Beauty Begins: A Love that Never Ends - Chris Shook and Megan Shook Alpha

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)

Beauty begins with a love that never ends because beauty begins in the heart of God.  This kind of beauty is best reflected through commitment.  It’s not left to the changing winds of feelings, nor dependent on the response of the one loved.  This kind of love is unconditional.  It is the glue that bonds a relationship and holds it together regardless of the challenges and adversities of life.  The beauty of God’s love, the Scripture says, is that it never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. If you’ve ever experienced that love, then you have seen real beauty.  That kind of commitment can only come through the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.  Real beauty begins at the Cross.  God took the ugliest event in all of history and turned it into the most beautiful act in all history.  On the cross, Christ took our ugliest sins, mistakes, and failures and replaced them with the beauty of forgiveness, purpose, and – one day – heaven.  That’s where beauty begins.

As we constantly look in the mirror of truth, God’s Word, we’ll see our sacred reflections more clearly, and we’ll reflect the beauty of Christ to others more consistently.  It begins with a commitment to Christ.  When we commit our lives and our futures to Him we have the capacity to love as He loves, to forgive as He forgave us, and to experience a beauty that never ends. If you’ve never made that commitment to Christ, you can today.  Do it now. God has never given up on you and He is waiting for your response.  The Bible says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 (GW)

Lord, I call to You today and ask you to forgive me of my sin.

I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior from sin and want to follow

Him as Lord of my life.  Thank you for dying on the cross for me

and rising again on the third day.  I pray that your love will make

something beautiful of my life.  I commit my life and my future to you.

Thank you for saving me. Help me to reflect your beauty to others.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

If you prayed that prayer, then a beautiful new life has just begun in you!  His beauty and love are your sacred reflection! We would love to hear of your commitment to Christ and all that Christ is doing in your life that we may rejoice with you and pray for you!  Thank you for joining us