Tag: <span>John 13:34</span>


“Let love of the brethren continue. Let love of the brethren continue.”  Hebrews 13:1 (NLT)


When you think of the word church what comes to mind?

Perhaps a building or a religious organization? Nelson’s Bible Dictionary describes church as “A local assembly of believers as well as the redeemed of all the ages who follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. When the church general is implied, “church” refers to all who follow Christ, without respect to locality or time.” And that “It will not be complete until after the judgment, and the assembly of all the redeemed in one place will become a reality only after the return of Christ.”

The church is not a building nor is it known by a particular name. God’s people are what makes up the body of Christ. Whether you belong to a small church or a large church makes no difference to God. God loves his entire church regardless of size. Whether your church gathers in an epic building, a room at the YMCA or a prison cell doesn’t matter. God loves all his people regardless of where they meet.

Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34 NLT). Don’t judge nor look down on others because they don’t attend the same church “building” you do. Remember God loves all His people no matter which church they attend.

More To Ponder: Let God know how grateful you are that He chose and adopted you into His family of believers. Tell Jesus how excited you are about the great assembly that will take place after His return for His bride, the church.

By Barbara Alpert
Used by Permission

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Further Reading

• Keep On Keeping On – by Marilyn Ehle

A Christian Muslim in the Middle East

19 Ways to Encourage Others – by Stacy


 

thoughts by Barbara Alpert Thoughts by Women


Many years ago I spent a day with Apollo 15 astronaut James Irwin. I was hosting him for a speaking engagement. It was a memorable day for many reasons. One was because it was the day in January, 1986 when the space shuttle Challenger blew up. I heard news as I drove to the airport. When we met, I broke the news to him.  On top of the regular schedule the various media outlets wanted interviews with him because of the Challenger disaster. He handled each event of the day with such calmness.

As we walked through the day I learned he had 4 grown children. Being the father of 4 small children I was looking for advice. In a quiet moment at the end of the day I asked, “You have four adult children, I have four small kids. What advice would you give me?” I remember his simple answer, “Mike, always make sure they know you love them.” I thought to myself surely you have more for me than that!

The profound nature of this advice hit me years later. One of children was going through a really rough time. They were seeing a counselor. When my wife and I met with the counselor she said, “I can’t tell you what is being said but I can tell you, your child has something going for them that many others do not. They know you love them!”

Words of Wisdom: “Always make sure they know you love them!

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  – Jesus   Gospel of John 13:34-36 (NIV)

By Mike Woodard
used by permission

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Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard