We all have a next chapter!  Here is a simple message as one chapter comes to an end and as a new chapter is getting ready to be written.  There is not better guide than God’s Word, so let these words make, shape, encourage and grow each of us to be all we were created to be.

“23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25

1.) Hold Onto Hope!

2.) Push Forward To Love And Good Deeds!

3.) Don’t Give Up Togetherness!

4.) Encourage All The Time!

5.) Be Ready!

A friend once told me:  “People love you as long as you can do something for them.”  I disagreed with him and acknowledged that this may be true with some people, but those that really love you, love you no matter what.  He said:  “Just wait and watch and you will see that what I am saying is true.”

As I have waited and watched, I hate to admit it, but there is a lot of truth in that statement.  It is not true in every single situation, but it is true in many.  What I have come to realize is this:  There are a lot fewer people in the second category than in the first.  I want to be one of those people who love just for love.  The most pure expression of love that I have ever experienced is the love that does something for someone who can’t do anything back, except love.

I have been fortunate to receive this kind of love and to give this kind of love.  This is the kind of love that God loves us with.  God loves us regardless.  It does not matter what we have done or what we will do – God loves us.  And because He loves us, He desires what is best for us.

My goal is to love others just for love and nothing else.  I do not want to look for or expect anything in return.  I am going to do my best to love others, really love them, regardless of who they are, where they come from, what they do, have done or will do. Because He loves me, I love you and that is more than enough!

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  Luke 4:18-19

Have spent a good bit of time thinking about our great big God!  Was listening to a preacher the other day, who got me to thinking about how big God was to me when I was a little boy.  God was so much bigger than anything I could dream or imagine.  God is teaching me that He is even bigger than I thought He was.  God is indescribable!

How awesome that He allows His Spirit to come upon us and anoint us to proclaim the good news to the poor.  We, who have been set free, get to proclaim freedom to the prisoners.  We who were blind and can now see get to help with the recovery of the sight to those that are now blind.  We who were oppressed and are now free, get to set the oppressed free and we who are living in the Lord’s favor, get to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor for all who love and trust Him.

So glad that my even “bigger than I could dream or imagine – great big God has a plan for my life and looking forward to what He is going to do in and through our lives in the days ahead!  G3!