Selena Day: Showing the love of God post pandemic
Written by Staff on June 4, 2020 – 11:12 am -
Selena Day: Showing the love of God post pandemic
I have been pondering on history as we walk into the future of post coronavirus shut down. I see so many differing views concerning the way we should do life in the future.
I have heard many people sharing how, from now on, they will not be shaking hands with others, or will be keeping their distance, or not hugging. People with germ phobias have found the confidence to come out of the closet.
I have made a choice not to judge anyone for their beliefs, whether they wear a mask or not, or whether they distance themselves or not. We cannot know the health concern of every individual.
Saying that, as we move forward, I am reminded of the vivid images from the 1980s, of Princess Diana walking into the AIDS wards of hospitals and sitting with the sick, holding hands with those whom so many were afraid to be around because of the transmittance of the disease. At the time, the AIDS community was being likened to leprosy colonies.
Those images of Princess Diana, this beautiful pristine woman, were impactful and made the world stop and re-evaluate the way it looked at those infected with this disease.
I recently had a conversation with my parents, where they shared their memories of childhood when polio was a threat. They told us how those with the sickness were quarantined, but not those who were healthy. They couldn’t remember a time when our nation shut down due to illness. They had questions, but also, had trust.
I don’t want to follow the dangerous path of conspiracy, for as I am writing this, I understand that many of you will filter the message of my words through your own comprehension of what truth is at this moment.
As differing information is dispersed, I hope we will all question the motives within our hearts as to our own belief or disbelief of that information. To ask ourselves why, what, and how, while we ponder information we receive.
What are the motives and thoughts I have in my mind and heart? Do I want to be right, or do I want to walk in love?
How am I responding to the information given to me? Am I taking it before my creator and asking him to direct my motives, steps, and actions? Am I filtering all the news that has been swirling through my life via television, social media, or word of mouth, through the water of God’s word?
Why am I reacting the way I am to this information? Are my reactions based on fear, knowledge, or wisdom?
As for me, I have put my trust in God. I have used this time to really ask questions concerning where we seem to be going as a nation and where God is leading us as the church. I have spent time praying for our elected officials and praying for my family.
I have pressed into what God was saying and not assuming I know all the answers.
Asking questions like: Is it wise or foolish to follow the majority and just take what has been told to us as fact? Or is it wise or unwise to question those leading us during this time?
These are conversations I have been having recently with some in my life. The one thing I am most disturbed about during this time is the censorship of opposing thoughts, even the very wacky ones. Censorship tends to keep things in the dark.
When voices, or ideas, are allowed to come into the light, the motives are usually revealed, and the darkness is exposed, and repentance happens. Repentance means to turn and go in the opposite direction.
So when a person has believed their whole life that something is true, but that truth has not been allowed to be filtered with true light, it will not be seen as false or distorted. Once it comes into the light and exposed to different questions of reality, truth is uncovered and understood more clearly.
Let me give you an example through a story. As a child, I spent every summer going to the beaches of the Atlantic coast in Florida; my whole extended family would go, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins. It has always been some of the happiest memories I carry. For a long time, I could not imagine any place more beautiful than the gray, hard-packed sand beaches along the Atlantic.
As a teen, a friend of mine invited me to go to the Gulf Coast of Florida, sharing with me that it had the most beautiful beaches. The first time I went, we didn’t stay on the beach but had to drive a few minutes to get to the shore. My experience had always been to step out the door of our little motel and see the waves.
My first experience with those beautiful white beaches was not a pleasant one. We stayed on the beach all day, and because it was my first time not being with my mother, I didn’t realize I needed to put on suntan lotion or sunscreen, and because of this, I got very burned. It was the worst sunburn of my life.
Even though I had a wonderful time, I left that trip not feeling very impressed that this beach was better than my beloved Atlantic coast beach and not really caring that I should ever return. Thankfully, because so many others loved those beautiful beaches of the Gulf, I did go back, and as the light of the bright white sand enveloped my heart, I came to see the truth about those beautiful beaches of the gulf.
