Tuesday June 7, 2011
Today's Passage: 1 John 3:16-18
Memory Verse: 1 John 3:18
Ever been to a magic show? Those things are crazy, aren't they? The guy comes on stage and starts pulling doves out of his sleeve, and pushing swords through his assistant. It's all entertainment. Oh, and don't forget the flowers in the walking cane and the old rabbit out of the hat bit. Success for these guys depends on whether or not they make you believe they can really make things disappear.
If we aren't careful, we can become magicians ourselves. According to today's passage, if you see a brother in need, and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And YOU made it disappear. Imagine standing on stage before God and saying "Now for my next astounding feat, I'm going to make Your love disappear". Not you, right? Well, each day God gives us life, we're on stage for Him. While on stage, we have the opportunity to show His love by caring for our fellow man. God expects this in His kingdom. As Christians, we simply cannot allow ourselves to have issues with love. It's the ONLY way to get to Heaven. If we see someone in need, and we have the means to help them, what should we do? We should help them because the adverse would be telling the world God's love doesn't exist. Christians can spend a lifetime preaching on street corners or singing in choirs; however, all the words they speak or sing mean nothing if they don't show His love. Truth is, the world doesn't care how much we know - they want to know how much we care.
Finally, we should always seek to make God's love available to others because it was once made available to us. Giving someone the same opportunity to live that you were once given is the best thing you could ever do for God. We have to adopt this mindset. The church can no longer hide behind its walls in obscurity. It's time for God's love to be put on display. So, if you have the means to do it, do it. It's your reasonable service.
Prayer: Father, so many need Your love. They're in every city, every state, and every nation. Help us to see them as You see them. Break our hearts with the things that break Your heart. As we strive to be more like You, let us show Your love more and more. In Jesus' name. Amen
Today's Passage: 1 John 3:16-18
Memory Verse: 1 John 3:18
Ever been to a magic show? Those things are crazy, aren't they? The guy comes on stage and starts pulling doves out of his sleeve, and pushing swords through his assistant. It's all entertainment. Oh, and don't forget the flowers in the walking cane and the old rabbit out of the hat bit. Success for these guys depends on whether or not they make you believe they can really make things disappear.
If we aren't careful, we can become magicians ourselves. According to today's passage, if you see a brother in need, and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And YOU made it disappear. Imagine standing on stage before God and saying "Now for my next astounding feat, I'm going to make Your love disappear". Not you, right? Well, each day God gives us life, we're on stage for Him. While on stage, we have the opportunity to show His love by caring for our fellow man. God expects this in His kingdom. As Christians, we simply cannot allow ourselves to have issues with love. It's the ONLY way to get to Heaven. If we see someone in need, and we have the means to help them, what should we do? We should help them because the adverse would be telling the world God's love doesn't exist. Christians can spend a lifetime preaching on street corners or singing in choirs; however, all the words they speak or sing mean nothing if they don't show His love. Truth is, the world doesn't care how much we know - they want to know how much we care.
Finally, we should always seek to make God's love available to others because it was once made available to us. Giving someone the same opportunity to live that you were once given is the best thing you could ever do for God. We have to adopt this mindset. The church can no longer hide behind its walls in obscurity. It's time for God's love to be put on display. So, if you have the means to do it, do it. It's your reasonable service.
Prayer: Father, so many need Your love. They're in every city, every state, and every nation. Help us to see them as You see them. Break our hearts with the things that break Your heart. As we strive to be more like You, let us show Your love more and more. In Jesus' name. Amen
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