10 Scriptures on God's Love

The month of February brings a lot of anticipation about Valentine's Day. There are Christians that choose to celebrate it and then there are others that do not. Whatever your decision or stance may be, I encourage you to think about the origins of Love, the originator of Love with is our Heavenly Father. There is no greater love than the love He has shown us and continues to show us. 

Here are 10 scriptures on God's love:

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."

Romans 8:38-39 - "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 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."

Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

1 John 4:9-10 - "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. 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."

Isaiah 43:4 - "Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life."

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

Psalm 136:1 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."

Zephaniah 3:17 - "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Jeremiah 31:3 - "The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."

1 John 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."

Valentine's Day is one day, God's love is every day. You get to experience it every day. Focus on God's love that does not fade nor end. 

The Lord Is My Shepherd ...

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. - Psalms 23:1 

       Psalms 23 is one of the more popular Psalms and each verse gives us a picture of God as the good shepherd. Today, I just want to focus on the first verse.
       I have been praying for months for God to help me receive a scholarship to go off to school. However, these past couple weeks, I've found myself in deeper communion with the Lord. I prayed more, read my bible more and acknowledged God more throughout the day. I had moments when I doubted if God would allow this to happen. I cried, I prayed, I talked about it with my mom who prayed with me and encouraged me daily. Every time I had a moment of doubt, she reassured me. Every time I felt helpless and frustrated,

Happy Love Day!

      Today some people are celebrating Valentine's Day. Receiving flowers, chocolates, poems and heartfelt sentiments are all part of this celebration. For some, Valentine's Day is a wonderful day to show their loved ones how they feel about them. For others, it may be depressing as they may not be in a relationship to receive gifts. For some, this day is just a regular day. There are others still who do not celebrate it. Some may even ask, "What is the craze all about?"
      The craze is about L-O-V-E.  Everyone wants to feel loved. In fact, it's a longing that every human feels at one point. God the author of creation, whom love resides and flows from, created us out of love. Therefore,

Make the homeless smile (video)

I want to share this video with you guys. It ties in with our previous post on kindness. 

There are so many negative things out there going viral, let's send this positive message out there to share the message on kindness.

Our time here is truly limited and only what we do for God will last. These acts of kindness are truly Christ-like. It should encourage us to help those out there who are truly less fortunate.

Be encouraged!

New Creation in Christ: Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

I am not perfect. I have yet to meet that person who is. I have made mistakes in my life. I don't know anyone who hasn't. It has not been easy to get over what I've been through or some things I've done, but I know that I have gotten over it and it is truly in the past. You too can proclaim the same if God has brought you out and has brought you through!

        When I reflect on my past, I am undeserving of God's love or His grace but the mere fact that I am in Christ, He states that I am a new creation. My sins have been forgiven and God has removed them from me. "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:11-12. 

      Although God has forgiven you and you are now a new creature in Christ, there are some who will try to throw the past in your face. Who will try their hardest to remind you of the person you once were or the things you did. They will try to prove to themselves and others that you have not changed because they will not allow themselves to see the change in you.  Yes, there are persons like that. Those persons will not see you as God sees you. No matter how much you may have changed on the inside and even on the outside, they just cannot let go.  But God has and that's all that matters. Don't allow someone to make you feel bad about something you did when you have changed your life and decided to follow Christ. Don't allow someone else to take your joy away. Confess your sins to God, apologize to those you may have hurt, live your life according to God's word and move on. If God, who in all of His glory, the creator of heaven and earth, the one who created us, is now saying you are a new creature in Christ Jesus, who now can tell you otherwise? Who can make you feel bad about your past unless you allow them? No one. No ONE. NO ONE. 

       If God said it, it is done. Therefore, live your live for Him and no one else. God's word says, "Come now and let us reason together, says the LORD, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18.

There's only one person who will sit at the judgement seat and judge us and that is the Lord Almighty. Let us remember not to be so quick to judge others when they fall or make mistakes. 

“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 plankis 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.' Matthew 7:1-5

Be blessed and remember God loves you!

