Flatwoods Church of Christ Gospel Meeting with Jerry Carmichael

“Jesus Loves Me! This I Know” is one of the first songs many learn as a child, yet its message is profound enough to encourage us throughout our entire lives. The song declares that we know Jesus loves us because “the Bible tells me so.” That simple statement is the foundation of our faith. Our confidence in Christ’s love is not based on our emotions, our circumstances, or our own worthiness—it is based upon the unchanging truth of God’s Word. The Bible repeatedly assures us that God’s love is real, personal, and demonstrated through the sacrifice of His Son.

Perhaps the greatest declaration of God’s love is found in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God’s love was not merely spoken; it was demonstrated. He gave His Son so that we might have the opportunity to be forgiven and enjoy eternal life. Paul echoed this truth when he wrote, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus did not wait for us to become perfect before loving us. He loved us enough to die in our place while we were still separated from Him by sin.

The love of Christ is personal. Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd, saying, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Later He declared, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). The cross stands forever as the greatest expression of love the world has ever known. Every nail, every wound, and every drop of blood reminds us that Jesus willingly gave Himself so that we could be reconciled to God.

Knowing that Jesus loves us should also give us confidence during life’s trials. Paul triumphantly asked, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35). After listing hardship, persecution, danger, and suffering, he concluded, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come… shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). The Christian may face many difficulties, but nothing can destroy God’s faithful love for those who belong to Christ.

Because Jesus loves us, He calls us to respond with faithful obedience. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Our obedience does not earn His love; rather, it is our grateful response to the love He has already shown us. Likewise, John wrote, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). When we truly appreciate the sacrifice Christ made for us, we desire to honor Him in the way we live, worship, and serve.

The familiar words, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so,” are much more than the lyrics of a children’s hymn. They summarize one of the greatest truths found in all of Scripture. The Bible tells us that Jesus loves us because He came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again so that we might have hope beyond the grave. That love invites every person to trust His promises, obey His gospel, and remain faithful until the end. May we never outgrow the simple but life-changing truth that Jesus loves us, and may we strive each day to love Him in return with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

God Bless

Grief is one of life’s greatest certainties. Every person will eventually experience the pain of losing someone they love or face circumstances that leave deep emotional wounds. Becoming a Christian does not exempt us from sorrow, nor does faith remove every tear. What Christianity does provide is something the world cannot offer, hope in the midst of grief.

God understands our pain because He is a compassionate Father. David wrote, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart And saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18). When grief enters our lives, we may feel isolated or abandoned, but the Lord assures us that He is especially near to those whose hearts are broken. His presence does not always remove the pain immediately, but it provides strength to endure each day.

The apostle Paul gives Christians a unique perspective on grief. He wrote, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Notice carefully that Paul does not say Christians do not grieve. He says we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Our tears are real, our hearts ache, and our loss is genuine, but our grief is tempered by the promises of God. Because Jesus conquered death through His resurrection, those who are faithful in Christ have the assurance that death is not the end.

During seasons of grief, Christians are encouraged to bring every burden to God. Peter wrote, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God never grows weary of hearing the prayers of His children. He welcomes our cries, our questions, and our broken hearts. Prayer is not merely asking God to remove our pain; it is placing our pain into the hands of the One who loves us perfectly.

God also designed the church to be a source of comfort during difficult times. Paul instructed believers, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Christians are not meant to suffer alone. Through encouraging words, acts of kindness, meals, visits, prayers, and simply being present, brothers and sisters in Christ help carry one another through life’s darkest valleys.

Grief also reminds us of an important truth: this world is not our permanent home. Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and we look forward to the day when Christ returns. The Bible concludes with one of the most comforting promises ever given: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). What a glorious hope! Every funeral, every hospital room, and every cemetery reminds us that this world is temporary, but God’s promises are eternal.

If you are grieving today, remember that God has not forgotten you. He sees every tear, hears every prayer, and walks beside every faithful child. Trust Him even when the answers are unclear. Lean upon His Word, seek strength from His people, and hold firmly to the hope found in Jesus Christ. Grief may be part of our journey through this life, but it is not the end of the story. For those who remain faithful to the Lord, a day is coming when sorrow will give way to everlasting joy, and every tear will be replaced with eternal peace in the presence of God.

God Bless