Suffering:  Truth or Lie

 

There is a great desire, by many of us Christians, that suffering should not be a part of a Christian’s life. However, suffering never goes away. In one form or another, we are suffering. We must understand the purpose of suffering.

     If we don’t understand why Christians suffer, God’s enemy and ours will use it to tear us away from God’s presence and purpose. The very thing (suffering) that is meant for our good will become the reason we curse our loving God! May the Lord have mercy on us and give us eyes to see and a heart to receive the truth.

     All love is lost if we cannot accept suffering as something from the hand of God. We become bitter, self-centered, impatient, without compassion for others, and unwilling to hear the speaking of God in our lives.

     The very bedrock and foundation of our salvation is to turn away from and repent of the sins in our life that we have loved. To do so is a type and level of suffering. By God’s mercy and grace, He opens our eyes and heart to respond to His loving call. With love and gratitude we turn to our Savior Lord and believe.

     With frustration and rage Satan sets out to stunt our spiritual growth, spoil our joy, and even turn us against our heavenly Father’s loving and guiding hand. By various means, we are told The Lie: “God doesn’t want us to suffer. If God loved us, He would bless us and give us everything we ask for in Jesus name.”

     Oh, the countless number of Christians who have lived a life of spiritual poverty because of this lie!

      We are called to share in the sufferings of Christ; suffering. We are asked to take up our own cross daily; suffering. We are told that Christian love bears one another’s burdens; suffering. We are supposed to forgive and love; suffering. Even our salvation is not just a one-time happening; it’s every day. Daily our loving Lord is calling for us to turn away from our old fallen nature; suffering. As we grow spiritually, day by day, the Lord reveals new layers of our fallen nature that needs to be placed on the cross; suffering. All of these are sufferings; a dying of what and who we are in the fallen nature. The more we fight accepting these sufferings, the more we suffer.

      But when we choose to go along with the Lord’s life in us, what are the results? Peace! Joy! Love! Eternal rewards which no one can take away from us! We grow spiritually strong. We learn that all things can be used to gain more of Christ’s life; to draw closer to His presence. We can love again because we are in harmony with the Lord Jesus Christ who is living in us. God’s love in us can be expressed in and through our suffering. Because of Love, we learn to die (suffering) for the salvation of others. This is who our Jesus is. He suffered for us and He is now suffering through us for our maturity and for the love of others.

     The Truth is in Christ. Oh, how the Father and Son suffered for our sakes. Now we are called to suffer for their sakes; to build up the Body of Christ in sacrificial love. In this way, their prayer (John 17) for our loving oneness and unity will be answered! The Father, Son and Spirit will rejoice in us because we have chosen to love them and one another. Yes, through suffering comes peace, joy, and love. This is the fulfillment of God’s heart’s desire.

Romans 8:16-18     1Corinthians 12:25-26      2Corinthians 1:7     Philippians 1:29; 3:10     2Thessalonians 1:5     Hebrews 2:10

1Peter 2:21; 3:14, 17; 4:12-13, 19; 5:8-10

 

 

 

 

Plural in Practice

 

     God has made us part of a plural, whether we know it or not. As a child of God, as a follower of Jesus, each one of us is part of a plural, a family, a community. For the accomplishment of God’s purpose, we are not an individual follower of Jesus, complete within ourselves. There is no overcoming or survival as an individual believer.

     From the moment we were born of God’s life, we were plural; in a family, a part of a body. We became a part of a whole; a member of a living body – the Body of Christ. This truth is not just for us to know. God, our Father, has never desired for us to just know we are members of Christ’s body.

     Can any part of the human body exist if not connected to the body? A dismembered limb dies. And even the body can “feel” the missing member but is unable to replace its function. Can any family member feel normal when not intimately associated with all members of the family? One of the greatest sources of pain and dysfunction in the human race is the result of dismembered families.

     It’s no different in the spiritual realm. For centuries, the body of Christ has survived under the condition of dismemberment. Not only have the members of Christ’s body been divided within the same geographical localities, but even within same groups of believers there lacks a close intimacy of practical expressions of love.

     Without a strong connection between members, there is a lack of the supply of spiritual life and love. And with the lack of life and love there is dissatisfaction, doubts, fears, weakness, etc. The shocking truth is that this can be happening in the middle of the highest, deepest, and most motivated teachings about God’s love and our need to love one another (1Corinthians 4:15). This is not God’s desire or God’s way. God wants the actual practice of loving support and supply between the members of Christ’s body.

     For such a life to exist, we must first and foremost have a personal loving relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. A loving relationship with our Lord automatically gives us a hunger and desire to be connected with our family and body members. True love is the driving force that results in action and expression.

Oh, pray that the Spirit of Love will fill our hearts to overflowing for God’s satisfaction and fulfillment of His eternal purpose.

     Through the work of the Father and Son, we are in them and one with them. But Jesus’ prayer went further; the Father and Son wants us to be one in practice – to the point the unsaved world has to acknowledge God’s love working in us (John 17).

     We are plural, whether we accept it or not. The Spirit of Love is calling all who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The Spirit’s call is clear and strong but is not forced. Only those who are wise will respond to the Spirit’s call. Only those who admit their hunger and thirst to live up to God’s will are going to gain the reward for answering His call, for loving Him more than themselves.

     Cry out to God, dear brothers and sisters. Simply ask Him to fill you with His love. God will not force Himself on us. He desires and responds to willing lovers. If we will do this, He will fill us with His love and we will begin to seek out the members of Christ’s body, our family members, who are physically closest to us. The Spirit of Love will give us the way to care for, support, and love one another. The testimony of our loving unity and oneness will sweep across the world for the world to see and marvel. Jesus will return for a people who are practicing love for one another and uncompromising love for Him.

 

Repentance

 

Repentance – a big word, a foreboding word. When our heart is convicted of a sin, a simple, “I’m sorry, Lord,” takes care of that big foreboding word.

     “Oh Lord, I’m sorry. I need to depend more on Your life in me to not do what tarnishes Your expression on earth.”

     Except for rejecting God’s salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, there is no sin that is unforgivable by God. Said another way; all sins are forgivable by God, except for the sin of rejecting faith in Jesus Christ. God knows. He knows each one of our hearts. He knows how sincere we really are.

     “I’m sorry, Lord.” That simple, child-like sentence, spoken to our Lord with a broken heart of sincerity, melts His heart. The Spirit of Life and Love is poured forth from God’s heart into our hearts. Sin, guilt and fears are washed away in a river of God’s love; in His eyes, we are whiter than snow, pure, clean and sinless. Amazing! Wonderful! Glorious! This drives our Accuser, God’s enemy, the Devil, crazy.

     Satan wants us to live in guilt and defeat – deceived and blinded to the truth. A simple, heart-felt and sincere, “I’m sorry, Lord,” defeats the Devil with all his lies. “Lord Jesus, I’m sorry,” puts Satan on the Lord’s cross where he belongs – defeated.

     “I’m sorry, Lord. Thank You for Your forgiveness.” Never, never forget to say, “Thank you,” to our gracious Savior and God. We are weak and fragile little children. But we are God’s little children. And God’s children are always forgiven and have the privilege to live in a state of forgiveness 24/7. This is God’s gift to us.

     Our part – is simply to ask; confess, repent, say “I’m sorry,” turn to Christ’s life in our spirit for His strength, His life, instead of our old fallen life. God no longer dwells in temples made of wood and stone. God now lives in His people, His children, His followers (1Corinthians 3:16) – those who seek to know Him and His will. God wants to live richly and abundantly in those who want to do His will.

     What is God’s will?

     A few hours before Jesus was crucified, He prayed openly to His Father expressing the triune God’s will for us (John 17); verse 21 says, “that they all may be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” And just to make sure His followers understood how important this was to Him and the Father, Jesus prayed it again in verse 23: “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

     Why did God come to earth as the Son of Man? Actually, we may as well just ask, why did God create? For both questions, the answer is found in verses 21 and 23 of John 17. The answer: that His followers would be one, because they are all dwelling in the Son and in the Father.

     “One” means we are hanging out with each other and loving one another to such a degree that the world has to admit God sent Jesus to love through us. Why would the world say such a thing? Because the love we have for each other exceeds all earthly love. Our love, which is Jesus’ Spirit of Love in us, is out of this world, from another realm.

     Dear followers of Jesus, this is our greatest sin. For our own convenience and comfort, we have allowed God’s enemy to divide and keep us separated from each other. All our Bibles say the same thing; Jesus and the Father want us to be visibly one; God is love; Jesus is our new life. We stand naked, covered with fig leaves. We have no excuse for not practicing our loving oneness.

     We all know how patient God is with us. It’s not that He looks the other way. God is merciful and graciously forgiving. Even when we don’t say, “I’m sorry, Lord,” God doesn’t forsake us. However, whether we realize it or not, we hinder our relationship with God and lose His presence when we don’t repent. We are His, but on our terms … we think.  Not staying in touch with God’s will does have its disadvantages; check out the parable of the ten virgins (Christians) in Matthew 25:1-13. And if that parable doesn’t “speak” to you, try Matthew 7:21-23; can you imagine being admonished by the Lord after you’ve spent your entire Christian life doing all kinds of works, casting out demons, and speaking for the Lord … in His name?!

   It’s time. God is ready. He is pouring out His Spirit of Love to empower all those who are willing to say, “I’m sorry, Lord.” “Lord Jesus, I’m sorry for filling my life with so many things that keep me from taking time to seek out and love and care for all Your followers that are all around me. I’m sorry for not letting Your love touch all those that I will spend eternity with worshipping and loving You. I’m sorry, Lord. Change me, grow in me, I submit to Your life in me. I want to know Your will and do it. Help me to know Your voice, your speaking in me. Fill me with Your love. Use me for Your glory. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for giving me this chance to answer Your prayer.

 

 

Be Perfect

 

     Be perfect?! Are you kidding me!

     It has to be said very simply; there is only one perfect man and that man is the Son of Man, Jesus Christ.

     The expectation and requirement that we be perfect is only accomplished by the Spirit of Christ (1Corinthians 15:45) being allowed to rule and reign in our being. God has given us the ability, the strength, the desire, the life and love to step aside and let the Perfect Man live through us. This is the gift God has given us when we first believed; the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

     It is with Jesus’ life and love that we live a perfect life – The Perfect Life. With the Life and Love of God, we love God and live a perfect life. Christ in us is The Fulfiller of God’s character.

   This is why Jesus could teach the highest requirements of following Him as recorded in Matthew chapters 5 – 7. These chapters portray such a high moral and ethical way of life making it impossible for any person to do. But the Triune God had previously planned a way for their children, the body of Christ, to live such a perfect life; they would do it for them! This is our call, our privilege, our purpose – to let Christ live through us for the building up and maturing of His Body to the glory of God on the earth – NOW!

     Let us not fear, for fear flees with love. Let us allow ourselves to put our faith and trust in Christ and love Him with all of our heart.

     Here, we must not be too naïve. With love comes sacrifice; the sacrifice of our way, our will, and our wants.

     Early in our walk with God, we are children – young and immature in spiritual ways. Just like in human family life, children cannot always get their way. For their own sake they must learn the will of their parents. For the health and safety of their lives, children need to conform to the will of their parents.

     It’s nearly the same, when we become God’s children. The only difference, and it’s a wonderful difference, is that we now have God’s perfect Life living in us. With our parents, we only inherit their fallen human nature. But now, with Christ’s life in us, we have the perfect life of God in us. This perfect life, when given the permission, over-powers the fallen natural life. We must learn to give up our old fallen nature to be pleasing to God. As we learn and grow spiritually, His will becomes our delight. Peace and joy fills our heart as we walk in the will of God.

     Like all children, even spiritual children do bad things or things they shouldn’t do – we sin. But now, in the spiritual realm, we have the blood of Christ that has washed away all our sins – past, present and future. As we acknowledge our sin, the Father sees us as perfect in His Son. Even though our sin has consequences, the Father’s love never rejects or disowns us as His children.

     So, as we grow, our Father, who loves us unconditionally, always sees the finished mature child in the family of God. It is only in the family that we find our place in God’s plan. Our perfection in God’s eyes is as a member in the body of Christ – not in talk but in action. There is no place in God’s creation or in His purpose for an individual, lone-wolf Christian who lives only for self.

     For the strong fallen nature of mankind, there is only the cross of Christ – sacrifice. As we accept the fact that our old fallen nature has already been crucified and is dead in Christ on His cross, we are able to allow Christ’s life in us to come forth more and more to His glory.

     So, with humility and thanksgiving, let us accept our on-going forgiveness and love of the Father as He sees us perfect in His Son. Let us give our hearts to Him to grow normally as children do – by leaps and bounds!

 

 

The Least

 

     (Matthew 25:40) And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers or sisters, you did it to me.’

     Whether you feel like one of the least or you view certain others as the least, the least is Jesus! Yes, both you and the least are viewed by God, the King, as Jesus. No wonder Matthew 11:11 points out that the least of us, who have Christ living in us, are greater than John the Baptist.

     Any believer, a brother or sister in God’s family, who has Christ’s life living in them, when treated poorly, becomes a direct offense to Christ himself. Do it to the least, do it to Jesus.

     Scriptures acknowledge there really are the least or less brothers and sisters. This does not mean they are of lower worth. The Lord’s meaning of least or less is: not as spiritually mature; Christ’s life in them is not demonstrated or practiced at a mature level.

     We should not be fooled by believers who have a great amount of knowledge yet live a very self-centered and unloving lifestyle. These believers are young in spiritual maturity, regardless of their knowledge. They have less of Christ’s life formed in their humanity. They are among the least in the family of God, just like young children in a family. Again, it is not a matter of differing worth but rather a matter of maturity. It is not a matter of God loving them less than any others. All of God’s children are of supreme worth to Him, but all of us start out as immature babies.

     So, to avoid and despise the least less mature brothers and sisters is to avoid and despise their portion of Christ that lives in them. Just as in a healthy family life, rather than hating or despising the little children, we are called to love and feed them so they grow and mature. Again, to not love and embrace the least is to not love and embrace Jesus himself.

     In truth, if we consistently demonstrate such distain for the least, it simply exposes our own maturity level as being the least or less ourselves. As we become more mature in Christ’s life, we are able to become loving and caring parents to the young believers. It is a wonderful blessing to have been placed in the family of God by the Father himself. Growing up and parenting is not always easy, but it is so very rewarding!

     To the outside world, the unsaved, our love for one another should appear to be without preference toward one another, because the appearance should be the truth. This love shown to each person is the result of our willingness to be moved and used by God’s Spirit of Love.

     From the least to the greatest, God loves and treasures each one of us. From the least to the greatest, Christ in us is what qualifies us as honored members of Christ’s body.

     Whether we are great or least, may we realize our need to supply each other with our portion of the Spirit of Love. Only in this way will God’s desire and purpose be accomplished; our loving oneness will shine forth in a world full of self-centered, hateful chaos.

 

 

WE are on THEIR Heart

 

     Consider for a moment how much the triune God loves and cares for us. In Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John chapter 17, we are constantly mentioned. If it were a conversation between two men on earth, it could easily be said there was an abnormal obsession of love being expressed.

     Here, in John chapter 17, the desire for relationship between us, the Triune God’s followers, and the triune God, is expressed in nearly every sentence of the twenty-six verses. Oh, how much God, the Son, and the Spirit desire our union with them as an undivided Body. How blessed we are to be so desired by our Creator-God. Such love is truly out of this world. Yet God has made it possible for us to experience His love in this world, now.

     The Triune God does not want us to have to wait to experience and enjoy their love.  God’s will and Jesus’ prayer is that we would know and practice their love – NOW!

     Read and marvel. Read and cherish. Read and worship. Read and glory. Read and weep for joy. Read and love. Read and commit. Read and become.

JOHN 17 (expanded)

John 17:1 [glory to the Father and Son] These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you (the Father):

John 17:2 [God sharing His life with us and us being given to Jesus] As you (Father) have given him (Jesus) power over all flesh that he (Jesus) should give eternal life to as many(Jesus’ followers) as you (Father) have given him (Jesus).

John 17:3 [we are given the privilege to know God and Jesus] And this is life eternal, that they (Jesus’ followers) might know you (the Father) the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you (the Father) have sent.

John 17:4 [Jesus glorifying the Father] I (Jesus) have glorified you (the Father) on the earth: I (Jesus) have finished the work which you (Father) gave me to do.

John 17:5 [glory to the Son/Jesus] And now, O Father, you glorify me (Jesus) with

your own self (the Father) with the glory which I (Jesus) had with you (the Father) before the world was.

John 17:6 [Jesus’ followers are chosen and separated from the world to know God and keep His word] I (Jesus) have manifested your name (God the Father) to the men (the followers of Jesus) which you (Father) gave me (Jesus) out of the world; and they (Jesus’ followers) have kept your (the Father’s) word.

John 17:7 [we believe and trust God’s will] Now they (Jesus’ followers) have known that all things whatsoever you (Father) have given me (Jesus) are from you (the Father).

John 17:8 [Jesus speaks to us the words God speaks to Him and we believe] For I (Jesus) have given to them (Jesus’ followers) the words which you (Father) gave to me (the Son); and they (Jesus’ followers) have received them, and have known surely that I (Jesus) came out from you (the Father), and they (Jesus’ followers) have believed that you (the Father) did send me (Jesus).

John 17:9 [we belong to God and Jesus prays for us, His followers] I (Jesus) pray for them (Jesus’ followers): I pray not for the world, but for them (Jesus’ followers) which you (Father) have given to me (Jesus); for they (Jesus’ followers) are yours (the Father’s).

John 17:10 [we glorify Jesus and belong to Him and the Father] And all mine (Jesus’ followers) are yours (the Father’s); and yours (the Father’s) are mine (Jesus’); and I (Jesus) am glorified in them (Jesus’ followers).

John 17:11 [Jesus left us to be in the world] And now I (Jesus) am no more in the world, but these (Jesus followers) are in the world, and I (Jesus) come to you (Father).

John17:12 [as a fulfillment of scripture, we are kept in the Father’s name by Jesus; never to be lost] While I (Jesus) was with them (Jesus’ followers) in the world, I (Jesus) kept them (Jesus’ followers) in your (the Father’s) name: those (Jesus’ followers) that you (the Father) gave me I (Jesus) have kept, and none of them (Jesus’ followers) is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

John 17:13 [Jesus’ joy is manifested in us by His speaking truth to us] And now I (Jesus) come to you (the Father); and these things I (Jesus) speak in the world, that they (Jesus’ followers) might have my (Jesus’) joy fulfilled in themselves (Jesus’ followers).

John 17:14 [Jesus speaking to us the Father’s word separates us from the world] I (Jesus) have given them (Jesus’ followers) your (the Father’s) word; and the world has hated them (Jesus’ followers), because they (Jesus’ followers) are not of the world, even as I (Jesus) am not of the world.

John 17:15 [Jesus’ prays that the Father keep us in the world but kept from the evil one] I (Jesus) pray not that you (Father) should take them (Jesus’ followers) out of the world, but that you (Father) should keep them (Jesus’ followers) from the evil one.

John 17:16 [like Jesus, His followers are not of this world] They (Jesus’ followers) are not of the world, even as I (Jesus) am not of the world.

John 17:17 [we are separated from the world by the revealing of God in the word] Sanctify them (Jesus’ followers) through your (God’s) truth: your (God’s) word is truth.

John 17:18 [as God sent Jesus into the world, Jesus sends us into the world] As you (Father) have sent me (Jesus) into the world, even so have I (Jesus) also sent them (Jesus’ followers) into the world.

John 17:19 [for our sakes Jesus lived the Father’s will so we could do the same by His life] And for their sakes I (Jesus) sanctify myself, that they (Jesus’ followers) also might be sanctified through the truth.

John 17:20 [Jesus prays for all His future followers who will believe by our words] Neither pray I (Jesus) for these (Jesus’ current followers) alone, but for them (Jesus’ future followers) also which shall believe on me (Jesus) through their (Jesus’ current followers) word;

John 17:21 [right NOW, God’s will and purpose is our destiny; which is, to the world, an undeniable witness of loving ONENESS between the followers of Jesus] That they (Jesus’ followers) may be one; as you, Father, are in me (Jesus), and I (Jesus) in you (the Father), that they (Jesus’ followers) also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you (Father) have sent me (Jesus).

John 17:22 [the glory of the Father and Son’s ONENESS is given to us (Jesus’ followers) for our ONENESS in Them] And the glory which you (Father) gave me (Jesus) I (Jesus) have given them (Jesus’ followers); that they (Jesus’ followers) may be one, even as we (the Father and Jesus) are one;

John 17:23 [our ONENESS in Christ + Christ’s ONENESS in the Father = our perfect ONENESS, for the world’s undeniable witness of man and God’s mutual LOVE for one another] I (Jesus) in them (Jesus’ followers), and you (Father) in me (Jesus), that they (Jesus’ followers) may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that you (Father) have sent me (Jesus), and have loved them(Jesus’ followers), as you(Father) have loved me (Jesus).

John 17:24 [Jesus asks the Father that we be with them to witness the glory of LOVE they have shared together since before the world was] Father, I (Jesus) will that they (Jesus’ followers) also, whom you(Father) have given me (Jesus), be with me (Jesus) where I am: that they (Jesus’ followers) may behold my (Jesus’) glory, which you (Father) have given me (Jesus): for you (Father) loved me (Jesus) before the foundation of the world.

John 17:25 [in God’s righteousness, we’ve been plucked out of the world and given to Jesus to know Them] O righteous Father, the world has not known you: but I (Jesus) have known you (the Father), and these (Jesus’ followers) have known that you (the Father) have sent me (Jesus).

John 17:26 [by knowing the Father and Son we have eternally become ONE within their LOVE relationship] And I (Jesus) have declared to them (Jesus’ followers) your (the Father’s) name, and will [continue to] declare it: that the love wherewith you (Father) have loved me (Jesus) may be in them (Jesus’ followers), and I (Jesus) in them (Jesus’ followers).

     Dear followers of Jesus, take to heart the extent to which the Father and Son love us. Out of a fallen world of humanity, of which we were a part, God chose to give us to His Son. Jesus has given us His life and love. He now continues to reveal the ONENESS of LOVE we share in the Godhead and should have for one another. If we are Jesus’ followers, in fact, in truth, and in reality, we are ONE in Them and ONE with one another. This is the Father and Son’s view. This is Their heart. This is the purpose for our faith in Christ. ONENESS IN LOVE FOR THE FATHER AND SON = ONENESS IN LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

     Answer the call of the Spirit of Love: seek one another out and become the answer to Jesus’ prayer. Let LOVE rule. GOD IS LOVE.

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s Face It: We Are One Church

 

     Let’s face it, God’s truth be known, there is only one church that has ever existed on this earth. God only sees one church and one body of His followers. All the people our Father has given to the Son throughout time are members of the same Church and Body of Christ regardless of the manmade names we have called ourselves. We are members one of another – Christ’s life demands it.

     This “demand” is not a duty, requirement, law or command; it is a matter of life – organic life – God’s life. Just as each finger and toe are parts of our whole body, so are we directly connected into the whole body of Jesus’ followers.

     Our bibles teach us Christ is the Head of the church. Which church? According to the bible, the church is His body. Which body? According to our bible, it’s the one body that God sees and supplies the Spirit of Life to. How many bodies does one head supply life to? One head supplies life for one body. Are there many bodies? If so, there would need to be many christs, many heads. We all know there is only one Christ. Therefore, there is only one body. And any of us who believe in Christ as our Savior, we are members of that one body – one church.

     And where are all these members? We are scattered everywhere. However, spiritually, we truly are one body, members of each other. But God is very down to earth and practical; He really does want us to be connected, spending time together, and practicing loving one another with the love He has given us in Christ Jesus by the Spirit of Love.

     However, within our towns and cities, work places, schools, and neighborhoods we are disconnected and scattered across the landscape; a grotesque scene of amputated body parts lying next to one another unable to connect or supply life to one another. This is a hideous accomplishment at the hands of God’s enemy; that old serpent, the Devil. To the Enemy’s delight, we daily bump shoulders and live next to one another with no spiritual connection of life and love.

     For centuries, God has been patient and longsuffering; but no more. God is ready for His final move, His final call. “Come together in love!”, is God’s Spirit of Love’s proclamation. Jesus is moving in the hearts of His followers, worldwide. The Spirit that dwells in our spirit is speaking simple, truthful, scriptural words; “You are of one Life, one Spirit, one Love, one Lord, one Body, and one Church. Practice it, for God’s glory!”

     This has always been God’s plan and purpose; to have one people expressing His love for one another and for Him. This is what we were created for - to be, presently and for eternity, His loving counterpart. Let us give ourselves to God’s heart; to His eternal will. Let’s respond to His final call.

     May God’s Spirit of Love conquer our hearts to want and will to please our Father. We are and always have been members of one Body, one Church. Now, in our neighborhoods, places of work, and schools, may we seek one another out; sharing in common our love for Jesus Christ. May we devote time and energy in practicing loving and forgiving one another to the honor and glory of God, our Father.

     Our love for one another and for the Lord will become the ultimate witness to the unsaved world that truly Jesus is the Son of God, the Creator of all things, and the source of Life and Love and Peace. Become the answer to Jesus’ prayer.

 

 

 

Before Your Feet Hit the Floor

 

Before your feet hit the floor …

Before your eyes open …

Before your mind begins racing …

Simply say:

“Lord Jesus,

I love you.

Your kingdom come

Your will be done

In me

And through me

Today.”

And when you’re hours into your day and realize you haven’t spoken a word to your Lord, simply say: “Lord Jesus, I love you. Your kingdom come, your will be done, in me.”

- OR     -

Say anything to Jesus. Make it a habit to acknowledge our Lord throughout each day in all your doings. This takes practice, spiritual growth and a loving hunger to know Him and live by His life 24/7.

 

 

 

HOW MUCH? Part 1

 

 

     How much are we to love one another? To what extent will the Spirit of Love move in us to care for each other?

 

     Take some time, right now, to open your heart before God. Ask Him to show you how much and to what extent you will go to care for and satisfy yourself. “Show me, Lord, how much I love and care for myself.”

 

     Stop reading or listening to this section. Seriously, in openness before the presence of God’s light, consider all the ways and efforts you make to get your way, to satisfy yourself. Put this article down for a day or even a week. Ask the Lord to mercifully show you how much and in how many ways you seek to care for your personal desires.

 

     After a full day, if you have been so distracted by life’s business and cares and have spent next to no time seeking the Lord’s revealing of how you love yourself, do not go on to HOW MUCH?  Part 2.  Persist with the Lord until you are satisfied that God has clearly revealed to you how much you care for yourself. If by chance, you have a poor opinion of yourself or your worth, consider how much effort you expend convincing yourself and others of your unworthiness; even this is a form of caring for yourself.

 

     The two great commandments from God, which fulfill all that He wants and expects from us, are to love Him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love others as we love ourselves. Regardless of how kind and humble we are or how insecure and lacking of self-worth, God knows the motives of our self-preservation. God would never have asked us to love others as we love ourselves if loving ourselves was not a driving priority of the human heart.

 

 

HOW MUCH? Part 2

 

     If you are starting to read this, but have not taken even one day before the Lord to seek how much you care for yourself, you may well be demonstrating how much you don’t like being told what to do, or your very impatient, or any number of reasons. It is for sure, like all the rest of us, you.re taking care of yourself.

 

     However, you truly may have “earned” the right to by-pass the 1 day to 1 week examination of examples of your love for yourself. If you are assured of your right to sainthood, your right to sit at the right hand of God in Christ Jesus, sharing in their glory, your ability to share in Christ’s sufferings on the cross and walk each day in resurrection power, overcoming all tests and trials; if this is your level of spiritual maturity – then most assuredly you have the right to by-pass any scrutiny from yourself or God.

 

     For the rest of us – let us apologize and repent to God for our impatience, or fear of exposure, or whatever may be keeping us from His light. For sure, our God is love and He loves us unconditionally. He is the One who drew us to Himself. He has promised He would finish in us what He has started (Philippians 1:6). Let us trust Him and His love for us. May we give Him at least 1 day to show us how much we love, care, and protect ourselves.

 

     Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!  Psalms 139:23 ESV

 

     Next stop: HOW MUCH? Part 3

 

 

HOW MUCH? Part 3

 

     Congratulations for hanging in there with God! Surely God has been faithful to show you a thing or two as to how you love yourself; selfish personality traits, habits you demonstrate toward others that put your needs and feelings in first place, or a host of other human glitches demonstrating love for self. It is our nature to love ourselves more than others. That is why Jesus asks us to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39; Galatians 5:14).

 

     With God’s help, we will see how much we love ourselves; it doesn’t take a rocket scientist or psychological expert to realize and understand our self-love. Our natural heart can be very clever and deceitful – even to the fooling of ourselves. It is God’s desire we always seek His will in all that we say and do, rather than act on our own choices. Our Lord Jesus lived in such a way, as He walked on earth, never usurping God’s leading (John 5:19-20). Now, Jesus is living in us and walking on the earth through us! If we love Him, we must seek His will.

 

     Carefully consider Matthew 7:21-23; “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not  prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew [acknowledged] you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ ESV

 

     These dear people are pleading their case before Jesus himself; they have done three things (prophecy, cast out demons, works), more than likely many times, in Jesus’ name. Yet Jesus is denying them entrance into the kingdom of heaven! Verse 21 simply and plainly states the one and only reason for Jesus’ harsh judgement; entrance into the kingdom of heaven is only for those who have done the will of the Father…

     This is amazing, shocking and very sobering. These folks got results, good results. They proclaimed the things of God, they made demons flee, and they did many mighty works … ALL in Jesus name!

 

     Jesus’ response, “YOU WORKERS OF LAWLESSNESS”!!!

 

     Obviously, these people got results; God must have honored Jesus’ name. However, God and Jesus don’t care about us getting results. They care about what they want; their will. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, the principle for our relationship with God was … “Our heavenly Father, Holy is your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven…” The Father doesn’t care about our good works – He wants His will done.

 

     This transports us back to our beginning relationship with God in the Garden of Eden. There is no sin in the world. God walks with mankind. He asks us to eat of all the trees of the garden, especially the fruit of The Tree of Life, and to oversee His creation. There are no commandments to keep, except for one; unless you want to die, don’t eat of The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

 

     God wants us to eat of the Tree of Life (Himself). We become what we eat. Eat of God’s life, become one with God. Become one with God, know God and know His will. On the contrary, eat of the Tree of Knowledge and you’ll get to pretend you’re God – knowing good from evil, right from wrong; no need to seek God’s will, we can decide for ourselves what God wants. However, we can throw in the declaration, “in Jesus’ name”, to get results and give glory to God and a little for us, too.

 

     God has never wanted us to be the source of deciding what is right or wrong, good or evil. He wants us to check with Him, have an intimate relationship, be dependent on His life, and let Him be God and us the loving doers of His will. If we are to be the expression of God’s life and people on the earth, the Lord wants to live in and through us on His terms according to His will, just as He lived on earth doing and saying nothing but what the Father was having Him do and say.

 

     To live such a life, walking in God’s life and presence, we must have a desire and heart to seek His will, not our will. To live such a life we must, above all else, love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. And, love our neighbors as ourselves. Only by putting God’s will first will we be able to love Him and in turn love others.

 

     We must willfully choose to allow God’s light to shine on our self-love so we can appreciate the depth of love we are to have for others. This is “HOW MUCH” we are to love our neighbors, schoolmates, fellow workers, brothers and sisters in Christ, and even our enemies. What an honor and privilege we have been given to represent and live out God’s life on earth – to love as He loves! This is all that God is looking for; a people who will love Him, love each other, and love the lost world. In doing this, we will fulfill God’s purpose for creation, our purpose for existence, and we will become the answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17.

 

     A short word of caution: love does not mean permissiveness or compromise of the truth. For example, immorality, homosexuality, and sodomy have crept into many Christian fellowships and Christian homes. These acts are clearly condemned and require immediate action, as shown in scripture: Romans 1:26-27; 1Corinthians 6:9-10; 1Timothy 1:9-10; Jude 1:7 Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9. God’s love extends mercy and forgiveness for such activities if repentance is shown. But God’s holy love does not permit compromise and unrighteousness. God desires that none would perish, so He offers forgiveness and restoration to the repentant heart.

 

     We all have sins and weakness of character traits that are offensive to God and to others. That is why we are asked to love and forgive one another in so many different ways. But God has boundaries for permissiveness. Exhortation, correction, and discipline are God’s ways to bring us sinners back to repentance. Exhortation, correction, and discipline is the Father’s expression of love and care for His children.

