Love = Unity

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples." ~ Jesus, in John 13: 34-35 NLT

Jesus spoke those words just after Judas left to betray Him and just before Peter tried to convince Him not to go to the cross.

It's kind of a weird place to say that, don't you think?

I think Jesus was really trying to reach His disciples, and leave this nugget of truth in Scripture for us.

Anger and hate are not loving. Anger and hate IN THE CHURCH, is worse!

Mike Foster, founder of People of a Second Chance spoke after Andy Stanley at Catalyst Conference on Thursday morning.

Here are a few of my favorite notes from his talk:

*We are defined by God's love!

People carry weight.

We are called "beloved" by God, "God's beloved"... BE LOVED.

Let Him love you in your worst moments."

We need to love people right where they are.

One thing Mike's ministry has started doing, is throwing parties for people getting out of prison. They call it a "Prodigal Party". Isn't that cool?

I love this idea! To me, it's allowing someone to have a second chance at life, and it's showing them that they are loved, even if they just walked out of prison.

Our churches need to be unified and loving each other. Black, white, Korean, Mexican, it doesn't matter. God doesn't see color, He sees our hearts. If we are truly Christ followers, then we shouldn't see color either.

We are all adopted by God into His family. Therefore, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

Love one another. So that people will know that we love God.

Are you up for the challenge? I hope so.

God bless you today and always.