We Love Because God Loves Us

By Rick Warren

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)

The reason God wants us to love is because he is love, and he created us to be like him – to love. The only reason we’re able to love is because God loves us: “Love comes from God … because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8 NIV).

We were created in God’s image to do two things on earth: Learn to love God and learn to love other people; life is all about love.

But love all started with God. He loved us first and that gives us the ability to love others (1 John 4:19). The only reason you can love God or love anybody else is because God first loved you. And he showed that love by sending Jesus Christ to earth to die for you. He showed that love

In order to love others and to become great lovers, we first need to understand and feel how much God loves us. We don’t want to just talk about love, read about love, or discuss about love; our need is to experience the love of God.

We need to reach a day when we finally, fully understand how God loves us completely and unconditionally. We need to become secure in the truth that we cannot make God stop loving us.

Once we’re secure inside God’s unconditional love, we’ll start cutting people a lot of slack. We won’t be as angry as we’ve been. We’ll be more patient. We’ll be more forgiving. We’ll be more merciful. We’ll give others grace.

But you cannot give to others what you have not received yourself, and so my hope is that, as you learn how much God loves you, you’ll also let him heal your heart so that his love can flow freely through you. It’s impossible to love others until you really feel loved yourself.

Seven Types of Actions

By Late. Rev. Elisha James

Many are human offences and sins

Amos 5:12  

For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

All kinds of human trials

1 Peter 1:6

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

His return is to make God known

Ephesians 3:9-10  

9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

Many are the works of God

Psalms 104:24  

How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

God has great compassion

Nehemiah 9:27  

So you handed them over to their enemies, who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.

God’s grace in its various forms

1 Peter 4:10  

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Many kinds of reward for human beings

Luke 18:30  

Will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.”

Saved by Faith

Saved by Faith

“The important thing is faith—the kind of faith that works through love.”  Galatians 5:6

Symbols are important. Some of them, like communion and baptism, illustrate the cross of Christ. They symbolize salvation . . . but they do not impart salvation.

Putting your trust in a symbol is like claiming to be a sailor because you have a tattoo . . .

Our God . . . saves us, not because we trust in a symbol, but because we trust in a Savior.

A Blessing of Anticipation

In everything you do today may your spirit be one of eager expectation and patient trust. Eagerly expect your Father to return any minute, but patiently trust him to do what is right.

“Our homeland is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven.” Philippians 3:20

Be strong

Be strong and courageous

Joshua 1:6 

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swear unto their fathers to give them.

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to be please ourselves

Deuteronomy 31:6 

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Time to Celebrate

 “He will destroy death forever.” Isaiah 25:8

Jesus explained that the river of death was nothing to fear. The people wouldn’t believe him. He touched a boy and called him back to life . . . He let a dead man spend four days in a grave and then called him out. Is that enough? Apparently not. For it was necessary for him to . . . submerge himself in the water of death before people would believe that death had been conquered.

After he . . . came out on the other side of death’s river . . . it was time to celebrate.

Using the Common

“When Moses reached out and took hold of the snake, it again became a stick in his hand.” – Exodus 4:4

Just as Moses’ hand touched the squirmy scales of the snake, it hardened. And Moses lifted up the rod . . . The same rod he would lift up to divide the water and guide two million people through a desert. The rod that would remind Moses that if God can make a stick become a snake, then become a stick again—then perhaps he can do something with stubborn hearts and a stiff-necked people.

Perhaps be he can do something with the common.

Evangelism:

"How many Christians there are who cannot pray, and who seek by effort, resolve, joining prayer circles, etc., to cultivate in themselves the "holy art of intercession," and all to no purpose. Here for them and for all is the only secret of a real prayer life-"Be filled with the Spirit," who is "the Spirit of grace and supplication." - J. Stuart Holden

Life Together: A Shared Life.

By Rick Warren

"How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God's people to live together in harmony!" (Psalm 133:1)

God intends for us to experience life together. The Bible calls this shared experience “fellowship.”

Today, however, the word has lost most of its biblical meaning. Fellowship now usually refers to casual conversation, socializing, food, and fund.

The question, "Where do you fellowship?" means "Where do you attend church?" "Stay after for fellowship" usually means "Wait for refreshments."

Real fellowship is so much more than just showing up at services. It is experiencing life together. It includes unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrificial giving, sympathetic comforting, and all the other "one another" commands found in the New Testament.

When it comes to fellowship, size matters: smaller is better. You can worship with a crowd, but you can't fellowship with one.

Once a group becomes larger than about ten people, someone stops participating—usually the quietest person—and a few people will dominate the group.

Jesus ministered in the context of a small group of disciples. He could have chosen more, but he knew twelve is about the maximum size you can have in a small group if everyone is to participate.

The body of Christ, like your own body, is really a collection of many small cells. The life of the body of Christ, like your body, is contained in the cells.

