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The Source of Love

Scripture: 1 John 4:10

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

Brief Explanation: John 3:16 states that God so loved the world that He gave His Son. This supporting scripture confirms that God's action was the initiator of love. Christmas is a celebration of God's unilateral decision to love and redeem us, independent of anything we had done. This reality prepares our hearts for His presence.

Reflection Questions:

• How does understanding that God loved me first provide freedom from anxiety or performance pressure during the Christmas season?
• What does acknowledging Christ as an "atoning sacrifice" mean for how I view the importance of His birth?

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The holidays can be loud, fast, and overfull—yet the soul aches for a moment of stillness where meaning becomes clear. We pause together to remember the center of Christmas: God’s love, freely given and powerfully personal, captured in the words of John 3:16. With a pastor’s care and a practical framework, we walk through confession, breathing, light muscle relaxation, and worship so our minds, bodies, and spirits can settle into the presence of God.

From there, we bring the message home. Picture the living room after presents, the table before dinner, or the quiet ride to a gathering. How do you speak about Christ with joy, not pressure? We explore simple, nonjudgmental ways to start that conversation—like a brief story of God’s faithfulness this year, a short prayer of gratitude, or a verse shared with warmth. Along the way we name the common fears: tension with family, awkwardness, and the worry of saying the wrong thing. Instead of striving, we ask the Holy Spirit for calm courage and balanced excitement.

As we reflect on John 3:16, the meaning of Christmas sharpens: love initiates, love gives, love saves. Confession clears the heart; breathwork steadies the body; worship lifts our eyes. The result is a gentle boldness to witness to God’s mercy right where we live. You’ll leave with one practical step, renewed peace, and a prayer on your lips for strength to speak with grace. If this time helps you center on Christ and share His love, tap follow, send this to a friend who needs calm today, and leave a quick review so others can find the message too.

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Consider helping us to take the Gospel to others here:
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(585) 331-3424
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robyoung51.ry@gmail.com

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Living Sacrificially in Community
While Romans 12:1 is personal, the rest of the chapter immediately shifts to community life. A living sacrifice isn't lived in isolation; it enables us to live sacrificially toward others. Because we have offered ourselves completely to God, we are now free to serve the church and the world with genuine love, humility, and the spiritual gifts He has given us. Our sacrifice to God makes us a blessing to humanity. The outflow of self-surrender is selfless service.

Reflection Questions

1. How does your "living sacrifice" affect your willingness to use your spiritual gifts for the benefit of others in your church or community (Romans 12:4-8)?
2. In what area of your life do you need to exercise sacrificial love today—a love that puts another person's needs or preferences above your own?
3. Review your week. Where did you find the most joy or peace? Was it in a moment of getting your own way, or in a moment of sacrificial giving or serving?

Further Scripture

• Romans 12:10: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
• Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Support the show

Consider helping us to take the Gospel to others here:
https://patreon.com/churchplanting
https://cash.app/$WellnessInstitute
Leave a voicemail question or prayer requests here:
(585) 331-3424
Leave an email question, prayer requests or comment here:
robyoung51.ry@gmail.com