Scripture Reading for Today's Message
Romans 8:38–39 (NLT)
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
As we begin this year’s journey through the Five Kernels of Corn, our hearts return to that humble table where the Pilgrims gathered, placing five kernels of corn on each plate before their Thanksgiving meal. Those kernels were not mere symbols of survival—they were a testament to faith, endurance, and divine love.
When the Pilgrims endured a brutal winter and their food supplies dwindled to almost nothing, they faced days when hunger gnawed at their bodies and despair tested their spirits. Yet, in their suffering, they found that God’s love had not abandoned them. His mercy sustained them through the long nights, and His promises gave them reason to hope.
The first kernel represents God’s Love—a love that never fails, never forgets, and never fades. It is the love that carried those weary souls through famine and fear, the same love that carries us today through our own seasons of hardship and uncertainty.
The love of God is unlike any love this world can offer. It is not earned by good works, nor withdrawn by our failures. It is unconditional and everlasting, reaching out to us even when we stray far from His ways. As the Lord declares in Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
This divine love was revealed most fully through Christ Jesus, who bore our sins upon the cross so that we might live in fellowship with the Father. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT). That is not simply an act of love—it is the very definition of it.
When the Pilgrims had nothing left but their faith, they discovered that God’s love had never left them. It was present in the prayers whispered through tears, in the comfort of one another’s company, and in the quiet assurance that even in hunger and cold, the Lord was near.
So it is with us today. No matter how barren the field or how dark the night, God’s love remains steadfast. It is the unseen hand that steadies us when we stumble and the soft whisper that reminds us we are never alone.
In our modern lives—filled with worries, distractions, and uncertainty—it is easy to lose sight of that love. Yet, every day is rich with reminders of His care. The breath we take, the sunrise we behold, the loved ones who walk beside us—all are tokens of God’s affection for His children.
His love is our strength when we are weak, our comfort when we are anxious, and our peace when life’s storms rage around us. When we stand on the brink of despair, His love calls us back to hope.
But divine love is not meant to be kept within. Just as the warmth of the sun reaches all it touches, so too should God’s love flow through us into the lives of others. As 1 John 4:11 reminds us, “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.” The true measure of our faith is not found in words alone but in how we extend His love to those who are weary, broken, or forgotten.
This week, as you bow your head in prayer or share a meal with loved ones, place a kernel of remembrance in your heart. Let it remind you that you are loved—deeply, unconditionally, and eternally—by the Creator of heaven and earth.
When you face trials, recall the times God’s love carried you through. When fear whispers doubt into your soul, let His love speak louder. And when blessings overflow, remember that each one springs from the same unfailing source: the boundless heart of God.
The Pilgrims’ first kernel was not a mere ritual. It was an act of remembrance—a daily acknowledgment that they lived and breathed because of divine love. We, too, must hold that truth close, for without it, gratitude loses its depth and faith loses its warmth.
The first kernel reminds us that God’s love is not something we visit only on holy days or seasons of celebration. It is the steady rhythm of our existence, beating with grace and mercy through every moment of our lives.
Let us cherish this first kernel as a sacred reminder: that no hardship can erase His affection, no failure can extinguish His grace, and no distance can separate us from His embrace. His love endures forever.
As we move forward through this series, may each kernel deepen your gratitude and renew your heart to see the Lord’s hand in all things.
As you reflect upon the love of God this week, share that love with others in tangible ways. Offer a word of encouragement, lend a helping hand, or extend forgiveness where it is needed most. In this season of thanksgiving, let us not only give thanks but live thanks.
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So, I say to you,
“May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.”
Brother Jesse
