{"id":24645,"date":"2018-11-29T03:30:13","date_gmt":"2018-11-29T11:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/?p=24645"},"modified":"2018-11-27T16:41:34","modified_gmt":"2018-11-28T00:41:34","slug":"november-29-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lccredding.org\/church\/2018\/11\/29\/november-29-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"November 29, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cIn this the love of God was manifested towards us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be a propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another.\u201d <\/em>1 John 4:9-11<\/p>\n

Loving One Another<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Of course, loving others should be my motive as I face the crowds at the mall on \u201cBlack Friday.\u201d Actually, what was I thinking venturing out into this jungle? My thought was to buy that perfect present with the perfect deal\u2014the special item that will bless my family member. Does it seem worth it?<\/p>\n

But what is my true motive? Is it blessing the person, or the recognition I receive from finding that perfect thing they would like? Confessing my selfish desires to my forgiving Savior, who cleanses me and reminds me that He wants to touch others through me, I can press on for His outcome. (I really don\u2019t think I\u2019ll find it at the mall.)<\/p>\n

After the above verses, John goes on to say: \u201cIf we love one another, God\u2019s love abides in us and His love has been perfected in us\u201d <\/em>(verse 13b). I can trust my Lord to live through my loving others when my hope of salvation and life purpose is in Him. Keeping Him priority in my life and mindset is key. No other love can be more important.<\/p>\n

How do I show and live out Christ\u2019s love for others during this holiday season? Giving preference to them and quit trying to press my opinion about menial things, is probably a good start. It starts at home early in the day asking the LORD to fill me with His Love and purpose, His thoughts and desires, His patience and kindness. I fail miserably without Him. I can soak in His Word in the presence of the Holy Spirit leading me to exactly what I need to read and apply. Then I\u2019m blessed because of the incredible reality of the above verse, that God desires to manifest His powerful love to us! I\u2019m overflowing with gratitude in the moment-by-moment ability to love as He calls me to.<\/p>\n

It isn\u2019t the perfect material gift that touches others (although it may get their attention)\u2014it\u2019s the love and peace of God that surpasses all understanding, given with His loving attitude and motive. We desire to please others and make them smile by gentle fellowship and wisdom, even in those difficult relationships. God\u2019s love can melt away the awkward encounters and turn them into blessing.<\/p>\n

\u201cLord, thank You for sending Your only begotten Son as a lowly babe in a manager to change the poverty of our lives into rich blessing for others. Fill us with Your love this season as we love one another by representing You.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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