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Pastoral Assistant's Message
“LOVE PERFECTED”
“LOVE PERFECTED”
John writes: “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.” I John 2:3 And Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John14:23
If we even understand a small fraction of what Jesus has done for us we will want to be with Him, “listen to Him,” and obey Him! Little children followed Jesus, the blind called out to Him, and many, like Mary, sat at His feet. They felt His amazing love and they, in turn, loved Him. Are we like them? Are we willing to follow and do His bidding? A relationship, a personal relationship, with Jesus far exceeds anything this old world has to offer.
The old song says, “And He walks with me, and he talks with me and He tells me I am His own.”
If we belong and obey, that’s love perfected!
With Love,
In Him,
Dave
June can signal special changes. Perhaps you have someone in your family who will graduate from high school or college. Or there may be the excitement of planning for a wedding. Others look forward to retirement, time to travel and the thrill of visiting new places. Change can be wonderful, yet there can be that little unspoken question, “Am I doing the right thing?”
As we consider the future there is One Who knows what is “out there” for each one of us. In fact, that One has given His life for us and wants very much to be a part of all that our future holds. That One is Jesus.
Scripture is filled with good advice for us. Two special verses are tucked away in Proverbs 3:5&6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.” When we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, He promises His presence within us. Instead of agonizing over what to do next, we need to take these simple steps: Trust Him, Love Him, Talk with Him, Make Him Central in all we do. Someone has said, “Prayer is the voice of faith trusting that God knows and cares.”
When we place ourselves in His tender care we can always trust Him to lead us in the right direction.
In His Love,
Dave
“Rewards & New Beginnings”
Remember when people were excited and fearful about Y2K? I remember being on duty at the hospital that New Year’s Eve. Many of us “stood by” through midnight. It was a wonderful time to be a born again one, a child of our Savior. It was a good time to be a witness, as many were anxious. I felt the peace that passes all understanding, because I knew God was on the Throne and in complete control. No, the world as we know it did not come to an end; Cars still started, computers did not crash and the sun came up on January 1st, 2000!
The question still looms large. Are we more ready for Christ’s return in 2010 than we were in 2000? Have we taken Christ Jesus’ commission more seriously? Are we focused on making Disciples for Jesus? Have we given up and repented any obstacles in our lives that would sadden the heart of our Savior? I trust that I, with you, can say “yes, and yes, and come quickly Lord Jesus!”
We have His words: “Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13
What a New Beginning that will be! Let’s keep on with every year, day and moment we have left.
And what a reward, when we see our Jesus, face to face and hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant - enter in.”
Happy New Year,
With Love,
In Him,
Dave
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