Love for One Another

John 13:34-35 - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Wanted to put a great scripture on my facebook status page this morning and the one above was on the forefront of my mind. These are the words of Jesus! Notice this is a commandment not a suggestion. We are commanded to love one another as HE loved us. He then goes on to tell us that by this Love ALL men will KNOW that we are His disciples "if.....we have love for one another."

How did Jesus love us? Well, go back to the Word of God, walk with Jesus through the pages of the New Testament. He loved without an agenda or a wrong motive. He loved unconditionally. He loved without partiality. He loved those hard to love. He loved those easy to love. He loved those closest to Him but also loved those who were not in His intimate circle. He didn't love out of a sense of "what will I get" or "what will they do for me. His love was pure, undefiled, impartial and Holy. His love was selfless, sacrificial, saving, sanctifying, supernatural and secure.

So, can others look at our lives and tell we are His disciples because of the love we have for one another?

Renee

A Lesson I Learned About God from My Dog.

A few mornings ago, I was sitting on the couch, praying and spending time in the word. I looked over at the carpet and there was a pile of white stuffing out of one of Gracie’s toys. She loves to pull the stuffing out of every toy in order to get to the squeaker. I really paid little attention to that mess until my husband walked into the room. He was annoyed and said, “I just vacuumed the carpet last night and now there is another mess.” (He hates the stuffing out of toys.) As soon as he said it, I responded without thought, “God’s mercies are new every morning.” It was a light bulb moment. Then I smiled as I got it.

Every day I make a mess, but because God loves me and “His compassions never fail, and they are new every morning”, (Lam.3:22-23) He cleans up my mess.

Thank you Lord that you are patient with me and you still are willing to clean up my messes.

Walking by faith,
Jane Wolfe

Are You a Christian?

This was the question I was asked as I sat at the ticket table at the recital this weekend. My response was, "Yes!" The woman who stood before me said, "Then I can trust you..."and she then went on to explain what she needed from me.

As I pondered this encounter, I thought about how much better life would be if we all could simply ask someone, "Are you a Christian?"and that answer would unequivocally determine whether or not that person was trustworthy.

Frederick Nietzsche said, "I might believe in the Redeemer if His followers looked more redeemed." So I ask you, Are you a Christian?

Janette