Let’s LOVE- Advent 2
This week is the second week of Advent. Last week I lit the internet candle for HOPE, and now I light it for LOVE. So let’s love this week.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8, NIV).
What more love do we need to see than this? – Christ died for us.
I learned a few things in our sermon last Sunday (they seem to have the order different than my church in Canada. They started with LOVE.
Christmas is the middle of the story. We need to know [the whole story from] the beginning. (sermon)
The story of a baby in the manger is actually rooted in deep sorrow in the heart of God. (sermon)
So we read from Genesis 6:6 and hear the sorrow in God’s voice. Listen to the message version:
God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil—evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart. God said, “I’ll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds—the works. I’m sorry I made them.”
OH my that is sorrow. BUT, he found Noah –
But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.
And that changed everything.
Because of Noah, the earth got a reprieve.
The plan was in place for the redemption of man by Jesus.
That’s LOVE. (tweet this)
So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that (Galatians 2:20, The Message)
I had to highlight those words – My ego is no longer central. I pray for a working in that. And Christ lives in me. I know that and praise God for it. I’m learning the phrase: Let’s love.
God made us to love Him, but we have fallen short of that and replaced the love of God with the love of self. (tweet this)
Me again. I always get in the way. Do you?
I know I can’t change myself but God is doing a work in me. Praise Him. Thank You Jesus.
I’ve been reading A.W. Tozer.
The whole work of God in redemption is to undo the tragic effects of that foul revolt, and to bring us back into right and eternal relationship with Himself (Tozer, The Pursuit of God).
So here I am faced with the amazing love of God and know that I need to learn that love. The world pulls me in other places.
I need to stop and look to God and not the world. I need to be different. I need to learn, let’s love.
(tweet this)
This past week I podcasted on Hope Stream Radio about HOPE – lighting of the first Advent candle. You can listen here. I talk about being counter-cultural. And I think that comes into each of the words of Advent – hope, love, joy and peace.
Let’s be different. Let’s reach out. Let’s love this Christmas. Let’s be generous. (tweet this)
Let’s help out. Let’s smile at one another. Let’s see the 1/2 full glass.
(tweet this)
I think if we can radically love, we can be radically generous of our time and God’s money.
The question is not how much of my money I give to God, but rather how much of God’s money I keep for myself (Le Tourneau).
And then we hear about Aleppo. What can I say but pray and pray some more.
Love isn’t some impossible theory to us but the theology we’re actually called to incarnate ~Ann Voskamp
So people of the world, of all faiths, stand #WithAleppo and call on our governments to take action at an international level, including in the UN General Assembly, to provide practical support to facilitate the delivery of aid to the civilians and children of Aleppo ~ Ann Voskamp A Holy Experience
Personally I am working at “let’s love” by wearing a dress every day so I can fundraise for The Dunamis Foundation and pray for those caught in the evils of human trafficking.
I am working on “let’s love” by making dolls to go with my children’s book The Kingdom of Thrim. The money will go to Save the Mothers.
I podcasted on LOVE. You can find it at What Does The Love of God Look LIke? (tweet this)
Today is Word of God Speak
Join us with your posts about God.
Thanks for hosting, Janice!
That passage in the message Bible, WoW! What an impact that made on me.
Elizabeth,
I try to read The Message as well each time I read a passage in the NIV. There can be something that speaks to me “in my language” like God of the Angel Armies. Act, God. Just love how God can use different ways to speak to us.
Blessings,
Janis
Janis,
This line spoke to my heart this morning > “I think if we can radically love, we can be radically generous of our time and God’s money.” Yes, we must love radically and as He deposits His love into our hearts, we will be able to do so. Powerful sentence. Thank you for sharing it! Blessings to you and yours!
Joanne,
Yes I heard that at church – radical love – radical generosity. Praying for the increase of love, generosity and prayer this holiday season – as we approach Christmas.
Blessings,
Janis
I want to rummage around on the internet this week and find your podcast!
Michele,
No need to rummage. Click on Hope Stream Radio on the top of my website. It will be up on Tuesday. Last week’s is up now.
All about LOVE.
Thanks,
Janis
Thanks!
It’s no mistake that the Word says they will know we are Christians by our love. It’s one of the hardest things to do because I have to remove myself from the center of my focus … I pray 2017 will see me doing more and more of that!
Love the practical ways you are showing love, Janis!
Jerralea,
I agree it is the hardest thing to do. I have to work on it as well. Especially when we are interacting with “hard to love” people. Liking our friends is easy. It’s the other ones that is hard. Let’s pray for God to help us learn to love everyone as Christ did. With a hedge of protection around that so that we don’t go where He doesn’t want us to go.
Blessings,
Janis