Lisa C
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Thanks-living is Thanksgiving
Lisa C
No One Should Be All Alone
I heard a story about a woman who hired a private investigator to find her biological father. She felt all alone. She didn't have any family. The private investigator found out that her dad was deceased but that she had a brother and sister. The woman was very excited to find out that she had siblings and hired the private investigator to find them. He called to let her know he'd found them and made arrangements to meet her to give her the information. She wondered how she would pay him. She went to meet him and was so happy to find out about her siblings. And that the private detective wasn't charging her anything. He said he was usually hired by lawyers to destroy family's but in this case was able to bring family together. I wonder how many people wouldn't be lonely if they realized that their family in Christ is just as legitimate as their blood relatives. Jesus commanded us to love one another and that by our love for one another, people would know that we are God's children. No one should be without. No one should be lonely. No one should go through anything alone. Not only is your heavenly Father in Christ in you, and you are filled or can be filled with the Holy Spirit; you have family in Christ all over the world. What if we looked for each other with hopes of a relationship and fellowship with one another? If you're not in church, find a good church. Find a Christian forum where you can talk to other Christians. Find Christian groups on Facebook to be a part of. There are people out there just like you who are good people, who love God and put him first, who need someone, a friend. It is our duty and privilege to be family and a friend to our family in Christ. What can you do to be a blessing to someone today? Jesus said, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
John 15:12 KJV
Lisa C
John 15:12 KJV
Lisa C
Sunday, September 22, 2019
There is Right and Wrong, Truth and Lies, but no Little White Lies
God has a master design for eternal life. His family, the body of Christ will join him for all of eternity. There will be no sorrow, no sickness, and no heartache. We will not know each other in heaven as mom, dad, husband, wife, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, cousin, boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, or by any otherworldly connection. We will know each other as the bride of Christ, brothers, and sisters in Christ; family in the highest sense.
I have heard several people say that when they know it’s their time to go, they’ll get right with God then and start living right, asking God to forgive them of all their sins. They think that life with Christ is boring and plain, but it is just the opposite. To know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is to truly be alive. You may not have the opportunity to realize that you are dying or going to die soon. It may come unexpectedly like a thief in the night. There may not be any time to whisper, “God I accept you into my heart, forgive me of all my sins.”
God judges us according to our hearts. You can accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and change your heart daily by trying to be more and more like him and live a life manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit like joy, peace beyond all human understanding, and hope. On the flip side, you can continue living in sin and by living in sin changing your heart daily to be less and less like him until you have no desire left to be a son or daughter of God.
Sin changes people. It has been scientifically proven that prolonged drug use, alcohol use, frequent use of pornography and other sins can change the way that a person’s brain is wired. With every conscious sin, you allow more and more darkness into your heart. Yes, a person can come back from that, but it is a much harder road than if they had realized God’s bountiful promises and unconditional love much sooner.
When you do something wrong and want to hide it so that other’s will not find out, God knows all about it. When you want to hang on to a habit that is contrary to God’s will for you and your life and sonship rights, God knows all about it. When you want to hang on to a lifestyle, a person who won’t go to church with you or give his or her life to God and you put that person and relationship ahead of God, God knows all about it.
Jesus Christ is our advocate. Our husband, mom, dad, brother, sister, child, nor anyone else can stand in front of God for you and say it’s my fault he didn’t live right. It’s my fault he didn’t live for you. It’s my fault he didn’t live by your statutes and stand up for what is right according to your word. Jesus is the only door. Regardless of what you have done or how long you have been running, he is there waiting with a loving heart to welcome you into your family in Christ and a life of him being by your side, strengthening you, uplifting you, giving you peace and blessings.
Now is the time to worship who you will spend all of your eternal life with. Now is the time to give your heart to the one who you will be subjected to for all of eternal life. Will you choose a loving father and eternal life of peace or will you choose hell, so that you can continue to live riotously in this passing world?
