (our life).

My challenges will be resolved one day. but God has used this time to let me experience how those who are not able to be with us any longer, need our fellowship and love.

Jesus told us to love one another, as He has loved us. We have been instructed not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but even more so when we see that day approaching. God knew that we would need each other. He knew that we needed that strong bond of fellowship that would hold us up when we could not hold ourselves up. He knew how important it was going to be for us to know one another and trust one another, as the days of testing approach.

If we don't know one another now, if we can't trust one another now, if we don't love one another now, what will the outcome be when the fiery darts of testing come?

It would seem that these kinds of transitions are going to come to most of us if we live long enough and the Lord tarries. Some are home bound for extended periods of time, perhaps until God calls them home. We need to remember them. Understand that they are in a transition time and bring that fellowship of the brotherhood to them. It's not over yet. They still need that strength and encouragement that comes from regular fellowship with other believers.

My Pastor and his wife have pastored this church for over 30 years, and they continue ministering to those who can no longer attend services. We need to do the same.

Weep for those who are no longer able to be with you in service and bring that service to them. Love them and fellowship them in the place where they are and hold them up in your prayers.

Be Jesus to someone who needs that love that only comes from the Giver of Life.