Good afternoon sisters and brothers,
Today's reading and the verses we'll get the next couple of days are a wonderful summary of the good news. God loves us, and loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus to save us from our sins. We can wonder and debate all day what it means for Jesus to be the "atoning sacrifice for our sins," but I think it's more helpful to think about what that reveals about the amazing depth of God's love. When we really believe God loves us that much, it becomes much easier to love others.
God bless,
Sam
1 John 4:7-16
7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.
10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
14And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
Showing posts with label loving others. Show all posts
Showing posts with label loving others. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Sunday, July 28, 2013
using our opportunities
Good afternoon friends,
I hope your weekend has been wonderful. Despite being a bit wet, the camping trip was lots of fun. As always, teamwork and community make for a great trip even with less than perfect weather. In our reading for today, Paul reflects on being in prison for the sake of the gospel. He says that even his imprisonment has helped spread the gospel. For one thing, being in prison has given him the opportunity to share his faith with his jailers and other prisoners. It has also allowed people to see how deeply he loves Christ, which might also draw people to salvation.
I find Paul's devotion inspiring. He doesn't get everything right, but he sees everything he does as part of his faith. That's an invitation for us as well. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you have the opportunity to share God's love with others.
God bless,
Sam
Philippians 1:12-21
12 I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, 13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; 14and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.
15 Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 16These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; 17the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. 18What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will result in my deliverance. 20It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.
I hope your weekend has been wonderful. Despite being a bit wet, the camping trip was lots of fun. As always, teamwork and community make for a great trip even with less than perfect weather. In our reading for today, Paul reflects on being in prison for the sake of the gospel. He says that even his imprisonment has helped spread the gospel. For one thing, being in prison has given him the opportunity to share his faith with his jailers and other prisoners. It has also allowed people to see how deeply he loves Christ, which might also draw people to salvation.
I find Paul's devotion inspiring. He doesn't get everything right, but he sees everything he does as part of his faith. That's an invitation for us as well. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you have the opportunity to share God's love with others.
God bless,
Sam
Philippians 1:12-21
12 I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, 13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; 14and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.
15 Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 16These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; 17the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. 18What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will result in my deliverance. 20It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
forgiven and forgiving
Good afternoon friends,
Today's reading is one of my two favorite passages about forgiveness (the other one is tomorrow's reading, and both will be our worship texts for tomorrow). Peter asks Jesus if he should forgive another brother or sister in the church as many as seven times when they sin against him. The way he asks the question, he seems to think forgiving seven times is a stretch, and sometimes it is. Jesus pushes him further (what a surprise) and illustrates the point with a story about God's forgiveness for us. When we ask God's forgiveness, God is immediately willing to forgive. God also expects us to treat others the same way. Jesus warns us not to expect to be forgiven if we clutch our grudges against others to our chest. Challenging words, but also a beautiful invitation to lay down the burden of self-condemnation, because Jesus welcomes us home.
God bless,
Sam
Today's reading is one of my two favorite passages about forgiveness (the other one is tomorrow's reading, and both will be our worship texts for tomorrow). Peter asks Jesus if he should forgive another brother or sister in the church as many as seven times when they sin against him. The way he asks the question, he seems to think forgiving seven times is a stretch, and sometimes it is. Jesus pushes him further (what a surprise) and illustrates the point with a story about God's forgiveness for us. When we ask God's forgiveness, God is immediately willing to forgive. God also expects us to treat others the same way. Jesus warns us not to expect to be forgiven if we clutch our grudges against others to our chest. Challenging words, but also a beautiful invitation to lay down the burden of self-condemnation, because Jesus welcomes us home.
God bless,
Sam
Matthew 18:21-35
21Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if
another member of the church sins against me,
how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus
said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
23“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be
compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When
he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to
him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold,
together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be
made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have
patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity
for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt.
28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon
one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the
throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29Then his fellow slave fell
down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30But
he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt.
31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly
distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place.
32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You
wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should
you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And
in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire
debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if
you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
God is love
Good morning sisters and brothers,
Tomorrow we'll be back at the Boulevard at 8:30pm for a discussion on asking big questions when you don't know the answers. Last week we had an engaging and wide ranging discussion talking about community, scripture and life experience.
In a recent survey of non-church goers who were asked to give the first word that came to mind when they thought about Christians, some of the most common responses were: judgmental, hypocritical and close-minded. While those traits might describe some of the loudest public voices in Christianity, John makes it clear that they are not traits of faithful Christians. He says love is the point of our faith. God loves us so deeply and sacrificially in Christ that our first calling is to love others in the same spirit. If we truly follow that, we'll be on the right path.
God bless,
Sam
Tomorrow we'll be back at the Boulevard at 8:30pm for a discussion on asking big questions when you don't know the answers. Last week we had an engaging and wide ranging discussion talking about community, scripture and life experience.
In a recent survey of non-church goers who were asked to give the first word that came to mind when they thought about Christians, some of the most common responses were: judgmental, hypocritical and close-minded. While those traits might describe some of the loudest public voices in Christianity, John makes it clear that they are not traits of faithful Christians. He says love is the point of our faith. God loves us so deeply and sacrificially in Christ that our first calling is to love others in the same spirit. If we truly follow that, we'll be on the right path.
