News you won't see in controlled mainstream media.

--WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT 'GOD IS LOVE'?

---What does it mean that God is love? He is Creator of all things visible and invisible. (See Colossians 1:13-20)

The Bible teaches that God loves us, yet also teaches that God is love. First John 4:7-9 reveals, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him."

In the original Greek used to write the New Testament, there is more than one word for love. The Greek word 'agapaos', often referred to as agape love, is the word used in 1 John 4. It is used when speaking of an unconditional love. This love of God is boundless.

God does not only give love; He is the source of love. As the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1), He is the One who created love. It is because of His love that we are able to love. As 1 John 4:19 notes, "We love because he first loved us."

The fullest expression of God as love was through the Son, Jesus Christ. God created us, sustains us, and has revealed Himself to us through Jesus. John 1:14 declares, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Among the most famous of Bible passages on love is 1 Corinthians 13. In these verses we find a picture of God's love expressed in poetic terms that displays many of the aspects of God's love toward us. We are told, "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

Further, John 3:16 teaches, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." God has made clear that His love through the Son of God, Jesus, provides an opportunity for those who believe to spend eternity with Him. It is God's desire for us to enjoy His love both in this life and for all eternity.

The Bible is also clear we have done nothing to deserve God's perfect love. Romans 5:8 shares, "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Even when Jesus knew we would fail and even before we were born, He gave His life as the ultimate expression of His love.

God is love. He created love, created us to love Him, and has extended His love to each of us. Our challenge is to accept His great love (Ephesians 2:8-9) that we may experience His love in our lives today (John 10:10) and for eternity (John 3:16).
--(www.GotQuestions.org) /= For more Bible Questions~~
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--His Love Endures Forever ~~ Michael Smith
<https://youtu.be/PGTZq3uCPm0>

--What Does it Mean 'God is Love?'/ Yet, "We are Not to Love the World?"

--Question: "What does it mean that we are not to love the world?"

--Answer: First John 2:15-16 says, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world." Yet John 3:16 begins, "For God so loved the world . . ." So, God loves the world, but we are not supposed to? Why the apparent contradiction?

In the Bible, the term 'world' can refer to the earth and physical universe (Hebrews 1:2; John 13:1), but it most often refers to the humanistic system that is at odds with God (Matthew 18:7; John 15:19; 1 John 4:5). When the Bible says that God loves the world, it is referring to the human beings who live here (1 John 4:9). And as His children, we are to love other people (Romans 13:8; 1 John 4:7; 1 Peter 1:22). The parable of the Good Samaritan makes it clear we cannot pick and choose whom to love (Luke 10:30-37).

When we are told not to love the world, the Bible is referring to the world's corrupt value system. Satan is the god of this world, and he has his own value system contrary to God's (2 Corinthians 4:4). First John 2:16 details exactly what Satan's system promotes: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. Every sin imaginable can be summed up in those three evils; envy, adultery, pride, lying, selfishness, and more spring from those three roots.

The world is what we leave when we come to Christ. Isaiah 55:7 says that coming to God involves a forsaking of our own ways and thoughts. John Bunyan, in his book 'The Pilgrim’s Progress', pictures the believer’s position as having “his eyes lift up to heaven,” holding “the best of books” in his hand, and standing with “the world as cast behind him” (p. 34).

The world often applauds sin. Hollywood encourages us to envy sinners and to foolishly compare ourselves with the "beautiful people" (see Proverbs 23:17). Often the popularity of "stars" is due to their ability to stir in us dissatisfaction with our own lives. Advertisers prey on our natural tendency to love this world, and most marketing campaigns appeal in some way to the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, or the pride of life.

Loving the world means being devoted to the world’s treasures, philosophies, and priorities. God tells His children to set their priorities according to His eternal value system. We are to “seek first” God’s kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33). No one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), and we cannot be devoted to both God and the world at the same time.

