Archive | April 2014

Seek Willing

Direction is highly sought after–so many prayers, “Show me the way to go.” “I don’t know what to do–please!”

These are pleas that I hear continually. But they don’t stop to think; they are too desperate for a ‘new’ answer, to hear.

I have shown each of you the way–laid down every step in My Word.

But the path is revealed through the steps taken. As you walk out each step, more is revealed. Your path is unveiled through obedience.

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.” Proverbs 19:20-21

If you skim My Word, you’re missing the Truth.

The man who has ‘eyes to see’ and ‘ears to hear’ is willing to change. He looks deeper into the message, for he is ‘scouring’ the Word for hidden meaning.

Those unwilling are blinded–won’t see. They have a pretense of wanting to learn, but turn their face–won’t discern; when given a task that they perceive is too hard for them to do.

Make a decision.

Decide to be willing and step forth, announcing–here am I! Then, dig deep into My Word–not simply read, but dig; with the heart attitude of, ‘I am willing to do what I see.’

And you will see more, for I will open the door–

when you seek Me–willing.

“‘And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off for ever.” I Chronicles 28:9

“A man’s steps are ordered by the Lord; how then can man understand the way?” Proverbs 20:24

“But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.’ God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches every thing, even the depths of God.

For what person knows a man’s thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.

The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:9-14

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26

“‘And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!'” Luke 11:9-13

“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalms 32:8

Jesus Is Alive!

Apr20

“Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre.

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.

But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you.’

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Hail!’ And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.

Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.'” Matthew 28:1-10

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.'” Matthew 28:18-20

I AM Proven

Apr19

Noble is the man who does not remain in mourning, but stands in the hope of the resurrection.

“But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” I Thessalonians 4:13-14

The resurrection was more than My return from the dead–it was proof that I did what I said; tangible proof that death could not stop the one who receives what he believes–when he believes in Me.

All other gods have not been proven, but false.

“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:18-21

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time.” I Timothy 2:5-6

I did what I said I would do…

and I will do what I said–when I come again for you. Death cannot hold you, when you’ve given to Me–trust and faith that I’m coming back for thee.

“For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. for the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.

And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” I Thessalonians 4:15-18

Oh, I’m coming back.

But am I coming back for you?

You are the one who decides, if you are My Bride.

I AM coming!

I AM proven!

Watch and See

“‘Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.'” John 14:1-3

“‘But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come.'” Mark 13:32-33

“Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this, brethren: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?’

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:49-58

“‘Watch therefore–for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning–lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch.'” Mark 13:35-37

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Prepared and Stunning!

Apr17

Division must come.

A greater division than man has known since the days of Noah. As then, when there was eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage–life carried on and those who would not heed, did not hear.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man.” Matthew 24:36-39

“Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.'” Genesis 7:1

“He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark.” Genesis 7:23

They had not a care, for they did not fear.

The righteous, however, sense it in their heart, and know they have a part, in the greatest and final act that man, on this earth, will ever know…

When I come once more to gather My Bride.

Oh, she’ll be stunning, for she’ll be prepared. A bride doesn’t wait for the hour late–she readies herself in advance.

Yes, division will come; for the invitations have been sent–as all are invited to come.

“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”–for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, ‘These are true words of God.'”Revelation 19:7-9

Those received, went to them who believe, the rest went untouched as if dung.

“‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a marriage feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast; but they would not come.” Matthew 23:2-3

“Again he sent other servants, saying ‘Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have made ready my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves are killed, and everything is ready; come to the marriage feast.’ But they made light of it and went off, one to his farm, another to his business–” Matthew 22:4-5

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.” Matthew 22:8-10

My heart breaks for those left without, clothes, to enter the Bridal feast ready.

“But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’ for many are called, but few are chosen.'” Matthew 22:11-14

For soon it will be, too late to prepare, and gain entrance to the Wedding of the Lamb.

