Thursday 2/21/13 Love (4)

Dear brothers and sisters.  It is a cold evening here at the Southern Location of the North Pole, and yes, I am getting a jump on the Thursday message as we have a very busy day Thursday with an early morning out.  Prayers today for our schools and all those involved with them and as always, please do not forget those school bus drivers.  As you know, we are working on messages about love this week.  So let me get right to the message.

Matthew 22:36 - "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"  37 Jesus replied:  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  38 This is the first and greatest commandment.  39 And the second is like it:  Love your neighbor as yourself."  (NIV)

Have you ever played a game called "Pass it on?"  Once in awhile in school teachers would tell someone something and then we were to keep telling it to others until it got back to you.  The teacher was showing how the wording would change as it passed by a lot of people.  That was a nice little game, but it has a bigger meaning.  Passing it on is not always a game, it is a way to spread gossip and as we all know, gossip is a sin.  But wait a minute, I am talking about love today, so why am I talking to you about passing it on?  I want to challenge you to do something.  Three little words is all I want you to pass on.  However, you do not just need to tell it to one person, you can start this with many people.  No, I am not asking you to pass on the message, as always that is up to you.  Your blessings come from God,not from just passing on something someone wrote or said.  But this is okay, so here we go.

When you see someone, now I would not expect you to do this with a perfect stranger, you might find out the stranger is not perfect.  Okay, are you ready;, here goes.  When you see someone you know, walk up to them, hug them if you like, and say thee three words, "I love you," and then say, "pass it on."  The Bible does tell us that we should love our neighbor, and your neighbors are everywhere.  And besides showing your love for everyone by the way you act, why not tell them?

Maybe it would be best to get your feet wet doing this online.  I have closed my messages like this for years ... "Go forth and share your blessings.  Love ya."  And then I sign my name.  So use three words, I love you, or I love ya.  Most all who respond to me say it back.  Guys, do not be afraid to tell another you love them, just say "love ya, brother."  Love is throughout the Bible.

Of course our scripture tells us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."  And at no time should your love for anyone be greater than your love for Jesus.  In fact, Jesus is always number one.  Hey, you want to have some fun?  If you are at a ball game or someplace where the crowd is yelling "we're number one", just yell out "we're number two" and watch the look you get.

There is so much hate in the world today, so much, and sometimes you do not even need to leave your own household to see or feel the hate.  It sure would be nice if we could help turn that around.  Email someone, phone someone, or when you see them, tell them, "I love you," and remember to say, "pass it on."  Our Lord Jesus has commanded us to take the good news into all the corners of the world, and the good news is, "Jesus loves you," and that is another way you could say those words, say Jesus loves you, and I love you, "pass it on."  Hey, it needs to start somewhere, so I am going to start it right here for the email ...

Jesus loves you, and I love you also.  (Pass it on.)

Dear Father in Heaven, thanks for loving us and for teaching us how to love others and share with others.  Please anoint the message as it goes out today and may it help spread the word of just how much You do love us.  Lord, you have sure passed on Your love over the years and so often we have not appreciated it. Here I am, Lord.  Please keep sending Your love our way.  In Jesus' name, I pray.  And Lord, all honor and about our love goes to You.  In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

Now go forth sharing your blessings and loving, loving all others with Jesus first.

I love ya, Pastor Dan.