GOD CARES

God Cares green app.png

God’s Heart
God created people for himself, in his image, each valuable and unique. God deeply loves and cares for his people. He loves us so much that he sent his only Son into the world damaged by our sin, to die in our place, so that we might be completely forgiven, free, and enjoy a restored relationship with him. Now all who believe are welcomed back into God’s family. God knows us intimately and does not abandon us even when we fail him. And right now he cares for you and wants to transform you to become all he intends you to be. So you can confidently “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

God Values

Man app.png

Out of the abundance of God’s eternal love, God created a people to share in his love. He created us in his image as relational beings, male and female, designed to share love with one another and with God himself. Being created as unique bearers of his image, having equal dignity and value, each of us is precious in his sight.

Genesis 1:27
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

God Loves

love app.png

God exists, has always existed, and will always exist as a God of love. Therefore, everything that God is and does is marked by the character of love. God is love, and he has demonstrated his love completely in the giving of his one and only Son as a sacrifice to bring us back into a loving relationship with himself.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

God Knows

eye app.png

As God’s created and loved ones, he knows us fully and intimately. As our creator he knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our deepest thoughts, our hidden motives, our every decision and action. God sees us, listens to us, and understands the longings of our heart completely.

Psalm 139:1
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

God Forgives

cross app.png

Even though he knows us and our situation completely, his abundant love and grace does not change. He pursued us with his love and provided forgiveness through the death of Jesus Christ in our place. Those who believe by faith in Jesus Christ are completely forgiven and free from guilt, not condemned or judged because of the past, but fully accepted and embraced as a beloved child of God.

Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…

God Cares

cares app.png

As uniquely created and forgiven children of God, he cares for us and is present with us always. Now by his Spirit he seeks to transform us to become all we are created to be for him. We are now new creations in Christ, designed to be image bearers of his love, grace, and care, until we are embraced face to face when he returns.

2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

We Value

Man app.png

God created us all in his image, having equal dignity and value. So, being image bearers together we are to view each other as having the same value and dignity as ourselves. We can never view others by human standards or according to cultural categories. We should always consider others through the eyes of our creator, who loves and values each immensely, equally, and uniquely.

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

We Love

love app.png

Having been loved so completely by God we are called to express the same self-giving love to one another. Just as God’s love is perfect and holds nothing back, our love should not be partial, self-protecting, or self-seeking. Rather our love is to be vulnerable, to extend beyond what is comfortable or convenient, and to care completely for the other despite the implications for ourselves.

1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.

We Listen

listen app.png

Just as God entered our world through Christ and identified completely with us, sharing our joy and suffering, we are called to move toward others, to come alongside them, and share their world. We care for others through offering a heart that is willing to listen and share in the sadness and joy of living in the same broken world. Listening loves!

1 Corinthians 12:25-26
… there should be no division in the body, … its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

We Accept

hands app.png

Being overwhelmed by the lavish grace and forgiveness of God, we no longer judge others, but rather extend the same grace and forgiveness to all. Just as Christ embraced us as we were, we embrace others just as they are, with compassion and mercy irrespective of their life story. Our words and embrace should provide immediate acceptance and a loving safe place of care.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

We Care

cares app.png

Christ shared his own life lovingly with and for us, calling us toward salvation, and a life of forgiveness, transformation, and hope. Now we are called to share our lives with others, in a journey of care that brings life and healing, provides freedom from guilt, and encourages a transformed identity, purpose, and vision for life. We no longer view others as they are, but as Jesus sees they will become.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

Our Heart
God values, loves, knows, forgives, and cares for us intimately and completely. We who know and experience this amazing love and care are called to have a heart that values, loves, listens, accepts, and cares for others in the same way. With the heart of God, the eyes of Christ, and the help of the Spirit, we are called to bring healing, restoration, transformation, and a renewed identity, purpose, and vision for life. Like Paul we should be able to say (Philippians 1:8),

“God can testify how I long for all of you
with the affection of Christ Jesus.”