How Does Jesus Make a Difference in my Life?
How Can Jesus Make A Difference - Part 3

Jesus said, "Just as I have loved you, so you must love one another. This is how all men will know that you are my disciples, because you have such love for one another."

John 13:31 (Phillips NT)

I RECOGNIZE JESUS LOVES ME WHEN:

1. He became poor that I might become rich, so I am to sacrifice for others

You know that our Lord Jesus Christ was kind enough to give up all his riches and become poor, so that you could become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 (CEV)

This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.

Galatians 2:20 (TEV)

2. He laid down his life for me, so I am to lay down my life for others

We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us.

1 John 3:16 (NLT)

...he gave himself up for us in sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1 (Phillips NT)

3. He forgives me of every sin, so I am to forgive others of their sins

Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."

Luke 7:48 (MSG)

How far has the Lord taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance from east to west!

Psalms 103:12 (CEV)

He loves us, and by his sacrificial death he has freed us from our sins.

Revelation 1:5 (TEV)

4. He comforts me when I am depressed and stressed, so I am to comfort others

Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you... Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.

John 14:27 (TEV)

Let there be no more resentment, no more anger or temper, no more violent self-assertiveness, no more slander and no more malicious remarks, Be kind to each other, be understanding. Be as ready to forgive others as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31 (Phillips NT)

5. He is patient and tender dealings with me, so I am to be patient and tenderhearted toward others

Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

Romans 8:35-39 (MSG)

Jesus said, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none."

John 18:9 (NKJV)

Jesus said, "Yet some people accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be the children of God."

John 1:12 (CEV)

6. He reminds me I am secure in His family, so I should remind my family they are secure

There is a deep secret truth revealed: every husband must love his wife as himself, and every wife must respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:32-33 (TEV)

Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:21 (TEV)

7. My spouse submits to me and I submit to my spouse because of our reverence for Christ

The best expression of love is not diamonds, roses, or chocolate, its focused attention.

It's when you say "I value you enough to give you my most precious asset, my time. Whenever you give your time, you are making a sacrifice, and sacrifice is the essence of love.

Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.

Ephesians 5:2 (NLT)

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

Love means giving up - yielding your preferences, comfort, goals, security, money, energy, or time for the benefit of someone else.

How will you explain to God those times when projects or things were more important to you than people?

Who do you need to start spending more time with?

What do you need to cut out of your schedule to make that possible? What sacrifices do you need to make?

The best use of life is love, the best expression of live is time, and the best time to love is now!