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Written by Lyn Lloyd-Smith, from the Village Church.

We humans, we are so hasty to see the great wrongs of the world and so slow to acknowledge the wars that didn’t happen, the disasters that were averted. In the minutiae of everyday we find cause to complain and forget to praise the evidence of God’s goodness and love around us. Today, I choose to reflect on some of those who have touched my life in beautiful ways. I think of the choir of the French Reformed Church who took me under their wing when I was the only person living in a school building in a provincial town in Southern France. They taught me how to appreciate life in a different land and culture. I remember the neighbor in Germany who washed the steps of my apartment when I was heavily pregnant. And yes, another neighbor, in Switzerland this time, who came to the children’s gym class and looked after my baby, week after week, while I helped my toddler wear off her boundless energy on the balance beams. Then also, the neighbor in England, who knocked at my door for an entirely different reason but stayed with me for three hours while I waited to hear that my father had come through heart bypass surgery. May we today and always, in God’s grace and love, be the neighbor we want to have.

He has shown you, O Mortal, what is good. [Micah 6:8]

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Written by Victoria Riollano, a contemporary ministry leader and author.

Listening is more powerful than speaking. When we make a choice to not just hear the hearts of those around us we act out of love. It can be difficult to listen when you don’t agree with the stance of the person or when you feel like you haven’t been heard. However, when we make a choice to allow others to express themselves, we recognize their need above our own. We notice that even Jesus didn’t do all the talking. From asking the disciples who people thought He was to asking Peter if He loved Him, Jesus asked questions and awaited the response (Luke 9:18-20, John 21:15-17). This is astonishing because we know that Jesus knew their thoughts (Luke 5:22) but still took time to have conversations. What a beautiful picture of Jesus caring about what those around Him felt and being willing to listen!  In the same way, we have an opportunity to be active listeners. Those who are active listeners do the following: Wait their turn to speak, ask open-ended questions, and await the answer, repeat back what they have heard, and give undivided attention.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  [ James 1:19]

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Written by Gordon Pennertz, a contemporary pastor.

I will borrow from radio pastor David Jeremiah and his examples of love as seen by young children. And as I share them, I’ll try to show how they represent the love of God which leads to our hope and our security that God will never leave nor forsake us. Billy, age 4 says, “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know your name is safe in their mouth.” Jesus knows each of our names; he knows you by name and loves you. Your name is safe in his mouth, you are safe because Jesus loves you … this we know because the bible tells us so…Tommy, 6, “Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other very well.” God knew you before you were born, he knows your coming in and your going out. “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” (Psalm 139:1) And God loves you even knowing you so well! And my favorite, Rebekah aged 8: “When my grandmother got arthritis she couldn’t bend over and paint her toes anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time even with his hands having arthritis. That’s love.” When we were lost in sin and couldn’t save ourselves, Jesus came down to earth to do what we couldn’t do for ourselves. Out of his great love for us, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. That’s love. And that’s why we can face whatever tomorrow might bring. Because Jesus didn’t stay dead. He rose again, he is in heaven interceding on our behalf today. And he has prepared a place for us for eternity. That’s love. It is important to live out our faith in practical, personal, real ways in this world. But it is also important to just be still and know God’s love for us. Paul made it clear that God’s love doesn’t depend on our good works. It doesn’t depend on circumstances or luck. It depends on God, and God’s love is eternal. 

Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  [Romans 8:39].

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The author of this prayer is unknown.

Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from fear of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute; Feast on speech that purifies

Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; Feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; Feast on hope.

Fast from negatives; Feast on encouragement.

Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion.

Fast from suspicion; Feast on truth.

Fast from gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that sustains.

Fast from anxiety; feast on faith.

But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. [Luke 14:13]

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Written by Danny Russell, a contemporary church planter.

Just as God’s love is more than an emotion towards his people, our love towards others must be more than an emotion. Our love must be made manifest in life and in death. Our love must be made manifest in sharing life with others. We are called to a life filled with the fellowship of the believers. We are called to bear one another’s burdens. And, we are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.  Just as Jesus was physically present with his followers, let us also be physically present with our brothers and sisters in Christ through every season.  Our love must also be made manifest in dying to ourselves. We are called to take up our cross daily. We are called to consider others more significant than ourselves. And, we are called to present our bodies as a living sacrifice.  Just as Jesus laid down his life for his sheep, let us also lose our lives for the sake of the gospel. And in our love being made manifest, let it always point to the love of Jesus, made manifest in both His life and death. 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [1 Peter 2:9]

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Written by Divinah Nyabera, a contemporary writer.