I choose God, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Wonderful, Counselor, Father, Alpha and Omega. I choose my heavenly father. I look forward to praising him for all of eternity. People will fail you. They are human beings. Things will fail you. Ideals will fail you. Some dreams will not come to pass. But our God will always be praiseworthy. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He has a plan for each one of us. He knew each of us before we were formed in our mother’s womb and he loves us unconditionally; so much so that he gives us free will, the choice to choose what our heart desires.
Who did you choose when you woke up this morning? Every day is a new day. Every morning is a fresh beginning.
Written by Lisa Clewis 22September2019
I have heard several people say that when they know it’s their time to go, they’ll get right with God then and start living right, asking God to forgive them of all their sins. They think that life with Christ is boring and plain, but it is just the opposite. To know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is to truly be alive. You may not have the opportunity to realize that you are dying or going to die soon. It may come unexpectedly like a thief in the night. There may not be any time to whisper, “God I accept you into my heart, forgive me of all my sins.”
God judges us according to our hearts. You can accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and change your heart daily by trying to be more and more like him and live a life manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit like joy, peace beyond all human understanding, and hope. On the flip side, you can continue living in sin and by living in sin changing your heart daily to be less and less like him until you have no desire left to be a son or daughter of God.
Sin changes people. It has been scientifically proven that prolonged drug use, alcohol use, frequent use of pornography and other sins can change the way that a person’s brain is wired. With every conscious sin, you allow more and more darkness into your heart. Yes, a person can come back from that, but it is a much harder road than if they had realized God’s bountiful promises and unconditional love much sooner.
When you do something wrong and want to hide it so that other’s will not find out, God knows all about it. When you want to hang on to a habit that is contrary to God’s will for you and your life and sonship rights, God knows all about it. When you want to hang on to a lifestyle, a person who won’t go to church with you or give his or her life to God and you put that person and relationship ahead of God, God knows all about it.
Jesus Christ is our advocate. Our husband, mom, dad, brother, sister, child, nor anyone else can stand in front of God for you and say it’s my fault he didn’t live right. It’s my fault he didn’t live for you. It’s my fault he didn’t live by your statutes and stand up for what is right according to your word. Jesus is the only door. Regardless of what you have done or how long you have been running, he is there waiting with a loving heart to welcome you into your family in Christ and a life of him being by your side, strengthening you, uplifting you, giving you peace and blessings.
Now is the time to worship who you will spend all of your eternal life with. Now is the time to give your heart to the one who you will be subjected to for all of eternal life. Will you choose a loving father and eternal life of peace or will you choose hell, so that you can continue to live riotously in this passing world?
I choose God, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Wonderful, Counselor, Father, Alpha and Omega. I choose my heavenly father. I look forward to praising him for all of eternity. People will fail you. They are human beings. Things will fail you. Ideals will fail you. Some dreams will not come to pass. But our God will always be praiseworthy. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He has a plan for each one of us. He knew each of us before we were formed in our mother’s womb and he loves us unconditionally; so much so that he gives us free will, the choice to choose what our heart desires.
Who did you choose when you woke up this morning? Every day is a new day. Every morning is a fresh beginning.
Written by Lisa Clewis 22September2019
Friday, September 6, 2019
We are Redeemed
God works in mysterious ways. He may use us to introduce someone to the gospel of Christ. He may use us to be an example of what God's love looks like so that others will want to know him. In Jesus's teaching of the shepherd who left 99 sheep to find the one who was lost we learn that every lost person is important. God loves his children who have not strayed but rejoices over saving one who is lost because it is not his will for anyone to perish.
There are people in this world who you may think don't deserve forgiveness or a second chance but that won't change God's mind about them because he knows we are all sinners and we all needed saving. We all can be changed by accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior and taking up our cross and following him, by practicing self-control, and by overcoming the things that drag us down and tear us away from a close relationship with God. Sometimes we may feel like forgiving someone is a sacrifice because we've been hurt so deeply, but Christ came to save all. He died so that everyone who believes can be forgiven.
The Pharisees laughed at and scorned Jesus for eating and drinking with sinners. He associated with people who needed him, who needed saving. He rescued people from their current heart status to one of being made righteous through him. We are not to judge others. We are not to judge someone according to their mistakes or poor decisions. We are not to judge anyone.