The Atlantic side has a rugged beauty, and the memories there will always bring me joy. But as I have traveled around the world, for pristine beaches, and clear water, miles, and miles of it, the Gulf Coast has proven its beauty. In fact, the panhandle beaches of Florida are always listed on any documentary as most beautiful beaches in the world. My truth of beach beauty had to be exposed to the light, not just once, but several times, before my heart accepted what the world saw.
Wherever you are in your opinion of going forth, just remember that God is with each of us. If we go forward with love and compassion for one another, we will find that light will expose any darkness, and over time we will come out higher, more durable, and closer to our creator in all things.
Selena Day
So, please forgive me in advance if I hug you. Please have grace with me if I lay my hands on you to pray for you. I believe in contact. But, if you do not, I will respect your choice and stand by your side in hope for the future.
By Selena Day
Selena Day is a motivational speaker and is available to speak at your conference or event. You may contact her at selenaday@me.com http://www.queenliving.org http://facebook.com/queenismsbyselenaday. Photographs courtesy of Selena Day.
Tags: COVID19, God's love, Love, Pandemic, Selena Day
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Easter Is Not Another Ordinary Day
Written by Staff on April 12, 2020 – 1:47 pm -
Easter Is Not Another Ordinary Day by Jennifer Campbell
Not too long ago, we were living ordinary lives, enjoying ordinary days, and doing ordinary things. Then, our lives literally started to change overnight when entire nations began ordering stay-at-home lockdowns. Today, over 180 countries have recorded COVID-19 cases. More than 1.8 million people have been infected, and tragically, over one hundred thousand people have lost their lives to this highly infectious respiratory disease. The coronavirus pandemic literally changed the world, and it all started on what seemed to be another ordinary day.
Just over two thousand years ago, men and women, boys and girls, awoke to another seemingly ordinary day. They got out of bed, dressed, combed their hair, ate breakfast, and started their daily routine. Only nothing about this particular day was business as usual. The night before, Jesus and His disciples sat down for their last meal together before Jesus would be crucified. Early the next morning, “all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed” (Matt. 27:2 NIV). A short time later, Jesus was lashed and beaten beyond recognition. Simon from Cyrene carried Jesus’ cross to the hill known as Golgotha (Matt. 27:32-33). Jesus was hung on this cross with nails piercing His hands and His feet.
Matthew 21:45-46 says, “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’)” As Jesus took His final breath, a violent earthquake came upon the land, the temple curtain was torn in two, and many tombs were opened and people were raised from the dead (Matt. 27:51-53). Even the centurion and some of the soldiers who previously mocked Jesus, saw what happened and exclaimed, “‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” (Matt. 27:54 NIV). Jesus Christ did not stay on the cross, for He rose to life on the third day (Matt. 28:6 NIV). From the moment Jesus arose, the world would never be the same again.
This year, Easter will be observed a little differently, which will hopefully give everyone additional time to reflect on what Christ did for us. As I look forward to worshiping the Lord on Resurrection Sunday, in the comfort of my own home, I am reminded of a dream I had a couple of months ago. I dreamed that I was going through some papers and found two Easter Sunday bulletins from two distinct years past. In the dream, I commented to my dad that it would be unusual for there to be no Easter Sunday services anywhere in the world. At the time, this dream seemed very unrealistic, so I thought little more about it. Two weeks ago, I was sorting through some papers, found two different Easter Sunday bulletins, and reminded my dad of the dream I had two months ago. I feel that God was preparing my heart for this unpredictable turn of events.
Although special religious services can encourage believers and even attract non-believers who come to church on religious holidays, I feel that the Spirit of God may be speaking to the churches through this pandemic. The entertainment and sporting venues have widely been shut down. Even churches are primarily closed, with the exception of online services. Perhaps God is using this “pause” to allow us time to listen to His leading. A.W. Tozer said, “Sometimes I think the church would be better off if we would call a moratorium on activity for about six weeks and just wait on God to see what He is wanting to do for us.” During these less-than-ordinary days, let us make it a point to listen to God’s voice. He has a master plan for each of our lives, if we are willing to listen to His sovereign guidance.