Nature testifies of God’s love. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of their adaptation to the needs and happiness of man, and all other creatures. The sunshine that gladdens the earth and the rain that refreshes. The mountains and the plains, the seas and the land, all speak of God’s love. God’s love is written upon every opening bud. Beautiful birds chirp as they sing sweetly of the love God in the trees. Delicately tinted flowers fill the air with the perfect fragrance. The lofty forest trees, with their green foliage, testify of God’s tender care and His desire to make His children happy.  The Lord covers the heavens with clouds, causes rain to on earth and grass to grow on the hills. He makes snow like wool and scatters frost, commands winds to blow and waters to flow. How marvelous! You witness God’s love when you see animals feeding. It gives an assurance that He will take care of you, too. God is the Lord of all seasons (summer, winter, spring, and autumn). He carefully takes His children through the extreme cold and hot seasons. The beauty and complexity of God’s creation remind us of God’s limitless love for us. Take a moment and spend some time admiring God’s creation. You can go for a mountain hike, sit at the beach and watch the waves and tides of the ocean, watch a thunderstorm, or just play in the rain. The presence and peace of God will fill your whole being.

You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.  [Nehemiah 9:6]

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Written by Allan Anderson, from the Village Church.

Reflecting on 8 decades of life and Lenten worship experiences, we can ask ourselves how we have introduced Lent into our daily experience and approaches to life. My earliest recall of this part of the church season is the affirmation of “giving something up!” In church school each year, a reminder of the importance of this gesture was the receipt of a small paper bank box that could be used to forego something for yourself and instead make a contribution each day – a reminder of Jesus giving himself for the benefit of all God’s people. There was also the promise of fish for lunch in the school cafeteria, the importance and meaning of the Ash Wednesday service that eventually culminated in one of the Bible’s outstanding experiences; the unfolding of Holy Week, Good Friday and the excitement of Easter Sunday and the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Do we continue to remind ourselves of this total Biblical teaching? Do Easter egg hunts, a new pair of shoes or a new dress help incite the desire to assure our understanding of God’s word, along with spreading this Gospel news to others? Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday; stair steps to God’s offerings for our comprehension that leads to a daily road map for all our futures.

But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. [Isaiah 53:5]

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Written by Dustin Crow, a contemporary pastor.

As the Word, Jesus is the self-expression of God. The incarnation points to the Father’s love because it proves he wants to be known in a way that is clear, intimate, and according to truth…Jesus takes our vague or slightly distorted notions of God and gives us the real picture of the Father in his fullness of grace and truth. We should look to the incarnation of Jesus to see just how near the Father has come. The Son shows us the Father, and through Jesus the invisible God is visible. It should astound us that the infinite, transcendent, and perfect God would make knowing us and being known by us one of his highest priorities. What a joy that God is a Father who doesn’t just show mercy—and that would be wonderful enough—but he wants a real relationship where we know and love him. Our perceptions of God become fuzzy when we look at earthly figures of fathers or authorities. However, when we look at Jesus, the character and compassion of the Father is clearly and accurately displayed.

And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. [John 12:45]

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Written by Christy Kinney, a contemporary writer and blogger.

Serving others and meeting their needs go hand in hand. They are both great ways to show God’s love to your friends, family, and community! Service can look different for all of us. You can volunteer to serve in the music or children’s ministry at your local church. Or, you can volunteer to help keep the building and grounds clean. Maybe you want to volunteer at a local food bank. Any way you serve others, you’re showing God’s love to them!

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. [1 Peter 4:10]

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Written by Victoria Riollano, a contemporary ministry leader and author.

Above all else, intentionality should be what drives how we treat others. Being intentional reminds us that love is a choice and not just an emotion. Thus, you can love someone without particularly liking them. Showing intentional love is making a choice to be polite when we want to be rude, to call a friend going through a tough time, and to value the need of other people above others. According to Dr. Chapman, love is “the attitude that says I want to enrich your life.” He states that people universally experience and give love in one of the five ways: acts of service, words of affirmation, touch, gifts, and quality time. When in doubt, we can choose to find one person we can be purposeful about each week to show love. This is our greatest way to show people that you care about them and that God still uses people to demonstrate His love for humanity.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [1 Corinthians 13:7]

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