by Marcie Bridges, @Marcie_Bridges
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his
friends. John 15:13
friends. John 15:13
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©Bridgescreations, 2016
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Lord,
How do I share (with the world) about Your love—how You love
us—when we see how more policemen have died in the line of duty? More people
have lost their lives to violence and terrorism? It seems every day brings
another round of broken. Lord, how do I explain?
us—when we see how more policemen have died in the line of duty? More people
have lost their lives to violence and terrorism? It seems every day brings
another round of broken. Lord, how do I explain?
Words fail me today. I have no idea how to tell others how
“perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) when fear has settled into my own broken. Future plans in a
wasteland of atrocities that cannot be mended.
“perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) when fear has settled into my own broken. Future plans in a
wasteland of atrocities that cannot be mended.
Lord, where is Your love?
That’s what this tired, worn out, afraid-to-look-at-our-own
shadows world is asking.
shadows world is asking.
“Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God and
everyone who loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not. Knoweth
not God for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another.” (1 John 4:7 & 8)
everyone who loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not. Knoweth
not God for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another.” (1 John 4:7 & 8)
Excuse me Lord? Are you telling me that in order to cast out
fear we
must love? But Lord, we ARE
loving! And in this love we emit it is thrown back to us like smelly, dead
fish. Across the world Christians are being persecuted because they are
loving others. I don’t understand.
fear we
must love? But Lord, we ARE
loving! And in this love we emit it is thrown back to us like smelly, dead
fish. Across the world Christians are being persecuted because they are
loving others. I don’t understand.
Lord?
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©Bridgescreations, 2016
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“For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we
should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one
and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were
evil and his brother’s righteous.
should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one
and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were
evil and his brother’s righteous.
Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.
He who does not love his brother abides in death…
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.
He who does not love his brother abides in death…
By this we know love, because He laid
down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods,
and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the
love of God abide in him?
down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods,
and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the
love of God abide in him?
My little children, let us not love in
word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:11-18) (NKJV)
word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:11-18) (NKJV)
Go and be My
disciples. Teach others about My
love. Show them by example who I am
by helping the poor, visiting the widows, giving of your time, your resources
and even your life. THIS is love. This is MY love. What you do unto others,
you do unto ME.
disciples. Teach others about My
love. Show them by example who I am
by helping the poor, visiting the widows, giving of your time, your resources
and even your life. THIS is love. This is MY love. What you do unto others,
you do unto ME.
The world will not understand what they do not know. They
will not understand what they have not learned. For how can a child understand
right from wrong and love versus hate unless you teach them? Therefore, the
world needs to be taught. Go and spread
My love even if it means giving your life away.
will not understand what they have not learned. For how can a child understand
right from wrong and love versus hate unless you teach them? Therefore, the
world needs to be taught. Go and spread
My love even if it means giving your life away.
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©Bridgescreations, 2016
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Yes, they will curse you. Yes, they will mock you. Yes, they
will turn you away and will not want to hear it. Yes, they will hate you. “But
greater is He in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
will turn you away and will not want to hear it. Yes, they will hate you. “But
greater is He in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Love displayed upon a cross
broken, beaten, lost it all
even His father had turned His back
sins of the ages—future and past—
soaked into his body weighing Him down
water and blood flowing to the ground
sacrificing Himself so that we may live…
Who am I to love like that?
Love enough to lay down my life for
others whom despise Jesus?
Often I think I can lay it down easily
for my friends and family
how deep a sacrifice, but,
to live it out loud for the world to see
each day in and day out be ready
how do I love like that, dear Lord,
how did You love like that for us?
I am in awe as I ponder this thought
the burden You carried walking up that hill
was not the wooden cross but the will
to take each step closer to Your death
knowing what waited at the top, yet,
You still climbed that hill and spilled
Your life, Your blood, Your love…
shoes that I can never fill, but,
You call me to the greatest price
one of love and sacrifice
I cannot take another’s sins
I can only love them as You did
Offer my life in place of their’s
what greater love is this?
To lay down my life for another man.
~Marcell Warner Bridges
©July 2016, All Rights Reserved.
I pray Jesus’ answer to me will be my own answer to this
broken. Listening to a song on the radio the other day these lyrics almost
stopped me dead on the road, “you can’t love unless you love yourself”. In my
own broken, I need to let go and give love. Perhaps in giving love I am loving
myself but more important, loving God?
broken. Listening to a song on the radio the other day these lyrics almost
stopped me dead on the road, “you can’t love unless you love yourself”. In my
own broken, I need to let go and give love. Perhaps in giving love I am loving
myself but more important, loving God?
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©Bridgescreations, 2016
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I would love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments
below.
below.
From My Heart to Yours,
Marcie
The same questions I am asking, framed within your beautiful poetry. Thank you, dear friend!
This is a hard scary world. I pray our lights shine brightly in their darkness. Thank you Norma 🙂
Amen, Marcie. Amen. Without love we sound like clanging brass and no one listens. Thank you for reminding us to love with God's love.
Yes and Amen Nan 🙂