When we enter God's family through faith in Christ, God gives us the ability to exit the world's rat race (2 Corinthians 5:17). We become citizens of another kingdom (Philippians 1:27, 3:20). Our desires turn heavenward, and we begin to store up eternal treasure (Luke 12:33; Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:18-19). We realize that what is truly important is eternal, not temporal, and we stop loving the world.

To continue to love the world the way unbelievers do will cripple our spiritual growth and render us fruitless for God's kingdom (Matthew 3:8; Luke 6:43-45; John 15:1-8). In John 12:25, Jesus took this thought a step further when He said, "Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." Not loving the world extends to our own lives as well. Jesus said if we love anything more than Him, we are not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37-38).

In general, the term 'world' in the Bible refers to the 'evil system' controlled by Satan that leads us away from worship of God. John Calvin said, "The human heart is an idol factory." We can make idols out of anything. Any passionate desire of our hearts that is not put there by God for His glory can become an idol (1 Corinthians 10:31). Loving the world is idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:7, 14).

-So, while we are commanded to love the people of the world, we are to be wary of anything that competes with God for our highest affections.
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-The Bible is our map and guide to Heaven. Our 'Refiner's Fire', ( burning off the 'wood, hay, and stubble.'
<https://youtu.be/aSIazjrA0Ls>

-GOD'S GIFT OF FORGIVENESS / JESUS DIED TO PAY OUR SIN-DEBT
---(Colossians 3:12-14 / please read)

--Motivated by love, God provided a way for our sins to be forgiven: He sent Jesus to be our Savior. When we trust in the Lord’s substitutionary sacrifice on our behalf, we receive the gift of forgiveness.

Before placing faith in Christ, we were dead in our sins and objects of divine wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3). But our merciful heavenly Father sent His Son Jesus to redeem us. At the Cross, the Savior took our sins upon Himself and experienced God’s fury for our sake. His death secured a pardon for us; there was nothing we ourselves could do to acquire God’s acceptance. We are saved by grace—through faith in Christ and what He accomplished (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our salvation is a free gift from the Father.

God’s will is that we, as forgiven people, show mercy to those who wrong us—to the same degree that He forgave us in Christ. But the human tendency is to attach conditions when extending mercy. We think, I will forgive you only if you apologize. Or, You must fix the problem, and then I’ll stop being angry. Or even, You must make restitution before I will let this go. That’s not what our Savior did. Romans 5:8 expresses it this way: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

We are to remember that showing mercy is God’s will. We’re called to pardon those who have caused us pain. Through reliance on God’s Spirit, we can become Christlike and forgive. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)~

Give it to God, and stop thinking about it. 'When the enemy comes in like a flood the Holy Spirit will lift up a standard against him."
Jesus will forgive through you, then you are set free from their sin. Let it go! Jesus took all the sins of entire world upon His shoulders to die for you and me. Can't we forgive them, in Jesus Name? "Your Great Name", (Jesus / YESHUA)... (Paul Wilbur)
--IN TOUCH~~ <https://youtu.be/uR0jEH1frno>

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--What Does It Mean, 'God Is Love'? / 'Love Your Enemies?'

--A LIFESTYLE OF FORGIVENESS / GOD'S WAY IS LOVE!
--Ephesians 4:29-32

--Showing mercy to those who hurt us does not come naturally— it’s easier to get angry at them and remain that way. We justify our lack of forgiveness by pointing to the injustice that took place or harm that was done. But God commands us to be merciful (Luke 6:36). We who have been shown divine mercy are to practice a lifestyle of forgiveness.

So why don’t we obey? Sometimes our pride gets in the way. We are angered when treated with disrespect, passed over for a job opportunity, or ignored despite our accomplishments. At other times we get focused on other people’s refusal to change, so we withhold mercy until they improve their behavior.

An unforgiving attitude can have all sorts of unwanted consequences, including broken relationships, emotional bondage, and indifference toward the Lord. The longer we hold on to our anger, the more it will affect our fellowship, not only with other people but also with our heavenly Father. Over time, we may become bitter and hostile, which certainly doesn’t fit with our identity in Christ.