We are all sinners. If in your heart you hate your brother you are guilty of murder. God knows all hearts. Even children of God hurt each other unintentionally because they're not keeping a check on their heart and constantly realigning it with God's will. We are to show compassion and love. We are to put our own feelings aside and let Christ shine through us.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that you and your wants and needs are more important than anyone else's. Jesus gives us the strength to overcome any adversity. Jesus takes away alcoholism. Jesus takes away drug addiction. Sometimes the transformation isn't easy. That's why we should be ready with an encouraging word to help others. Don't let your feelings rob you of what you have in Christ. Don't sacrifice the abundance of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life for hate, revenge, or bitterness.
Be a light to others. Put your feelings aside until you can have and show the compassion that Jesus gave us. We're none better than anyone else. God is not a respecter of persons. Jesus didn't put any limitations on who can be saved or who can be forgiven. He didn't come to condemn, but to save.
Lisa C
There are people in this world who you may think don't deserve forgiveness or a second chance but that won't change God's mind about them because he knows we are all sinners and we all needed saving. We all can be changed by accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior and taking up our cross and following him, by practicing self-control, and by overcoming the things that drag us down and tear us away from a close relationship with God. Sometimes we may feel like forgiving someone is a sacrifice because we've been hurt so deeply, but Christ came to save all. He died so that everyone who believes can be forgiven.
The Pharisees laughed at and scorned Jesus for eating and drinking with sinners. He associated with people who needed him, who needed saving. He rescued people from their current heart status to one of being made righteous through him. We are not to judge others. We are not to judge someone according to their mistakes or poor decisions. We are not to judge anyone.
We are all sinners. If in your heart you hate your brother you are guilty of murder. God knows all hearts. Even children of God hurt each other unintentionally because they're not keeping a check on their heart and constantly realigning it with God's will. We are to show compassion and love. We are to put our own feelings aside and let Christ shine through us.
Don't make the mistake of thinking that you and your wants and needs are more important than anyone else's. Jesus gives us the strength to overcome any adversity. Jesus takes away alcoholism. Jesus takes away drug addiction. Sometimes the transformation isn't easy. That's why we should be ready with an encouraging word to help others. Don't let your feelings rob you of what you have in Christ. Don't sacrifice the abundance of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life for hate, revenge, or bitterness.
Be a light to others. Put your feelings aside until you can have and show the compassion that Jesus gave us. We're none better than anyone else. God is not a respecter of persons. Jesus didn't put any limitations on who can be saved or who can be forgiven. He didn't come to condemn, but to save.
Lisa C
Monday, July 8, 2019
Self-Control: How Do We Take Control
There are numerous bible verses on self-control. The first one that comes to my mind is Galatians 5:23. 'Meekness and temperance: against such, there is no law.' The word temperance used in this verse is the Greek word egkrateia which means self-control, self-restraint, the one who master's his desires and passions. There are many things that people can do that are natural pain killers and relaxants including. But when drugs whether natural or not, or alcohol is abused they become sin, idols, things we put ahead of family, responsibility, health and most importantly our relationship with God. Even cell phones are misused and become an obsession to the point that we ignore the person sitting next to us because our body craves the dopamine that is released into our body when we have successful social interactions such as when someone likes or comments on our post. Cell phones aren't the only thing popular today that causes dopamine to be released into the body. There is also porn, internet use, alcohol, prescription drugs, and marijuana which trigger our bodies into releasing dopamine.
Below are 25 encouraging and powerful scriptures on self-control that can be read and reread or memorized that will help someone overcome the powerful addiction to dopamine, drugs, alcohol, porn, excessive internet use, and excessive cell phone use. Concentrating on these encouraging scriptures or even one of them that speaks to your heart will help you gain self-control. Take baby steps to recovery. If you fail, try again. Ask the holy spirit to take the addiction away from you. Someone with an addiction has to become rewired. The bible is the living word of God, it has power, and so does the holy spirit that God will fill you with if you ask him to after you accept Jesus as your Savior. If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved (Romans 8:9-10). The holy spirit is our helper. He teaches us, leads us and guides us. The holy spirit does not possess us but nudges us to to do the right thing, reminds us of scriptures and the right thing to do, condemning our heart when we do something wrong.