 

     God’s children, who are desiring to live by His life (The Tree of Life), rather than their own understanding of right and wrong (The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil), have no trouble discerning God’s will when it comes to such matters. God’s loving light shines through the darkness of our flesh.

 

     May we all be willing to trust and love our Father-God to such an extent that we will allow Him to refine us so we can not only love Him but love others.

Is It Okay?

 

     In God’s eyes, is it okay to meet and eat and even become intimated friends with other followers of Jesus who go to different churches?

     Anyone who acknowledges Jesus: as God come to earth in the flesh; as bearing all our sins in Himself and crucifying them on the cross; as dying and resurrecting from death and defeating death; who ascended to heaven and returned as the Life-giving Spirit (1Cor.15:45; 2Cor 3:17a); who makes us alive and lives in our spirit, giving us eternal life … this person, in God’s eyes, is a Christian.

     There are dozens of other “qualifications” or better ways to say what makes us a Christian.  There are even more simple ways to define a Christian. Example: “For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:16)

     Bottom line, what is God’s point of view? Of all those across the earth who say they are followers of Jesus, how does God want us to relate to them? Amazingly, it’s all about geographic boundaries. God looks down at a town, a city, a county, or a region and says, “To the Church in that particular town, city, county, or region – I have a message for you.”

     Most wonderfully, God does not distinguish His followers, His children, by organizational titles.  Check in your Bible. God lovingly embraces all of us as His Church, His children, His body, His future Bride.  Then, in scripture, He plainly tells us we are to love and prefer one another (Romans 12:10) over the unbelieving world so they will see His glory expressed in us (John 17:21, 23).

     This is the way God sees His beloved followers. No matter what “type” of Christian we are, we belong to God and He sees us as one people. This is how big God’s love is.  And that Love lives in us.

     Now God’s Spirit of Love is calling us to cooperate with Him to visibly love our Christian neighbors as intimate, loving family. By doing so, God is expressed, honored and glorified. This is His design for us for eternity; loving Him first which then enables us to love one another.

     Does this mean we all reject our current church group and form “neighborhood churches”? NO!! That’s the last thing God desires for us to do. We already are His church! God only wants us to love Him and to love one another – plain and simple.

     But to do so, to “simply” put God’s love into practice, will take an act of the Spirit of Love empowering us; giving us the desire and will to seek out and love all of God’s children in our immediate locations; that means in our homes, at work, and at school.

     If the Spirit of Love is pulling at your heart strings to respond to His will, you must will yourself by turning your heart and spirit over to God in humble submission. In your own words, cry out to your Lord. Ask Him to fill you with His love; to give you a heart of love that is willing to do anything to please His desire, His will – to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer to the Father.

     Even the souls of those yet to be saved depend on our expression of loving oneness toward each another: “Only let your life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel [of love],” (Philippians 1:27).

 

 

What Is BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com?

 

It’s a REACTION

 

It’s a RESPONSE

 

It’s a CALLING OUT

 

It’s a CALL TO ACTION

 

It’s a DECLARATION

 

It’s an EXHORTATION

 

It’s an ENCOURAGEMENT

 

It’ a FULFILLMENT

 

It’s the WILL OF GOD

 

It’s the HEART OF CHRIST

 

It’s the MOVE of the SPIRIT OF LOVE

 

 

The Visible Gospel of Love

 

     For over 2000 years the gospel has been taken across the face of the earth. There are more Christians living in the world today than ever before. It’s time. It’s time to begin living and practicing the gospel.

     The gospel is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God come to mankind in the flesh. The Son of God sacrificed Himself to qualify us to be indwelt by His life. Christ now lives in us so He can live and love through us. His Spirit of Love is calling from our spirit to our soul (mind, emotion, will) wanting us to respond to His will. Then and only then will the gospel of love come alive to fully express and glorify God on the earth as He desires.

     Our Father wants His children (us) to become the answer to His Son’s prayer. He wants the world to see the gospel of His love practiced in the midst of a desperate and dark world.

     Our Father wants Christian neighbors to seek one another out; become loving friends, sacrificing and caring for one another, a community of light and life among the lost and broken families surrounding them, a testimony of hope and love, and an undeniable expression of an out-of-this-world love.

     This visible gospel of love will draw God’s children together like never before. This is God’s heart, God’s will, for all of us who confess Christ as our Savior – to love. To love, not in thoughts and words, but to practice loving one another as Christ has loved and does love us.

     This action of loving one another is not for our glory, not to build a great movement or organization. The expression of our love for Jesus and one another is only to become what we are saved to be; the Lord’s loving body of believers becoming the answer to Jesus’ prayer to the Father. This is the will of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

     Many are waiting to be saved by this gospel of love. Let’s do it!

 

 

Getting Started

 

     If God’s Spirit of Love has touched your heart to become one of His children who desire to answer Jesus’ prayer for the loving oneness and unity of God’s people – the obvious question is, “How do I get started?”

     First, God’s Spirit will make it very clear to you that we are not to sit on our hands with this wonderful revelation. We are being asked by our Lord to actually find another believer who lives next to us or works with us or goes to school with us. Establish your mutual belief in Jesus as your Lord and Savior and that you will be spending eternity together with the Lord. Then begin to get to know each other on a daily basis or as frequently as possible.

     The single greatest hurdle you may face will not be that you share the same faith and the same God, but rather that you are a part of the same Church and Body as your new neighbor. We have had centuries of teachings that tell us we should not and cannot be one in fellowship with other believers in Christ if we differ in doctrines, practices, music, worship, and on and on. However, our bibles beg to differ with such an attitude. And God’s life and love contradicts and stands against such a practice (1Corinthians 1:10-13; 3:1-11).  We must find the way to practice our oneness and unity in God – and that way is Jesus Christ.

     Our love for the Father-Son-Spirit is designed to be that way – the way of practicing oneness and unity.

     If we truly love God, we must and will love one another. We are given no other choice (1John 4:20-21). God’s Spirit of Love is no longer patiently overlooking our lip service which proclaims we love all other believers. For the sake of answering Jesus’ prayer in John 17, the Spirit of Love is calling us out, challenging us – put up or shut up, don’t talk it, show it.

     God’s call today is to put His life and love into practice. That practice is: there is only one Life, there is only one Love, there is only one God, there is only one Church and Body of believers, there is only one Head of that Church and Body. We either live that way, toward Jesus and one another, or we practice a life and heart attitude which is against God and His will. Regardless of our acts and works accomplished in Jesus’ name, He will reject them all in the day of reckoning, if they were not according to His will (Matthew 7:21-23). Loving oneness and unity is His will.

     To say it as simply as possible: we are called to love in practice, not in word; we are called to seek God’s up to date will and do it. In this way our mind and heart is filled with Christ’s life and we are vessels full of the Spirit of Love’s oil (Matthew 25:1-13). Fill your mind and heart with Jesus’ instruction for our living His life on earth as found in Matthew 5:1-7:29 and 1Corithians 13:1-13. This spells out to us very clearly the practices of love. And for these attributes and fruits of love to be accomplished, our Father is pouring out His Spirit of Love into our spirit. If we are willing, our vessel can be filled with the Oil of Love (Ephesians 3:16-19; Romans 12:9-21; 2Corinthisans 3:16-18). We do not have to miss out on God’s blessing.

     However, to practice loving and obtaining God’s full blessing, we must make ourselves available to one another. True availability does not mean always in church services, bible studies, or other organized activities. Real availability involves times together during life’s daily activities: going shopping, taking a walk, going for a relaxing drive, chores, projects, raising children, a vacation, eating meals together, etc., etc. We must be together to be able to practice love with all its facets and aspects. True love includes doing what goes against our old selfish fallen nature. Life is so much easier when we are only pleasing and serving ourselves. But to fulfill all that God desires for us, we must love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14).

     So, we come back to the first thing we must do to get started answering Jesus’ prayer for unity and oneness: we must find other followers of Christ who are all around us in our daily lives, acknowledge one another and our common faith in the Father-Son-Spirit, and start spending time together so we can begin practicing loving one another. This first step is actually the last step, also. Not only that, but it is every step in between. We will be constantly getting to know each other as the layers of our uncomfortableness peel off. As we learn to trust one another’s love and forgiveness, our true personalities will come forth both as a blessing and as a curse. Being real and honest is such freedom. It gives us and others a chance to see where we really are in our spiritual growth. In this way God can perfect us all into one loving body of believers for His glory.

     Especially keep John 17, Matthew 5:1-7:20, and 1Corinthians 13:1-13 in your mind and heart so God’s Spirit of Love can work out love’s practice in your personality. Our love for one another will become “until death do us part” and on into eternity. This is the only way to know true life – God’s Life, our Savior’s forgiveness, and the power of the Spirit’s love.

     God’s Spirit of Love will not let us ignore one another. We must acknowledge each other’s existence and rightful place in the body of Christ. And what is that rightful place? God has placed us together as it has pleased Him (1Corinthians 12:18). We live, work, and study where God has placed us. We live, work, and go to school where God has placed us. He has placed us with the eternal members of His family that we will be with for eternity.

     Our Father wants us to support, supply, and receive from each other – beginning now. This is how we will motivate our Lord’s return to the earth for His Church, His Bride. The fulfillment of all that the Lord has planned and done since before creation is depending on our cooperation. He has called us and is praying for us to become the people who will be unified in loving oneness. The Father-Son-Spirit are supporting us 100% for it is their will that we love God and love one another. These two simple, yet profound, acts will do it all. This is our destiny and call; planned and desired by God before the fall.

 

 

Saints – One and All

 

     Saints, that’s what we are in God’s eyes. For most of us, that’s hard to believe. For some of us, to say such a thing is blasphemy.

     Saints: a title given and bestowed on an elite group of Christ’s dedicated followers; holy individuals separated from the world and consecrated to God. Now that’s more like it. We’re off the hook.

     Sorry, that’s not God’s definition or viewpoint. God has never distinguished “spiritual nobility” within the ranks of Christian believers. God doesn’t even put us into “ranks”.  In His eyes, we are all members of Christ’s body, each with different functions; just like in any physical body.

     But not just ordinary members - God calls us SAINTS! Just as a child born into a royal family is automatically given a title of prince or princess, so   also, we too, being born of God’s life into God’s family, are given the title of saints of God. We did not choose the title. We did not earn the title. It’s who we are because of the family we have been born into.

     Check out the written evidence of who we really are:

Acts 9:41; 26:10 – Romans 8:27; 12:13; 15:25,26,31; 16:2,15 – 1Corinthians 1:2; 6:1,2; 16:1 – 2Corinthians 1:1; 8:4; 9:1,12; 13:13 – Ephesians 1:15,18; 2:19; 3:8,18; 4:12; 6:18 – Philippians 4:21,22 – Colossians 1:4,12,26 – 2Thessalonians 1:10 – 1Timothy 5:10 – Philemon 5,7 – Hebrews 6:10; 13:24 – Revelation 5:8; 8:3,4; 11:18; 17:6; 18:20,24; 19:8; 20:9  [note: in some Bibles, we “saints” have been “degraded” to just “the Lord’s people” or “God’s people” or “God’s holy people” or “your people” or “his people”, etc.]

     These verses establish proof that we really are saints. There are so many more verses showing that we have other wonderful titles because of our being birthed of God’s life into God’s family. Such titles as: holy ones; royal priesthood; priests; brothers; sisters; children of God; His sheep; members of His body; living stones; Bride of Christ; the Church; beloved of God; bone of His bone; truth bearers; temple / habitat / house of God; and many more.

     The greatest damage God’s enemy has done to His children is to convince us we are second-class Christians; never able to be pleasing to their Father.  Besides that lie, the enemy blinds our eyes to the fact that we are royal members of the family of God; members who are desperately needed in simple ways, to lovingly support, nourish and build up the other members who are near us. Divide and conquer is a tried and true strategy of warfare.

     May God’s Spirit of Love empower us to see who we really are in Christ so we can answer our Lord’s prayer to love Him and love one another to the shame of God’s enemy and to God’s glory.

 

 

Table Time  Together

 

     “Come and dine, the Lord is calling, come and dine. You can feast at Jesus’ table all the time.”

      Thus goes the words of an old hymn. And such great truth rings in these words. Oh, how the Lord wants us to dine together as His family, with Him in our midst. The Lord’s Spirit of Love is calling all fellow followers of Jesus to sit at table together. We are being called to sit together, not only to eat physical food, but to dine on one another’s spiritual lives.

     Yes, we have daily spiritual lives that matter. Whether our days are full of failures or full of victories, our walk with God is meant to be brought to Jesus’ table for the encouragement of His children and to the glory of God.  Even our failures become encouragement because sharing failure is truth and truth sets us free – free to be honest with God, with ourselves, and with one another. If we hide behind lies, we will never grow and mature spiritually.

     Truth allows us to learn from others who have learned to overcome. Truth allows us to minister to one another the food of God’s life in us. As we sit face to face learning to trust each other’s love, we may feast on all the riches the Lord’s life gives us. In so doing, we will become stronger together and our Lord will be magnified. Our children and young Christians will learn from everyone; all will become one in the Lord’s life. All will be able to be truly in the world but not of the world.

     This way of beautiful fellowship, sitting at table together, must never be forgotten or forsaken. This way will be practiced in eternity! (Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:16, 30; Revelation 19:9) Sitting at table together is the way, the setting, the environment for feasting on the riches of Christ. At table, we share our experiences of Christ. At table, our Lord sits with us as He will in eternity. Christ is calling us to begin learning to feast together now.

     Today so many people of the world have lost table time together; that precious undisturbed time of connecting with one another’s lives. Even Christian families, with parents and children, seldom eat together around an engaged peaceful table, casually sharing what’s going on in each other’s lives. At large, we have lost our intimate table time together.

     God’s Spirit of Love is calling for us to “Come and dine,” at Jesus’ table. Come eat together around a table. Feast on one another’s lives. Doing this will encourage us to walk with and learn more of Christ in our daily lives. As we learn from one another and from the Lord, we will have more spiritual food to bring to the table – to Jesus’ table.

     As God’s love grows in us, our tables will be filled with more brothers and sisters who are looking for the riches of encouraging fellowship. We will be at ease to share our failures and our victories so that we can minister to others and be ministered to ourselves. Our love for Christ and for each other will bring glory to God and oneness to His church family across the world.

     Eventually, when there are too many brothers and sisters, we will have to find a second home so the group can remain small enough to have intimate times of fellowship. If two homes are needed for a large group of intimate friends, pick a way of shuffling the group from week to week so you are really still one group.

     As God’s love draws ever so many to express the Lord’s oneness among His followers, the ways to stay in touch with everyone and do things together are endless.

     A word of caution: In the long run, if your only contact times together are once a week, your intimacy may become a shallow ritual.

     Lord Jesus, bless our table time together.

Since, circa. A.D. 200, this is how Paul’s letters in our New Testament have been arranged …from longest to shortest; not in chronological order. In other words, Romans has more words in it than 1Corinthians and Galatians has more words than Ephesians.  Does is make a difference?   Consider the story below. Notice: each section tells a truth – but where is the story? The New Testament has an exciting and dramatic story when read and studied chronologically.

 

The Story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears

(Told according to the number of words in each section.)

 

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Goldilocks.  She went for a walk in the forest.  Pretty soon, she came upon a house.  She knocked and, when no one answered, she walked right in. (37words)

Goldilocks tried the last and smallest chair. "Ahhh, this chair is just right," she sighed.  But just as she settled down into the chair to rest, it broke into pieces! (30 words)

After Goldilocks had eaten the three bears' breakfasts she decided she was feeling a little tired.  So, she walked into the living room where she saw three chairs. (28 words)

 

The three bears decided to look around some more and when they got upstairs to the bedroom, Papa bear growled, "Someone's been sleeping in my bed." (26 words)

Goldilocks ran down the stairs, opened the door, and ran away into the forest.  And she never returned to the home of the three bears. (25 words)

Just then, Goldilocks woke up and saw the three bears.  She screamed, "Help!"  And she jumped up and ran out of the room. (23 words)

 

At the table in the kitchen, there were three bowls of porridge. Goldilocks was hungry.  She tasted the porridge from the first bowl. (23 words)

Goldilocks tasted the last bowl of porridge.  "Ahhh, this porridge is just right," she said happily and she ate it all up. (22 words)

"Someone's been sitting in my chair and they've broken it all to pieces," cried the Baby bear. (17 words)

Goldilocks sat in the first chair to rest her feet.   "This chair is too big!" she exclaimed. (17 words)

Goldilocks lay down in the third bed and it was just right.  And she fell asleep. (16 words)

Goldilocks tasted the porridge from the second bowl. "This porridge is too cold," she said (15 words)

"Someone's been eating my porridge and they ate it all up!" cried the Baby bear. (15 words)

Goldilocks was very tired by this time, so she went upstairs to the bedroom. (14 words)

Goldilocks sat in the second chair. "This chair is too big, too!" she whined. (14 words)

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed and she's still there!" exclaimed Baby bear. (13 words)

 Goldilocks lay down in the first bed, but it was too hard. (12 words)

Goldilocks lay in the second bed, but it was too soft. (11 words)

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed, too" said the Mama bear. (11 words)

"Someone's been sitting in my chair," growled the Papa bear. (10 words)

"Someone's been sitting in my chair," said the Mama bear. (10 words)

"Someone's been eating my porridge," growled the Papa bear. (9 words)

"Someone's been eating my porridge," said the Mama bear. (9 words)

 

As Goldilocks was sleeping, the three bears came home. (9 words)

"This porridge is too hot!" Goldilocks exclaimed. (7 words)

 

THE END

 

Since, circa. A.D. 200, this is how Paul’s letters in our New Testament have been arranged …from longest to shortest; not in chronological order. In other words, Romans has more words in it than 1Corinthians and Galatians has more words than Ephesians.

The New Testament has an exciting and dramatic story when read and studied chronologically.

 

Chronological New Testament Story*

∞ Acts 1:1 – 15:40  (A.D. 30 – 50)  Paul raises four churches, staying less than six months at each. Paul returns 1½ years later.

∞ Acts 15:40  (A.D. 50 summer) Paul writes to four churches in Galatia.

∞ Acts 15:40 – 17:34 (summer A.D. 50 - 51 )

∞ Acts 17:34 (A.D. 51) Paul writes to a Greek church – 1Thessalonians.

∞ Acts 17:34 – 18:1 (early A.D. 52) Paul writes 2 Thessalonians from Corinth

∞ Acts 18:1 – 19:22 (A.D. 52 – 57) Paul visits three Greek churches staying less than 6 months at each; then 18 months in Corinth; leaves Corinth in A.D. 54; goes home to Antioch and then to Asia Minor.

∞ Acts 19:22 (mid-A.D. 57) Paul writes 1Corinthians from Ephesus.

∞ Acts 19:23 – 20:4 (late fall A.D. 57)  Paul writes 2Corinthians.

∞ Romans (winter A.D. 57/58) Paul writes from Corinth to the 30+ believers who had moved to Rome at his request (listed in Romans 16).

∞ Acts 20:5 – 28:31 (A.D. 58 – 63)  During this time, Paul writes no letters. But there will be 7 more letters from Paul.

∞ Epaphras / Epaphoditas (Gk.), a young church planter (accompanied by a runaway slave, Onesimus), visits Paul in prison, telling of a church he raised up in Colossae. Paul writes a letter to the Colossians saints who meet in the home of Philemon.

∞    A.D. 63 Next Paul writes a circuit letter* to be read in Colosse, Hieropolis and Laodicia (three villages in a 9 mile triangle). *Over 300 years later the word “Ephesus” (Ephesians) is written on the blank line of this letter that appears in the Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus manuscripts! Ephesians should be called 2 Colossians!

∞ A.D.63 Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, is lead to the Lord by Paul and agrees to go back to Philemon. So Paul writes to Philemon a nearly comical letter encouraging Philemon to graciously receive his slave back. Epaphras becomes deathly ill, so Paul sends the three letters (Colossians, Ephesians [2Colossians], and Philemon) with Tychicus and Onesimus, because Tychicus can speak Greek and the local dialect of Colossae.

∞ A.D. 63 On the way to Colossae, Tychicus stops at Philippi telling them Epaphras is deathly ill. Mortified, the Philippian saints send a letter to Paul inquiring about Epaphras. By this time Epaphras has recovered soPaul writes a letter to the Phillipians and has Epaphrus deliver it.

∞ A.D. 65 Rome is destroying Israel so Paul writes to Timothy (1Timothy).  Then he writes to Titus , who has raised up numerous churches on the island of Crete,  because of the influx of fleeing Jewish Christians. Also concerned about the Jewish Christians’ influx into Asia Minor, Peter writes (1Peter) to all the Jewish Christians headed for Paul’s churches.

∞ A.D. 67 (cold winter) Paul says goodbye to his closest friend; he writes a letter to Timothy (2Timothy).   Paul’s letters end (2Timothy 4:6).

∞ A.D. 68 Receiving an execution reserved only for a Roman citizen, the swiftness of the sword, Paul was beheaded.

∞ A.D. 68 -70 seems a reasonable date for the (Hebrews) letter due to verse 13:23 “Timothy has been released from prison.”

∞ A.D. 64 – 90 are the dates scholars agree on for 2Peter; 1,2,3 John; Jude; James because there is no context that tells when and where they were written.

∞ A.D. 85 – 90 is the most accepted time for Revelation being written by John on the isle of Patmos.*

 

*Gene Edwards, Revolutionary Bible Study, (SeedSowers Publishing, Jacksonville,FL,2009)

 

 

Default to Love

 

default a preset choice, setting, etc. for automatic use as by a program when no other is specified by a user; often used attributively (attribute a characteristic, quality, or trait of a person)

 

     This is a simplified definition used in the world of computers. The words take on new relevancy when used referring to mankind’s relationship to God and with each other.

 

    God created, in love. Jesus came, lived, suffered and died, in love. The Holy Spirit/the Spirit of Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 15:45) came to empower and indwell His church, in love.

 

     The very expression of God is love (1John 4:16). All that God is and all that God has ever done is motivated by His character and quality – love. As the User of His program, all of God’s creation is meant to bring glory to Him attributively.

 

     Of all creation, only mankind was made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27) and only mankind is meant to be God’s counterpart – the Church: the Bride of Christ (2Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7; 21:2, 9-10). Unlike a computer program, because of love, God gives us a choice to love Him and others - or not. However, if we live by God’s life in us, His preset choice is always love. Love is God’s attribute. Love is God’s trait, quality and character.

 

     As a Christian, we have been called to live by the life of Christ in us (John 1:1, 4; 11:25; 14:6). This is why God has created us; to be filled with His life and love. Why? We are supplied with love - to love. Love is the default. Everything is accomplished when we default to love; God is loved, mankind is loved, brothers and sisters in Christ are loved, even enemies are loved.

 

     Consider all the attributes of love listed in the Bible; love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy or boast, love is not proud, rude or self-seeking, love is not easily angered, love rejoices with the truth, love always protects, love forgives, love perseveres – and the list goes on and on.

 

     We are God’s creation (program) created solely to love; to love God and to love one another. But our Lord wants willing lovers; those who will choose (default) to love. May we be the ones who default to another Life – God’s Spirit of Love. If we are to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer to the Father, as He prayed in John 17, we must default to love.

 

Father, pour out your Spirit of Love upon us and within us. Without Your love to empower us, we are doomed to failure. In and of ourselves, we cannot be You. Save us from trying to perform all the virtues that only You are. We open our whole being to be filled by Your Spirit of Love. Teach us to willfully turn our heart to You, to default to You, to Your love. May we humbly depend on You and take a stand to honor Your life in us as we face each circumstance, each need - to practice love.

Remember Me. I Remember You.

 

     When it comes to our relationship with God, “remember” has two prevailing realms. One “remember” realm is from God’s perspective and the other “remember” realm is from mankind’s perspective.

     Sadly, if you start looking into “remembering” in the Old Testament scripture, you quickly find out God remembers and we forget. The first case of “remember” is in Genesis 9:15; except for Noah, his two sons and their wives, all of mankind was totally perverted and evil in God’s eyes. Only Noah and his family were worth saving. God remembered His covenant with Noah. Consequently, only Noah and his family members survived a worldwide flood. The rest of humanity perished.

     Except for Noah, mankind had forgotten their agreement, oath, contract, covenant between them and God. A covenant is an agreement that brings about a relationship of commitment between two parties; in this case, God and mankind – right down to each individual. Mankind had turned their backs on the agreement to have a relationship with God. And in so doing, really made God angry … or was it, heartbroken? God’s judgement for all those who chose not to have a relationship with Him was … death.

     However, God remembered. He remembered the covenant between Himself and Noah. And thankfully, Noah had remembered to honor God’s covenant with mankind. Thus, Noah and his family reaped the reward … they lived! The most wonderful part of it all is that God remembered. In His anger, sadness, and consequent judgement, God remembered Noah.

     Not only did God remember, but He renewed His covenant with Noah saying, “I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."  (Genesis 9:15-16).

 

     For us not to remember God’s covenant, His desire for us to have a relationship with Him, is more than forgetting. In truth, our “forgetting” of what God wants is really our choosing to rebel against His will. Read the following portion of Psalm 78 and notice God’s long-suffering desire to keep His covenant with His children:

15 He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.

16 He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers.

17 Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.

18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.

19 They spoke against God, saying, "Can God spread a table in the wilderness?

20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?"

21 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel,

22 because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.

23 Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven,

24 and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven.

25 Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.

26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind;

27 he rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas;

28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.

29 And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.

30 But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths,

31 the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young  men of Israel.

32 In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.

33 So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror.

34 When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly.

35 They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.

36 But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues.

37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.

38 Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not  destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.

39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert!

41 They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

42 They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,

43 when he performed his signs in Egypt and his marvels in the fields of Zoan. (Ps 78)

 

     How could God’s people, us, not remember the wondrous salvation from the enemies of our souls? Certainly, it is a rebellious forgetting.

     But our God remembers. He remembers His covenant and is rich in compassion, mercy, and loving-kindness. He is our loving Father:

 

Psalm 103

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our  transgressions from us.

13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,

18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.

 

     Regardless of our weaknesses, if we will only keep His covenant by remembering God desires a relationship … there is great reward.

     How appropriate this following prayer for our poor souls:

Psalm 25

1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.

3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your  steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my  transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your  goodness, O LORD!

8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.

12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.

14 The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.

 

     Oh, to keep in remembrance God’s covenant. It should weigh heavy upon our hearts that our remembering is so lacking.

     Yet God, in His compassion and loving-kindness, moved on to provide a new covenant for His people; a covenant of restoration; a covenant last offered to Adam in the Garden of Eden!

 

Jeremiah 31

31 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,

32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD.

33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD, 'for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

 

     The words of Jeremiah the prophet, “the days are coming”, were fulfilled in Hebrews 8:8-13 by the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return of Jesus Christ as the Life-giving Spirit (1Corinthians 15:45).

 

Hebrews 8

8 For he finds fault with them when he says: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will  establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,

9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not  continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."

13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

 

     In Hebrew 8 Paul repeats Jerimiah 31 but declares that the new covenant has arrived in the Spirit of Christ. There is no more need to try to keep the 10 commandments by the effort of our own fallen life. The holy law, representing God’s character, was impossible to keep in our fallen nature. It brought us failure and death showing us we do not have God’s life.

     However, in the new covenant, by faith in Christ we have God’s life in us enabling us to covenant with God – to remember to maintain a relationship of commitment with God!

     Rejoice in these words:

Romans 8

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in  Christ Jesus.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 For those …… who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

6 For …… to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

9 You …are … in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of  righteousness.

11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

13 For if you live …… by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body - you will live.

 

     Now, since Jesus Christ, as the Spirit of Life and Love, lives in us, we are empowered by His life! We are in partnership with Him. We are one with Him and God by the Life of the Spirit. Now we can remember to turn to and exercise our born again (made alive) spirit (John 3:6). We don’t have to fulfill the law with our life. We now have Christ as our life living in us to do it!

     Let us only remember that the Spirit of Christ is living and dwelling and growing in us day by day. We, with our sins and weaknesses, have been crucified with Christ. In truth, we are already dead. How wonderful! The only thing in us that is really living is Jesus Christ!

     No wonder we can please God and maintain a relationship of commitment to Him; all of our old self, past, present, and future, is already dead and forgiven! God takes great pleasure to hang out with us as we REMEMBER these facts. REMEMBER!

 

 

     May we commit our hearts to remember all God has done for us that we might have a love relationship with Him and with one another. May we remember the prayer the Son prayed to the Father expressing their desire that we practice our loving oneness in Christ in such a real way that the world will acknowledge God’s work among us (John 17). For once in time, may we be those of His children who willingly remember Him. God remembers us. May we remember Him.

 

 

 

 

 

RIGHT NOW!

 

RIGHT NOW,

God’s Spirit of Love

Is being poured out

Across the face of the earth.

 

Answer His call.

Respond to His request.

God’s love is not waiting

For our cooperation.

 

RIGHT NOW

Is His appointed time

To fill you

With His Spirit of Love.

 

2Chronicles 16:19

 

Become the answer to Jesus’ prayer.

John 17

Be one of His children

Who will give all

To

Do His will

The will of the Father, Son, and Spirit

RIGHT NOW!

 

 

Catch the Vision

“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice:

and let men say among the nations,

The Lord reigns.”

 

      Throughout the Bible God has made it very clear that those who walk with Him in this age will experience a foretaste of the fullness He has for His people in eternity.

     As we turn over our whole being to be filled with God’s Spirit of Love, the heavens, the earth, and the men among the nations of the earth will witness a foretaste of God’s eternal kingdom.

     In the middle of a world in turmoil, God’s people will be causing the heavens to be glad, the earth to rejoice, and nations to confess that the Lord is living mightily among His people. Because of our demonstration of loving oneness on a daily basis, in our neighborhoods, at our places of work, and in our schools, heaven, earth, and mankind will be affected. God will be pleased and happy, the earth (which is suffering under the effects of the fall) will be rejoicing, and the nations of men will be acknowledging that the Lord is doing a mighty work among His people.

     Dear followers of Jesus, catch the vision. Let your hearts be filled with God’s purpose for His people, His children. In this lost world, everything else is vanity. All of the earthly dreams that we chase are only shadows of the truth. As we go about our daily lives of work, learning, and living with one another, if Love is not the center of it all – it’s all vanity. God’s Spirit of Love wants to be living and active within each one of us. By this means and this means only, Jesus will have His one family, one Body, and one church on the earth as His loving expression and future beautiful counterpart.

     Catch the vision and put it into practice. You will make your heavenly Father glad. You will cause the earth to rejoice. You will make the nations confess that the Lord is reigning in His people. This is our call. This is our purpose.

 

 

 

Ignore or Ignorance?

 

     We’ve been brainwashed and blinded, by God’s enemy, to ignore the Truth. Ignorance of the Truth is what divides us. Or, if we know the Truth but choose to ignore it due to pride, this will divide the children of God. Ignore or ignorance. To ignore is the result of selfish ambition and pride. Ignorance is the result of laziness and lukewarm comfortableness.

     Take for example a very charismatic individual who is very talented at speaking and teaching. If this person is confronted with the Truth and discovers that to follow the Truth would mean no more limelight, no more being idolized, no more being on a pedestal and therefore chooses to ignore the Truth. This is selfish ambition and pride.

     On the other hand, if a group of people, who are enamored with a very talented charismatic person, finds out that the Truth requires all of them to exercise their limited abilities, so as to share and support each other, rather than depending on one talented charismatic person. Instead, they choose to stay ignorant because it is easier and requires less effort - this is being lazy and lukewarm.

     So, what divides us Christians? What divides us is ignoring or ignorance of the Truth. Therefore, we must determine what is this Truth?

     As Christians, we know the Truth is Jesus. And Jesus’ words are Truth. Now the Spirit of God is plainly revealing the Truth of scripture for each one of us to choose; to choose to ignore it or to remain ignorant and lazy.

     Here is the Truth:  1Corinthians 12:12-27     1John 4:7-5:3

To ignore the Truth divides.

To choose to remain ignorant of the Truth divides.

     Will God ignore your choice?

 

 

 

Alive or Dead

 

     There are two types of the Word: the spiritual living Word (Jesus) and the ink-on-the-paper word. The ink-on-the-paper word can be both life-giving and life-killing. As always, God’s enemy, the Devil, uses half-truths to distract us from being all we are supposed to be.

