In 1988, as Hope’s Founding Pastor, I wrote our first-ever “Weekly Letter.” An actual, paper letter we sent through the mail! At that time, email wasn’t really a thing (AOL wasn’t even launched yet!), and there was no texting or social media, so it was the best way to communicate what was happening and to build community in this new church plant.
Since then, I’ve most likely written well over 1,200 of these letters/blogs. For this last “official” one, I struggled with what to write, but here is what I would shout to the world if given the opportunity. Please, take it to heart and spread the word.
God loves you. “Steve, I’ve heard this since I’ve been a kid in Sunday School: what’s the big deal?” Exactly! Too many of us have heard it for so long it no longer has the amazing weight and impact it should possess in our daily lives.
We are known and loved by the One and Only who is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, and in absolute control of all things past, present and future. Mind blowing! And the thing is, we have absolutely no say in who God is and what He is like. God could be hate-filled, revengeful, and bloodthirsty, but He is not. God is love. It doesn’t have to be this way.
When is the last time, if ever, you got on your knees and thanked God for who He is and for revealing Himself and His plan to us by way of Jesus? Please, do it! “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
God desires our love. This truth just might be more mind-blowing than the last. God who is absolutely perfect in every way, absolutely holy and righteous, who contains no darkness or sin, desires our love. Think about it! We are sinful, corrupt, far from perfect, selfish, and bound by time and space. We are a mess, weak, and fragile.
Yet, beyond what seems to make sense, God not only loves us, but desires our love. God sent Jesus to right our wrongs, and to die an excruciating death in our place, so we could accept His love and love Him in return. Unthinkable! Unimaginable! Amazingly beautiful!
When is the last time, if ever, you got on your knees and thanked God for caring about us down to the very hairs on our head? He knows your name and every messed-up thing about you, still loves you, and desires your love. Praise Him! Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)
The best way to love God is to love others. At the present time, you and I can’t wrap our arms around God and give Him a hug. We can’t write a note and text it to Him. We can’t send Him a card on His birthday or invite him out for coffee. But, we can do this for those around us. We can love those, especially those who have need, or -- as Jesus called them -- our “neighbors” every day of every week.
In fact, I would propose that the best way to love God is by loving your neighbor. Do you want to express to God your worship, devotion, and honor? Then love those around you in the name of Jesus. Don’t make it too complicated. Whether it’s the widow next door or refugees in Lebanon, Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 12:31)
Peace,
steve
Since then, I’ve most likely written well over 1,200 of these letters/blogs. For this last “official” one, I struggled with what to write, but here is what I would shout to the world if given the opportunity. Please, take it to heart and spread the word.
God loves you. “Steve, I’ve heard this since I’ve been a kid in Sunday School: what’s the big deal?” Exactly! Too many of us have heard it for so long it no longer has the amazing weight and impact it should possess in our daily lives.
We are known and loved by the One and Only who is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, and in absolute control of all things past, present and future. Mind blowing! And the thing is, we have absolutely no say in who God is and what He is like. God could be hate-filled, revengeful, and bloodthirsty, but He is not. God is love. It doesn’t have to be this way.
When is the last time, if ever, you got on your knees and thanked God for who He is and for revealing Himself and His plan to us by way of Jesus? Please, do it! “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
God desires our love. This truth just might be more mind-blowing than the last. God who is absolutely perfect in every way, absolutely holy and righteous, who contains no darkness or sin, desires our love. Think about it! We are sinful, corrupt, far from perfect, selfish, and bound by time and space. We are a mess, weak, and fragile.
Yet, beyond what seems to make sense, God not only loves us, but desires our love. God sent Jesus to right our wrongs, and to die an excruciating death in our place, so we could accept His love and love Him in return. Unthinkable! Unimaginable! Amazingly beautiful!
When is the last time, if ever, you got on your knees and thanked God for caring about us down to the very hairs on our head? He knows your name and every messed-up thing about you, still loves you, and desires your love. Praise Him! Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)
The best way to love God is to love others. At the present time, you and I can’t wrap our arms around God and give Him a hug. We can’t write a note and text it to Him. We can’t send Him a card on His birthday or invite him out for coffee. But, we can do this for those around us. We can love those, especially those who have need, or -- as Jesus called them -- our “neighbors” every day of every week.
In fact, I would propose that the best way to love God is by loving your neighbor. Do you want to express to God your worship, devotion, and honor? Then love those around you in the name of Jesus. Don’t make it too complicated. Whether it’s the widow next door or refugees in Lebanon, Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 12:31)
Peace,
steve
Posted in God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s love