So what is L O V E? 💞

So we will hear this word all day today and throughout the weekend . . .L O V E. So what is L O V E? 💞

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:9)💕

We have been studying this verse all month in my high school classes. As I work with high school students who think they are in L O V E  with someone or other, I remind them that as CHRISTians, in our relationships, choosing someone without knowing if they know Christ, is a dangerous and unGodly road to travel.

Do not be ☒unequally yoked☒ together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with

darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

God IS L O V E! Believe the Word for what is says! No one who does not know God intimately cannot L O V E anyone  . . . . even themselves!

💘Happy Valentines Day!!!💘

led up by the Spirit

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from

the mouth of God.’ ”(Matthew 4:1-4)

We all have heard to account: Satan tempts Jesus after He was led into the wilderness and fasted fourty days!  First of all, this is a spiritual battle and not about food! We know the Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness to fast. He was Spirit-filled and Spirit-controlled! He was prepared for battle, weapons ready, armor fixed.

Satan could not attack the Spirit. Yet he did attack the flesh. However, the flesh was protected by the Word and the It's armor. Do we put on the armor of God daily?

(Ephesians 6:10-18) Do we read His Word and prepare for battle?

Our flesh may be weak, but walking in and with the Spirit, we will win!

Live in Faith, not Fear

Anxiety can cause fear. Fear will keep us from being open and vulnerable with others. We become disconnected, lonely, depressed, defensive and open to the lies of the enemy! Yet the Spirit of God frees us from fears . . .

 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord . . . (2 Timothy 1:7-8)

Paul guided young Timothy to trust in the Lord and to not fear doing things as he was taught. This world will have us seek independence and a "me first " attitude. Trust God at His Word. Stay connected to the Body. Be open to share weaknesses and strengths alike. Allow God to work . . .Live in Faith, not Fear

genuine, authentic relationships

As CHRISTians, we should have some genuine, authentic relationships. We don't need a lot of friends, but those we have should be real! They should not be artificial, or surface, but heart-to-heart and from the gut level. . . . honesty, hurts, confessions, weaknesses, and celebrations all shared. Not only are we lacking genuine relationships within the Body, but many do not even value being a part of the Body! Church life is not valued or even desired much anymore. It has become a duty!

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.(1 John 1:5-10)

Let's come out of our darkness and allow the Light to shine upon us and our fellow relationships with fellow believers.  We must face our fears and courageously risk our pride. To have friends we must be friendly! (Proverbs 18:24)

The only way we can grow spiritually is through open and candid relationships.

Free to Share Christ Anywhere!

 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.(Acts 28:28-31)

Paul, now in Rome, was still a prisoner, yet free to share Christ!  Even under Roman guard, he was allowed to live in a rented home and entertain guests. Folks came from surrounding areas to hear him. Some believed, some did not. This did not stop Paul from sharing however. He was clear . . . Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesies and the only way to salvation and forgiveness of sin!

Paul was very clear that just as manyJews rejected the Savior, many Gentiles would now accept Him! Thank God!!!! Today, we are free to share Christ anywhere He leads us. Though we might one day, today we are not sharing in chains. Some may reject Christ, but some will accept Him as Lord and Savior!

Let's not ever shy away while we are yet free to share. Let's live Christ out loud with confidence . . . and if we are bound, lets be bound by nothing but the Holy Spirit!

Be prepared to lead.....you can't always be in the background!

Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.  And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,  saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be

brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’  Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.  However, we must run aground on a certain island.”(Acts 27:20-26)

Paul was a prisoner, along with others on the ship. They were under Roman soldier's leadership and rule. However, when the weather got rough, Paul sought God and heard from Him. They ALL would be safe if they followed the directions given by God. Paul, a prisoner of Rome, stepped up and led the Roman guards!

Everyone is not a leader. Some are born. Some learn how to lead through education and experience. However, whether one is known as a leader or not . . . accepted as a leader or not . . . paid as a leader or not . . . at some point in one's life, everyone will need to lead! Be prepared to lead.....you can't always be in the background!

