Last Sunday was the last worship service for the Dogwood Nazarene Church in the original building before they move to the new building to celebrate resurrection Easter Sunday. Many believers stood and shared with the congregation of how good God is and gave fond memories of the church’s history, and told what their life was like before meeting Jesus as their savior, and how knowing Jesus and believing in Him had changed their life so much for the better. Folks who had known Jesus for 60+ years spoke of being just as much in love with Him if not more so, as they spoke of their relationship with Him growing stronger with time. Folks who have known Jesus as savior for just a few years, spoke of the peace that comes from knowing Him, and how their trust in Jesus has grown, and some spoke of our Father and Jesus, that God has shown Himself trustworthy and faithful over and over again through answered prayer. Some shared their gratitude that God is so patient and caring with us, and if it weren’t for Jesus, they just didn’t know where they would be.
The Bible says that He loved us before we loved Him, that He reached out to us while we were lost and unable to find Him. God is the good shepherd, and Romans Chapter 2 says He draws us to Himself by his goodness.
There are song lyrics that say, He leads His Dear Children Along…and God loves every one of His children and what He wants in return is what any father wants…God wants His love to be returned to Him. This is the relationship above all relationships- to know and love the God of all creation, and to know that the God of all creation loves us.
The thought of knowing the God of all creation may seem a little intimidating to some, especially if you don’t know Him, but the Bible says in Ephesians that as His children we may approach His throne of grace (undeserved favor) with boldness, (like a little child). Having a relationship with Jesus the Son of God places any doubt in it’s proper perspective, because Jesus loves the Father and the Father loves Jesus, so when we put our faith and trust in Jesus and love Him, we are joined together through the Holy Spirit in our spirit (heart) and are included through the same Spirit in the love that unites the Father and Son.
The Bible says in 1 John, that God is love. To know the Father is to know love, to know Jesus is to know love, to know the Holy Spirit is to know love. God’s love is patient and kind, faithful, peaceful, and joyful (Galatians). But until we know Jesus, we can only make a weak attempt at showing love, but after being united with him in faith, he gives us the ability to truly love the way God loves.
Until next time, God bless you and your family.
