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People all over the world are looking for love. According to Amazon.com, there are at least 32,507 books currently in print with the word love in the title (over 145,000 that deal with the subject of love). There are more than 11,000 popular albums/CDs with love in the title. A Google search of the Internet reveals that there are at least 121,000,000 Websites that use the word love as one of their key words.1 The Bible is a book about a love story. It is about God's love for humanity, His wooing of our affection through the mediator, His Son. The word love (various forms) is found 419 times in the Bible. The book of 1 John has love for its theme. It tells us that "God is love" (1 John 4:8), and then shows that God has demonstrated—made manifest—His love (3:16; 4:9–10). Love is not just something we feel; it is more often something we do. Love requires action; it is demonstrated through behavior. God's love is more than just talk; He demonstrated compassion so we would learn to be compassionate. As Paul said, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:24). John wrote, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18; cf. James 2:15–16). God demonstrates His love for us by gift-giving. One of the "five languages of love"2 is "gift-giving." We enjoy surprising our mates with a little something we picked up on a trip. We take pleasure in giving presents to our children during the holidays. We celebrate graduations, weddings, and births with gift-giving. God also uses this "love language" to express His sentiments to man. He "gave gifts unto men" (Ephesians 4:8). He leaves no one out—even His avowed enemies get daily gifts from the Creator they deny. "The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works" (Psalm 145:9). He gives us sunshine and rain, fruitful seasons, and beautiful vistas. Paul and Barnabas explained that God had "left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17; cf. Matthew 5:45). God demonstrates His love for us through the life of His Son. Jesus helped us to get to know the God of love. Love (various forms) is found eighty-six times in the eighty-nine chapters of Jesus' biographies (when compassion is added, the total increases to one hundred times). Jesus told Philip, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9). We saw Jesus' love demonstrated in feeding hungry people (John 6), healing hurting people (Matthew 4:24), directing lost people (Matthew 9:35–36), correcting wrong people (Matthew 23), accepting rejected people (Luke 19:1–10), and dying for lost people (Matthew 20:28). Someone once wrote about a traveler who fell into a deep pit and couldn't get out. Several persons came along and saw him struggling in the pit. The sensitive person said, "I feel for you down there." The reflective person said, "It's logical that someone would fall into the pit." The aesthetic person said, "I can give you ideas on how to decorate your pit." The judgmental person said, "Only bad people fall into pits." The curious person said, "Tell me how you fell into the pit." The perfectionist said, "I believe you deserve your pit." The evaluator asked, "Are you paying taxes on this pit?" The self-pitying person said, "You should have seen my pit." The counselor said, "Just relax. Don't think about the pit." The optimist said, "Cheer up! Things could be worse." The pessimist said, "Be prepared! Things will get worse." Jesus, seeing him, loved him, and lifted him out of the pit.3
A Christian can truthfully sing, "I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore" when "love lifted me!" God demonstrates His love for us through the death of His Son. God has an infallible track record. He can be trusted. He has proven beyond question that He loves us. The Bible says, "But God commendeth4 [demonstrated] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). John Griffith lived in Oklahoma in 1929, and he lost all he had in the stock market crash. He moved to Mississippi, where he took a job tending a bridge for a railroad trestle. One day in 1937, his eight-year-old son, Greg, spent the day with his dad at work. He played in the office that morning and asked a thousand questions. Then a ship came through and John opened the drawbridge. Suddenly, he realized his son wasn't in the office. Frantically he looked around, and to his horror saw him climbing on the gears of the draw bridge. He hurried outside to rescue his son, but just then he heard what he knew was a fast-approaching passenger train, the Memphis Express, filled with four hundred people. He yelled to his son, but the noise of the now clearing ship and the oncoming train made it impossible for the boy to hear him. John Griffith realized his horrible dilemma. If he took the time to rescue his son the train would crash and kill all aboard. If he closed the bridge, he would sacrifice his son. He made the decision he would relive ten thousand times and pulled the lever to close the bridge. As the train went by he could see some passengers' faces. Some were reading, some waved, and all were oblivious to the sacrifice that had just been made on their behalf. God once faced a similar dilemma. He could not save sinners and spare Jesus, too. How could He be "just" and "justifier" at the same time? (cf. Romans 3:26). God had to allow the jaws of death to close in on His Son. He "spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all" (Romans 8:32). Millions go by oblivious and indifferent, even some who know the sacrifice. Still, there is one tremendous difference between the two fathers. Unlike the Memphis Express that caught John Griffith by surprise, sending Jesus was not a panic move. It wasn't a spontaneous decision. It was planned. Paul said, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law" (Galatians 4:4). Jesus' death was not the result of jealous Jews or hard-hearted Romans. It was the result of a loving God who saw there was no other way to save man. "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us" (1 John 3:16).5 Since people are looking for love, and "God is love" (1 John 4:8), God is what people are looking for! Endnotes: 1 "God Is Love," Scott R. Bayles, SermonCentral.com. 2 According to Gary Chapman's best-selling book The Five Language of Love. 3 Author unknown. 4 sunistao, sunistano, sunistemi, "to set together, by implication to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit; intransitively to stand near."