When we become a child of God by faith we overcoe sinful nature. We do not become perfect because we are still human but we know when we have sinned and with a contrite heart ask God to forgive us and he does. 'But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of god living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all). Romans 8:9-10. Addiction can feel overpowering. Bad behavior and wrong attitudes can seem so controlling that we feel powerless to change but we have help. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things. Galatians 5:22-23. You are not without hope. You do not have to give in to your sinful nature which can lead to problems with employment, family relationships, your role as a spouse or parent, or having a nasty and selfish attitude. You can change through the power of the holy spirit and submit yourself to Christ and the living word of God, the Holy Bible.
Encouraging scripture on self-control:
1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 4:13, Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 18:2, Proverbs 25:28, Titus 1:8, Isaiah 55:10-11, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:8-9, James 1:9-21, 1 Peter 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Ephesians 6:10-20, Galatians 5:13-26, Titus 2:1-15.
I encourage you in the name of Jesus to be the best that you can be in Christ. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Philippians 4;13.
Lisa C
Below are 25 encouraging and powerful scriptures on self-control that can be read and reread or memorized that will help someone overcome the powerful addiction to dopamine, drugs, alcohol, porn, excessive internet use, and excessive cell phone use. Concentrating on these encouraging scriptures or even one of them that speaks to your heart will help you gain self-control. Take baby steps to recovery. If you fail, try again. Ask the holy spirit to take the addiction away from you. Someone with an addiction has to become rewired. The bible is the living word of God, it has power, and so does the holy spirit that God will fill you with if you ask him to after you accept Jesus as your Savior. If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved (Romans 8:9-10). The holy spirit is our helper. He teaches us, leads us and guides us. The holy spirit does not possess us but nudges us to to do the right thing, reminds us of scriptures and the right thing to do, condemning our heart when we do something wrong.
When we become a child of God by faith we overcoe sinful nature. We do not become perfect because we are still human but we know when we have sinned and with a contrite heart ask God to forgive us and he does. 'But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of god living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all). Romans 8:9-10. Addiction can feel overpowering. Bad behavior and wrong attitudes can seem so controlling that we feel powerless to change but we have help. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things. Galatians 5:22-23. You are not without hope. You do not have to give in to your sinful nature which can lead to problems with employment, family relationships, your role as a spouse or parent, or having a nasty and selfish attitude. You can change through the power of the holy spirit and submit yourself to Christ and the living word of God, the Holy Bible.
Encouraging scripture on self-control:
1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 4:13, Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 18:2, Proverbs 25:28, Titus 1:8, Isaiah 55:10-11, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:8-9, James 1:9-21, 1 Peter 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Ephesians 6:10-20, Galatians 5:13-26, Titus 2:1-15.
I encourage you in the name of Jesus to be the best that you can be in Christ. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Philippians 4;13.
Lisa C
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Because Of You
Because I have experienced abandonment, I have experienced your familiarity.
Because I have experienced heartache, I have learned to trust you who have never left me nor forsaken me.
Because I have experienced hurt, I put my faith in you and was rejuvenated.
Because I have experienced loss and looked to you I have been restored.
Because I have known affliction, I delight in your Word.
Because I have failed, I appreciate your blessings.
Because I have known lack, I have enjoyed your increase.
Because I was fallen, I know your unconditional love, grace, and mercy.
Because you loved me first, I know agape love.
Thank you, heavenly father, for your presence in my praise and your call to action in my calamity.
Thank you for making all things work together for my good.
Lisa C
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Jesus Is Our Bread of Life
When we ask God to give us this day our daily bread we're not merely asking God to give us the things we need to stay alive like bread and water. Staying alive is defined as 'not dead or inanimate (lifeless).' We are not meant to just stay alive; to live without purpose or imagination or passion like an animal whose instincts are to scavenge for food, water, and shelter from the elements.
God (Yahweh, Abba (Father) in Hebrew-the word god can represent the Christian God or the word god can be anything or anyone that we value more than Yahweh or the word god can represent in other certain religions a divine being who shows favor for humans. We have a personal relationship with God. He has a name.
