John 13:34-35, A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
The characteristics of genuine, spiritual love are found in 1 Cor. 13:1-8. If those characteristics are missing in our lives, we’re just a “sounding brass” and “a tinkling cymbal”.
We may say; “Well, I love them in the Lord.” Do we love them regardless of how they treat us, or how we feel about them? More than once I’ve had to ask the Lord to help me love a “hard-to-love” person.
So, do you love the brethren? Do you have a hunger for the things of the Lord? Do you love His Word, His people, His church? Do you possess a desire for holiness and a hatred for sin? These are signs of being a disciple of God.
If you are not His disciple, believe in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for your soul’s salvation? I pray that the Spirit of God will draw you to Him.
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Friday, September 25, 2015
Redeemed
At first, the prophet Hosea’s marriage to Gomer must’ve been happy. God gave them a son. But she committed adultery then left him for another man. She becomes a prostitute. Now it appears that her new lover is finished with her and has put her up for sale. The standard price of a slave is 30 shekels of silver.
Hosea went to a public forum and before a crowd of witnesses purchased his unfaithful wife who had betrayed him many times. He willingly paid the price to redeem her from a life of slavery because he loved her.
Hosea’s actions are a picture of what Christ did for lost sinners like you and me. Like Gomer, we were lost, headed for hell, slaves to sin. But God in His amazing grace came into this world and gave more than 30 pieces of silver for our redemption. He gave His very life, shedding His precious blood on the cross of Calvary to purchase a people unto Himself because He loved us.
1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Hosea went to a public forum and before a crowd of witnesses purchased his unfaithful wife who had betrayed him many times. He willingly paid the price to redeem her from a life of slavery because he loved her.
Hosea’s actions are a picture of what Christ did for lost sinners like you and me. Like Gomer, we were lost, headed for hell, slaves to sin. But God in His amazing grace came into this world and gave more than 30 pieces of silver for our redemption. He gave His very life, shedding His precious blood on the cross of Calvary to purchase a people unto Himself because He loved us.
1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Thursday, September 24, 2015
We Are Blessed
If everyone in our household is well or there’s money in the bank and the bills are paid, we say we’re blessed and we are. But when our house is falling apart and we can't pay the bills, has the Lord stopped blessing us? The answer is no.
The greatest blessings of God are spiritual in nature, and these spiritual blessings will never be taken away from us.
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
God has provided us with blessings beyond measure. Material blessings are temporary. Real blessings are the things that never change or fade away. We are blessed! No matter what is happening, if you are a born again Christian, you are blessed abundantly.
I thank God that Jesus died for me, saved me by His grace and delivered me from the captivity of sin. What a blessing. I thank God that we can face tomorrow because He lives. I thank Him for peace of mind and joy in my heart in spite of chaos trampling the planet. God is good.
The greatest blessings of God are spiritual in nature, and these spiritual blessings will never be taken away from us.
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
God has provided us with blessings beyond measure. Material blessings are temporary. Real blessings are the things that never change or fade away. We are blessed! No matter what is happening, if you are a born again Christian, you are blessed abundantly.
I thank God that Jesus died for me, saved me by His grace and delivered me from the captivity of sin. What a blessing. I thank God that we can face tomorrow because He lives. I thank Him for peace of mind and joy in my heart in spite of chaos trampling the planet. God is good.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Christ In Us
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
When we believe in Christ our lives are crucified and risen with Him. Our old life is taken away at the cross and a new life is given. Now you can say, "Jesus Christ lives in me." That’s thrilling.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
How is the life that you now live? Christ gives us a new desire for holiness, for God and for heaven. It‘s not that we can’t sin again; we can. But we don’t want to. The whole attitude of our life has been changed. Christ in the Christian is the hope of glory!
1 John 4:4 Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
When we believe in Christ our lives are crucified and risen with Him. Our old life is taken away at the cross and a new life is given. Now you can say, "Jesus Christ lives in me." That’s thrilling.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
How is the life that you now live? Christ gives us a new desire for holiness, for God and for heaven. It‘s not that we can’t sin again; we can. But we don’t want to. The whole attitude of our life has been changed. Christ in the Christian is the hope of glory!