For many pastors and congregants, the absence of an Easter service seems like a major roadblock on the religious calendar. Yet, the church is not a building; it is a body of believers. Jesus did not tell us to build a sanctuary; He commissioned us to “‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation’” (Mark 16:15 NIV). Even now, as the majority of regions are under shelter-in-place orders, we can still proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the Internet or through telephone calls, letters, and other forms of communication. Yet, the glorious message of salvation is too wonderful for us to only share on Resurrection Sunday. I once knew someone who only wanted to sing the song, “He Lives,” as an annual tradition on Easter Sunday. Jesus Christ did not give His life so we could be saved, celebrate the risen Savior one day a year, and then wait patiently for His return. He gave His life so we could worship Him forevermore, and so we could share the wondrous love of Jesus Christ, 365 days per year.
Jesus’ resurrection is something we should praise God for every single day of the year. God knew we needed a Savior, since we have all sinned (Rom. 3:23). He loved us so much that He gave His only Son to shed His blood and to die on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins (John 3:16). Jesus gave His life because of love (1 John 3:16). There is no other name by which we can receive salvation. The manmade holiday known as Easter cannot save anyone. Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost. When we confess our sins and put our faith in Him as our Lord and Savior, then we will become a new creation in Christ Jesus. Let us remember to thank Him for His mercy and grace every single day, always keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2).
Jesus is the One we should be listening to above all others. Do not let the sounds of the world surpass the sound of the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart. During this pandemic, be careful not to be drawn in by the news headlines, the inconveniences of getting groceries, or the concerns you have for your family and friends. Instead, take time to read God’s Word. Take time to pray. Take time to listen to His voice. Focus on the risen Savior. May we all tune our hearts to Him, as we worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)! For there will come another seemingly ordinary day when Christ will return to this earth, and that is the moment that will truly change the world for all eternity.
By Jennifer Campbell
More about Jennifer:
Jennifer knows that God has a dream for her life. Whether she is on stage singing solo, singing with her dad as a duet, speaking at churches and other locations around the globe, or teaching English Language Arts at Suwannee Middle School, she knows God will always guide her footsteps in everything she does. She is grateful for the talents God has given her and she strives to use them for His glory every single day. God has blessed her with the ability to play the piano and drums. She has served as a Group Leader for Women of Faith as well.
Jennifer is a prolific writer, penning songs, writing an inspirational blog, and serving as a Feature Writer for SGN Scoops Digital Magazine, the first all digital Southern Gospel music magazine. She has written for SGN Scoops for over 20 years, including features on The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Bill Gaither, Janet Paschal, Goodman Revival, Karen Peck and New River, The Whisnants, Canton Junction, The Hoppers, and many others. She was also honored to be able to write special tributes to Lari Goss and LaBreeska Hemphill.
Jennifer recently published her first book, an inspirational autobiography titled, When You’re in the Sunset, There’s Sunshine Awaiting You, which she hopes will inspire others through its message of hope. You can read a complimentary chapter by clicking this link, and you can also purchase a copy on Amazon. Already working on her second book, it is her prayer that God will give her the opportunity to publish many more books in His timing.
In addition, she has a food and travel blog at www.jennifersjourneys.net, where she featured William Jack Degel of Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse and the Food Network show Restaurant Stakeout. Jennifer would love to have her own food and travel show one day.
(Excerpt from Jennifer Campbell’s biography: http://www.jennifercampbell.net/biography.htm )
Tags: Easter, God, Jennifer Campbell, Jesus Christ, Love, Resurrection
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Grace Friday
Written by Staff on April 10, 2020 – 6:06 am -
Grace FridayBy Jennifer Campbell
Good Friday is a day that I hold very dear to my heart. But sometimes I wonder why it is called Good Friday.
Just think about it. We often say, “That was a good dinner.” We say, “Good morning,” even to passersby on the street. Let’s face it, the word “good” is used so frequently that it has nearly lost its credibility as an adjective.
