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Friday, July 28, 2006

"My Saviour's Love"

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

Yesterday evening Ester and I drove our Amish neighbors across the county to pick up a piece of construction equipment. As we have often noted we enjoy being with this young couple and their children. We're blessed and intrigued by their simple lifestyle. My friend uses his leased truck for his business which is considered legitimate by their faith, but he is forbidden to drive it, so he hires me or others to assist him in this way. (This is among the means by which I am presently supplementing my income.)

As we drove along we listened to the radio, which is also a real treat for them since they don't have a radio in their home and it seems to settle the children if they're fussy. At the time the station was playing children's music and the first song to come on was "Jesus Loves Me". It was one of those special moments as we all sang along. When the song was over I called Brooksyne at home and she sang the song to the children again via cell phone, which delighted them and was so cool for the kids!

The last several days especially I have again been pondering the wonder of God's love. I suppose it's in part considering the religiously-related conflict in so many places, particularly the Middle East.

A great emphasis in the Christian faith is God's love and the Scriptures abundantly underscore this truth. I hope we don't take this for granted and lose the wonder of John 3:16. * Indeed as an old hymn declares, "How marvelous, how wonderful, is my Savior's love for me!"

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" The Father is motivated by love and experiencing His love should also motivate His children. All over this planet today my brothers and sisters are expressing the love of the Father in a vast variety of ways. Believers are serving in dangerous places and undoubtedly some will lose their lives for His sake. Today let us all take His love into a world so full of hate. Let us stand amazed in the presence of the God who loves us so!

Be encouraged today!

Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer: Jesus, I marvel that You choose to lavish Your divine love upon me. The qualities of Your love are evidenced by Your ongoing forgiveness toward my wandering heart, undeserved goodness through Your faithful provisions, and the marvelous eternal future You've prepared for those who of us who love and serve You.

Father, words cannot adequately describe the depth of my gratitude that You did spare You own Son, but gave Him up for us all, and You graciously give us all things. The greatest reassuring promise that I ponder this morning is that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither heighth nor depth, nor anything else in all creation can separate me from Your love that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Brooksyne's Note: "When grace ceases to be amazing, it's no longer grace." (I don't remember the origin of this quote, though I think it might be John Newton who wrote "Amazing Grace".)

* John 3:16 I hope readers have memorized this verse!

One of the great blessings of an assurance of God's love is facing our inevitable death. A long-time friend of mine has had a lengthy battle with cancer which he is again dealing with. I appreciated his perspective in "Not So Good News."

"My Saviour's Love" is one of those old hymns that never ceases to bless me. I was singing it as we drove along last night and as I awoke this morning! Audio Video

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene.
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Chorus:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous, how wonderful
Is my Savior's love for me!

He took my sins and my sorrows;
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see
Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

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