     Satan’s grand trick is to distract us into worshipping and trying to live up to the ink-on-the-paper word. In the Enemy’s subtly, as we are basking in the new found joy of being born again, born of Christ’s life, and feasting on the truths that nourish our new life, we are slowly led away from a spiritual relationship with God into an intellectual exercise of mental muscle-ship. We are steadily persuaded that learning the ink-on-the paper word is equal to living the Christian life. (John 5:39-40; 2Cor. 3:6b)

     Years of Bible study, memory verses, teachings and sermons, books and courses, conferences, retreats, and dozens of other ways to learn the word and how to be a good Christian . . . and still, our witness, testimony or expression of Christ in our daily life is so weak and wanting. But, we know so much. Too many of us are walking hypocrites. Too many of us are talkers of the word rather than doers by the Word.

     Even the way we practice our “oneness” in Christ is on our terms, not God’s. In a small town of 2 – 6 thousand people it is not uncommon to see half a dozen church buildings or more. God sees only one church (that’s in the print-on-the-paper word, many places).

     What has happened? How could we have gotten so far away from what God wants?  And then, even try to justify our divisiveness?

     So many of us have been led astray, away from the reality of John 1:1, of John 1:14, of 1Corinthians 15:45, of John 3:6. The eternal Word (Jesus) came in the likeness of a flesh and blood man who willfully took upon Himself the sins of the past, present and future generations of mankind. Then He died, resurrected, and ascended to His Father God, returned as the Life-giving Spirit of Love to indwell those He had chosen before time to be His Church and visible expression of God on the earth. This is so much more (even in another realm) than just knowing the print-on-the-paper word and then trying to live up to its level of performance with our own life. Impossible!

     Even if we manage to pull off a pretty impressive Christian life, without hearing God’s will, the credit goes to us and not to Christ’s life in us. If this sounds impossible to you, check out Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus’ words here should be very sobering. That takes us back to the Garden and the fall of mankind. God has never been into right and wrong: having His followers doing what is right and not doing what is wrong according to their own discernment. But that way of life came to Adam and Eve when they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. No, from the beginning, God has always wanted us to eat of and live by the Tree of Life, God himself.

     Bottom line, God wants us to know Christ, not about Him. God’s desire is that we would turn our heart and mind toward Christ’s life that lives in our spirit (John 3:6). By doing this, we learn to hear and discern the will of the Lord rather than deciding within ourselves what is right or wrong. Christ, the Word, wants to be our life.

     So, the Word, Jesus, the Life-giving Spirit, having come into our spirit, has given us a new Life, an eternal Life, a Life that has the right and privilege to be in God’s presence, to speak to and receive from Him. Absolutely amazing!

     Just like in human life, we must grow up into Christ’s life and relationship. In so doing, we discover we must die to our own will and life. It is God’s love for us that requires this so we can have a more intimate relationship with Him. We become more sensitive and in tune with His will.

     At the same time, the ink-on-the-paper word spiritually comes alive to us, rather than just being knowledge alone – which is death. God has left us His ink-on-the-paper word for one reason: so we will humbly turn our whole being to the Word, Jesus, who lives in us. The Word, Jesus, then comes alive and is expressed as Life, rather than just knowledge.

 

 

Who’s Behind

www.BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com?

 

What group or organization is behind BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com?

 

NONE

 

Any individual or individuals behind BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com are of no account.  There is no reason for any person or persons to be identified with BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com. Why? The Truth is all that matters.  No human being is the Truth. No organization is the Truth.

The Truth stands alone.

The Truth is the Spirit of Jesus Christ in God.

The Truth speaks for Himself.

The Truth answers to no one, bows down to no one.

The Truth reigns over opinion, speculation, fear, intimidation, persecution and man-made religion.

The Truth is Faith

The Truth is Hope

                                            But most of all,

The Truth is LOVE

In TRUTH, we all are meant to

Be-comeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.

 

 

DEEP THINGS

 

     Yes, there are “deep things” of God for us followers of Jesus to experience. There are “mysteries” to be revealed by the Spirit of God. Many times we hear someone speaking excitedly of a “mountain high” experience.

 

     Famous Christians, throughout the centuries, have written of these “deep things” and “mysteries” and the experiences that accompany them. Untold numbers of Jesus’ followers have read their writings in hopes to satisfy a spiritual emptiness that has haunted them for years. But seldom do these inquiries generate the wanted results.

 

     Many times, if an individual or a group of individuals experience a “special blessing” its results are only for the edification of that individual or group. Rarely does the “special blessing” bless others. On the contrary, the “blessed” become “special” and are placed or place themselves on a “higher” or “deeper” level of spirituality than their “less fortunate” brothers and sisters in Christ. It becomes a “them” and “us” scenario.

 

     Is there a place for various levels of spiritual awareness and experience among Christ’s followers? Absolutely! We are placed in the body of Christ to be living and supporting members of one another as it pleases God. The “eye” will see things of God that the “ear” has never heard. Yet, the “ear” will hear things of God that the “eye” has never seen.

 

     1Corinthians 12:12-27 is a masterpiece of revelation concerning all the members of Christ’s body. It skillfully shows how all the members differ in function and purpose yet must live as a unified whole for God to be properly honored and glorified.

 

     12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body where an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26If one member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

 

     God does not hold special favor for those who experience His “mysteries” or “deep things”. No. God is in favor of the body as a whole. Read again verses 12-27 asking God to reveal to your heart His will and desire for the body’s expression.

 

     The life of the Father, Son, and Spirit that we have living in us is proclaiming, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” Therefore, seek out and acknowledge one another, “that there may be no divisions in the body, but that the members may have the same care (love) for one another.”

 

     Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, we are members of a whole. We are part of each other – whether we like it or not. God our Father has placed us in Christ’s body to care for and love each other regardless of our varying experiences and revelations. This is God’s way – not man’s way.

 

     We live in neighborhoods, work, and go to schools with members of Christ’s body that God has placed us with. In many cases, we spend more physically close time with these members of Christ than those in our various fellowships. Isn’t it obvious what God would desire from us?

 

     We are being asked by God’s Spirit of Love to choose. Will we go the way of Love or will we choose to covet our own “specialness”? The way of Love builds Christ’s body. The way of our “specialness” destroys Christ’s body.

 

     1Corintians 3:1-3 is a scathing, scornful, and cutting review of the “special” Christians who, because of their own preferences, separate themselves from loving and caring for all the members of Christ’s body who are in their lives. “A noisy gong,” “a clanging cymbal,” “being nothing,” and “gaining nothing,” are phrases God uses to describe such Christians.

 

     Lord God almighty, have mercy on us all. Give us a mind and heart and spirit to go the deepest way, the more excellent way - the way of Love. Certainly, to love is deeper, higher, and more special than all we could ever see, know, or experience.

 

 

Regardless

 

 

Regardless

 

Of what you think of yourself,

 

Regardless

 

Of how you see yourself,

 

Regardless

 

Of what others think of you,

 

Regardless

 

Of what you’ve been told your whole life,

 

God loves you.

Jesus died to set you free from yourself.

The Spirit of Love dwells in you as your New Life.

You are a member of God’s family, Christ’s Body of believers.

TOGETHER, WE WILL BECOME THE ANSWER

TO JESUS’ PRAYER.

 

REGARDLESS!

Universal Love Greeting

 

     As God’s Spirit of Love moves and grows in our hearts to lovingly accept and embrace all followers of Jesus Christ, let us put into practice an enjoyable yet meaningful way we can identify and acknowledge one another.

 

     Upon seeing another Christian, whether know or unknown, acknowledge them with an open hand; palm facing them with fingers spread apart (like the universal signal for “stop” or “halt”). This hand gesture with the four fingers spread apart represents the Body of Christ, the Church on earth, divided by various ideologies, doctrines, philosophies, beliefs, traditions, principals, thoughts, ideas, preferences, creeds and dogmas; in God’s eyes, the unnecessary things that keep the members of Christ’s body at odds with one another. The thumb is below the divided fingers, representing Christ the Head of the Body and His will in the position of secondary importance.

 

     Next, quickly move your hand into a straightened hand shake position with your four fingers squeezed tightly together and your thumb pointing straight up. The four fingers represent all of Christ’s followers connected together in loving care and acceptance, as being one in Christ, having one faith, one unique Lord, and being of one Body. The thumb, standing straight up above the four fingers, represents Christ, the Head of the Body, being acknowledged in love by His one unified Church.

 

    In this way, lovers of Christ can acknowledge one another in hundreds of different scenarios. Just imagine being in a public square, a market place, a restaurant, a park, or sporting event. Far off, you spot a Christian friend. Your eyes lock onto each other. Both of you immediately acknowledge each other’s love for the Lord and one another by showing the “universal love greeting” to each other. Suddenly, several others in the area give you both and each other the same “universal love greeting”!

 

     For a moment there is both a sense of excitement and wonder; Christians who don’t even know each other personally are uniting in an expression of mutual love and oneness; while the unsaved world looks on in awe and wonder of these peculiar people. God has been honored and glorified in the middle of a dark and lost world. The Body of Christ is standing as one in the world. The unseen spiritual principalities and powers of darkness are defeated by the Light of the Spirit of Love shining between the brothers’ and sisters’ open demonstration of loving oneness. The Father-Son-Spirit are/is rejoicing. The angels of heaven are dumb-founded.

 

  Another wonderful thing about this “universal love greeting” – it can immediately be used, understood, and appreciated between mixed cultures and languages. Brothers and sisters who can’t understand one word of each other’s language can instantly say to each other, “I love the Lord Jesus Christ and I love you unconditionally, also.” What a glory to God this is! What a privilege to be fulfilling Christ’s prayer to the Father for our unity in the triune God. Also, we will be rubbing the Enemy’s nose in hot sulfur. Hallelujah!

 

 

“One Another”  ἀλλήλων

 

     The word “one” suggests - individual; alone; single.

 

     The word “another” suggests - someone different; a different individual; a different person who shares a common attribute.

 

     “One another” suggests - a mutual oneness; a coming together; two or more individuals being one in purpose; a mutual caring and sharing.

 

     In the original New Testament Greek language, “one another” is one word - ἀλλήλων (ah-LAY-loan). How appropriate in light of God’s desire for us to be one in life, love, and purpose.  ( John 17:11, 21-22 )

 

These verses may be categorized as “unity one another’s” but without love they are impossible to express for God’s glory.*

o Be at peace with one another. (Mark 5:50)

o Don’t grumble among one another. (John 6:43)

o Be of the same mind with one another. (Romans 12:16; 15:5)

o Accept one another. (Romans 15:7)

o Wait for one another before beginning the Eucharist. (1Corinthians 11:33)

o Don’t bite, devour, and consume one another. (Galatians 5:15)

o Don’t boastfully challenge or envy one another. (Galatians 5:26)

o Gently, patiently tolerate one another. (Ephesians 4:2)

o Be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to one another. (Ephesians 4:32)

o Bear with and forgive one another. (Colossians 3:13)

o Seek good for one another, and don’t repay evil for evil. (1Thessilonians 5:15)

o Don’t complain against one another. (James 4:11; 5:9)

o Confess sins to one another. (James 5:16)

 

These verses may be categorized as “love one another’s” but in doing them, unity is expressed to the glory of God.*

o Love one another. (John 13:34; 15:12, 17; Romans 13:8; 1Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; 1Peter 1:22; 1John 3:11; 4:7,11; 2John 5)

o Through love, serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)

o Tolerate one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)

o Greet one another with a kiss of love. (1Peter 5:14)

o Be devoted to one another in love. (Romans 12:10)

 

These verses may be categorized as “one another’s showing humility and respect”; but without the Spirit of Love empowering us they are only to our own glory.*

o Give preference to one another in honor. (Romans 12:10)

o Regard one another as more important than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

o Serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)

o Wash one another’s feet. (John 13:14)

o Don’t be haughty: be of the same mind. (Romans 12:16)

o Be subject to one another. (Ephesians 5:21)

o Clothe yourselves in humility toward one another. (1Peter 5:5)

 

Here are some other “one another” verses that require love, unity and respect.*

o Do not judge one another, and don’t put a stumbling block in a brother’s way. (Romans 14:13)

o Greet one another with a kiss. (Romans 16:16; 1Corinthians 16:20; 2Corintians 13:12)

o Husbands and wives: don’t deprive one another of physical intimacy. (1Corintians 7:5)

o Bear one another’s burdens. (Galatians 6:2)

o Speak truth to one another. (Ephesians 4:25)

o Don’t lie to one another. (Colossians 3:9)

o Comfort one another concerning the resurrection. (1Thessalonians 4:18)

o Encourage and build up one another. (1Thessalonians 5:11)

o Stimulate one another to love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24)

o Pray for one another. (James 5:16)

o Be hospitable to one another. (1Peter 4:9)

 

Colossians 3:16 is a different Greek word but it fits in the list - “Teach and admonish one another with songs, hymns and spiritual songs.”

 

*Having read through the above “one another” verses can be severely depressing.  It’s obvious we come so short of being able to do these “commands”. But these are not commands! They are expressions of the New Person living in us – Jesus. To be able to do them, to God’s glory and not our own, we need to simply ask. Ask the Spirit of Love, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, that lives within us, to do through us what we cannot do ourselves. Ask that God’s will be honored through us instead of our will. Just ask and then do it. God honors and supports the heart seeking to do His will. We will grow in grace to God’s glory. We will grow in the enjoyment of Christ’s life in us. We will grow in the Spirit of Love living through our spirit, soul and body. Jesus is our Grace; supplying us with God’s life to meet God’s “demands”.  (2Peter 3:17, 18; 1Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

 

 

FAMILY

 

     Humanly, we were born into a family. Spiritually, we were born into a family.

 

      Being a Christian is not and has never been an individual endeavor. Jesus is not returning for individuals. He is returning for His Church, which is His Body, which is His Bride.

 

     Jesus’ Church, His Bride, will be a family of people who have been built up together in love; love that has been practiced in everyday living; daily situations that require sacrifice of time and exercise of patience and forgiveness, mercy and grace.

 

  Only Christ has the life to express and practice such love. Christ in each one of us is our only hope. He is the Christian life, the only true Christian person who can love. Jesus is the only one who knows how to truly die for the sake of others. Let us give Him permission to live through us for His glory. Let us become the answer to His prayer. May we become one family loving Him; one family in purpose; one family of people who love and care for each other through thick and thin, for better or worse.

 

  Also, may our personal families be drawn into Christ as Noah’s (Gen. 7:1), as Rahab’s family (Josh. 2:18-19), as Zaccheus’ family (Luke 19:9), as Cornelius’ family (Acts 11:14), as Lydia’s family (Acts 16:15), and as Crispus’ family (Acts 18:8).

 

   May the Lord’s Spirit of Love draw us all into His family of loving oneness.

 

 

Time

 

 Time may well be the greatest stronghold in our Christian walk. Time, our time, in a world of countless scenarios, is a commodity that can easily be coveted more than anything else.

 

Our time is the bedrock and foundation of all that we do. Whether we are rich or poor, young or old, male or female, educated or illiterate, famous or unknown, loaded with friends or no friends, each person covets their time. We especially want to have control of our “free-time”.

 

Uncommitted time or free-time varies greatly with each person. Our cultures, environments, ages, responsibilities, and again, countless circumstances determine the amount of free-time each of us has to do what we please. Regardless of the amount of free-time we might have, seldom, if ever, do we ask the Lord what He wants us to do with it.

 

“Lord Jesus, what do you want me to do with my free-time?”

 

Typically, what do we do with our free-time? Of course, the variety of activities is endless. But let’s list a few: video games, internet games, surfing the web, shopping, a movie, TV, music, hobbies, gardening, jogging, cycling, camping, Facebook, parties, dining out, cooking, reading, and on and on and on.

 

Would we be willing to relinquish or give up our coveted free-time to our Lord? Is our love and commitment to our Savior at a level that we would allow Him to use our free-time?

 

For us to be able to become the answer to our Lord’s prayer in John 17, we must allow Him to use our free-time. Giving Him our free-time will never take the form of a list of do’s and don’ts, rights and wrongs, or good and evil activities – unless you want to be your own god and put yourself under the law.

 

No, the only way to become the answer to our Lord’s prayer is to do as God originally asked us: eat daily of the Tree of Life; the life of God, Jesus, and the Spirit of Love.

 

For us to become one, to love each other, to express God’s life to the world, we not only need to feast on God’s life but we need to spend time with one another. To spend time with one another, we need to ask the Lord to direct or guide our life, especially during our free-time. The Lord can use us for even a minute or two to acknowledge, encourage or support another believer.

 

Also, we must learn to cherish times together with our Lord; times of silence, times of acknowledging His presence in all that we are doing, times of listening for His guidance.

 

The Lord has called us to be in the world, but not of the world. The world is designed to attract our attention, our time, our mind, our heart. The Lord’s life in us is the only life that can overcome the world’s lure. The enemy uses both evil and good things to use up our free-time.

 

Our only hope is to call out to our Lord and depend on one another for His encouraging life supply.

 

“Lord Jesus, use me and my time according to Your perfect will. Lord, help me to realize that my time is really Your time; the time I have is because of your mercy and grace.”

The Goal

 

     God has a goal; a purpose, a desire, an eternal end in view, a reason for all that there is. For us specifically, God wants us to practice living our Christian faith by spending face to face, heart to heart time together with the members of His family. To say this another way; letting whatever portion of Christ that lives in us come out through our soul (mind, emotions, will) to love others as we love ourselves. Said another way; despite the differences in our personalities and preferences, desperately choose to love each other, not by gutting-it-out in our own strength, but by the power of the Spirit of Love (the life of Jesus Christ in us).

 

     And if that “empowerment”, (Christ’s life in us) is not there – cry out to the Father in heaven to show you the way to love with His love. Plea to God the Spirit of Love fill your spiritual gas tank with love.

 

     So why go to all this effort and trouble?

 

     Simply, so we can be used by God to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer, their prayer. What higher calling, what greater privilege, and what more humbling purpose could we ever give ourselves to?

 

     It is within the reach of every believer – to love. Love does not require intellect, leadership, a special calling, not even a gift... Love comes when we accept the Spirit of Love’s movement within our heart to express the Father through us. Thus, God is glorified in, through and among us to the marvel of the lost world (John 17:21).

 

     This is our Lord’s goal for all Christians – to actually practice living out Christ’s life (1John 4:20-21).  It is then and only then that we will live by another life to fulfill God’s wonderful goal (Romans 12:9-21).

Give Time To the Word

 

     We know scripture knowledge without the presence of spiritual life equals death (2Corinthians 3:6). But the Word of God becomes alive, full of life, joy, encouragement, nourishment, revelation, a sword for spiritual battle, and so much more when taken in spirit and lived out by the Spirit.

     God’s word, taken as knowledge, to prove others wrong or lacking or weak, divides the body of Christ. For many centuries, walls of division have been justified by “theological ideologies”. Many have sought to be special, famous or rich by promoting their style of Christianity and or special Christian doctrines.

     God’s move across the earth, through the Spirit of Love, will have none of this type of divisiveness. God’s word is meant to bring life, not death. God’s word is meant to nourish and promote growth, not weakness. God’s word is meant to bring us together, not tear us apart. If we are being torn apart because of God’s word, a time of soberly seeking God’s presence and His will must be taken so as to be sure we are standing for love in the Truth that builds up Christ’s testimony and body on earth.

     This in no way suggests the compromising of Truth. (2Timothy 3:16 – 17)

     The Lord wants us to know His Word so we can grow and mature in our spiritual life. God wants us to depend on His life that dwells in us so we can apply scripture in our daily lives according to His will. Jesus desires we practice His love rather than just study and talk about it. He desires doers rather than talkers.

     As we gather weekly in our neighborhoods, let us take time to read and listen to the Word of God. Before reading and listening, have a time of prayer. Ask the Lord for understanding, revelation, encouragement, conviction … and a heart‘s desire to live His word as well as know it (2Timothy 3:16–17). [An important side note: For the sake of giving everyone a chance to pray, please pray only one or two sentences. Don’t be the person who hogs prayer; eloquently praying from A to Z, leaving no stone unturned and everyone else feeling unqualified to pray.]

     As “unchristian” as this may sound, the emphasis of www.BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com is not for us to become Biblical scholars but rather that we become Biblical practitioners. We must trust the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Love, to teach us, as we hear God’s word, to be doers of the word and not hearers only.

     Our weekly neighborhood gatherings are meant to give us opportunity to practice loving one another. Certainly, as the weeks and months go by, God in us and God’s love in us will constrain us to want to be together and do things together outside of just potlucks. This is the way of love.

 

 

 

 

 

What is Love?

 

     Let’s cut to the chase; let’s get to the point; let’s not dilly-dally;

The bottom line is … God is Love.

Jesus on earth was God’s expression of Love.

Jesus Christ returned as the Life-giving Spirit; God’s Spirit of Love

 

     No matter how many words are spoken; no matter how many examples are given; no matter how theological you get; there’s no better  way to say it, show it or explain it – “God is Love”.

 

     Do a casual read through 1John 4:7 – 5:3:

 

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 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. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has given us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement. In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because He first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

 

5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome,

 

     There are around 30 references to “love” in these 18 verses – fairly intense. When it’s all said and done, it boils down to this; we’re supposed to love God 100%, thus His commandments are no sweat, we’ll habitually love everyone ( or you don’t love God ), and God is love.

 

     Well, the first two points (vs. 7-8) pretty much makes it clear we need God’s love rather than our own. For us to live up to such a standard of love, we are asked and exhorted to perform, is humanly impossible. To love with such conviction requires us to trash our human love and depend on God’s life and love.

 

     Even if we could mustard up enough human love for it to appear we were pulling it off, we would be getting all the credit and glory instead of God. This is not for us to judge. God knows our hearts.

 

     God’s way for us to live, loving Him and His children, is to get lost and swallowed up in a love relationship with God Himself. As we grow and mature in God’s life, our testimony of love will shine forth more and more for God’s enjoyment and the world’s amazement.

 

     May any hardness in our hearts be melted away so God’s love can have His will and way in and through us. In desperation, may we humbly bow before our Lord and accept the Spirit of Love’s empowering. May we be willing to put ourselves aside so the Lord can live through us to His glory and delight.

 

     If we will do this, God’s will and purpose for His body of believers on earth will be accomplished. Jesus’ prayer to the Father will be answered and fulfilled through us!

 

     Please, Lord, by your Spirit of Love, enable us to be those who become the answer to Your prayer in John 17.

 

 

“LOVE” in the New Testament ESV

 

MATTHEW:

5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

6:5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

10:37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

19:19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

22:37 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.

 22:39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

23:6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

24:12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

 

MARK:

10:21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

 

LUKE:

6:27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

6:32“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

7:5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”

7:42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

7:47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

10:27 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.”

11:42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.

16:13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.

20:46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,

 

JOHN:

3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

3:35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

5:20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.

5:42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.

8:42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.

11:3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”

11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

11:36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

12:25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

12:43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

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

14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

14:21 Whoever 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.”

14:23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone 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. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

14:28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

14:31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

15:9  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 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.

15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

15:17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

16:27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God

17:23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

17:26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

19:26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”

20:2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

21:7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.

21:15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

21:20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”

 

ROMANS:

1:7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[h] for those who are called according to his purpose.

8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

9:13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

9:25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”

12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

14:15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.

15:30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,

 

1CORINTHIANS:

2:9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

4:21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

8:1 Now concerning[a] food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up

13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

13:13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.                                                                                                              14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

16:14  Let all that you do be done in love.

16:22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come

16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

2CORINTHIANS:

2:4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

2:8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

5:14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

6:6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;

8:7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.  8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

8:24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.

9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

11:11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

12:15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?

13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

 

GALATIANS:

2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

 

EPHESIANS:

1:15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,

2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

5:1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

5:28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

5:33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

6:23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

 

PHILIPPIANS:

1:9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

1:16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

 

COLOSSIAN:

1:4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

1:8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ,

3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

 

1 THESSALONIANS:

1:3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

3:6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—

3:12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

4:9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,

5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

5:13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

 

2 THESSALONIANS:

1:3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

2:10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,

3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

 

1 TIMOTHY:

1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1:14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

2:15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

3:3  not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

 

2 TIMOTHY:

1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1:13  Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

3:10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,

4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

4:10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

 

TITUS:

1:8  but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

2:2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

2:4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,

3:15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

4:4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,

4:15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

 

PHILEMON:

1:5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

1:7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

1:9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—

HEBREWS:

1:9 “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

6:10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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.

12:6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

13:1 Let brotherly love continue.

13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

JAMES:

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

2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

 

1 PETER:

1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

3:8  Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

3:10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

5:14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.

 

2 PETER:

1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[e] and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

2:15 Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,

 

1 JOHN:

2:5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

2:10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[b] there is no cause for stumbling.

2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

3:23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 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. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

 

2JOHN:

1:1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth,

1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love.

1:5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

 

3 JOHN:

1:1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

1:5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church.

 

JUDE:

1:1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

1:12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;

1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

 

REVELATION:

1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

2:4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

2:19 “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. 20 But I have this against you,

3:9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you

3:19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

22:15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Like-mindedness or Life-oneness

 

     Among Christians, especially those of us who have been doctrinally indoctrinated, like-mindedness is very important. In fact, like-mindedness may well be the only foundation allowing fellowship, friendship, and intimacy.

 

     As with all things, our consideration should be, what is God’s view of like-mindedness?

 

     The time has come and now is; our Lord’s prayer in John 17 is being answered. God is pouring out His Spirit of Love into the hearts of His children; those who are seeking the oneness Jesus prayed for. Surely, oneness and like-mindedness are the same or at least oneness encompasses like-mindedness.

 

     In that case, we must really make an effort to understand God’s mind-standard for like-mindedness or oneness. At least we can be sure that God’s view is not a biased opinion with selfish motives. God’s mode of operation is always Life and Love.

 

     According to Jesus’ prayer in John 17, our oneness happened when the Father gave us to Jesus. Now Jesus is revealing to us, in His prayer, that the Father is in Him, and He is in the Father, and we are in Him. Now that’s amazing!  God in Him, Him in God, and Us in Them. When God gave us to Jesus, we were included in the life-oneness of the triune God! It’s impossible to humanly wrap our minds around that kind of like-mindedness and oneness.

 

     So what’s the hindrance for all of us being like-minded? Every person who confesses Jesus as their Lord and Savior has been given to Jesus by the Father and shares the same indwelling life of Christ. So we can just accept and love one another on that basis.

 

     Well, that’s easy to say but our preferences and opinions about “necessary truths” get in the way of our like-mindedness and oneness. However, the greater truth is, we are all in Life-oneness. Life-oneness certainly trumps like-mindedness. How abnormal for a family to disown each other over opinions and personal preferences – insisting all be like-minded. The truth is they will always be family because of their life-oneness – but just a broken family. For us Christians, it’s not only a broken family but a dismembered body. If the very source of spiritual life comes from God the Father for all followers of Jesus, and Jesus is the only Head we are asked to give our allegiance to, what power would cause us to reject or shy away from each other?

 

     Of course, scriptures instruct us to avoid antichrists, false teachers, lovers of sin and so on. But there are so many lovers of Jesus living and working next to one another without ever sharing their mutual faith, joy or needs. This is certainly a victory for God’s enemy; to keep the members of Christ’s body dismembered and disjointed – even at odds with one another.

 

     In such an evil and chaotic world, we need each other’s encouragement and support at any time and place we can get it or give it.

 

     As God’s Spirit of Love empowers and convicts us to seek out one another, we will discover our mutual love for Jesus – our life-oneness. We will also find out that the Life-support we share is a much stronger uniting force than any differences that try to divide us. The resulting joy and peace will confirm God’s delight in our willingness to answer Jesus’ prayer for loving oneness – life-oneness.

 

     We truly are members one of another; our commonality is Christ himself. In Him, we not only have like-mindedness, but we will have likeness of will, emotions and mind. As Christ grows in us and we mature in Him, our oneness in His life will move in us all. Our Father will reveal to us and in us love that brings us into such like-mindedness and oneness that our Father will rejoice in us.

 

     May we be those who seek God’s heart to display the life-oneness and like-mindedness that will answer Jesus’ prayer and complete the plan and purpose for our existence.

 

 

“ites” of the Body

 

      All parts of our bodies are made up of individual cells called cellites. These cellites, in turn are specialized to become muscleites,  boneites, skinites, circulatoryites, respritoryites, nervites, and all kinds of organites. And all of these “ites” make up the bodyites. Now all the “ites” share the same life and are  wonderfully ordained by our Creator to live from the same Life-Source. And this Life-Source gives life to all the bodyites.

 

     Our bibles tell us Christ is the Head of His body. The followers of Christ make up His one Body. Christ has only one Body; the Church. There is only one Church, His body, composed of all His followers – on the earth.

 

     Wow! How simple can it get?

 

     However, there are more details, as with any living body. There are many parts or members of a human body as well as Christ’s spiritual Body. By God’s miraculous design, our human body has many different systems and organs with different functions. Also, none of these systems or organs are stand-alone systems; in a normal, healthy body, all systems and organs work together in harmony to energize the whole body.

 

     In control, command, and care of all these systems and organs is the head of the body; the central command center, the brains of the whole operation. What we see, hear, touch, taste and smell are all deciphered by our brain. Then that unseen person (our soul) that lives in our body of flesh and bones chooses what to do with the information our brain has deciphered; to respond or not to respond to what we are hearing, to continue eating or not of what we are tasting and smelling; is it safe or not to continue touching something; is it necessary or not to continue watching what we are looking at. Our head really is the lead component of the body. We live and function by our head/brain.

 

     No wonder our Lord likened himself as the Head of His Body, the Church. Under His loving direction, only what is best for the health of the body is recommended for entrance or action. Unlike our physical head and body, the Lord does not force us to eat or not eat.  We are left with the choice to follow His will or not. We can partake of spiritual food that is damaging to the systems (the “ites”) of His Body.

 

     The Lord’s desire is that all His followers worldwide would acknowledge the truth; that on the earth there is only one Body. Christ the Head, has only one Body on the earth.  And the most wonderful thing – all of us Christians have only one Head. Our ability or willingness to love and embrace one another, regardless to which “bodyite” we are part of, depends on our clear revelation that we all receive life from the same Head, our Lord Jesus Christ. We are members of the same Body regardless of where the Lord has placed us. God’s revelation for us is that whichever group we are attached to is not a bodyite. Rather, in God’s view, it is an organite.

 

     Oh, how desirous the Father and the Son are that we would respond to the Spirit of Love’s move to fill our hearts with a willingness to practice our Body-oneness. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is filled with eager anticipation for us to put into practice, for the world to see, our oneness in the Body of Christ.

 

     So whether we are members of the muscleites,  boneites, skinites, circulatoryites, respritoryites, nervites, or one of the various organites, we are all needed parts of our Lord’s one Body. For the health of His body, we need to love and support one another. Not only will this fulfill God’s great plan, but we will experience a spiritual health that has not been known for centuries.

 

     This is our Lord’s great calling for each one of us cellites. His Spirit of Love is waiting for us to open our hearts to be filled with God’s love. Only by His Spirit of Love will we have a desire to seek one another out and put into practice God’s love. In so doing, we will answer Jesus’ prayer to the Father!

 

 

Read and Live the Word

 

     It has been God’s will to leave us a written record of His desire and purpose. The Bible is that record. Its words were written by men inspired by the Spirit of God and are meant to be read with a heart and spirit turned toward God for the purpose of drawing closer to our beloved Lord and doing His will (2Timothy 3:16 – 17).

 

     If our reading and studying of scriptures is merely for the acquisition of knowledge, the result will be spiritual death. But if our heart’s desire is to know the Lord and His will more intimately, so we can live out God’s purpose for our lives, then scripture becomes Life to us. The mysteries of God are ours to be seen and experienced. All that God has done and is doing, as recorded in the Bible, is centered in Christ. All that is in the Old Testament are pictures and types of who Christ is and God’s purpose for mankind.

 

     God created mankind to love Him, not by force, but out of love by free will. The Bible is a record of mankind’s struggle to give up control of self and surroundings by relying on God’s will and direction. As we seek to live in God’s presence and live by His will, God’s loving purpose for mankind is fulfilled.

 

     God’s purpose for the Bible is twofold; 1) to show us who God is and 2) to show us who we are in Him. In this revealing, we become what God desires for us to be. Thus, His will and purpose for all things are fulfilled.

 

     Again, the sole purpose of scripture is to enable us to have an intimate loving relationship with God. Just as in a growing love relationship between a man and a woman culminates in marriage, so also is our relationship with Jesus Christ – the living Word.

