Salvation By Grace
The year is 1748. A trading ship departs from an island off the west coast of Africa headed for England. Aboard is John Newton, a seaman with a reputation for profane language and ungodly living. As Newton later described it, the captain "would often tell that to his grief he had a Jonah on board; that a curse attended wherever he went, and that all the troubles he met with in the voyage were owing to his having taken him into the vessel."
The captain may have been right. Newton had earlier turned his back on God. But just as a storm had threatened to destroy the boat bearing Jonah, so too a fierce Atlantic wind rudely awakened John Newton. The vessel nearly broke apart. As the damaged ship drifted at sea, Newton prayed for God's mercy and put his faith in Jesus. That's how a blasphemous, disreputable seaman became, by God's grace, the godly penman of the words of the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace."
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Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thankfulness in Everything? (Philippians 4:4-9)
Gary D. Stratman
The most important attitude that we will ever nurture, that we will ever exhibit, is the attitude of thanksgiving. I am more convinced of that every day. The attitude that makes the difference is an attitude of being thankful, of being grateful.
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, says, "Make your petitions known. Pray to God for what concerns you, what troubles you, what you desire; but, in everything, give thanks." If we are able by the grace of God to cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving in what we do, say, and are about, we will know a life that is at once more challenging and more fulfilling.
I saw a cartoon not long ago of a family gathered for a common meal. The father said to the mother, "I don't want to complain about leftovers but haven't we already said grace over this meal three times?" He didn't want to complain about leftovers ... but he did. He wanted to give thanks in all things but he found that a little difficult to do. The greatest challenge and opportunity we have is to give thanks in all things.
In All Things Obvious, Give Thanks
In all things that are obvious, give thanks. So what does that mean? There are some good things so close at home, so obvious, that we forget to give thanks for them.
Paul begins this letter by saying, "At every remembrance of you (or every time I think of you), I give thanks for you." The next time you recognize the following thought in your mind or you hear it as you say it aloud, stop and take notice: "It goes without saying." When it comes to thanksgiving, it does not go without saying.
You remember that story about the ten lepers healed by Jesus? Nine went on their way and only one came back? That one person, a Samaritan, knew that it doesn't go without saying. The first opportunity of giving thanks in all things -- and thus changing our attitudes and our lives -- is to give thanks for the obvious things. These are the people and other blessings so close that we seem to look right past them.
The Psalm says we are to give thanks for God's benefits. Think for a moment of the benefits of being here right now: We can laugh and sing and cry. These benefits are a part of God's wonderful love for us. One of the greatest benefits of being fully alive is to give thanks for all of God's benefits. What benefits go unnoticed because they are too obvious?
Gary D. Stratman
The most important attitude that we will ever nurture, that we will ever exhibit, is the attitude of thanksgiving. I am more convinced of that every day. The attitude that makes the difference is an attitude of being thankful, of being grateful.
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, says, "Make your petitions known. Pray to God for what concerns you, what troubles you, what you desire; but, in everything, give thanks." If we are able by the grace of God to cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving in what we do, say, and are about, we will know a life that is at once more challenging and more fulfilling.
I saw a cartoon not long ago of a family gathered for a common meal. The father said to the mother, "I don't want to complain about leftovers but haven't we already said grace over this meal three times?" He didn't want to complain about leftovers ... but he did. He wanted to give thanks in all things but he found that a little difficult to do. The greatest challenge and opportunity we have is to give thanks in all things.
In All Things Obvious, Give Thanks
In all things that are obvious, give thanks. So what does that mean? There are some good things so close at home, so obvious, that we forget to give thanks for them.
Paul begins this letter by saying, "At every remembrance of you (or every time I think of you), I give thanks for you." The next time you recognize the following thought in your mind or you hear it as you say it aloud, stop and take notice: "It goes without saying." When it comes to thanksgiving, it does not go without saying.
You remember that story about the ten lepers healed by Jesus? Nine went on their way and only one came back? That one person, a Samaritan, knew that it doesn't go without saying. The first opportunity of giving thanks in all things -- and thus changing our attitudes and our lives -- is to give thanks for the obvious things. These are the people and other blessings so close that we seem to look right past them.
