Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 22
Monday


ARMS OF LOVE

READ:
1 John 3:16-20
_________________________________________

Let us not love in word
or in tongue, but in
deed and in truth.
__1 John 3:18
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Many college students go on summer missions trips. But rarely does one come back with plans to rescue a baby. Mallery Thurlow, a student at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, went to Haiti to help distribute food. One day a mother showed up at the distribution center with a very sick infant in her arm. The woman was out of options. The baby needed surgery, but no one would perform it. Without intervention, the baby would die. Mallery took baby Rose into her arms__and into her heart.

After returning to the US, Mallery searched for someone to operate on baby Rose. Most doctors held out little hope. Finally, Rose was granted a visa to leave Haiti, and Mallery went back to get her. Detroit children's Hospital donated the $100,000 surgery, and it was successful. A little life was saved.

It's unlikely that we will have such a dramatic impact on others. Yet challenged by this student's willingness, we can find ways to provide help. She didn't let circumstances, youth, or inconvenience stop her from saving Rose's life.

Like Mallery we are called to love "in deed and in truth"
(1 John 3:18). Who needs you to be God's arms of love today?
__Dave Branon
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`````````````````When you see someone in need,`````````````````
``````````````````Love demands a loving deed;``````````````````
`````````````````Don't just say you love him true,`````````````````
```````````````Prove it by the deeds you do. __Sper``````````````
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Compassion puts love into action.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 John 3:16-20************

16 By this we know love,
because He laid down His
life for us. And we also
ought to lay down our lives
for the brethren. 17 But
whoever has this world's
goods, and sees his brother
in need, and shuts up his
heart from him, how does
the love of God abide in
him? 18 My little children,
let us not love in word or in
tongue, but in deed and in
truth. 19 And by this we
know that we are of the
truth, and shall assure our
hearts before Him. 20 For if
our heart condemns us, God
is greater than our heart,
and knows all things.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

John, the author of the gospel bearing his name and the disciple
"whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23), has been explaining to his readers
the contrasting characteristics of the lack of love (indifference,
hatred, and murder) exhibited by the children of the devil (1 John
3:10-17), and the quality of love expected of the children of God
(vv.18-24). Here, pointing to the example of Christ, John sets the
standard of Christian love. True Christian love is self-sacrificing
(v.16) and selfless giving (v.17). Love is not merely an expression
of words; it is the execution of good works. According to John, this
kind of love is the clear evidence of being born again (v.14).
__Sim Kay Tee