 

Lord, may the living out of Your life always be the result of our reading Your Word.

+ Jeremiah 15:16 + Psalms 119:103-105; 127-131 + Matthew 4:4 +

+ John 1:1, 4, 14; 6:63, 68; 14:23,24 + Acts 1:16 +

+ Romans 2:29; 7:6 + 2Corinthians 3:6b + Ephesians 6:17 +

+ 2Timothy 3:16, 17 +

 

 

Tell Him, “I Love You”

 

How many times

Has your mind and heart

Craved

To hear the words

“I love you.”?

Is your heart

Not filled

With

Warmth and Comfort

When you

Sincerely receive

The words,

“I love you.”?

Jesus is no different.

Now realize -

Jesus, in each one of us,

Is waiting to receive the words,

“I love you.”

 

 

“in Jesus’ name”

 

     “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13 – 14

 

     “in Jesus’ name”; this phrase is not meant to be used as the ending of our prayers. “in Jesus’ name” is how we are meant to pray.  “in Jesus’ name” is not a formula or phrase said assuring us God will listen, approve and answer our prayer.

 

      We are meant to be praying in the person and will of Jesus. With the name of Jesus comes the person of Jesus. “in Jesus’ name” means to be in touch with or in line with the will of God. Even more so, to pray “in Jesus’ name” means we are one with Him; when we pray, He is praying through us. No wonder we are told “whatever we ask, will be given to us” – Jesus is praying to His Father through us. If we are praying what Jesus is praying, of course our/His prayer will be answered.

 

     This will seem very awkward, even unspiritual and offensive to many Christians. Ending prayers with “in Jesus’ name” has been a tradition we have been raised with. Its practice has no scriptural truth. Just consider asking a friend for help; “John, would you please help me with this project? I ask in John’s name.” John would look at you and say, “Why are you saying that? I’m right here.”

 

     However, this is not something to make into a law. To insist is to be arrogant, insensitive, judgmental and divisive. The more intimate and personal our relationship becomes with our Lord, the more His light will shine on such traditions.

 

     A word of warning: Matthew 7:21 – 23 is a classic example of doing good things “in Jesus’ name” without being in a true relationship with Jesus and therefore suffering serious consequences: 21”Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

 

     Scary and amazing! These lawless ones prophesied, cast out demons, and did many mighty works in the Lord’s name. They got results! Doesn’t that count for anything? “Lawlessness “   is the Lord’s judgement! In verse 21, Jesus plainly tells all of us who will qualify to enter the kingdom of heaven; “the one who does the will of my Father.”

 

     Lord, help me to know You more intimately. Help me to realize You are a real living person living in my spirit and soul. Make my spiritual ears sensitive to Your speaking so I can know Your mind, Your emotions, Your will on a moment by moment basis. I ask this in Jesus’ name.

 

 

Each and Every Christian

 

     Each Christian, in this world, is now standing before the will of God. In a short time, each follower of Jesus will have to make a choice. That choice is whether or not to do God’s will. Can you imagine anything more important than the will of God?

 

     What is God’s will? Simply put, God’s will is what God wants, what God has planned to have or accomplish; His desire and purpose, both daily and eternally.

 

     The Holy Spirit has revealed to us that Jesus was God on earth. Jesus said things like, “I and my Father are one.” “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” And the Spirit inspired John to record, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 14) So, God dwelt on earth in the form of the man, Jesus!

 

     When asked, by His disciples, how they should pray (Matthew 6:9-13), Jesus clearly states a priority of acknowledgements and concerns we should lay forth when coming to God in prayer.  First, we are to acknowledge that God is the heavenly source of our existence; without God and His Fatherhood, we would be eternally lost. Next, we acknowledge that our heavenly Father’s name is holy. As with any name comes the person. Our Father’s name is Holy and so is our Father-God.

 

     The reality of “holy” is so far beyond our worldly existence and experience. As recorded in scripture, when men encountered glimpses of God they fell as dead, were blinded, lost their ability to speak, and always worshipped in fear. “Holy” commands worship, mixed with humble reverence, awe, and fear. “Holy” is other realm stuff.

 

     What is completely mind-boggling is that the Gift (the blood of Jesus Christ) we have been given allows us the right and privilege to approach our heavenly Holy Father in prayerful conversation! We all are and will be eternally grateful for this privilege and increasingly so as we mature spiritually.

 

     Next, Jesus told his followers that we should acknowledge and pray for God’s kingdom and will to be done on earth as it is already accomplished in heaven. Amazing! This is amazing in so many ways.

 

     First, what our eternal Holy Father-Creator sees already done, from His eternal perspective, needs to be worked out and fulfilled on earth by us cooperating with God’s will. Of course, God could simply think a thought and instantly it would be done on earth. But that’s not what God wants – that’s not God’s will. God’s will is that through His relationship with His followers, His kingdom will be accomplished. This is meant to be a loving relationship of prayer and doing. God wants us to cultivate a loving partnership with Him and with one another. Why? So God’s will and kingdom is done on earth!

 

     By the way, this expression of our loving partnership, with God and one another, is not the ultimate, full-blown manifestation of our oneness with God. However, our love for one another and God is supposed to be to such a degree on earth that the unbelieving world is forced to acknowledge God’s work among His loving people. Just read Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John 17:21 & 23.

 

     Well, that’s the foundation upon which we are asked to pray to our heavenly Holy Father. Again, that foundation of our prayers is to be the expression of God’s kingdom on earth, by the doing of God’s will among His followers, as one people.

 

     In several places in scripture, God says all the Law and the Prophets (making up the will of God) is accomplished by us doing two things. Forget the 10 commandments and any additional ordinances and statutes in the Old Testament. Forget about when and how all the prophecies will be fulfilled. There are only two things we need to do. If we do those two things, everything else will be accomplished and fulfilled – all the laws and the prophecies. Hold on to your hat or anything else that will get blown away. Here they are: love God and love each other; just easing into it – love God and love each other; yes, these two do it all; love God and love each other. That’s it – there is no more and there is no less. If we will seek God’s will, He will direct us to: love God and love each other.

 

     Now is the time to accept God’s will; love Him and love others. There is not one of us who is unqualified to do God’s will. All our sins – past, present, future – have been forgiven. From the newest believer in Jesus to the oldest most mature saint, each one is qualified and able to love God and love others to the degree of their cooperation with God’s Spirit of Love that lives in them. That’s what God wants. That’s God’s will. And He wants us to live it and practice it ... NOW.

 

     Right now, God’s Spirit of Love is being poured out across the earth. God is seeking those who are willing to do His will. (2Chronicles 16:9)  He’s not waiting for another time or the sweet by and by. His will is to be done on earth as in heaven, now.

     Dear followers of Jesus Christ, this is our heavenly Father’s holy will. Won’t you give yourself to do His will? This is why God chose you to be His child in the first place. This is His will for our lives. We have been given a purpose, an eternal purpose. And that purpose matches God’s purpose. We have the greatest and highest calling of all mankind! How can we turn our backs on such a call of Love?

 

Become the answer to Jesus’ prayer.

The Christians’Constitution*

Matthew 5 – 7

 

     Constitution; not as in a set of written laws, rules, and regulations.  *Constitution; as in a person’s resolve, character, and integrity.

     Matthew, chapters 5 – 7, depict the Christians’ spiritual vitality, health, and strength (*constitution) when they are walking in the life and will of God’s life, the Spirit of Life, the Life of Christ, the expression of the Spirit of Love.

     As we embrace and give in to the Spirit of Love, we will find ourselves able to express the depth of God’s love and life as portrayed in Christ’s life and teachings. How else could our Lord expect us to live the type of life He requests in Matthew 5:48 and chapters 5, 6 and 7?

     Oh, how the children of God and the spiritually lost world need to experience the life of Christ first hand as it is expressed and lived out in and through us.

 

     Matthew 5 – 7:

Chapter 5

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

 14"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

 16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

 18 "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

 19 "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 20 "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'

 22 "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.

 23 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

 24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

 25 "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer and you be thrown into prison.

 26 "Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

 27  "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.'

 28 "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

 29 "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

 30 "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

 31 "Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.'

 32 "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

 33 "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.'

 34 "But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne;

 35 "nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

 36 "Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.

 37 "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'

 39 "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

 40 "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.

 41 "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

 42 "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

 43"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

 47 "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

 48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

 

Chapter 6

1"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

 2 "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

 3 "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

 4 "that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

 5 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

 6 "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

 7 "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

 8 "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

 9 "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 11 Give us this day our daily bread.

 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

 14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

 15 "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 16 "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

 17 "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,

 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

 20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

 21"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 22"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.

 23 "But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

 24"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

 25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

 26 "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

 27"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

 28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

 29 "and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

 30 "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

 31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

 33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

 34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

Chapter 7

1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.

 2 "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

 3 "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

 4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?

 5"Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

 6 "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

 8"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

 9 "Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

 10 "Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?

 11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

 12 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

 13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

 14 "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

 15"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

 16"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?

 17"Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

 18 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

 19"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

 20 "Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'

 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

 24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

 25 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

 26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

 27 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

 28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,

 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

(NKJV)

Now, to repeat, the icing on the cake:

Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

 

     When Jesus spoke these words, mankind could not live by God’s life as Christians are now able to do. It says that the people were astonished, astounded, “blown away”. Things haven’t changed much today. When we hear we are to be perfect like the Father, it’s not unusual to hear all kinds of excuses why we really can’t be perfect. It doesn’t seem to be a popular notion that being perfect entails being dead to our old nature, not getting what we want, dying on the cross daily, and all that kind of sadistic religious fanaticism. We wonder why Jesus even said it?

     What a wonderful day it will be when, across the earth, neighborhoods, work places, and communities are filled with Christians living and loving by the Spirit of Love, the Life of God. Nothing will matter to them but loving Jesus and loving one another, no matter what.

     Oh, Father, please fill me with your Spirit of Love. Save me from trying to be a Christian in my own strength. Fill me with Your life of love – I know that You are love. Make me what You want me to be. Use me according to Your will each moment of each day. Give me the hunger and desire to seek Your will and do it for Your glory’s sake. I love you, Lord. Thank you for choosing me to be a part of Your body here on earth. Show me when and how to love as You love. Don’t let me run away from doing Your will and living Your life. I believe You have given me Your life so I can accomplish Your will.

 

 

Bored and Lonely

 

     Bored, lonely, lonesome, alone, tired of the same old thing day after day, feeling unloved, unsatisfied, unconnected with others, no friends, no purpose, living in solitude, a vacuum, unable to communicate or express your true feelings, having nothing in common that’s worthwhile, a shallow existence – the list could go on and on.

     The bottom line, you’re bored and lonely. Oh, you can keep yourself busy. But what for? Life seems like a waste of time.

     This human dilemma is a silent plague. In the middle of a world full of activities and entertainments, responsibilities and causes, never ending learning and education – we can be bored and lonely. Something is missing and God dares to have the answer, the solution.

     As a Christian, a believer, a follower of Jesus, you can very easily be ashamed to admit you are bored and lonely. Something tells you it shouldn’t be that way if you’re a Christian. Isn’t believing in God and doing “God things” supposed to take care of everything? Yet the plague of boredom and loneliness is just as common among Christians as it is among non-Christians. Actually, it could be worse.

      Jesus told a parable to His disciples (Matthew 25:1-13) that demonstrates this plague and its solution. As followers and believers of Jesus, we can live a life of having limited oil or a life of being filled with oil. Oil represents the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Love (Hebrews 1:9) and lamps represent our human spirit made alive with God’s Spirit (Proverbs 20:27). You can go through your days barely having any oil or you can be being filled with oil. To be filled with oil results in being satisfied, joyful, and having purpose in life. To be minimally filled results in little or no satisfaction or clear purpose and fulfillment in life. We are meant to be filled.

     To be being filled or to remain being filled results in peace and purpose because we are in tune, in sync with God’s purpose. So how can we know God’s purpose? His purpose is free for the asking; “Father, what is your will for me today, this moment? Take me through this day according to Your will.” We always have a choice to seek God’s will in our daily life or we can choose to neglect God and just go about doing what we think God wants us to do. We think we know right from wrong, good from evil. So we really don’t need God that much. This kind of thinking and doing came into existence because of Adam and Eve’s eating of the wrong tree.

     What’s missing here is the oil – the Spirit, the Spirit of Love. On God’s heart is His most preeminent desire – that we would love Him with our whole being. God’s oil, the Spirit of Love, is being poured out on those who are living in a state of loving Him, acknowledging Him in everything, depending on Him in everything. Being filled with the Spirit of Love brings purpose, meaning, guidance, fulfillment, and family. There is no room for boredom and loneliness.

     To love God and His will in our lives gives us the ability to love one another. As we are filled with God’s love, we will be drawn to those around us who are also lovers of God. This is God’s will and purpose for our existence. No wonder boredom and loneliness disappears. The Father, Son, and Spirit are supporting us and filling us 100%. All that God has ever wanted for Himself and us is that we be fulfilled by loving Him and loving one another. But we must remember to always have a heart attitude of seeking and asking to be led by His loving will day by day, moment by moment.

     There is a simplicity in all of this that goes against our fallen nature. First, we love ourselves and second, we like being in control of our lives – even though it results in boredom and loneliness.

     But, thank God, there is a way out! Did you miss the way out? Go back and reread the previous 3 paragraphs.

 

 

FATHER

What a wonderful heavenly Father we have!

 

     We are all children of a father. None of us had a say in our becoming the child of our father. It’s the same with being children of our heavenly Father. Our God and Father chose that we would be birthed of Him before the tick of time. It is the Father who gave us to His Son, Jesus (Ephesians 1:4-5; John 10:29).

 

     We may think we had a choice. But the truth is, God the Father chose us before we chose Him. What a mercy it is to have been chosen by our God and Father. We’ve been chosen by Him to be His children for eternity! (Matthew 5:45; Galatians 4:6)

 

     “Father” naturally rings with the sound of intimacy. “God” rings with the sound of power and authority. With “God” comes commandments, rules, and regulations – even fear. With “Father” comes protection, grace, peace, mercy, tenderness – love. (1Corinthians 1:30; 1Timothy 1:2; Philemon 1:3) It’s a wonderful thing to find out that our God and our Father is the same person; God is our Father.

 

     It’s amazing to find out when the first mention of God as Father occurs. There are, plus or minus, 1200 “fathers” mentioned before “Father” occurs in the Old Testament (Isaiah 9:16). And the reference in Isaiah is a prophetic reference to Jesus as the Father! The actual first reference to God as Father is first found in Matthew 5:16 when Jesus tells His disciples that God is their Father; they are His sons and daughters (2Corinthians 6:18)!

 

     There’s a good chance that we know God as Father because there is an initial realization for us when we are born of God’s life. There is a continual revealing of God as Father as we mature spiritually. We are always discovering facets and depths of God’s Fatherhood.

 

     However, many times Jesus receives most of the attention for all that the triune God has done and is doing for us. But when we look into the record found in scripture, we find out the Father is behind it all! (John 3:35; 5:22, 26, 36; 6:39, 57, 65; 8:28; 14:10, 26; 16:23; Galatians 1:4; 4:6; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 1:19; 1Pet 1:2)

 

     The most fascinating and wonderful reality about God is His triune character. God is three yet one; Father, Son, Spirit. (Genesis 1:1-2, 26; Matthew 1:23; 3:16-17; 28:19; Luke 1:35; 3:22; John 14:17, 20, 26; 16:13-15; Romans 14:17-18; 1Corintians 12:4-6; 15:45; 2Corintians 13:14; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:3-6; Colossians 2:9;1Peter 1:2; Hebrews 9:14; 1John 5:1-8; Revelation 21:23)

 

     Our heavenly Father has designed a most wonderful destiny for us. And that destiny began for us the moment we were saved! All of us, who are followers of Jesus, acknowledge that Jesus is living in us. How wonderful is that?! But how many of us are equally aware of our Father’s living in us? The very God who sent His Son to mankind, redeeming them by dying, resurrecting, ascending, and returning as the Life-giving Spirit (1Corinthians 15:45; 2Corinthians 3:17), also lives in us! God our Father lives in us!

 

     The Father and Son, and for that matter, the Spirit, are all living in us. The triune God lives in us! And their living in us is not like a rock in a glass of water. No! God, the Father, Son and Spirit, is like a tea bag being placed in a cup of water. The tea immediately begins to change the water into tea-water. The Spirit of God placed into our spirit immediately begins to change us into spiritual people; our mind, emotion, and will begin taking on the nature of God’s mind, emotion, and will. Unbelievably wonderful! We are becoming one with the triune God. Of course, God sees us completely one with Himself already.

 

     Let’s take a few steps back and look at what was happening before this wonderful oneness with God was possible. Jesus and his disciples are on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane. Before getting there, Jesus stops and prays out loud the greatest prayer ever uttered (John 17). Jesus prays to the Father. Jesus never spoke or did anything but what the Father was saying or willing. So this prayer was a mutual agreement between the Father and Son. Is there any prayer, such as this prayer, ever prayed that is as sure to be answered? This is God praying to God in total agreement of their desired will. Check out verse 21: That they (you and me) may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, (then the phrase comes that shows us this oneness is for now, not for when we “die and go to heaven”), so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” And then two sentences later Jesus repeats this wonderful truth; “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (verse 23)

 

     Are these two verses beyond our belief? Can we accept our place in the triune God? Does our faith include our oneness with the Father and Son?

 

     The Father and Son agreed in prayer that our life in them would be expressed to the world by our loving oneness. This is our purpose, our destiny; to become perfectly one. If we won’t accept our oneness with the triune God, we can’t practice our oneness with one another. If we are not willing to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer, we will not have the Life or Love of the triune God. Thus, we will not be able to practice a loving oneness for each other.

 

     “Oh, Father, by your grace and mercy, give us hearts of belief so we can become the answer to your prayer. This is the universal purpose for each one of us, your sons and daughters. Open our hearts and eyes to see who we really are in You.”

 

     May we diligently do as Jesus instructed His disciples to do when praying: “Our Father, who is in heaven, Your name is holy, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”

 

     The Father and Son are in heaven. The Father and Son also live in our spirit and heart. It is there that we worship them (John 4:23). There is a heavenly realm that lives in us on the earth! We simply must ask to know our Father’s will so we can do it.

 

     Jesus told his disciples earlier, in John 14:12-13, that He would ask the Father to send another Comforter (the Holy Spirit of Love) who would live in us forever and we would do greater works. How can we do greater works than Jesus? As an individual on the earth, His expression of the Father was very limited – one person. But as believers, with our oneness in the triune God and our loving oneness for each other, our expression of the Father, Son, and Spirit covers the world all at once. Wonderful!

 

     Jesus’ prayer to the Father is nearly answered. The Father’s will is close to completion. We already are in the Father and Son and they are in us and we are one with them: “I in them and you in me…” Now the Father and Son are waiting for our cooperation with them to live out and put into practice the next phrase: “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one.

 

     What a great purpose we have been called to. Countless millions have perished throughout the centuries having never fulfilled the emptiness within them. They have had a life that lacked the eternal purpose God desired for them. Now is our chance to answer the Father’s call. We are being called to practice our oneness in the triune God for the entire world to see. This is the final step to be expressed to the glory of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

     What a privilege the Father has given us! What a responsibility the Father has called us to! Let us be the ones who answer their prayer. The Father has accomplished all that is needed for us to finish His will!

 

     Hallelujah! What a Father we have!

2 Corinthians 4:7

How It’s Done

 

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

 

     “I can’t do it! Don’t expect me to be so godly. I can’t be perfect. What do you think, I should act like Jesus? I’m full of faults and weaknesses – ok, sin.”

 

      The previous paragraph is an accurate description of what we are – “clay vessels”. Clay vessels are fragile. Even thick clay vessels are easily broken. It’s the nature of the material. Metal and stone vessels are not so easily broken.

 

     Thank God for the word, “but” in 2Corinthians 4:7. As Christians, we have something in our vessel that’s strong and powerful. It’s really someone who has a surpassing power; the life of Jesus Christ has been poured into our vessel. God, whose essence is love (1John 4:16), has put in our vessel the Spirit of Love. There is another person living in us who has surpassing power. And that person wants to be “shown”.

 

     We say that God is living in us. However, many of us have not tapped into the “surpassing power” that lives in us. As scripture says, God’s surpassing power is meant to be shown in and through us. God doesn’t seem concerned that we are fragile clay vessels. He doesn’t even hint that the vessel has to become metal or stone. As fragile clay vessels, we are expected to “show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us”.

 

     Well, there you are, the clay vessel is supposed to be out of the picture, not an issue. It’s almost like the clay is none-responsive; you could say, dead. An appropriate, yet very unpopular, bible verse sort of ties it all together: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

 

     Ouch! Now we’re talking about us being Christian zombies – dead, yet still moving and living!  That’s an untheological way of saying we have been crucified with Christ. Crucified with Christ really means what it says; dead on His cross. Yes, that’s what’s really happened if we’ll only live up to it. Or should we say, die up to it?

 

     God’s life, Christ’s life, the Spirit of Love’s life, shows forth best from us when we accept our crucifixion in Christ. It’s already happened and God is just waiting for us to embrace it so He can burst forth through us to His glory. We are just clay vessels holding this wonderful, powerful, loving Life; the life of God. God! All that God is can show through us. More accurately, all that God is should show through us.

 

     All the words that Christ spoke, in Matthew 5 – 7 and other similar places, telling us how we are to express His life are completely out of reach for the fallen, fragile clay vessels that we are. The 10 Commandments, which were never meant to perfect anyone (Romans 8:2 - 4), pale in comparison to the demands of Matthew    5 – 7. The vessels in the Old Testament rejected God’s life (Exodus 32:7 - 9). But for us Christians that’s a different story. We’ve accepted by faith the crucified, resurrected, ascended and returned Christ as the Life-giving Spirit (1Corintians 15:45) into our vessels (that which is born of the Spirit is spirit). God is not only with us all the time, but He is living in us; just waiting to flow and show out of us!

 

     Christ, as our surpassing power, is the way to do it. It is the way to live Christ’s life and love our brothers and sisters; and even an angry world around us (Matthew 5:44). We have no excuses. God has seen to it we have all we need to fulfill His desire for us to love one another. So forget the clay and let the God’s power of love show.

 

God’s Will and Purpose

 

     To say it simply and clearly: God’s will and purpose is for us to love Him and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. If we will give ourselves to do this, all the details will be worked out by God’s speaking and guidance in our daily lives.

 

     So many people do not have a life-long purpose for their existence – even Christian people. Why is the everyday Christian on earth? When asked, many say, “I hope I qualify for heaven. In the meantime, I just do the best that I can and hope God forgives me of all my faults.”

 

     God has a much greater purpose, for every single Christian, than just to hope they make it in the end. As believers, we have been born into a family – members of Christ’s Body. This is God’s plan; His will and way to accomplish His purpose.

 

     God’s will and purpose is to have a loving counterpart – a wife. Christ is the Last Adam (1Corinthians 15:45) and us believers, united together in mutual love for God and one another, are His last Eve. Just as Eve came out from Adam, bone of his bone, so are we Christians Christ’s Eve; bone of His bone. What a grand purpose for us to be a part of!

 

     God’s Spirit of Love is moving in our hearts to lift us up to His high calling in Jesus Christ. No longer do we need to live a Christian life of meager hoping for God’s approval someday. NOW is our time to be used by God to fulfill His will and eternal purpose. God wants us. God needs us. He is calling us to choose His way of accomplishing His will and purpose.

 

     As members of His body, we are living here on earth to lovingly supply God’s life and love to one another. We are Christ’s body! God is not waiting for “the sweet by-and-by”. He is moving today across the world to find a people who will live up to His will and purpose.

 

     Do you want God’s blessings and full support? If so, then get on track with His will and purpose. To love God is to love all the members of Christ’s Body (1John 4:20-21).

 

     To love all the members of Christ’s Body will take God’s love. That’s the way God has designed it. We must trust Him, depend on Him, love Him, and be filled with Him, to be able to love one another. This is not a shallow cutesy kind of love. This is the love of a Warrior-Savior who’s willing to die to save and care for a member of God’s family. This is the Spirit of Love ruling and reigning in our lives. This is not a selfish human love that seeks its own glory. This is God’s will. This is God’s purpose.

 

     Our Father is 100% behind us. He knows we can do it if we will only ask Him and depend on Him to live His life through us.

 

 

Oneness in Death

 

     Yes, oneness in death – for eternity.  This is our destiny.  No doctrinal differences or disagreements.  No divisions due to anything.  Our collective heart will be so in love with our Lord Jesus Christ that nothing will separate us from loving Him as one people.  In fact, we will find out the only way we’ll be able to love Him the way He wants to be loved is as a unified body of believers – His loving Bride.

 

     If we love anything more than His perfect will and His perfect life and person, we will be separated from the   marriage of the Bridegroom (Jesus) and His Bride (God’s redeemed people).

 

     Now the real shocker; this loving oneness is meant to happen on earth, between God’s children, right now!  Right now, right in front of the unbelieving world – before the end of this old fallen world and creation, Jesus wants us to be one. (John 17: 11, 15, 21 – 23).

 

     What does God require of us, for this to be accomplished?  Certainly, it’s not our physical death.  What He is asking us to relinquish is our soul-life; our mind-thoughts, our emotion-loves, our will-choices – otherwise known as, our old fallen natural person.  Who we are will have to be crucified daily as we lovingly seek God’s will in all things.

 

     Even before His death, resurrection and ascension, Christ lived such an exemplary life (John 6:38; 7: 16-18; Gal 2:20). The Spirit of Jesus Christ (1Cor 15:45b; 6:17), that  lives in us, is now living His same life for the completion of God’s will and purpose on earth.  As we grow in accepting our crucified position in Christ, we will become increasingly useful and effective in God’s hands.  His loving life and Spirit of Love will draw us ever closer to one another.  Thus, we will become the answer to Jesus’ prayer (John 17).

When We Fail

 

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Romans 7:18)

 

“The devil made me do it.”

 

     The Lord doesn’t accept that excuse. As Christians, Satan can’t make us do anything. But the pull and power of the flesh (our old fallen nature) can be so strong and persistent that it would seem we are mere slaves to it.

 

     In our fallen nature (flesh) nothing of righteousness dwells. The more we expect something godly to come from our fallen self, the more easily we fall, fail, or intentionally sin (Romans 7:18). It’s like playing catch with a ball covered with protruding needles expecting not to get stuck. Impossible! We are kidding ourselves. We are simply making an excuse for a temporary sense of satisfaction; and always followed by guilt, feelings of failure or remorse.

 

     A quick read through Romans 7 gives us a clear picture of what we can expect from our fallen flesh. NOTHING!

 

     The remedy? Blood. The sacrificial blood of our Lord Jesus Christ shed on the cross is the final remedy for all our sin and sin nature. There was a time that God forgave sins by the shedding of animal blood – and that just once per year. It was for a people who did not desire an intimate relationship with their Creator. Yet God’s mercy was on His chosen people. In God’s time, God himself came to earth as the Word become flesh (John 1:1, 2, 14). This Word, Jesus, the Lamb of God, became the final blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of all mankind’s sins – once and for all! HALLELUJAH!

 

     All our sins have been forgiven, even before they happen. The only problem for us Christian sinners who enjoy sinning – we’re still held accountable; we still suffer the consequences. But are we forgiven? ABSOLUTELY! However, if we don’t accept God’s forgiveness, the peace and joy that comes from a humble heart, with confession and turning away from sin, is not ours.

 

     So, we definitely do have a choice, especially as Christians. Being a Christian, we have been born again of a new life; the very life of Christ. We have a Hope; the person of Jesus Christ living in us. We can turn our mind and spirit to Him, who dwells in us, for Help at any moment. As temptation raises its ugly head, we simply set our heart and mind on Him who loves us and is there to honor our choice to depend on Him. As we love and trust Christ for all that He has done for us, His overcoming Life gives us the courage and power to turn away from sin.

 

     But sin will always dwell in our flesh. Years of old habits lure us to choose to give in to sin. We try in our own strength to reject our sinning but fail. It is then that the blood of Christ will quickly wash away our guilt and remorse.

 

     How do we “apply” Christ’s blood to nullify Sin’s accusations? We simply apply the tried and true instructions of our Lord – ASK. Ask to receive. Ask for the Lord’s forgiveness. Confess: “Lord, God, I am so sorry. Wash me clean with Your sin-cleansing blood.” Then the Spirit of Love within you will remind you – “Remember! All your sins, past, present and future, have been already forgiven, ONCE AND FOR ALL! Take your God-given stand in Christ and His forgiveness. You are, in God’s eyes, whiter than snow; a perfect saint, a part of His body, His Beloved. Your Lord loves you to death and will NEVER forsake you.”

 

     Your peace and joy will return. The Devil will be defeated, because he already is defeated. Your fallen flesh (our old nature) will be defeated, because it already is defeated. You can and will walk on in His victorious Life and Love. You will love and make yourselves available to both God and His people. Our Lord’s prayer, in John 17, will continue to be answered and fulfilled in us. God will be blessed and glorified through us. How exciting!

 

     There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

 

     Even though we do fail and sin, we don’t have to. We have a choice to be victorious over our old sinful nature. We are no longer just a natural fallen human being. Our spirit has been born of God’s Spirit of Life by our faith in Jesus Christ. When tempted to sin, we have another Life in us to follow. Rather than depend on ourselves to try to overcome sin, we can ask the Spirit of Life in Christ, who empowers our spirit, to set us free from sin and death. As we turn our heart toward our loving Lord, we will have the Life to choose righteousness; to choose Him rather than ourselves. How wonderful!

 

 

WARNING

 

     If you follow this way of love, you will be criticized. It’s quite possible you will be criticized by some of your closest Christian friends. This will hurt the most; the more intimate the relationship, the more the hurt.

 

     To begin meeting and making friends with new Christians, outside of those you have been affiliated with for years, can become very questionable and suspicious. Most of this concern is motivated by fear; fear of losing a friend, fear of losing church membership, fear of losing monetary support, maybe even fear of spiritual deception on your part.

 

     There is a rumor that has been around for centuries: “If you start doing what the Bible really says, it could be dangerous for your health.” All seriousness or joking set aside, you might be labeled a heretic or if you’re lucky, a religious fanatic. After all, who loves just anybody?! That’s for Jesus, apostles, preachers and missionaries – not common people like you and me.

 

     Please be patient and loving toward those dear ones who become worried about your new found commitment to follow the Spirit of Love for the sake of oneness and fulfilling Jesus’ prayer. Even your salvation may be questioned! Stand strong in humble love. On one hand, let your actions speak stronger than your words. On the other hand, speak softly the scriptures concerning our oneness in life and love for the world to see. Default to love. Bless, do not curse. Keep your heart, home, and time open to those who criticize. Don’t give up. Don’t alienate. Love is not 50/50 – love is 100% … Jesus’ love is 100%. We can only trust God to move and work in all of our hearts for His glory’s sake.

 

Luke 6:22-23

 

 

The Top Two Passions

 

     After discovering and believing that God the Father sent the Son, Jesus, to take on himself the sins of the world, so those who would cry out to Him for the forgiveness of their sins would receive Christ’s Spirit of Life and the gift of eternal life – after these, there are two great things we should be living for.

     After receiving faith in Jesus Christ, we begin to grow spiritually. Hopefully, early on, we are taught that loving the Lord our God with our whole heart, soul, strength, and mind and loving our neighbor as ourselves is the only way to fulfill all of God’s righteous requirements.

 

     Living up to and practicing these two commands is a life-long maturing process. Loving God and loving our neighbors – wonderfully simple, yet it takes a degree of spiritual maturity just to begin to practice it. Just as in normal human life, after birth comes a necessary time of growing and learning before an individual can begin being a selfless contributor to those around them. It’s exactly the same with our spiritual life.

 

     There are two “passions” that, if used regularly, will promote a spiritual growth in our lives, which enable us to mature into a contributing member in the family of God. These two passions are somewhat hidden in scripture. However, they are hidden in plain sight.

 

     Many great wonders and mysteries are in plain sight yet are overlooked and even considered common. Not until they are pointed out and explained, for their worth, are they appreciated and held in wonder.

 

     These top two passions of truth are most commonly overlooked when we are first introduced to, what has been called, “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6). Many people have learned it and recited it for years without ever seeing or discovering the two passions necessary for their spiritual maturity.

