Tag: lessons

Love & Obedience

Love & Obedience

We have studied, on more than one occasion, the various blessings of obedience to the Lord and obedience to His Word.  A long life is one such blessing as we see in the verse below.

Keep God’s laws and you will live longer; if you ignore them, you will die.  (Pro 19:16 GNT)

But there’s another aspect of obedience that I’d like us to consider today.  It’s the fact that love and obedience go hand-in-hand.  Similar to:

  • peanut butter and jelly or
  • shoes and socks or
  • a pencil and pen set.

Let’s look at some Bible verses about this topic:

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.  (Joh 14:21 NLT)

When we receive and obey God’s instructions, we demonstrate our love for Him as well as our respect for Him.  As we live obediently, God promises to return our love and to give us revelations of Himself and His ways. Wow! That is not only a blessing but an honor.

But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.”  (Lk 11:28 NASB)

We are BLESSED when we hear God’s word and allow it to influence and direct our lives into living obediently to His ways and commandments.

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome . . .  (1 Joh 5:3 NIV)

Lastly, for those of us who love the Lord, His teachings and lessons are not taxing to obey.  Rather, we enjoy availing ourselves of the grace of God that He gives us in order to live in obedience to His commandments.  Hallelujah!

Life is About Much More Than Possessions

Life is About Much More Than Possessions

Life on earth is comprised of human beings, needs, wants/desires, relationships, jobs/callings, accomplishments, and many more categories.  It would be a challenge to try to list everything that is included in day to day human life because it can be very broad and very detailed.  It would cover too much to be able to list, in reality.

One trait that is negative that is sometimes a part of human life is greed.  Thankfully, it isn’t everywhere or in all people, but it is certainly there and it is definitely negative.

The Lord has been teaching humanity various lessons since the beginning of creation.  Here are some samples from His Word.

But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.”  (Lk 12:15 NASB)  This is a warning against greed and an inordinate affection for possessions.

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  (Col 3:5 NKJV)  Covetousness (another word for greed) is named among a list of sins in the Bible.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Heb 13:5 NKJV)  This passage in the Bible instructs us to be free of greed, and to be content with what we have. 

Rather, we are told to remember what is TRULY important:  that Jesus has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

What a beautiful and meaningful promise from our Savior!

Good Things to Know

Good Things to Know

Greetings, friends!  Here are some lessons I’ve learned along my way.  These are applicable to and useful for all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

  • As soon as you receive an assignment from the Lord (which might come through your Pastor; the person who is your spiritual covering; or the Holy Spirit), you’re anointed to fulfill it!  (Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18)  Anointed = empowered or enabled to act; set apart
  • Jesus is the Lord of your spirit, soul, and body.  (Acts 2:36; 1 Cor. 8:6; Phil. 2:11)
  • Your anointing is sufficient for your life and your world.  (2 Cor. 1:21, 22)
  • We’re anointed to KNOW things.  (1John 2:20)
  • Decree and agree with what the Bible says about you.  (Numbers 22:35, 38; Mark 11:23)
  • Guard your heart.  (Prov. 4:23-27; Phil. 4:7)
  • Pray in the Spirit.  (Romans 8:26; 1 Cor. 14:13-15; Ephes. 6:18)
  • Walk in love; faith works by love.  (Gal. 5:6)  Daily life will test your love. 
  • A disciple of Christ performs signs and wonders.  (Acts 2:43; 4:30; 5:12; 6:8)
  • Meditation upon the Scriptures transforms our belief system!  (Ps. 19:14; 49:3; Phil. 4:8; 1 Tim. 4:15)
  • You are delivered from the POWER of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of Jesus Christ.  (Colossians 1:13, 14)

Enjoy your extraordinary, spiritual journey, friends!