John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.
As the born again believer yields to the Father, loves the Word, prays, and obeys, there is a deeper relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit.
Salvation means we are going to heaven, but submission means that heaven comes to us.
Our experience with God ought to go deeper and deeper, and it will as we yield to the Spirit of Truth and permit Him to teach us and guide us.
And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known
Charles A. Miles 1913
Jesus could have refused the cross. His flesh certainly dreaded it. But He willingly embraced the suffering to purchase our redemption.
John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour, but for this cause came I unto this hour.
We are all born in sin and face the curse of death, thanks to Adam. As Jesus offered Himself for the atoning sacrifice and then rose triumphantly from the grave, He forever defeated sin, death, and hell. Satan was powerless to stop the plan of God for redemption.
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen: and have the keys of hell and of death.
Christ proved His love for us at Calvary. Are you serving Him in a way that He deserves, seeking to honor Him with your life?
If you don't know Him, ask Him to come into your heart and forgive your sins. He will if you believe.
Who would be ashamed of the redeeming death, burial, and resurrection of Christ? Unbelievers? Critics? Backslidden Christians? The apostle Paul wasn't ashamed.
Romans 1:16,17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
I'm glad--oh, so glad--that the power of salvation is available to whosoever (John 3:16): The drunk, the drug addict, the harlot, the church member, the politician, the financial planner, evil tyrants, the rich and famous, the lonely, the depressed, the desperate, you, and me: to every one who believes.
There is no credit check, no background check, no social or financial requirements and no cleaning up: only faith and an open heart.
"I'll tell the world that I'm a Christian."
John 10:3 To him the porter openeth: and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name and leadeth them out.
We are not just a number with Jesus. The Great Shepherd of our soul knows our names, loves us, and leads us.
John 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice.
He guides us through His Word, faith, preaching, and prayer. The Lord has already traveled the path we walk, going before us, seeking our good.
Obedient sheep don't know where they're headed, but they follow, fully trusting. Following the Great Shepherd is a peaceful path.
I would rather follow Jesus down an unfamiliar path than remain in the sheepfold alone while He leads others to greener pastures.
If we are to enjoy victory and be of service unto our Lord, we must be willing to follow Jesus one step at a time, one day at a time.
Mark 1:17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
If we follow Jesus, we must be willing to abandon anything that stands between us and God.
Making a commitment to follow Jesus will be a leap of faith. We come to Him in salvation by faith, and we must follow Him in service by faith.
He may not ask us to pack up and move, but He might. He may not ask us to serve outside our comfort zone, but likely He will. He may not use us in ways we never imagined, but eventually He will. This will take faith.
God equips us for the journey. If He has brought you to it, He will lead you through it.
A long time ago I thought i had to live perfect or I couldn't go to heaven. It was frustrating. Though I was a Christian, I wasn't perfect. I asked God to help me understand this.
Several Sunday mornings later as I sat in a pew, the word "Grace" repeatedly flashed in my mind. A sweet spirit saturated my heart, and a huge bolder seemed to roll off my shoulders. I was free from that shackle.
Praise God for grace.
Philippians 1:6 Bring confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ;
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
I'm free from the fear of tomorrow
I'm free from the guilt of the past;
For I've traded my shackles for a glorious song,
I'm free, praise The Lord, free at last.
William Gaither
The name of Jesus is still the name that brings comfort to those in despair, salvation to the sinner, and hope to the hopeless.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.
Jesus is mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus is Lord.
He stood as Lord in glory with the Father. He was Lord on earth, possessing complete authority. He was Lord over the waves, the demons, all manner of sickness, and even death.
Even in His death, Jesus was Lord. He laid down His life and took it up again. He is seated right now at the right hand of God. He is Lord of all.
There's a name above all others
Wonderful to hear, bringing hope and cheer;
It's the lovely name of Jesus,
Evermore the same; what a lovely name.