For this reason, every Christian needs to be involved in a small group within their church, whether is it a home fellowship group, a Sunday school class, or a Bible study. This is where real community takes place, not in the big gatherings.

Theme: Commitment

The Lenten Season

Theme: Commitment

By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel E James

Read: Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:16-21

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the supreme example of commitment. He manifests what a committed life ought to be. He went to the Synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath day as His custom was and read the Scriptures from Prophet Isaiah 61:1,2: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:16-19).

The life of Jesus was a life of commitment to God and His work. From His childhood He was in the habit of worshiping God, reading the Scriptures and praying. We too should develop the habit of going to church regularly on Sundays for worship. Jesus came into the world to seek and save the lost. We too should be concerned to witness and help those in need of salvation. We have divine sources and the grace of God to draw upon to sustain us in our committed efforts for the Lord. Jesus begins by saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me”. Jesus was anointed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Are we filled with the Holy Spirit has the power to help us, strengthen us and sustain us, lead us and guide us.  How much we need this power?

Just as Jesus, we are anointed “to preach good news to the poor”. Since “all have sinned ad come short of the glory of the Lord” (Rom. 3:23), they need the good news of salvation that Jesus is the Savior and only He can forgive our sins. There are always those who are financially poor, others are “poor in Spirit”. He proclaimed freedom to the captives and prisoners. We are all captives and prisoners of the devil and sin. Only Jesus can deliver us from the clutches of the devil and sin. For those who are spiritually blind and cannot see God because of the sin and guilt in their lives, Jesus will cleanse and help to see. He stated, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matt. 5:8). How wonderful is the good news! Jesus releases us from all oppression. We are privileged to live in these days of grace. This is the “acceptable year of the Lord” for each soul.

After completing His committed ministry, Jesus faces the greatest trial in the garden of Gethsemane.  There He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt 26:39). He had to drink the bitter cup of insults, beating, pain, and suffering. But He was committed to complete the task for which He came to the world. He fought the devil and suffered bravely and finally cries out, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46). How committed is your life and mine when we compare it to that of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, what a great and exemplary committed life you lived on this earth. I want to follow your example and follow you in Your footsteps. I commit myself to you. Bless me and use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Pride is associated with failure.

Pride is associated with failure.

In almost every instance in the Bible, as well as in life, pride is associated with failure, not success. We hear a great deal about the inferiority complex, but the superiority complex of pride is seldom spoken of. It was pride that caused the fall of Lucifer, and he became Satan, the devil. It was pride that led King Saul down to a shameful and untimely death. It was pride that caused Peter to deny his Lord.

The greatest act of humility in the history of the universe was when Jesus Christ stooped to die on the cross of Calvary. And before any man can get to heaven, he must kneel at the foot of the cross and acknowledge that he is a sinner, that he has broken the Ten Commandments of God, and that he needs the grace of God in Christ. No man can come proudly to the Savior     …Billy Graham.

Above the crowd.

When the steeple of a local church caught fire after being struck by lightning, firefighters had a difficult time putting out the blaze. The crew had to haul heavy hoses up three flights of stairs to save the structure, which was described as tall, windowless and empty.

I know some people who fit the description of that steeple. They are “tall” in the sense that they set themselves above others. They are “windowless” in that they never let anyone see inside. And they are “empty” because they never allow anything to get inside.

Whenever we set ourselves above and apart from others, we become spiritual firetraps, and one small spark can ignite a devastating blaze. Pride is particularly dangerous because Satan disguises it as good and makes us think we don’t need God. Pride keeps many “good” people from entering heaven. And some who accomplish great miracles in Jesus’ name will one day hear Him say, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). But others who humble themselves will become “the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”.

We have the opportunity to learn the truth that Satan does not want us to believe: True godliness is achieved not by elevating ourselves but by lowering ourselves.     …Julie A Link.

Set Apart and Appointed

By Jon Walker

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." (Jeremiah 1:5)

Of all my teachers in school, the most influential was Judy Black, my English teacher at Miami Killian High School. Because of Judy, I can still recite the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet; I know the significance of Xanadu; and I know one of the things that attracted me to my wife is that she looked like she’d just stepped out of a Pre-Raphaelite painting.

But the greatest gift Judy gave me was the confidence that I was shaped to be a writer. She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. For years, when few people read what I wrote, she encouraged me. She still writes to me regularly, asking me to report on the progress of my novel (25 years in the making – someday, Judy).

In Jeremiah 1:5, we’re taught that God created Jeremiah to share the Creator’s message with the nations. I believe God shaped (appointed) Judy Black to share her enthusiasm for English and literature with public high school students like me. I now believe God shaped me to share my writing with othe

rs (thank you, Judy); and I believe God created you to share yourself with those around you.

