LOVE: How Can Love Overcome Our Fears?
1 John 4:16-18 (NLT)
16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Video for this Sunday’s service can be view on our Facebook page @ Sunday, December 18, 2022
How Can Love Overcome Our Fears?
God is love, and all who live in love live in God,
and God lives in them.
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect.
So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment,
but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.
1 John 4:16-18 (NLT)
When God turns your life upside down do you find yourself seeking him more or running to get away? I don’t know if we can truly understand the situation Mary found herself in when the angel came to say that she was impregnated by the Holy Spirit to give birth and raise the God’s only son. Whatever hopes or dreams she might have had, were completely wiped away by that announcement. But did you see her response? Take a look at Luke chapter one to get the full extent of this situation. But here is a portion of how she responded to this news…
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him! Luke 1:46-50
I am rereading another story of a teenager who God interrupted their world. Her name is Katie Davis. Forget cheeseburgers, shopping and dating. Katie Davis, a former homecoming queen from Ravenwood High, Brentwood, Tenn., could have enrolled in any university and established a solid social life, until God radically stepped in. Davis went to Uganda on a mission trip and ended up moving there to love on the children she met during that trip. She adopted 14 young girls and started a non-profit to help meet the needs of those she was committed to walking alongside. This was all before she was 20 years old! In reading her story I was reminded that God’s love truly does compel us to see life through His eyes more than our own. Here is her challenge to us…
“I have learned that I will not change the world, Jesus will do that. I can however, change the world for one person…It may take place in a foreign land or it may take place in your backyard, but I believe that we were each created to change the world for someone. To serve someone. To love someone the way Christ first loved us, to spread His light. This is the dream, and it is possible.”
― Katie J. Davis, Kisses from Kate
Grateful for you,
Pastor John
ADVENT Calendar
December 18 – LOVE: Where Does God's Love Show Up?
December 24 - Christmas Eve Service, 4:00 pm at Taco JED
December 31- New Year's Eve Brunch & Worship, 9:30 am at the NewDay Office (NewDay will provide breakfast)
NOTE: We will not be gathering to worship on Sunday, December 25 or Sunday, January 1.