calvary updates 11/14

George Winfrey
Nov 14
3 min read

Is love lost and wasted if it is not accepted and reciprocated? If you love someone and they don't love you back, is it a wasted effort? Jesus would say, "No!" The powerful statement made by the gospel is that God loved us unconditionally. Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Christ offers his life to make sure we understand that he loves us first. He takes the initiative to heal the sin problem which has fractured our relationship with God. He takes the first step in reconciliation knowing full well not everyone will respond in kind. BUT, he is ok with that. It is worth it to him because he is honoring his father in total obedience. He also knows that the ones who believe will enter into the ranks of his eternal family. His willingness to pay mankind's sin debt ransoms the lives of those held captive by the devils schemes. He is ransoming people from a life of spiritual darkness and confusion. He, by his sacrifice (relinquishing his freedom), is giving us freedom/opportunity to pursue a future reconnected with God.

The way forward for us is to love as Jesus did, unconditionally. We can have a heart like his by staying connected, staying in fellowship with him. When we pursue him he shapes and molds us to be like him. The more we become like Jesus, the more we discover our purpose for being on this planet. Listen to Solomon's commonly quoted words of wisdom,

Proverbs 3:5-8

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.

7Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

8This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Friends, we are to love as Jesus does, even if is not reciprocated. To be wise in our "own understanding". would be to love only those we deem worthy. The love we received from God was freely given, and we are not to be stingy in the way we pass it on. Share God's love with someone today. And even if it is not well received, we will have the joy of giving someone a glimpse of the heart of God!

WHAT TO EXPECT SUNDAY

Make plans to join us for worship this Sunday at 10:30 am, preceded by Sunday School at 9:15am. Our message comes from 2 Timothy 2 as a part of our Discipleship Alignment series and is titled, "His Signal is Loud and Clear."

Here is a song you will hear Sunday, Kari Jobe - I Am Not Alone (Live)

You can click on the title link to listen.

Note: We will be in the fellowship room again this week due to furnace issues.