It is hard for us to pardon those who tell lies about us, treat us badly, or cause harm to our loved ones. And yet their behavior toward us is not a reason to withhold mercy.

God calls us to forgive as He forgave us—and with His help, we can do just that.~~
--IN TOUCH~

--What does the Lord mean, "Love your Enemies?"
["But I tell you who hear me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you."
(LUKE 6:27-31)
Some of us may be thinking, "How can I do this?" The Lord says, "Fear thou not; for I am with you; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen you, yea, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." TRUST ME! "God is faithful, by whom you were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9)] ]// GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS / SELAH~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kgJwyXsQLM>
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--GOD IS LOVE / -Yet, Why So Many Questions? ~~

-We Know God is Love. Why did He tell Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac on the altar?
--Abraham and Isaac

--Question: "Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?"

--Answer: Abraham had obeyed God many times in his walk with Him, but no test could have been more severe than the one in Genesis 22. God commanded, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:2a).

--This was an astounding command because Isaac was the son of promise. God had promised several times that from Abraham’s own body would come a nation as multitudinous as the stars in heaven (Genesis 12:2–3; 15:4–5). Later, Abraham was specifically told that the promise would be through Isaac (Genesis 21:12).

How did Abraham respond to God’s command to sacrifice Isaac? With immediate obedience; early the next morning, Abraham started on his journey with two servants, a donkey and his beloved son Isaac, with firewood for the offering. His unquestioning obedience to God’s confusing command gave God the glory He deserves and is an example to us of how to glorify God. When we obey as Abraham did, trusting that God’s plan is best, we exalt His attributes and praise Him. Abraham’s obedience in the face of this crushing command extolled God’s sovereign love, His trustworthiness, and His goodness, and it provided an example for us to follow. His faith in the God he had come to know and love placed Abraham in the pantheon of faithful heroes in Hebrews 11.

Abraham’s faith was such that, even if he had sacrificed Isaac, he believed the Lord would keep His word and raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:17–19). God uses Abraham’s faith as an example of the type of faith required for salvation. Genesis 15:6 says, “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” This truth is the basis of the Christian faith, as reiterated in Romans 4:3 and James 2:23. The righteousness that was credited to Abraham is the same righteousness credited to us when we receive by faith the sacrifice God provided for our sins—Jesus Christ. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Old Testament story of Abraham is the basis of the New Testament teaching of the atonement, the sacrificial offering of the Lord Jesus on the Cross for the sin of mankind. Jesus said, many centuries later, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56). The following are some of the parallels between the two biblical accounts:

• “Take your son, your only son, Isaac” (v. 2); “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…” (John 3:16).

• “Go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there…” (v. 2); it is believed that this area is where the city of Jerusalem was built many years later, where Jesus was crucified outside its city walls (Hebrews 13:12).

• “Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering” (v. 2); “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

• “Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac” (v. 6); Jesus, “carrying his own cross. . .” (John 19:17).

• “But where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (v. 7); John said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

• Isaac, the son, acted in obedience to his father in becoming the sacrifice (v. 9); Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

• Resurrection – Isaac (figuratively) and Jesus in reality: “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’ Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death” (Hebrews 11:17–19);

Jesus “was buried, and . . . was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4)~~.

--WHAT DOES IT MEAN 'GOD IS LOVE?' /'WHY IS THERE SO MUCH EVIL IN THIS WORLD?'

--WHY DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL?

--The problem of evil has long been a stumbling block. We know that God is good and that He is all-powerful. Yet we also know that evil exists. A good and loving God would not want evil to exist.
- An all-powerful God would be able to eradicate evil. So we sense that we are left with a contradiction; God must not be all-good, or He must not be all-powerful. What we fail to realize is that we are also part of the equation.

We may be able to envision a world without evil, but we would not be in it. Humans are sinful. We have a fallen and depraved nature (Job 15:14; Isaiah 64:6; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 5:12-13; 3:10-11, 23; Titus 3:3; 1 John 1:8). This is why there is evil in the world. Why did God not simply make us so that we could not be sinful? This is the question of free will. Without free will, we would be God's puppets. We could not truly love God. Because He desired to have a real relationship with us – one that involves choice – He had to allow for evil to exist.

