Loving God, Loving Each Other

1 John 4:10,11 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

The greatest expression of God's love is in the death of His Son. Christ died that we might live "through Him", "for Him" and "with Him".

True believers ought to love the Savior, the Scriptures, the Sanctuary, the Saints, and the Sinners.

The best means we have of thanking God for His love is loving others.

When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.

Lord, help me to love others.

On The Way To The Cross

On the road to Jerusalem Jesus tells His disciples what's about to happen to Him. It wasn't what they wanted to hear.

Mark 10:33,34  Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

34. And they shall mock him and shall scourge him and shall spit upon him and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Jesus died for all who would place their faith in Him. Have you done that?

When He rose again, He stripped the power of the grave away forever and gave His followers victory over death, Hell, and the grave.

He knew me, yet He loved me;

He whose glory makes the heavens shine

I'm so unworthy of such mercy

For when He was on the cross, I was on His mind. 

Ronald Michael Payne and Ronnie Hinson

Abiding In Christ

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

For without me you can do nothing. If we could just nail that truth across the walls of our hearts, our testimony and ministry would produce powerful fruit for Almighty God.

How do we abide in Christ? Prayer. Bible study. Self denial. Surrender. Dedication. Humility.

Fruit produced from the branch depends upon the will of the Vine. Some will produce much and some little. Our duty is to abide.

When we abide in Christ, His will will be our will. He grants our requests. We have a deep settled assurance with the Father, and that fills our hearts with joy, which is our strength.

His Holy Presence

What are you seeking from the Lord? Stuff? Someone to go with you into a fiery furnace? A friend that sticks closer than a brother? Do you need something big/small?

When the child of God discovers how glorious Jesus is--not just thrilled by His power, possessions or position, but is awed by His Holy presence, their petition may step aside for a time of praise and worship. Stay awhile and grow in the Lord.

When you reach the place where nothing is more important to you than Jesus, all that other stuff will take care of itself.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Our Sovereign God

While militant nations and terrorists stir this unstable world with fear, Christians must believe that God is in control of all things. He's watching and has the final word. His plan will be accomplished in earth and Heaven.

Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy:

The Lord takes an intimate interest in His people. He sees your pain, your hurts and fears.

As the lost world lives in fear, the people of God can rest in the arms of a divine sovereign God, knowing He will take care of them. God gives a special grace to Christians being killed by terrorists for their faith. Pray for them.

Rest in God's Word, His Will, and His Watching. Rejoice in spite of the evil.

Psalm 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
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A Clean Heart

Psalm 51:10-12  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (11) Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit from me. (12) Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free spirit.

This Psalm is a result of King David's sin with Bathsheba. He committed adultary, and in an effort to cover it up, he committed murder.

Satan delights in leading Christians into a backslidden condition. Then he convinces them they can't go back. He's a liar.

David knew that even with all his sin, God still loved him. For great sin there is great grace (Rom. 5:20).

Whether you think your sin is small or great, it breaks fellowship with God. No matter what you do, He still loves you and wants you to confess your sin. He will cleanse you, remove a mountain of guilt, and restore the joy of your salvation and sweet fellowship. He's been there all the time, waiting for you to return.

That Sacred, Secret Place

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 

Those who have learned to abide in Christ have been to that secret place. They know the glory of it. It's a place where the enemy dare not follow. It's a place reserved for those who love the Lord.

Have you been to that place? That place where God meets with you and you alone. That place where all else falls away and you are left with God.

Stephen was in that place at his death (Acts 7:55-56). Paul was in that place during his life (2 Cor. 1:1-4); Acts 27:23).

Under the shadow of the Almighty is that sacred, secret place where God becomes larger than everything. Jesus invites you.

Matthew 11:28  Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.