Our heavenly father, the Creator, provides for us the bread of life, what we need. He can give you the bread that you need to be independent. He can give you the bread that you need to be strong and to deal with difficult things. He can give you the bread that you need to be dependable. He can give you the bread that you need to be an ambassador for Christ. He can give you the bread you need to have the energy and strength to get through the day. He can give you the mental stability and peace and perseverance that you need to deal with difficult people or sickly, weak people who are dependent on you. He can give you the bread that you need to open up your heart to a situation or a possibility or another person or him.
According to God's word his children are healed, the salt of the earth, the light of the world, given peace, part of the true vine-a channel of Christ life, chosen and appointed by Christ to bear his fruit, given glory, righteous, free from commendation, a joint heir with Christ, a son or daughter of Yahweh, have faith and the list goes on and on. We are victorious through Christ.
Before we were saved, accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, we had a spirit. Now we have an eternal living spirit. When we received the holy ghost our spirit and the holy ghost became as one. We don't bear the fruit of the spirit through our own efforts. The fruit of the spirit is a gift. We are love. We are joy. We are patient. We are peace. We are gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (have self-control).
You are eternally loved and made in Yahweh's image. Yahweh is love (1 John 4:8). We are love. According to the word when we ask Yahweh for wisdom he gives it to us generously (James 1:5). Ask and you will receive. Is your heart and mind in alignment with God's will? What is your passion or heart? What do you do to help or minister to others and to witness to others about Christ and eternal life? Jesus is the bread of life, BREAD OF OUR LIFE, everything we need to do and be and to fulfill the plan that he has for us.
Written by Lisa Clewis 22May2019
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Jesus Came to Save, Not to Judge
The only thing you have to do in order to be saved from sin is to believe in God's love for you, Jesus's sacrifice for you, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. So many people believe only two out of three because they can not accept that they're lovable or worth dying for. They believe Christ died on the cross and that God raised him from the dead, but cannot believe it was for them also.
Jesus didn't come into this world to condemn this world. He came into this world to save people from sin, make the Holy Spirit available to all as a teacher, comforter and guide and to defeat death. Jesus is our propitiation for sin. And even though people have no problem believing in Christ it is hard for them to believe he died for them also.
We all sin. We all come up short on the scales. We all deserve to pay for our sins. None of us is good enough for the Son of God to die for. But he did. He sees our value. He knows our worth. He has bought us with a price and wants to present us to God as the priceless jewels that we are.
God created us for himself. He wants to have a personal, deep, open, honest relationship with each one of us. He created each one of us with gifts, talents, and with a plan for each one of us.
We are no accident. Our mistakes do not define us. We learn from our mistakes and become better people because of them but our mistakes are not who we are. Maybe you can't love yourself right now.
You aren't required to love yourself to be saved. That will come as you learn who you are in Christ, how God sees you, and that you're a joint-heir with Christ. God is not a liar. He nor Jesus wants for any of us to die in sin and eternal death. Trust in God's unconditional love for you and accept Jesus as your Savior. Start life over new. Remember, when you get saved your become a new creature, washed from all your sin, set free from bondage, healed and made new and upon asking to receive the Holy Spirit are filled with the Holy Spirit.
I warn you, do not let your old ways hinder you. You will have to take one day at a time, learning God's ways, learning how to be a better person. Sin can no longer separate you from God. Sin and darkness will try to suck you back into your old lifestyle, your old way of thinking, you're old habits, your old way of seeing yourself.
Study the Holy Bible, read it daily. Memorize one verse a day. Use scripture to defeat the enemy who wants you to believe that you're no good; cling to Jesus and his love for you. Constantly renew your mind by thinking on how God loves you unconditionally, Jesus gave his life for you when you were up to your eyeballs in sin, you are washed clean, made new, God has separated your sin from you as far as the East is from the West, your sin was erased from the book of life to be remembered no more. Eat the word of God. Digest it. Believe in your God given right to stand before God without any sense of sin, guilt or condemnation.
