"Those Who Love Me"

“Those Who Love Me”

 

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments.”      John 14:15

“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.  My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”        John 14:21

 

When a person is DEEPLY, TRULY in LOVE with someone, they will try their BEST to say and do what they believe that person wants and expects of them.   Jesus tells His disciples:  “IF you LOVE Me, you WILL OBEY my commandments.”  The type of TRUE LOVE a BORN AGAIN, TRUE BELIEVER has is manifested by their OBEDIENCE to Christ’s commands or words. 

 

I think that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew, chapter five, is a very good and concise example of how the TRUE BELIEVER SHOULD OBEY Him, and would TRULY be a MANFESTATION of the TRUE BELIEVER’S LOVE for His SAVIOR.   It also would HELP the TRUE BELIEVER to GROW in their FAITH.  And to have a CLOSER RELATIONSHIP with God and His Beloved Son.   

 

This does NOT indicate a “WORKS” type religion, but it MANIFESTS the TRUE BELIEVER’S LOVE and OBEDIENCE to Jesus Christ and His words.  The REWARD for doing this is BEING LOVED by GOD, the FATHER, and the Son. And Jesus says He will show Himself to the TRUE BELIEVER, this is done through the work of the Holy Spirit, who indwells the believer, at the time of SALVATION.  SAVING FAITH is the result of OBEDIENCE, which comes from FAITH in the ONLY ONE who can give you SALVATION and an ETERNITY in Heaven. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, then you are on your way to an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to change your DESTINY from HELL to HEAVEN, you MUST FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN by:  TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and SHOW your LOVE for Christ, by being OBEDIENT to His commands.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"Serve With a Willing and Eager Heart"

“Serve With a Willing and Eager Heart””

 

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them---not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.       1 Peter 5:2-4

 

I realize that these verses of Scripture are intended for pastors or the UNDERSHEPHERDS.  However, as I was reading these verses, a little voice spoke to me, and this is what it said:  “Wouldn’t it be AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL if ALL of God’s BORN-AGAIN CHILDREN, followed these instructions, in their SERVICE to Him.  Can you imagine what an AWESOME IMPACT that would make on this SIN-SICK, WICKED WORLD?”

 

We may not be called to be a PASTOR or to shepherd one of God’s flocks, but we are CALLED to be a SERVANT of the LIVING GOD.  One who SHOULD BE WILLING to server God with a TRUE SERVANT’S HEART.  Not one who is SERVING with a SELFISH HEART, and says, in so many words, “What’s in it for ME?”   They SHOULD BE EAGER to SERVE, and NOT be EGOTISTICAL, LORDING over others, who might be NEW in their FAITH.  We, who are God’s TRUE CHILDREN, must be an EXAMPLE to those that God entrusts us with.  We MUST NOT BE a STUMBLING BLOCK. 

 

We MUST PRAY, ENCOURAGE, TEACH, and SET the EXAMPLE before them.  And do it with a WILLING and EAGER HEART.  Our ATTITUDE NEEDS to be one of LOVE and COMPASSION.  The problem being is that MANY prefer to be the recipient of the SERVICE and NOT the SERVANT.  Where is your station, in your relationship with God?  Are you SERVING Him WILLINGLY, and with an EAGER HEART?  Or are you waiting for someone to be YOUR SERVANT?    Do you have an UNLOVING ATTITUDE?  What is your TRUE MOTIVE for SERVING God?

 

Peter tells us that if the ones who SHEPHERD God’s flocks like they SHOULD, when the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, returns they will receive the Crown of GLORY that will NEVER FADE AWAY.   Where does your TRUE ALLEGIANCE LIE, with God? Or with your OWN SELFISH SCHEMES? 

 

If you are MORE concerned with what you can GAIN than your SERVICE to the ALMIGHTY GOD, then you MAY NEED to check your SALVATION.  In order to have a TRUE SALVATION EXPERIENCE you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and SERVE HIM with a WILLING and EAGER HEART, and become a TRUE SERVANT of the LIVING GOD.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The End Is Near"

“The End Is Near”

 

The end of all things is near.  Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.      1 Peter 4:7-8

 

The Apostle Peter, felt that the END of ALL things was CLOSE, in his time.  I believe that WE are living in the LAST DAYS.  One indication of this feeling is what the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2:7; “For the secret power of LAWLESSNESS is already at work.”  We can definitely see this happening in this nation.  With all the attacks on our different LAW ENFORCEMENT agencies and personnel.  Even some politicians are advocating acts of LAWLESSNESS.  Some states have taken things that USED to be AGAINST the law and made it LAWFUL.  Peter and Paul felt that the END of ALL things was NEAR in their time.  I wonder how they would feel, if they were living in our time.

