Friends in Christ Message for April 23, 2011

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Friends in Christ Weekly Message
April 23, 2011

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless - cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything - encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
1 Peter 4:7-11 (Message*)

Our crucified and resurrected Christ is the greatest exemplar of love. So what is most important as we await the fulfillment of time? That we love one another.

Love is so key that it makes up for practically anything. Don't fret over whether you have the correct theology or the right style of worship. Just pour out love like Christ pours out love on us. That is what really matters.

And who are we to love? Well, everyone, but particularly the poor and the oppressed and the lonely. They need to be reminded that, regardless of their circumstances, Christ loves them with all of his heart. They are special to Him. And we have the opportunity to be His hands, His feet, His voice by pouring out the love Christ has given us to these precious ones in His name.

Holy Week is a time to remember the greatest outpouring of love the world has known, and how that love overcomes even death. It is a time to be renewed in the amazing reality of Christ's love, and to open ourselves to letting it pour out on a world that needs it so desperately.

Bill Samuel

* The Message version © by Eugene H. Peterson.