1 John 2:3-11 First Comes Like

1 John 2:3-11 NIV

In any relationship, for us to believe and trust someone, we must get to know about someone. Recently, I saw a commercial that I actually like. It was a Zoosk commercial "Love does not comes first. First comes like."  I liked it because I know more than a few teen-agers (and at leas a few adults) who should really pay attention to this. Before genuine enduring love occurs, we must first get to know one another and actually learn to like each other despite all those little things we might not appreciate so much. Genuine love grows as we get to know about each other. There might be a whole lot less break-ups and divorces if we spent more time learning to like each other before we commit ourselves to loving and living with someone forever.

Our relationship with God is not so very different. In order to say that we truly love Him, we first must get to know Him. When we get to know about Him, love will come in the getting to know Him and what He has done for us. We do that by reading His word in the Holy Scriptures; gathering together to hear His Word in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ; by receiving Jesus in the Sacraments; and by spending time talking with Him in prayer.

Get to know God our Father; walk with God the Son; take the time to listen to the Holy Spirit and then your love will be made complete.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 1:1-38 Angels' Message

Luke 1:1-38 NIV
Angels went to the parents of John and Jesus to tell them that they would have these children. Can you imagine? Can you imagine the fear that might grip you if an angel of the LORD suddenly appeared to bring you a message from God?

Sometimes His Word will cause us fear and trembling at other times and sometimes at the same time it will bring us joy. Zechariah was not only felt fear, he must have felt much joy and relief in knowing that at long last his prayers that he and his wife Elizabeth would finally have a son will finally be answered. I'm not so sure that Mary would have been so joyful with the news of her pregnancy. She would have a lot of obstacles to face. She, after all, is not married, and has a bit of explaining to her fiancée as to how she got pregnant. But, then again, this child, she is told, will be called the Son of God. He will be exalted. That ought to make any mother happy.

Sometimes the Word will bring us joy. Sometimes it will bring us a bit of anxiety. God calls us to follow in ways that we might not choose to go ourselves. I haven't heard of any angels visiting anyone with a message from God, lately. However, He does have a word for each and all of us. We can read His message to us anytime we pick up the Holy Scriptures. We can hear His message to us during Worship. God still speaks to us. His message might be one that maybe we don't want to hear. It might be one we have been longing to hear. No matter what it is, we can know that is for the good of those who love Him. Even as the angel(s) told both Zechariah and Mary, "Do not be afraid..." (Luke 1:13,30) Listen to Him!
God's Peace - Pr. J