3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
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John 3:16
A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner,
The people were in and out of the cold.
The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell
Many papers.
He walked up to a policeman and said,
'Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could
Find a warm place to sleep tonight would you ?
You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and
Down the alley and it's awful cold in there for tonight.
Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay.'
The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, 'You
Go down the street to that big white house and you knock
On the door. When they come out the door you just say
John 3:16, and they will let you in.'
So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the
Door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said,
'John 3:16.' The lady said, 'Come on in, Son.'
She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom
Rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went
Off. The boy sat there for a while and thought to himself:
John 3:16...I don't understand it, but it sure makes
A cold boy warm.
Later she came back and asked him 'Are you hungry ? '
He said, 'Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of
Days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food,'
The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table
Full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat
Any more. Then he thought to himself:
John 3:16 ...Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure
Makes a hungry boy full.
She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub
Filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a
While. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16 ...
I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy
Clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my
Whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in
Front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out.
The lady came in and got him. She took him to a room,
Tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers
Up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out
The lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out the
Window at the snow coming down on that cold night,
He thought to himself: John 3:16 ...I don't understand it but
It sure makes a tired boy rested.
The next morning the lady came back up and took him
Down again to that same big table full of food. After he
Ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom
Rocker in front of the fireplace and
Picked up a big old Bible.
She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face.
'Do you understand John 3:16 ? ' she asked gently. He
Replied, 'No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it
Was last night when the policeman told me to use it,'
She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain
To him about Jesus . Right there, in front of that big old fireplace,
He gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there
And thought: John 3:16 -- don't understand it, but it sure
Makes a lost boy feel safe.
You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either,
How God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how
Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand
The agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as
They watched Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the intense
Love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end.
I don't understand it, but it sure does make life worth living.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
Not perish, but have everlasting life.
If you aren't ashamed to do this, please follow the directions ..
Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed
Of you before my Father.' Pass this on only if you mean it.
I do Love God . He is my source of existence.. He keeps
me functioning each and every day. Phil 4:13 If you love
God and are not ashamed of all the marvelous things he
has done for you, send this on.
Take 60 seconds & give this a shot !
Let's just see if Satan stops this one.
All you do is:
1) Simply say a small prayer for the person who sent you this,
'Father, God bless this person in whatever it is that You know
he may be needing this day ! '
2) Then send it on to ten other people.
Within hours ten people have prayed for you,
and you caused a multitude of people to pray to God for
other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God
work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves.
| If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than the
million who won't survive the week. If you have never experienced
the danger of battle,
the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or
the pangs of starvation,
you are ahead of 20 million people
around the world. If you attend a church meeting
without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost
three billion people in the world. If you have food in your refrigerator,
clothes on your back,a roof over
your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank,
in your wallet, and spare change
in a dish someplace, you are among
the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If your parents are still married and alive,
you are very rare,
especially in the United States. If you hold up your head with a smile
on your face and are truly thankful,
you are blessed because the majority can,
but most do not.
f you can hold someone's hand, hug them
or even touch them on the shoulder,
you are blessed because you can
offer God's healing touch.
If you can read this message,
you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world
that cannot read anything at all. You are so blessed in ways
you may never even know. |
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READ THE FIRST LINE CAREFULLY. .
