Time to LOVE!

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love. (1 John 4:16-18)


Can I just tell you that something happens inside of our heart when we begin love people, to be for people and not against. When we stop judging others and instead try to be on their side, something spectacular happens inside of us. Fear leaves. Uncertainty leaves. Feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy leave because we have FINALLY started treating other people like we would want them to treat us.


Guys, people are not the enemies. We are all in this together. We have all grown up in a time period when we were fed lies. Hollywood, the internet, fake news - deception ruled the land, and many fell into the traps. Some escaped. Some were rescued. Others are used to spread lies. Others are abused. Still others are the ones who do the abusing. Some are kind. Some are cruel. But can I give a witness - except for the grace of God, we could all be in any one of those categories.


When we can start to look past the outward appearance and even the choices other people make and start to look into the heart of that person, we will see God. Somewhere in every person God lives, because all people are made in the image of God. And all people have a very real enemy who wants to kill them, steal from them, and destroy them because they look like God. The enemy hates us. And even though we don't realize it, we are all on the same side. And if that is the case, it is time that we start fighting for each other instead of being against. Let's speak the truth in love. Let's encourage. Let's exhort. Let's praise. Let's honor. Let's see the good instead of the bad. That doesn't mean that we cover up sin. That means that our love covers the sinner while God exposes and defeats the sin.


When we start doing this, love wins. We start to live like Jesus in this world, and when we do, we are not afraid on the day of judgment. We face God with confidence because we are doing what He has asked us to do here on this earth. LOVE! Love wins!


May our love grow more and more perfect as we walk with Jesus in the coming days.

​Terri