    

Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

      I believe that among all the gifts that God has truly given us, Jesus ranks number one on the list. This gift is like no other. Jesus, The Word, came down to earth, in human form, to teach us more about our heavenly father is truly something that we cannot fully comprehend. This gift is so awesome that our minds cannot conceive of an appropriate word to truly describe the gift of Jesus Christ.
      Therefore, Paul says it best when he calls Jesus an indescribable gift. Furthermore, he says "Thanks be to God..." We ought to be grateful that God saw it fit and deemed us worthy enough to send His son Jesus to die for our sins. That to me is unfathomable. But yet He still did it, so let's thank the Lord Almighty with all our hearts.

Continue to give God thanks and praise. God bless you!

God we thank You and praise Your glorious name! 1Chronicles 29:13

“Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. 1Chronicles 29:13

Everyday is a day of thanksgiving! God has been so good to me, and everyday He's blessing me!
Today is Thanksgiving Day! Although some countries do not celebrate it, it's a national holiday in other countries. Its a good time to get together with family and enjoy many delicacies. Many sit around the table, state the things they are grateful for and then stuff themselves with turkey and ham.
       Although it promotes family togetherness, the purpose of this day should not be forgotten. It is a day to give thanks to God, hence the name of

Remain in me, as I also remain in you John 15:4

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. - John 15:4

     To abide means to stay, to remain. Jesus wants us to be dependent on Him, rely on him, trust Him, keep our focus on Him and when we do that He will abide in us. When He abides in us He will guide us, keep us, and make sure we have everything we want and need- just like the vine nourishes the branch so it can bear fruit.

     We cannot bear fruit unless we remain in His word daily. His word joins us to Him and He is able to speak to us through His word therefore growing in Him daily. Just like a fruit, the more nourishment it gets, the more it grows. The more nourishment we get - the more we read the bible and apply it to our lives, the more we grown in Christ and know what He requires of us. 

     Let us abide in the Lord so that He may abide in us. God bless you and may you continue to be stayed in Him.

If this was a blessing to you, share it with someone. Thank you.

I AM Poem by Helen Mallicoat

I was regretting the past

And fearing the future.

Suddenly my Lord was speaking:

“My name is I Am.” He paused.

I waited. He continued,

When you live in the past

With its mistakes and regrets,

It is hard. I am not there,

My name is not I WAS”.

When you live in the future

With its problems and fears,

It is hard. I am not there.

My name is not I WILL BE.

When you live in this moment,

It is not hard. I am here.

My name is I AM.

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

       The Lord cares for us so much that instead of us being burdened by our problems, He wants us to cast them all on Him - not some but ALL. What other god do you know cares for you that much? None! 

       Our God does not want us to be burdened by our problems, therefore, give them to Him. He knows what to do with them and can solve them better than we ever can. 

       Let this be our reaction when we have cares or issues - give them to the Lord.

Share with friends and others. God bless you!

Fear not, I am with you Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

      I love that the word of the Lord stands the test of time. It was not only powerful and applicable then but now and forever more. Therefore we can still hold on to God's words. 

     God is reminding us who He is. He is here with us, He is our strength, our help and will uphold us with His righteous right hand.

     When we are fearful or dismayed, hold on to these words and other words of God that will encourage you and help you remember the God that you serve.

God bless you and keep you! Please share this with someone. Thank you in advance! 

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalms 34:17

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalms 34:17

      The power of the righteous! What does it mean to be righteous? Well there are many definitions out there but simply put it is following God's words, doing the right things that He has outlined in the bible.

     God has so many promises for those who are righteous and this is one of them. The Lord will deliver them out of their troubles when they cry out. Don't you want the Lord to deliver you from your troubles from your mere crying out? I know I do.

      If we are not righteous, let us become righteous so we can live out the promises God has for us. 

Hope this was a blessing to you and if it was, share it with someone. Thank you in advance!

With Lovingkindness I Have Drawn You

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness, I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3

I always thought of the bible as a love story from the beginning of time and that will last forever. The love that the Lord had for us has not changed and will not change. The Lord does not change therefore His words and His love do not change.

 
The Lord loves us and has always shown His love for us. Let us bask in this love by drawing near to Him and showing our appreciation for His unconditional love.

Thoughts of Peace and not of evil

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

The Lord never intended for His people to suffer nor was that His intent from the creation of man. Here the Lord is reminding His people that although things may not be going the way you may like or may have foreseen, I (the Lord) know what I have planned for you, they are not thoughts of evil but of peace that will give you a future and hope.

