Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.”
John 3: 16-17 (TLB)“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”
Matthew 28: 18-20 (NLT)“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2: 14-17 (ESV)
It was why Lynda and I served as Governor and First Lady of the Florida District of Kiwanis.
Armed with the directive to “Serve the Children of the World,” we were privileged to encourage, equip, guide, and walk alongside 16,000 Kiwanians and 350 Kiwanis Clubs in Florida, as together we sought to lift lives, and open doors of opportunity for “children of all ages” everywhere.
It is why we have felt called and privileged to serve in any capacity to lift the lives of our children and youth, of any age, anywhere.
Maybe we felt called to serve because when we opened our refrigerator door at night to get a drink of milk or water, the faces of children everywhere came to mind; children who knew when they opened their door, there would be nothing there.
Maybe it’s because of all who are trafficked, often never to be found again. Or abused, not knowing where to turn to be safe. Or homeless, mentally ill, and without help or hope for today or tomorrow.
It’s clear— “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son…[and] did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.”
It’s also clear we are to— “go and make disciples of all the nations…”
And Jesus’ half-brother, James, makes clear that our faith and relationship with Christ must be demonstrated by reaching out with our love, caring, and our help for all those in need around us.
In the song “Calvary’s Enough,” Brooke Ligertwood shares these thoughts—
“…As the darkness fell and the temple curtain tore,
The death I deserved, You made Yours upon the cross
Calvary’s enough, Calvary’s enough.
God, I know nothing but I know this much,
Your blood has spoken, it shouts from the cross.
The world is broken but all is not lost.
Because of Jesus and all You have done.
Oh, Calvary, it’s more than enough.”
The love Jesus Christ demonstrated by hanging on the cross at Calvary for you and me, He did for everyone.
A love that is more than enough to empower, equip, and lift us by His example, following His command to go and touch the world with Him and for Him—forever.
To share His love demonstrated at Calvary—and the eternal hope of a relationship with Him—with all the world.
And in the process to do our best to lift lives, and to use our talents, gifts, time, and resources to help, touch, and impact for good—all whom He brings before us.
It was why back then, and has been why ever since.
For everyone. Everywhere. Always. Forever.
In His Name–Scott
Be blessed as you watch and listen to Brooke Ligertwood at the Passion Conference in Atlanta sing “Calvary’s Enough.”
