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Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

How many of us haven't heard this song before? Somehow I doubt there are many who are not familiar with this song - even those who did not grow up in church - like myself - have heard this song

But how many of us really KNOW this and BELIEVE this?

I believe the number of those who doubt Jesus' love for them is far greater than any of us can even imagine.

I know so many people who are Christians - those who have professed a faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior - and yet they still don't know that Jesus really does love them.

Their lives are still a struggle day in and day out to smile. They complain, they grumble, they act as though their life is meaningless.

I know I'm guilty of acting this way.

I was reminded just the other day of how Jesus really does love me - and just how much He loves all of His precious children.

While I work for a secular company - I honestly do consider myself in ministry. And so should you... because we are all called to work as if working unto the Lord.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

I know each day God is giving me an opportunity to be an example of His love, His grace and His mercy.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

We are called to be lights in a dark world. But how many times do we find ourselves walking in the dark and giving heed to the enemy... allowing him to steal our joy... and in essence casting a shadow on the life we are called to live as believers?

So often I am such a poor example of the joy I possess because of Jesus Christ.

And yet He continues to bless me and give me more opportunities to bless others - if only I will reach out and take them. And in doing so, my joy is multiplied.

This is exactly what happened to me last week.

I recently attended a wonderful concert. The featured artist was Chris Tomlin. In my humble opinion, he is one of the greatest writers of Christian praise and worship songs today. In fact, he has written three of the 10 most popular songs sung in churches each week - like "How Great Is Our God."

One of his newer songs is entitled "How Can I Keep From Singing." It is a powerful song that reminds me of knowing the joy I found in Christ is mine to keep and treasure forever - no matter what troubles come my way.

At the concert, I purchased a poster with some of the lyrics on it. It's very beautiful and dramatic. At the top is says, "Sing" - followed by the following lyrics:


I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne
Chris Tomlin

At first I wasn't sure why I was drawn to this purchase, but as soon as I got close enough to read it - I knew I was supposed to buy this and hang it on the wall behind my desk.

Sure enough - a few days later - someone I worked with commented on this poster. It was the perfect opportunity to shine this light Jesus has given me.

As I shared with this person what these words meant to me... he jokingly said, "Well, if you're into all that Jesus stuff..." I could tell there was something behind his words that spoke volumes. It was a loneliness and sadness.

My response was, "well, I know you know about Him" - and honestly, I believe he does. As he was walking out the door, he said to me, "I don't think Jesus likes me very much." His reply brought tears to my eyes.

How many people out there believe Jesus doesn't like them very much?

As he walked away, I found myself saying, "you're wrong, Jesus loves you!" And I believed it!

I just pray he heard me and that one day soon, he will believe it too.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
John 3:16-21 NIV

If for one second you doubt that Jesus loves you - read and re-read the passage of Scripture above. Jesus died for you. He loves you so much - more than you can possibly imagine. Is there anyone you would willingly die for? Maybe your spouse or you child? But a stranger? Would you die for someone you don't know?

You may not know Jesus, but He knows you and He died for you - why, because He loves you just that much.

If you know this truth - then believe it and trust it - even when it's dark outside, even when life hands you a tough day, even when everything goes wrong and you feel horrible - just know this is true and you can believe it.

And while you're at it - tell someone else about this love.

It may just be the first time they've been told about the true love of Jesus Christ and God desperately wants you to be the one to share this news with that someone who's never heard the song before... and even if they have - maybe they just don't believe it - not yet anyway.

Father - oh Precious Father in Heaven... thank you for your death on the cross. Thank you for loving me - thank you for loving each of us so much that you would sacrifice Your son for us. Let us not be distracted by the difficulties of the day. Instead let us be reminded of the true joy we have simply because You love us. And let us not grow weary in sharing this love with others who may not know you. Thank you for choosing us to be your hands and feet in this world - what an honor and privilege. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 30, 2010)

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