He is the feast, and it’s not the beast, as so many fools have supposed. So hurry–while there’s time, for you to change your mind. But hurry, before the doors close!

Prepare to be Stunning, or prepare to be stunned!

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with brimstone.” Revelation 19:20

“‘Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, to repay every one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” Revelation 22:12-14

The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let him who is thirsty come, let him who desires take the water of life without price.” Revelation 22:17

Promoted Within

Apr16

Promotion comes from within. It isn’t something you obtain by pushing on others or even good deeds, but by change–on the inside.

Many companies promote from within and so do I.

You are the one that determines to grow, when you decide that there is more for you to know. You cannot help but grow when you dig deeper into My Truth and, as you do so, applying what you learn within the Word–everything within is changed.

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.” Proverbs 9:9

You can’t help it, when you know–you grow!

“He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.” Proverbs 16:20

“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.” Proverbs 13:14

That is the one I can use–for more. So you decide promotion time, by how much you want to grow. Now let’s figure out what you don’t know; if you think it’s time to grow, I AM here for you–you decide. After all, it’s your promotion.

“Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them.” “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it.” Psalms 111:2,10

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.” James 1:22-25

“He whose ear heeds wholesome admonition will abide among the wise. he who ignores instruction despises himself, but he who heeds admonition gains understanding. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom and humility goes before honor.” Proverbs 15:21-33

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge than he who has strength; for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” Proverbs 24:3-6

“All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17

“I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.” Psalms 16:7

Clear Purpose

Apr14

It is apparent that those who follow closely to My side, have trained their heart to abide. It wasn’t merely a ‘head’ decision; yes, they thought about it, but then took it deeper.

Meditation of a matter takes it deep into the heart of a man.

“May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.” Psalms 104:24

This form of ownership is what causes a man to follow closely, without needing to think every move through; it is just natural, for they naturally abide. That is when you know that you are no longer in ‘works’ but fellowship.

“–but the anointing which you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that any one should teach you; as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie, just as it has taught you, abide in him.” I John 2:26-27

You know My heartbeat for you linger and languish at My side. It is a luxury that many do not afford themselves in these fast-paced days–to linger, to rest at My side.

Abide–listening to My desires, as I listen to yours…

Fellowship
Communion
Companionship
Love

Life is short, and the battle is hard, but for those who learn of Me, the way is clear; for I steer those who are near. They are not carried by the tide, but have clear purpose when I AM near–

when you abide.

“And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He who says ‘I know him’ but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” I John 2:3-6

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.” I John 2:15-17

“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father.” I John 2:24

“By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his own Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. In this is love perfected in us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is so are we in this world.” I John 4:13-17

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all thy works.” Psalms 73:28

“Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” Psalms 119:2-3

“Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.” Psalms 128:1-2

Not Merely Hear

Apr12

Why do you call Me Lord and do not do the things that I tell you?

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?” Luke 6:46

Am I truly your Lord?

Who has a servant that hears instruction, only to walk away and never do what he is told. Would he last long as a servant? No, he would be cast out. I AM merciful, patient and kind, but I can be angry and discipline too.

“The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his mind. In the latter days you will understand this.” Jeremiah 30:24

A parent must discipline a child to train him in the way he should go, otherwise he would grow to hate the child; as the child grows to be a man and neither understands, that lack of discipline causes ruin.

“He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” Proverbs 13:24

“Discipline your son while there is hope; do not set your heart on his destruction.” Proverbs 19:18

The man that never grew–remains a child–it’s true…

For he carries no honor, respect inside and to Me he doesn’t abide. He has no guide, for he listened, but did not hear; he heard, but did not follow.

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1

Call upon Me while I AM here. Listen and do not merely hear. For discipline is your key, if you truly want to be set free.