 

     Jesus told his disciples, “Pray like this,” “Our Father who is in heaven, holy is your name.” First things first – acknowledge who your God is and give Him honor and glory. An open, faithful, and loving heart always gets God’s attention. The next 7 words are the in-plain-sight top two passions of truth for us to wrap our heart’s passion around: “Your kingdom come, your will be done,”

 

     Let’s try to put this scene into perspective. The Eternal Son, who is in constant touch with the Eternal Father, is telling sinful, yet believing mankind, how to talk to, pray to, and relate to God. How important are these words? They are nothing short of being earth-shockingly important.

 

     Jesus tells us that when you talk to God, tell Him you want to be one with, involved in, and a part of His kingdom coming and His will being accomplished.

 

     Then to make it close and personal, Jesus adds, “on earth as it is in heaven.” Talk about perspective – God wants us participating in His kingdom coming on earth just like it already is in heaven. Wow! And there is no way that is happening unless we know God’s will and do it – kingdom come, will be done.

 

     This is supposed to be our prayerful passion; God’s kingdom come and God’s will be done right here on earth. Connect this with John 17 where Jesus prays that we would be united in oneness to such a degree that the world has to admit God’s work is being done on earth. Jesus wants us to be praying for and acting on the same things that He and the Father are praying for and acting on by empowering us with the Spirit of Love. We are in partnership and in sync with the Father, Son, and Spirit for their kingdom and will! That is glorious!

 

     Now it becomes obvious, we must have a clear understanding of God’s kingdom and God’s will. Certainly the depths of God’s kingdom and God’s will go far beyond our capacity to fully understand. However, just like in human life, our spiritual comprehensions and abilities grow day by day as we feast on and exercise in the spiritual realm. As we are taught and fed and participate in the truths of God’s kingdom and will, we will increasingly manifest God’s kingdom and will in our lives.    God’s kingdom is God ruling and reigning in the lives of His people; a people ruled by love for one another and for their God.

 

     God’s will being done is His people individually and corporately seeking to know and do His will in all things. Thus, He will be honored and glorified.

 

     Both God’s kingdom and will are expressed and demonstrated by unity and oneness in the midst of diversity. God’s perfect example of this unity is the human body with its many parts, all perfectly working together as one.

 

     This may sound too simplistic but it is God’s way. Let us not despise the simplicity that God asks us to live by, for the bringing forth of His kingdom and will on earth.

 

     To love the Lord and one another does not require a sophisticated business organization of worldly proportions. According to the growth in spiritual life in each one of us, we must encourage one another to let our Father rule and reign over, in, and through us, so we will do the Father’s will on earth. Thus, in the middle of a dark and evil world, God will be glorified in His people.

 

     All that the Father and Son have been praying for will be accomplished in us. What an honor and privilege to have been given such a purpose to live for.

Faith, Hope, Love

 

     The mighty three are one! As God is three, yet one, so is faith, hope and love. As we are finding out in our experiences of life in Christ, our Lord is our Faith. He is our Hope. Most certainly, Christ in us is our Love. When we turn our heart and mind to Him, Jesus becomes the exact “thing” we need.

 

     As our lost heart cried out for purpose, God imparted Faith into us; Christ our Savior became our Faith. As sure as we received Faith, we immediately knew Hope. For the first time in our lives we had an unshakable Hope. Hope for now and Hope for eternity.

 

     Faith and Hope is the unseen person of Christ in our spirit – yet totally expressible. We know and see the difference in ourselves. Friends and family see and experience the differences in us. Now we have another Life expressing Himself through us. Faith and Hope, found only in our Savior, Jesus Christ, has placed us on the path of God’s will and purpose.

 

     God has picked us to accomplish His will and purpose on earth. God, who is love, has mercifully called us to demonstrate His life. The Spirit of Love wants an open road in and through us so He will be glorified - first, in the family of believers and second, to the lost world of seeking and non-seeking humanity.

 

     May Faith, Hope and Love have their way in our lives so God can finish His will and purpose on earth; thus, getting His eternal counterpart, His bride, His wife.

 

     Let us be the people who respond to and answer the Spirit of Love’s call. Become the answer to our Lord’s desire. Choose, now to become the answer.

 

 

​Beware Your Attraction!      Why are we so attracted to the sensational – the bigger than life, the impossible, the super-human, and the miraculous?      Miracles, signs, and wonders have been done by God and His people and by Satan and his people for thousands of years. God’s miracles lead mankind to God and God’s life. Satan’s miracles lead mankind to deception, darkness, and death. Whether the signs, wonders, and miracles are by God or by Satan doesn’t matter – they are all attention getters and meant to cause a desired result.      When Jesus performed miracles, signs and wonders, the obvious results were satisfying the thirsty and hungry, healing the sick, and bringing life to the dead and sight to the blind. These were the results of the miracles, signs, and wonders but not the purpose for them.      God’s purpose for miracles, signs, and wonders has always been much more than their results. God’s purpose has always been to ignite a love relationship of intimacy between Him and His people. Jesus expressed disappointment and disapproval toward those who sought Him only for His miracles and their own well-being. He knew their hearts – they loved the gift more than the Giver of the gift. Sadly, so many of us seek the Lord, not for Himself, but for what He can do for us. The attraction is the gift not the Giver – the miracle, not the Giver of the miracle.      Many of us have been hurt and disappointed when, after great effort or cost, no expression of thanks or love was given in return for a gift we had given. Or it becomes painfully obvious that we are being sought after, not for who we are, but for what we are able to give to someone.  This kind of “love” is shallow and conditional. Many times, if the gift of health, wealth, success or comfort is withheld, there is no “love” expressed.      Our greatest need is to be loved. Our Father’s desire is the same as ours – to be loved.  Yet when we receive a miracle, sign, or wonder our tendency is to be enamored with the miracle more than with the Miracle-Giver. We tend to be takers more than givers. We gladly take God’s loving provisions but fall short of showing our loving appreciation toward the Giver. We are constantly asking to be blessed, but never consider being a blessing to our Lord.      In the last days, before the Lord’s return, Satan will do his best to deceive God’s people with miracles, signs, and wonders. He knows of mankind’s attraction toward such things. By God’s mercy, those of us who are empowered by God’s Spirit of Love will not be deceived. We will not run after the miracles, signs, and wonders but rather we will only want the Giver of Life and Love – God himself.      True love is experienced and expressed in our loving relationship with God and each other – not in the receiving of miracles, signs, and wonders. And if we do receive miracles, signs, and wonders from the hand of God, He is our first-love, not the gifts. And if God uses us to perform a miracle, sign or wonder, our exhortation will be to use it as a means to draw others and ourselves  closer to our Lord in love and appreciation.      God’s desire is that we love Him first and foremost. May our love for Him alone be our testimony to the world and to the principalities and powers of darkness. May nothing attract or distract us away from our loving intimacy with our Father-Son-Spirit and with one another. Hebrews 2:1-4;  John 2:9, 11, 23-25; 3:2; 4:46-54; 5:2-9; 6:1-15, 16-21; 11:38-48; 12:37-43; 20:30-31  Matthew 7:21-23; 16:1-4, 5-12;  1Corinthians 1:22-25;  Exodus 7:8-12   

Blood

 

     The blood of Jesus is my only hope. I am a hopeless sinner.

 

     When I am disconnected in my relationship with Christ, when I don’t want to be obedient to God, when I close my heart and ears to the speaking of God’s Spirit of Love, when I abandon God’s will and love, when I want my way rather than His way – I become a hopeless sinner, a total failure.

 

     As much as I enjoy getting my own way, taking a break from righteousness, enjoying the temporary exhilaration of false freedom, I hate how it makes me feel afterwards. This contradiction is caused by what I believe and who I believe in.

 

     I believe Jesus is the Savior of my life. I believe He died because of my sins. This is why God sent His Son to earth as a man – to take upon Himself all the sins of mankind; past, present, and future. The shedding of Jesus’ blood was a one-time sacrifice – never needing to be repeated again. My sins have been forgiven – past, present, and future. He did this so I could qualify to be in His presence and love Him.

 

     Why, then, do I feel so sad, so frustrated, so guilty, so empty when I give in to my sinful nature? I feel sad because I’ve let my loving Lord down. After all that He’s done and suffered to restore me back to Himself, I turn away from Him and sin. He suffered more than any human being has ever suffered, for me, and I choose to please myself. It makes me sick and disgusted with myself.

 

     Yet, by Jesus blood being shed on the cross, and the Father rejecting His oneness with the Son for the first and only  time in eternity, I am forgiven again and again and again. I am beginning to realize there is no end to their love. I’m beginning to realize such love makes my sin increasingly bitter. Oh, Lord, shouldn’t I love you more and more, deeper and deeper?

 

     Lord, your unconditional love is driving me to sacrifice my sinful ways upon your cross of love. In my daily life, your cross is becoming my cross. Your love makes me want to choose you, to be pleasing to you, to be faithful to you, to love you rather than myself.

 

     Our stand against Satan, our empowerment to defeat Sin, lies in the fact of Christ’s shed blood. It’s a done deal. Each of us who believe in Him are forgiven forever. As we grow in the revelation of the depth of Christ’s unconditional love, we will choose to be one with God’s love. The fact of our holiness, due to the cleansing blood of Christ, will make us lovers of God and one another. We will begin to see all fellow believers in Christ as He and the Father see them – forgiven, washed clean, all members of Christ’s one Body, all one with the Father and Son.

 

     The blood is the victory over our sinful nature and over the dark fallen world. The blood of Christ gives us faith, hope, and love. As the world flounders and self-destructs before our very eyes, we will stand firm in faith, hope, and love because of the action of Christ’s blood; the blood brings us into a relationship of oneness with the Father, Son, and Spirit and with one another. When eternity swallows up time, we will be left with the expression of God – LOVE. All because of Christ’s shed blood and its action to keep us forgiven, clean, and in fellowship with God.

 

     So, when some already-forgiven-sin pops up its ugly head, simply erase it, wash it away, neutralize it, disempower it, vaporize it, and obliterate it by the blood of Christ’s love. Take your God-given stand, under the blood of Christ and love all the more.

 

 

No Money

 

     Let’s do something different. Let’s do something pure. Let’s do something in the Spirit of Love that does not involve making money.

 

     As Christians around the world respond to and answer the Spirit of Love’s call, another spirit will seek to have its way in the hearts of many – the spirit of mammon (money). The desire to make money or profit, from the enthusiasm of the followers of Jesus seeking one another out, will pull at the hearts of some Christians and non-Christians alike. Here’s an example: put the words “Become The Answer” or “Become The Answer To Jesus Prayer” on t-shirts, caps, cups, bracelets, rings, necklaces, note pads, backpacks, window stickers, bumper stickers, pencils, pens, tattoos, etc., etc., etc. …

 

     Anything that involves making money in the name of “Become The Answer” or “Become The Answer To Jesus’ Prayer” should be avoided and left for the lovers of money (mammon). Could we be so simple and pure and just be the answer to Jesus’ prayer, rather than market Him or ourselves? Will we allow God’s Spirit of Love to fill us with enough Love that we can speak to one another of our mutual love for Jesus without having it dangling around our necks or written all over our clothing? Will we let Love’s care and intimacy for God and His children prevail in our lives to the point that we don’t need gizmos, gadgets and props for profit to “prove” our love?

 

     Lord Jesus, save us from marketing Your name or Person or Love. May we demonstrate to one another and to the world the Love you have freely given us.

 

     Point of reference: God’s enemy will use anything to divide us. So if your love alienates you from wearers of gizmos, gadgets and props, your “love” is not from the Spirit of Love. Let 1Corinthians 13 rule your life.

 

Heavenly Family On Earth

 

The following six bullet points are a summary of the letter to the Ephesians:

 

• God’s choosing of His family members and revealing their purpose to be the praise of His glory.

• The family, the Body of Christ, on earth, who once lived a fallen and sinful life, are made alive together in Christ so that God could display them as His masterpiece.

• The remembering of who we once were without Christ and who we are now in Christ.

• The family empowered by God’s love to support one another and grow in faith together.

• All who are of the Father are One and all the gifts given by the Father are for the Oneness of the family.

• The responsibility of each family member so Christ can ultimately have a pure and beautiful Bride.

 

      Our heavenly Father is currently reminding and re-revealing to all His children that we are members of His one unique family. Regardless of the “type” of Christian we may call ourselves, if we are born of Christ’s life, we are in God’s eyes One – one family, one church, one body. There is no other teaching found in the Bible.

 

     Paul’s letter to the Ephesian saints is the most beautiful explanation, encouragement, and exhortation of God’s family and family life on this side of eternity.

 

     Read it slowly. Read it prayerfully, asking the Lord to open the eyes of your heart to see all He has for us to see.

 

     Pray that we would be willing to live up to the Spirit of Love’s call to become who God desires us to be in Him.

 

     Read Ephesians 1:1 – 6:24.

 

 

 

What God Wants for Us

 

       As believers in Christ, God simply wants us to love one another as well as love Him.  Loving God in word is easy, but loving that same God inside a human being changes all the dynamics. From your viewpoint you can’t even see God in some or most people – especially if you have to spend hours with them. Why can’t everyone be like me … almost perfect. It makes me want to cut 1John 4:20, 21 out of my Bible!

 

 How can Christians from various backgrounds, cultures, knowledge levels, personalities, age groups, church experiences, spiritual growths, and on and on, accept one another, become friends, trust and love one another?

 

     Colossians 3:12-17 and Ephesians 2:14-22; 4:1-7, 12-16 is a sampling of scripture giving us very clear guidance on the “How To” of loving and accepting one another thus accomplishing Gods will.

 

     As always, the tried and true way to succeed at living the Christian life is to turn over everything to Him: who you are, what you have, what you want, and so on. May we seek His will, not ours; His life, not ours. Some people call this kind of commitment – the cross. The nice part about it - it works.

 

What Shall We Pray?

 

  When teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus responded; “Pray like this; Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. The following sentence is omitted in the earliest manuscripts: For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9 – 13) Jesus did not give the disciples this prayer to merely recite.

 

     This prayer is a pattern showing us the priorities for our prayers. Basically there are four priorities in two categories: God’s and ours. The first priority is concerning God’s name, His kingdom, and His will. The second priority is our daily needs. The third priority is a concern for His people’s failures; between them and God and between each other. Lastly, our prayers are to be for deliverance from the evil one and from evil things.

 

     What is called “The Lord’s Prayer” is really a prayer pattern for us to use. These categories are of utmost importance to God for His people to pray. If we expect to receive, we must ask. On top of that, God has designed His purpose to be accomplished using His faithful, praying followers. In this way, glory is given to God; to have His beloved children bring His kingdom goals to completion.

 

     As we allow the Spirit of Love to flood our being, the four priorities of prayer will automatically be on our hearts. In this way, the Lord’s prayer in John 17 will be answered by us, His loving children!

Seven Spirits of God

 

     It’s quite a surprise when, as a Christian, we first run across the verses in the book of Revelation that refer to the seven Spirits of God!  Revelation 1:4; 4:5; 5:6

 

     What about the Trinity; the Triune God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit?  Now there’s 7 Spirits on top of the Trinity?!

 

     As always, scripture proves itself to be consistent when taking in the whole counsel of God. When looking into all of scripture that God has given us, we find the seven Spirits of God clearly revealed. Rather than being seven individual Spirits, we find seven facets of one beautiful stone, seven ingredients of one nourishing drink, and seven functions of One Holy Spirit.

 

      Following are some references found in scripture demonstrating a progression of God’s Spirit, functioning to supply different needs for God’s work, to accomplish His eternal purpose for Himself and mankind:

1. Genesis 1:2 – “the Spirit of God” was for the accomplishing of creation by God.

2. Judges 3:10; 1Samuel 10:6 – “the Spirit of Jehovah” was for the accomplishing of God’s relationship with mankind.

3. Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:20 – “the Holy Spirit” was for the accomplishing of Jesus’ conception and birth.

4. Acts 16:7 – “the Spirit of Jesus” was for the accomplishing of the Lord’s human living.

5. Romans 8:9 – “the Spirit of Christ” for the accomplishing of the Lord’s life in resurrection.

6. Philippians 1:19 – “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” for the experiencing of His life being lived out through our life in His humanity and resurrection.

7. Now we come to the most hidden, deepest, and least experienced aspect of the seven Spirits of God: “the Spirit of Love”. The very expression of God’s make-up and character is Love; 1John 4:8, 16 says, “God is love”. The same is true for the Spirit; John 4:24 says, “God is Spirit”; God is the Spirit of Love. Even though the term “the Spirit of Love” is not in print, the evidence of proof in the words printed are so overwhelming that we know “the Spirit of Love” is of God and is expressed through the Spirit of Jesus Christ in the Life-giving Spirit (1Corinthians 15:45). Enjoy the following verses: Romans 5:5; 15:30; 2Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 5:22; 1John 4:12, 13.

 

     God’s Spirit of Love is being poured out at this very moment across the face of the earth into the willing hearts of His children.  2Chronicles 16:9, “The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support the man whose heart is completely His,” will be in action like never before for the accomplishing of God’s purpose and the answering of the Son’s prayer to the Father (John 17).

 

     This is why we exist. This is why the Lord has given us a new life – His Life. But God will not force us. Ours is to choose to respond to God’s Spirit of Love or not. To respond will certainly require sacrifice on our part. But, our sacrifice can be a sacrifice of love, if we choose. If we want to see and be a part of God’s eternal purpose, the Spirit of Love will rule our days and we will become the answer to the Father-Son-Spirit’s prayer by living 1John 4:7-5:3.

 

 

Jesus Shed Tears

(John 11:35)

 

     Yes, our Lord weeps.  What on earth could move God to weep?  What normally causes any of us to weep?  Disappointment, compassion, sorrow, sadness; listing the specific causes would easily fill a page.  Again we must ask, what would move the heart of God to cause the Son to weep?

 

     To understand what would move Jesus to weep, we must understand God’s eternal purpose for creating man in the first place.  God created us to love Him as one people and to love one another.  This love was meant to be demonstrated; not studied, not analyzed, not just talked about.  No, God’s love in mankind is meant to be put into action for the world to see and for God to enjoy.

 

     Now read the following scriptural references, comparing them to what is being demonstrated and expressed among the Christians of the world today:

 

     And I am no longer in the world; yet they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given to Me, that they may be one even as We are.  That they all may be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, even as We are one; I in them, and You in Me, that they may be perfected into one, that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.  (John 17:11, 21-23)

 

     There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there cannot be slave nor free man, there cannot be male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

 

     And have put on the new man, which is being renewed unto full knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman, but Christ is all and in all. (Colossians 3:10, 11)

 

     Therefore remember that once you, the Gentiles in the flesh, those who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh made by hands, that you were at that time apart from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenant of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have become near in the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, He who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of partition, the enmity, abolishing in His flesh the law of the commandments in ordinances, that He might create the two in Himself into one new man, so making peace, and might reconcile both in one Body to God through the cross, having slain the enmity by it. And coming, He announced peace as the gospel to you who were far off, and peace to those who were near, for through Him we both have access in one Spirit unto the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone; in whom all the building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in spirit. (Ephesians 2:11-22)

 

     I beseech you therefore, I, the prisoner in the Lord, to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing one another in love, being diligent to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace; one Body and one Spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling; One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  (Ephesians 4:1-6)

 

     For just as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we who are many are one Body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  (Romans 12:4-5)

 

     For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ. For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into on Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit, for the body is not one member but many.  (1Corinthians 12:12-14)

 

     Oh, how we Christians are so dismembered from each other, especially in practice. We live next to each other, we work side by side, yet we do not know how to share in the common Life that lives in us. The actual Body of Christ is disjointed. No wonder our Lord weeps. No wonder the world mocks our lack of love for one another. And Satan, he is ecstatic. What good are all our wonderful works in Jesus name if it doesn’t fulfill the purpose and will of God? (Matt 7:21-23)  Consider Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins/Christians (Matthew 25:1-12). That parable is supported by (Proverbs 20:27; Romans 8:16; Matt 5:14-16; Phil 2:15-16). Let God’s Spirit of Love fill and empower you to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17.

 

 

Are We Liars? Lord, Have Mercy!

 

     “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: whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1John 4:20, 21). Also reference: 1John 2:10; 3:11, 23; 4:11; 1Peter 4:8.

 

     Oh, how uncompromising these words are. The word “says” speaks volumes: “If anyone says ‘I love God’…” Apparently God doesn’t care about what we “says” as much as He cares about our “does” (actions).

 

     In this case, saying “I love God,” is not compatible with “and hates his brother.” It’s like trying to mix oil and water. Even in the world of unsaved humanity, no one likes being told, “I love you,” one moment and then being stabbed in the back the next moment. Everyone understands betrayal.

 

     Here, betrayal and “liar” are cut from the same cloth in God’s eyes. Could this be happening in our lives?! Are we unknowingly or even knowingly rejecting or hating other Christians? Lord, have mercy!

 

     Could our rejection of having intimate fellowship with other believers be a rejection of Christ himself?! The words in verse 20 of 1John 4 are brutally honest: just to “see” another Christian and not love them qualifies us to be “liars” in God’s eyes. O Lord-God, have mercy on my lack of love for all your children.

 

     God is so serious about wanting us to press forward into His Spirit of Love. Jesus so desires that the members of His body love one another unconditionally. His prayer for our oneness was not a flippant prayer of religious words to impress the Christian world of His holiness. The triune God really wants us to fulfill Jesus’ prayer, in John 17, more than anything else.

 

     Jesus and the Father are still praying and nudging our hearts to respond. But God is such a gentleman, such a Lover, as not to force Himself or His will on us. He wants us to choose, of our own volition and desire, to love what He loves.

 

     And what is it that God loves and desires more than anything else? Two things: first, He loves to be loved by us and second, He loves us to love each other.

 

     So how do we pull off or accomplish all this loving? Dependence. Utter and absolute, 100% dependence on Christ’s life. The Spirit of Love’s life, which lives in us, is always there for the asking. He’s there for the person who’s willing to put their life in the hands of their loving God. The Spirit of Life and Love will fill the vessel willing to empty themselves of self-love.

 

     The Father, Son, and Spirit will find and use those who are willing to answer their prayers. May we be those who become dependent on God’s life and love to fulfill God’s purpose for His glory.

 

 

Loving Others

 

     As we see demonstrated, as children are growing up, loving and caring for others comes with guidance, practice, and maturity. So it is with loving others by the life of Christ in us.

 

     To love others takes spiritual guidance, growth, and maturity. This means we must turn over ourselves to the working influence of God’s Spirit of Love. Christ in us must be allowed to take the place of our old nature. It is no mistake that scripture exhorts us saying, “Love your neighbor a

s yourself.” God knows how much the fallen nature of mankind loves themselves.

     To love others we must rely on Christ’s sacrificial life that lives in us. In order to let His life come forth in love, we must willingly reject our own selfish preferences. This is a dying to ourselves, a crucifying of our old nature. By being closely connected to other members of Christ’s body, we will learn from each other how to love and how to die. Maturing in Christ as an individual was never part of God’s way.

 

     It’s a choice of our heart to love Jesus more than ourselves; an incident by incident choice. The more we choose Christ’s love and His will, the stronger and more mature we will become. As we grow in love, the people who are around us will be greatly affected. Among our Christian family, as we support one another in life and love, we will grow spiritually to the glory of God. Among the unsaved, they will witness a level of love that surpasses anything they know; and many will find Christ as their Lord and Savior.

 

     Our love for God, for one another, and for the lost souls around us will defeat the Enemy’s attempts to divide us and expose us as hypocrites to the world. The Lord’s heart will be pleased and we will become a great witness and wonder to the unsaved world.

 

     We will become the answer and fulfillment to our Lord’s prayer in John 17.

Yet God Loves Us

 

     Are any of us without faults, without flaws, without failures? Even as Christians, we blow it, we sin. Yet God loves us.

 

     It’s not necessary to belabor, talking on and on, sighting example after example, all the ways we demonstrate our fallen nature despite being a follower of Christ. The only hope we have is God’s love for us.

 

     If God’s love did not extend mercy, grace and forgiveness toward us, we would all be doomed.  This is the very reason God came to earth in the flesh (Jesus), suffered and died in our place, shedding His blood to nullify our sins once and for all. Because of this action of love, in God’s eyes we are sinless, perfect, and able to live in His presence.

 

     Again, the only hope we have is God’s love for us. He has already demonstrated His love through Christ. Now we must believe it.

 

     So here’s our part; for Jesus’ prayer, in John 17, to be answered, we must extend the same love to one another. The only hope Jesus has for His prayer to be answered is us loving one another.

 

     You and I have faults, flaws, and failures. Yet God loves us through each other – if we let Him. Our loving and forgiving Lord lives in each one of us Christians. Only if we are willing to tap into His life within us will we be able to survive one another – love and forgive one another.

 

     Plain and simple: God never forsakes us, never gives up on us – should it be any different between us brothers and sisters in Christ? NO!

 

     Yet, God loves us. Yet, we love one another.

 

 

A Great Deception

 

     A great deception is being accepted and practice among spiritual seekers across the earth: “To believe in any god is okay.” or “There is only one god, regardless of the name you use.”

 

     For the millions of us who know the only true God, through faith in Jesus Christ, these statements are like getting hit with a bucket of ice water on a hot summer day – it’s shocking!

 

     We know, from spiritual experiences, such as peace, hope, joy, love, worship and faith that God’s presence and loving care is with us because of our faith in the person and works of Jesus Christ. Christ’s life in us has changed us. We are more than just ourselves.

 

     Sadly, when asked if they are spiritual, many respond, “Oh, yes, I most definitely am spiritual and believe in “god”. If you inoffensively remark, “That’s interesting! By the way, there are all kinds of “gods” now days. Which one do you believe in?” It is very common to hear, “Oh, I believe that any god is okay, regardless of the name you use.” When asked about Jesus, they say, “Jesus is just another name for the same god.” They truly believe Buddha, Allah, and a host of other names are all the same “god” and that, basically, they have all left the same moral teachings for us to follow.

 

     The subtle deception comes into play when they profess to be “Christians” and use the name of “Jesus” to worship the “god” of many names. They believe the lie: “We are not to judge others who are sincere worshippers and followers of another “name”. After all, there’s only one “god”.

 

     Included in this deceptive viewpoint are those who believe “god” is a “spiritual force” or “power” or “light” that has no personality. If you open yourself to this “force” it will move on or in your being to empower you to be and do good.

 

      All of these deceptive beliefs are totally contrary and in opposition to the Christian faith as found and in the Bible and experienced by Christ’s followers. Yet many, non-church going and church going people, who call themselves “Christians”, put their stamp of approval on this deceptive way of believing!

 

     For many, there god is an impersonal “force” influencing them to do good – even to love others. However, when you love others to satisfy a “force” or a code of moral conducts, who gets the credit for such conduct? Who gets the glory? You do, of course.

 

     For true Christians, who have the person and life of Christ living in and through them, Jesus gets the credit and glory for their ability to love. Christians learn, by a growing faith and experience of Christ’s resurrected life, that in our natural life we are fallen sinners. We need another life, Christ’s perfect life, to be able to express in our living who God is. To do God’s will, we need God himself. For Christians, the Father and Jesus and the Spirit make up a Him. God, the Father, is male and has a very definite personality.

 

     It’s sad to say, so many true Christians have been robbed of the teaching that all believers, sharing the one faith, one Life, one God and one Spirit, make up the One Church on earth – and God wants to prepare that One Church to be the Bride of Christ! Christ, the Bridegroom – the Church, the Bride!

 

     Talk like this is in another realm compared to following the teachings of dead prophets and the good feelings of an “ethereal force”.

     The whole point is: we must speak the Truth, practice the Truth, and stand strong for the Truth. And that Truth is the person of the triune God. All else is darkness and lies from Satan, who is the master deceiver and father of lies.

 

     There can be no fellowship or oneness between Light and Darkness; Truth and lies. In love, we must share the Truth and pray God will remove the scales from the eyes of their hearts.

 

     We can only thank God for the mercy He has extended to us by revealing Himself as the only true, living God whose sole desire is to have an intimate relationship of love with each person. May we daily encourage one another in this age of darkness and deceptive lies. May the only true God shine forth through us by the life and Spirit of Jesus Christ who lives in us – all to the glory of our loving Father.

 

We Have No Right

 

     We have no right. You and I have no right. In heaven or hell or on the earth, we have absolutely no right to reject or withhold friendship and love from anyone who names Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

 

     Is our Lord so exclusive as to turn away His intimacy and love from the person who puts their faith in Him? Is this the heart of the Savior of fallen mankind as portrayed in our bibles? Is this the Christ who lives in us and wants to express His life through us?

 

     A thousand times, NO!

 

     Our Lord taught and prayed that all who are His followers should practice a loving oneness for each other, based on their love for Him and His love for them; so much so that the unbelieving world would acknowledge God’s work through Jesus Christ.

 

     A short time before Jesus was taken captive by the Romans, He prayed the words of John, chapter 17, out loud for His disciples to hear and later write down. Our oneness, visibly practiced, is most certainly paramount on God’s heart; just read His prayer.

 

     Many believe this kind of visible oneness will not happen until Jesus returns to rule on the earth. But Christ’s prayer and teachings say differently. Also, the Apostles’ teachings and practice supported Jesus’ prayers; for all of His followers to live in loving oneness visibly for the world to witness. Any attempt for divisive practices was quickly discouraged and the truth of who we are in Christ was proclaimed (1Corinthians 1:10-17; 2:2; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:1-6; Galatians 3:26-28).

 

     Dear followers of Jesus, the Spirit of Love is now calling all of us to actively seek one another out – especially those Christian family members we never get to know who are right next to us; neighbors, co-workers, fellow students. This is God’s heart. This is our Lord’s prayer to the Father.

 

     Please consider the seriousness of Jesus’ prayer and His requests. His prayer is meant to be answered by us – now. God is looking to answer Jesus’ prayer by our willingness to do it. We dare not be so naïve as to think the Father will not answer the Son’s prayer. If we will respond, the Spirit of Love will fill us and empower us to do what is humanly impossible; to unconditionally love God and love one another. And fallen humanity will see it and give God the credit and glory – even if they won’t do it themselves.

 

     Just as athletes, who through practice and dedication, perform feats that seem to defy human ability and endurance, so we are being asked, by our Father and Jesus, to cooperate with the Spirit of Love to perform feats of love and forgiveness, which seem to defy human ability and endurance. Why? So God will be glorified and His will and purpose accomplished.

 

     What a great calling and purpose each one of us has. Not only in the world of lost humanity, but also in the family of God’s children. Many followers of Jesus are so busy doing Christian activities but are still haunted with emptiness and a lack of fulfillment. Become the answer to Jesus’ prayer. Becoming the answer to Jesus’ prayer will fill and satisfy our emptiness and lack. To open our hearts and lives to one another, demonstrating Christ’s love and forgiveness, is within the ability of all of us who have Christ living in us. This is God’s promise. He will help us do it by empowering us with His life and love. This is God’s will.

 

     We don’t have to do God’s will – but we have no right not to.

 

 Looking into the Face of Jesus

 

     We must seriously consider that when we look into each other’s faces, we are looking into the face of Jesus.

 

     There are so many places in scripture that plainly say we followers of Jesus are His expression, His reflection, His representation. We are even His glory on earth; what a privilege, what a purpose, what a responsibility. Check out some of these references: John 1:12; 3:5-6; 15:4-5; 17:10, 22-23; Acts 17:28; Romans 8:11-17,21,29-30; 9:23; 1Corinthians 12:12-27; 2Corinthians 3:18; 4:7; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:22b-23; 2:15; 3:21; 4:13; Philippians 1:20-21; Colossians 1:27; 3:8-15; 2Peter 1:2-4; 1John 3:1-3.

 

     “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father,” Jesus said to His disciples. As those chosen men and women looked into the face of Jesus, they were looking into the face of God. When the Spirit of Life and Love empowered them, they became aware of whom they had walked and talked with for over 3 years.

 

     It is now time for us to also be empowered by God’s Spirit of Life and Love. As we press on to live by Christ’s life and in His love, as we exercise our minds and hearts to live in His presence moment by moment, it is no longer us but it is Christ Jesus in us who is being expressed to the world and to one another. This is God’s way, His plan and purpose; to have a people who follow Him, love Him, and love one another – right in the middle of a dark world.

 

     Marvel at the words of John 17:23; “I [Jesus] in them [Jesus’ followers], and you [Father] in me [Jesus], that they [Jesus’ followers] may be made perfect in one [the body of Christ]; that the world may know that you [Father] have sent me [Jesus], and have loved them [Jesus’ followers], as you [Father] have loved me [Jesus].