In times of despair, there seems to be no hope nor a future but it is in those times, to pray God's words and speak His words of hope back to Him and into our lives. It works miracles when you pray God's words.
Let us be reminded that God wants the best for us, He wants us to have peace a prosperous future, and hope. The road to that place isn't always easy but keep your eyes on the destination.

If this has been a blessing to you, share it with someone. May the Lord keep you.

His favor is for life

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Psalms 30:5

David's life was in jeopardy when as he describes at the beginning of this Psalms. He says that he cried to the Lord and the Lord heard him, brought his soul out of the grave, and saved him that's why he gives thanks.

Sometimes we may be in the pit of death and still walk among the living. We may be so low that the only person who can truly save us in our Almighty Father. No matter how much we may anger Him know that when we start to walk in accordance to His word, His favor is for life. He is able to save us even from death. God's favor is what we should all desire, not his wrath.

God will fight our battles

"With Him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:8

King Hezekiah told the people this after Sennacherib king of Assyria invaded and destroyed their city. The people were discouraged after this but Hezekiah reminded them what their God was able to do.
In life, we may forget that our God is here to help us and to fight our battles for us. 

Do not be dismayed by your troubles or how big they may seem. God is here to help his faithful servants and those who call on Him. In the continuation of the chapter, you will see where Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah prayed to God after the king of Assyria sent a message of how He would destroy them and also insult God. After praying, God sent an angel and it killed all of his top officials and army and they were put to shame.

We have to know our God can do any and everything. Don't let anything scare you, nothing life can throw at you can compare to what God can do to deliver you.

The Lord is My Rock and My Fortress

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalms 18:2

Throughout the Psalms this is a repeated theme all because of one of the greatest realizations: Let the Lord be your all. When you cannot fight, when you are hurt, when you are angry, when you are depressed - whatever may befall you in life, Let the Lord be your fortress and the one who will deliver you out of any and everything. Let Him be your strength when you are weak and always put your trust in Him. He is our shield the horn of our salvation and our stronghold.

Don't worry about things because when you do, you are telling God that you don't think He can take care of it. Put things in God's hands and let Him work it out and rest assured that He will.

God bless you!

Jesus Christ Came to Fulfill

In Matthew 5:17-20, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals the purpose of His coming:

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.

The word fulfill means to accomplish, complete, or realize. Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill what was written in both the law and the prophets. Therefore, we cannot ignore what was written in the Old Testament. Instead, Jesus is showing us that everything in scripture points to Him. Jesus did not come to erase the law nor the prophets but to bring their purpose to completion, to realize what was written about Him while revealing God's ultimate plan for salvation through Him.

It can be likened to a relationship. First, there is the initial period where you get to know the person and you date that person. Later comes the courtship where you decide that this is the person I am going to exclusively date with the intent to marry. It is followed by the engagement where you make it official that this is the person who you are going to marry and choose to marry. Marriage then cements what was already there and what you have built. Now does that mean that the previous stages before marriage were meaningless or null and void? Does marriage cancel out those stages? No, it does not. Marriage now ties those stages together because those stages lead up to marriage.

Jesus was that marriage that tied both Law and Prophets together and did not cancel out either because both are important. He states how important the Law and Prophets are by stating the consequences for breaking and observing the commandments. This teaches us that what God has declared for His people to follow will stand til the end of time. "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled," Matthew 5;18

Jesus goes on to talk about our righteousness and how it has to exceed that of the Pharisees and scribes. These persons in Jesus' day accused him and his disciples of not following the Law on numerous occasions. They held themselves above others as they knew the law and observed the law on their terms. They switched the law to suit their lifestyles and taught others to do the same (Matthew 15:1-7). They were not really following the commandments of God but the teachings of men that twisted God's commandments to their liking. 

Furthermore, although they knew the law and could recite it from beginning to end and backward again, their hearts were far from God (Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8). Jesus is saying that we need to go beyond just knowing the law and judging others based on it but we have to observe the law in our hearts, that's where it is most important and where our righteousness can begin to blossom. God looks at our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7).

Brothers and sisters continue to study the word and applying the word of God to your lives.

God bless you!

I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You

Hebrews 13:5…“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I know what it is to have the weight of the world on your shoulders, to feel like at any minute you are going to break. I know how it feels to be surrounded by people and feel alone. I know what it feels like to believe that no one will ever understand you. I know how it feels to let someone into your world, trusting that maybe if I open up, someone will finally understand