So maybe we should rename today and call it Great Friday. That would give it more significance, right? In reality, it matters not what we call this particular day. What matters is whether or not we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ gave His life for you and me. It wasn’t about fame or fortune. He wasn’t trying to do a good deed or striving to be great. He died on the cross to cleanse our sins, to grant us eternal life, and to shower us with love and mercy we don’t even deserve. When you really stop to think about it, the name most befitting of this important day on the calendar would be Grace Friday.
Perhaps you look at the calendar and wonder what Easter is really all about. Deep within your heart, do you feel as if there must be something more, beyond the chocolate bunnies and plastic eggs? If you are searching for answers, look no further. Jesus Christ is the answer you seek.
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The King of Kings and Lord of Lords gave His life as a ransom for every man, woman, boy, and girl on this planet. That includes you. Why? Because of the unconditional love He has for us.
Jesus could have called ten thousand angels to save Him from the cross. He didn’t have to endure the pain and agony. He could have simply told his Father, “I can’t do it. I’ve had enough. I’m going home.” But He stayed there, because He knew that you and I needed a Savior. He knew that we would have no lasting hope on our own. Jesus wanted to give us the most heartfelt and important gift given in the history of mankind: eternal love and everlasting life. It is the gift that truly keeps on giving, through all eternity.
You may be sitting there, thinking, why would a King do this for me? I’ve failed, I’ve sinned, and I’ve done so many wrongs. The Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Not one of us is without blemish. We have all made mistakes. Still, His love for us is never-ending. Jesus shed his blood to forgive our sins. He bore all of the earth’s diseases to heal our sicknesses. On top of all of that, He granted us eternal life in Heaven with Him, for everyone who has a personal relationship with Him.
This Easter, cherish the time you have with family and friends. Enjoy the delicious dinners and sweet bunny-shaped treats. Above all, remember the reason for the Easter season. Jesus Christ gave His life for love (I John 3:16).
On Good Friday, Jesus died. On the third day, He rose again. At this very moment, He is sitting at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf. He bestows upon us unconditional love, even though we are undeserving.
God’s word says, “All are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). No matter where you have been, what you have done, or who you are, His redeeming love is free to all. That is true, divine mercy.
So whether you call it Good Friday or Great Friday, remember that Easter is really all about grace.
By Jennifer Campbell
More about Jennifer:
Jennifer knows that God has a dream for her life. Whether she is on stage singing solo, singing with her dad as a duet, speaking at churches and other locations around the globe, or teaching English Language Arts at Suwannee Middle School, she knows God will always guide her footsteps in everything she does. She is grateful for the talents God has given her and she strives to use them for His glory every single day. God has blessed her with the ability to play the piano and drums. She has served as a Group Leader for Women of Faith as well.
Jennifer is a prolific writer, penning songs, writing an inspirational blog, and serving as a Feature Writer for SGN Scoops Digital Magazine, the first all digital Southern Gospel music magazine. She has written for SGN Scoops for over 20 years, including features on The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Bill Gaither, Janet Paschal, Goodman Revival, Karen Peck and New River, The Whisnants, Canton Junction, The Hoppers, and many others. She was also honored to be able to write special tributes to Lari Goss and LaBreeska Hemphill.
Jennifer recently published her first book, an inspirational autobiography titled, When You’re in the Sunset, There’s Sunshine Awaiting You, which she hopes will inspire others through its message of hope. You can read a complimentary chapter by clicking this link, and you can also purchase a copy on Amazon. Already working on her second book, it is her prayer that God will give her the opportunity to publish many more books in His timing.
In addition, she has a food and travel blog at www.jennifersjourneys.net, where she featured William Jack Degel of Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse and the Food Network show Restaurant Stakeout. Jennifer would love to have her own food and travel show one day.
(Excerpt from Jennifer Campbell’s biography: http://www.jennifercampbell.net/biography.htm )
Tags: Easter, Good Friday, Grace Friday, Jennifer Campbell, Jesus Christ, Love, unmerited favor
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Sweetheart Stories: Susannah and Grant Gibson
Written by Staff on February 10, 2020 – 9:31 am -
Susannah and Grant Gibson
In these few days leading up to Valentine’s Day, we thought we would let you read some Sweetheart Stories of people you may know in gospel music who have met the one they have married for life.
