“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. —Luke 7:47

The self-righteous don’t think they have done much wrong. They do not see their sin as the affront it really is against God. But those who understand their sin and understand what Jesus has done for them are the ones who love much. They understand the filthiness of their sin, the holiness of God and His loving forgiveness.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19).

Yes, when we understand more and more of God’s love for us then how can we not love Him and others as He desires us to— “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Somebody has once said that “love is a verb.” Love in action. How will God’s love flow through you and me today? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga6Qtxzd6vk

Dear Father, may I extend love to those today that You cross my path. Help me to be sensitive to their needs and seek to serve them according to Your desire. May this be done in the authority of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. May it be so!

And the Israelites served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him—those who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110. They buried him in the land he had been allocated, at Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served the images of Baal. —Judges 2:7-11

How did another generation grow “up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel?” How does any generation in any country grow up without knowing the Lord or the mighty things he has done? How has that happened in the United States?

How? In 1859 the Origin of Species was published and promoted. In 1869 Eliot arrived as President of Harvard. He was an evolutionist. In 1870 Langdell became head of Harvard Law School over the protests of the professors because Langdell did not have the qualifications, but he agreed with Eliot that evolution was true and that should permeate all of education. He began to change the study of law by the introduction the case study method and Blackstone, whose study of law was based on God’s Word, was thrown out. Then the Scopes Trial in 1925 was another turning point. Creation was widely taught in our public schools up to this point, but after the Scopes Trial evolution began to gain a greater foothold and promoted. Then in 1962-63 the Supreme Court banned prayer and the Bible from public schools. Even today 89% of people still believe in some kind of “God.” Yet, “After the June 17, 1963 ruling the Wall Street Journal commented that atheism was now “the one belief to which the state’s power will extend its protection.”

There you have it, the gradual eroding of Biblical knowledge by the State and the State’s encouraging of the religion of atheism. This has been a satanic scheme and the Church has been too comfortable within its walls to engage the culture to a large degree in so many arenas. By its apathy beachheads have grown into huge areas of ground grained by those who are anti-Christ. That is why we are in the mess we are in as a country.

What is the Lord’s plan for this country? I do not know. But I do know that the Lord wants His Church to be the Church and all that means. A large part of that is to disciple the next generation that they may not grow up not knowing the Lord! May we seek to be faithful regardless of what direction our nation goes in. Our King is in Heaven and we know the end result. Let us live out His desires for our lives now and until we take our last breath. May it be so.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fXFIqHS9Ho&list=PLZWjhpTlxjpjiZdDT03IYlt214unvkcTW&index=6

Dear Father, help me to be the person You desire me to be in a world that desperately needs You. Please give me wisdom to minister to those around me in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” —Luke 6:46-49

The foundation for the Empire State Building extends 55 feet below the ground and into bedrock. It has a firm foundation. But without the right foundation or if a foundation has been compromised, the building is in danger of collapsing.

Those who both listen and follow the Word of the Lord Jesus is like the wise person who builds his house on a firm foundation that withstands the storms that assail it. The foolish person is the one who also hears the Word of the Lord Jesus, but does not obey it. The house he is building is one without a foundation and when the storm comes the house “will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

So it is in life. Those who are building their lives on the obedience to the Word of God have lives that will last forever. Those who hear and don’t obey are headed for an eternal destruction. Which are you?

Dear Father, may I faithfully adhere to Your Word and be obedient to it. May this be done out of my love for You and for people. May it be so in the authority of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit’s power.

From now on you’ll be fishing for people! —Luke 5:10

Have you been? Some people say they don’t have that gift, but Acts 1:8 calls us to be witnesses of the Lord Jesus. With the greatest message this world will ever hear being in our capability to communicate, why wouldn’t we? People need to hear what the Creator and Sustainer of all life has done for them so that they might be saved from their sin as we were when we trusted Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). As we once again go through this season, may we let others know what it is all about and share God’s love for us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjNeqvgMryw&list=PLZWjhpTlxjpjiZdDT03IYlt214unvkcTW&index=4

Dear Father, it is astounding what You have done for us through Your Son. Oh, may we who have trusted Him share this message with others that they too might be saved from sin, death and judgment to have an eternal relationship with You. May it be so.

Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—began shouting at Jesus, “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further. Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” —Luke 4:33-36

Demons recognize Jesus more readily that people do! They understand Jesus’ power and authority and that one day they will be judged forever. Those people who do not know Jesus “must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (II Timothy 2:25-26). Satan does not want anyone to do God’s will. He wants people to do his will and whether they know it or not, those who have not trusted Jesus are doing Satan’s will! Top priority in Satan’s will is to keep people from trusting Jesus and doing His will.

All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18). In the context of the verses above the people were amazed at Jesus’ authority to cast out this demon. “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God” (II Corinthians 4:4). But, “God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ” (v.5). With the same power of His Word that He called light into existence in Genesis 1:3 so He causes light to shine through the gospel in a person’s life that they may come to salvation in Jesus! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo9ZWX1lEKI

How many of us think it may be “interfering” to share the gospel with someone? Or, how many people have we shared the gospel with and they feel like we are interfering with them? No surprise! This is what the demon said to Jesus! — “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ does interfere with a person’s life! The gospel calls for them to change allegiance and follow the King of kings instead of the defeated “god of this world” which is Satan. It is a calling of those ensnared by Satan to be loosed by Jesus. It is a calling of those imprisoned by Satan to freedom in Jesus. It is a calling to those doing Satan’s will to do God’s will. It is a calling to become what we were intended to be— in relationship with God… forever!

