February 10, 2015 – Smriti "Simmi" D. Isaac

“That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It’s no light thing to know that we’ll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That’s why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care. We’re not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we’re on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. A New Life Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.

Paul speaks with a sense of urgency about his mission: to tell others about the love of God manifested in the work accomplished on the cross by Jesus Christ. “Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes” he says, meaning that nothing is too outrageous when it comes to sharing the gospel. Do you have the same passion as Paul?