We may say that God could still give us free will while at the same time preventing the consequences of evil. This becomes a question of degrees. We may want God to intervene in the case of murder or rape. But do we want God to intervene in the case of our own idolatry? Sin is not graded on a sliding scale. All sin is an offense to God, and it all separates us from Him equally. An unsaved person whose worst sin is that of gossip is just as unsaved as a nonbeliever who is a serial killer. If God were to intervene and prevent evil, He would have to remove us. Plus, if God were to prevent all the negative consequences of our actions, would we really have free will?

In essence, God allows evil because He desires relationship with us. We are sinful. With sinful people come evil things. But praise God He has redeemed us! We need not live in slavery to our sinful inclinations (Romans 6:16-18), though we still battle against our sinful desires (Romans 7:14-25). Yes, we live in a sinful world over which Satan has been given dominion (1 John 5:19). Believers are not immune to the consequences of evil. But Jesus has overcome (John 16:33)! God is faithful to redeem the evil that happens in our lives.

The story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers and then turning into a prominent player in the Egyptian government who later saved the nation is one of great redemption. Joseph told his brothers, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50:20). Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

God allows evil, yes. But He also restrains it. Because God is good, He does not allow there to be excess evil. Only that which can be redeemed and which can lead to good is allowed. Often this is more than we think we can bear. But we know God's character. He is a God of justice and of love. Evil will not go unpunished. Nor will God's people who suffer at the hands of others go without help. In fact, much of the biblical mandates are commands against evil. Not only are we told to refrain from sin and live in righteousness, we are told to help the needy. We are called to be advocates for victims of evil. Micah 6:8 says, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Too, we must remember that one day God will eradicate evil. Now He is patiently waiting so that more will turn to Him and be saved (2 Peter 3:9).
But one day, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20:10).

One day this will be our reality: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'

And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new'" (Revelation 21:3-5a).
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While we await our Lord's return, we should be telling others about His soon coming and we must be 'born again' (spiritual birth), to inherit the Kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
"This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached as a testimony to all the Nations, then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=17&v=LWFLw-DFko0>

--What Does It Mean, "Love the Sinner but Hate the Sin?"

--Question: "Are we to love the sinner but hate the sin?"

**Answer: Many Christians use the cliché “Love the sinner; hate the sin.” This saying is not found in the Bible in so many words; however, Jude 1:22–23 contains a similar idea: “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” According to this, our evangelism should be characterized by mercy for the sinner and a healthy hatred of sin and its effects.

We are to have compassion on sinners for whom Christ died, and we are also to keep ourselves “from being polluted by the world”—part of what constitutes “pure and faultless” religion (James 1:27). But we also realize that we are imperfect human beings and that the difference between us and God in regard to loving and hating is vast. Even as Christians, we cannot love perfectly, nor can we hate perfectly (i.e., without malice). But God can do both of these perfectly, because He is God. God can hate without any sinful intent. Therefore, He can hate the sin and the sinner in a perfectly holy way and still lovingly forgive the sinner at the moment of repentance and faith (Malachi 1:3; Revelation 2:6; 2 Peter 3:9).

The Bible clearly teaches that God is love. First John 4:8–9 says, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” Mysterious but true is the fact that God can perfectly love and hate a person at the same time. This means He can love him as someone He created and can redeem, as well as hate him for his unbelief and sinful lifestyle. We, as imperfect human beings, cannot do this; thus, we must remind ourselves to “love the sinner; hate the sin.”

How exactly does that work? We hate sin by recognizing it for what it is, refusing to take part in it, and condemning it as contrary to God’s nature. Sin is to be hated, not excused or taken lightly. We love sinners by showing them respect (1 Peter 2:17), praying for them (1 Timothy 2:1), and witnessing to them of Christ. It is a true act of love to treat someone with respect and kindness even though you do not approve of his or her lifestyle or sinful choices.

