LOVE gives us HOPE (from the song "Hope To Carry On")

LOVE HAS COME, AND HE'S GIVEN ME HOPE TO CARRY ON
 
What give you hope? What helps you keep taking steps forward?
 
I was reminded today through a song that the LOVE of God - the love that IS God - gives us HOPE. It helps us. Helps us every single day. Give us reasons to keep taking one step forward.
 
Take a minute to THINK about the love of Jesus Christ from these song lyrics.
 
(From the song "Hope To Carry On,"
written by Rich Mullins, performed by Caedmon's Call)
 
I can see Jesus, hanging on the cross
He came looking for the lost
 
I can hear Jesus, saying "Father forgive"
What a thing He did
 
I can see Peter, he put away his sword
He won't fight no more
 
LOVE HAS COME, AND HE'S GIVEN ME HOPE TO CARRY ON
 
 
Take a minute and hear from the Book itself these moments of LOVE.
 
 
Words of Jesus to a repentant Zacchaeus, from Luke 19:10 (emphasis mine):
"For the Son of Man came to seek and TO SAVE THE LOST."
 
 
From Luke 23:32-38 (emphasis mine):
 
Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him [Jesus]. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

 
From Luke 22:47-54 (emphasis mine):
 
[T]here came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “NO MORE OF THIS!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Then they seized him and led him away... .

 
 
This song beautifully captures this idea that LOVE changes us, and changes the world.


And I can see love
Love is all I want to see
Love could make a beggar rich
He could set a prisoner free 
I know He could do it for you
God knows He did it for me 
 
And I can see love
Love is all I want to show you, Love
Love's the only way to go, Love
Love is all a man might need to know
This I know
 
 
 
This LOVE - the love of God, the God of love - gives us what we need every single day. 
 
Let the love of God into your heart. 
Live the love of God out before the world.
 

From 1 John 4:7-11 (emphasis mine): 
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because GOD IS LOVE. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that HE LOVED US and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
 
 
My prayer:
 
Thank you, Lord, for your love.
Help me to love you back.
Help me to love all those around me.
Keep me constantly in your love.
Amen.



Enjoy "Hope To Carry On" by Caedmon's Call on YouTube.
 

 

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