We are all diminished if you hide yourself under a bushel, keeping your skills, your talents, your insights, your joy, and your pain hidden from others. God wants you to share yourself; he created you with a uniqueness that enriches the world when you give yourself to the community around you.

Ask God why He created you and what you’re supposed to give away. Whose life will you influence by giving your time and talent? Maybe you’re a great singer, or a great cook, or a great mechanic, or a great teacher. Whatever gift God has given you, he gave it to you to give away in service to him.

So what?

• God gave you life; now give – You were created to share your life and talents with the community around you. Whatever gifts God gave you, he gave them to you so you could give them in service to him.

• Find a way to share – What is your talent? What is your passion? Whatever it is, ask God to show you ways to share it with others. Tell God you want to be used by him to bless those around you, and then begin to actively watch for the doors he opens.

• Say thanks to one who shared – No doubt someone in your life was influential to you, just as Judy was influential to me. Maybe you haven’t seen or heard from that person in years or maybe that person lives in the same house as you. Regardless, talk/call/write/visit that person and say thank you – “Thank you for what you shared and for the way you so deeply influenced my life.”

Praise

Give you fame and praise

Zephaniah 3:20  

At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the LORD.

You have perfected praise

Matthew 21:16  

“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?”

Of men more than the praise

John 12:43  

For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Praise is not from men but..

Romans 2:29  

No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

Then each one’s praise

1 Corinthians 4:5  

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

The brother whose praise

2 Corinthians 8:18  

And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.

Should be to the praise

Ephesians 1:12

In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

To the glory and praise

Philippians 1:11  

Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

I will sing praise to you

Hebrews 2:12  

He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”

The sacrifice of praise

Hebrews 13:15  

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.

And for the praise of those..

1 Peter 2:14  

Or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

Saying praise our God

Revelation 19:5  

Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”

Some Facts about Fruit

By Rick Warren

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

One of my fondest memories of growing up is my father’s garden. It seemed my dad grew everything in his garden. In fact, he always grew enough to feed the entire neighborhood. Whenever people would stop by our home for a visit, they’d usually leave with a sack full of fresh vegetables and luscious fruit.

The kind of fruit my father grew is just one kind of fruit – natural fruit. There is also biological fruit, the offspring of animals and the children of people.

Then there is spiritual fruit, and that’s what God is talking about in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (NIV)

The question is: How do we develop these character qualities? Obviously, God doesn’t just zap us one day and suddenly these qualities materialize in our lives. He uses a process that involves a partnership with us and also the time to grow.

It requires partnership. The apostle Paul describes this partnership in Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV), where he says “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” but then he also says, “For it is God who works in you ….”

It’s important to note that Paul doesn’t say, “

Work for your salvation.” The Bible clearly teaches we don’t have to work for our salvation. It is a free gift of God’s grace.

In a sense, Paul is talking about a spiritual workout, just like when you physically work out to develop or tone muscles. We’re to make the most of what we’ve been given. God provides the power for our spiritual growth, but we must flip the switch.

It requires time. It takes time for fruit to ripen, and in the same way, there’s no such thing as instant spiritual maturity. When you try to rush fruit, it doesn’t taste as good. If you’ve ever eaten tomatoes that have been artificially ripened to speed up the process, then you know there’s no comparing them to the wonderful taste of naturally, vine-ripened tomatoes. It takes time for fruit to ripen, and it takes time for spiritual fruit to ripen in your life.

You can begin by telling God right now that you want to be a productive, fruitful disciple, one who cooperates with his plan.

Ask God to use his Word to change the way you think. Invite the Holy Spirit to have free rein in your life. Don’t hold anything back. Ask God to help you respond to difficult people and unpleasant situations just as Jesus would. God wants to produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life, so partner with God on your spiritual growth and watch what develops over time.

Theme: Faithfulness

The Lenten Season

Theme: Faithfulness

By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel E James

Read: Matt. 25:14-30

It has been said, God does not ask us to be successful but to be faithful.”  It is a great thing to be faithful. It is appreciated by people as well as God. In the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30) Christ's faithful servants acknowledge with thankfulness what the Lord had given them. They had kept a correct account of what they received from God. We too should remember what we have received, that we may know what is expected from us, and may render account when called for. “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Cor 4:2). We must remember God's favor to us, of the honour he has put upon us in entrusting us with His gifts and talents. The more we do for God, the more we are indebted to him for making use of us, and enabling us, for his service.

They produced the evidence of their faithfulness, of what they had gained. As God's good stewards we should have something to show for our diligence. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13-14). We see that two of them gave their account cheerfully. God sees our faithfulness not our usefulness, our sincerity not our success; according to the uprightness of our hearts, not according to the degree of our opportunities. The one unfaithful servant was punished.