 

     Completely and absolutely amazing! This is so far beyond the understanding of the natural mind; we, Jesus’ followers, are entangled, intertwined, and meshed together into one beautiful love affair with the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and us! Can love become any more than this?!

 

     If this is really who we are in Christ, and we are, then how can we look at one another in any different way but as into the face of Jesus? We must step up to God’s standard of viewing each other. We are the children of the King, we are the sons and daughters of God, we are saints and priests to God’s glory, we are all of these and more by birth; nothing of our doing or earning. All is by God’s doing, choosing, and giving; all motivated by love. We share in the glory of the triune God by their choice, action, will and love. Who are we to contradict the Father’s will and Jesus’ testimony?

 

     As we accept the truth and deny the lies, we will begin to see ourselves and others for who we really are. The love, that is the very expression of the triune God, will constrain, empower, and motivate us to seek out one another and to seek out Christ in one another. As we realize we are all members of Jesus’ one unique body, we will see Jesus in one another; and we will truly love and need one another.

 

     As each one of us hold onto Christ as our Head, for dear life, we will become bearers, containers, and conduits of Christ’s person and life. His life in us will become one another’s life source. Oh, how wonderful, oh, how glorious, when we will be consumed in God’s Spirit of Love; loving God and loving one another because of the one Life we all share!

 

     Oh, Spirit of Love, remove the veils from our eyes so we can see who we really are in Christ, so we will love one another as we really should; seeing Jesus in each other’s faces.

 

The Best Way to Meet

 

     A group of Christians begin meeting together each week for the first time. All are strangers to each other; ages, backgrounds, and church experiences range from A to Z. But all have gathered together in response to God’s Spirit of Love and the website www.BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com. Each person has a desire to gather in loving oneness to fulfill our Lord’s prayer to the Father as recorded in John 17.

 

     But how will that look in practice? Honestly, it will require the death of each person in one way or another. Meeting together in loving oneness will become a spiritual warfare between our old fallen nature vs. our love for Jesus. As we discover how fallen we really are, the Spirit of Love will give us courage to die to our selfishness.

 

     Love will melt away the many divisive walls that have separated us from one another; pet doctrines, types of music, best Bible translation, foods, child rearing, politics, and the list goes on and on. The true struggle will be with yourself; your self-centeredness, your opinionated unwillingness to just love someone because Jesus loves them right where they’re at. To be able to practice love will take a driving heart’s desire to give in to God’s love; to allow yourself to be consumed and overpowered and empowered by the Spirit of Love.

     As Love begins to grow in

 us, as God reveals who He is in us, we will begin experiencing the wonderful power of Love. We will become the fulfillment of God’s eternal desire. Our love for the Lord and one another will become a way of life, not just in a gathering of Christians, but in our daily caring for one another. The best way to meet … is the way of Love, the person of Jesus Christ expressed through us by God’s Spirit of Love.

 

 

Simple Prayer Upon Waking

 

     There is no best prayer upon waking. The sole purpose of any prayer is to simply bring ourselves into God’s presence. At that point, prayer will take care of itself; prayer will become a reaction to the Holy Spirit’s speaking from within our spirit.

 

     Is this being “to spiritual”? - Not at all. God is Spirit. Our salvation, being born again, regenerated; whatever you call it, it is a spiritual happening; “…that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6b)  So then, our coming to God must be in the realm of God’s Spirit and our human spirit.

 

     The question then is, “How do we enter into this Spirit/spirit realm? How do we come into God’s presence?” The answer to these questions is so exciting! Why? It’s exciting because God has made it so simple. It has to be simple because we become a child of God as a baby; and babies communicate simply. There is no need to belabor this point.

 

     Here is the exciting answer: (1 Corinthians 12:3b) “… no one can say, Jesus is Lord/Lord Jesus, except in the Holy Spirit.” This is wonderful! This is amazing! This is God’s mercy. By simply speaking forth or calling out Jesus’ name … we find ourselves in His presence! We will either sense or feel His presence - or not; that is up to God. The key fact or truth is: we are in His presence whether we feel it or not. In truth, God’s presence is always with us whether we acknowledge Him or not. Even the fallen, unsaved world is surrounded by God’s presence. God is waiting for each one to just breathe in His Spirit of Life by speaking Jesus’ name in faith.

 

     For us, who have faith in the Son of God already, our immediate personal connection with the Lord comes by simply speaking His name. This is so normal. This is how we interact with each other: “Hey, John.” “Hello, Mary.” It’s no different with God: “Good morning, Lord.” “Hello, dear Father.”

 

    So now, let’s contradict our very first sentence: “There is no best prayer, upon waking.” The best prayer or simplest way to come into God’s presence, to interact with our Lord, is to simply say, “Lord.” or “Lord Jesus.” We Christians can, quite literally, revolutionize our Christian life by making it a habit of the heart to speak His name throughout each day; from morning’s first awareness to night’s last consciousness!

 

     In this way of speaking our Lord’s name or names (Lord, Lord Jesus, Father, Father-God, God, Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of Love, etc.) we are immediately in the Triune God’s presence. We are immediately partaking of God’s Life, the Tree of Life, the Spirit of Life, the Water of Life, etc. Whether we pray like a baby or like an intellectual giant, it matters not to God. His greatest delight is to hear His name being spoken or called by one of His children; and He’s right there listening, guiding, encouraging, or responding.

 

     Yes, the Spirit of God will guide our prayers. Just as Jesus told His disciples He only spoke and did what He saw the Father speaking and doing, so also will we be guided. This is a progressive growth thing, just like in our human growing and maturing. Never be ashamed of your young age in Christ. Never be arrogant in your maturity in Christ. We are a loving and supporting family.

 

     As we grow in Life, our speaking to and with God will become more mature. That definitely does not mean we will pray for 10 minutes in a prayer meeting covering every need exhaustively; leaving nothing for anyone else to pray (research writings on “Conversational Prayer”). In truth, some of the most intimate times with the Lord, learning and understanding His will, is spent in outward silence; just being with Him, occasionally breathing or speaking His name. From the beginning of our Christian life to the end of our physical Christian life, our Lord’s name is equal to His personal presence.

 

     So whether we are a new child of God or an old weathered spiritual warrior, our God’s will and purpose is accomplished in the simplicity of lovingly speaking His name.

 

     Let us wake each morning speaking His name and continue doing so as much as our growth in spiritual life allows us to do. Let us continue day after day, year after year, bringing glory to our Lord, and loving Him and one another in the power of His life and presence. We’ve been given the Gift of all gifts: to share in the Life of God. And as we learn to live and walk in God’s presence, we will discover it is this one act of love that will fulfill all needs – both God’s and ours.

 

 

 

 

 

Everything Summarized

 

     Jesus prayed a prayer to the Father, as recorded in John 17, expressing the will of Himself and God the Father. God’s purpose for all those He has given to Jesus Christ, is that we would be one people in faith and action to God’s glory and for the world to witness.

 

     This oneness is based on the fact that all followers of Jesus are indwelt by His life – we share the same one unique Life of Christ. Having been born of God’s Spirit, we are members of one unique family, we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are automatically members of the only one church that exists on earth. We are, collectively, the Body of Christ and He is the Head.

 

     The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are seeking to move in the hearts of all those who will respond to their prayer and call. They want us to be one in practice. They want us to seek one another out and love each other on a daily basis.

 

     We can only accomplish this loving oneness by asking the Spirit of Love, God’s Spirit, to fill us with His love. Then we must practice loving each other by depending on God’s love and life that lives in us. To practice expressing God’s love, which lives in us, will require a giving up of our old self-life. And this giving up of our old self will require us to choose to love God more than ourselves.

 

     Everything is accomplished and fulfilled, by us loving the Lord more than anything else. If we will love our Father, we will seek to live according to His will – nothing more and nothing less. This practice of loving the Lord and loving one another will answer the prayer Jesus prayed. To become the answer to Jesus’ prayer is the highest purpose and privilege a follower of Jesus could become. And to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer simply requires our willingness to love – something we all have for the asking.

 

     As we respond to the Spirit of Love, we will be given the desire and heart to find and get to know other followers of Christ who live, work and study near us. As we become supporting friends with one another, our frequent nearness will allow us daily intimate fellowship. This frequent interaction will give us endless opportunities to practice loving with God’s love as described in 1Corinthians 13.

 

     Loving others will bring us to the end of ourselves. 1Corinthians 12:18 makes it very clear that God places us next to each other in the body of Christ as it pleases Him. This is not a good-old-boys club or a mutual admiration society. God places us with those who will give us the opportunity to practice being kind, not envying or boasting, not being proud or rude, not being easily angered, not keeping record of wrongs, not delighting in evil, but rather  rejoicing in truth, always protecting, trusting, hoping, and persevering. And yes, we, with our own personalities, will give others the same opportunities to practice some or all the actions of love found in 1Corintians 13.

 

     As the months and years go by and neighbors and co-workers, who are lovers of Jesus, become intimate friends and supporters of one another, all that God has ever desired for His people will come to completion. The Father, Son, and Spirit will be demonstrated, honored, and glorified in the midst of a dark and fallen world. By loving God and loving one another in our daily lives, by putting into practice what we once only studied and talked about, Jesus will be pleased to return once and for all to His lovely loving people.

 

     The practical suggestions in this website, like how to meet, how to get into the Word together, etc., are just that – suggestions. We all will have to do what works best and fits our cultures and lifestyles. Seeking God’s will in all things is the number one priority.

 

     God’s love will never fail. God’s love will care for each one of us from the “least” to the “greatest”. Remember, the Lord desires us to be parents, fathers and mothers to one another – always feeding, supplying life, giving and receiving, receiving and giving as our portion of life and grace permits. The more time we can be with one another, the greater the expression of love can be practiced. Time together demands love practiced; forgiveness, patience, and protecting one another takes love. Love comes from a heart centered on a relationship with our Father; we learn from His example.

The Secret to a Successful Christian Life

 

     Love -

     Plain and simple, nothing else, nothing added on – just Love.

 

     Not our love but God’s love. We must remember, God is Love (1John 4:16). Love is God – God is Love. Love is a person – the person of God.

 

     God coming to earth, in Jesus the Son, is His expression of Love (John 1:14).

     Jesus, as the Life-giving Spirit (1Cor.15:45), coming into our spirit is God’s expression of Love.

 

     Jesus Christ’s Spirit of Love is now waiting to come out of and through us to express love toward one another and the world.

 

     This multi-faceted Love, of and from God, the Son, and the Spirit, all deposited in our human spirit is the secret to the Christian life. This Love is the source, the empowerment, and the accomplishment of living a successful Christian life. Love enables all of God’s will to be done.

     What Chr

istian doesn’t want to live a successful Christian life? No matter how hurt or damaged we might be, hidden deep within us is the desire to be all that God wants us to be. The greatest trouble achieving such peace and oneness with God is two-fold: first, our fallen sinful self and second, the fallen sinful people around us (including Christians).

 

     So many Christians have said, “I wish God would just make/force me ….” Real love doesn’t work that way. Who really wants a programmed robot for a lover? There’s something about the passion and compassion of a willing lover that can’t be beat. God feels the same way.

 

     God refuses to make us love Him. What God has done is out of this world. He has given us His perfect life. His life is Love. God is Love. God’s love dwells within us. God has enabled us to willfully choose to love Him. He has given us a “switch” – our heart connected to our mouth. With this “switch”, we can turn on or activate God’s love and life, the Spirit of Love and Life, for every need and circumstance in our lives. Our faith and belief in Jesus Christ has given us a new heart that desires what God desires. And what God desires the most is our loving and expressing Him.

 

     Without God, in our old fallen self, our heart and mouth seek only self-gratification; both good and bad. Our mouth can cause unimaginable damage (James 3:1-12).

 

     However, the mouth activating our new heart will result in unimaginable love being expressed. When we choose to call on God’s life and love within us, loving understanding, compassion, forgiveness, building up, and the list goes on and on, is expressed in and through us; God’s love. His love in us can willingly be used to love Him, one another and the lost world. This is God’s love – real love.

 

     God’s love has already achieved all things needed to fulfill His eternal purpose and heart’s desire. We are in His image, chosen to be in Him before time began, made new by His life and love so we are motivated by love to fulfill His purpose and heart’s desire.

 

     What a privilege we have been given by our loving Creator to speak His name, draw close to Him, and draw from His life. May each one of us choose to let the Spirit of Love rule in and through our heart daily.

 

Matthew 5:44-48   John 13:34-35; 14:21-24; 15:16-17   Romans 13:8-10   1Corinthians 13   Galatians 5:13-14   Ephesians 4:15-16   1Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 4:7-13   1John 2:10; 3:11,14-18,23; 4:7-5:3

Beware: The Person

 

     Beware the person who insists on dominating all conversations. Actually, this type of person does not converse well. There is no real conversation but rather a monologue. A conversation is a dialogue between two or more people who give each other opportunities to speak so all can be a part of the whole.

 

     Sadly, there are those people who take over most any and every topic brought up. Once gaining control they talk on and on about what they have experienced or what they know or about what others have done or found out. There “gift” is the ability to create no gaps or pauses between sentences. Most will stop talking if interrupted but at the slightest pause jump back in to continue their monologue. If allowed, this type of person can easily consume 80 – 90% of all the talking.

 

     This situation will become a type of cancer in your fellowship gatherings. Life is sucked out from others as they become frustrated or stagnated because they are never able to speak their heart completely. They dare not pause a moment to gather their thoughts or speak in a slow way.

 

     Consider 1Corinthians 4:20; 12:14, 22; 14:29-33a. These scriptures show us the principle of healthy fellowship; each person has the freedom to share their portion of life for the encouragement of all. For one person to dominate the majority of fellowship, all the time, is an expression of great selfish disregard for the spiritual health of others.

     There are two basic reasons these types of people are allowed to dominate; politeness and fear.

 

     Politeness, in this case, is a polite word for misguided, permissive love. This is like parents who are overrun by a wild, out-of-control 4 year old who only cares for themselves. This is not sensitive, caring love – it is total disregard for the safety and future well-being of the child. What kind of an adult will such a child become? To allow a person to constantly do most of the talking damages their view and respect of the needs of others – not to mention the trampling down of God’s will for His body of believers.

 

     Fear, in this case, is another word for lack of loving the Lord. If our heart and eyes have been opened by the Spirit of Love to see the desperate need for all believers to speak of their relationship with God and one another, then love for God’s will won’t permit such a cancerous person to take over your gatherings.

 

     God’s love is not misguided, permissive or fearful. With prayer and consistent loving words of exhortation and explanation, done privately or with others, the abnormal need to dominate fellowship should be resolved in time.  If such a person is offended and leaves, love will seek them out to encourage them to be a healthy part of God’s family.

 

How Shall We Pray?

 

     “Pray without ceasing.” (1Thessalonians 5:17)

 

     Prayer is Christ. Christ is the fulfillment of all things (Colossians 1:15 – 20). To pray without ceasing is simply to walk in God’s presence throughout each day; to acknowledge Him in all things and to seek His will in all things.

 

     Jesus boldly testified that He never spoke or did anything except what He saw His Father saying or doing in heaven. Jesus was praying without ceasing; that is to say, He was always in touch with the Father. He was always open to hear, see or do what the Father showed Him and spoke to Him.

 

     When teaching His disciples how to pray, He responded; “Pray like this; Our Father in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9 – 10) Jesus did not give the disciples a prayer to recite but an attitude of relationship with the Father. “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” assumes  that we are walking through each day as Jesus did – always open to hear, see, speak or do what the Father is doing in heaven.

 

     This is living in prayer. This is praying without ceasing. Letting God rule our whole being throughout each day, accomplishing His will in and through us; this is prayer. This is praying without ceasing.

 

     Is this at all possible for us? No, this is not possible in and of us. However, the very person who lived this way, who set the example, now lives in us! Jesus lives in us! Jesus has never stopped following His Father’s will. In us, He continues to fulfill God’s will. And what is our part? Staying in touch with Christ in us and following the Spirit of Christ’s leading.

 

     As we live like this, we will be filled with His life, love, peace and joy. In so doing, we will be such a support and encouragement to our Christian family and friends. Our oneness will deepen and Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John 17 will be answered. We will become the answer to our Lord’s prayer!

 

This Is Not God’s Way

 

     So many of us Christians have lived or are living our Christian lives learning the Bible from sermons and weekly Bible studies. These will continue throughout our entire lives. There is nothing wrong with this except most of us will die lonely and disconnected from any long-term resemblance of intimate Christian family. We will have had acquaintances and friends along the way but – intimate, loving companionship is seldom experienced. We may have had a season of such love but rarely do any of us get to experience it throughout our lifetime.

 

     Most of our Christian lives are spent in planned or structured meetings. We seldom have the opportunity or take the time to just hang out with one another getting to know each other as everyday Christian persons with likes and dislikes, hobbies, health issues,  family problems, job problems, confiding our fears and questions,  and on and on. It is not uncommon for an individual or even a whole family to disappear for several weeks and no one knows what is happening with them. They may be warmly welcomed back, finding out the person or family had been going through tragic circumstances.

 

     Is this the expression of Christ’s love that brings honor and glory to the Father? Certainly not!

 

     In general, we are encouraged to be strong, overcoming individual Christians. But this is not God’s way for us to live in a selfish, fallen world.

 

     Even among groups of Christians who are taught that we should be there for one another, expressing Christ’s love and care, seldom are able to carry that standard out. Such an intimacy of life, love and care is difficult to practice because we are scattered so far and wide from each other. We seldom live near to one another.

 

     However, as most of us know, even physical nearness does not guarantee intimacy and loving care. If God’s Spirit of Love is not ruling in the hearts of His children, believers can live under the same roof without expressing God’s love for one another.

 

     First, each one of us needs to cry out to our Father for mercy and forgiveness. Then we need to humbly ask the Lord to quicken our spirit with His Spirit of Love. We must ask for a clear seeing of what God wants; how He wants us to know and care for one another. We must be willing to acknowledge God’s children, those who confess Christ as their Lord and Savior, who are our neighbors; neighbors at our work, play, schools, and in our neighborhoods. We must love as God loves. We must practice our oneness in Him as we truly are one in the Father and Son. This is God’s way. This will bring glory to the only true and living God. This will answer their prayer.

 

     Don’t think you must stop fellowshipping and caring for those you have known for years. Rather, we must broaden our love to include those God has placed next to us in our daily living. It is here that God’s will for His family on earth will most easily be experienced and expressed; loving one another as God has willed for us to do. It is here that we will learn to love God with our whole being and to love one another as we love ourselves.

 

The Word: Letters or Person

 

     Is the Word a collection of letters and words, chapters and verses of scripture or the person of God? Clearly, the answer is yes. The word/Word is both.

 

     God has left us His words (scripture) by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit/God’s Breath (2Timothy 3:16-17). When taken in spirit, the scripture is not the dead letter (2Corinthians 3:6; 2Timothy 3:7) but comes alive with God’s Spirit (John 6:63; Mathew 4:4).

 

     Jesus made it very clear, as recorded in John 5:39-40, that just knowing scripture, without knowing Him, is death. But when we know Him in spirit, growing in Him and Him in us, scripture becomes food and nourishment to us (Psalms 119:103; Matthew 4:4; 1Peter 2:2-3).

 

     The Lord desires to have followers who have a loving heart and ear who seek to hear His will rather than those who are busy serving Him according to their own will and good works (Luke 10:38-42; Matthew 7:21-23).

 

     Before time, Jesus was the Word with God and they were One (John 1:1). The Word came to earth in the form of flesh (Jesus, the child-man) (John 1:14). The resurrected and ascended Christ returned as the Life-giving Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45). The returning Christ at the end of days is called the Word of God (Revelation 19:13).

 

     From eternity past to eternity future the Word is a divine Person. Yet the words spoken by that Divine Person are living and are Spirit if we exercise our heart and spirit to take them as such. If scripture is only taken as a mental exercise to gain more knowledge, the outcome is spiritual death.

 

      To be able to love and serve one another we must have the written word come spiritually alive in our spirit and soul. Otherwise we are doing and acting from our own intellect and will. Jesus is the Word of Life in us waiting to be called upon to spring forth in actions of love. So let’s learn God’s will from the written word so we can call upon the Living Word, the Spirit of the Word (Ephesians 6:17), the Spirit of Love, to live out His holy life through us.

 

     And the wonderful result? The prayer of the Triune God (John 17) will become a reality on the earth by everyday simple Christians.

 

What God Is Up To

 

I [Jesus] am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you [Father] have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you, Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. (John 17:9-11) ESV

 

That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one,  so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:21-23) ESV

 

I [Jesus] made known to them your name [Father], and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:26) ESV

 

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:30-32) ESV

 

I [Paul] thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (1Timothy 1:12-14) ESV

 

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us. But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”  (Luke 9:49-50) ESV

 

He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. (John 11:51-52) ESV

 

[God} making known to us the mystery of his will, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:9-10) ESV

 

     What is God up to? Or, what is God doing? In God’s sovereignty, according to His will and timing, we are now given the honor and privilege to confidently proclaim, “This is what God is up to.” No more questions or doubts. No more fears and concerns. God’s Spirit of Love is now revealing in the hearts of His children, across the face of the earth, “What God Is Up To”.

 

     This revealing is a great mercy from God. This revealing is now being poured out upon this generation of God’s children. We are being called to become the honored and privileged saints in His family who answer our Lord’s heart’s desire – to live in oneness and unity, to the glory of God. In doing this simple act, we become those believers who bring to completion what God has been up to since before creation.

 

     If we consider this awesome responsibility and grand privilege, we will humbly bow before our Father-King and profusely thank Him. For it is certainly of no earned actions that merit us to be those He has chosen to reveal His will. We have lived as the Apostle Paul lived before he was called by Jesus. Paul confessed, I was a blasphemer, persecutor, insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly … (1Timothy 1:13).

 

     You may find this comparison to Paul as offensive and accusing, especially if you have filled your life with Christian service and biblical studies. However, it’s very rare to find Christians gathering together within neighborhoods, work places, and schools for long-term loving relationships and support. We tend to shun such intimacy, if we are not of the same Christian group.

 

     Yet, God’s heart desire is more than clear – “…to gather into one the children of God who are scattered…” (John 11:52) ESV  “…that they may be one, even as we are one.” (John 17:11) ESV “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us,” (John 17:21) ESV  “…that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one,” (John 17:22-23)   Then ending with this sobering declaration from the mouth of Jesus – “…whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30) ESV

 

     So now we are put in the unique position of knowing one of God’s greatest mysteries - to live in oneness and unity, to the glory of God. This is what the Father and Son are praying for. This is what they are doing.

 

To accomplish this, God is pouring out His Spirit of Love afresh into the hearts of His people who will answer His call, His prayer. We can be absolutely confident in speaking to others about What God Is Up To – not in the past, not in the future, but right now. But none of God’s revelations have ever been for just knowing – they are for doing. Each one of us are going to have to choose whether we will be one who gathers or one who scatters. We now know what God is up to. To ignore what God is up to is to choose. To choose what God is up to is to dive head-long into the will and purpose of the triune God.

 

     God has made what He is up to so simple that none of us are disqualified to participate in it. Whether we feel like it or not, we have been given God’s glory. (John 17:22) Whether we feel Him or not, Christ lives in us. (John 17:23) And if we do not have the love to love our neighbor as ourselves –we are told by God to petition, ask, plea, cry out to, the Spirit of Love to come upon us, to come within us, to fill us with overflowing love. Love, God’s life expressed through us, will fulfill all that God wants. And God wants and expects to use each one of us to love – to love Him and to love one another.

 

     Ask God to show you how much you have been loved by Him. His sacrificial, unconditional, always forgiving, gracious love will melt our hearts. Speak to each other of God’s love. Remind each other of all God has done and is doing to demonstrate His love for us. Build each other up in love. Seek out one another in the places you live, work, study, and play. Practice and learn to demonstrate and share love. Always default to love. In this way, the way of love, God will make us one.

 

     Fight for this oneness. Fight against God’s enemy who wants Christ’s body (you and me) broken and torn to pieces – grossly dismembered. Fight against your own flesh and self-centered fallen nature. Tell the Lord to do whatever it takes to make you one with Him. Even fear hurting God’s feelings. Tell Him, “I want to do what Your up to, at all cost.”

 

     The rewards for being in and doing God’s will is bliss and enjoyment of the eternal mysteries of God’s love. And as we come into oneness with God and one another, we will experience eternal foretastes of God’s love.

 

     Thank you, Father, for what You are up to!

 

HERO

 

     Everyone loves a hero of one sort or another.  Heroes make us want to be one.  Heroes give us courage to rise up above ourselves – to be more than who we really are.

 

     A real hero takes action or sacrifices, not to receive attention or personal credit, but to serve others out of loving concern and compassion.

 

     What greater hero is there throughout time than our precious Jesus? What human being could ever take all the sins of all mankind, for all time, upon themselves?  The unselfish love that would sacrifice to willingly take the pain and suffering is mind boggling; greater love and sacrifice than any single person could ever endure.  Yet, before the tick of time, this is what our God conspired to do for His desire and for the sake of His beloved children.  All this heroism just to save you and me from our fallen selves and restore us back into a loving relationship with our Creator.

 

     God truly is love.  And His love has gone to and continues to go to the nth degree so we might have a love relationship with Him and with one another.

 

     Now this person, this God, lives in us so we can not only love Him but also love and embrace all who are in the family of God.  So, if God dwells in the hearts of all His children, then we love Him by loving them.  We have been called to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, first.  Then we are to love the unsaved world.  God’s love loves the sinner, not the sinner’s sin.  How else could we have been saved by our Hero-Savior?

 

     If we will let His heroic love rule in and through us, we too can become heroes to each other.  Christ is the Hero living in us for the purpose of bringing us together in loving oneness; sacrificing, forgiving, encouraging and ever loving one another to and for the glory of God. Heroes come in countless shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds. There is no limit to who can be a hero, especially when we have the Eternal Hero of Love living in us.

 

     Oh, may God’s Spirit of Love fill us and empower us to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer.  May we become each other’s heroes so the One True Hero will be honored by the whole world (John 17:21, 23).

 

I See!  Now What?

(Ephesians 1:18; 1John 5:1)

 

     The Lord has revealed to your spirit, soul and heart His desire for His children (you); to seek one another out and practice your loving oneness as fellow members of Christ’s body.

 

In a nutshell, without a lot of tedious detail, here’s a suggested list:

 

+ Humbly thank God for having revealed to you His heart’s desire and purpose for your life.

 

+ Ask the Lord to direct all aspects of your life according to His will.

 

+ Ask the Lord’s Spirit of Love to fill you and to move in the hearts of the Christians in your neighborhood.

 

+ Ask other Christians to prayerfully look into the contents of this website. (Recommendation: Don’t be pushy. Let God’s Spirit work in the hearts of others according to their individual convictions. The greatest testimony to what God has revealed to you will be practicing and living out God’s love.)

 

+ Create an invitation to pass out to Christians near you.

 

+ Your Christian family and friends who have also seen the truth behind www.BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com, but live in nearby communities, may want to join you or you join them for support and fellowship.

 

+ You may want to print some “Invitation Cards” to carry with you to give to other Christians as you meet them.

 

+ If you’re not accustomed to hosting potlucks in your home, check out this website’s recommendations and suggestions – “Potlucks”.

 

+ Above all, remember – the goal is not starting another church. God forbid! We are already members of Christ’s one unique body and church .

 

+++ As we gather together over the weeks and years getting to know, loving and supporting one another by the life of Christ and the Spirit of Love that dwells and moves within us, we will be fulfilling God’s purpose for our existence and answering Jesus’ prayer. What greater purpose and privilege could we ever be called to!

The Twists of Love and Forgiveness

 

Love forgives.

The lack of forgiveness demonstrates a lack of love.

But there is a love that does not forgive –

the love of self;

the love that protects ones ego, rights; pride.

Such a love is self-preservation.

The other kind of love is sacrificial;

It allows being wronged, corrected, misunderstood –

shamed and blamed.

This kind of love forgives.

The other kind of love is offended, bitter and

does not forgive.

One kind of love makes excuses, justifies, hates,

practices arrogance and high-mindedness;

isolates and feels lonely and unloved.

The other kind of love seeks …

restoration, connection, peace.

So, our dilemma is –

Which kind of love do we choose to live by?

Oh, yes, it most assuredly is –

a choice.

One love only loves itself.

The other love willingly sacrifices itself.

One love seeks friendship and intimacy.

The other love withdraws and never forgets.

Forgiveness forgets.

But forgiveness requires an unselfish love.

Christ living in us demonstrates unselfish love.

1John 4:20-21

 

 

 

 

 

Seeking

 

     God created man in His own image so man could be His counterpart, the Bride of Christ. This, in itself, is mind-boggling. Each of us believers was chosen in Christ before time was created by God.

 

     God’s purpose and plan for creating is to build up the Body of Christ, the Church, on earth. This is for God’s enjoyment and fulfillment and for His glorification. Just as Eve was taken out from Adam, so is the Church taken out from Christ.

 

     For the Church to be built up in oneness and unity, its members need to supply loving care and life to one another (“by every joint of supply”). This is not accomplished through theological and doctrinal agreement. It is accomplished by living a Christ centered life and a hands-on day by day love and support for one another as intimate family members.

 

     In John 17 we see the Father and Son’s heart’s desire for their followers to be united in loving oneness for God’s glory. For us to express God’s love toward one another is the sole purpose for our existence. To love our Lord and one another is our eternal call and our eternal destiny.

 

     The Triune God’s design is that we should express His love now – on this side of eternity. Our Father wants us to know and love Him and each other now – not when we “die and go to heaven”. For this to happen, we must find one another the way God has found us: “The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support the person whose heart is completely His” (2Chronicles 16:9)

 

 Our God is a seeking God:

 

    But an hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truthfulness, for the Father also seeks such to worship Him (John 4:23).

 

     For thus says the Lord Jehovah, I Myself, even I, will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his sheep which are scattered, so I will seek out My sheep; and I will deliver them from all the places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness (Ezekiel 34:11-12).

 

     Our God is a seeking God. He is seeking out, looking for, pursuing those of us believers whose hearts long and desire to do His will. His will is that we embrace, support and love one another with the love God gives us.

 

     God’s life seeks to be with worshippers who worship Him. God is in us. Christ is in us. The Spirit of Love is in us. God in us is seeking those who love Him. As we behold and reflect the Lord, He is seeking, through us, to find others who are eternal members of Christ’s body. Why? So we can support, love and express Him together for the building up and maturing of the church, His Body, the Bride of Christ. As we are built together as an expression of God’s love on earth for the world to see, in God’s fullness of time, He will return visibly to take us to dwell with Him eternally.

 

     This is God’s goal, God’s purpose. But love constrains Him to not force Himself on us. The Lord is looking for lovers who are willing and wanting to seek Him out. He wants lovers who have a heart to choose, over self, to spend time with Him and His people. The Lord is seeking such believers.

 

     Now the Spirit of Love is moving and motivating the hearts of God’s seekers to seek out one another. The God who has always had a heart to seek out His disconnected people is living and active in us. If we will seek His will, He will lead us to find one another.

 

     In our neighborhoods, at our work places, in our schools; we are surrounded by fellow lovers of Jesus. We will be spending eternity together loving and worshipping our wonderful Lord. But God’s desire and design is that we mature and grow up into His counterpart by loving and supporting one another on earth in our daily lives until He returns. This is our call, our purpose, our destiny. In His body there are no second-class citizens. We are all necessary members of His body. We are all needed to receive and give God’s love to each other.

 

     The very God we love and worship lives in the believers who are our neighbors, workmates, and schoolmates – yet so many we do not know intimately. May we respond to God’s seeking heart to seek one another out – for God’s sake and our sake. The love and support you need from God is in your Christian neighbor. The love and support your Christian neighbor needs is in you. And if neither one of you have love, you need each other to learn how to love someone. That is God’s love in practice, not talk.

 

     Oh, Father, may your Spirit of Love fill us to move according to Your life and will. May we be the ones whose hearts are available for Your use.

 

     This is The Life that is living in us, the Seeking Life, the Life we are called to:

1Chronicles 16:11; 22:19 + 2Chronicles 7:14; 11:16; 12:14; 20:4; 26:5; 30:19; 34:3 + Ezra 6:21; 7:10; 8:21-22 + Job 5:8; 8:5-7  Psalms 9:10; 14:2; 22:26; 27:4; 34:10; 40:16; 63:1; 69:32; 70:4; 105:3-4; 122:9 + Isaiah 51:1 + Lamentations 3:25 + Ezekiel 34:11-12 + Hosea 15:5 + Amos 5:6 + Zechariah 8:21-22 + Matthew 6:33  Luke 12:29-31 + John 4:23; 5:30; 7:18; 8:50 + 1Corinthians 10:24,33; 14:12 + 2Corinthians 12:14 + Philippians 4:17  Colossians 3:1 + Hebrews 11:6,14

 

How Did It Happen? Potter-Power

 

     Bottom line is . . . we didn’t have a thing to do with it.

