Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Do You Know the ‘Lord of Love?’”
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, what we will be has not yet been made known. This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” – 1st John
Whether it’s in song or in a book. The message of Christmas is simple – it’s about love.
The love of God for a sinful people. A love for a people that would not go away. A love that continues to this day!
And, according to John, that love carries a great responsibility. From all appearances – the Love of God was never meant to be kept – but to be given away!
When she arrives at the prison gate each weekday at noon, the guards wave her through. Prison officials stop to ask how her kids are doing or about her work at the office. After all, Joyce Page is family; she’s been spending her lunch hour at the St. Louis County Correctional Institution practically every week-day for nearly 20 years.
She began going to the prison with her supervisor, also a Christian concerned for prisoners. Reluctant and fearful at first, she soon found herself looking forward each day to meet with and minister to the inmates.
Even after her supervisor was transferred to another city, she continues her mission. While the other secretaries bustle off in clusters for the cafeteria or a local restaurant, Joyce eats a peanut butter sandwich in her car.
One of the inmates commented; “Many of us would have never known what God is like were it not for Joyce and how she loved us with no reservation. I cannot wait to get back to my family and share with them what I have discovered here.”
That is what love is supposed to be!
Do you know the Lord of Love? Do you share this love with others? This is kind of gift that is the most meaningful and the kind that has the most impact…and everyone benefits!
Pastor J. T. Carnell.