The Lord accepted their account and commended them: “Well done, good and faithful servant”. Note that God will own and honor those who own and honor Him now. All their work and labor of love is rewarded. The joy of the Lord is the joy which He Himself has purchased and provided for us. The joy of the redeemed bought with the suffering and sorrow of our Redeemer. It is the joy of which He Himself is the fountain and center. It is the joy of our Lord Who is our exceeding joy. Glorified saints shall enter into this joy, shall have a full and complete possession of it. God has promised reward to us at His appointed time.  “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10).

What an encouragement to us? What an incentive for us? Let us examine ourselves and see how faithful we have been to our Lord in all the things He has entrusted to us. One day we are going to give an account for it and will be commended and rewarded.

Prayer:

 Dear Lord Jesus, when I examine myself, I find that I have failed You. I have not been faithful. I am found wanting. I need Your help. Please have mercy upon me. Help me to be faithful to You and serve You willingly and courageously. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Conditions of Answered Prayer.

Have unlimited faith without qualifying and limiting God’s will or what you want:

Matthew 17:20  

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Mark 9:23  

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

John 15:7  

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

John 15:16 

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Refuse to doubt in heart:

James 1:5-8  

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Believe that whatever is asked is already granted:

1 John 5:14-15 

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Hope for Real Relationships When Disappointed

By Tom Holladay

“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

"When we get to heaven, there will be no more disappointment or pain. Until then, you can choose to keep loving."

(Tom Holladay is a teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of The Relationship Principles of Jesus.)

If there is any high and low that is greater than any other, it is the high and low of relationships. You can experience the high of joy and the low of disappointment sometimes within minutes of each other.

When you find yourself struggling with each other’s faults, go to God with your disappointments.

Disappointments come into relationships because none of us are perfect. We have an idealized view of love, relationships, and marriage, and when reality doesn’t match up to this picture it leaves us disappointed.

We will never have the perfect wedding or the perfect marriage or the perfect family because we are imperfect, sinful people. The idea that two imperfect, sinful people can come together and have a perfect relationship is unrealistic. You need to adjust your expectations.

One of the reasons we are often disappointed in our relationships is because we’re asking another human being to meet needs that only God can meet. Another human being can’t promise you that they will always be with you or that they won’t fail you. Only God can meet those promises. He tells us in his Word, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5 NIV).

When we get to heaven, there will be no more disappointment or pain. Until then, you can choose to keep loving. As 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (NLT).

Where were they?

Friends, one of the most tragic scenes in all of Scriptures is one that took place later that week in Jesus’ life. He was arrested at midnight on Thursday, and during the early hours of Friday morning, He was placed on trial. Not one person stepped up to testify to what Jesus had done for him or her. He faced many accusers who blamed Him for treason, treachery, and tax evasion, but where was the blind man who was given sight? Where was the leper who had been cleansed? Where was the adulterous woman who had been forgiven? Where was the demoniac who had been set free? Where was Jairus’s daughter who had been raised from the dead, or Peter’s mother-in-law who had been relieved of a fever? Where was the paraplegic who now walked? Where those lives were had touched and transformed by the power and love of Jesus?

Where were they? They weren’t there! Maybe it was too early in the morning. Maybe it wasn’t convenient for them to come. Maybe they were just too tired to make the effort. Maybe they were afraid of what others would say. Surely they hadn’t forgotten.

Whatever the reason was, they remained silent when they should have spoken out. They missed the opportunity of a lifetime—even if it would have made no difference whatsoever in the official outcome of the trials—to praise Jesus for what He had done as He went to the cross for them. Don’t be silent. Not one more minute. Praise Him for what He has done for you.

Friends, surely you have received so many blessings from Him, have you forgotten them? If so, what a tragic situation would be in your spiritual life! We observe here everyone from the Scripture were forgotten Him, He was all alone in front of the Pilate. Even today it is happening the same with our Lord. Today, right now, let us stand by Him, let us speak out and let us Praise Him for what he has done for me and to us. Lord is watching us…

His Loneliness Heals Our Loneliness:

Even though great crowds surrounded Jesus at times, he was alone. And even at the end of his life, he was alone: “All the disciples forsook him, and fled” (Matthew 26:56). The crowds who had that very week shouted, “Hosanna,” now began to shout, “Crucify him, and crucify him!” He was alone (Matthew 21:9; Luke 23:21).

At last he cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) Christ, hanging on the cross, was the loneliest person who has ever lived. Why? Because he was bearing your sins and my sins on that cross, and God cannot look upon sin. Jesus was enduring for you and for me the nightmare of our judgment. That’s how much he loves us…

Through his death Christ dealt with the primary cause of human loneliness: separation from God. From the cross he reaches out to you and to me…

You never have to be lonely again. An experience with Christ can fill the void and emptiness of your life, and give you something worth living for. Do you know Christ?

…Billy Graham