1 John 4:4 Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Some Call It Heaven, I Call It Home
Heaven is the home of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. It’s a glorious place where the redeemed of the ages will spend eternity. It’s the place where saints long to go. Some call it Heaven. Some call it Beulah Land. I call it Home.
Revelation 21 and 22 presents breathtaking detail of my Heavenly Home. Imagine a city where there are no ghettos, no mean streets, no wrong side of town. Imagine a city of absolute beauty and sinless perfection. That’s my home. Did I say Jesus, the only light, will be there as we praise Him forever.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21 and 22 presents breathtaking detail of my Heavenly Home. Imagine a city where there are no ghettos, no mean streets, no wrong side of town. Imagine a city of absolute beauty and sinless perfection. That’s my home. Did I say Jesus, the only light, will be there as we praise Him forever.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
I'm kind of homesick for a country to which I've never been before.
No sad goodbyes will there be spoken, for time won't matter anymore.
Beulah Land, I'm longing for you, and some day on thee I'll stand.
There my home shall be eternal. Beulah Land -- Sweet Beulah Land
Squire Parsons
Monday, September 21, 2015
Defeating Your Bully
The army of Israel is panic-stricken at the appearance and threats of the giant Goliath. King Saul cowers at the 9’9” bully.
Then a young guy named David volunteers to take the bully out. He makes his case before the king, but nobody thinks he’ll survive.
1 Samuel 17:37 David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
Running to meet the bully, David reaches into his shepherd’s bag and takes out a single stone. Placing it in his sling, he winds up and slings it at Goliath. The stone hits him between the eyes, sinks into his head, and he’s dead before he ever hits the ground. What a victory! That’s faith in action.
Sometimes bullies aren't even people. Sin and evil are bullies. Temptation is a bully. The burdens we carry and the problems we face are bullies who seek to intimidate and control our lives.
You will never defeat your bullies in your own power. You can and will defeat them by faith in the power of God.
Then a young guy named David volunteers to take the bully out. He makes his case before the king, but nobody thinks he’ll survive.
1 Samuel 17:37 David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
Running to meet the bully, David reaches into his shepherd’s bag and takes out a single stone. Placing it in his sling, he winds up and slings it at Goliath. The stone hits him between the eyes, sinks into his head, and he’s dead before he ever hits the ground. What a victory! That’s faith in action.
Sometimes bullies aren't even people. Sin and evil are bullies. Temptation is a bully. The burdens we carry and the problems we face are bullies who seek to intimidate and control our lives.
You will never defeat your bullies in your own power. You can and will defeat them by faith in the power of God.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
The Door To Salvation
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Jesus is the door. The blessings of life are behind that door. The Cross of Calvary bridged the gap between sinful man and Holy God. It’s a life that has been delivered from the penalty and power of sin.
Enter the Door to the sheepfold for a new life filled with the potential for the redeemed to live a holy life, to enjoy the power, presence and peace of God.
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.
The Shepherd---the Door to His sheep, doesn't drive His sheep--that‘s for goats. He leads them out and they follow close behind because they know His voice.
Is Jesus your Shepherd? Have you entered the Door to Salvation? Believe on Him. Ask Him to come into your heart and be your Savior.
Jesus is the door. The blessings of life are behind that door. The Cross of Calvary bridged the gap between sinful man and Holy God. It’s a life that has been delivered from the penalty and power of sin.
Enter the Door to the sheepfold for a new life filled with the potential for the redeemed to live a holy life, to enjoy the power, presence and peace of God.
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.
The Shepherd---the Door to His sheep, doesn't drive His sheep--that‘s for goats. He leads them out and they follow close behind because they know His voice.
Is Jesus your Shepherd? Have you entered the Door to Salvation? Believe on Him. Ask Him to come into your heart and be your Savior.
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