Chaplain’s Column: There Is No Greater Love - John 15:12-14
Perhaps the most
intense love and protective instinct in the experience of mankind is that of
parents toward their children. There is little that most mothers or fathers
wouldn’t do for a baby. If an automobile posed a threat to the little one, it
wouldn’t surprise us if they jumped in front of the moving vehicle without a
second thought.
Wouldn’t you
like to be cared for with this kind of intensity? Well…you are. In fact, the
Lord’s love toward us is far deeper and more secure than that of even the most
caring parent. And what God did for us is proof. Romans 5:8 says that while we
were living in disobedience, He sent His only Son to die for us on the cross.
Think about a
father giving up his child for people who choose to rebel against him. What a
sacrifice and cost! Jesus's death took the place of the punishment that we
deserved. If we accept this gift of salvation and decide to follow God, He no
longer sees us as guilty. Instead He justifies us, makes us righteous, and
changes our ultimate eternal destiny:
instead of facing an everlasting separation from Him, we will enjoy His
presence eternally. Even more, almighty God adopts us as His children forever.
Our heavenly Father guides, protects, and counsels us as we walk through
life—and promises us that we are secure in Him throughout eternity.
How
incredible that the Creator of the universe would love you and me in this way!
I hope all of you who are reading this know and experience the security of His
care? The way I see it, gratitude and praise should flow from our hearts.
Additionally we should love others deeply out of thankfulness for the love that
we have received.
I have always
been amazed at the advice worldly people give to someone who is hurting. “When
you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!” Can you see someone
dangling over a cliff, holding on to a rope, and trying to tie a knot? It takes
two hands to do that! Well I am just glad we have a powerful loving Father to
talk to who encourages us to talk with him in prayer.
This month we
have had a tremendous number of prayer requests. It is so good to know that so
many of our members believe in the power of prayer. This encourages me to pray
more with love and concern for others who are in need of the Master's healing
hands. I hope it will also influence others who are reading this in the same
way.
Please pray for the
following on our prayer list:
1. David Brantley’s wife
Jennifer 2.
Allen Herrod
3. John
Durden
4. Cecil
Williamson
5. J. J.
Oakley
6. James
Whittington
7. Harry
Rawlingon
8. Larry
Miller
9. Stan
Stuckey
10. Henry Howard
11. Pat Goodwin’s
Grandchildren 12.
Brooke Stuart
13. Mike Whorton’s Wife -
Joanie 14.
Wayne Sutherland
15. Benny Harris’s wife Glenda
Yours In Christ
Tom Snowden, Chaplain
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