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
This i s a Thomas Kinkade painting. It's rumored to carry a miracle!
The water is supposed to be running, so if it's not moving then the picture
Didn't come through entirely.
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The Poem
I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.....
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God! held a book;
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
"Your name I cannot find
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"
Now do you have the time
to pass it on?
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REVELATION 1 The link between heaven (God) and earth (finite physical creation).
Rev. 1:8 Alpha and Omega. Rev. 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
[Comment: Revelation or apocalypse or unveiling of those things which had been veiled, since Daniel was told to seal and shut up till the time of the end. It is also a guide of the kingdom of Christ, and of the Church for the Gentile Christian times. It is not a detailed history of the future, but only represents great epochs and powers to be.
The book is in a series of parallel groups, not in chronological order. The author is actually Jesus Christ, about His second advent and the events preliminary to it, which God revealed to His Son, to show things close at hand (shortly), in the future, and between the two.]
Rev. 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
[Comment: Here he testifies to the word of God, by the Spirit of prophecy.]
Rev. 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
[Comment: How many of us really read, hear, or keep the words of this prophecy? The answer is very few.] Rev. 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
[Comment: Revelation is addressed to seven churches in Asia, a province of the Roman Empire (Phrygia, Mysia, Caria and Lydia), located on the western end of modern Turkey.
The number seven is fixed and signifies completeness (totality), as if the seven churches may represent all churches (universal Church of all times), or possibly seven eras of church history. If things come in threes, then its possible that it represents 7 churches in Asia, 7 church ages over time, and 7 future churches in the last days, a total of 21.
A reference to God’s constant and unchanging nature, is noted here as He is, was, and is to come, another way to present the incommunicable name of JEHOVAH, the self existing One. The seven Spirits could mean the Holy Spirit, or in the presence of the sevenfold, perfect, complete, and universal energy.] Rev. 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
[Comment: Here we find a focus on Jesus Christ the faithful witness, who was resurrected with a body equipped for eternity (fulfilled the scripture Psalm 2:7), like no one before Him had done. This is the assurance to Christian believers. Jesus as prince (ruler) of the kings of the earth in that his power extends to all realms of reality, because of the price paid for our sins.] Rev. 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
[Comment: We love and serve Jesus because He loved us, and washed away our sins, which made us kings and priests, although some manuscripts read "a kingdom," which is unto the ages.] Rev. 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
[Comment: Since Christ was received by a cloud "out of their sight" at His ascension (Acts 1:9), this corresponds to the manner of His coming again (Acts 1:11). Clouds are the symbols of wrath to sinners. When Christ returns every one will witness the event, even those who killed Him and then persecuted His followers. "They also," definitely refers to His pre-millennial advent, at which point the Jews, who shall "look upon Him whom they have pierced." Even the Antichristian confederacy (Zech. 12:3-6, 9; 14:1-4; Matthew 24:30) shall wail in regard to Him.] Rev. 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
[Comment: This implies that Jesus created the universe and will also bring its present form to an end in judgment. The phrase "the beginning and the ending" is omitted in the oldest manuscripts, inserted later to show that the Alpha of the Old Testament and the Omega of the Revelation of the New Testament meet together. The Lord (or the Lord God, Almighty, as the Hebrew Shaddai, and Jehovah Sabaoth of the hosts) who commands all the host or powers in heaven and earth, has overcome all His Church"s foes in all times.]
Rev. 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
[Comment: In verse 9, John promotes himself as the brother (apostle, the disciple whom Jesus loved) and companion of those undergoing persecution (loss of property, homes, imprisonment, exile, and execution) in the mid 90’s of the first century by the Roman emperor Domitian. John was exiled to Patmos (now Patmo or Palmosa) under Domitian, and later released under Nerva. Although restrained to a small spot, it was here that John was permitted to penetrate the wide realms of heaven and its secrets.] Rev. 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
[Comment: Here John had a unique experience with God, in that he was taken into a state of ecstasy, with the outer world being shut out, and the inner and higher life or spirit being opened, and then after being taken full possession of by God’s Spirit so that an immediate connection with the invisible world is established. This which occurred on the Lord’s Day, the last day of the week, the Sabbath. Christians at present moved and worship the holy day on Sunday.] Rev. 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
[Comment: The seven churches were key cities on the Roman province of Asia. Although there were other churches such as Miletus, Magnesia, Tralles, the number seven here is fixed for mystical significance in expressing totality and universality, as the chief spiritual characteristic of the Church, in all ages. - Ephesus ("the beloved" or "desired"), intolerant of evil and of false apostles, left its first love. In conflict with false freedom, fleshly aspects of the Nicolaitans. Historically this represents the waning period of the apostolic age.