Same ole . . .same ole . . .some thing never change!

Same ole . . .same ole . . .some thing never change! The same royal family (Herod's) tried to kill the infant Jesus, killed John the Baptist and now ruled over Paul! Satan never quit and he is still seeking those whom to destroy today! (John 10:10)

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:28-32)

Ultimate decisions, power, still lies with God, not man! If says It God says it will happen, it will. If He allows it, it will take place. However, it will be in His timing and according to His planning, no matter what man or the devil says! We worship a God that still is in control. He rewards those who stick with Him and continue to pursue His will! (Hebrews 11:6)

Leaders today, politicians included, realize there is a God! Yet many continue to consider Him, yet rule with the crowd! After all, we must be politically correct and not offend anyone, right!?!?!

Satan has the world wrapped around his finger. Same ole, same ole . . . some things never change! Will we stand for Christ as Paul did?

What "they say" or what "God knows" about us?

We live a culture where many have an identity crisis! Many live for what others think and say about us . . . Do you?  

So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”  Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!” (Acts 25:10-12)

One day we all will stand before a judgment seat . . . God's! What will He have to say about you and me? What will it matter that what they say?

God's opinion about us is all that really matters! No matter what people may say or think, it is what God knows about us that counts! Like Paul, we must stand confidently before man and allow God to defend us!

Bolder and Stronger as the enemy approaches

Bolder and Stronger as the enemy approaches . . . that was Paul's character. What about you and me? Do we shrink under pressure? Do we keep quiet when people talk negatively about faith and Jesus Christ? Are we living out loud for Jesus or hiding our light and only using it when it is comfortable?

Read what Paul did when the heat was on . . .

For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.(Acts 24:5-16)

Paul did not shy away or crumble before the rulers. He boldly stated his beliefs. What will we do when pressed about our faith? Will we bolder and stronger or weakened?

Disappointments are only God-appointments .....

Disappointments are only God-appointments to shine . . . for Him! After watching the Super Bowl, I read many testimonies from both sides as to their faith. Without a doubt, each one expressed desire to honor God, despite the outcome. I recall Ray Lewis, the year before the Ravens won the 2012 Super Bowl as they suffered a disappointing loss in the AFC Championship game. He shared it was God' s will, but win or lose, they would still fight to win it all the next year . . . and they did!

Paul lived a life of both huge victories and huge defeats. Even his last days, seemingly going down to defeat, yet was able to share Christ with the leader of the known world! Keep you eyes on God and His glory . . .Paul had an army of soldiers called to protect him and deliver him to Rome!

And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” He wrote a letter in the following manner . . . (Acts 23:23-25)

God's does not always provide victories in this life . . . at least not as the world views victories. Even in losses, defeats, illnesses, and various disappontments, there are opportunity to honor the Lord. In fact, like Job, it is an even greater testimony!

Bitter or sweet, sunshine or rain, heartache and pain, possessor gains . . . all opportunities to bring honor to God! There is victory in Jesus! God will provide a way!

He alone is THE CHAMPION!

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world . . . . our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Super Sunday is here. Last evening I heard many pro football players thanking family, friends, coaches and others for their awards. Some however let the world know that Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, Emmanuel, was the driving force behind their talents. He alone is THE CHAMPION!

In then past week we all have been bombarded with the news of tragic deaths. Many are lauding the lives lived and the people who were touched and inspired. Kids and adults are wearing jerseys and taking jump shots.

Yet how many are claiming Jesus Christ as King? How many are testifying to be at peace knowing they are in His arms for eternity? No matter victory or defeat here on earth, we have assurance that Jesus has the final victory! Whoever lifts the Lombardi today will be declared "champion". Yet the battle lives on..... Life is not a game.

Are you a winner? Have you claimed Jesus as Lord and Savior in your life? It must be done while we yet live! Tomorrow may be too late, regardless of ones age!

“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Corinthians 15:55-57)