It was Jim’s sixth birthday, and his father wanted him to begin to understand continents and nations. So, he bought him a lighted globe. He was fascinated with the way it glowed in the dark and gently lit his room. And he also enjoyed the time his Dad spent in his room telling him stories about the different countries of the world.

One evening his Dad silently slipped into his room thinking that Jim was asleep. He wanted to “borrow” the globe so he could locate the countries that were mentioned during the evening news hour.

As he was leaving, Jim who was not asleep asked, “Dad, what are you doing with my world?”

What a great question for each of us. No doubt God would have each of us answer a similar question: “What are you doing in My world?”

Jesus said that “God loved the world so much that He sent me into the world to save it.” We know that Jesus fulfilled God’s plan for His life; He gave His life on the cross for our salvation. We also know that He is now in heaven with His Father. And we also know that the work that Jesus began is to be carried on by His disciples.

As His disciples, it is important, no it is critical, that we ask ourselves constantly, “What we are we doing in God’s world today to save the lost for whom my Son, your Savior, died?”

Prayer:  Lord, give us an urgency to do Your work in Your world to save the lost. Do not let us rest in Your peace until we bring Your message to someone each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   – For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Perhaps there is no one word that is more confusing, more misunderstood, more diminished in significance or abused than the word “love.” Although it contains feelings, it is much more than feelings. Although it includes emotions, many times emotions must be controlled. While it includes sentiments, it is more than sentimental desires that fluctuate from day to day.

Feelings, emotions and sentiments change from moment to moment and day to day because life is dynamic. True love, God-love, must be seen, observed and expressed in the behavior of a Christian.

What I do with and to and for someone is what matters most in demonstrating and describing love. If we have any questions about this type of love, we simply need to look at the life of Jesus and meditate on His words: “God so loved this world that He gave His one and only begotten Son!” This is not a sentimental love, nor an emotional or feeling type of love. It is a love that was initiated by God, demonstrated in the life of Jesus and to be seen today in and through the life of Christians today.

This love is the foundation of all relationships: first for our relationship with God and then our relationships with others. “God-love” will keep a relationship strong and healthy and bring individuals together in a common bond. In fact, this love will unite people in spite of flaws and faults. As Christians, we are obligated to “behave God-love.”

Prayer:  Father, fill our hearts with God-love, a love that has no limits, never gives up and always demonstrates compassion and concern. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Little Nancy had kept every doll that her family and friends had given her. Over the years they had become tattered and worn. Some had missing eyes and ears and a few had lost some or most of their hair.

One day a friend of her mother came for a visit. With pride Little Nancy invited the guest to her visit her bedroom and meet her dolls. All of her dolls were carefully displayed on her bed.

“I love these dolls,” she said to the guest. Picking up a doll with a button missing from an eye, part of the thread missing from its lips and a face that had become worn from being held so very much, she said, “I love this one the most,” she said with a charming smile.

“Why?” asked the friend. “Well,” she replied, “if I didn’t, probably nobody would.”

  How like our Heavenly Father. When we read John 3:16, we are confronted with a love that includes everyone – no exceptions or preconditions. When He said whosoever He included everyone.

Often when we see those who are marred by sin and self-destructive behaviors or catch a glimpse of those who are dirty and grimy and homeless, we look away in disgust. Not Jesus. He sees a life He died for.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to see those for whom You died as You do. May we realize the great price You paid for their salvation and do what we can to win them to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

It was Jim’s sixth birthday and his father wanted him to begin to understand continents and nations. So, he bought him a lighted globe. He was fascinated with the way it glowed in the dark and gently lit his room. And he also enjoyed the time his Dad spent in his room telling him stories about the different countries of the world.

One evening his Dad silently slipped into his room thinking that Jim was asleep. He wanted to “borrow” the globe so he could locate the countries that were mentioned during the evening news hour.

As he was leaving, Jim who was not asleep asked, “Dad, what are you doing with my world?”

What a great question for each of us. No doubt God would have each of us answer a similar question: “What are you doing in My world?” Jesus said that “God loved the world so much that He sent me into the world to save it.” We know that Jesus fulfilled God’s plan for His life; He gave His life on the cross for our salvation. We also know that He is now in heaven with His Father. And we also know that the work that Jesus began is to be carried on by His disciples.

As His disciples, it is important, no it is critical, that we ask ourselves constantly, “What we are we doing in God’s world today to save the lost for whom my Son, your Savior, died?”

Prayer: Lord, give us an urgency to do Your work in Your world to save the lost. Do not let us rest in Your peace until we bring Your message to someone each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Many years ago, a Georgia farmer had one mule that was particularly stubborn. He would not go anywhere or do anything without a reward.

After much thought and planning the farmer fastened a pole to the mule’s harness. It extended about one foot beyond the mule’s nose. On the end of the pole he tied an ear of corn – just beyond the mule’s mouth. Excited, the mule began to walk, trying to reach the ear of corn. He was never able to reach it, though he tried and tried.

How different is our Lord. He never tempts us with promises He will not keep. He never brings a problem into our life without having a solution available. He never teases us with an empty treat.

And we have His Word that He will not abandon us without wanting to save us. We have the assurance that “Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved!”

If we reach out to Him we will realize that He has already reached out to us with His salvation through Jesus Christ, His Son, our Savior.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your Word promises us that You came to seek us and to save us. Give us the faith to believe in Your promises that You came to seek and to save us from our sin: in Christ’s Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 3:16

A pastor received a package. It contained a hundred-dollar bill with this note: “The only way I’ll know if you’ve received this package, is for you to burn a candle in your living room window Saturday night.”

He burned the candle. It bore two messages. One said, “Gift received.” The other said, “Gratitude revealed.”

God has sent you the Gift of gifts – His only begotten Son. Have you received His gift? Good, now reveal your gratitude. How?

The Bible says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank Thee for loving us enough to be our Savior. Give us Thy strength and Thy wisdom so that we might live this day as we ought. Dictate our words and direct our ways so that we will honor Thee: we ask these things in Thy name. Amen.

Today's video devotional: "The Value of Suffering"