Genuine Love

1 John 4:9-12
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved,if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.


This past week I was shown genuine love in an unlikely circumstance.
For the sake of not disclosing too much information...but sharing in the graces shown to me...I will briefly give you the story.

I was recently asked out by a young fellow (smart, funny, handsome...) but upon the invitation there was a decline for not one particular reason.
I was expecting a slight awkwardness to follow- however just the opposite occurred.
This young man knows that I am new to the area. He also knows that I have been desiring to get plugged in. So instead of walking away from the entire encounter he took the initiative to e-mail a few people he thought I would enjoy.
As a result of this, I have been called, e-mailed and personally invited to join in fellowship with several people. Each effort of communication was either followed by "so & so gave me your name and thought it would be great if we met...or, _______ _______ encouraged me to give you a call..."
I have been overwhelmed with the demonstration of genuine love this brother in Christ has shown me. I have never felt so loved in my entire life. (Dad, and mom...parenting love is in another category)
What a beautiful thing it is to place pride aside. I have been encouraged and challenged in my own life. This man loves the Lord and it is no quiet matter.
I'm thankful for the men and women the Lord has placed in my life!

I love this hymn- and its been in my mind often this past week.
I hope this encourages you to love deeply and sincerely all in the name of Truth.

Here is Love

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days;
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
And my life be to Thy praise;
Thou alone shalt be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,
Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.
Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and power on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.
William Rees