 

     We were born by no doing of our own; both physically and spiritually. It’s not because of a decision we made. It’s not because we confessed our sins and asked for forgiveness. It’s not because of any good we did or are continuing to do. It’s not because we are members of a particular or special group of Christians.

 

     We are believers and followers of the triune God because of only one reason - God chose us before we were born (Ephesians 1:3 – 5; Romans 8:30).   It is only by God’s merciful choosing that we call Him Father, Son, Spirit, Lord, Jesus, Christ, Living Water, Tree of Life, our Light, our Breathe, our Love and on and on and on. God is countless spiritual realities, truths and names that lift us above the darkness of a fallen world.

 

     It is God who has moved our hearts and revealed His love for us – first. We love God because He first loved us (1John 4:10).

 

     With inexpressible gratitude to God, read Romans 9:11 – 26:

 

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calls;)

 12 It was said to her, The elder shall serve the younger.

 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

 15 For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

 16 So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.

 17 For the scripture said to Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

 18 Therefore he has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens.

 19 You will say then to me, Why does he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will?

 20 No but, O man, who are you that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me like this?

 21 Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel to honor, and another to dishonor?

 22 What if God, wanting to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had beforehand prepared for glory,

 24 Even us, whom he has called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

 25 As he said also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said to them, You are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

 

     Seeing that we are wholly children of God by His mercy, how much more should we give our whole lives to serve Him according to His will? By sheer mercy, we have been chosen by God to be His for eternity; vessels of honor. Our gratitude and devotion to God should be endless. For extending such eternal mercy and grace to us, we should express unfailing love toward our Father and His will for our lives.

 

  Oh, Lord, give us eyes to see, a heart to love and a will to respond to You. Fill us with Your Spirit of Love so we can become the answer to your prayer in John 17.

 

 

 

 

The Battleground

 

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2Coritnthians 10:5 ESV

 

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere (the simplicity) and pure devotion to Christ. 2Corinthians 11:3 ESV

 

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 RV

 

     God’s adversary, Satan, the enemy of our souls, uses anything and everything to distract us from having our mind set on God. Our mind is the great battleground and prize. Conquer the mind of a person and you have control of their whole being.

 

     No wonder the world is full of people who have no hope, no rest, no purpose, and no peace. The darkness of Death overshadows their lives, their souls and their minds. Life is barely worth living. Anger and frustration rules the minds of many.

 

     But God has made a way for His children to have abundant life and peace! Yes, right in the middle of our chaotic world. Even in the middle of our own personal chaotic life.

 

     Chaos can be the result of being consumed with good things as well as being eaten up with unrighteousness.  The tree in the Garden of Eden which caused mankind to fall away from God’s presence was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Serpent, the Devil, still uses the same tree to keep people from living in God’s presence partaking of the Tree of Life (God).

 

     Nothing pleases God’s adversary more than to distract God’s children with the fruit of what’s right and what’s wrong – anything but allowing us to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Life. If our minds can be busy doing good according to our own will (Matthew 7:21-23) and fighting what we consider as wrong and evil, we are unable to embrace  many of our Christian family, our brothers and sisters in Christ, who we will spend eternity with.

 

     Let us give our love’s effort to bring into captivity all our thoughts so that our thoughts become His thoughts and His thoughts become our thoughts. In so doing we will become one in His life; a testimony of God’s love to the world. And most important, we will answer Jesus’ prayer to the Father.

a prayer

 

Oh, Spirit of God,

Spirit of Life,

Spirit of Love;

Go before, as You always do.

Prepare the hearts of Your chosen ones.

Convict and empower us

To be bold, brave and loving.

Bless us

With Your undeniable presence.

Show us clearly who we are in You.

Lord, draw us together

Like You’ve never done before,

Across the face of this earth.

May the world become jealous

of our love for each other.

In the Midst

 

     In the midst of our potpourri of Christian churches and Christian meetings, there must be an expression of oneness for the world to see.

 

     Jesus has prayed to the Father for our oneness and still desires it. Jesus died for our oneness. Jesus resurrected, ascended, and returned to mankind as the life-giving Spirit of Love for our oneness.

 

     There is no reasonable or justifiable excuse for us not to lovingly embrace one another, regardless of what church group we regularly attend. All of the various church groups and believers in any given geographical area are all members of Christ’s one Body. Geographical area means village, town, city, region, continent, or earth. To turn our hearts and love away from those whom God has accepted as His children, as members of Christ’s body, as members of God’s eternal kingdom, is a gross violation of God’s will and purpose for His redeemed ones.

 

     It does not matter which Christian organization or group we have met with for all or part of our lives. We are being asked by our Lord and Father to befriend and love all followers of Jesus. The Spirit of Love that lives in us is urging us to get connected to our Christian neighbors, coworkers, and fellow students.

 

     Why is God’s Spirit of Love leading us to do this? Jesus prayed for this because it is God’s heart’s desire. God’s glory demands such a testimony of His life in and among His children. God is One and, as God is One, there is no other credible or valid testimony other than our Oneness. To refuse our oneness in Christ’s life is to refuse Christ himself.

 

     Christ taught that all members, regardless of their uniqueness, are still needed members of any physical body. When one member is missing or hurt, it affects the whole body. Is Christ divided? No. By Christ’s life, are we not eternally members one of another? Yes.

 

     God help us to be like innocent children in His one loving family: united by the one Father and one Life we mutually share. May we be those who cooperate with God’s Spirit to demonstrate, once and for all, our love for God and our love for one another.

 

 

Home Sweet Home

 

     God’s Spirit of Love and the written Word of God confirms there is only one church on earth with Christ as its Head. Whether we live in a community of 20 or 2 million, God only acknowledges one church in that geographic area. This is 100% biblical.

 

     The example is repeated several times in our scriptures. For the sake of intimacy and giving everyone an opportunity to share their experiences of Christ, the church met in a home or homes.

 

     The church in Jerusalem was made up of several thousands of brothers and sisters. When not listening to the apostles share their experiences with Christ, they met in homes in small groups. They ate together, shared their growing faith together, worshipped and prayed together, asked questions together, suffered together, encouraged one another, loved and forgave one another – in homes.

 

     May our homes become God’s homes. May we cooperate with the Spirit of Love and open our homes for the gathering together of the brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

     Societies, families, and individuals have become increasingly unsocial and unfriendly when it comes to face to face interaction. The ability or art of simply visiting with one another is becoming lost. Many homes seldom if ever are graced with other friends or families, let alone strangers or new acquaintances.

 

      If there are no open homes, there are no open hearts to God’s will. Will our love for Jesus become so practical, so real? How else will Jesus’ prayer in John 17 be answered?

 

     May our homes become God’s homes. May our hearts become home to God’s loving will. May God’s love bring us into intimate friendship and oneness with our fellow brothers and sisters who are now strangers to us. May God’s Spirit of Love fill our lives and our homes with love; the love of God. May our homes become home sweet home to all who love our precious Lord and Savior.

 

 

Two Trees

(Genesis 2:9, 17)

 

     After God had finished creating all things, He zeroed in on mankind, who He had made in His image. God’s purpose was and still is that mankind would corporately become His loving counterpart, His wife. Even though Adam and Eve were without sin, they lacked being spiritual beings to match God’s essence. Without being made alive spiritually with God’s life, they would not be compatible as God’s counterpart.

 

     For Adam and Eve to become spiritual beings to match God, He provided them a way to take His life into them. That way was a tree. In the Garden of Eden, God placed the Tree of Life. This tree was God himself. When mankind would eat of the Tree of Life they would be taking in the life of God; and we all know we become what we eat. The plan: eat of the Tree of Life, which is God, and become one in life with God. Then God would initiate a love relationship with His people and they would become His corporate loving wife. God’s desire for a counterpart comes true.

 

    So God told Adam and Eve to eat of the Tree of Life and of all the other trees in the garden … except for one tree. If you eat the fruit of that one tree, you will die – you will no longer be able to be a spiritual being like God and live for eternity with Him. Why, for God’s sake, would God put a tree in the Garden of Eden that would kill His prospective Wife?!

 

     God did it for His sake. God put the Two Trees in the Garden of Eden so mankind could willfully choose to love Him more than themselves. Forced love is no love.  By having a choice to honor their Creator’s wish, and it was God’s only restrictive request, mankind would show a type of love for Him. God enjoys being loved.... willingly.

 

     Two Trees – the Tree of Life, being God’s life, and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil being all things apart from God. We know how the story goes: mankind is tempted with the lure of being like God, knowing right from wrong, good from evil. That’s God’s job not ours. We were meant to be lost in the loving presence and oneness with God. But rather, we were kicked out of the Garden, unable to be in God’s loving presence, unable to be in intimate relationship with God, but fully able to struggle through a fallen world of pain, darkness, and chaos getting to try and figure out what’s right and what’s wrong so God is “happy”. Now our bodies age, deteriorate, and we die hoping we’ve been good enough to “go to heaven”. How sad.

 

      To follow the Spirit of Love we must be aware of the Two Trees. What you do with these Two Trees or how you handle them will determine if you become the answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17.

 

     Eat and live by the Tree of Life receiving God’s life; live eternally in Him and with Him. Eat and live by the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and become your own god, deciding what is right and wrong; resulting in eternal death. One tree brings Life. The other tree brings Death. One tree brings Love. The other tree brings divisive chaos and hate.

 

      God is love. God does not force His love on us. Neither does God force us to love Him. In His love, God came to earth in Jesus. Through Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension, and return as the Life-giving Spirit we can now do what Adam and Eve never did; we can eat of the Tree of Life, become born of God’s life, and become one with God and one with each other. God’s desire is for us to willfully accept His love and then willfully return love to Him. As we learn of and know His love, we will trust Him more and more. In our trusting the Lord, we will seek His will in all our doings so that He gets the glory in our lives.

 

     Matthew 7:21-23 is a perfect example of people pretending to be doing God’s will by doing many good things in Jesus name and even getting results. Yet, when they come before the Lord in the day of judgement, His proclamation will be “Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Can you imagine their shock! Years of good works – lawlessness. They had lived a life of eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

     Why? Why such harsh judgement when so much good was done? Relationship; it’s all about relationship. God wants to have a loving relationship with each person. And in so doing, we discover God wants us to seek and do His will and trust Him when we don’t understand. Why is His will so important? He wants the glory. After all, He is God. God wants us to lovingly trust His will in all things so He gets the glory – not us.

     So, how do we have this intimate relationship with the Creator of all things? A relationship comes by simply eating from the correct Tree – the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is God. God has always intended that we eat of Him and receive eternal life. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord of our lives, His Spirit makes home in our spirit. We then have the Tree of Life living in us. As we ask for His guidance throughout each day, we will be “eating” of His Life. Christ told us that as we eat of Him we will dwell in Him and enjoy His life forever (John 6:56-58)

 

       As we eat of His Life we will be growing spiritually and able to understand and do His will. We will then gladly give Him the glory for what is being done through us according to His will. Only by this means will God accomplish His purpose for all His followers as expressed in Jesus’ prayer in John 17.

 

     What a privilege and honor it is to wake each day and simply say, “I love you, Lord Jesus. Your will be done in my life today.” In so doing, we begin our day eating of the Tree of Life, God’s life.

With You or Without You

 

     Because of who God is (1John 4:16), He forces no one to love Him or to do His will. However, in no way does this mean His will, will not be accomplished.

 

     Because of God’s eternal nature He knows and sees the past, present and future at the same “time”. God has given us written record of future events; these events will happen. This has been demonstrated by the scores of scriptures that foretold Christ’s birth, life and death.

 

     In the fullness of time, God’s will - will be done. God will have One People throughout the earth that love and worship Him and love one another. They will allow nothing to divide them from this love. Because of their love, the unbelieving people of the world will acknowledge God’s sending of Jesus to His people (John 17:21). This has been foretold and written down in scripture. As Christians, we trust and believe these God inspired words.

 

     The thing we may not realize; God is going to accomplish this, with or without us.  God has always been looking for a people whose heart is completely His (2Chronicles 16:9). A heart that desires to only do His will. And what will is that?

 

     The will that Jesus prayed to His Father, in John 17, is that will; the will that seeks and supports a people who will love one another despite their outward differences and opinions; a people who will follow God’s Spirit of Love; a people who will be filled with the Spirit of Love and demonstrate it.

 

     Scriptures show us, not all believers in Christ will cooperate with the Spirit of Love. Not all Christians will allow themselves to be filled with God’s Spirit. Check out the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13): virgins = believers (2Corinthians 11:2); lamps = the spirit of the believers (Proverbs 20:27; Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:15-16); the oil = the Spirit (Romans 8:12; Isaiah 61:1; Hebrews 1:9); vessels = mankind’s soul or personality (Romans 9:21, 23).

 

       Five Christians are wise; five are unwise. Five Christians not only have the Spirit in their lamps but have also allowed their souls to be filled; five Christians have the Spirit in their lamps (John 3:6) but have not allowed the Spirit to fill their souls or personalities.

 

     Five Christians are taken by the Lord to enjoy the wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). The unwise Christians whose souls or personalities have not been filled with God’s Spirit will miss the reward of enjoying the wedding feast but will not lose their eternal salvation. However, their time away from the feast is described as “outer darkness”.

 

     God’s will is going to be accomplished by those Christians who seek His will and do it. They will be rewarded. Those Christians who refuse to let the Lord into their daily lives or into their personalities will miss out on all that God wants for us. God will do it... with you or without you.

 

     The Lord wants us to express His love in the world by practicing love toward all Christians. Our love for one another will become the answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17. We have eternal family members who are living all around us. Let’s seek one another out and practice God’s love to God’s glory – and to our reward.

 

 

Mercy & Forgiveness

Definition: to extend compassion on the miserable; to forgive those who are undeserving or guilty; to receive what we do not deserve.

 

     God extends His mercy to us even though we don’t deserve mercy. However, there seems to be a limit to God’s patience at times. Regardless of God’s amazing mercy, He still judges and punishes rebelliousness.

 

     Those crying, “Lord, Lord…,” in Matthew 7:21-23, have lived a deceived life of doing good works “in Jesus name” and are proclaimed by Jesus to be “workers of iniquity”!

 

     Of the ten virgins (all Christians), five of them miss out on a great 1000 year privilege and blessing (Matthew 25:1-13) because their lamps (spiritual lives) are only half full.

 

     A brother in the church in Corinth was turned over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh because he was sleeping with his stepmother (1Corinthians 5:1-13).

 

     Moses, after following God’s directions multiple times and taking God’s people away from Egypt’s enslavement, headed across the desert to the promise land. Because of their unfaithfulness to God’s will, that whole generation of God’s people perished in the desert, except for Joshua and Caleb. Only the second generation, who had never known Egypt, got to go into the promised good land.

 

     God has always shown great mercy and forgiveness but – there are definitely consequences for going against and not doing His will – especially on a repeated basis.

 

     Approximately 4000 years have passed since Moses walked the earth and 2000 years since Jesus walked the earth as an individual man. Jesus accomplished what He came to earth to do and left a record of His will for future Christian believers to put into practice.

 

     The wise question we should be asking is: “What does the Father, Son, and Spirit want us to do at this present time?”

 

     With an honest  assessment of the Bible, while by-passing man’s agendas and perversions, we find God’s purpose for the creation of mankind and all His works since are to build or form a chosen people into ONE beautiful girl (called the Church) for the triune God’s enjoyment – even marriage.

 

     Like any courtship and marriage, the whole process is built on love and devotion. To have true love and devotion practiced, free will is necessary. Enslavement does not create love and devotion. However, free will mixed with mankind’s fallen nature creates a problem – we self-destruct by loving everything but God. We love evil, we love good, or we love both. But we don’t love God. Check out the record of mankind’s fall in the Garden of Eden. Rather than choosing God as their Tree of Life, they chose the Enemy’s lie to be like God knowing evil and good. Isn’t that amazing; God doesn’t want us to be the deciders of good or evil.

 

    So what does God want? God wants a people who will love Him and take Him as their Life. God wants a people who will love Him and seek to know His will moment by moment because He has extended His undeserved love and mercy to them. God could easily have given up on mankind because of our stubborn, self-centered selfish ways. But, because He so desires to have an “Eve”, He continues to extend His loving mercy and forgiveness to His chosen people (those who have put and will put their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ).

 

     However, God’s love and mercy and forgiveness do not “get us off the hook”. When we choose to do our will rather than His will …. remember Christ’s proclamation in Matthew 7:21-23; “depart from me, you workers of iniquity”. Our Lord does not honor everything we do in His name. Casting out demons, mighty works, prophesying, healing, moving mountains, feeding the poor … if it’s not His will at the moment, results don’t mean a thing to Him.

 

     How do we avoid misrepresenting our Lord?

 

     Jesus’ prayer in John 17 plainly shows and tells us the will of the Father, Son, and Spirit. We are to love them and one another in such an open display that the world will confess God at work in and through us. The key to a successful Christian life is Love. Love is the driving force that enables us to by-pass our will and only desire to know His will. When we are acting on His will, no wonder we can ask anything in His name and get it! Pray for what Jesus wants and you’ll get it.

 

     This is true oneness with God. This is how we accomplish true oneness with one another. This is the answer to Jesus’ prayer. This is the will of the Father and Son; oneness and unity in love. Will you do it?

 

     For 2000 years our stubborn, selfish, self-center ways have caused us to be and do everything against the will of God. Most of our “love” for God has been on our terms. Our oneness with God has been according to our will, our preferences. The glaring proof is in our lack of oneness.

 

     We may give lip service to our “oneness” but the world sees the truth in our practice. Our “oneness” is practiced in thousands of cliquish divisions. Even the divisions have divisions have division have division. We really don’t want to be together with that “type”, “kind”, “style” or “form”.  We have our own personal likes and preferences. Yet we have the same Father, same Savior, same Spirit, and same faith; unless there’s an over-riding doctrine that we love more.

 

     Lord God Almighty, have mercy on us!

 

     God’s mercy has been extended for 2000 years. But God’s mercy will now be extended only to those followers of Jesus who will be willing to answer the Spirit of Love’s call to do God’s will.

 

     God’s will is that we would practice our loving oneness in spite of and regardless of our preferences. The Father, Son, and Spirit want us to love their preferences; to love them and to love one another... in practice.

 

     Jesus Christ is returning soon. However, His return is based on a people practicing oneness – oneness as a result of their love for Him. This is the answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17. The Father’s mercy will be toward those of us who will do His will – not our will.

 

     Choose this day: loving and forgiving or stubborn self- centeredness; God’s will or your will; mercy or judgement.

 

     God has promised; “I will build my church (Bride) and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

 

     May we be those who accept His mercy and forgiveness by letting the Spirit of Love fill us to overflowing.

 

 

Open My Heart-Open My House

 

     There is a reason Jesus told His followers to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Knowing the heart and soul of mankind, Jesus knows how much we love ourselves. Even as Christians, we care about ourselves to a fault.

 

     There should be no need to belabor the point of our self-love by citing dozens of examples. Our self-centeredness becomes glaringly obvious in the light of God’s character. The two extremes are those of us who can’t stop talking about how great “I am” or those of us who think of ourselves as second-class citizens or constant failures. “Poor me” is just another way of saying, “I love myself and I want you to feel sorry for me, me, me, me, me.” In either case we are always thinking about ourselves instead of others or the Lord. By one means or another, we love ourselves and Jesus is out to show us how much, so we can turn away from self-love - to love for others.

 

     If your heart and conscience is being touched by the Spirit of Love, you may be experiencing a great internal struggle. God is calling you to place yourself, which you love so dearly, in second place. Or even, to place yourself on the cross. Our hearts and souls will never be filled with the Spirit of Love unless we let our self-love die. Only then will our hearts be opened to love as Jesus loves. Note: After being born of God’s life, our ability to love and care for others can appear shockingly greater or very little change at all. Much depends on the depths of natural selfishness we are being saved from by God’s life. Many people have been raised in homes that extended much love and care to others. Other people have been raised to care for only themselves for a multitude of reasons. In all cases, we are challenged to bring forth God’s love expressed according to His will for His glory – not our own. This will be a spiritually growing and maturing process just like in natural life.

 

     A big part of our love for self is “the sacred sanctuary of our soul” – our home. Home, whether it be a mansion or a small apartment, can be our coveted private space meant only for our own personal comfort. If the nice Christian neighbor you just became acquainted with was Jesus in disguise, you still wouldn’t invite them into your home for a meal or fellowship or just to get to know one another.

Except for maybe an elite few, so many of our homes are closed to anyone new. Truthfully, an open heart, filled with God’s love, will open the door of our homes. Actually, “homes” can be synonymous with our “private spaces” that we create for ourselves; our personal time at a coffee shop, a park bench, the lunchroom. The question God is asking, “Are you open? Are you open for love? Are you open to love?”

 

     Let’s not even consider the preaching of the gospel to plant a seed or lead another person into eternal life in Christ. God’s Spirit of Love is asking us to be open to those around us and to those He brings to us who are already fellow family members in the one Body of Christ. Are we open to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer which desires for us to be united in loving oneness?

 

     The loving oneness that Jesus prayed for will be accomplished and expressed on earth with us or without us. God’s Spirit of Love will find and fill those of His children who are willing to respond to His call.

 

     May you and I be among  those who are open.

Let God Be the Judge

 

     It is very clear in the letters written to the churches in the New Testament, the church, the believers, were identified by the boundaries of a town, city or region; Acts 8:1   Galatians 1:2   Romans 1:7   1Corinthians 1:2   2Corinthians 1:1   Ephesians 1:1   Philippians 1:1   Colossians 1:2   1Thessalonians 1:1   2Thessalonians 1:1.

 

    What a wonderful discovery for us to be shown by the Spirit of Love. What a revealing of the oneness of love in Christ being practiced by the believers of the early church. As the Spirit of God rose up the first churches, they became examples by name to all believers to follow through the future centuries. The church, not a building, is highlighted as a people of and in Christ who lived in a designated geographic area; all one in Christ, all proclaiming the same testimony, all holding the same Head.

 

     Take a moment and ask the Spirit of Love to reveal to your spirit and heart Ephesians 4: 1-7: 1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

 

     God’s enemy, the Devil, has done so much damage on the body of Christ by dividing her into many divisive names. Who are we really? All of us, who confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior, who are we?      We are eternally members of the one Church, the one Body of Christ.   Christ alone is our oneness. We are simply called to love Him and to love one another.

 

     This is our call. This is Christ’s prayer to the Father in John 17; “Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given to Me, that they may be one even as We are.” Simply become the answer to Jesus’ prayer. Love one another in practice not just in talk. Become what you already are. Wherever you are, seek one another out. Get to know each other. Love each other. Encourage each other. Use Christ’s life that lives in you to support and pray for one another. Practice being who you really are in God’s eyes; members’ one of another in the Body of Christ, the one unique Church on earth.

 

     As God leads, continue meeting with brothers and sisters you have met with for years and years. We are all in the same family of God. However, the Spirit of Love is calling us to embrace and love all the brothers and sisters around us as a witness to His enemy and to the world that we are one in Christ. This is God’s final call to His Church. Put to shame the divisive Devil. Show the world that God is real, by demonstrating His love for one another visibly.

 

     As the Spirit of Love moves throughout the world, drawing us all together in His name and in His love, let God be the judge of those Christians who will embrace only those in a designated church group. We are called to love, by God. The more we love each other, the more likely other brothers and sisters in Christ will be drawn to walk outside the walls that divide us. This is God’s way. Criticism only builds walls of division higher. Let God be the judge. Only love. Trust Him to fulfill His will in all of us to His glory. Jesus declared to Peter in Matthew 16, “… I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”                          May our hearts be sensitive to our Lord’s will.

 

 

I Choose

 

I choose to lose, because I love you, Lord

I choose to lose, because of all You’ve done.

You’ve chosen me to be Your partner.

You’ve chosen us to be Your beloved One.

 

I choose to lose, because I love you, Lord.

I choose to lose my old, sinful self.

When I begin to want my way, Lord,

I choose to love You rather than myself.

 

I choose to lose, to keep the oneness.

I choose to lose, to show Your love.

I choose to love, to bring You glory.

I choose to lose, so I can choose to Love.

 

 

If...

 

     If, for whatever the reason, you believe Jesus Christ is God come to earth in the flesh (John 1:14) …

 

     If, for whatever the reason, you believe Jesus died so your sins would be forever forgiven (Hebrews 9:12, 14) …

 

     If, for whatever the reason, you believe in Jesus as God’s Son who gives you eternal life (John 3:16) …

 

     If, for whatever the reason, you don’t go to church but still believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior …

 

     You are automatically a member of the Body of Christ …

 

     You are automatically of the one faith in the only true God …

 

     You are automatically an eternal part of God’s family …

 

     You are automatically, in God’s eyes, a saint …

 

     Simply put, the whole reason God sent His son to earth, as a man, was to take on the sins of us lost human beings so the Last Adam, Jesus (1Corinthians 15:45), could return as the Spirit of Life and Love to indwell and empower those who would believe in Him. And by loving Jesus Christ and one another, this people would fulfill and answer the prayer of the Triune God (John 17).

 

     If, there is any restlessness …

 

     If, there is any emptiness …

 

     If, there is any pain …

 

     If, there is any hunger …

 

     If, there is any desire for something more …

 

     Open your heart to God’s Spirit of Love. Let Him fill you with His love. Let Him use you to live a simple life of loving as He loves.

 

     Respond to His simple call.

 

     Become the answer to Jesus’ prayer.

 

 

Our Declaration

 

     On the next page (below) is a serious yet fun activity your group of fellow followers of Jesus can do together. It’s a reminder, an encourager, a declaration to the principalities and powers of darkness in heavenly places

(Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:13).

 

     The words of the declaration are a call to love and yet are also a call to battle. God’s desire is that we would love Him and love one another. Satan’s desire is to put the followers of Jesus at odds with God and at odds with one another. God’s call is loving oneness. Satan’s call is pessimistic and negative divisiveness.

 

     It is suggested that you read the declaration each time you gather for your meals together.   Read it together out loud. The truths in the declaration will never get old because they are the foundation of our daily walk in faith with one another.

 

     May our hearts and spirits speak these words into reality to the glory of God, for the fulfillment of all He has planned for us!

 

Our Declaration

We gather together

To become the answer to Jesus’ prayer:

“that they all may be one,

Just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you,

That they also may be in us.”

“I in them and you in me,

That they may become perfectly one,

So that the world may know

That you sent me and loved them

Even as you loved me.” (John 17)

Therefore, let us urge one another

To walk in a manner worthy of the calling

To which we have been called,

With all humility and gentleness, with patience,

Bearing with one another in love,

Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit

In the bond of peace.

There is ONE BODY and ONE SPIRIT –

Just as we were called to the ONE HOPE

That belongs to our call –

ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM,

ONE GOD and FATHER of all. (Ephesians 4)

Therefore, by the life of God’s Spirit of Love,

We choose to practice 1Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4 through 8:

“LOVE is patient and kind, LOVE does not envy or boast,

LOVE is not arrogant or rude. LOVE does not insist on its own way,

LOVE is not irritable or resentful, LOVE does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth.

LOVE bears all things. LOVE believes all things.

LOVE hopes all things. LOVE endures all things.

LOVE – NEVER – ENDS!

LOVE – NEVER – FAILS!

 

 

*Very Important

What We Must Have in Common

 

     The very basis of our oneness in Jesus Christ, the common foundation we all must share so as not to dishonor or grieve the Holy Spirit is this:

 

     We have believed in and put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior; who, being God (John 1:1), came to earth in the form of flesh to redeem our fallen souls by dying on a cross, resurrecting from death, ascending to the Father and returning as the Life-giving Spirit (1Corinthians 15:45)  to make alive our human spirit with God’s indwelling Life (John 3:6 ); all that we might know Him, love Him, love one another, and express His life to the world.

 

     Many (most?) newly born Christians, knowing they have a new Life in them, are not able to speak the details of their new birth. Just as newborn babies have so much wiggly life but are not able to speak of the details of that new life. Many others will be drawn by Christ’s love whose lives in Christ have laid dormant for years. Most will still be babes in Christ but not “wiggly” with enthusiasm. Be gentle.

 

     It’s normal for a new Christian to excitedly share the “depth” of their new-found life by simply saying, “God is real! Last week I gave my life to Jesus and I know He’s real! He’s living inside of me and I don’t want to do the sinful things I did before!”

 

     How can we deny such a person’s faith? Though shallow in depth of theological clarity or understanding, their faith is certainly real. Our place is to show God’s love by feeding these joyful and lively new believers the “pure milk of the word” (1Peter 2:2) that they will grow and mature. And above all, we are to be doers of the Word, not just talkers and expositors of knowledge.

 

     For the sake of experiencing our true oneness in Christ, may we not allow the doctrines of men to divide the Body of Christ, the way it has for centuries. May God’s love be the flavor of our oneness.

 

John 17:11, 21-23     1Corinthians 1:9-10     Romans 12:1-5; 15:5-7; 16:17-18               Philippians 1:27; 2:2; 3:14-16      Ephesians 4:1-16     Galatians 3:28; 5:16-26     Psalm 133     Jeremiah 32:39     Ezekiel 11:19-20

 

 

The Purpose of

www.BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com

For You

 

To live and present The Truth of Love;

God’s will for His followers.

So each person

Can decide

For themselves

Whether or not

To respond

To the will

of

GOD

 

 

Fifteen Fruits of Love

(1Corinthians.13:4-7)

 

 Love:

is Patient

is Kind

Rejoices in truth

Covers, Bears and Protects in all things

Believes and Trusts all things

Hopes all things

Endures and Perseveres all things

 

Love is not:

Jealous or envious

Boastful

Arrogant or Proud

Rude

Insistent or Self-Seeking

Irritable or Easily Angered

Resentful, Keeping Record of Wrongs

Happy Doing Wrong or Evil

 

     Our Father has left us with a wonderful definition of love in 1Corinthians 13:3-7. Here we find a list of 15 actions and reactions that demonstrate love. As God’s Spirit of Love begins to live and move within us, these 15 actions and reactions will begin to show themselves in our lives.

     As we seek to do God’s will in loving those He has placed in our lives, we will discover the depth of darkness in our own fallen nature. In many instances our first action and reaction toward another person is exactly opposite of God’s character as listed in these 15 fruits of love. This is the place and moment where God desires for us to live. This is where the-rubber-meets-the-road. This is where our Christian spirituality is put to the ultimate test. The pillars of our spiritual knowledge and talk crumble under the weight of being asked to actually perform the acts of love.

     It is at this place Jesus waits for us to answer His prayer – to love unconditionally for unity and oneness. It is here we are forced to cry out for the Spirit of Love’s life to do the actions and reactions of God’s love. It is here we are asked to put aside (even crucify) our old selfish nature so as to stand on the side of God’s love. It is here that our love for God and His will is truly tested.

     This ultimate challenge is a great mercy extended to us from God. If we were not asked to perform these 15 actions and reactions of love, we could easily be deceived throughout our entire lives. We could fill our lives with dedicated service and the learning of biblical knowledge but never demonstrate God’s love to His glory. God is glorified in us when we demonstrate His personality and character. And as we demonstrate God’s loving life toward each other, Christ’s Body, His Church, is strengthened and built up into a worldwide testimony of loving oneness and unity.

     It is of utmost importance that we see love as God sees love. God came to earth in the form of the flesh in the man Jesus and spoke and demonstrated love in action and reaction. The great fall of mankind, even religious mankind, was glaringly exposed by Jesus’ loving actions and reactions. In fact, it was Jesus’ love for fallen mankind that got Him crucified. His death was a delight and temporary relief to both fallen pagans and to the fallen religious establishment who found Jesus intimidating and offensive. However, their relief was short-lived. They had played into the hands of the Father and Son’s eternal plan for mankind.

     God, the Father-Son-Spirit, in eternity past, desired to have a free-willed loving counterpart – a wife. Just as the first Adam had his Eve, so also must the Last Adam (Christ) have His Eve (the Church). But true love is not forced or enslaved. True love freely chooses to love unconditionally. The longer we live in the light of our loving Savior; we begin to experience and appreciate His unconditional love. We experience unlimited forgiveness and grace. But God’s purpose for such forgiveness and grace is not just for us. His purpose is to have a loving Bride formed and matured before Jesus returns to earth.