The Psalm says we are to give thanks for God's benefits. Think for a moment of the benefits of being here right now: We can laugh and sing and cry. These benefits are a part of God's wonderful love for us. One of the greatest benefits of being fully alive is to give thanks for all of God's benefits. What benefits go unnoticed because they are too obvious?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Illustrations offer sermon insights
AUTHORITY
Lewis's is a large department store in Birmingham, England, which made plans to expand. In the way of their expansion plans was a tiny Quaker chapel -- a Friends' meeting house.
The store sent a letter to the leaders of the congregation: "Dear sirs. We wish to extend our premises. We see that your building is right in the way. We wish therefore to buy your building and demolish it so that we might expand our store. We will pay you any price you care to name. If you'll name a price we will settle the matter as quickly as possible."
A return letter was received promptly by the store's management. It read: "We in the Friends' meeting house note the desire of Lewis's to extend. We observe that our building is right in your way. We would point out, however, that we have been on our site somewhat longer than you have been on yours, and we are determined to stay where we are. We are so determined to stay where we are that we will happily buy Lewis's. If therefore you would like to name a suitable price we will settle the matter as quickly as possible. Signed, Cadbury."
Of course, the Cadbury's are the great candy company of England, and could very well have purchased Lewis's many times over. The point is that it is not the size of the building that counts but who signs the letter! And as Paul told the Corinthian church, "You are a letter from Christ ... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God" (2 Cor. 3:3).
CONFIDENCE -- in face of adversity
As he was carrying his baseball and bat into the backyard, the little boy was heard telling himself, "I'm the greatest hitter in the world!"
He tossed the ball into the air, swung mightily, and missed completely. "Strike One!" he cried out, then -- as he again tossed the ball into the air -- he said, "I'm the greatest hitter in the world!" Once again, he missed: "Strike two!"
After looking over the ball and bat, he reminded himself: "I'm the greatest hitter in the world!" He tossed the ball in the air, swung with all his might, and missed again.
"Strike three!" he exclaimed. "I'm the greatest pitcher in the world!"
DESIRES - Determine results
Rick Brand tells about the man who had attended an evangelistic tent meeting. He had to listen to the sermon before he could get a hot meal. When he came out of the meeting with a big smile on his face, his buddy asked why he was so happy.
"I just heard something really great. They told me that a man reaps what he sows. That means if I sow wine, women and song, I'll be able to reap wine, women and song!"
It works that way, but that is the curse of it. You never get any better than you want. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that we might want better than we have, (submitted by Rick Brand, Pastor, Bethel Presbyterian Church, Bethel Park, PA)
ENCOURAGEMENT
An Indianapolis school teacher had the duty of telling her nineteen second-graders the results of their state-required progress test taken earlier that year. Unfortunately, not all of them had passed the test.
As the teacher spoke with each one, it was easy to tell which ones had passed -- their facial expressions told the story. Those who failed walked quietly back to their seats. For one little boy, it was all too much. Though he tried to hold back the tears, they began to flow.
Then the unexpected occurred. One by one, the children came to the crying boy's desk to comfort him. They patted him on the back, hugged him (as only seven-year-olds can hug), and told him not to worry -- he would get another chance in summer school. They shared love and encouragement with a friend when he needed it most. Those children passed an even more important test that morning, (submitted by David L. Chancey, Pastor, Carmel Baptist Church, Carmel, IN)
EXPECTATIONS -- We live up to
Three Eastern European immigrants were being processed at Ellis Island. Unable to pronounce or spell their names, the clerk recorded their names as Glass, Diamond, and Taylor. After being processed, the three friends went their separate ways.
Years later, they met again as retirees in Florida. They compared notes on how each had made out.
"I did very well," said Mr. Glass. "I started a company and I have branches everywhere. Look in the yellow pages under Glass Installers -- that's me."
"I started my own company, too," Mr. Diamond explained. "We sell jewelry. Go into any decent-sized town and you'll find a Diamond Jewelers."
The third man said, "Well, because my name was Taylor, I started a clothing store. The first store failed. I opened another one in another town. That failed, too. I had a family to support and no money and no job. I prayed, 'Lord, help me to bear this burden. Help me to open another store -- one that will grow and prosper. If you do that, Lord, I'll give you half the profit'."
"How did you make out?" the two men inquired.
