“God didn’t shout his love from heaven.”

A thought by Craig Groeschel (2015-10-27) from his book, #Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World (p. 55). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

We are in the midst right now of celebrating this fact. As Craig says, “Think about it this way: God didn’t shout his love from heaven. He showed his love on earth. He stripped himself of all heavenly glory and became one of us. God became flesh in the person of Jesus. Even one of Jesus’ names, Immanuel, literally means ‘God with us.’ He came and lived with us.”

He then shares, “Paul told the Romans: ‘Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them’ (Rom. 12: 9 NLT). Don’t just stay at that shallow level we’ve all become so used to. Paul continued: ‘Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other’ (Rom. 12: 10 NLT). He went on to say, ‘When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them’ (Rom. 12: 13 NLT). Love people. Really love them. Be present in their lives.”

Later Craig says, “Don’t just pray for people. Pray with them. Don’t just Like what they post. Like who they are. Get involved in one another’s lives. The greatest weapon the first-century followers of Jesus had was their love for each other. The outside world persecuted them so fiercely that they were driven together into a radical, unifying love for one another. If anyone among them had a need, someone else sold some of their possessions and used the money to meet that need. Scripture says that they were so generous and so loving that ‘there were no needy persons among them (Acts 4: 32– 37, emphasis added). Can you imagine? The skeptical world looking on was thinking, ‘You know, I’m not so sure about that whole Jesus-being-raised-from-the-dead business. I’m not sure I believe what they believe, but I sure wish I had what they have. They love each other and care for each other.’”

Remember, “God didn’t shout his love from heaven. He showed his love on earth.”

So who needs to hear your voice or see you today?

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