 

The Apostle Peter, gives his readers instructions on how to live in these LAST DAYS.  He says to be ALERT and of a SOBER mind in order to be able to PRAY like we should.   PRAYER is a LIFELINE to the FATHER.  We, as TRUE BELIEVERS need to utilize this LIFELINE as often as possible.  We NEED to be ALERT to what is happening, NOT ONLY in our own environment, but also ALL AROUND us.  And we NEED to PRAY with a SOBER or SERIOUS, SOUND MIND.  We NEED to be SELF-CONTROLLED and able to have SERIOUS, CLEAR-MINDED communication with our Heavenly Father.

 

Peter tells us to LOVE each other DEEPLY, indicating a LOVE that should be, if needed, SACRIFICAL in nature.  It should be a LOVE that is FORGIVING, NOT CONDEMNING.  This type of LOVE COVERS a MULTITUDE of sins.   This type of LOVE is characteristic of God’s LOVE for mankind.   It is a SACRIFICAL and a FORGIVING LOVE. He GAVE His Only Begotten Son to DIE for ALL mankind. To COVER the MULTITUDE of sins and to PROVIDE SALVATION for ALL.  That they might have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him.  Do YOU have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God?  Are YOU READY for the RETURN of JESUS CHRIST?

 

If your answer is “NO” to these questions, you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  You don’t KNOW what the future holds for you.  You haven’t been given a contract, stating how long you’ll live or guaranteeing a PROSPEROUS future.  You aren’t promised tomorrow.  What will be your DESTINY?  God has a PLAN for ALL mankind.  It says if you will TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus Christ died for YOU and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and BE READY for His RETURN, because of your RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"Doing Evil"

“Doing Evil”

 

For “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.   They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”      1 Peter 3:10-12

 

We live in a world that is drenched in EVIL.  It is all around us.  But, just because we live in an EVIL environment, we DO NOT have to PARTICIPATE in it.  We, who are TRUE CHILDREN of the Living God, must NOT blend in with the world, by DOING the EVIL that is so prevalent, in this day and age.  John tells us:  “Do NOT love the world or ANYTHING in the world.  If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is NOT in them.” (1 John 2:15)

 

If the TRUE CHILD of God hopes to LOVE LIFE and SEE GOOD days, they MUST do certain things to HELP PREVENT EVIL from invading their HEART and SHATTERING their relationship with the HOLY, RIGHTEOUS GOD of this Universe.   Peter tells us these things about DOING EVIL.  First, he tells us to KEEP our TONGUE from evil and our LIPS from DECEITFUL SPEECH.  Don’t tell LIES, GOSSIP, or SLANDER, don’t take the Lord God’s name in vain, and don’t use EVIL language.

 

The Child of God MUST TURN FROM EVIL and DO GOOD; they MUST SEEK PEACE, and not be an instigator of HATE and PRONE to STIR UP TROUBLE.  Verse eleven says, they MUST SEEK and PURSUE PEACE.  That means it is of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE to PROMOTE PEACE and NOT DESTROY it.  If you are a TRUE CHILD of God, then you MUST REFRAIN from DOING EVIL and REMAIN being RIGHTEOUS in God’s sight.  Because, His eyes are on the RIGHTEOUS and He is ATTENTIVE, LISTENING to their prayers.  But His face is AGAINST those who are DOING EVIL.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, and you are DOING the EVIL things in this world, you are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to change your DESTINY, you MUST TURN AWAY from DOING EVIL and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU.  And that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and STOP DOING EVIL and make DOING GOOD a part of your NEW LIFE in Christ.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"Grow Up!"

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“Grow Up!”

 

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.       1 Peter 2:1-2

 

The Apostle Peter, admonishes the Child of God to get RID of ALL the things that used to exemplify their old sinful nature.  Things, such as:  MALICE, which is ill-will, the desire to harm another person,  DECEIT, deliberate DISHONESTY,  HYPOCRISY, pretending to be what one is NOT, ENVY, being discontent, wanting what someone else has, SLANDER, telling lies about someone that would harm their reputation or character.  These are just a few characteristics of a person who has NOT given their HEART and LIFE to God, and is LOST and DYING in their SIN, bound for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE. 

 

When a person is drawn to the Lord Jesus Christ for the SALVATION of their soul, they NEED to RID themselves of their OLD SINFUL actions, and as NEWBORN BABIES, they SHOULD HUNGER AFTER the PURE SPIRITUAL MILK, which is the LIVING WORD of the LIVING GOD.  In order to GROW from a BABY to an ADULT you NEED FOOD.  It is the same with GROWING and MATURING as a CHILD of the LIVING GOD.  This GROWTH is done through the STUDY of God’s Word, and UNDERSTANDING what it is SAYING.  This is done through the work of the HOLY SPIRIT and the local, BIBLE-BELIVING, BIBLE-TEACHING, CHURCH. 

