A Word of Encouragement

November 8, 2025

Noxon, MT circa Summer of 2014 – (Nancy’s Picture)

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

After commanding us to love each other just like He loves us, (John 15:12) Jesus said.

Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.
	John 15:13

Does that mean we should be willing to die for each other? Yes, but I believe Jesus was talking about a lot more than just physical death - not many of us will be called upon to die for someone else!

When Jesus told us not to worry about what we are going to eat or wear, He said, "Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing." (Luke 12:22-24) 'More than,' not 'different from.'

In addition to being physically alive, 'Life' includes everything about us - food, clothing, shelter, likes, dislikes, habits, etc. - are we willing to lay those things down for each other? Jesus did, for us!

Paul wrote,

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.

Philippians 2:3-8

That is sacrificial love! Jesus set aside His existence as God to love the same humans who were rejecting Him! Are there things that we cling to so tightly that we are unwilling to lay them down for a brother or sister?

Paul also wrote, "If I don't have love I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

El Chayyai - God of my life - Help me be willing to lay aside the things I cling to, for others.

Let God grant what is in your heart and fulfill all your plans.
	Psalm 20:4 (CEB)

Love one another,