"Are you kidding?" he responded. "Haven't you ever heard of Lord and Taylor?" (submitted by Edward Chinn, Pastor, All Saints' Church, Philadelphia, PA)
FUTURE -- Quotations
"It is the business of the future to be dangerous." (Alfred North Whitehead)
"No one can walk backward into the future." (Joseph Hergesheimer)
"The trouble with our time is that the future is not what it used to be." (Paul Valery)
GUILT
Lawyers speak of a mens re -- a Latin phrase meaning "guilty mind." A criminal is not only one who commits an act he knows violates the law; a criminal can be one who knows what he does is wrong even if he knows of no particular law against his act. (James B. Stewart, The Prosecutors, p. 38)
By this standard, every person stands condemned before the heavenly court. Guilt does proceed from a guilty mind; we all commit acts we know are evil even if we do not know the statute which forbids the act. (submitted by Rick Davis, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Midlothian, TX)
OPPORTUNITIES -- Must be claimed
Arthur Caliandro, who succeeded Norman Vincent Peale as senior pastor of New York's Marble Collegiate Church, was faced with an administrative decision. He put off making the decision, hoping it would take care of itself or that someone else would handle it.
A friend, Amos Parrish, invited Arthur to lunch. During the meal, Amos asked the pastor, "Do you know the game of baseball?"
Arthur said he did, so Amos asked, "What does the pitcher do?"
"He throws the ball to the batter."
Amos said, "Then tell me what the catcher does."
Arthur answered, "He stands behind the batter and catches the balls the batter either misses or chooses not to hit."
Amos went on to explain: "Some people are pitchers. They take charge of things. They throw the ball. Others are catchers. They don't make decisions. They are on the receiving end. They catch whatever is thrown at them. When you want to do something with your life, be a pitcher!" (submitted by Edward Chinn, Pastor, All Saints' Church, Philadelphia, PA)
PARENTING
Judith Viorst, in her book Necessary Losses, comments on our unrealistic expectations for our children: "Because we believe ourselves to be better parents than our parents, we expect to produce 'better' children than they produced.... Letting our children go, and letting our dreams for our children go, must be counted among our necessary losses." (submitted by David W. Richardson, Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Dexter, MO)
POTENTIAL -- Can rise above
Bear Bryant, who coached the University of Alabama to several national football championships, once commented: "I'm a good coach of a boy who isn't a champion but doesn't know it. My walls are filled with photos of boys who weren't champions but never found out."
RIVALRY
A Japanese businessman and an American businessman were both taken hostage. After all efforts failed, they were told they'd be shot -- but each would get one last wish.
The Japanese businessman said, "I'd like to deliver one more lecture on the superiority of Japanese management techniques."
The American responded, "I'd like to be shot first so I don't have to listen to it!"
SALVATION -- Quotations
"The way to be saved is not to delay, but to come and take." (Dwight L. Moody)
"We are saved by someone doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves." (Donald Lester)
"Souls are not saved in bundles." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
SEXUAL PURITY
Chuck Swindoll quotes a cartoon showing a grandson saying to his grandfather: "In your day you didn't have all these social diseases. What did you wear to have safe sex?"
Grandfather answered, "A wedding ring."
WOMEN
Edward Chinn tells of the two men who happened upon an ancient lamp. When one of them rubbed it, a genie appeared before them and said to each of them, "I can grant you one wish."
The first man said, "I want to be the smartest man in the world." The genie said, "So be it." Then the genie turned to the second man and asked, "What is your wish?"
"I want to be smarter than the smartest man in the world." The genie said, "So be it -- and turned him into a woman!
Lewis's is a large department store in Birmingham, England, which made plans to expand. In the way of their expansion plans was a tiny Quaker chapel -- a Friends' meeting house.
The store sent a letter to the leaders of the congregation: "Dear sirs. We wish to extend our premises. We see that your building is right in the way. We wish therefore to buy your building and demolish it so that we might expand our store. We will pay you any price you care to name. If you'll name a price we will settle the matter as quickly as possible."
A return letter was received promptly by the store's management. It read: "We in the Friends' meeting house note the desire of Lewis's to extend. We observe that our building is right in your way. We would point out, however, that we have been on our site somewhat longer than you have been on yours, and we are determined to stay where we are. We are so determined to stay where we are that we will happily buy Lewis's. If therefore you would like to name a suitable price we will settle the matter as quickly as possible. Signed, Cadbury."
