Pastor Ken Invites You To Hear "The Rest of the Message"

Here's our text for Sunday, February 24, 2008:

Love From The Heart

Have you ever assumed anything about another, or worse yet, about yourself?

"I don't have to study for this test...I've got it down already!" Then you get a D- ?

Peter is assuming something pretty big in this text. He is assuming that his readers and listeners ARE 1. Purified; 2. Obeying the Truth; 3. and Sincerely love one another. Of course, he's assuming we have listened to God more than we listen to ourselves or our favorite TV show for spiritual guidance. That should be a no-brainer, right? I mean, if you are reading this email you MUST be saved in the blood, purified white as snow, and perfect in all God's ways...right?

Assumptions can get you into trouble.

That's why this week we will be dealing with the truth that Peter knew when he wrote down God's Word the first time. We need to continually grow in our understanding of the DIVINE COMMAND - to love others as we love ourselves. And especially, after our own spouses and children, our brothers and sisters in the faith. ESPECIALLY those bros & sis's beside you in the pew or chairs that you have a hard time liking.

We can have a hard time liking someone in our own church?? Of course! So how do we deal with that?

Here's a teaser from Sunday's message.......

J. Allan Peterson, in "The Myth of the Greener Grass," writes about newspaper columnist and minister Dr. George Crane. It seems a woman came into Dr. Crane's office full of hatred toward her husband. "I not only want to get rid of him; I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me."

Dr. Crane suggested an ingenious plan. "Go home and act as if you really loved your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that you're getting a divorce. That will really hurt him."

With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful. Will he ever be surprised!"

And she did it with enthusiasm. Acting "as if." For two months she showed love, kindness, listening, giving, reinforcing, sharing.

When she didn't return, Dr. Crane called her. "Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?"

"Divorce!" she exclaimed. "Never! I discovered I really do love him."

........

Dear friends, the woman's actions had changed her feelings. Motion resulted in emotion. The ability to love is established not so much by fervent promise as often-repeated deeds.

Be blessed and be a blessing till we meet again,

Pastor Ken

NOTE: Unless otherwise stated, all Bible verses quoted in this website are from the New International Version (NIV). Any words from those verses that are in "red" are words spoken by Jesus.

Pastor Ken sends a Weekly Newsletter that includes his devotional message for the week and an update of the current happenings at Hope Church. If you would like to receive his newsletter, just click below and he'll add your email address to his list of subscribers.