Jesus is Love



Somedays I go through this life and wonder if God hears me or loves me anymore. Then I take look around I see my beautiful family, my wonderful wife who puts up with me. Then I take time to get in His readings, take time to hear His sweet voice, THEN THE NEWS FLASH; I am reminded His Love is abundant and it is sufficient.

This was on my heart today so I hope you enjoy the reading!

Many Blessings!
 
Jesus says,
"I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples."
 
Please take note that love is not an option for those who follow Jesus. Jesus says, "I give you a new commandment ...".  Notice Jesus says, commandment not a suggestion! This is not just a command to love like our mother or father but to love in the same way that Jesus loves us. Jesus said, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Today I want you to pay attention to the little word "must". Just as there was no getting around our mother when she told you, "You must wash your hands before eating", likewise there is no way around this command of Jesus, "You must love one another."

Why does Jesus command us to love? He gives this command because there is a part of every one of us that rebels against the idea of pure, unconditional love. Despite the example that we have in Jesus’ undeserved and unconditional love for us - there is a part of us that says such love is out of place in the world in which we live. There is a part of us that says –"sure, loving others is great - up to a point...."

Isn’t that what we do all the time?

We draw a line and say, "That’s how much we are prepared to love the next person".
We draw a line and say, "That’s how far we are prepared to do a kind deed for someone else".
We draw a line and say, "Those are the people we are prepared to love".

I am reminded all the time Jesus didn’t draw a line and say that going beyond that line was too much to ask. His love knew no limits.

That’s how he commanded us to love – willingly and sacrificially. In fact, that’s why Jesus commands us to love, because he knew that we are happy with a love that is anything but unconditional and sacrificial.

In a lot of way I think it is easier for us to be selfish, to ignore the person who needs our love, to offer up any kind of excuse why we shouldn’t get involved in other people’s lives. It would seem that to love as Jesus has loved us is humanly impossible. I might be generous enough to say that we might manage it on the odd occasions but loving others unconditionally and sacrificially all the time is a bit of a tall order.

The Bible states that our ability to love comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ. "We love because he first loved us", says the Apostle John. We are able to love because he loves us. Understanding this is critical to our ability to live out the Christian life of love. The more the love of Jesus fills our lives, the more we will be able to love other with the same kind of love that he shows to us.

Love  wasn't meant to be like a vacuum; to be all sucked up. Love was meant to pass from one person to another. This is one reason Christian parents are so important.

I once read somewhere, that a child who does not receive love, psychologists believe they will be unable to give love. On the other hand, a child who has received the proper amount of nurturing as an infant and as a toddler will have a sense of security and trust that will last them all their lives. You see how the love that children show is dependent of the love they receive from their parents. In order to show Christlike love, we need to receive that love from Christ

Jesus today I choose to love. I choose to be willing to care for others more than myself. Lord want to be genuine, and love unconditionally as you did. I choose to look to you as my compass that way you direct me on what I am suppose to do to glorify you.

I hope you have a very blessed weekend and a wonderful rest of the week!

Choose to Love and know you are Loved!

A Time for everything

 We all have different seasons in life don't we? We as Christians need to know seasons come and go because what we face today probably will not be what we face tomorrow. So, if today if you are having a bad day then know tomorrow can and will be better. Attitude and or believing that God will see us through will always make everything better. We have to focus on what precious things we have and we have to know that our God will see us through the highs and our lows; as long as we seek His loving GRACE and His will for our lives . Our God, your God loves you and he wants you to know that there is a time for everything.
A Time for Everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;

There is a time for everything! So, if you taken the time to read this and you don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, then know there is a time for everything. You didn't read this by coexistence. By reading this I want you know that there is a God in Heaven and he has prepared a place for you. He loved us so much that he let his son be crucified and die on a cross for your sins. Our God wants a relationship with you. THIS YOUR TIME TO SAY, YES JESUS I EXCEPT YOU AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR!  May you have very blessed day! All God's people said, "AMEN!"

Giving All- You take it!

Happy New Years! 2012 is hear and what blessing it is to serve you Father! Lord I pray that everyone turns to you and they ask for your guidance and direction. Father as you spoke through me this weekend, we know we can't carry labels and baggage ourselves. We need you father.

When Jesus showed at the Well that day and talked to the Samaritan woman about the Living Water and not having to thirst anymore; oh father I am like her, give that water so I don't have to thirst anymore and keep coming to draw water. Father I pray that everyone knows your name and seek your will. God Labels and baggage can be so heavy but we give to you we know that you can take that all away and life becomes so much clearer.

Father I look forward to seeing what you have in store for me this year. Father I am Adventurously Expectant on what is to come!

What's next Papa?

A King is Coming- HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

We Celebrate a special Birthday in 3 Days.  A lot of this world is out fighting the traffic, lines at the checkout area, and getting caught up in the commercialize things. You know, that is what it was like about about 2000 years ago. The Lord of Lords was coming  and everybody was busy doing their own things. They never took a second to see what God was about to do or how he was about to bless them. Luckily we have a compassionate God because if I found out my son was going to born in a Humble Manger, I would have been like are kidding me? But know he came to the world humble and left this world humble and he will come again. I know it a busy time of year but take just a second to look around and think and know that God is in control and JESUS is the Reason for the season. Take time to talk to him, take time to just take breath  and notice what God has done for you. Let's not make the same mistake we made 2000 years ago and miss opportunity to see the Jesus. I leave you with the word Linus from Charlie Brown Christmas, "The Reason for Christmas,"

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

   LUKE 2:8-14

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

LET HIS LIGHT SHINE AND BE PROUD TO LET IT SHINE!

