In This Issue:
Love Is…
When Love Is Missing
Family Love
Volume: 891 January 9, 2023
Theme: Love
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The apostle Paul saw how essential it was to have a love for others. This love is not the lust or the emotion the unsaved understand. It is a love and concern that only a Christian can truly understand and have.
The indwelling Spirit of God can make it possible for one to love others in a way that is impossible without God’s help. Here is what God, through Paul’s writings, said genuine love is (I Corinthians 13:4-8):
A Christian’s love for others should be long-lasting and allow one to see and handle life differently. Seeing people and this world through the eyes of love will change one’s life completely.
“People don’t care how much you know until they first know how much you care.”
— Author Unknown
When Love Is Missing
Bill Brinkworth
“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,” II Timothy 3:3
One of the 19 sins Paul said (II Timothy 3) would occur in these last days may be the root of many terrible occurrences we commonly see today. That loveless iniquity is “without natural affection.”
It is natural for a mother to love her children. Yet, many mothers today allow their unborn babies to be killed inside them rather than being inconvenienced by the upbringing of their offspring. Too many fathers have also abandoned their children and wives for selfish desires.
Most should naturally love and honor parents, yet many have opposed their mothers, fathers, and siblings in courts of law. Newspaper articles too frequently report how an angry child even murdered their parent or family member.
Perhaps, because of the desensitization created by heartlessly allowing unborn babes to be butchered, life is not respected and honored as it should. It may also be the reason for increased murders and suicides.
The sin of not naturally loving people may also explain why parents do not live up to their responsibility of raising their children. Not naturally loving others may also be the culprit iniquity behind divorces and broken relationships.
Because of the lack of natural affection, some government leaders have more concern for their gain, power, and agendas than they do about the welfare of citizens. Many teachers have swayed their charges to their political and social thinking rather than what is best, practical, and moral for the young minds they selfishly control. A natural love for others is sadly missing in our society.
It should be natural to love ourselves and others. That act has been why so many civilizations have grown and socially prospered. Those that did not nurture the innate ability to love and care for life have floundered and failed.
Without love, people will not have peace and joy. Hatred will be a nagging canker filling voids in lives and society.
Love yourself and others, as God in Heaven has loved you.
“Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 19:19
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” Luke 10:27
“Love is the doorway through which the human soul passes from selfishness to service and from solitude to kinship with all mankind.” — Author Unknown
Through Thick and Thin
Deb McCoy
Mom, throughout my life, you taught me by example every step of the way,
Though many times I stumbled and knew you continued to love me as I began to stray.
I remember your bravery when dad took his life,
I became angry and rebellious as it pierced through me like a knife.
Our lives changed forever at that moment in time,
But your choice was to keep going onward no matter how steep the climb.
I promised to take care of you the rest of your days,
Though it was your unconditional love for me that always paved the way.
No obstacle was insurmountable regardless of how hard,
Each one had a lesson though we struggled and were left scarred.
We poured out our hearts to one another during our time of grief,
Unanswered questions of why a husband and father could take his life and leave us in disbelief.
Mom, it was during those times that I saw the depths of your love,
Your inspiring example to set my sights up above.
Brokenness was upon us as a missing link in a chain,
But tragedy led to triumph through all the suffering and the pain.
I was miserable and in need of peace as everywhere I did search,
Then you asked me to consider my first ever visit to church.
It was then that God did tug at my heart,
Born again, I became salvation to impart.
It wasn’t long after that we did learn of your cancer,
Looking to God in prayer for a miracle to answer.
Mom, your strength and courage throughout your life left a godly legacy,
You taught me that dying to your own desires and pouring your life into someone else is how to live most blessedly.
It is through selflessness that we become truly fulfilled,
How blessed I was to care for you because helping others is the message you instilled.
My heart was broken to see you suffer in torment and anguish,
Seeing you deteriorate how I felt hopeless and did languish.
Though a burden you did not wish to be,
Love is deeper than any encumbrance you see.
You never complained and you fought to the end,
I miss you so much and each day together we did spend.
Mom, your inspiration will guide me all the days of my life on Earth. I cannot wait to see you again. I’m so thankful for Christ’s death on the cross, for saving me, and giving me the new birth.
How I wish you could have a glimpse into my heart as I have written this in dedication to you. Thank you for everything, Mom.
“Love isn’t like a reservoir. You’ll never drain it dry. It’s much more like a natural spring. The longer and the farther it flows, the stronger, deeper, and the clearer it becomes.” — Cantor
No Greater Love
Bill Brinkworth
Jesus’ death was very important for every person who has ever lived. As the only Son of God, His death was the only payment that God will accept for our sins. Essential and planned as it was, it was not an easy death for Jesus. His malefactors were very cruel to Him.
Although the other Gospel’s accounts of His death give more details of what occurred at Jesus’ demise, this chapter tells some of what happened. Here in John 19, we read that:
- Jesus was mocked (John 19:3, 5).
- Jesus was beaten (John 19:3).
- Jesus had to drag His heavy cross to Golgotha (John 19:17).
- Jesus was crucified between two criminals (John 19:18).
- Jesus’ clothing was thought more precious than His life by some and was gambled for (John 19: 23-24).
- Jesus’ mistreatments were displayed in front of His mother (John 19:25).
- Jesus was pierced in His side after His death (John 19:34).
God’s son took all these abuses, and more, so that He could be the means of payment for all our sins. It was such a sacrifice that Jesus was willing to undergo for us. His sacrifice for what we have done wrong (sin) caused Him to endure so much brutality. To make His death even more meaningful, Jesus knew all that He would face ahead of time; yet, He tolerated it all for us. What a matchless love Jesus has for us.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13