- Smyrna ("myrrh"), exposed to persecution unto death, with bitter suffering, in the historical idea it is the martyr period of the Decian and Diocletian age.
- Pergamos ("castle" or "tower"), was in conflict with Balaam-like tempters to fornication and idol-meats. This would be the period from Constantine’s time until the seventh century.
- Thyatira ("unwearied about sacrifices"), abounding in works, love, service and faith, yet suffering the false prophetess to seduce many. Seen historically as the Papal Church in the first half of the Middle Ages; like "Jezebel," keen about its so-called sacrifice of the mass, and slaying the prophets and witnesses of God.
- Sardis, a high name for spiritual life and yet dead. No conflict or opposition. This covers a period from the close of the twelfth century to the Reformation.
- Philadelphia (‘brotherly love"), very little strength, yet they keep Christ’s word and have an open door. This city was in conflict with the Jewish synagogue (legal bondage). Seen as the first century of the Reformation.
- Laodicea, in its own estimate rich and having need of nothing, with much to give, yet lukewarm. It also as Sardis experience no outside conflict or opposition. Seen as the historical Reformed Church after its first zeal had become lukewarm.]
(In the next verse we see Jesus is seen standing on the Servant Lamp "in the midst" of seven golden lamps, which actually presents Him as the "Shamash," a concept which continues throughout the book. The following verse are a highly symbolic description of Jesus.)
Rev. 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
[Comment: "Seven … candlesticks," or lamp-stands, the stand holding the lamp, as the one seen in Exodus 25:31, 33, the seven are united in one candlestick or lamp-stand, six arms and a central shaft; so Zechariah 4:2, 11. Here in verse 12, the seven are separate candlesticks, no longer as the Jewish Church.]
Rev. 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle
.
[Comment: Seven candlesticks are seven churches, with Jesus (Son of man, the form that endured the agony of Gethsemane, and the shame and anguish of Calvary, but now glorified) centrally located in the life of all churches. His clothes were symbolic of dignity and nobility, "down to the foot," a mark of high rank, garment and girdle are emblems of His priesthood, "after the order of Melchisedec."]
Rev. 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
[Comment: Some sources say the color white is purity and glory, while others promote the white hair as a symbol of age and wisdom; fiery eyes were symbols of insight, all-searching and penetrating like fire, and consuming indignation against sin.]
Rev. 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
[Comment: Feet of brass are symbols of power and strength. The Greek word is chalkolibanon, which means whiteness or brilliancy, burnished copper, it is derived from two Greek words, brass and frankincense (libanos, the incense-tree), possible from the Hebrew libben, to whiten. Glowing brass burned in a furnace.]
Rev. 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
[Comment: He holds the seven stars in His right hand as a star-studded "crown of glory," or "royal diadem." He is their Possessor and Upholder. His word will execute the punishment, by a sword (Greek Romphaia, the Thracian long and heavy broadsword) with two edges, as one edge the Old Testament and the other the New Testament.]
(In the next verse Jesus tells us that the seven stars are the angels (messengers) of the seven churches. Thus here it states that the seven candlesticks are the seven churches which makes them a menorah.)
Rev. 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Rev. 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore (living unto the ages of ages), Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
[Comment: Hell, Greek, "Hades," Hebrew, "Sheol," not actually a place of torment, but a death which came in by sin, robbing man of his immortality. Keys are emblems of authority, open and shutting at will "the gates of Hades."]
Rev. 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
[Comment: Things which are about to come to pass.]
Rev. 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
[Comment: In regard to the mystery, that signifies the hidden truth, veiled under this symbol, and now revealed. Stars symbolize lordship (Num. 24:17; cf. Daniel 12:8 of faithful teachers; Jude 13).]
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