Of course, the Cadbury's are the great candy company of England, and could very well have purchased Lewis's many times over. The point is that it is not the size of the building that counts but who signs the letter! And as Paul told the Corinthian church, "You are a letter from Christ ... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God" (2 Cor. 3:3).
CONFIDENCE -- in face of adversity
As he was carrying his baseball and bat into the backyard, the little boy was heard telling himself, "I'm the greatest hitter in the world!"
He tossed the ball into the air, swung mightily, and missed completely. "Strike One!" he cried out, then -- as he again tossed the ball into the air -- he said, "I'm the greatest hitter in the world!" Once again, he missed: "Strike two!"
After looking over the ball and bat, he reminded himself: "I'm the greatest hitter in the world!" He tossed the ball in the air, swung with all his might, and missed again.
"Strike three!" he exclaimed. "I'm the greatest pitcher in the world!"
DESIRES - Determine results
Rick Brand tells about the man who had attended an evangelistic tent meeting. He had to listen to the sermon before he could get a hot meal. When he came out of the meeting with a big smile on his face, his buddy asked why he was so happy.
"I just heard something really great. They told me that a man reaps what he sows. That means if I sow wine, women and song, I'll be able to reap wine, women and song!"
It works that way, but that is the curse of it. You never get any better than you want. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so that we might want better than we have, (submitted by Rick Brand, Pastor, Bethel Presbyterian Church, Bethel Park, PA)
ENCOURAGEMENT
An Indianapolis school teacher had the duty of telling her nineteen second-graders the results of their state-required progress test taken earlier that year. Unfortunately, not all of them had passed the test.
As the teacher spoke with each one, it was easy to tell which ones had passed -- their facial expressions told the story. Those who failed walked quietly back to their seats. For one little boy, it was all too much. Though he tried to hold back the tears, they began to flow.
Then the unexpected occurred. One by one, the children came to the crying boy's desk to comfort him. They patted him on the back, hugged him (as only seven-year-olds can hug), and told him not to worry -- he would get another chance in summer school. They shared love and encouragement with a friend when he needed it most. Those children passed an even more important test that morning, (submitted by David L. Chancey, Pastor, Carmel Baptist Church, Carmel, IN)
EXPECTATIONS -- We live up to
Three Eastern European immigrants were being processed at Ellis Island. Unable to pronounce or spell their names, the clerk recorded their names as Glass, Diamond, and Taylor. After being processed, the three friends went their separate ways.
Years later, they met again as retirees in Florida. They compared notes on how each had made out.
"I did very well," said Mr. Glass. "I started a company and I have branches everywhere. Look in the yellow pages under Glass Installers -- that's me."
"I started my own company, too," Mr. Diamond explained. "We sell jewelry. Go into any decent-sized town and you'll find a Diamond Jewelers."
The third man said, "Well, because my name was Taylor, I started a clothing store. The first store failed. I opened another one in another town. That failed, too. I had a family to support and no money and no job. I prayed, 'Lord, help me to bear this burden. Help me to open another store -- one that will grow and prosper. If you do that, Lord, I'll give you half the profit'."
"How did you make out?" the two men inquired.
"Are you kidding?" he responded. "Haven't you ever heard of Lord and Taylor?" (submitted by Edward Chinn, Pastor, All Saints' Church, Philadelphia, PA)
FUTURE -- Quotations
"It is the business of the future to be dangerous." (Alfred North Whitehead)
"No one can walk backward into the future." (Joseph Hergesheimer)
"The trouble with our time is that the future is not what it used to be." (Paul Valery)
GUILT
Lawyers speak of a mens re -- a Latin phrase meaning "guilty mind." A criminal is not only one who commits an act he knows violates the law; a criminal can be one who knows what he does is wrong even if he knows of no particular law against his act. (James B. Stewart, The Prosecutors, p. 38)
By this standard, every person stands condemned before the heavenly court. Guilt does proceed from a guilty mind; we all commit acts we know are evil even if we do not know the statute which forbids the act. (submitted by Rick Davis, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Midlothian, TX)
OPPORTUNITIES -- Must be claimed
Arthur Caliandro, who succeeded Norman Vincent Peale as senior pastor of New York's Marble Collegiate Church, was faced with an administrative decision. He put off making the decision, hoping it would take care of itself or that someone else would handle it.