Dear Father, I rejoice for all that You have done for me through Jesus. I am grateful to know You and Your purposes for me and for this Creation of Yours. Oh, may I be faithful to what You have called me to in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. —Luke 3:8

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. —Matthew 3:8

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. —Ephesians 2:10

I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. —Acts 26:20

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. —James 2:26

Evidence… is there enough evidence in your life to convict you in a court of law that you are a Christian? The verses above make it very clear that there will be a life change with those who have truly trusted Jesus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS-fIclN4h4&index=89&list=PLcHqC9YNzSaD-O-rkP9o8hDA9jJ_oja4l When we understand what Jesus has done for us and how much He loves us, why would we not truly live for Him according to His desires? Why would there not be evidence in our lives that we love Him if we truly do love Him? Someone has said that the greatest testimony is that of a truly changed life because of living for Jesus.

An apple tree does not have to try to bear apples. It does so because it is an apple tree. So it is with any fruit tree or fruit bearing plant. It does not try to do so, but does so because that is what it is. So with us who follow the Lord. We do not try to bear fruit, but the fruit is produced through the Holy Spirit’s power, not ours. May we not quench or grieve Him, but may we instead live by Him, walk by His power. Is there evidence in your life that you truly love Jesus? How can there not be if the Holy Spirit of God is residing in us! “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8).

Dear Father, may I bear much fruit for You to bring honor and glory to Your Name. May it be so in the authority of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit’s power.

…the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. —Luke 2:35

What are those deep thoughts in your mind that no one knows of? Jesus knows them! He knows the thoughts and intents of every man (John 2:25). He reveals the thoughts of your heart. By reading this you either agree or may get upset with these truths. But, it does not change things. Jesus knows you better than you know yourself. He knows your motives. He knows what makes you tic. He knows your priorities and everything about you. In a world where very few really know your name— Jesus knows every name and… He cares about you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtlDVleJBtA

Dear Father, I am so grateful that You love me and have proved that by sending Your Son, Jesus, to take the penalty for my sin on the cross, His rising from the dead, His ascending back to Heaven, His promised return and my eternal future in glory with Him as well as being able to serve Him now. Thank You!

When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told. —Joshua 5:13-15

There is only One who is Commander whether it is over angels or man and that is the Lord Jesus. As Moses was commanded to take his sandals off because he was standing on holy ground (Exodus 3:5), so now Joshua is told the same. At the introduction that He was “the commander of the Lord’s army” Joshua “fell with his face to the ground in reverence.” This was no mere man or angel that had appeared to him and he recognized that fact. Joshua also submitted to his Commander and asked, “What do you want your servant to do?” This is when the Commander told Joshua to “Take off your sandals, for the place you are standing is holy.” Joshua obeyed.

Jesus is the Commander who commands and the one who obeys His commands is the one who truly loves Him. People can say they “believe in God” or “believe in Jesus” or “love God” or “love Jesus” but it is those who are obedient to Him that are the ones who truly love Him.

How will you obey Him today? What is He asking of you as your Commander? May you and I be obedient to Him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE

Dear Father, may I truly show my love for Jesus by being obedient to what He desires of me to be and do. May it be so.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. —Deuteronomy 31:6

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. —Matthew 28:20

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. —Hebrews 13:5

Hey fellow follower of Jesus our Lord, we are not alone… ever! Feeling alone? Call on Him! Feeling afraid? Call on Him! Feeling anxious? Call on Him! He is always there for us… always! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBJJJkiRukY

We are not to be afraid of man or thrown into a panic because of man. No, we are to be strong and courageous! Courage my dear fellow follower of Jesus, that is what we need because He will never leave us, never abandons us and never fails us…NEVER!

What are you going through? He is there and He is not silent. Listen to Him. Be still and know that He is God… trust Him… be faithful…

Dear Father, I am so grateful that I can talk with You any time because of Jesus my Lord. May I cling to You, do Your will and honor Your Name. May it be so!

I am making this covenant with you so that no one among you—no man, woman, clan, or tribe—will turn away from the Lord our God to worship these gods of other nations, and so that no root among you bears bitter and poisonous fruit. —Deuteronomy 29:18

False gods and false doctrine “bears bitter and poisonous fruit.” This type of fruit destroys many people. At the State Prison in New Hampshire those who come to the Lord Jesus Christ are targets for the Jehovah Witnesses and other groups. These JW’s are steeped in the “bitter and poisonous fruit” thinking they are doing the right thing, but they lead many to eternal destruction in Hell. Followers of Jesus need to be aware of any “bitter and poisonous fruit” that may be among them and purge it from them. Otherwise it will have negative impact among them.

I was out and about this week and ran into a man whom I asked this question: “Have you come to the place in your life where you understand who Jesus is and what He has done for you?” He replied, “Oh yes, I believe in Jesus.” In return I said, “Then you may enjoy this” as I extended toward him a Lamb pamphlet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw . “Oh, I am a Jehovah witness” was his reply and would not accept the pamphlet. “Well, we do not believe in the same Jesus,” I said and we briefly talked about the differences between Jesus described in the Bible and what the JW’s believe. He responded with rote answers without quoting anything to back up what he was saying. Sadly, he has been “poisoned.” May the Holy Spirit of God open his eyes.

In the sequel to Paul Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress Bunyan writes about Pilgrim’s wife, Christiana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBPX4ava8bg. In it Mercy saw fruit that looked so good to eat, but when it fell to the ground it turned into a viper. That is want poisonous fruit is— the satanic serpent’s venom. Beware!

Dear Father, help me to be discerning and be readily able to identify false teaching and those who would lead Your children, followers of Jesus, astray. May this be done in the authority of Jesus and by the Holy Spirit’s power.