Tag: God’s love

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Isaiah 431-7

I will be reading these verses at church in about a half hour. I joke that reading the Bible at church is as close as I will ever get to being a prophet. I pray that my fellow members will take these verses to heart.

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel.”

It begins with a reminder of who God is and what He has done for us. I have noticed that God does this often when He speaks.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by my name, you are mine.”

God changed Jacob’s name to Israel in Genesis. For us, He called us into His church. By this, I mean the universal church that includes all of the redeemed.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

This verse is often quoted on inspirational images and calendars. It reminds us that God will walk beside us in the midst of our worst trials. Yet, I can’t help but think of the California fires and the many people who have lost their homes and most of their possessions. I think they are overwhelmed with all that has happened to them. I pray that God is lavishing His loving presence on them and encouraging the people around them to help in a large variety of ways.

“I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you.”

Normally, I am cautious about applying scripture that was spoken to a specific audience to myself. However, the Bible states that God loves us  in many other areas. Jesus died for us. God loved us so much that He gave his only Son so that we may be saved and live with Him forever.

The verses continue on the promise that God would bring the Israelites back from all corners of the world.

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Called to love and serve others

My church is big on the love and grace of God. God loved us so much that He sent His own Son to die a horrible death..

Here is a song called Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service (ELW 712).

“Lord, whose love in humble Service bore the weight of human need, who upon the cross forsaken, worked your perfect deed: we, your servants, bring the worship not of voice alone but heart; consecrating to your purpose every gift which you impart.”

I think this verse explains that we love God because He loved us first.

“Still your children wander homeless; still the hungry cry for bread; still the captives  long for freedom: still in grief we mourn our dead. As you, Lord, in deep compassion healed the sick and freed the soul, by your Spirit send your power to our world to make it whole.”

This verse describes the suffering that has happened for thousands of years before Jesus came to Earth and after He returned to heaven. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed by the knowledge of the suffering in our world. I know that I am praying to a compassionate God. The writer, Albert F. Bayly (1901-1984) lived through world war I, the Great depression and world war II. So, he saw a great deal of suffering in his life.

“As we worship, grant us vision , till your love’s revealing light in its height and depth and greatness dawns upon our quickened sight, making known the needs and burdens your compassion bids us bear, stirring us to ardent service, your abundant life to share.”

This verse is a prayer asking God to help us to see the suffering in our world.

“Called by worship to your service, forth in your dear name we go, to the child, the youth, the aged, love in living deeds to show; hope and health, goodwill and comfort, counsel, aid, and peace we give, that your servants, Lord in freedom may your mercy know and live.”

This verse describes our response of loving our neighbors. We are called to serve others just as Jesus loved and served us during His lifetime and death. Now, He advocates for us in heaven.