February 2012
(Note: Pastor's Pen is published on a monthly basis)
Love One Another - Our Ministry!
Henry Ward Beecher wrote, “We never know how much one loves
till we know how much he is willing to endure and suffer for us; and it is the
suffering element that measures love. The characters that are great must, of
necessity, be characters that shall be willing, patient and strong to endure for
others. To hold our nature in the willing service of another is the divine ideal
of manhood, of the human character.”
John the beloved said, “Brethren let us love one another for love is of God.” (I
John 4:11) February has been chosen as the month of love. It is a time set aside
to express love to those close to us. The definition in the 13th chapter of I
Corinthians outlines love or charity clearly for our understanding. Without the
type of love mentioned in this book, little else is important. Although a person
might have great abilities, if they do not possess love, the chapter indicates
they are like a clanging cymbal out of tune. It also explains how a person with
love sounds and feels. Have you read the “Love Chapter” lately? It would be good
to read it over and over during the month of February and put it into practice.
Christ went around doing good everywhere He went traveling only about 200 miles
in His lifetime. However His life was all about doing the Father’s will
(business) and that was to reach the people; saving, healing, forgiving,
mentoring and loving; John 13:34-35. Ministry is all about reaching out to
others in love whether in inside the church (body of Christ) or outside in the
community…we must reach and teach! Without the ministry of the Church the fruit
would wither and die on the branches and then we would become cursed as Christ
did to the fruitless tree in the New Testament. Are you active in a ministry at
NW? Are you reaching your family, your community and/or your workplace? Everyone
is called to be about the Father’s business. That is love!
Love and prayers,
~ Pastor Roberts
Copyright © 2012 Northwest Tampa Church of God