Tag Archive | love

Persistent Fruit

Love is genuine

There are those who set forth a pretense of love and yet their heart is absent. Others attempt to love, but their flesh nature of selfishness choke and block that love from flowing.

Genuine love is not pretentious nor stagnant, but flows from a heart that is pure.

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.” I Peter 1:22

Be assured that the fruit produced comes from the root of the tree. If the roots are not planted in good soil the tree will not produce good fruit.

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Come to your right mind, and sin no more. For some have no knowledge of God–.” I Corinthians 15:33-34

A perfectly good tree needs the right conditions to produce fruit.

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall are all seasons necessary to produce fruit–yes even Winter. I don’t rush the seasons and neither should you. Learn to produce lasting fruit by learning from the seasons.

Remain firmly planted.
Allow Me to prune.
Keep your chin up and keep looking to the Son.
Seasons will change.

Love will grow.

“Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.” James 5:7

Persistence bears fruit!

“For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned.” Hebrews 6:7-8

“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for noble use, some for ignoble. If any one purifies himself from what is ignoble, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work. So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.” II Timothy 2:22

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:23-25

“And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain upon tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end–it will not lie. If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Behold, he whose soul is not upright in him shall fail, but the righteous shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:2-4

“Though the fig tree do not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like hinds’ feet, he makes me tread upon my high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

“And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:15

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of his salvation.” Psalms 24:3-5

Measured Within

Nov2

The true measure of a man–his stature–is measured from within. The appearance may not always be true, to you, but I see within and therein are no lies.

I know fully the make-up of a man, for the part that you cannot see is the heart–the heart I see.

You judge appearances–how can that be?

How can you judge what you cannot see?

Yes, the fruit will tell–what falls from the tree. Yet, still you’ve no right to judge, for judgement is not for thee. Do you know where he’s been; what has happened before then? Do you know his dreams or failures from when?

When you know all that I know, then you shall judge.

Will that ever be?

No, you’d best leave him to me. That is My plea–

–just leave him to Me!

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 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?” Matthew 7:1-3

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord and one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. but grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Ephesians 4:4-7

“And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipment of the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 4:29-5:2

All You Need

Oct21

What would you say in your last breath–what would your last words be?

Jesus Saves.

“So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.'” John 10:7-11

What if all those around you in your dying moment are saved–what would be your words?

I Love You.

Well said, for that is why I came–that is My purpose on earth. I came that all would be saved. I came that all would be loved. Announce this to the world, for there is nothing greater in life–

“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

Salvation and Love,

you cannot separate the two; one builds the other.

Think about it.

I came for you!

“–just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28

“–every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:11-14

“–and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast our confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:21-25

“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 14:21

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Just a Moment

Oct9

You don’t know when you may touch another’s life; be it little or big, a moment or a lifetime; you may spend a moment and last a lifetime.

You’ll never know, you say. But, you will know–some day.

So spend the moment; invest it in another’s life, like it is the value of a lifetime–a lifeline. Seek to know, into the soul of one you may never know.

In a moment of a lifetime, it may just be the moment that changes their forever. You may be the key that unlocks their door to eternity.

You just may be key.

Will you do it for Me? Just a moment—

For Me

“And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’, as even some of your poets have said, “For we are indeed his offspring.'” Acts 17:26-28

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city.”” Acts 18:9-10

“‘I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.'” Isaiah 42:6-7

“Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one.” Colossians 4:5-6

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.” Romans 12:9-11

Greater Love

Oct5

Legends have come and legends have gone, but there is one thing that lasts a lifetime…Love.

You might not think that–given the current divorce rate, but the one factor that drives those to divorce is love–

for self.

Now, what are the two greatest commandments?

Love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength and with all thy mind.

And

Love thy neighbor as thy self.

If you would love others as much as you love yourself, you would be loving your God with all your heart. For only when a heart is turned toward God, does it love another with the love of God beyond themselves. And that kind of love, Agape Love, lasts a lifetime.

Legendary love?

It’s not a legend–it’s the Truth.

Love.

“And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.”” Luke 10:25-28

“But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your cloak do not withhold your coat as well. Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.” Luke 6:27-31

“We love, because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also.” I John 4:19-21

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. 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.” John 15:9-12

Step Lightly

Aug24

The path of light is sometimes rocky, but not so that you stumble.

It is in the light that you see clearly to make your way. There may be rocks, but you will see them, and know as in the day, what you’re dealing with–that you not slip.

“He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling.” I John 2:10

I teach, but do not tempt.

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” James 1:13-14

Many think that I give them tests, but I do not try to trip you and I AM here for you always. But I would rather that you see the rock and learn how not to fall. For this is part of your call–to learn to walk steady and tall–weathering it all.

Therefore, I do not remove the stumbling stones and I give you full rein to roam–allowing you to make choices–I wait and see. If you call this a test, then so let it be. But still, I’d much prefer that you come, follow Me.