Today we talk to Grant Gibson, of Karen Peck and New River, who recently married his sweetheart, Susanna. This is their story, in Grant’s own words:
Karen Peck & New River. Grant Gibson is second from left.
It’s actually a total God thing the way He orchestrated the last couple of years of my life..
Outside of my relationship with Christ, marrying Susannah is the best thing that has ever happened to me. We got married December, 28th 2019 and marriage is great!Tags: gospel music, Grant Gibson, Karen Peck & New River, Love, Southern Gospel Music, Valentine's Day
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Selena Day: Christmas Love
Written by Staff on December 10, 2019 – 10:27 am -
Selena Day talks about Christmas Love
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I pretty much begin decorating right after Halloween. Because of our traveling schedule, Christmas is usually the only holiday I decorate for. During this time, it looks like Christmas regurgitated all over my house. I have the 1960’s Christmas cartoon philosophy to decorating.
Romans 12:2 NLT “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
With the Christmas season upon us, the same old discussions of what is excess versus what is not enough, tend to begin to war in our minds as well as in the Christian community. Asking ourselves, are we missing the ‘real’ reason for the season by our rushing around in a fury of activity? Like Paul, I say, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, not the media nor your church peers.
Chuck and Selena Day say Merry Christmas
I really hate how we tend to judge others, by what is either going on in our own lives or what is going on culturally in our society. The other night Chuck and I, after a very long day of work, went out to eat at a restaurant. Both of us had our cell phones out, checking our social media, e-mails, and just basically decompressing from our day. We were chatting about what we had seen on our Facebook pages, and I thought of how many times we judge others doing this very same thing. We are seeing them as not connecting, instead of what it was for us, our time to relax and reconnect with what was going on in our family’s lives.
Gal. 5:1 MSG. “Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.”
Gal. 5:14 NLT. “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
I love what verse 14 says; for the ‘whole law’ can be summed up in this one command, love. Isn’t this what the season of Christmas is all about; God so loved us that he sent his son. And that son was sent not to condemn us but to save us. Isn’t this the very foundation for Christmas? We celebrate the birth of God’s Son into this world and how it changed the very fabric of time.
I have been meditating on Romans 12:2 lately. In that scripture, it tells us not to copy the behavior and customs of this world. What are the behavior and customs of this world? Jesus said to us that the world would know we are different because of our love for one another. What does that look like, practically, in your life? He also tells us that even the tax collectors, the dregs of society, love those who love them.
Our country is the most divided than I can ever remember it being. Now is our time as believers to stand up and love. Chuck and I have been married for 31 years. During that time, we both had had to choose to love the other, even when we were unlovable. Any parent will tell you that sometimes it is hard to love the child that may resent you or blame you for the pain and hurt they have experienced. You may love them, but being “in love” with them is a whole different experience.
Go on a search for love this Christmas season. Learn to love yourself again and allow God to help you to love others. So many people are in pain. Longing for someone to come along and make a difference in their lives. That difference just might be you.
Someone, somewhere just might be asking God to reach out to them, and God may be asking you to be his hand extended. Think of the one person right now that brings up the most difficult emotions…do you have their face in your mind? Now maybe you need to reach out to them? Or perhaps they need your prayers right now? This is how we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. By changing the way you think about a person or a circumstance changes the brain cells in your brain, it releases healing to you.
This is how our world will change. I love the scene in the movie Elf. They are trying to get Santa’s sleigh to fly, and they remember what Buddy the Elf said about singing Christmas carols and spreading cheer for all to hear. Christians have the power to spread Christmas cheer all year long because our Christmas cheer is about Christ and how he came to save us, and our world.
Merry Christmas from Selena Day
This Christmas season, you can change the very atmosphere around you by bringing the love of God to those around you. Not the judgment you believe God has for the world, but his love. Scripture tells us that love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Let us become different, showing love for others, and being the change you want to see around you.
