God Is Love
Dear Firefighters For Christ,
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death?
No, despite all these things overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can’t and life can’t. The angels can’t and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, or worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, 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 8:35,37.38
This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10
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. 1 John 4:16,17
Jesus’ Prayer For Us
"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father -- that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.”
"I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are -- I in them and you in me, all being perfected into one. Then the world will know that you sent me and will understand that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you've given me to be with me, so they can see my glory. You gave me the glory because you loved me even before the world began!
"O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. And I have revealed you to them and will keep on revealing you. I will do this so that your love for me may be in them and I in them." John 17:20-25
Jesus’ Words To Us
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all you mind. And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
“Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:34-35
“Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:44
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in His love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it — the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me . . . You didn’t choose me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. I command you to love one another.” John 15:9-14, 16-17
Our Continual Prayer
“Father in heaven, I sincerely desire to love you with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And I want to love my family, my neighbors and friends, even my enemies. I realize that I am incapable of loving you and others in my own strength. I specifically confess my sins to you, thank you for cleansing me by your blood, and surrender my heart, soul, mind and strength to You. I will to remain in You with every part of my being, fully dependent upon You alone, for I know that I can do nothing apart from You. Thank You for Your promises to me personally and the joy of living in Your presence. So, on the authority of your command to love and your promise to hear and answer this prayer, I claim by faith that in the mighty name of Jesus you will answer my prayer.”
The indescribable love of God is the most wonderful thing in this world.
Cling to it, cherish it and nurture it every day!