Tag: Love

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Rock-Solid

DECEMBER 9

MATTHEW 7:24_which built his house upon a rock.

Previously we discussed the importance of a solid foundation. Any builder will agree the foundation makes or breaks the house. Being a stonemason, Jesus understands the strength of rock. Rock-solid, refers to something completely secure, built to last, totally dependable. Jesus says to hear, act, and become wise, gives life a rock-solid foundation. 

Perhaps we shouldn’t have favorites among the disciples, but mine have always been Peter and John. I’ve heard so many Bible teachers joke about Peter always blurting out and talking over all the other disciples. I see all his blurts as zealous passion for Jesus. I see devoted love—something he just couldn’t keep inside.

Peter’s name was Simon. Jesus changed it to Peter, which means rock. I believe Jesus saw the solidness in Peter’s love for Him long before anyone else saw it.

Matthew 16:18 (KJV) says, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [Peter’s life] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  

Be like Peter and build your life on solid rock!

PRAYER

Rock of My Salvation, When I build my life on Your teachings I’m rock-solid. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.          

Christ’s principles are rock-solid—I want them!

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At the End of the Day

DECEMBER 4

MATTHEW 7:23_ye that work iniquity.

The word iniquity can be translated as lawlessness.

We could study all six hundred plus laws – they eventually would fit into one set.

 Matthew 22:36-40 (KJV), “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Galatians 5:13-14 (KJV) “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  

When it’s all said and done … at the end of the day, life boils down to whether we loved God and His people. If we lived life contrary to that—we are workers of iniquity. Jesus not only will not know us but ask us to leave His presence.

When we stand before the Day of Judgment we want to rejoice in God’s incomparable mercy—we want to remain in His presence, to live in the kingdom of heaven and continue to love God and His people.

We want to praise our friend Jesus who made the way.

PRAYER

Good Shepherd, Praise You that I can live with You forever! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.             

Christ made the way to live forever in Heaven—I will!

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Point of No Return

DECEMBER 3

MATTHEW 7:23_will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me…

I can think of nothing sadder than to have the ultimate source of love and compassion, Jesus, say He does not know me. The One who has loved me from my birth! And now I stand before Him at my death and my name is not recorded in His Book of Life!

I may face a lot of hardships, pain, and struggles in life, but glory to God, I will never hear those words spoken to me! And neither will any of you who completed the August 29th Salvation Post in this blog. Don’t for a minute let the devil deceive you into believing otherwise. This verse is not for you.

There comes a time when rescue is no longer an option—a point of no return. That day comes when Jesus opens the Book of Life and does not find your name. The names in the Book of Life are the names of the saved—whose hearts were opened to the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

I wish Jesus had not used the word many in this teaching—but He did. There are going to be some surprises on Judgment Day because Jesus sees through sheep’s clothing.

You don’t have to be one who is surprised.

Get your name in the Book!   

PRAYER

Messiah, Praise You that Your blood wrote my name in the Book! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.          

Christ writes my name in the Book—With His blood!

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Absolutely Not!

NOVEMBER 26

MATTHEW 7:21_but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

To do God’s will is how to enter into heaven. I see you squirming … but hold on. Does this contradict what has already been settled—the only path to heaven is through the shed blood of Jesus? Absolutely not! Jesus is not teaching the way to heaven is through good works.

God’s will is that you accept Jesus as Savior, serve Him as Lord, and love His people. This is the will of your Father which is in heaven. Good works will be a natural byproduct. 

We will be judged by our works:    

Romans 2:5-6 (KJV), “… and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds.”

II Corinthians 5:10 (KJV), “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”                                                                                                      

Revelation 20:12 (KJV), “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books,  according to their works.”

If our good works are not a natural byproduct of a saving relationship with Jesus, then they are not good works.                  

PRAYER

Prince of Peace, If I ever do anything good—it comes from You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                                    

Christ will judge works—Only He makes mine good!

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What Jesus Wants

NOVEMBER 22

MATTHEW 7:21_Not everyone…

Jesus gave Himself for everyone.

His teachings are for everyone.

He wants everyone to live free.

He wants everyone to have wisdom which comes from the Bible.

He wants everyone to seek and find understanding and knowledge.

He wants everyone to abide in His love.

And He wants everyone to share His love through their own heart—with each other.  

Jesus’ inclusiveness shows up again – everyone.  You want to be a part of His everyone. However, there are times when Jesus blind sides with reality. You would just as soon pass over some of these realities, because in reality, you only want life to be about love, joy, and peace.

I Corinthians 2:13-14 (KJV), “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

 To avoid the hard spiritual realities of life—is a foolish mistake!

PRAYER

Only Mighty God,Please give me spiritual discernment to know the truth. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                                      

Christ’s spiritual discernments are realities—Teach me!