Category Archives: Love First

Fearless Love

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Jason

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 John 4, Devotional, Discipleship, Faith, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Ministry, No Fear, Obedience, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Scandal of Foolish Love

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Jason

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. — 1 Cor. 1:17 With these words, Paul gets at … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional, Discipleship, Faith, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Quotes, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Nothing

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Jason

In God’s Story, I’ve been mulling over this extraordinary Truth: it says nothing can separate us from the love He expresses to us in Jesus.  I think it’s time for the people of God to start living like it.  Each day … Continue reading →

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Love Never Fails

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Jason

1 Corinthians 13 is a text that I’ve read at nearly every wedding over which I’ve presided. That’s great; these are certainly fitting words for such an occasion. But there’s a flip side to such familiarity. If we come to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 13, Devotional, Eschatology, Faith, God, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Marriage, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Love First: Action

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Jason

This year, our church theme is “Love First.” Not only is this statement a strong word in favor of obedience and missional living, it is also a word of action. This calls to mind Mother Teresa’s famous quote: “Faith in … Continue reading →

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Love First: Missional

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Jason

What does God desire of us? What does He want from His people? In Scripture, we see that our God is a God of mission. He is a missionary God, sending His own Son into the world for our sake. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2 Corinthians 5, Devotional, God, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Missiology, Scripture, Theology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Love First: Obedience

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Jason

To put love first is to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength while also striving to love your neighbor as yourself. This means that Love First is a word about obedience. Obedience is definitely not a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Devotional, Discipleship, Faith, God, Gospel, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Love First, Love God, Love Others, Mark 12, Obedience, Scripture | Leave a comment

A New Command

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Jason

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotional, Discipleship, Faith, God, Jesus, Kingdom Values, Leviticus 19, Love First, Love God, Love of Christ, Love Others, Scripture, Sermon on the Mount | Leave a comment

The Call is Constant: The Symmetry of Grace

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Jason

Jesus calls us to a deeply devoted, transformative type of following, one that is ultimately expressed in agape love for God and others. Of course, that doesn’t mean there won’t be bumps along the way. Simon Peter knows this well. … Continue reading →

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Every Step An Arrival: Going Without Knowing

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Jason

In his book The Pastor, Eugene Peterson cites a Denise Levertov poem that closes with this line: “every step an arrival.” Levertov uses the phrase as a description of her development as a poet but her words fire my imagination … Continue reading →

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