 

When the NEWBORN BABE in CHRIST is FAITHFUL to the PREACHING and TEACHING of the WORD of GOD, they will GROW-UP in their SALVATION.  And they will be READY for the culmination of their SALVATION.  It will be like GRADUATION DAY!

 

Have you given your HEART and LIFE to God?  Are you His Child, ready and willing to GROW-UP in your SALVATION?  If you ARE, then BE FAITHFUL to LEARNING and GROWING in the WORD of the LIVING GOD.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to change your DESTINY, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and start GROWING-UP in your SALVATION.  Do this NOW, while you still can. He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Being Ready For the Return of Jesus Christ"

“Being Ready For the Return of Jesus Christ”

 

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming.   As obedient Children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:  “Be holy, because I am holy.”        1 Peter 1:13-16

 

As TRUE BELIEVERS, TRUE CHILDREN of the LIVING GOD, we SHOULD be in PREPARATION for the RETURN of Jesus Christ.   The FIRST thing we NEED is the PREPARATION of the mind.  In PREPARING our minds, we should practice OBEDIENCE, which is a CONSCIOUS act of the will, or a WILLINGNESS to obey.  Through the act of OBEDIENCE, the TRUE BELIEVER’S mind will be ALERT and FULLY SOBER, or showing MENTAL and EMOTIONAL BALANCE.  They NEED to be ALERT and TOUGH-MINDED also, especially when facing trials and persecutions.

 

The SECOND thing we NEED is to be SELF-CONTROLLED, or FULLY SOBER, free from ALL mental and spiritual excess.  We should NOT let our OUTER CIRCUMSTANCES control our MIND and HEART. REMEMBER our MIND needs to be FULLY SOBER, showing MENTAL and EMOTIONAL BALANCE.  We SHOULD be led from WITH-IN, by the work of the HOLY SPIRIT.  Then we will have SELF-CONTROL.

 

The FINAL thing is to SET YOUR HOPE on the BLESSINGS that we will receive when Christ returns.  Our HOPE should be UNCHANGEABLE and UNWAVERING, even in the midst of the RAGING STORMS of LIFE.  We can be MORE than CONQUERORS, when we, like the Apostle Paul, set our HOPE on the PRIZE that awaits us.   In order to have this kind of HOPE, we must STRIVE to LIVE a HOLY LIFE.  Our LIFESTYLE should reflect the NATURE of GOD.  It is the RESPONSIBILITY of EVERY TRUE BELIEVER, to WORK at LIVING a HOLY LIFE, both INWARDLY and OUTWARDLY.  We may not be able to live a PERFECTLY HOLY life, here on this earth, but we DO NEED to WORK at being COMPLETELY CONFORMED to God’s PERFECT and HOLY will.  

 

Are these steps, the steps you are taking in PREPARATION for the RETURN of JESUS CHRIST?   If NOT, you NEED to START NOW.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you NEED to take that BIG IMPORTANT STEP, which will determine your DESTINY for ALL ETERNITY.  Right now, you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  But you can CHANGE your DESTINY by:  TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that, JESUS died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and start your PREPARATION to be READY for the RETURN of JESUS CHRIST.  DO this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The End Result of Your Faith"

“The End Result of Your Faith”

 

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.         1 Peter 1:8-9

 

It is quite possible that the Apostle Peter, had recollected the time when Jesus said to Thomas: “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet have believed.”  (John 20:29).   Christians who DO NOT SEE Christ, YET, like Peter, they LOVE and BELIEVE in Him, are BLESSED and FILLED with an INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY. 

 

They can ENJOY and REJOICE, because they are RECEIVING what was PROMISED to them; their SALVATION.  SALVATION is a culmination of three parts:  The PAST, which is NEW BIRTH: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us NEW BIRTH into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  (v3)  The PRESENT, which is FAITH: “Who through FAITH are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”  (v5)    And the FUTURE, which is INHERITANCE: “And into an INHERITANCE that can NEVER perish, spoil or fade.  This INHERITANCE is kept in Heaven for you.”  (v4). 

 

Because the Day of Christ’s RETURN, is approaching, and it is getting CLOSER with each passing day.  Those who have BELIEVED and LOVED Him, are being FILLED with an INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY, because they are RECEIVING the END RESULT of their FAITH; the CULMINATION of their SALVATION.  Have you BELIEVED and LOVED Him, whom you have NOT SEEN?  Is your HEART filled with INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY because His RETURN is getting NEARER and NEARER?   Or does it put FEAR and DESPAIR in your HEART, because you ARE NOT READY?

 

If you are NOT READY for Christ’s RETURN, and are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL with all its HORRORS, your HEART SHOULD be filled with FEAR and DESPAIR.   You can CHANGE your DESTINY.  God has a PLAN, First you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST BELIEVE with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and have your HEART FILLED with INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!