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March 13, 2006

Stay In The Sunshine

Read:
John 15:5-17

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love. —John 15:10

Bible In One Year: Deuteronomy 20-22; Mark 13:21-37

cover In his book The Best Is Yet To Be, Henry Durbanville told the story of a little girl in London who won a prize at a flower show. Her entry was grown in an old cracked teapot and had been placed in the attic window of a rundown tenement house. When someone asked how she managed to raise such a lovely flower in such an unlikely environment, she said she moved it around so it would always be in the sunlight.

Durbanville then reminded his readers of Jesus' words, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love" (John 15:9). We learn from this that we too must keep ourselves continually in the warmth of Christ's love.

We abide in Christ's love when we show love to others. Jesus made this clear when He said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love . . . . This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (vv.10,12-13).

We feel the warmth of Christ's love when we obey His commandment to love and serve others. That's the way to stay in the sunshine. —Richard De Haan

For Further Study
What are some ways Jesus showed love?
(Mt. 8:14-17; 15:32-39; 19:13-15; 27:33-35)
How can we show Christ's love to others?
(Mt. 28:19-20; Gal. 5:13; 6:1-2; Col. 3:13)

Our love for God is seen in our love for others.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Knowing God Through John

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends"

We honor here this and every day, all those who serve here and around the world, acting under this Commandment.
Most do so for total strangers, desiring them to enjoy the fruits of fair governance, the ability to be self-sufficient and prosper, and to experience the joys of knowing a loving God, so often taken for granted in freer, more prosperous nations.

Surely this includes all those who serve us at home as firemen, policemen, medical personnel, etc., but especially our military pesonnel!

May God hold each one in His hands, infusing them with strength and guide their every action; and comfort all connected with them who also serve, waiting for their return...

What are some ways Jesus showed love? (Mt. 8:14-17; 15:32-39; 19:13-15; 27:33-35)

Thank you for the Bible Study!

Matthew 8:14When Jesus came into Peter's home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever.
15He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him.
16When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill.
17This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES."
Matthew 15: 32And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way."
33The disciples said to Him, "Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?"
34And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish."
35And He directed the people to sit down on the ground;
36and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
37And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full.
38And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
39And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.
Matthew 19:13Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
14But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
15After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.
Matthew 27: 33And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.
35And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.

Stay In The Sunshine

Read:John 15:5-17

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love. —John 15:10

Bible In One Year: Deuteronomy 20-22; Mark 13:21-37

Read:
John 15:5-17