Amen!!!

Okay, so quick update: Jonathan is now out of the hospital and back at his apartment. And apparently he's going to be going back to classes starting tomorrow!! Dude's a trooper, that's for sure.

So it seems the big conversation-starter of late is the subject of love. The way we show love for each other--disciples and non-disciples. God's love in general, God's love for each of us, Christ's love on the Cross...the list just keeps expanding. And honestly, it's a good thing to touch on. Because as humans, we are born with the deep, innate, almost primal need to be loved, and to love. Whether it be in the form of a person or even an object, we all search for love in something. And with Valentine's day having just passed, the focus on relationships and what they mean for people is intensified. Those with boyfriends or girlfriends are appreciative of their significant other, and choose this time of year to show this appreciation in the best way they know how. The single people of this world are a little more on the lonely side of the playing field--they see the couples around them loving each other, and openly showing that love, and they want someone to love them like that; they want to love someone like that.

Well amen. There IS someone who loves you like that, whether you're single or taken. He loves you so much, he's even made the decision to die for you. You were sentenced to a fate that means you would have to be tortured for eternity--try to imagine that--and this person loves you so much, he decided to die so you wouldn't have to go through all that. He took all the blame, and all the wrong things you've done or been, and was tortured, so you would have a chance at life.
His name is Jesus Christ. And he wants you to know him, he wants you to know what he did for you. He wants you to live for him, since he died for you. He can guarantee you life--more than you could ever imagine now--and prosperity in life, and all you have to do is make the decision to live for him, and then follow him with all your heart--make him the Lord of your life--the most important thing you will ever live for.

If that's not love, please tell me what is. And in coming to die for you, he decided to impart some knowledge before he left, so you can get the most out of this decision to live for him. And the second greatest commandment he gave while walking on this earth was to love your neighbor as yourself. Show others you love them, just as Jesus loved you. Be an example for Christ. Love him with all your heart, and love others around you to show that you reflect the love that he was able to show to you.

There is also a model, of sorts, to let you in on how you can truly love others. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Think on that a little bit. Let love guide your actions. Let it be who you are. You will get along with more people--a lot less arguing will be involved, lemme tell you.
At bible talk today at CPCC, Harmony brought up this perfect example. Be Love, as you go throughout the day. Not loving, but rather Love. Personify this perfect example of God's reason for creating us. A lot more will be accomplished, and you will find not only your life improving, but also the lives of those around you. Try it, see what happens :D

Here's a few love scriptures:
John 13:34--A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 3:16--For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life.

1 John 3:1--How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

1 John 2:10--Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.

Galatians 5:6--The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 5:13--...serve one another in love.

John 14:21--Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.


I love you guys--lemme know what you think.