The world is waiting for you.
By Selena Day
Selena Day is a motivational speaker and is available to speak at your conference or event. You may contact her at selenaday@me.com http://www.queenliving.org http://facebook.com/queenismsbyselenaday. Photographs courtesy of Selena Day.
Read more Gospel Music News in the latest SGNScoops Magazine Online HERE.
Tags: christmas, Chuck Day, Gospel, Love, music, Selena Day
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Lorraine Walker: What the world needs now
Written by Staff on October 31, 2019 – 9:27 am -
The Cross. An Act of Love
I have been thinking about what it means to love God by loving those around me, including family, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, those I worship with, and even those on my Facebook friends list! I don’t think I do a very good job, but the Lord has been talking to me about improving on that area of my life.
I have been reading in John a lot lately, not in his gospel, but in first and second John, later on in the New Testament. He says, “This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands.” (1John 5:2-3, NIVUV)
So, to break it down further, I took a look at God’s commands in the Old Testament. (Exodus 20:3-17 NIVUK). I have added my own thoughts and comments.
- God is number one. He is, not anyone or anything else. God the Father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. He loves us more than anyone or anyone else could, and he enables us to love each other. So it makes it so much easier to show love when you have the greatest example in front of you.
- Nothing and no one else is to be number one. God will show love to a 1000 generations of those who love him and keep his Commandments. This is a great promise. If we put God first, he will bless our family, for many generations. For a lot of us who can look back through our family tree, we see how honouring God has blessed our family.
- Don’t misuse the name of the Lord your God. Don’t take his name in vain. Don’t swear using his name. Be very careful how and when you use his name. I have to admit, it bothers me when my fellow brothers and sisters in the faith use the name of God recklessly. And what about the people that know that we are a Christian, and they hear us use God’s name in vain? You would think that that would make them wonder about our faith. Be careful about your testimony. Authenticity is hard to find. everyone is looking for that these days. Those around you that you are trying to show love to will find it easier to accept that love if they believe that you are on the level and real. Authentic.
- Take one day a week where you don’t work. And where no one else in your house works. Keep it holy. You need to spend time to destress, relax, and spend time thinking about God. Spend time relaxing with your family. That will draw you closer together. That will help you love each other more and share that love with each other more.
- Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Respect your family. This command with a promise would not be in here if God did not think it was important. A lot of people have suffered at the hands of their parents. By respecting and honouring, I don’t think that means accepting bad or evil behavior. You should never stay in a relationship where there is abuse.
- You shall not murder. This one is obvious I think. If you murder, you are not showing love.
- You shall not commit adultery. God wants us to stay out of a marriage relationship. You show love and honour to those around you by respecting that marriage covenant. If you wander too closely to someone else’s marriage bonds, there will be consequences.
- You shall not steal. If it’s not yours, don’t take it. If you are showing love to someone, you are not going to take something that belongs to them.
- You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour. No lying that is against someone. This of course includes gossip. Be careful little lips what you say!
- You shall not covet your neighbour’s house, wife, husband, etc. or anything that belongs to your neighbour. Yearn to possess. Desire. This goes past the actions talked about previously, but straight to the heart.
In 2nd John 1: 5 and 6, John says the same thing: “I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his command. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” (NIVUV)
Check out the Mike Dubbeld Family and see how they are showing love
In the Gospels, we are told that the experts in the law asked Jesus a question about the greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:36-40 NIVUK)
“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘ “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”
So, if we love the Lord Our God with all of our heart and all of our soul and all of our mind, we are going to do what he asks us to do. We are going to obey him. And loving our neighbour as ourselves pretty much sums up those things that he asks us to do.
People praying for each other and showing love. Altar service at Creekside 2019
I hope that this message is for someone that is reading it, as much as it is for me. God wants us to increase our love for him and for each other. And that doesn’t mean just those we like. Our “neighbour” includes everyone, whether or not they dress the same, worship the same, or vote the same. It also includes those that live down the street and around the world.
