How He Has Loved You

Published: April 1, 2012, 10 a.m.

If you're interested in the list of "19 ways God loves you in Jesus," you can find it at http://pdavebrooks.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/ways-god-loves-you-in-jesus/ -------------- As many of you already know, Clorrisa is pregnant again. Baby #6 is on the way. As a result, Clorrisa is very sick. She has a home nurse and frequent IV fluids. A nurse comes and puts the IV in her arm. But it's my job to hook up the machine, administer the fluids, and try to take care of some of the many tasks Clorrisa normally works so hard to complete. As I pick up these extra responsibilities, there are two ways I could look at them. First, I could do the tasks with a joyful attitude of love. I could remember everything that my wife is doing for me, and I could be grateful and loving in how I now help her. Or, secondly, I could do the tasks begrudgingly. I could go through the motions -- accomplishing these extra tasks with a resentful spirit. This Sunday, we are continuing our series in the Post-Exilic Prophets by jumping to the book of Malachi. As I prepare for this series, its strikes me that our relationship with God is very similar to my relationship with my wife. We can love God with our whole heart. Or we can just go through the motions. Both ways often result in the same outward activity, but they can be driven by vastly different motivations. This Sunday, we're going to ask a simple question: "How has God loved you?" In answering that question, we'll find the right motivation to keep us from "going through the motions." I can't wait to see you then! P.Dave