It is not loving to allow a person to remain stuck in sin. It is not hateful to tell a person he or she is in sin. In fact, the exact opposites are true. Sin leads to death (James 1:15), and we love the sinner by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We hate the sin by refusing to condone, ignore, or excuse it.~~
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When we love someone we TELL TRUTH. Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John14:6)
~~~~~~~~~~

-THE FOUNDATION OF PRAISE/ LOVE FOR THE LORD!
---(Psalms 40:8-10 / Please Read)

--Every time David and other writers penned a song of worship, they spoke about the Lord’s specific attributes or actions. When the songs were compiled into the book we now call Psalms, the collection became like a biography of God—one that relies upon the language of praise and adoration to tell 'His Love Story.'

The ability to worship grows out of a love for the Lord. Because genuine love is always cultivated by learning about the other person’s character, the true root of praise is knowledge. That’s why God instilled in every believer a longing to know more of Him. We satisfy that desire by spending time with the Lord and by fellowshipping with other Christians. We also observe how the Father works in our lives to meet needs and provide blessings. Discovering each new facet of His character deepens both our knowledge of Him and our understanding of why He deserves praise.

Experiencing God in our lives makes us fall in love with Him. A person in love cannot help praising the one he or she cherishes. So we gratefully honor Jesus Christ with words, songs, dance, or whatever else appropriately expresses our delight in Him.

Our devotion does not have to stay private or remain confined within the church community. Each believer has a “biography” of the Lord to share. It’s a story of accumulated praise not only for how He has intervened in chaos, comforted in tragedy, and blessed abundantly, but also for the lessons learned.
We share our adoration with the world so that others might come to know, love, and praise the Savior.
--IN TOUCH~~
-"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.
God is love; and He that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
We love Him, because He first loved us."
--(1 John 4:16,19)/ "What Love Really Means", JJ Heller~
<https://youtu.be/PgGUKWiw7Wk>
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--'LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU'~~

-Scripture is full of commands for us to love each other and overlook faults. We are reminded that love "keeps no record of wrongs" (1 Corinthians 13:5) and that we should be ready to forgive one another "just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).

I am deeply grateful that God turns off the scoreboard when I fail. He doesn't simply forgive when we repent; He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

With God, forgiveness means that our sin is out of sight and out of mind. May He give us grace to extend forgiveness to those around us.
"You are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms."

-FORGIVE AS GOD FORGIVES YOU--DON'T KEEP SCORE. FREEDOM COMES IN LETTING GO.
--ODB/JS --'Loved'--JJ Heller~
<https://youtu.be/m3SYcCLGAoE>

---LOVE FROM THE BEGINNING~~

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
'The one who does not love does not know God, FOR GOD IS LOVE.' -(1 John 7-8)~(emphasis mine)

“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (1 John 3:11)

--The pungent phrase “from the beginning” occurs no less than nine times in the first three chapters of the little epistle of 1 John. Thus, while in one sense, Christ’s command to love one another was a new commandment, in another sense it has been with us from the very beginning of the world. “Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning” (1 John 2:7).

The first verses of John’s epistle show that this beginning is the same beginning in Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1: “That which was from the beginning, . . . of the Word of life; . . . that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us” (1 John 1:1-2). Note also 1 John 2:13: “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning” (see also 1 John 2:14).

“Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father” (1 John 2:24). This is an eternal commandment, for “God is love” (1 John 4:16) and “love is of God” (1 John 4:7). In the upper room, Jesus prayed to the Father: “Father . . . thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. .. . . And I have declared unto them thy name, . . . that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them” (John 17:24, 26).

-Love, therefore, has been at the center of God’s plan from the beginning, but a new pattern and measure of that love was given us by Christ. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).
--ICR/ HMM~~
-Passion 2015 / 'HOW HE LOVES US'/ -David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Kris Stanfill, (and many more popular singers of our time.)
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5t7Uoanryg>
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--CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT JESUS~~

My dad, a man of few words, told my brother and me, “Boys, Christmas is about Jesus!” In one of those bedtime, book-time moments, somewhere between the fairy tales and the monkey with the lunch pail, I thought about what he had said. I began asking the Christmas questions, and I’ve been asking them ever since!

God knows what it’s like to be a human. When we talk to him about deadlines or tough times, he understands. He’s been there. He’s been here. Because of Bethlehem, we have a friend in Jesus. Christmas begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle became the King on the Cross. He doesn’t tell us, “Clean up before you come in.” He offers, “Come in and I’ll clean you up.” It’s not our grip on Him that matters, but His grip on us! And his grip is sure!

--**From/ Because of Bethlehem/ML**~~
["Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
The one who does not love does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE!
We love Him, because He first loved us." --(1 JOHN 4:7-8; 1 JOHN 4:19)~~]

-----EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE ~~

-'Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.
Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."
---(John 13:34/ NRSV)--

---EACH MORNING my co-worker goes to each office or cubicle and greets each person with a smile and asks, "How are you? How are things going with you?" If someone is absent, he inquires about them. I consider this friendly habit an expression of love. Our fast-paced, anxious society can minimize the importance of expressing love in our interpersonal relationships. It can be easy to forget the impact of simple actions like a warm greeting or a smile expressing care for someone.

As Christians, we are called to live by the fruit of the Spirit and to love one another. Jesus modeled the love we should show one another in practical, simple, and daily ways: He shared meals with the disciples and with people on the margins of society; he addressed the needs of women and lepers when no one else would. Jesus then showed us the ultimate expression of love by dying on the Cross. Imitating such an example is a challenge, but even small actions can make a difference.

So, what was the reason Jesus came to live on this planet Earth and left the glory of Heaven? Jesus came to save us from our sins. "Without the shedding of blood there is no sacrifice for sin" (Hebrews 9:22). That blood had to be completely clean, free from all sin and corruptions of this world. Only Jesus Christ lived a sinless life. He came to lead us to the Father. We truly are the reason Jesus came to Earth to live and die, so that we may live eternally with Him in Heaven. ~~

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
It is not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."~ "For He Himself is our peace, who made both into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, establishing peace. and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the Cross, by it having put to death the enmity. --(Ephesians 2:8,9,14-16). JESUS DIED TO SAVE YOU!

--UPPER ROOM~JBP--"We Are The Reason" // David Phelps (Live/ no words, please turn up your speakers!)<https://youtu.be/Eo_6t9MmK6Y>
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---THE POWER OF WORSHIP ~~

