1 John 3:17
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
Pastor Jen has been sharing this sentiment with us through the Advent study and in her Advent sermons. If we recognize and live our lives seeped in the love of Christ, we will not turn away from someone in need. The difficulty I have, and maybe others have it, is knowing what to do which will make a difference. There is so much need, it is overwhelming. How do we pick and choose who we help? Or, maybe we are not to pick and choose. Maybe God puts opportunities in our path, and we need to pay attention to see them?
Holy Father, help me to see opportunities to show your love to others. Put opportunities in my path, I humbly ask. I do not want to turn my back; help me to see what I am to do. Amen
Becky, transforming
1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
This verse tells me that I am a child of God, and my actions and attitude should reflect that. Generosity in God’s name is not a warm fuzzy feeling, but an unselfish action that is quietly carried out. I am a child of God, and my actions should reflect the actions of my Savior. I am to give to those in need if I can and should do it with a cheerful heart.
Dearest Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to us. His life has taught me so…
Monday
December 12th, 2022
1 John 3:17
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.
It is easy to profess I love God, and others but do my actions demonstrate this love through compassion and generosity. God sacrificed his one and only son to die on the cross for our salvation, if God was so willing to make such a sacrifice because of his love for us, we surely ought to be willing to help one another in every situation because of our faith and good deeds that will please God.
Lord thank you for your unconditional love for me/us. May I…
1 John 3:17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person? John sounds a bit like James in these verses. Both say that faith is action. We are to be God’s hands and feet. It also sounds a lot like Jesus’ own teaching in Matthew. “What you do for the least of these, you do for me.” We do not have to look far. Need is all around us. How we respond depends upon our own talents and resources. God is not asking us to do anything beyond our own resources. Prayer: gracious God, thank you for helping me see where …
1 John 3:17 This verse is part of a passage in which Christians are exhorted to love one another. We have a special obligation to provide material, emotional and spiritual aid and comfort to our sisters and brothers in the family of God. When we consistently do this, providing the same to those outside the church becomes a pleasant habit as well. In that regard, it is less important that the person being helped knows who is assisting, but far more important to know why they are being aided.
Prayer - Spirit of God, may I be attentive to Your voice when You remind me that an important and impactful way to share Your love is to share myself. Amen