A friend, Amos Parrish, invited Arthur to lunch. During the meal, Amos asked the pastor, "Do you know the game of baseball?"
Arthur said he did, so Amos asked, "What does the pitcher do?"
"He throws the ball to the batter."
Amos said, "Then tell me what the catcher does."
Arthur answered, "He stands behind the batter and catches the balls the batter either misses or chooses not to hit."
Amos went on to explain: "Some people are pitchers. They take charge of things. They throw the ball. Others are catchers. They don't make decisions. They are on the receiving end. They catch whatever is thrown at them. When you want to do something with your life, be a pitcher!" (submitted by Edward Chinn, Pastor, All Saints' Church, Philadelphia, PA)
PARENTING
Judith Viorst, in her book Necessary Losses, comments on our unrealistic expectations for our children: "Because we believe ourselves to be better parents than our parents, we expect to produce 'better' children than they produced.... Letting our children go, and letting our dreams for our children go, must be counted among our necessary losses." (submitted by David W. Richardson, Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Dexter, MO)
POTENTIAL -- Can rise above
Bear Bryant, who coached the University of Alabama to several national football championships, once commented: "I'm a good coach of a boy who isn't a champion but doesn't know it. My walls are filled with photos of boys who weren't champions but never found out."
RIVALRY
A Japanese businessman and an American businessman were both taken hostage. After all efforts failed, they were told they'd be shot -- but each would get one last wish.
The Japanese businessman said, "I'd like to deliver one more lecture on the superiority of Japanese management techniques."
The American responded, "I'd like to be shot first so I don't have to listen to it!"
SALVATION -- Quotations
"The way to be saved is not to delay, but to come and take." (Dwight L. Moody)
"We are saved by someone doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves." (Donald Lester)
"Souls are not saved in bundles." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
SEXUAL PURITY
Chuck Swindoll quotes a cartoon showing a grandson saying to his grandfather: "In your day you didn't have all these social diseases. What did you wear to have safe sex?"
Grandfather answered, "A wedding ring."
WOMEN
Edward Chinn tells of the two men who happened upon an ancient lamp. When one of them rubbed it, a genie appeared before them and said to each of them, "I can grant you one wish."
The first man said, "I want to be the smartest man in the world." The genie said, "So be it." Then the genie turned to the second man and asked, "What is your wish?"
"I want to be smarter than the smartest man in the world." The genie said, "So be it -- and turned him into a woman!
Thank you
I would to thank each of you for being my Brother or Sister in Christ this past year . I will be having my knee done Jan 2 . The prayers you all have send to my Lord and savior , have blessed me more than this old country boy deserved . But you know , with Jesus and my friends {like you all } life is great . And again I like to say , “HAPPY NEW YEAR “ !!
Thank you again ,
Your friend ,
Jan bagwell ,
God Bless
Thank you again ,
Your friend ,
Jan bagwell ,
God Bless
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Christ
Christ
When Queen Elizabeth was crowned they brought to her a sceptre. On the top of it was the Star of Africa, the largest diamond in the world. Before that they brought to her a staff. On the top of that staff was a dove, a symbol of their prayer that the Holy Spirit would be her guide. But before that they brought to her a ring, like a wedding ring. It symbolized the union between the queen and her people. But before that they brought to her an orb. It was a globe of the world made of solid pure gold. And over it there was a cross. It said, even to the queen, "It is Christ who rules the world. It is not you, nor any other mortal. It is Christ who rules the world!" When Peter and John used this verse to defend their right to preach, they went on to say, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," (Acts 4:12). Christ stands in an absolutely exclusive position. No one can take His place!
_______________
When Queen Elizabeth was crowned they brought to her a sceptre. On the top of it was the Star of Africa, the largest diamond in the world. Before that they brought to her a staff. On the top of that staff was a dove, a symbol of their prayer that the Holy Spirit would be her guide. But before that they brought to her a ring, like a wedding ring. It symbolized the union between the queen and her people. But before that they brought to her an orb. It was a globe of the world made of solid pure gold. And over it there was a cross. It said, even to the queen, "It is Christ who rules the world. It is not you, nor any other mortal. It is Christ who rules the world!" When Peter and John used this verse to defend their right to preach, they went on to say, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," (Acts 4:12). Christ stands in an absolutely exclusive position. No one can take His place!
