Good morning Saints!

What is love? God is love! (cf 1Jn 4:1)

Love is further explained in 1 Jn 4:10, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

"God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you.'" (Billy Graham)

What is lack of love? It’s the opposite of Christlikeness! It’s a love that’s mostly about me, myself, and I. Sadly, this produces ungodly fruit.

Mt 24:12
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…

Rom 12:9-10
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Let’s ask for forgiveness for loveless thinking and actions. Let’s ask to think like Jesus. If we do we will live a life of love!

Eph 5:1-2a
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love.

Good morning Saints!

Last September I had an MRI on my knee. It takes around 20 minutes and requires perfect stillness while the machine makes constant loud noises.
I used the time to pray, recite the books of the Bible and meditate on God things.

With the MRI banging along, the Spirit reemphasized the importance of forgiveness with this verse at the end of the Lord's prayer:

Mt 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Forgiving others and ourselves means we give the offense to God, asking for forgiveness and then refusing to bring it up again.

If brought up again, we say to ourselves and satan, "This is covered by the Blood of Jesus. Your power over me is defeated." Then ask for God's blessings on all parties, including yourself.

Come Holy Spirit!
Fill us with your Presence!
Fill us with love, joy, and peace.

Good morning Saints!

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is an incredible, wonderful, and essential gift from God. So how are we filled? We simply ask!

Lk 11:13
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

However, it’s important to make room for the Holy Spirit. We must get rid of the clutter so the Spirit can take control.

Eph 4:30-31
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Each morning let’s ask the Holy Spirit to do a “right of search” by letting Him search all areas of our lives that are displeasing to Him. Let’s repent and ask forgiveness for us and others who have hurt us. Let’s make room for Him (cf Eph 4:32).

Eph 5:1
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love.

Good morning Saints!

I love backyard fires in the fall. I love the warmth, beauty and good times of fellowship they can bring.

But lighting a fire can be challenging if the kindling is scarce and the wood a little wet. The solution is to fan the flames and soon the fire is roaring!

Our spiritual gifts sometimes need fanning so we can use them to love and help others. Paul instructs his disciple Timothy to do just that.

2 Tim 1:6
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Paul wants Timothy to develop his gifts, just as one would fan a fire to make it grow stronger and brighter. Paul advises Timothy to exercise and utilize the gifts God has given him, thus empowering him to fulfill his purpose and serve others.

This will encourage us to use our gifts and allow them to shine brightly in the world.

Are we actively and intentionally using our gifts? If not, let’s fan them into flames today!

Good morning Saints!

As the signs for the return Jesus become evident around us, we know there will be a time of great distress before He comes.

Mt 24:21-22
For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now–and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

Jude explains that in the last times there will be folks who not only reject God’s word but ridicule those who do believe.

Jude 1:18-19
In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

Now more than ever we must be ready to share the Good News and be ready to defend the hope we have in Jesus. Jesus is coming soon!

1 Pt 3:15b
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Good morning Saints!

God has great plans for us.

Jer 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

However, for His great plans to be realized, we must pass tests to be qualified.

Lk 4:1-2a
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.

He was tempted and overcame after He didn’t eat for forty days and forty nights. Jesus was tempted to doubt the goodness of God, His provision, and His perfect ways.

Luke 4:14
(Afterward) Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

We must pass tests to fulfill our purpose. We must learn to love God and people before anything.

Lk 9:23
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Let’s be led by the Spirit and choose wisely!

Good morning Saints!

Testing is good! It’s a way to confirm we are on the right track. Testing our faith gives us insight into our love for Jesus.

2 Cor 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?

God tests the sincerity of our walk with Jesus through trials. The purpose of the test or trial is to understand our progress. Is Jesus our first love? Or do other people or things compete for this required condition?

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Let’s pass the test of loving God with all our heart. Let’s pass the test of making disciples. Let’s pass the test of Jesus being our first love. Let’s embrace trials to prove our love for God and others.

James 1:2a
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials.

Good morning Saints!

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (cf Lk 19:10).

On Sunday Kathy and I were blessed by OCF with a picture of a man passionately running to rescue a lost lamb. Metaphorically, this represents Jesus seeking the lost to save them from certain danger. That danger is an unbelieving and sinful life and it is certain death.

Jn 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Jesus further illustrates this truth with the parable of the lost sheep.

Lk 15:4
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

Let’s ask for the heart of God. Let’s make plans to seek the lost at any cost.

Each and every person matters, and heaven rejoices over every soul that is rescued from sin. Let's be like Jesus and seek and save the lost!

Challenge yourself to share the good news with someone today. Then, comment below how it goes!

Good morning Saints!

I’ve watched Kathy give birth twice. It’s physically and emotionally intense. Without epidurals and other pain relief, it’s extremely painful. The mother goes through waves of contractions and extreme pushing to birth the baby.

Paul writes that making disciples is similar.

Gal 4:19
My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you….

Making disciples involves pain. There are times of intense prayer and sleeplessness.

There are times of great joy and satisfaction. Like labor contractions, there are waves of disappointment along with anticipation of new life.

Yet there is so much love that we’d do it again because we are loving God and loving people. We see the Savior’s smile of pride and joy. We hear Him say, “Well done!”

Zeph 3:17
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Let’s make disciples!

Good morning, Saints!

The Bible teaches us that we must be faithful since we have been entrusted with sharing the Good News.

1 Cor 4:2
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

What does it mean to be faithful? It means “steadfast in affection or allegiance, firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty.” It embodies commitment to someone for the long haul.

When we are faithful to the trust given us, our Master commends and rewards us.

Mt 25:21
His master replied, ’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

God Himself is faithful and we will emulate Jesus as we remain in fellowship with Him.

1 Cor 1:9
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Let’s be known as people God and others can trust. Let’s hear on the day we give account to Jesus, “Well done!”

Good morning Saints!

We are encouraged to run to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Pr 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Isa 40:31
…but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Mk 10:49b-50
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

As we run from sin, let’s run to Jesus!

1 Cor 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

1 Tim 6:10b-11
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance & gentleness.

Sin is anything Jesus wouldn’t do so let’s run to Jesus and live!

Good morning Saints!

Often as believers we think unbelievers should act like they know Christ. The problem is they can’t because their hearts haven’t been transformed by the Spirit.

1 Cor 2:14
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

That’s why we bring the Good News of Jesus with the Spirit’s help and with respect.

1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…

Let’s continually make the most of our opportunities to make Jesus look good. Being led by the Spirit, let’s help all we encounter to understand God’s amazing love and His good plans for them.

Col 4:6
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Good morning Saints!

Let’s focus on perseverance. Perseverance keeps going forward despite challenges, obstacles, or discouragement. It’s that “no quit” attitude that keeps us going when the going gets tough because we love people more than our mortal life.

Jm 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James wants us to view trials as opportunities for growth. Instead of being discouraged by difficult circumstances, James urges us to consider trials a reason for joy.

To look at trials as joy and mature spiritually, let’s love God and people before thinking of ourselves. Let’s grow stronger as fellow disciples need us.

Rom 5:3-4
…but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.