Do not let self condemnation come between you and your adoption into the family of Christ. You belong to Christ now. Believe it. Live it. Be it.
Lisa
Scripture:
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation–he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name.]
John 3:16-18 AMPC
A Perfect Love
Jesus came as a baby but was King, the Son of God in human form, the living word before he entered this world. He came to save those whom he's called to believe in Him. Royalty in the highest form. The first born of God come to earth in human form to save us from eternal damnation and the curse of sickness and poverty. Where would we be without Elohim, the Trinity, our loving Father, the Holy Spirit and the Son of God?
Jesus came as a babe but had the heart and purpose of our heavenly Father. In John 13 we read about Jesus' love for his disciples.
'
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
John 13:1, 4 KJV'
Now if you will, imagine someone with the prominent stature of Jesus Christ washing his disciples feet. They walked everywhere they went, wore sandals, it may been been hot, and then there was the duty of carrying the basin of water and not only washing but drying off the feet also and he gladly did this for every one of them. When he got to Peter, Peter refused. But here's what Jesus said,
'Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
John 13:7-11 KJV'
I believe without a doubt that Jesus washed the feet of the man that he knew would betray him, Judas Iscariot. Once again doing what he has taught others to do.
'Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:43-45 KJV'
Jesus was a man of his word. He practiced what he preached so to speak. And after he washed all those dirty feet in a demonstration of humbleness and kindness and love Jesus gave a new commandment,
'So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 13:12-20, 34-35 KJV'
Even though Jesus knew how badly he would suffer and die he looked forward to it because he knew his suffering, death and resurrection would break the veil between us and our heavenly Father forever giving us access to our Father as his beloved children.
'When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
John 13:21, 26-27, 30-36 KJV'
So much love. So much commitment, So much suffering and shame and the worst death imaginable and he did it willingly out of love. His life here wasn't as one of luxury and glory. He hurt. He suffered loss. He cried. His heart ached. He was betrayed. People gossiped about him. He was lied about. He was talked down to and treated badly. He was slapped. He was spit on. He was mocked. Horrendous acts were done to him. Yet he never lost sight of the big picture, us. He never betrayed us and he never said this is too hard I want to go home. He saw it through and because he did we are made righteous. We have the God given ability to stand before Jehovah God without any sense of sin or guilt and call him Father. He created us in his image and likeness for his purpose which was to love us and have a relationship with us and because his firstborn died on the cross for our sins fulfilling all the law of sin and death we are reborn in spirit.
If you haven't given your heart to Jesus I urge you to. What greater person to give your heart to then the one who gave his life so that you can live this life without condemnation, and have an eternal life in a perfect place with a perfect body.
Lisa C
Jesus came as a babe but had the heart and purpose of our heavenly Father. In John 13 we read about Jesus' love for his disciples.
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Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
John 13:1, 4 KJV'
Now if you will, imagine someone with the prominent stature of Jesus Christ washing his disciples feet. They walked everywhere they went, wore sandals, it may been been hot, and then there was the duty of carrying the basin of water and not only washing but drying off the feet also and he gladly did this for every one of them. When he got to Peter, Peter refused. But here's what Jesus said,
'Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
John 13:7-11 KJV'
I believe without a doubt that Jesus washed the feet of the man that he knew would betray him, Judas Iscariot. Once again doing what he has taught others to do.
'Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:43-45 KJV'
Jesus was a man of his word. He practiced what he preached so to speak. And after he washed all those dirty feet in a demonstration of humbleness and kindness and love Jesus gave a new commandment,
'So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 13:12-20, 34-35 KJV'
Even though Jesus knew how badly he would suffer and die he looked forward to it because he knew his suffering, death and resurrection would break the veil between us and our heavenly Father forever giving us access to our Father as his beloved children.
