Love God Love One Another

Are you trying to hide your cracks? Love from God overlooks our brokenness. Like a golden Kintsugi repair of damaged pottery, our life begins when God's love tends, mends, and highlights our cracks. Through no merit of our own, we are continually repaired—we are saved because of grace. The flow of love is a lifestyle of reflecting God's agape love. #LoveRestoresMe #LoveOneAnother #messiahyl

United with Christ isn't about rule following; it is about relationships. Our own comfort from God's love and his spirit within us naturally produces tenderness, concern, and care for others. In humility we can fulfill our call and look to the interests of others first. #CalledToServe #OthersFirst #messiahyl

With a friend our joy is doubled because we share it and our burdens are halved because we share the load. A cord of three strands is not easily broken—the real source of strength comes in that third strand...it is the love of God woven into the love and care of our actions bearing one another's burdens. Galatians 6:2 #BearUp #LoveActually #messiahyl

The opposite of love is not hate...it is fear. Perfect love (God's love) casts out fear and it is unfailing, everlasting, steadfast, and unconditional. The good news is we don't have to clean up first. We are loved just as we are. God changes our life with love. Transformed, so that, we can love others. #PerfectLove #NoFear #messiahyl

What is your love radius? How committed are you to the well-being of others? Jesus showed us the way. Laying down our lives is an everyday response of loving others—in small and big moments—in words and especially through actions. #ShowMe #LoveRadius #Sacrificially #messiahyl

Can you imagine an offense too great for you to forgive? Rebellion, disrespect, injury, or abandonment? Truth is, we have acted toward Jesus this way. Yet, he has chosen to forgives us! Conform then to the demands of the gospel—including forbearing each other. Share compassion, humility, and grace to be the forgiveness of Jesus that people desperately need. #LoveActually #Forgives #messiahyl

Gifts are an expression...they can reveal much about the giver and also about the receiver. Wise men brought baby Jesus some unique gifts which foretold a story of his life. The fact that God revealed himself to be noticed, followed, and found by pagan astrologists says much for God's gift of inclusion. #BeWise #LoveActuallyGives #messiahyl

Jesus entered his earthly life and participated in the world as a poor person. His ministry, focus, and attention was largely on those who were lowly, poor, and oppressed. Woe to you who are rich! Does this make you uncomfortable? Our earnings and our actions can't earn salvation. Thankfully, we're not eternally separated from God because we're not poor. The power of the Holy Spirit was upon Jesus. He became the light of the entire world. Jesus fell first (and rose again) for all people. #ThanksForLovingMe #messiahyl

Have you ever wished for a mute button for people? God used such a button on Zachariah. Now (like then) at just the right moment, God's Holy Spirit breaks into our ordinary, mundane, regular world, to bring a vision of God's promised future. As the nativity players were the first messengers of the covenant, we can also give praise to God for what he has done...and what he is continuing to do. #TrustGodsPromises #HolySpiritCome #messiahyl

Christmas is a lot to take in this year—as it was also over 2000 years ago. Comfort and joy is the very thing we all seek (all people). We offer each other strength and warmth through presence and compassion when we share the love of God. Be intentional and be inspirational in fresh new ways to magnify God this Christmas. #FilledWithTheHolySpirit #messiahyl

What are the most significant relationship intersections of your life? Crossed paths and intersections can change the world and change each of us. God's intervention and loving visit to earth is so perplexing...and so amazing! Ponder: #HowCanThisBe #messiahyl

Let's get ready for the Christmas story! The Bible's historical and theological book of Luke is fundamental to Christianity today. In our own redemption story, exactly where the divine interrupted the ordinary, the message came first by angelic appearance. Zachariah, Elizabeth, and John go before us to prepare the way. #AccordingToLuke #SpiritFilled #WhatTheLordHasDoneForMe #messiahyl

What personal accomplishments do you most admire? Our challenge is to be thankful for these, but not depend on them for our story. Giving up ourselves and our "self-made" gains for Christ's lordship is a source of life changing joy! Jesus gave up everything to redeem you! #YouAreGodsTreasure #UndividedHeart #messiahyl

What do you want to do with your one and only life? What is your life's calling? You were created to make a difference. When we decrease self-absorption and increase our life in Christ, we find joy, satisfaction, influence, and purpose. Every ordinary person who lives into the attitude of walking in the steps of Jesus makes a world of difference—by caring for others, living sacrificially, and doing it consistently. #InvestYourLife #CalledToLove #messiahyl

True sacrifice...being on the line and ready to give it all (even die) for someone else. That is amazing love! The love of God is just that way. Jesus emptied himself in love for us...giving everything he had. #PouredOut #OneOfUs #messiahyl

Is the purpose of life to be happy? Is it societal pressure that drives you? There is something greater than "happiness" to attain. Living in "joy" is a much superior life state—a condition of profound gladness! The greatest possible joy is experiencing the goodness and presence of Jesus. #ExperienceJoy #TheGoodLife #messiahyl

The Bible is not a bunch of "Nos", thankfully, it's about generous "Yeses": God's "Yes" to us, God's "Yes" to eternal life, and God's "Yes" to having a loving relationship with us! A life of reformation is constantly growing in appreciating why (and how) God says "Yes"! Christ alone is simply enough! It's not Christ + my contribution...it's all Him. #christalone #fullstop #messiahyl

Is your faith a quart low? Faith isn't measured in volume...it is a relationship with God. Not our strength, but it is God's work that changes us. All our power comes from the Holy Spirit...initiated by God. Faith alone is walking and talking with God in the way of love. #GodPursuesMe #messiahyl

Have you ever caught yourself looked down on someone because they did less than you? Perspective is a helpful check. We've done so little compared to what God has done for us. We have no bragging rights...nothing credible to offer that makes us more worthy. God's grace alone is our lifeline. #gracealone #messiahyl

Reformation is an ongoing reflection on faith. The central tenets of Christian faith are Scripture, grace, faith, and Christ (the Solas). Our Bibles are literal, historical, metaphoric, and poetic communications from God. Regular study of Scripture can bring us inspiration, wisdom, and training for life—insight to reform our faith in Christ and help us grow. #GodsWord #LightMyPath #messiahyl