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” I John 1:5-7

For in My light you’ll see clearly the path along the way.

We’ll step lightly around the rocks that would hinder your day.

Pass the test–pass it on by.

You’ll never know, until you try!

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” I Peter 4:12-13

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! by his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls.” I Peter 1:3-9

“I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered; and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. do not enter the path of the wicked and do not walk in the way of evil men.” Proverbs 4:11-14

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14

Just One Look

Aug21

Amazing Grace is given to the one who has lost his way. You are not reprimanded; you are gently led. You shall not meet a harsh response, as so many think and turn away for fear of the wrath to come.

No!

My Love is far deeper than superficial acceptance, it is everlasting.

“–the Lord appeared to him from afar. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3

Do you understand?

Unending Love

Lavish Love

It does not require an action, but that you believe to receive.

So you have wandered from the truth?

Return

“In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.” Isaiah 54:8

All I need is one look to capture your heart. For in that glance, you will see that you’ve captured Mine–for all eternity.

Just one look.

You’ll see–I truly love thee. Do you love Me? Just one look.

Look at Me!

I forgive.

“Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger for ever because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us, he will tread our iniquities under foot. Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10

“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

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalms 100:5

What’s It All About?

Aug7

Complacency lacks desire to further My Kingdom–in their heart or in the life they live. Much is lost when one becomes ‘settled’, contented to live out their days seeking nothing more than good friends and a days’ work–the simple pleasures of life. Life is teaming all around them, but they do not see for ‘life’ is all about me.

If it’s all about you, then what are you going to do when your life ends and you find that it was all about Me?

But you couldn’t see for you were complacent.

All about Me isn’t selfish you see, for I AM all about others; those all around you–you see, but you don’t ‘see’ for when you make it ‘all about me’ you simply don’t see those I place all around you who need ‘Me’.

Stop thinking about you and make it all about ‘Me’.

Which is others inside of Me, for I carry them all in My heart–as I carry you; for I AM all about you, but you just don’t ‘see’ for the complacency.

Do you see?

Stir up the gift that is within you and come along with Me!

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

“And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:14-18

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 5:25-6:2

“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.” John 15:12-13

“Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but a faithful man who can find? A righteous man who walks in his integrity–blessed are his sons after him!” Proverbs 20:6-7

A Brand New Life

Jul29

You have served Me well–I cannot complain. But still you lack; something is amiss. You hold your heart back, even from this…

A part of you, I cannot reach; a part of you, I cannot teach.

Your spirit I have won; your walk has begun, but you hold yourself in a safety zone; guarding, always guarding, not allowing it to roam–even for Me.

I want you to explore and enjoy your life, but you continue to follow the strife. You find it sticks to you like glue–it follows you.

This is My promise, you will shake free. I have not forgotten thee. But I insist that you dig, and call upon Me. I’ll not make it easy, for you ‘know‘ Me.

I AM your key–your answer to strife.

Everlasting love is yours.
Healing has been, from the foundation, and again I say–already yours.

Come a step higher–don’t hesitate to climb. I AM your maker and all you find–the Blessing of life is yours to keep; the fruits of the Spirit operate–even in your sleep.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.” Galatians 5:22-26

If you’ll just put an end to strife, you will have a brand new life!

I Promise!!

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion, and become partakers of the divine nature.

For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

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 1:3-11

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13-18

“Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is in vain that the scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit which he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace; therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.–

–Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” James 4:4-8a,10

“Do not grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the doors.” James 5:9

“But according to his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” II Peter 3:13-14

“For every one will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its saltness, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” Mark 9:49

Boarded Rooms

Jul3

There are ‘rooms’ in your heart that you’ve ‘boarded off’ even to Me.

No longer allowing anyone to see, you hide the trouble inside, but trouble doesn’t hide–it festers and thrives. Trouble, like wounds that have never been healed; times you’ve been hurt–you thought it was sealed, steal your joy, laughter and love.

Like cancer beneath the surface ‘not seen’ corrupts the body, so ‘chapters’ hidden in your life bring strife. For you are fighting giants in your soul and no one knows–no one but Me.

I would have spared you, agony, but you made choices apart from Me.

Choices that stole your love away–stole the sun from your sunny day. And you suffer still, another day, for hiding this all away.

You’ve boarded up places in your heart–that is where we must start, to make this heart new again.

Your heart–aches to be free. Give it to Me.

Simply ask.

Invite Me, to each room set apart.

Pull the boards down, open your heart…

to Me

I AM Love; I’ll enter in. No one will see, inside, but Me. I’ll heal the wounds, remove the debris–cast your cares all upon Me!

Just ask.

I AM ready, are you?

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalms 55:22

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalms 34:1-8

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10

“Blessed be the Lord! for he has heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

The Lord is the strength of his people, he is the saving refuge of his anointed. O save thy people, and bless thy heritage; be thou their shepherd, and carry them for ever.” Psalms 28:6-9