Nursing Home Residents Receive The God Kind of Love

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

Jesus Saves Ministries went to Christian Healthcare Center West (formerly James Taylor Nursing Home)in Louisville, on Sunday, August 28th to worship with the residents at their weekly afternoon worship service. We brought along special guest psalmist, national recording artist Cynthia Williams (in green far left) as we lifted up and encouraged the residents of the nursing home with prayer, praise, and the preached word. 

Our theme was 'Love One Another". Accompanied by clinician, Ms. Winburn, Cynthia Williams ushered everyone into the presence of God with songs, "Yes, Jesus Loves," "Oh, How I Love Jesus," and "Love Lifted Me."  There was such sweet spirit in the center as the residence sung along! Yvette Bentley welcomed everyone and prayed the invocation.   Brenda Willis James read Scripture, Mark 16:1-8 and Romans 13:8-9.  Min. Marian Anderson introduced the speaker.  I preached from the subject, "The God Kind of Love." My brother Rev. Michael Lee, the chaplain, gave communion to the residents.   In celebration of our 11th anniversary, we gave away 11 pairs of house shoes to residents.

There are four kinds of love expressed in the Bible.  Agape love, the highest form of love embraces a universal, unconditional love that serves regardless of circumstance.  Agape love is not a feeling; it’s a motivation to action.  Agape love voluntarily suffers inconvenience, discomfort for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return.  Believers are called to agape love,  Ephesians 5:1-2 states,  “Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

In our communities, we see a lack of care and concern for one another.  Murder and violence is on the increase,  and our youth, increasingly, or both victims and perpetrators.  As elders, we have to speak truth in love, letting young folk know we care about them.  God give us wisdom because every situation is not for us.  Be if we are courageous in the one or two situations where we can effect change, we should do so.  Elders have to stop cowering in the dark in cars and in homes, and start loving one child at a time with the God kind of love.  Residents can spend more time with other residents, pray with them, and show more concern.

The God kind of love (1) leads one to action (1 John 3:16-18), (2) seeks Jesus early (Prov. 22:6, Ps. 5:3, Matt. 6:33); (3) often faces obstacles (Mk. 16:3); (4) presses on (Job 13:15; Phil 4:13); and (5) finds its reward (Mk. 16:6, Jeremiah 29:13)