Love: From Advent to Eternity
12/26/2023
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."
- Proverbs 19:17 (ESV)
This verse ties in perfectly with this last week of advent. We are reminded of the extraordinary love that God displayed by sending His Son into the world. This love, rooted in selflessness and sacrifice, serves as a powerful example for us to emulate in our daily lives. Today, let us reflect on Proverbs 19:17 and explore how we can incorporate the attribute of love into our Advent journey.
It begins by urging us to be generous to the poor. The essence of Advent lies in recognizing the needs of others and responding with compassion. Just as God showed His love for us by meeting our greatest need through Jesus, we are called to extend that love to those around us, especially to those who are less fortunate. It is in our acts of generosity that we find ourselves lending to the Lord.
However, our acts of love should not be driven by the expectation of repayment from others. Instead, we should trust in God's promise that He will repay us for our deeds. This repayment may not always be in material or temporal ways, but rather in the eternal blessings and rewards that God has prepared for us. Our love and acts of kindness, done faithfully and selflessly, become investments in the kingdom of God.
As we engage in acts of love this Advent season, we must remember that our ultimate motivation is not to gain recognition or praise from others. Our motive should be to reflect the love of Christ and to honor Him. We are called to love as He loved, selflessly and sacrificially. Our love should extend beyond the boundaries of our comfort zones, reaching out to the marginalized, the oppressed, and the forgotten.
During Advent, we also anticipate the second coming of Christ. Just as the first Advent brought hope and salvation into the world, the second Advent will bring the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of His everlasting kingdom. In this anticipation, our acts of love become a proclamation of the hope we have in Christ.
Today, let’s embrace the attribute of love and incorporate it into our lives. May our hearts be filled with the compassion that God has shown us, and may our actions reflect His selfless love. As we lend to the Lord through our generosity, let us trust in His faithfulness to repay us. And as we eagerly await the second Advent, may our love shine brightly, pointing others to the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."
- Proverbs 19:17 (ESV)
This verse ties in perfectly with this last week of advent. We are reminded of the extraordinary love that God displayed by sending His Son into the world. This love, rooted in selflessness and sacrifice, serves as a powerful example for us to emulate in our daily lives. Today, let us reflect on Proverbs 19:17 and explore how we can incorporate the attribute of love into our Advent journey.
It begins by urging us to be generous to the poor. The essence of Advent lies in recognizing the needs of others and responding with compassion. Just as God showed His love for us by meeting our greatest need through Jesus, we are called to extend that love to those around us, especially to those who are less fortunate. It is in our acts of generosity that we find ourselves lending to the Lord.
However, our acts of love should not be driven by the expectation of repayment from others. Instead, we should trust in God's promise that He will repay us for our deeds. This repayment may not always be in material or temporal ways, but rather in the eternal blessings and rewards that God has prepared for us. Our love and acts of kindness, done faithfully and selflessly, become investments in the kingdom of God.
As we engage in acts of love this Advent season, we must remember that our ultimate motivation is not to gain recognition or praise from others. Our motive should be to reflect the love of Christ and to honor Him. We are called to love as He loved, selflessly and sacrificially. Our love should extend beyond the boundaries of our comfort zones, reaching out to the marginalized, the oppressed, and the forgotten.
During Advent, we also anticipate the second coming of Christ. Just as the first Advent brought hope and salvation into the world, the second Advent will bring the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of His everlasting kingdom. In this anticipation, our acts of love become a proclamation of the hope we have in Christ.
Today, let’s embrace the attribute of love and incorporate it into our lives. May our hearts be filled with the compassion that God has shown us, and may our actions reflect His selfless love. As we lend to the Lord through our generosity, let us trust in His faithfulness to repay us. And as we eagerly await the second Advent, may our love shine brightly, pointing others to the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Posted in Advent Reflections, Encouragement and Inspiration, Generosity, Gratitude, Obedience
Posted in Advent, Obedience
Posted in Advent, Obedience
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