~~~"True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;
for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers."
---(JOHN 4:23)--

~~~THE late Christian Pastor A. W. Tozer commented on what appeared to be the conspicuous absence of a vital spiritual ingredient. Despite the fervent and accurate exposition of Scriptures, Tozer said that worship was "the missing jewel of the evangelical church." Though we may call Sunday meetings "worship services," are we truly engaging in heartfelt praise and thanksgiving? Are the majesty and glory of God truly the focus of our gatherings?

The most noble and lofty act that you can engage in as a believer is to ponder the greatness and awesomeness of our God and then proclaim His splendor both privately and publicly. Above your service, commitment, good deeds--even above leading others to Him--God both commands and delights in your hearty, sincere, and humble adoration. He must be first and foremost to you because when He is on the throne of your heart, all else--the service, evangelism, and godly character--will flow naturally.

So consider: is worship "the missing jewel" in your life? Do you tell Jesus how much you truly love Him? The Lord looks on our hearts. Let's be honest with Him. It does not matter what other people think. What matters is what Jehovah G-D, Yahweh, YHWH = knows is in our hearts.

-"Lord Jesus, I thank You and praise You! You are my God and I rejoice in You! Help me to never be ashamed to tell others of your love and gift of eternal life with you, in Heaven. "Even so, Come Lord Jesus." amen~"

--MY HOPE IS IN JESUS BECAUSE HE IS AWESOME AND DESERVES ALL MY PRAISE. HE IS THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END. ~~
---"End of the Beginning"/ David Phelps // ---<https://youtu.be/LrhSjP5988E>
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