Sometimes I get so caught up in my own worries and cares that I don’t look around and see those who are in need of my love. I would rather not talk to the neighbour who’s out on their front lawn. But I need to. Not only to show my love for God, to show that I care for them, but also for the health of my own mind and Spirit. Reaching out to others gets our focus off ourselves. Reaching out in worship to God shows him that we love and obey him.
Lorraine Walker
Loving God, and loving each other. I pray that each of us will “walk in love,” a little bit more today.
By Lorraine Walker
For more Gospel music features, read the latest SGNScoops Magazine HERE.
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Tags: Lorraine Walker, Love, loving each other, loving God, SGNScoops Magazine, ten Commandments
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Kristina Cornell: No Other Name — Love
Written by Staff on September 17, 2019 – 9:39 am -
Kristina Cornell – Tell Them Ministries
No Other Name – LOVE
I am so blessed. My daughter, Isabella, and I, travel together in ministry, appropriately called “Tell Them Ministries,” because that is our passion.
We go all over the country and share our stories, our songs, our hearts with wonderful people who know Jesus as their Savior, and to those who do not. We love to encourage believers. We live to share the gospel with those who have never experienced the love of Jesus and of the Father.
We hear amazingly painful stories of people who are just like us: fragile, scared. They feel lost and alone. They recall the unexpected death of a loved one or losing all of their resources, sometimes they describe hearing the doctor give them a diagnosis that is terminal, fatal.
They share of abuse and neglect; how those things not only stole their joy, but the very essence of who they are. We hear how spirits are broken, souls are devastated, and lives are desperate.
Every single person, saved or unsaved, needs the love of God, the kind of love that we find in I Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” Love that is unconditional, that covers everything. Some of us have hurts so deep that without a love that in fact covers, there would not be enough.
In Romans 5:8 we find one of my favorite scriptures: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
This moves me. It is important to read this for each word written in this verse. Let us dive into the Greek meanings of these words to get a clear picture of the enormous affirmation this shows.
“God,” in this verse is directly linked with words like magistrate, supreme deity, exceedingly God. No question here, He wants us to be secure in that He is as high as you can go to make this judgement call, this decision.
“Demonstrates,” means to set together, to introduce (favorably), intransitively stand near.
“Love,” aha! This is the word “agape,” meaning affection or benevolent, specifically, a love feast – a feast of charity, dear love.
“Toward,” means of place, time, or purpose, concerning, continual, plus far more exceeding.
“Us,” meaning humankind, with an accusing tone.
“Christ”- the anointed that is the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: Christ.
“Died,” meaning to be slain.
“For,” instead of, exceedingly, abundantly.
“Us,” this time it is used as the plural (hemon) of the word “ego”, a Greek word meaning for “I” that is only expressed when being emphatic.
To summarize: the magistrate, (top of the line, cannot go higher than this deity) stands near us (the accused, mere humans), sets us together with Himself in affection, benevolence, a feast of charity continually and far exceeding any other love. While we were still in sin, the anointed Messiah, Jesus Christ, was slain in an exceeding, abundant way for us (yes even us, sinners). {I am weeping}
I Corinthians 13:4-8: “4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 [b]bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 [a} Love never fails;”
Every time “love” is used in this passage it is “agape:” meaning love that is affection or benevolence; specifically, a love feast – a feast of charity, dear love. I heard a teacher explain that if you really want to measure yourself against love, this kind of love, insert your name where the word “love” is used.
Isabella and Kristina Cornell
Can you say this of yourself? For example, can I honestly say of myself: “Kristina is patient, Kristina is kind and not jealous; Kristina does not brag and is not arrogant, Kristina does not act unbecomingly; she does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, Kristina does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; Kristina bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Kristina never fails?”
A resounding no! I am not always patient; I am not always kind. Sometimes I act unbecomingly, I can be provoked. I do not forget the wrongs done to me, easily. I cannot say that I always bear, believe, hope for, or endure all things.
