— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Dear believer,

As an exercise in perspective, we do well on occasion to step back and get a larger view of life.  Upwind of corporate “body odor;” distant enough that we don’t see one another’s spiritual or doctrinal differences, and sufficiently separated so we can only make out the church’s most basic form.

Ah!  There it is is in all its stupendous glory: God’s love.  The Almighty’s love for His creation and all that’s in it: every creature, big and small, short or tall.  Every soul — sin-riddled, and those made whole.

In the course of life, it is easy to fixate on the world’s ills or the Church’s short-comings.  But let us never lose sight of the big picture: God’s love.  Only because of it is there life at all.  “For God so loved ...”

Mister

It was a cold and stormy night ...

A story is told of “Mister,” an aged man of great compassion who got caught in a blinding sleet storm one evening as he walked the few blocks back to his home.  With his collar turned up and hat pulled down, he leaned into the driving storm as he hurried homeward.  Turning the final corner he saw a whimpering little dog, somehow caught in a curb-side bush.  In spite of the storm (or most likely, because of it) Mister approached the hopelessly trapped animal to free it.  Looking like a mangy stray, he was fearful, weak and bony, with patches of fur missing.  This sad, soaked, cold and hungry animal would likely have perished were he not rescued.

“It’s okay little fella”, said Mister to the frightened dog, bending down to free him.  It was then he realized someone had played a cruel trick by tying a tin-can to its left rear leg.  Its long cord had ensnared him in the bushes.  In just a few moments the desperate little animal was loosed but Mister didn’t settle for this one life-saving deed.  Compassion compelled him to pick up the shivering, wet dog, tuck it in his coat and carry it back to the shelter and safety of his home.

(That’s the way love is.)

“For heaven’s sake Mister, what have you brought home now?”, inquired his wife upon their arrival.  Mister’s explanation along with the dog’s pathetic appearance touched a cord in Martha’s heart as well.  The wet, bedraggled pup was soon cuddled in a warm blanket in the corner of their kitchen — after having wolfed down a huge bowl of beef stew.  “We’ll keep him overnight”, said Mister, “then turn him loose after the storm.”

In morning’s light the recovering dog timidly greeted them both with a tentative tail wag but was still in no condition to fend for himself.  So they decided to nurse him back to health before releasing him.  “We’ll have to give him a name if he’s going to live here, Martha; what do you suggest?”  “How about ‘Bony’”, she replied.  “Appropriate enough, but I see a hint of royalty in this little guy and believe he could grow up into quite a handsome dog. How about ‘Kingsly’?”  With a smile, Martha noted the name was a bit of a stretch, but agreed it would be kinder — so “Kingsly” it became.

Daily thereafter, Mister walked and talked, petted and fed Kingsley as he recovered from his near-death experience.  Within just a few weeks, Kingsley was hardly recognizable as the same animal.  His rib cage was now covered with a healthy layer of flesh, overlain with a new and shiny coat of fur.  Kingsley’s condition was coming into agreement with his regal name, and he in turn became Mister’s devoted companion.  Wherever Mister went, so went Kingsley; when Mister sat down, there was Kingsley at his feet.

One evening, Mister, fell asleep in his easy-chair with his arm dangling over the side.  Later wakened by Kingsley licking his hand, he looked down at this one-time mangy waif who’d become his delight, and gazed into two of the most love-filled brown eyes he’d ever seen.  In simple adoration and thanksgiving, Kingsly was just loving the one who rescued and nurtured him back to health.  He silently sat at his master’s feet, staring into Mister’s eyes with an unspoken love that unmistakably said, “You saved me and gave me life and I love you without reservation”.  Indeed, Kingsly did love Mister more than anything or anybody in the world and, if need be, would give his life to defend him.  Kingsley’s love for Mister was such that he could not bear the thought of even being separated from him.

That’s just the way TRUE love is!

Reminiscing during this morning’s worship time, (nearing our 33rd. birthday in Christ) Diane and I were soon handing one another tissues for our tears.  We were reflecting on all God’s brought us through. But that’s not what turned on the tears.  It wasn’t even the knowledge of God’s life-saving mercy, always alive in our hearts.  No, it was the reminder that Jesus gave HIS life for ours.  GOD in the flesh, actually died for us!  Our tears of joy and thanksgiving were triggered by the overwhelming and profound awareness that God loves us; so much so, that He exchanged His Son for our sin.  How can we, or any saint, NOT worship Him?!

Martha’s sister, Mary, also loved Jesus.  We see her at the Master’s feet: "Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word" — Luke 10:39.  Though not recorded, we can easily imagine Mary hanging onto Jesus’ every word as she adoringly looked up into His eyes.  You see, Mary truly loved Him; He was her Savior and Lord.

Another account has Mary sitting at the Lord’s feet while her sister Martha was working in the kitchen.  What was Mary doing?  "Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair" — Jn 12:3.  She was loving her Master!  He was the One Who not only saved her, but also brought her brother Lazarus back from the dead.  Mary’s love for the Lord had to be expressed (that’s just the way love is).  Jesus came to her defense when her stewardship was called into question by the disciple, Judas Iscariot.  (Agape, the God kind of love is quick to defend the beloved).

Yet, another adoring "... woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table" (Mt 26:7).  Using expensive perfume from a costly container brought rise to a challenge about her wastefulness — quickly put to rest by the Lord Himself (vss 10-12) Who said:  "I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her" (vs 13).  “In memory” of what?  LOVE for the Master!  Jesus memorialized this believer’s love by engraving it in the Bible as an example, then later saying of all who love Him; "My Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him" (Jn 14:23).  Our Lord wants a personal love relationship with EACH of us.

Just how god’s love is!

Did Jesus love Judas?  Sure He did. Then, why don’t we see similar Bible accounts credited to him?  We can only speculate, but it’s apparent Judas didn’t love Jesus the way Mary or the Apostle John did — adoringly.  Isn’t it interesting that such minor historical incidents are important enough for Jesus to command them be recorded for all time — for US to read?  Why?  Apparently, love is just THAT important to God, especially our love for Him. “Do you love me Peter?”, He asked three times over; “Do you love me?”  Jesus still asks all who would hear; “Do you love me?”  Dear one, do YOU love Him?

In confronting the religious crowd, "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me" — Jn 8:42.  Here, in a one-liner, Jesus identifies the defining characteristic of a Christian: love for his Master.  It’s simple.  If we love Jesus we are born again.  If we don’t, we’re not.  (Do we really love Jesus?)

In the midst of one of life’s storms (4/7/76) I fell goofy in love with the compassionate Master; JESUS.  He cut the cord entangling me with sin and which bound me to death.  But Jesus didn’t stop there.  He carried me into His family for shelter, “food,” safety and loving care.  He gave me a regal name, Christian, and nurtures me ‘til this day.  In fact, Jesus gave up His mortal being, that I might gain His eternal life.  Can I do any less then sit at my Master’s feet and adoringly “lick” His hand?

We wept this morning with joy and thanksgiving while reflecting on a miracle of God’s love: our salvation.  Oh, how He loves us; how He loves you!  Let us worship this God-man, JESUS: Master, LORD and KING.  Let’s adore the One Who rescued us and gaze into the eyes of perfect love.  He is God, and God is love!

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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