I just love...

“I just love chocolate.” “I just love your new dress.” “I love my family.” “I love my car.” “ I love my job.” “ I love snow.” “I just love the Lord.” I just love…Love is an often used word, one that is used in a variety of ways.

With Valentine's Day approaching our hearts turn to the language of love. The word “LOVE” conveys so much and has so much power. But at other times it simply expresses how we feel about our latest acquisition, our favorite food or our favorite sports team. We use it so flippantly, its significance is diminished.

I believe love is our faith in action. The little letter of 1 John packs a powerful message. John says many things about love, but three things are clear from his writing.

First, love is action. “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, ow does God’s love abide in him. Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and truth.” (3:17-18) In John’s mind , love is more than a feeling. It is more than simply saying “I love you.” For John, love proves itself in action.

How can God’s love abide in a person who can close their heart to another in need? In this message, we see the motivation of those who so many years ago saw children in need and loved them – people like John Mills. It was not an easy journey for John Mills as he began a ministry to orphaned children. He met many obstacles. But Mills put his faith into action. He loved! God’s love continues to be our motivation today. It continues to be your motivation today.

We have seen your love in action over and over again this past year as we have faced many challenges due to the impact of COVID 19. You have been relentless in your quest to put your faith, your love in action by caring for our children. You Loved!

John also gives another important lesson about love. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (4:18a)

Sometimes our children come to us obeying out of fear because of their past