Love – Salt and Light Ministries

May 5, 2020

O HOW I LOVE JESUS

SCRIPTURE TEXT: We love because He first loved us” –1 John 4:19

There is a Name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ear, The sweetest Name on earth

Refrain: O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

It tells me of a a Savior’s love, Who died to set me free; It tells me of His precious blood.
The sinner’s perfect plea

It tells me of a Father’s smile Beaming upon His child;
It cheers me through this little while, Through desert, waste, and wild

It tells of one whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe;
Who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below

Fredrick Whitefield wrote this hymn in 1855 while he was still a student at Trinity College. He was born and brought up in England. He graduated from Trinity College in Dublin. He studied ministry and was ordained in the Church of England. In less than ten years after its printing, the hymn began to appear in hymnals in America. The refrain is not part of Whitfield’s original hymn, but was later added by some unknown person. The tune used here is typically of camp meetings songs that emerged in America in the early 19th century.

The moment we choose to love, we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love, we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as a practice of freedom.

There is no discrimination in His love. This gift of love is available to every single person, including those in the world who are most despicable. The love and forgiveness of God is open and available to anyone who will freely accept the gift of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). That makes this gift so utterly great and astounding. We don’t deserve it. Neither the best among us or the worst among us deserve the love that God has freely given to us.

But God has given us that love anyway. It is given freely to all. We also have been instructed to love one another in the same way Christ loves the church.

Prayer point: We must seek God’s help in identifying our talents at early stages in life like the author of this hymn, Fredrick Whitfield.

STAY BLESSED
SOURCE: INSPIRING STORIES BEHIND OUR BEST-LOVED HYMNS

February 17, 2020

LOVE, THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

SINCERE LOVE

Scripture

“Love must be sincere.” – Romans 12:9

Message

Although we may doubt the sincerity of people’s love, we need never doubt the sincerity of God’s love for us. Love compelled Him to come to this world in the person of Jesus Christ and suffer and die on our behalf.

It was love that gave Him the victory over death and made Him ascend to heaven where He intercedes for us. It was love that urged Him to forgive our sins and offer us the gift of His Holy Spirit.

This world will never know any love greater than that of Jesus Christ. He gave us the example of sincere love and urges us to love as He loved.

Prayer

God of love, please help me to never lose sight of the greatness of Your love for me, no matter what happens in my life. Amen.

STAY BLESSED

SOURCE: Culled from Grace for Each Moment Devotional.

February 19, 2019

A REASON TO LIVE

“Because I live, you also will live” – John 14:19

Despite how gloomy the future seems sometimes, it is important to remember that your life and future are in the hands of God. The Christian’s fate is not ruled by blind fate; God is in control of every situation in which you find yourself. He knows your needs and is always able to provide for you.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus not only gave you life but also a reason to live. Through His Holy Spirit, He provides you with the skills to cope with life. Choose life and live it in the abundance of Jesus Christ, giving Him the glory.

Faithful Lord, in the midst of change and corruption that occurs daily, I know that Jesus lives and that He has made it worthwhile for me to be alive too. Amen.

January 2, 2019

MAINTAINING CHURCH UNITY

Philippians 2:1-2

Churches all around the world experience brokenness. Christians are divided over a whole range of things, such as whether the service should be contemporary or traditional. Paul points out that unity is crucial to achieving our purpose. So how is that possible when a disagreement arises?

It all depends on what the difference of opinion is about. The fundamental tenets of the faith (for example, that Jesus is the Son of God, who died for our sins and rose again) are not negotiable. However, if the dispute has to do with a nonessential issue—such as a hair-splitting interpretation of doctrine—some prayerful discussion in love is acceptable, but believers should not let it cause division. In cases like this, a consensus is likely to leave some people disappointed with the results. Yet both sides should be willing to accept differences without strife.

Years ago, I was at a rural Southern church whose congregation was divided into obvious sides. The factions were essentially separate churches. Instead of addressing lots of fringe issues, I simply began to preach the Word. Over time, people who hadn’t talked to one another in years began to unite. Why? The church is the body of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:24), so He can bring us together.

People selfishly believe their preferences are better than others’ opinions, and in human strength, there’s nothing we can do to mend our differences. But it pleases God when we sacrifice our desires for the greater good of a unified church. And obedience ultimately gives greater joy than getting our way.

Bible in One Year: John 12-13

STAY BLESSED
SOURCE: Culled from In Touch Ministries

November 16, 2018November 16, 2018

LOVE ANYWAY

“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?”

— Matthew 5:46

Let’s be honest. Sometimes we just don’t see eye to eye with some people in our lives. Showing them love can be quite a challenge, especially when these people are difficult, different, or don’t always show appreciation. But learning to love them anyway is a step closer to understanding the kind of love God has for us.

Have you ever thought about how out of balance our love relationship with God is? He first loved us, the Bible says (1 John 4:19). He made the first move and took the first step. By His grace, He sent Jesus for us to receive by faith. Our love in return, even on our best days, pales in comparison to that kind of love. Yet He loves us anyway. He doesn’t give up on us when we don’t give it back or show appreciation.

In Christ, God loves us anyway.

As we begin to grasp just how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ really is (Ephesians 3:18), we move closer to being able to love others in the same way God loves us. As we receive God’s love and grow in His truth, God is producing in us a love that has the power to love anyway. And that kind of love is the greatest mark we can leave on the world!

So who is God calling you to love anyway? A friend who is difficult or different? A grumpy family member? A coworker who never seems to appreciate your efforts? Maybe it’s your kids. As moms, we seem to always be giving and not necessarily getting much back in return.

Wherever we find hard-to-love people, may we open our hearts wide to receive God’s love, and then may we be quick to share His love. May He empower us to love anyway!

Lord, I praise You for loving me first. Thank You for not giving up on me, even when I didn’t love You back. Thank You for being patient, kind, and gentle. Pour Your love into my heart through Your Holy Spirit. Change me, and give me the power to love anyway. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Are there people around you right now whom you need to learn to love?

What is one way you can love anyway right now?

STAY BLESSED

SOURCE: Culled from In Faith Gateway

September 7, 2018

TODAY IS YOUR BEST DAY BECAUSE OF FAITH: WALK BY FAITH

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’. ROMANS 1:17 KJV

There are two ways that we can walk through a day. One is to walk by sight and the other is to walk by faith. If we walk by sight we can easily become discouraged, disappointed, and downhearted. To walk by sight means to evaluate our day by what we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, and know in our minds. To walk by sight means to allow the “reality” around us to impact our thoughts, our motivation, and our emotions.

To walk by faith means to walk in a different kind of reality. The Bible tells us that there are two realities (II Corinthians 4:17–18). One reality is what is seen; the other reality is what is unseen. There are two realities because there are two worlds. One is the physical world; the other is the spiritual world. The physical world is the temporary world; the spiritual world is the eternal world.

As you walk through this day in both worlds, God wants you to live by faith and not by sight.

Faith sees what your physical eyes can never see;

Faith knows what your natural mind can never comprehend;

Faith possesses what your physical arms can never hold.

Faith says “yes” to everything God declares to be true;

Faith stands upon everything God says is certain, it leans upon everything God says is unmovable, and it counts upon everything God says will come to pass.

He shall strengthen your heart. Psalm 31:24 NKJV

STAY BLESSED

SOURCE: Culled from Dayspring Devotionals.