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season of love


If we love Him, then we must show His love to those who most need to see and feel His presence. --- Matthew Barnett


Christmas is ahead.  Opportunities are endless.  Needs are all around us.  There are places and people and organizations seeking our attention.  What is on my mind more than anything are the God kind of thoughts.


The quote above quote sums it up for me.  Matthew Barnett is the founder of the Los Angeles Dream Center.  It has been his dream and now reality to lead a church that's doors never close.  24 hours a day,7 days a week, and 365 days a year the Dream Center is meeting needs in many locations and in big ways.


God has led our church, The Community Fellowship, to make a similar difference in our community and beyond by demonstrating the love of God to our community.  We began over 15 years ago with our clothes closet ministry on Christmas Eve.  It has been awesome since.  Our feeding ministry has grown in huge ways as have our ministries to homeless friends.  We’ve seen God work in some big ways and meet some big needs.  But that is not it.  I believe God is opening more doors and giving us the ability to minister in bigger, and I mean BIGGER, ways.  


I am overwhelmed with the size and truth of God's love for me and for all of humanity.  Yet the question is, does that love change how I act and live?  


Would you spend some time this Christmas season giving your life, your money and yourself to serve others?  We do that at The Community.  Our mission offering helps lots of people each year.  Giving away lots this season to serve people in our community.


2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.


1 John 3:17 NIV

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?


1 John 4:11 NIV

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.


And even more this verse sticks out to me and I pray it will for you:


Romans 13:8 NASB

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another...


NOTE: much of this devotion was first shared in December 2008 and remains true 

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