Follow Me

“And have you forgotten the exhortation which addresses you as sons?–

‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage when you are punished by him. For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:5-11

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.” Proverbs 19:20-21

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you? Every one who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like; he is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation upon rock; and when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

But he who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49

“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39

“He who despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.” Proverbs 13:13-14

“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalms 30:4-5

Abide and Conquer

Apr8

Loneliness seems to plague man in a world that becomes ever more secluded, in contrast to My plan for family and community.

I created man to love–an expression of Myself–to give love and receive love. And yet, so many seek or fall into isolation, declining for lack of love. Why?

Why in a world so teeming with life, would you avoid life?

Why, in your hunger for love, would you reject love?

You have armored yourself against love for fear of rejection, fear of hurt and the unknown. But what you haven’t known is Me, for perfect love casts out fear.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love.” I John 4:18

I AM perfect Love.

If in Me you abide, you are never alone. And though man may reject, I will never neglect the one who seeks to know Me.

“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” I John 4:15-16

Know Me on the inside–not from afar.

From afar I AM only Deity, one you don’t understand. Invite Me inside and we will abide and you may call Me, Friend.

“and the scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’; and he was called the friend of God.” James 2:23

“Jesus answered him, ‘If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23

Never alone.

Then you will understand that it is the work of the enemy to divide and conquer. But you can abide and conquer him. Conquer fear with love, for perfect love casts out fear.

Have no fear–Perfect Love is here…

I AM Perfect Love.

“‘I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.'” John 14:18-21

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.'” John 15:10-14

“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.” I John 4:7-8

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” II Thessalonians 2:16

One Final Question

Apr5

Apostasy, apathy, indifference, anger, hunger, pain, loss–need I go on? Emotions are stretched; hearts are hurting. The soul has lost control, for it was never meant to be in control.

Would you have your emotions run your life? Many do, and then wonder why their life is out of control. I created you spirit, soul and body. You are a human being, created in My image.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’ So God created man in his own image; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27

If I were to rule from emotion, of which would you prefer I rule?

Anger or Compassion?
Judgment or Forgiveness?

I AM all of these and more–I AM Love.

I ruled with Love when I gave My Son to take your place–

that is My Grace–that is My Love.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16-18

You think through emotion and focus on sin. You find someone that you think has greater sin than you and point fingers–lay blame. Defensive strategy to take the focus off you, and the question. You see, it is the question I look to for each individual–their answer determines their fate.

Answer before it’s too late.

I don’t look to sin–the type doesn’t matter–for all have sinned as you know. What I look to is your decision–the answer to My question–this is your judgment call.

And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.” John 3:19-21

Have you received My Son as your Lord and Savior–received His Blood for your sin?

He lived and died that you may abide, for ever as if you’d not sinned.

“If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” I Corinthians 15:19-22

Now if you have, then one emotion should be overwhelming–that of joy—for you are welcomed into My Kingdom, where Love rules!

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3

Judgment must fall upon all, but all are welcome to receive the Blessing of My Son, Jesus Christ, to all who believe–I call you son–for all eternity.

“Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of his life is costly and can never suffice, that he should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit.

Yea, he shall see that even the wise die, the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes for ever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own. Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish.

This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence, the end of those who are pleased with their portion. Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend; and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home.

But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.” Psalms 49:7-15

“For no human being will be justified in his sight by works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:20-26

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him.” I Thessalonians 5:9-10

“Therefore, brethren, be the more zealous to confirm your call and election, for if you do this you will never fall; so there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1:10-11

“May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” I Thessalonians 5:23-24

Sittin on a Log

Apr4

If I could just see to get that log out of my eye, I am confident that I will find that my brother doesn’t have the speck that I thought he had–it is merely the shadow of my own log.

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:3-5

Why can’t I seem to get that log out?

I think my fingers are too big, or pointed in the wrong direction. I will look to the Word. I am sure that therein is the tool to remove the log from my eye.

And when I’ve got that log out, I will see clearly to love my neighbor as myself; for I am certain to be more loveable then!

“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40