 A few days ago I read an article by Ben Stein (Below is Article by Ben Stein) and then I was reading my Bible this morning:

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

 ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Folks he wants us to let HIS light shine. How can we let his light shine if we are always hiding it or putting it away? It our Call to Duty as a Christian  that we let His light shine and we exalt HIS name. We need to be proud to be a Christians and stand firm in HIS foundation.  We need let His light shine for all to see. The world is saying we need  to be politically correct, need to be quite, don't pray in public, and we don't  need to share our faith in public because that might make people feel uncomfortable. What is not correct about sharing Jesus's love, His compassion for others, what he did on Calvary, and how he changed your life. Do you love Him enough to share HIM? Can you proclaim Jesus is Lord and He is the Lord of Lords?  It is time we change our way of thinking and quit sitting back thinking someone else will get up and take a stand.

Jesus has called us to go out and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to everything that Christ has commanded us. And REMEMBER... He is with you and everyone to the end of the age...

Please Read  Ben Stein Story Below! Have a blessed day!

 

With God's unfailing grace,

Dan Sullivan
 _________________________________________________________________________
The following was written  by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday  Morning   Commentary.
My confession:

I am a Jew, and every  single one of my ancestors was Jewish.  And it does not bother me  even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled  trees, Christmas trees.  I don't feel threatened.  I don't feel  discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.


It doesn't bother me a  bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me.  I don't think they are  slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto.  In fact, I kind  of like it.  It shows that we are all brothers and sisters  celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that  there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach  house in Malibu .  If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me  as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.


I don't like getting  pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting  pushed around for being Christians.  I think people who believe in  God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.  I have no  idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist  country.  I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it  being shoved down my throat.


Or maybe I can put it  another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship  celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God ?  I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.  But  there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from  and where the America we knew went to.


In light of the many  jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little  different:  This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's  intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter  was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could  God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina)..   Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.  She  said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for  years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our  government and to get out of our lives.  And being the gentleman He  is, I believe He has calmly backed out.  How can we expect God to  give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us  alone?'


In light of recent  events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc.  I think it  started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a  few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we  said OK.  Then someone said you better not read the Bible in  school.  The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal,  and love your neighbor as yourself.  And we said OK.


Then Dr. Benjamin Spock  said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their  little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem  (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).  We said an expert should know  what he's talking about.  And we said okay.


Now we're asking  ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right  from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their  classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think  about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out.  I think it has  a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'


Funny how simple it is  for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to  hell.  Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question  what the Bible says.  Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail  and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages  regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.  Funny how  lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace,  but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and  workplace.


Are you laughing  yet?

Funny how when you  forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list  because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you  for sending it.

Funny how we can be more  worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of  us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit.

If not, then just discard  it... no one will know you did.  But, if you discard this thought  process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is  in.


My Best Regards,   Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

Praying for a Young Lady in Youth

Lord, I lift a certain young lady up today! She is involved with the Youth here at Pine Forest and she just lost her Grandfather. Lord please let her know she is loved and she is cared for by many. Lord let her know that she has people that she can count on and she has people praying for her. Father please help give her peace that passes our understanding. Lord we do celebrate her Grandfather's life because we do know that he is with you and that is a blessing in itself. Father we praise even in our lowest moments because we know you have conquered the grave. In you humble name I pray.... Amen.

HUGE SUCCESS and BEING THANKFUL!

Great Job Youth! You did a wonderful job during the Yard Sale!

We raised $1,703.00! Wahoooo!

I am so very blessed to serve with such wonderful and loving Young Folks. Their hearts are all about serving and loving Jesus Christ.

My Prayer for today:
Lord, I hope we know we are loved, I hope everyone knows the real reason for Christmas, I hope my youth group knows that I love them and I am here for them through thick and thin. Lord I thank you for putting me here at Pine Forest and blessing me with such extraordinary folks. I thank you that I have a wife that is so supportive of my ministry. I thank you for her spirit even when I don't let her know as much as I should. Lord bless this church and be with the folks who don't know you. I most importantly thank you for your Son. What a precious gift you gave us. I wish we would have been more accommodating and loved him as he loved us. I love you Father! Amen!


I wanted to share these song lyrics with you!
"The Saving One" by Starfield

What mercy was revealed
What selflessness and peace
My fate was surely sealed
Until He rescued me
His pardon for my sin
His bounty for my need
From slavery and shame
I am redeemed

And Heaven can't contain
The glory of the Son
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One
His love has made a way
The grave is overcome
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One

No fear can hold me down
Nor darkness steal my joy
For blood has been poured out
The enemy destroyed
Death could not hold Him down
The cross was not enough
To steal away His throne
For He is God

And Heaven can't contain
The glory of the Son
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One
His love has made a way
The grave is overcome
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One

Anyone who calls upon His name
They will be saved
They will be saved
Anyone who calls upon His name
They will be saved
They will be saved

And Heaven can't contain
The glory of the Son
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One
His love has made a way
The grave is overcome
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One [x2]

Anyone who calls upon His name
They will be saved
They will be saved
Anyone who calls upon His name
They will be saved
They will be saved