I trust that you enjoyed your Christmas. It is hard to believe Christmas 2021 is history.
We have been looking at the four weeks of advent. Let’s recap:
Hope (or promise)
Preparation (waiting or prophecy)
Joy (peace)
This Sunday, the theme was LOVE (Adoration). This year’s theme for our ministry has been “God’s Unstoppable Love – Living in Light of the gospel.
The word love is used 310 times in the KJV – 131 in the Old Testament and 179 in the New Testament.
The love of God is such a powerful theme throughout the Scriptures. But the focus of love on this Sunday is our love and adoration for the Savior.
There are so many verses, so many songs, about God’s love for us. Whenever I think about His love, I am overwhelmed and moved to tears.
But when was the last time you focused on your love for Him? Years ago, one of my professors from the Philadelphia College of Bible, now Cairn University, taught us a song written by songwriter Alfred B. Smith. Al Smith was the Bill Gaither in his time and wrote so many hymns and gospel songs.
Dr. John Cawood loved to have us students sing this song:
I Love Thee. Lord Jesus
Peace like a river is flooding my soul, Since Christ, my Savior has made my life whole;
Sweet peace abiding my portion shall be – Jesus, my Savior, is precious to me.
Joy is abounding my heart gladly sings – Climbing t’ward heaven on eagle strong wings;
Christ has redeemed me my soul He set free – Jesus, my Savior, is precious to me.
Oh, precious Jesus, how lovely thou art! Come in thy fullness and rule in my heart,
Break every fetter thy face let me see, Thou shalt forever be precious to me.
Refrain
I love Thee, Lord Jesus with all of my heart!
I love Thee, Lord Jesus with all of my heart!
For dying on Calvary, for giving me victory,
I love Thee, Lord Jesus with all of my heart.
I want to encourage you sometime this week to get alone with the Lord. Pull yourself away from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season and tell Him how much you love HIM – not because of WHAT He has done for you – but because of WHO he is in your life.
Pray it, sing it, write it – but take some time to love and adore Him.
Living in light of the gospel,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
Think About This: “The Christmas story is not intended to teach you a bunch of moral lessons that require no history to be helpful. It’s a story that is rooted in real history, real acts of God that are intended to provide for you and me the one thing we desperately need: moral rescue. The Christmas story is about a God of glorious grace on the march, invading human history with the grace of redemption.” ―
The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 5 | You can download our 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
