t was wonderful to have a full church building last Sunday at Hillside. Having a break in the weather lifted everyone's spirits and we were all blessed to worship together and learn from God's Word. We studied from first John, chapter four, how much God loves us. This simple but profound truth is sometimes taught but seldom absorbed by Christians. We know the Bible says that "God so loved the world" but we are almost afraid to personalize this reality in our daily lives. Satan tricked Eve into doubting God's love early in human history and most of us haven't gotten over it to this day. Falling for the Devil's lie has cost humanity dearly and the tragedy continues. John wrote that perfect love casts out fear, yet many Christians are secretly afraid that they have or haven't done something and are therefore not on good terms with the Creator.

We know that accepting Christ as Savior and obeying Him puts us in the right place with God, but we still hold back from truly accepting God's forgiveness and live in a somber cloud of doubt and fear. Satan is very pleased with our behavior at this point because we are weak and unsure. We live as scared sinners rather than saved ones. God has told us to stay alert and learn self-control but He has also told us to rest in His love.

If we don't learn to glory in and accept His love and forgiveness then we are squandering the blood of Christ. We have to begin to think in terms of how His constant love changes everything in this life and the eternity that lies before every man, woman and child. Satan has already lost the battle with God at the cross and at the empty tomb. His greatest tool now is deception of the lost and the saved. Lying about God's love has always been his favorite trick. If we let him get away with it we help him blunt the Sword of Truth, which proclaims that Jesus saves because God loves. God doesn't just love "The World", He loves you.

This Saturday morning at 7:30am we will have another Men's Breakfast before several from Hillside board the bus to go spend the day helping Victory Mission in Springfield prepare their new quarters for occupancy. Anyone interested is invited to the breakfast and fellowship. There is no charge. If you would like to help our missions ministry at Victory Mission simply call the church and leave word, we'll save you a seat on our bus. This is simply another way we can demonstrate God's real love for real people.