'When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
John 13:21, 26-27, 30-36 KJV'
So much love. So much commitment, So much suffering and shame and the worst death imaginable and he did it willingly out of love. His life here wasn't as one of luxury and glory. He hurt. He suffered loss. He cried. His heart ached. He was betrayed. People gossiped about him. He was lied about. He was talked down to and treated badly. He was slapped. He was spit on. He was mocked. Horrendous acts were done to him. Yet he never lost sight of the big picture, us. He never betrayed us and he never said this is too hard I want to go home. He saw it through and because he did we are made righteous. We have the God given ability to stand before Jehovah God without any sense of sin or guilt and call him Father. He created us in his image and likeness for his purpose which was to love us and have a relationship with us and because his firstborn died on the cross for our sins fulfilling all the law of sin and death we are reborn in spirit.
If you haven't given your heart to Jesus I urge you to. What greater person to give your heart to then the one who gave his life so that you can live this life without condemnation, and have an eternal life in a perfect place with a perfect body.
Lisa C
Bring Forth Fruit
Have you ever noticed that a lot of Christ' teachings were positive and that he used fruit to explain what our attitude should be like? Be fruitful and multiply. Bear fruit when keeping repentance. Every good tree bears good fruit. In order that we might bear fruit from God. If someone says he has fruit but he has no works. In John 15:16 Jesus teaches that our fruit should remain.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: (to bear, i.e. endure, to endure the rigour of a thing, to bear patiently one's conduct) whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:16 KJV
What kind of fruit do we 'bring forth' that can remain? Fruit in this verse is the Greek word karpos. It means that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result, work, act, deed, advantage, profit, utility, praises, which are presented to God as a thank offering,
to gather fruit (i.e. a reaped harvest) into life eternal. To bring forth fruit that should remain means to have good works, to plant seeds of God's love and word into the hearts of others, to love the way Christ taught us to love, to love by his example.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
We are to love with a godly love and to bear the fruit of the spirit in our actions which is made possible by the Holy Spirit who will come into our hearts and lives if we just ask. But God will not be mocked. You can't pretend. You can't be one way and then another.
Galatians 6:7-9
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Living right according to the teachings of Jesus Christ isn't easy but it's expected. The Holy Spirit strengthens us. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Colossians 3:5-10
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.
All of this can be overwhelming especially if you have habits like I used to. I praise God for taking them away and healing me from old mindsets and helping me to make my ways his ways. In John 15:16 Jesus stated that he ordained us. Ordained here is the Greek Word tithēmi. It means to set forth, to establish. Jesus didn't just say do this and do that he established us, equipped us so that we can remain in his will.
Jesus is a loving Lord and Savior, King, who serves us. He sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. He is truly out Savior in every sense of the word and he loves us with a perfect and unconditional love. Salvation is a gift. This Christmas hold your hands out to Jesus and receive what he has for, the beautiful gifts he has prepared for you.
Lisa C
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: (to bear, i.e. endure, to endure the rigour of a thing, to bear patiently one's conduct) whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:16 KJV
What kind of fruit do we 'bring forth' that can remain? Fruit in this verse is the Greek word karpos. It means that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result, work, act, deed, advantage, profit, utility, praises, which are presented to God as a thank offering,
to gather fruit (i.e. a reaped harvest) into life eternal. To bring forth fruit that should remain means to have good works, to plant seeds of God's love and word into the hearts of others, to love the way Christ taught us to love, to love by his example.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
We are to love with a godly love and to bear the fruit of the spirit in our actions which is made possible by the Holy Spirit who will come into our hearts and lives if we just ask. But God will not be mocked. You can't pretend. You can't be one way and then another.
Galatians 6:7-9
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Living right according to the teachings of Jesus Christ isn't easy but it's expected. The Holy Spirit strengthens us. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Colossians 3:5-10
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.
All of this can be overwhelming especially if you have habits like I used to. I praise God for taking them away and healing me from old mindsets and helping me to make my ways his ways. In John 15:16 Jesus stated that he ordained us. Ordained here is the Greek Word tithēmi. It means to set forth, to establish. Jesus didn't just say do this and do that he established us, equipped us so that we can remain in his will.
Jesus is a loving Lord and Savior, King, who serves us. He sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. He is truly out Savior in every sense of the word and he loves us with a perfect and unconditional love. Salvation is a gift. This Christmas hold your hands out to Jesus and receive what he has for, the beautiful gifts he has prepared for you.
Lisa C
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