Do you love me?

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

Jesus also said "If you love me, obey my commandments. ..."the new covenant is based on our love for Jesus... loving him because he first loved us. The more we know and understand the depth of God's love for us, the more we are able to love him in return. So think about all the things God has done for you, all the things He has forgiven you of and all the times He has comforted you and given you strength to carry on in times of struggle. Jesus didn't say "if you obey my commands", He didn't say "if you go to church" He didn't say "if you read your bible" Jesus said, "IF YOU LOVE ME" God wants your love for Him to be in the things you do. So obey God's laws...because you love Him, Go to church... because you love Him, read your bible...becuse you love Him. Everything acceptable to the Lord comes from a love for Him, not in doing something because you have to. What was it Jesus wanted Simon (Peter) to do, because he loved Him? He wanted him to take care of His sheep, and the best way to care for someone is to love them! 

You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

~ Psalms 77:14 ~

Sometimes God allows us to go through things to demonstrate His glory and power. Through miracles the world witnesses God's glory when He delivers and heals us. But other times it is in people standing strong in faith during their struggle that speaks to people. Whatever your going through, stand strong in your faith while waiting and praying for healing as both your faith and your heailng may lead people to Christ.



Be Alert

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. ~ 1 Peter 5:8-9 ~

Often when we're not paying attention the enemy will sneak up on us and use situations in our lives to lead us into doubting God. When we start to doubt, fear creeps in, and then disbelief, and eventually disobedience and a hardening of the heart that leads to death. The Word says in Romans 8:28  "...we know that God works all things together for good to those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose." Whatever your facing in your life whether it be financial, pain, sickness, broken relationship, or anything else, do not let then enemy devour you, be on your guard against doubt, fear, and disbelief. Trust the Word of God, stand firm in the faith you have in Christ Jesus, and find strength in knowing you are not alone.

Wisdom will lift you up

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding

~ Proverbs 3:13 ~

Blessed is the man who "finds" wisdom. This implies you must seek it out. Wisdom will not simply fall into your lap, but if you ask for it, and diligently seek it out, God says He gives to all who ask.

The Sinful Mind

 The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

~ Romans 8:7 ~

He does not say that it is impossible for a wicked man to become good, but that it cannot be done while he retains a sinful mind. He must be converted first. Romans 5:8 tells us "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" If we repent and believe, not by our efforts, but by the grace of God, and by the blood of Jesus, we are saved from a life of sin & given eternal salvation.

Life and Peace

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace

 ~ Romans 8:6 ~

 Believers may be disciplined by the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By Christ through faith, they are saved. Do you as a lifestyle choose the flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? For which of these do you give permission, by which are you controlled?  2 Corinthians 13:5 gives us instructions concerning this matter "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?

It is by grace through Christ and Christ alone that we are saved and not by good deeds, the evidence that you are saved is that what is inside your heart will come out in your actions and your words as you are led by the Holy Spirit, as the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

Repentance vs. Feeling Bad

 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

~ Matthew 3:8 ~

There is nothing beneficial in feeling sorry for your sins but continuing in them. Repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward God. When you confess your sins and turn from them, God will enable you, give you strength, courage and wisdom, and from this will come many good and godly things. So don't just feel sorry, produce fruit in keeping with repentance.