"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Thursday, December 5, 2024 - Day 339 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Daniel 3,4; 1 John 3)
LOVE IN ACTION
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18 ESV)
Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate display of love in action. John tells us to be willing to lay down our lives for others. Then he gets specific: “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?”
The picture shows a man putting his love into action by giving a cup of something warm to what appears to be a homeless man.
We all have opportunities to share the love of God with people in need. The person is helped, and we get to serve Jesus.
1. Love in Christ is strong and living,
Binding faithful hearts in one;
Love in Christ is true and giving,
May His will in us be done.
2. Love is patient and forbearing,
Clothed in Christ’s humility,
Gentle, selfless, kind, and caring,
Reaching out in charity.
3. Love in Christ abides forever,
Fainting not when ills attend;
Love, forgiving and forgiven,
Shall endure until life’s end.
(Lutheran Service Book #706)
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your overwhelming love for me. May I reflect Your love in my life by caring for others and pointing them to You. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
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