Today we think about how God’s love is expressed in his attention to us. How each of us represents something so special and unique to God.
We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!John 15:10-11
At our Whole Church Gathering on Sunday 6th February, Simon talks about how God’s love is a secure promise that isn’t dependant on our condition.
I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Religious thinking is so deeply ingrained in us, that we often think something is expected of us before we can receive God’s love. Today we want to expose this as a false idea. God’s love is so radical and eager that nothing about it depends on us. Instead it emanates, full of its own energy, from God’s passionate desire for us.
We often project our human experiences of love and to God. It’s really common for people to be disappointed with us, but what about God? Today we think about the theological reality of God and discover how it means he is never disappointed in us. Instead, we are invited to be free and full of joy in his unconditional love.
“Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37
Of course God loves everyone and, of course, you and I are part of “everyone”. But does God notice and love you? Today they’ve looked at a passage where Jesus, God living among us, pays a terrific price because of his love for a seemingly insignificant man.
Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.
Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.
He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.
Mark 3:1-6