     By Christ’s birth, death, resurrection, ascension, and return to earth as the life-giving Spirit (1Corinthians 15:45), His Bride will be brought forth. All of us who have accepted Christ’s redeeming work have been born of His life-giving Spirit into our human spirit (John 3:6). This means Christ lives in us and can now be expressed through us!

     God’s essence is Life and the expression of His Life is Love. Christ has given us His Life so we can express Love. Being placed in the body of Christ, the family of God, by rebirth, we were never meant to survive as an individual Christian. However, we are meant to survive, even grow and prevail in life and love, becoming our Lord’s beautiful, loving Bride. But for this to happen, we must not only love God but love all the members of the family of God’s children.

     In God’s life, we are members one of another. This is God’s way – the way of life. Any member of our physical body being cut off dies. All members are meant to be connected. Just as God has perfectly designed our human body with its many parts, He has also placed each one of us in the physical location in which we now live, work and attend school. Because of the life of Christ in us, God wants us to love and build up all those, who are His, who surround us. We are physically surrounded by fellow members of Christ’s body. And with these very members, we are meant to worship, love God, and love each other for eternity – starting now. This is God’s way and desire. This is His Son’s prayer. All of the Father-Son-Spirit’s work has been for this purpose.

     What has God given us so as to accomplish their desire, their purpose? We have been given Life and Love. We must admit, when it comes to the practical part of living the Christian life, most of us are slow-learners – if not downright stubborn and stiff-necked. These 15 fruits of love are meant to help us learn to know the difference from our natural, selfish love and God’s sacrificial, unconditional love.

     Our Father wants us to realize our weaknesses and cry out to Christ’s life in us to come forth as the Spirit of Love. As we cooperate with God’s love, His counterpart, His Eve, His Church, will be expressed across the earth – thus answering Jesus’ prayer. We must realize this is the greatest purpose we could ever live for, while alive on this earth. However, we must not forget the reality behind the 15 fruits of love.

     In truth, all of us who are born of Christ’s life are in process of spiritual growth. We are not 100% perfected. Anyone claiming to have no sin in their life is deceived (1John 1:10). Only God sees our perfection through the blood of Christ. This is why God extends His forgiveness and unconditional love, despite our many failures. So now, because we have Christ’s life in us, we are being asked by God to extend such forgiveness and love to all who are born of His life.

     Eight of the fifteen fruits of love expose the potential sin that can still raise its ugly head in our fallen flesh: Some of us battle with feelings of jealousy and envy saying, “Why can’t I be like so and so.” Or “I wish I had what that person has.” Some believers have been blessed with a keen mind, beauty, or handsomeness and battle with pride and arrogance, even boastfulness. Others of us have been raised in an atmosphere of criticism and now pass that on to others in the form of rudeness. Many have spent most of their lives always getting what they want – now they battle the sin of self-centeredness, self-seeking, insisting they get their way. Some, because of life circumstances, are easily irritated or angered – possibly being used to avoid intimacy or exposure. Not uncommon to the most “spiritual” of us is resentment and unforgiveness when wronged by others. As sadly as it is, some have delighted in evil, being happy when doing wrong.

     All of these actions and reactions represent the dark side of us saints. We must admit to our weaknesses and choose the way of love. If we do not, we will frustrate the Spirit of Love and hinder God’s purpose for our lives.

     On the other side of the coin, we have the Spirit of Love in us waiting to be called upon and cooperated with. If we will choose to die to our old nature and choose to express the Spirit of Love, we will become practitioners of the seven fruits of love and life: For our brothers and sisters in Christ who are momentarily caught in practicing the fruits of the flesh, we can choose to extend loving patience and kindness. Rather than gossip and talk behind their backs, we can exercise God’s love that lives in us to cover, forbear, and protect them. This kind of love rejoices in the truth of who we really are as seen from under the blood of Christ which keeps us forgiven and washed clean from the judgement of sin. Thus, we are willing to see each other as God see us. Also, in doing this, we can believe, trust, and place our hope in God’s work in and among us, knowing that what God has begun He will finish. As we draw closer to God, His light will expose the depth and darkness of our fallen hearts and we will realize how merciful and forgiving God really is toward us. It is then that we will appreciate our need to forgive and love others as God does us. If it were not for such loving forgiveness, there is absolutely no hope for any of us. But, with loving forgiveness, we are able to endure and persevere, so that God will have His desire to have a beautiful Girl full of love and appreciation for Him.

     For many of us, we are hardest on and most judgmental toward ourselves. For some reason we cannot forgive ourselves for our many weaknesses and sins. If we insist on taking this view about ourselves, we are doing the greatest of sins against God – we are taking His place, we are playing God, we make Christ’s death of no effect, we hold our views to be truer than God’s views. We must allow ourselves to be forgiven and accept that Christ’s shed blood forgives our sins, allowing us to be loved by God. Do not turn God’s love away, when He has done everything to let you come to Him and come to others.

     When we let love rule in our lives, we open the doors wide to a beautiful realm of cleansing peace and joy. We must seek one another out so we can practice love. This is our eternal destiny. And that destiny is meant to begin on earth now.

     To avoid this is to avoid God.

 

 

ASK – SEEK – KNOCK

(Matthew 7:7-8)

 

 

     As we respond to the Lord’s Spirit of Love, it is wonderful to hear our Lord’s loving words that He spoke to His disciples as recorded in Matthew 7:7-8:

 

7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened. 8For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

 

     This is just what we need; a simple way to become involved in each other’s lives. Jesus has given us the “how to” to get started. Of course, it depends first on our willingness to come to Him. This is the basic “secret” to walking in God’s presence – always opening our heart and presenting ourselves to Him. Our heart is part of our renewed spirit, sensitized conscience, and willing mind. This is our salvation, our safety, our joy, our greatest purpose and privilege – an open heart toward God and His will.

 

     As a child of God, we may confidently come to our Father and ask. What are we asking? What is it that God wants us to ask of Him? He wants us to ask, seek, and knock of Him requesting that we become the answer to Jesus’ prayer. Without the empowerment of God’s Spirit of Love, we will never be able to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer. We just don’t have the life. And, if we do a good job of faking it, we are the ones who get the glory, not God.

 

     Once we feel a heart desire to demonstrate a loving oneness toward all the Christians who have surrounded us, yet we have never cared to acknowledge them and be close to them, we are prompted by the Spirit to ask, seek, and knock again.

 

     Now we are asking, seeking, and knocking for those other family members God has place near to us in our lives; those brothers and sisters who need our love and support and who will love and support us; a testimony of loving oneness in Christ. So, we ask the Lord to direct us to a specific person or persons. Then when He identifies that person(s), we begin seeking the Lord for the heart of love that will enable us to speak to that person(s). Next, as we speak and introduce ourselves to our new family member, we pray that our knocking on their heart will result in an opening of mutual love and acceptance.

 

     More than likely, we will experience a wonderful blessing from God; those whose hearts we are knocking on are also seeking to knock on our heart! What a wonderful fulfillment of our Lord’s prayer for oneness and unity between the members of His body. As we open to each another, receive one another in simple and mutual faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ. Let Christ be the center attraction in your affirmation of One Faith. This is the best foundation for a solid future friendship; one God’s enemy will not be able to destroy.

 

     We will immediately need to put into practice God’s love because in our natural selves we are so different and so opinionated. Matthew 5, 6, 7 and 1Corinthians 13 should be written on our new hearts so we can take our stand for Christ’s love. Especially for this, we will need to always be asking, seeking, and knocking at the door of Christ’s Spirit of Love. If we will do this, we will be among the privileged Christians to fulfill God’s heart’s desire to see His people loving one another in the middle of a chaotic world of lost souls; even among the Christian world. For some, our loving oneness will become their salvation, the fulfillment of the purpose of being. For others, our unity in love will generate hate and persecution. Why shouldn’t it be that way? After all, it happened to Christ when He walked the earth and it will happen to Christ being expressed in and through us as we walk the earth. How glorious!

     Father, your kingdom come your will be done!

 

Praise you, Father, for your glorious plan.

Praise you, Lord, for including Man.

Thank you, Spirit; you help us realize

You’re forming your people; Your Wife, Your Prize

Oh, Hallelujah! Oh, Praise the Lord!

We are the people fulfilling Your Word

Ask, Seek, and Knock – this way’s a must

Only the Spirit of Love, can we trust.

Neighborhood Invitations

 

     Whether your neighborhood is a rural town of 600 people, a suburbia housing tract of 1-8 thousand homes or an apartment complex with 300+ apartments, within this relatively small geographic area there are unknown numbers of fellow family members; members of the Body of Christ whom we will be spending eternity with.

 

     Our Father sees us all as One. And our Lord’s prayer (John 17) is that we seek one another out so we can easily demonstrate to the lost world that there is a unified Christian people loving and supporting each other on a daily basis. The Father-Son-Spirit is looking for a people who can embrace the whole family of God; a people who are above the world’s chaos and selfishness; a people who want an active loving relationship with God and one another.

 

     It is God who is calling for us to seek each other out; to find one another; to love one another; to fulfill God’s purpose for our existence. What an honor it is to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer; to put Christ’s life and love, that dwells within us, into action. By spending time together, we will be able to use the Life we have been given to glorify our Father.

 

     Living in the middle of hundreds of fellow followers of Christ that we do not know, but want to know, becomes a challenge. Some form of invitation needs to be posted, mailed, or dropped off on doors expressing a friendly invitation to meet one another on the common ground of our faith in Jesus Christ. In some way let it be known you are not representing any particular group of Christians and you’re not trying to start another church. Express our oneness in Christ. Reference this website so they can read about the Spirit of Love’s move across the earth:

www.BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com

 

     It would be best that your invitation be one that comes from your own heart and convictions rather than a prepared one. Such a personal, prayerful presentation will allow the Spirit of Love within you to have an honest and real effect on others.

 

     Give the Lord a chance to work in peoples’ hearts by keeping your invitation simple. Some have the gift of teaching and can easily whip out a two-sided tract covering all the highlights from A to Z. Let’s not scare each other off with our knowledge. Remember, knowledge is destined to pass away. But love will remain for eternity.

 

 

Suggested Handout Card

 

     As the Spirit of Love melts our hearts with the vision of loving oneness for all Christians, we will want everyone to catch the vision of love, also. As we go about our daily routines in the world, it is so practical to be able to give other believers some basic information that will enable them to look into www.becometheanswertojesusprayer.com. In less than a minute, while standing in a grocery checkout line for example, we can acknowledge mutual faith in Christ with a total stranger and share the website or book information. Our eternal family members are everywhere. In many cases, we are bumping shoulders on a regular basis without even knowing each other. Let’s bring honor and joy to our Lord by acknowledging and expressing our love for one another.

 

     Of course, you can make your own handout that reflects your own personality. You may want to even provide your phone number. God’s Spirit of Love is on our side, supporting and encouraging us to spread God’s love to all members of Christ’s Body on earth.

 

Side 1

Become the Answer

to

Jesus’ Prayer

John 17

…that they may be one even as We are one.

 

Or

A Biblical call to every believer:

www.BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com

Please hold this website to the fire of God’s truth

as found in the Bible.

Will we be among those who answer Jesus prayer?

 

  Side 2

 

BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com

 

A new commandment I give to you,

 that you love one another:

 just as I have loved you,

 you also are to love one another.

 By this all people will know

 that you are my disciples,

 if you have love for one another.

(John 13:34-35) ESV

 

Or

 

BecomeTheAnswerToJesusPrayer.com

The glory that you [Father] have given me [Jesus] I have given them [believers],

that they may be one even as we are one, I [Jesus] in them and you [Father] in me,

that they may become perfectly one,

so that the world may know (not after we all die and go to heaven)

that you sent me and loved them even as  you loved me.

(John 17:22-23)

 

And/Or

Your name and phone number

 

Or

Anything God puts on your heart.

 

 

Make the Effort

 

     One of the greatest expressions of love is making the effort to learn about another person’s life. To make such a deliberate effort of interest for another human being is certainly the character of God’s love.

 

     We have learned that our Father considers us more precious than any of His creation. He even keeps track of the number of hairs on our head! And if that’s not enough proof of His loving care for us.... we were chosen by Him before creation to become His wife for eternity! Nearly unbelievable. But as we grow in faith, these truths become more and more real to us.

 

     This loving care for others lives within us as Christ’s Spirit of Love. The more we are walking in sync with Christ in us, the more we will care for and love others. To learn a person’s name and then to acknowledge them by name the next time you see them... this is  a wonderful expression of care and love. To ask about a person’s family – siblings, children, grandchildren, even pets – demonstrates a care about that person’s life. To later remember any of those details is like “icing on the cake” of their hearts. To pray for them and their families... is heavenly. To ask a student about their major, goals and hopes... opens hearts wide.

 

     The second commandment of love is to love others as we love ourselves. Mankind is driven by love; the need to love and the need to be loved. No wonder we are told to love God and love others as we love ourselves. This God given need to receive and give love is the reason hard hearts, broken hearts, fearful hearts, and all kinds of hearts are opened wide when shown a sincere expression of love.

 

     It’s very practical to keep a written or digital record of all that you learn. New neighbors, fellow students, co-workers, and all the countless strangers in stores, restaurants, parks and events... show them God’s love by showing interest in who they are. It’s not unusual that lifetime friends can be birthed even if it’s only maintained from a distance. Love and encouragement can now be done worldwide in a few seconds; birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, retirements ... on and on. Efforts of love, support, and encouragement all build and increase the testimony of the Lord’s one Body on earth. God loves it!

 

     A serious reminder: to accomplish such a love requires the sacrifice of us not being first. What a loving servant our Lord is.

 

 

BE A TAKER

 

     Most of us have been raised to be polite; don’t be greedy, don’t grab, don’t cut in line, don’t be selfish. However, so many of us Christians need to learn to be TAKERS.

 

     Many of us Christians suffer spiritual weakness because we are not bold TAKERS. We experience a shortage of spiritual boldness to speak, to act, to do, or to love because we are too polite.

 

     Polite to whom? We are too polite to God’s enemy, our enemy, Satan. Satan and his workers of darkness and lies want us to believe we are not worthy to receive all that God has for us.

 

     We must realize that we are in a war, a spiritual war. As scripture reminds us, we are not fighting against flesh and blood. Our true fight is against the principalities and powers of darkness in heavenly realms.

 

     Does that sound a little too far out or exaggerated? Well, that is exactly God’s view of our warfare here on earth in our daily life. We had better be ready to adjust our belief system – especially if we want to fulfill all that God has for us.

 

     The biggest problem we have living the Christian life – walking through each day as Jesus did – is ourselves. We fail. We can’t handle what’s been put on our plate. It’s too much for us. We give up and end up living a second or third-rate Christian life. With my circumstances, being an “overcomer” full of hope and joy, is a far off dream or a bad joke. We may even feel that God is against us, not on our side.

 

     Here is our problem, the reason for our failures – we have not learned to be TAKERS!

     Here’s the truth – there is not one bad circumstance or event that can happen to us that God our Father has not made a way or provision for us to overcome it while standing strong in our faith and love for Him. How could this be?

 

     We need to begin practicing being TAKERS!

 

     TAKERS of what?

 

     We need to become TAKERS of all that our Father-Son-Spirit has for us. They have gone to such extremes just to make us their abundantly loved, super -supplied, overcoming-all-adversity spiritual heroes! Yes, every one of us. Can you even begin to imagine being such a person?!

 

     But being such a Christian super-hero isn’t happening because we are being fooled, hood-winked, and lied to. Despite what the powers of darkness are telling us, God wants to remind us that He has done everything to make us TAKERS. And in this fallen world of self and sin, God wants us to become loving encouragers of one another by always being TAKERS.

 

     There is only one reason for us to continually fail and wallow in self-pity; we refuse to TAKE what God has for us.

 

     Can you imagine your child, your dearest friend, or your spouse hanging over a thousand foot cliff, ready to fall at any second – but refusing your saving help? This is what we are doing to God when we refuse to TAKE His saving help. Our Father desires to keep us from falling into a thousand different scenarios that bring us down into despair and spiritual death.

 

     We must TAKE all that God has for us to overcome the lies of the Enemy. If you were an enemy of someone, wouldn’t you want to weaken their resolve and confidence so as to make them lay down their weapons and give up the fight? Many a battle has been won without a single shot fired or sword drawn because of fear, doubt, and weakness.

 

     Please! Become TAKERS of all the weapons and armament God has provided for us to win our daily wars. Our enemy wants us to fear, doubt God, and give up.

 

     What is it that God’s enemy wants us to give up? The Enemy wants us to give up two things: to give up loving God with our whole being and to give up loving others as we love ourselves. These two acts are God’s single, supreme will and desire for each one of us, His followers. These two acts of love can only be accomplished if we are TAKERS of God’s love.

 

     So what are the expressions of God’s love? What is it that we must TAKE so as to accomplish God’s will by being overcoming spiritual super-heroes to Him and to one another? TAKE the fact that God chose you to be His child before creation. TAKE the fact that God gave you to Jesus. TAKE the fact that what He has started in your life, He will finish. TAKE the fact that Jesus now lives in you and is gradually transforming you into His image. TAKE the fact that all of your past, present, and future sins are already forgiven – allowing you to be in God’s presence. TAKE the fact that regardless of your circumstances, He will never leave you or forsake you.

 

     Are you seeing how, if we TAKE these truths, and so many others, we will not be defeated? Our salvation is not a one-time happening – we are saved from ourselves and our circumstances everyday... if we TAKE His saving life and hand. We are saved from the condemnation of sin... if we TAKE the provision of His shed blood to forgive our sin. The Father-Son-Spirit will become our energy, power, and strength... if we will TAKE them as our Life, Food, and Air. Faith, hope and love are ours for the TAKING.., if we accept Christ as our Faith, Hope, and Love.

 

     When we remember and accept all the acts of love that God has imparted upon us so that we can become who He desires us to be, we have become TAKERS!

 

     Just like any normal earthly family, we have been born into a spiritual family which is called the Body of Christ, the Church. As with any family or body member, as we grow we become a nourishing and contributing part to the other members. God has told us how best to accomplish this – each one of us is responsible to “hold the Head”, which is Christ. Holding is TAKING. As we depend on or TAKE Christ’s life in us to overcome the negative circumstances of life in the world and in ourselves, we are given the Life to become givers to the members around us. TAKERS become GIVERS!

 

     TAKE all the acts and promises of God. Believe them in spite of our circumstances. Faith, hope, and love will fill our being and put to shame the Enemy. Our TAKING will result in our GIVING.

 

     The world needs to see such a display of loving oneness and giving among the Christians in this world. Even multitudes of Christians, who have given up hope, need to see the demonstration of love-inspired TAKING and GIVING on a daily basis among the family of God. This is God’s desire. This is Jesus’ prayer.

 

     There are thousands of God’s expressions of life and love that are available for us to TAKE. The more we TAKE of Him, the more we have to GIVE back to Him – and to one another. This is how it’s supposed to be, right here, right now. In fact, we are in training for our eternal destiny of TAKING AND GIVING IN OUR LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD! Unimaginably and wonderfully glorious!

 

Rather than being swallowed up in defeat and self-pity, let’s start practicing. Let’s go for it!

 

 Let’s start TAKING … NOW!

 

 

GIVER

 

     Let’s take some time to consider with our mind and heart the kind of God we have living in us.

 

“For God ... so loved ... the world ... that he gave ... his only ... Son ... that whoever ... believes in Him ... should not perish ... but have ... eternal life”. (John 3:16)

 

     Our God is a giving God. This is His heart, His character, His expression ... giving. In the beginning He created man and gave him life. God’s intention and desire was that man would eat of the Tree of Life ... so God could give him His own eternal life.

 

     However, since man chose to play god, by eating of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, God has mercifully and graciously been giving His people everything for A to Z with the desire they would lovingly come to Him for everything ... but mostly, just for Himself.

 

     From the beginning until now God has always wanted a love relationship with the only thing he created in his image ... his people. God loves to give His love to us. We are at a time in our history with God that he is asking us to do only two things: to love Him and to love one another. Amazingly, all that has ever been prophesied or required by the law is going to be fulfilled by us simply loving God and loving one another. This is God’s promise!

 

     To enable us to be such lovers, the Father gave his Son as a sacrifice. Jesus, God’s Son, lovingly gave his human life so our sins would be blotted out ... giving us the privilege to intimately love God. 1Corinthians 15:45 tells us the resurrected and ascended Jesus Christ has returned to earth as the life-giving Spirit. John 3:6 boldly declares that whoever accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior is born of the life-giving Spirit: that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Our human spirit is made alive with the Life and Spirit of Christ Jesus! The Father-Son-Spirit gives us a new life ... their Life! God is a giver. Jesus is a giver. The Spirit is a giver.

 

     For us to be able to be the takers of all that God has for us, He needs to be accepted as the Giver. Again, this is who is living in us... wanting to live through us... the Giver. Consider all that the Father-Son-Spirit has given and is giving to us on a daily basis. Such love is certainly out of this world... our God, who is love (1John 4:8), is the Giver of love.

 

     For us to become the answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17, we must not only practice giving love to God but we must also practice giving love to one another. Don’t say it’s impossible: the Father-Son-Spirit has already given us everything we need to be such givers of love. To deny this is to deny God and the work of the cross and the power of His resurrection. Christ, the Spirit of Love, is in us and we are in Him and He is in the Father and we are all wrapped up together in a glorious love relationship of giving (John 17:21-23).

 

     This is not some miraculous feeling with chills and goose-bumps. Do we wake up each morning feeling chills and goose-bumps? No. We wake up to life in a world of pain and suffering, weakness and frailties. To survive we must will ourselves to live above all that would drag us down. To us who have been given God’s life to live by, we must will or choose to depend on, trust and live by our Giver. We are learning there is no other way to survive.

 

     In fact, as we practice giving ourselves and all our circumstances to our Giver-God, we are able to increasingly give love back to Him. We are able to live above the muck and mire of fallen humanity (even our own) and are able to become givers of love to others... givers of love that is bigger than us. We are discovering that Jesus loves to give love to others through us!

 

     Love never fails (1Corinthians 13:8, 13). Even when love is rejected (remember how the world treated Jesus), love wins in the long-run. Love is God’s way, God’s desire... and God lives in us.

 

     Oh, Father... give us your Spirit of Love anew each day. Show us your love which already dwells within us. Give us the courage to give your love to others. Lord, you are always our First-love and Source of life and love in all our living and giving.

 

I Will

 

“I will build My church and the gates of hell will not prevail against Her”

(Matthew 16:18)

 

I will... God is in charge of building His church – His people.

Dear followers of Jesus Christ, don’t try to build any earthly church.

The Church is something of the Spirit – of God.

 

Our Father has asked of us to do only one thing – LOVE;

LOVE Him and LOVE one another.

How much simpler can it be?

Simpler, yes, but not easier.

LOVE is the high road, the elevated way, the way of sacrifice and death to self.

 

Considering all the ways and expressions of LOVE pointed out in scripture;

To LOVE God and LOVE others requires the end of our way.

LOVE is not self-serving.

LOVE is serving others according to God’s will.

 

I will... “Your kingdom come. Your will be done...”

If God is to have His way, His will – we must ask Him to live through us.

It is God’s will and God’s kingdom, not ours.

 

As we respond to God’s Spirit of Love –

Let us ever be aware that we are not building anything for our control;

We are simply asked to LOVE God and LOVE one another.

God’s LOVE in us desires to find other eternal family members –

To LOVE, encourage, support;

This is God’s way to build His eternal Church on earth as in heaven.

 

Jesus prayed to the Father that the world would see their followers

LOVING one another in oneness and unity.

Are you up to the task?

Are you willing to do God’s will?

To LOVE?

Answer His call... “I will”.

 

 

 

THE MANTLE

 

     Shortly after Billy Graham died, the question was asked, “Who’s going to take up his mantel?” That’s a very insightful and revealing question.

 

     The dictionary defines mantle as: an important role or responsibility that passes from one person to another.

 

     It has been many centuries since the mantle was passed by our Lord Jesus Christ. The fallen nature of Christian mankind has historically favored two scenarios: 1. Their tendency is to follow a gifted and talented Christian personality. and 2. They want to feel that they have the best way or only correct way of following Christ. On that topic, listen to Paul’s inspired words: “I appeal to you brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement. For it has been reported to me ... that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1Corinthians 1:10-13)

 

     It’s very clear that Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was exhorting those early believers that Christ had not passed His mantle to any gifted or talented person – not even to a “spiritual” group of brothers and sisters who were meeting “in the name of Christ”. Division of Christ’s body, regardless of the “mantle-name” you call it, is not God’s will.

 

     So what is God’s will? And who did Jesus pass His mantle to - His role and responsibility?

 

     Well, hold on to your hat, because the breath of God’s Spirit is going to blow this truth freshly into your mind and heart: Jesus, answering Philip’s request for Him to show them the Father, said, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be gloried in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me... I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth... You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you... I will come to you... Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you (John 14:10-20).

 

     Jesus spoke these words before His death and resurrection. He spoke of what “will be” happening and what will be happening “in that day”.  “In that day” refers to us being indwelt by the Spirit of Christ. That happened on the day of Pentecost, after Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. For the first time ever, in the upper-room, God lived inside of a people to be their life, their all. This was God’s intention in the Garden of Eden when he asked Adam and Eve to eat of the Tree of Life (a.k.a. – God himself). Once mankind had God’s life in them, they would become God’s Eve, his lover and counterpart. The Father-Son-Spirit had passed the mantle to His people, His Eve, His Church, the one unique Body of Christ.

 

     The role and responsibility of God’s representation and movement across the earth was passed to us, a unified, loving people; a multi-gifted people, all part of Christ’s one Body, each born of Christ (each holding the Head). None are of any other, other than Christ.

 

     Today, we are the mantle representing God on earth. No wonder Christ said we would do greater works than He did. Physically, He was limited to a small geographic area. As a united, corporate people, we are spread throughout the earth able to touch, support, and feed millions each moment of each day. We are God’s mantle spread over His earth fulfilling Jesus’ prayer for a unified Body of Believers expressing to the world the love of God for the glory of God.

 

     With us and through us the Father-Son-Spirit will have their way on earth as in heaven. God’s enemy will be demonstrably defeated in and by us. God’s love will prevail in His people. And only one name and personality will be our Hero – JESUS! All of us, as one people, are His mantle on earth.

POTLUCKS

 

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

Acts 2:46

 

     Eating together... is such a natural setting for feeling at ease and comfortable. Potlucks are a perfect activity we can do together that enables us to practice all the aspects of God’s love as found in 1Corinthians 13. Actually, as people get to know one another, it’s normal to spend time together eating or drinking.

     If God’s Spirit of Love has touched your heart to open your home or apartment for the gathering of God’s people, sooner or later eating together will happen. However, when starting off gathering with a group who do not know each other, it’s best to ease into the potluck thing. Having drinks and snacks available for the first 3 or 4 weeks will make gathering together less of a chore for everyone... but you. It’s normal for someone or several to offer to bring some of the snacks, to help you out. That’s great. Seldom turn down others who are willing to participate, even if you’re able to cover it. Remember, it’s predominately about everyone being involved rather than just a gifted few.

     Eventually, someone will suggest potlucks – maybe weekly, every other week or once a month. This will give us more opportunity to practice love and understanding. Make it clear from the beginning that it is not necessary that all bring food. If you have taken the time to get to know one another’s life circumstances, you’ll know that not everyone may have the funds to supply a major dish for the potluck. From the first mention of potlucks or sharing meals together, you may want to read Acts 2:44-45; “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” This is a beautiful example of love’s caring for each other as the circumstances require it. So allow everyone to bring as much or as little (even nothing) without any criticism or judgement... love covers, protects, and provides.

     Some practical issues: As gatherings get larger, paper plates and cups, and plastic utensils makes clean-up a lot easier. If one family or person is always doing the hosting, you may want to occasionally donate some money to help cover the cost of the dry goods and any drinks the hosts are regularly providing. Such simple acts of insightful love or their neglect can literally make or break a group.

     Another area of practicality... is the bathroom. Make sure there are plenty of toilet paper, soap, towels, and a toilet plunger. The last item will save someone from great embarrassment.

     If you’re hosting, expect thrills and spills. If you have something that is breakable and it means the world to you... put it away. If you’re not the host, consider treating your host’s home/apt as your own, when it comes to cleaning up your spills... and in some cases, much better than your own place. These types of things, in a way, should not even be talked about here if we are seeking to be filled with God’s Spirit of Love. But since we are all in the process of growing in love, we are not always perfect examples of it. This provides more opportunities for us to practice chapter 13 of 1Corintians.

     Brothers and sisters with children need to have the freedom to bring them to our gatherings. Children and their parents will make available... real life. Such honest life can become a great reward to our seeking of God’s love. As much as it might hurt, please embrace it. All of us together are the only means to full salvation. The Spirit of Love will bless us and build us strongly together in love.

     If it seems appropriate, have a place where everyone can voluntarily write down their name, address, phone numbers, email address, etc. This way you can get each other’s information.

 

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

Acts 2:46

 

     As God’s Spirit of Love grows in our hearts by our practicing loving one another during our times together, we will truly experience “together with glad and sincere hearts”. What a wonderful privilege it is to be answering God’s will and purpose for His people.

 

 

 

 

I Was Guilty As Sin

(John 8:1-11)

 

I was guilty as sin;

I was caught in the act.

Brought before the judges;

My guilt was a fact.

 

My Savior was there

But I didn’t know Him.

All I knew was Death’s verdict:

I was guilty of sin.

 

My judges condemned me.

All they saw was the law.

But my Savior stood sinless,

Among us all.

 

My accusers, they left me

With Jesus, my Lord.

I stood there before Him:

I dreaded His words.

 

Such love and forgiveness

Poured forth from His heart;

“No judgement I give you.

Begin a new start.”

 

“Stop sinning and love Me.

I’m all that you need.

I give you my Life –

Upon Me you can feed.”

 

 

 

From that day, I did follow

My Savior, my Lord.

Oh, I loved Him so

And hung on each word.

 

There, I watched Him die for me;

My sins washed away

By His blood on the cross,

That dark and dreadful day.

 

The years have gone by

And His words still ring true;

“I am all that you need.

Upon Me you can feed.”

 

My Savior became

The Spirit of Life;

To live in and through me –

No worries or strife.

 

His life I enjoy;

Assured, to never end.

My Savior has become

My Lover, my Friend.

 

 

 

 

On-The-Hour Power

 

God has arranged that all of mankind moves to the same tick of time.

Across the face of the earth our clocks strike the hour in worldwide oneness.

May we give our hearts to the Lord to breathe a prayer, as His one Body on earth –

a prayer directed to the Father-Son-Spirit:

“Lord Jesus, bring us together in Love.”

Christ’s body of believers, as one loving people,

crying out in love for God’s Spirit of Love to fulfill the Father’s eternal will –

to bring together His children as a beautiful, loving Bride for His Son, Jesus.

On the hour,

pray this prayer of oneness; lifted to God, for the glory of His kingdom

to be done on earth as it is in the eternal heavens:

“Father, bring us together in Love.”

Imagine the joy of the Father’s heart at hearing such a loving battle-cry.

Jesus’ prayer to the Father, that our oneness be demonstrated on earth,

 becomes a reality to the principalities of darkness

and to the unbelieving world!

“Spirit of Love, bring us together in Love.”

 

 

The End

 

     With every fiber of my being (body, soul, and spirit), I pray and fully expect this “end” to become the magnificent beginning of the Spirit of Love’s outpouring across the face of the earth for the bringing together of Christ’s Body to the glory of God our Father.

 

     I have been overwhelmingly humbled to have been used by our God to relay His heart’s desire to His called ones. I have no apologies for any unpolished or non-intellectual aspects found in the contents of this website – God has used what He had to work with; and it was His choosing, not mine.

 

     This simply demonstrates that the Lord can and will use any and all of us simple brothers and sisters to accomplish His purpose.

 

     In love, God chose us in Himself before the creation of all things. In love, the Father gave us to the Son. In love, the Son took us to His cross and there, once and for all, washed away our sins, thus qualifying us to live in His presence. In love, Christ returned to indwell us as the life-giving Spirit of Love giving us the ability to love God and love one another for the completion of God’s eternal desire; to have a loving counterpart.

 

     May we all become the answer to Jesus’ prayer!