God bless,
Sam
1
John 4:7-21
7Beloved, let
us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of
God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God
is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his
only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this
is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the
atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11Beloved,
since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No
one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is
perfected in us. 13By this we know that we abide in him and he in
us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14And we have seen and do
testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15God
abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in
God. 16So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
17Love has been
perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment,
because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There 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. 19We love because
he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their
brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister
whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The
commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their
brothers and sisters also.
Monday, February 27, 2012
walking in the light
Good morning friends,
Today's reading overlaps with one from last week from First John and continues his thought about putting our faith into practice. John also reflects on sin and forgiveness through Jesus. When we accept Jesus it changes out lives. We won't become perfect, but we will strive to do the right thing because we seek to follow where Jesus leads.
I pray you would be blessed in your discipleship today,
Sam
1 John 2:4-11
4Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; 5but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: 6whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked.
7Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. 11But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.
Today's reading overlaps with one from last week from First John and continues his thought about putting our faith into practice. John also reflects on sin and forgiveness through Jesus. When we accept Jesus it changes out lives. We won't become perfect, but we will strive to do the right thing because we seek to follow where Jesus leads.
I pray you would be blessed in your discipleship today,
Sam
1 John 2:4-11
4Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; 5but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: 6whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked.
7Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. 11But whoever hates another believer is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness.
Monday, January 23, 2012
perfect love casts out fear
Good morning friends,
First, I'd like to ask you to keep our secretary Maria Bennett's father in prayer for God's healing touch. He's at Rochester General with pneumonia and needs God's care. Please also keep his wife, Ginny, and the whole family in prayer.
Our reading from 1 John tells us that God is love and the only way we know God is through love. God allows us to love by loving us. We respond by loving God, but even more, by loving other people. How we treat others is the test for whether we truly love God. When we really do love God and others, and we know that God loves us, fear will vanish because we know that love wins.
Blessings on your love today,
Sam
First, I'd like to ask you to keep our secretary Maria Bennett's father in prayer for God's healing touch. He's at Rochester General with pneumonia and needs God's care. Please also keep his wife, Ginny, and the whole family in prayer.
Our reading from 1 John tells us that God is love and the only way we know God is through love. God allows us to love by loving us. We respond by loving God, but even more, by loving other people. How we treat others is the test for whether we truly love God. When we really do love God and others, and we know that God loves us, fear will vanish because we know that love wins.
Blessings on your love today,
Sam
1 John 4:7-21
7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
14And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
17Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There 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. 19We love because he first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Christ's love and our love
Good afternoon brothers and sisters,
Today's reading comes from John's first letter. We don't spend a lot of time in John's letters, but they are very rewarding and present a somewhat different perspective from Paul. In this reading John makes the point that we know love by how Jesus loved us. That love is what saves us, not our actions. But when Christ's love makes us right with God, we naturally respond by loving others. So if we don't find ourselves driven to help others, we should pause and reflect on why. Further, love is about real actions, not just pretty words. Our calling is to live love in the world.
Blessings as you follow you calling today,
Sam
Today's reading comes from John's first letter. We don't spend a lot of time in John's letters, but they are very rewarding and present a somewhat different perspective from Paul. In this reading John makes the point that we know love by how Jesus loved us. That love is what saves us, not our actions. But when Christ's love makes us right with God, we naturally respond by loving others. So if we don't find ourselves driven to help others, we should pause and reflect on why. Further, love is about real actions, not just pretty words. Our calling is to live love in the world.
Blessings as you follow you calling today,
Sam
1 John 3:14-19
14We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them. 16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Good morning brothers and sisters,
Peter encourages his readers to be known for doing the right thing. That way whether people respect them or abuse them they will know that the Christians are full of love. He also encourages them to be ready to tell others about their hope. In other words, when we put our faith in action by doing good to everyone, people are likely to ask why we do things the way we do. People might ask why we always seem so joyful, or why little annoyances don't get to us the way they get to others, or why we're so generous.
Peter calls his readers to spend some time reflecting on our faith and how we can put it into words so when people ask, we have a good, honest answer that points them to God's love. Evangelism doesn't have to be the guy with a bullhorn in front of the Red Wings game, it can simply mean a simple answer about God's love when people ask why you get up early on a Sunday. We are called to share that love in our words and actions.
How has God blessed you? How can you put your faith into words?
God bless,
Sam
1 Peter 3:8-17
8Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. 10For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; 11let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.
Peter encourages his readers to be known for doing the right thing. That way whether people respect them or abuse them they will know that the Christians are full of love. He also encourages them to be ready to tell others about their hope. In other words, when we put our faith in action by doing good to everyone, people are likely to ask why we do things the way we do. People might ask why we always seem so joyful, or why little annoyances don't get to us the way they get to others, or why we're so generous.
Peter calls his readers to spend some time reflecting on our faith and how we can put it into words so when people ask, we have a good, honest answer that points them to God's love. Evangelism doesn't have to be the guy with a bullhorn in front of the Red Wings game, it can simply mean a simple answer about God's love when people ask why you get up early on a Sunday. We are called to share that love in our words and actions.
How has God blessed you? How can you put your faith into words?
God bless,
Sam
1 Peter 3:8-17
8Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. 10For “Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; 11let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? 14But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, 15but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; 16yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil.
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