Beacons of Love

They sell the innocent for silver,
and the needy for a pair of sandals. (Amos 2:6 NIV)

Care for the poor is a prominent theme in the Old Testament. Unfair imprisonment, a punishment for being poor, tore families apart. When Jesus came on the scene, He extended love and kindness to all, including those who struggled to make a living. His deep passion encompassed them with an extra portion of His grace and mercy. 

The evil one tried to use Judas to stop Jesus from loving the people. This disciple often claimed some funds should be put to better use, all to feather his own nest. We know how things ended for Judas.

Disregard for the poor and suffering in the time of Amos, resulted in dire consequences. It does for us too. The moral compass of that age is a factor in their demise. Our moral compass today calls the question, are we also doomed to captivity and destruction?

In truth, our moral depravity and disregard for those in need around us, has already put us in bondage. This behavior is the opposite of love -- hate. And one session on Facebook, or a segment of the evening news will confirm, hate has overtaken our society. Our rhetoric is laced with contempt and distrust and blatant ire for anyone who doesn't view things our way.

So, what is the answer? When I begin to feel depressed, all I do is look around me and count my blessings. Making a gratitude list will change my attitude. So, I believe I might counter hate in my corner of the world, by showing love. By caring about my neighbor's pain, lending a hand in support, and not push them further down.

Many in our community are showing love by lending a hand. Let us look around and join them. They are beacons of love, we can be too.

Amos 2:6-16

Love Conquers

During this sermon series, we are addressing Spiritual Warfare, and openly discussing how real it is today. We are talking about the tools available to us to use in order to fight a Spiritual Warfare. It is important we arm ourselves sufficiently so we can fight the good fight.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

When there is a battle going on in our hearts, when ugly or hateful words are said by those we care about, we need to fight back with the only effective tool we have...LOVE. There is a reason this chapter of 1 Corinthians is read at many weddings and even funeral services. Love is the greatest combatant we have against the attacks of evil one.

The father of lies, Satan, does not love, but he hates. He hates all things good and wants to bring us down with him. Hate is deadly and dangerous. Jesus reminds us of the value of love with His Word in John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”


1 Corinthians 13

Love One Another

John 13: 1-3, 12-17, 34-35 

What does it REALLY mean to Love one Another?

Before Jesus was betrayed and taken away he confided in is disciples; "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." I believe this means if we are true Christ followers, we must look and act differently , so that all men will know........

Is it possible to REALLY love everyone?

Jesus did, and his new command was just that. We may think, but He is God, and I am a mere human, weak and dependent on the Lord. I cannot possibly love as He loves. We may have to dig REALLY deep, but "With God, all things are possible." This message to us can be found in the books of both Luke and Matthew. 

Must I REALLY love those who make my life miserable?

There is no one who makes your life miserable but you.  Holding tightly to His word and offering your heart to Christ each and every day will offer you his peace despite worldly challenges. Each life on this earth was created by God. Loving others does not mean agreeing with their ways. It is a different kind of love. It takes an open heart and a willingness to empathize, which has nothing to do with justifying or agreeing with the actions of others.

Empathy: the ability to identify with and understand somebody else's feelings or difficulties

We cannot possibly know what makes each individual behave as he does unless we are inside of their heads and hearts and have experienced the life they have lived. We can however, trust God when he tells us to have faith and to love. This command contains no qualifiers. It simply says "To Love."

John 13;“As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know 

that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34b-35

Getting A Dose Of My Own Medicine- Luke 6:27-36

Today’s passage is difficult for me to put into practice. “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”

I totally appreciate the way it begins, “To you who are willing to listen…” Luke knows that the words coming next will not go down easy, so he is preparing the reader. He is asking, are we willing to listen? Luke knows that it goes against human nature to, “do good to those who hate you.” I would much rather steer clear of those who hate me. Avoid those who curse me and get even with those who hurt me.

Why is God making such a request? Isn’t it enough to reach out to the lost who, mean us no harm?

I looked up the word hate; “To show extreme hostility toward”. Think about that, every time we sin we are being hostile toward God. I don’t know about you but I sin A LOT. So I guess you could say I show extreme hostility toward God. I oppose Him with each sin. It’s as if I am saying I know better.

Next I looked to curse. One definition read, "to blaspheme which means to speak impiously or irreverently of (God or sacred things), to speak evil of; slander; abuse." I know that my words do not always bless God, most of the time my words focus on myself rather than my heavenly father. When I take credit away from God, both directly and indirectly, through my words, I am being irreverent.

Lastly is the word hurt, I didn’t need to look that one up, I can already see how the previous definitions show ways I hurt God, yet He does not hold it against me. Rather he died for me. All of my sins nailed Jesus to the cross yet he did not go to the cross reluctantly, he went lovingly. And all he asks is that we show others the same love and grace.

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Luke 6:27-36