God Lives in Us

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. — 1 John 4:11-12

No one has ever seen God.

But through Jesus, God lives in us.

And His love is made complete in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God so loved us that He sent His Son, Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice for us.

Since God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.

But that's easier said than done.

It's only through God's love that I'm able to love others.

We Should Love One Another

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. — 1 John 3:11

God's Word has been proclaimed to us from the beginning.

We have written it in our hearts.

And bind it around our foreheads.

And post it on our doorposts.

So that at all times we can be reminded to love others.

Just as God has commanded us from the beginning.

Be Sympathetic

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. — 1 Peter 3:8

 God calls us to be like-minded with Him.

And to be sympathetic to those around us.

Even when we disagree.

To love one another — even our enemies.

The Lord calls us to be compassionate toward others.

Even when they don't extend that compassion to us.

And God asks us to be humble, especially in times when we start to puff ourselves up.

Forgive One Another

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. — Colossians 3:15 

This is a tough command.

I don't always want to put up with everyone.

Some people just seem unlovable.

But then I realize that God puts up with me.

And I'm often not very lovable.

And God sent His only Son to die for me, before I'd ever turned toward Him.

God went ahead and forgave me before I even asked.

Knowing that, I realize that through God's love, I can show love to others.

And even forgive those who've wronged me.

After all, God paid a much. higher sacrifice for me.

Thank you, Lord!

Build Each Other Up

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

In today's world of conflict and disagreement, this seems a very fitting Scripture verse.

How often do I argue and disagree instead of encourage others.

And we often talk over each other instead of actively listenting.

Help us, Lord, to encourage one another.

Guide us to build each other up.

Just as the apostles did.

Just as Jesus did.

And as you command us to do.

Honor One Another

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. — Romans 12:10 

God commands us to be devoted to one another.

And to treat each other with love.

In addition to honoring our parents, God asks us to honor others.

And to put them above ourselves.

Very difficult to do on our own.

Fortunately, God will guide us.

He will give us wisdom in all situations.

Be Compassionate

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32 

God asks us to forgive each other.

And to be kind to others, even when they're not kind to us.

To be compassionate to one another.

Just as God forgave us and was compassionate to us in showing us His mercy.

All this through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.

Today was my coworker's last day with us so we all wore black in mourning.

Then we gathered outside for a final photo together.

She 's the one in the maroon skirt in the middle.

We'll miss her.

She was an example of being kind and compassionate to others.

No One Has Ever Seen God

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. — 1 John 4:11-12 

Today we have a holiday from work for Presidents' Day.

Since God loved us, we also should love each other.

No one has ever seen God.

But God lives in us through His Son, Jesus.

And His love lives in us.

When we love one another, God's love is made complete in us.

Love One Another As I Have Loved You

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:34-35 

God gives us a new command.

To love one another.

And to do it in the same way that He shows love to me.

Impossible, right?

It would be, if not for the amazing God we serve.

My coworker decorated this Valentine's tree for our office.

A perfect depiction of this verse.

Love one another.

This is how we show that we are disciples of Jesus.

In the ways we show His love to others.

We Should Love One Another

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. — 1 John 3:11

God has sent us His Word.

And we have known it from the beginning.

He has written it in our hearts.

But we still manage to ignore it.

God commands us to love each other.

Even those who appear to be unloveable.

Help me, Lord, to love others.

My friend Lainie created this garden installation in her yard for Valentine's Day.

Too cute!

Sing and Make Music From Your Heart to the Lord

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Ephesians 5:19-20 

It's not always easy to speak to others from the Spirit.

Sometimes I just want to call people idiots.

But God commands me to speak with psalms,  hymn, and spiritual songs from the Spirit.

He asks me to sing and make music from my heart to the Lord.

And He commands me to always give thanks to God for everything.

And to thank God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Walk in the Light

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. — 1 John 1:7

Last week we were in Palm Desert with friends.

This is the view from our condo living room.

Kirk moved his recliner so he looked out on this view of the golf course each day.

We got some great photos of the sunrises.

A reminder that if we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.

And the blood of Jesus, God's Son, purifies us from all sin.

Bear With Each Other

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. — Colossians 3:13

Put up with each other.

Forgive each other.

Talk out your grievances.

God forgave us while we were undeserving.

Now He asks us to forgive others in the same way.

Even if I have a grievance against someone,

God asks me to forgive them.

Actually, He commands me to forgive them.

It's not a question but a statement.

Forgive them as the Lord forgave me.

Encourage One Another

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing. — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Encourage one another.

Build up each other.

Yesterday Abby and I headed over to La Jolla shores for the afternoon.

The beach was beautiful and the day was sunny.

The water was chilly at first but then warmed up the more we swam.

We had a great time together enjoying the day.

God has blessed us.

 

Live in Harmony With One Another

Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. — Romans 12:16 

God calls us to live in harmony with others.

Even when we disagree with them.

Even when our opinions differ.

He commands us not to be haughty.

And to associate with the lowly.

And not to be conceited.

We can't do that without His help.

So grateful that He is our guide.

Be Devoted to One Another

Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. — Romans 12:10 

God calls us to be devoted to one another.

To love each other mutually.

And to honor each other.

Showing eagerness in honoring others.

This weekend we honor those who have given their lives for our country.

Remembering their sacrifice.

Thanking God for their service.

Showing our appreciation by honoring one another.

You Were Called to Freedom

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. — Galatians 5:13

God calls us to freedom.

And that freedom gives us the opportunity to love each other.

And to serve one another in love.
 

Not for selfish reasons, but because God loved us.

While were still unlovable.

Before we ever knew Him.

God adopted us into His family.

And now calls us His son and daughter.

Amazing grace!
 

Love One Another

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. — John 13:35

Yesterday we watched the Super Bowl with friends.
The weather was warm - a beautiful day.
These are the lemon napkins my sister-in-law sent me for my birthday.

Along with some lemon placemats that could be used like trivets.

We had chocolate-covered strawberries and chocolate cake for desert.

And our friends brought some really nice wines plus smoked salmon.

Kirk grilled steaks. And it was a good game.

Thank you, Lord, for your blessings.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Accept One Another

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. — Romans 15:7

Even though we are very different from each other, God created us all.

He likes variety in His creation.

Here's Kirk kneeling beside his mom and dad's tombstone.

He took them flowers.

Here's a photo of their gravesite.

Kirk visited there this summer.

Show Hospitality

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. — Hebrews 13:1-2

Today our sermon series continued on Genesis 2 and God's creation.

Then Dr. Lee shared about people who have been persecuted for sharing their faith in China.

We had a couple of visitors from Texas who had walked over from their hotel in time to join us for Sunday school.

Afterward, I gave them a ride back.

They had originally come from Ethiopia and still have relatives there.

They were in San Diego for a conference and found our church online.

Then we had the girls over for Bible study and painted mini canvas bags.

One of the girls lost her grandpa this morning.

Two others lost their dog a few weeks ago.

We were able to pray for all of the concerns.

Very grateful to live in a free country like America where we can worship as we choose.

Thanks be to God!