_______________
Monday, December 29, 2008
Holy Spirit - Filling Believers
Holy Spirit - Filling Believers
Vacuum or Victory?
A man who drank heavily was converted to Christ and lived victoriously for several weeks. One day as he passed the open door of a tavern, the pungent odor drifting out aroused his old appetite for liquor. Just then he saw this sign in the window of a nearby café: "All the buttermilk you can drink-25 cents!" Dashing inside, he ordered one glass, then another, and still another. After finishing the third he walked past the saloon and was no longer tempted. He was so full of buttermilk that he had no room for that which would be injurious to him. The lesson is clear: to be victorious over our evil desires, we must leave no opportunity for them to repossess us.
Dwight L. Moody once demonstrated the principle like this: "Tell me," he said to his audience, "how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in my hand?" One man said, "Suck it out with a pump." But the evangelist replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter it." Finally after many suggestions, Moody picked up a pitcher and quietly filled the glass with water. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He then explained that victory for the child of God does not come by working hard to eliminate sinful habits, but rather by allowing the Holy Spirit to take full possession.
Vacuum or Victory?
A man who drank heavily was converted to Christ and lived victoriously for several weeks. One day as he passed the open door of a tavern, the pungent odor drifting out aroused his old appetite for liquor. Just then he saw this sign in the window of a nearby café: "All the buttermilk you can drink-25 cents!" Dashing inside, he ordered one glass, then another, and still another. After finishing the third he walked past the saloon and was no longer tempted. He was so full of buttermilk that he had no room for that which would be injurious to him. The lesson is clear: to be victorious over our evil desires, we must leave no opportunity for them to repossess us.
Dwight L. Moody once demonstrated the principle like this: "Tell me," he said to his audience, "how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in my hand?" One man said, "Suck it out with a pump." But the evangelist replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter it." Finally after many suggestions, Moody picked up a pitcher and quietly filled the glass with water. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He then explained that victory for the child of God does not come by working hard to eliminate sinful habits, but rather by allowing the Holy Spirit to take full possession.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Love
Love
Fox News reported on July 31, 2002 that a new drink is gaining widespread popularity. Nexcite has sold over 24 million bottles in the last year. The reason? This beverage serves as a contemporary "love potion." One coffee shop owner who discovered the drink at a trade show bought and brought as many as she could fit in a U-Haul back to her store. She began selling Nexcite immediately (Of course, she only recommends the drink for married couples.). Pretty soon this coffee shop owner had people lining up at her door desiring to get their hands on a bottle. Fox reports that one man even offered several thousand dollars for the opportunity to ingest the liquid love .
How foolish to think that love is packaged in a bottle! Our culture leads us to believe that love is merely a feeling that comes and goes -- not a commitment that involves much work to maintain and yields a much greater reward than a moment of pleasure. Humanity is always looking for immediate gratification; it's no wonder we're now trying to bottle it for sale at your local store or restaurant. Love is only possible because of God's love first for us. And it is only as we trust in Him that we will experience true love and be empowered to give it.
Fox News reported on July 31, 2002 that a new drink is gaining widespread popularity. Nexcite has sold over 24 million bottles in the last year. The reason? This beverage serves as a contemporary "love potion." One coffee shop owner who discovered the drink at a trade show bought and brought as many as she could fit in a U-Haul back to her store. She began selling Nexcite immediately (Of course, she only recommends the drink for married couples.). Pretty soon this coffee shop owner had people lining up at her door desiring to get their hands on a bottle. Fox reports that one man even offered several thousand dollars for the opportunity to ingest the liquid love .
How foolish to think that love is packaged in a bottle! Our culture leads us to believe that love is merely a feeling that comes and goes -- not a commitment that involves much work to maintain and yields a much greater reward than a moment of pleasure. Humanity is always looking for immediate gratification; it's no wonder we're now trying to bottle it for sale at your local store or restaurant. Love is only possible because of God's love first for us. And it is only as we trust in Him that we will experience true love and be empowered to give it.
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