FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK ~

Many of us, as Christ followers, have heard “we are Jesus hands and feet.” The scripture in 1 John 4:17 confirms those words by instructing us that “as He is, so are we in this world.”  When we consider this confirmation, we must meditate on this truth to ponder our responsibility in having this manifested in our lives. This truth is contained in this passage that focuses on God’s love for us and the importance of our love for Him and others. 

It is affirmed here that “God is love” and that the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. God also instructs us that if He loves us, we ought to love one another. We discover the characteristics of love in 1 Corinthians 13 in which the writer refers this to the most excellent way. “Love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy, it is not boastful, it is not arrogant, it is not rude, it does not seek its own way, it is not easily angered, and it does not keep a record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 

These are some of the characteristics of our Heavenly Father. He is patient, kind, He does not envy, He does not boast or is arrogant, He is not rude or easily angered, He delights in the truth, He protects, trusts, hope and perseveres. God will never fail. Paul continues to say, “follow the way of love.”  As God is love, so are we to be in this world. Our lives that others can see must reflect the God (who is love) that others cannot see. This reflection is accomplished by how we love Him and how we love one another. By this, love is perfected in us so that we have confidence in the day of judgement, because, “as He is, so are we in this world”. ~ God’s blessings, protection and favor to all.

Benny Nolen
Director
Joseph's Storehouse