Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Today is the first Sunday of Advent.
Love
God is Love.
Christ came to show and share that Love.
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8
Matthew 22:36-40 NIV
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
John 13:31 NIV
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
John 13:34-35 NIV
“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.”
John 14:21 NIV
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
John 14:23 NIV
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
He is with you if you keep His command to love one another.
Romans 5:5 NIV
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
His Spirit will empower you to love one another. And His Spirit is given to all who believe simply for the asking.
Romans 5:8 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The proof of his love is he rescued us from our sins and set us free. Our response should be faith and praise toward Him and love for one another.
Romans 8:35-39 NIV
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Colossians 3:12-15 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Turn at least that last one into a prayer, for you are dearly loved. And praying Scripture is powerful.
His love is available at all times. Just remain in Him, or get in Him and obey His teachings. Even without faith you are loved, but with faith, you are precious and full of the Holy Spirit.
Happy Advent. Happy New Year. Happy Autumn. Happy Christmas Season.
Hold onto your faith. Grow your faith.