What a lesson this is to a believer. Jesus said four times in scripture for us to show His love to each other. And, please do not try to find a loophole and say that it is meant just for Christians, we only have to “love” fellow believers. Remember the scripture in I Peter, “while we were sinners.”
This is what Jesus had to say:
- John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love (agapao – much love (agape) in social and moral sense) one another; as I have loved (agapao) you, that you also love (agapao) one another.
- John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love (agape) for one another.”
- John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love (agapao – much love (agape) in social and moral sense) one another as I have loved (agapao) you (for your sake, with an accusing tone).
- John 15:17 “These things I command you, that you love (agapao) one another.
Notice here, when Jesus was speaking about loving one another in a broad sense, the word “agapao” was used, denoting the same sort of love as “agape,” but broader because it is in a “social or moral sense.” This means beyond our circle.
In John 13:35, Jesus was talking to his disciples about love for each other and used the word “agape” because they were within the circle. Jesus’ love, His commandment to love, is not for the people that we like, or go to our church.
He did not reserve His love or want us to reserve ours for people who look, talk, think, act just like us.
In fact, when we go a little further in the scripture we find in I John 4:8: “The one who does not love (agapao) does not know (absolutely know, be aware of, feel, have knowledge of, understand, can speak with resolve) God, for God is love (agape).
My final thought is Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25. The Judgment.
Matthew 25: 31-40: “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
“Then the King (Jesus) will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared (made ready) for you from the foundation (conception) of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger (guest), and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous (equitable in character) will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
“The King, (Jesus) will answer and say to them (akin to the meaning of baffling wind), ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them..”
Pause here. “The extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them,” literally means, to band together to cast out, lighten the ship, purge, shoot out one who is Jesus’ own, a simpler version of Him. Then He says: “you did it to Me.”
Matthew 25:41-46 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’
“Then they (akin to the meaning of baffling wind) themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not [e]take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These (man and woman equally) will go away (depart) into eternal punishment (torment), but the righteous (innocent, holy) into eternal life.”
There is no other name but the name of Jesus, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, by whom we can learn the pleasure, the beauty, and the commandment of love.
As Isabella and I continue our travels, we will seek the least of these. We will be love.
By Kristina Cornell
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Tags: God's love, Jesus's Love, Kristina Cornell, Love, No Other Name, Tell Them Ministries
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Time to “Love The People That God Gave You,” as sung by the Bowling Family
Written by Staff on August 4, 2019 – 2:24 pm -
Randall Hamm: “Love The People That God Gave You” by The Bowling Family
Randall Hamm comments on the Bowling Family’s “Love The People That God Gave You:”
This song, released by the Bowling Family, took on a more somber tone this morning, Sunday, August 4, 2019.
For on Saturday, two tragedies, one in Texas and one in Ohio, took countless lives. Even here in Orange County, in my hometown of Paoli, this week two lives were lost due to problems that couldn’t be solved.
To writers Lee Black and Aaron Wilburn: You don’t know how precious this song is right now. To Mike Bowling and the Bowling Family, who just sing it from the heart: The Lord knew that a song like this would be needed at this moment.
Friends, life is short. In James 4:14, James says that life is but a vapor, like a mist. That it appears for a short time and then vanishes; it’s gone.
We know not what tomorrow holds. We’re not promised one extra second, minute, hour or day. We know not the time when we shall leave this earth.
None of the Texas or Ohio folks that perished knew that Saturday, in Texas, on a beautiful sunny day, and on a Ohio Saturday night, that their time of departure was nigh.
As the song says, “Love The People That God Gave You.” Say that extra ‘I love you,’ give that extra hug, say ‘I care,’ to your loved ones. Some families never had that chance yesterday…
To Lee, Aaron, and all the Bowling Family, this song couldn’t have been released at better time or moment than this…
More about the Bowling Family.
Bowling Family – Love The People That God Gave You
By Randall Hamm, new release reviewer for SGNScoops and DJ/Gospel Music Program Director for WFLQ Q-100 FM French Lick, Indiana.
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Tags: Bowling Famly, Dayton, El Paso, gospel music, Love, Randall Hamm
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