John 15 Study: Abiding In Christ, 5of10, Evans Olang

John 15:9-12, “9 As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you”

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In my experience in the last 15 years or so, songs about God’s love in different genres have been heard and sang. What I found strange is that majority of the lyrics left out the words like “God, Jesus, Son of God etc.) and you were left to somehow figure out if they were Christian God’s love song or not. Even some of the popular worship songs sound like thinly disguised teenage crush songs. When we think of God’s love, are we to think of boy/girl type of love type (hold me, kiss me, etc.)? Most of these songs are pampering love. God’s love is perfecting, persevering love. The disciples preached the love of God by preaching Christ crucified.

Jesus said, John 15:9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love” We cannot be anything apart from Him, therefore love starts with the Father who loves His Son who extended that love unto us through His son,  1John 4:8, 1John 4:16. The Father the gardener loves the Vine (His Son), and the branches He prunes, He does it to align with His love for the Vine (His character, nature). Continue reading “John 15 Study: Abiding In Christ, 5of10, Evans Olang”

Driven By Compassion, Evans Olang

Luke 10:25-37, “36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”  37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

John 3

One of the comforting words often shared when someone is facing challenges is “if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me”. Many times I wonder the reality of these words. Are they many times said in the moments when there is nothing to say, or something easy to say but don’t mean it or has very little meaning or people don’t just think them through?  And what does “anything” really mean?  Continue reading “Driven By Compassion, Evans Olang”