God's Unconditional Love for All Mankind

In an emergency situation, most of us would risk our own safety and lives to save the life of someone we do not know.  Our brave firefighters and policemen daily put themselves into dangerous situations to protect and rescue strangers.  In Europe, at this present time, specifically in the Ukraine, this is being played out by Christians.  They are sending busses into the war zone.  This is where homes and churches are being destroyed by the Russian sympathizers.  The refugees are brought back to a safe area and are welcomed into a safe environment of homes and churches.

The Bible says:

John 15:13,14 – “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

When a person is an enemy of ours, or one who we think does not deserve to be loved because of their ungodly life style, the Bible says:

Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

As we finalize this month’s theme of  “Loving one another as God loves us”, and if we believe that Christ’s death on the Cross cleansed us from all unrighteousness, then we can truly say as this old chorus says:

Thank you Lord for saving my soul,

Thank you Lord for making me whole.

Thank you Lord for giving to me,

Our Great Salvation, so Rich and Free.

God has given enough of His Love to share with others for the rest of our lives.  We need to go forward and embrace who we are in Christ.

WE ARE HIS!  LIVE LIKE IT!

REST IN GOD!  REJOICE!

WE ARE REDEEMED!

Thank you for reading this,
Great Granny Witt

God's Church can be our extended family for "loving one another"

Sometimes, circumstances require us to live, geographically, far away from our birth family.  God has provided a group of His followers to fill in that gap. His local church family can be an atmosphere of giving and receiving and loving one another. They are like-minded as we are in their beliefs. Being taught from the Word of God, looking out for each other and loving one another is the norm. There are trustworthy members around for you to call on when you are troubled, lonely, sick or when you want to share with someone your good news and blessings.

Hebrews 10:24, 25 – “And let us consider one another to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

As a missionary in the 1970’s and the 1980’s , I personally experienced living far away from my own family for 12 years.  I kept in touch with them weekly by telephone.  I was also able to fly to be with them on special occasions and holidays.  There was no “SKYPE’ invented at that time.  Meanwhile, God provided me with a local church family.  We became fast friends and 40 years later, we still keep in touch.

I returned to Ohio 25 years ago and have been a member of my current church family ever since. Once I am planted, I stay put.  There is a sense of security and belonging in a solid commitment.  I would highly recommend to everyone to do the same.

Thank you for reading this,

Great Granny Witt  

The Family Home is the Training Ground for Loving One Another

When the love of God for us sets the behavioral standard in the family peace prevails in their home.

John 4:19 – “We love Him, because He first loved us.” 

God loves us no matter what we do or have done. Nothing can take His love away from us. Sometimes, our friends and even our families turn away from us when we hurt them, but God will never turn His back on us.

You can’t help but love someone who is always there for you.

Let us show our love by praying to the One who never loves us less.

And never leaves us even when our lives seem such a mess!

The way the members of a family treat each other in the privacy of their home goes out with them into their community. Behavior habits can be a blessing or an embarrassment. God expects all of us, not just the children, to follow the commands and guidance of those in authority over us.

I pray that all of us who know Jesus as Our Savior will be a Godly example to others by the way they relate to each other with tender and loving care. As He cares for us, let us care for one another.

What an assignment for us: Because God loves us, we love one another. And we will love you too!

Praise the Lord for His Great Love for us that we can share with one another!

Thank you for reading this.

Great Granny Witt

Commercial Love or God's Love?

February 14^th has been proclaimed “Valentine’s Day”.  Every year in greeting card shops around the nation cash registers continuously ring as messages of love are being purchased.  These will be sent to special people in our live as we proclaim our love for them.  These messages are written by people who we do not know, to be read by people who the writers do not know.

God’s Word recommends a different and more personal approach.  Jesus says in John 13:34,35 –

“A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

This is not a once a year event but a daily practice.   

Ephesians 4:32 – “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

God's love is an action word to be played out in all of our relationships.  The dictionary describes love as an unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.  That doesn't sound like what some people think love is – “IT’S ALL ABOUT ME’!  God is not just requesting that we love one another, He is commanding us to do so.  He repeats his command again in John 15:12 – 

“This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.”

We have many opportunities each day to show kindness and concern for others.  Such as:

1.       Opening a door for a person with a walker or one who is in a wheelchair.

2.       Encouraging someone who has been put down or belittled by another.

3.       Watching an infant so a mom can shop more quickly alone.

4.       Preparing meals for a family when a parent is ill.

5.       Giving a ride to Church to one who cannot drive.

6.       Taking lunch and sharing it with a person who is home bound.

7.       A phone call to offer help to someone in need.

    

Ephesians 5:1 – “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. “

What a blessing to know at the end of the day, that you have shown the love of Christ to another.   

Thank you for reading this.

Granny Witt