1 John 4:7-8
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
To know if you know God the word tells us here we must love others. If we do not love others in word and deed then the bible says we do not know God.
So do you love others? Even those that are tough to love? According to the bible this will let you know if you know God or not!
Think on that!
Tom
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Think on this verse today. Everything you do...can you give glory to God about? obviously if we have a sin in our life we can not give glory to God for that so it must be removed and repented of.
Then do we we give God the glory for everything in life? He deserves it for all is His including you if you are a follower of Jesus!
So give God the glory and make sure you are right with Him!!!
Tom
James 4:8a
8a Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
It is pretty simple....work on your relationship with God, and draw closer to Him and He will draw closer to you!
How do you do that?
1. Read your bible and think about what you are reading.
2. Pray. Spend much time talking to God and letting God talk to you.
3. Obey. Do what God tells you in His Word and through the Holy Spirit.
Do these and you will draw closer to God!
Tom
Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1
Jesus has come and defeated death and sin. now He sits in heaven awaiting His time to come back and get those who put their faith in Him! He is the Light of the world and since you have that light dwelling inside you it is time to arise and shine for Him!!! Proclaim Him and serve Him for ever!!!
Oh what an honor it is to Shine for Jesus!!!! Praise Him!!!
Tom
I thought this quote was on point:
Christmas lights are beautiful as they light up the night. Take your family and go check some out around your town. To me the lights remind me of this verse:
Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29
Behold defined means to see or observe especially a remarkable or impressive one.
Can there be anyone who we should behold more than Jesus? Absolutely not! He is the ONE who takes away the sins of the world if one puts faith in Him alone!
So who are you beholding? God or something else? Make a wise choice!
Tom
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
John 1:12Learn from Ezra!
Note the order: 1) study; 2) obey; 3) teach. "Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the LORD, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel." Ezra 7:10
May we also have the determination of Ezra to be godly and obedient to the Lord and help others do the same!
Tom
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.
The only place to draw strength from is the Lord for He has all the power to help! Knowing this and trusting the Lord I will praise Him with all I have to give!
Where is your strength coming from? If it is any where but Jesus you may want to look closely at the situation again!
Tom
2 Corinthians 9:15
15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
There is ONE gift greater than any other that we can receive and it is from God! That gift is Jesus!
Have you received this gift by faith?
Have you shared this gift with others?
What better gift to get or give than Jesus this Christmas! Nothing can top Him!!!
Tom
Isaiah 14:27
For the Lord of hosts has purposed,
And who will annul it?
His hand is stretched out,
And who will turn it back?”
When God plans something nothing can stop it! NOTHING!
So God has told us Jesus is salvation for those who put their faith in Him alone! One day soon God has told us Jesus will come back to gather those who love Him. Are you ready? It will happen because God said so!
Tom
For those who are grieving
Emmanuel For those who are joyful Emmanuel For those who are healing Emmanuel For those who are searching Emmanuel For those who are waiting Emmanuel For those who are weary Emmanuel For everyone Emmanuel Emmanuel - "God with us"Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.Romans 6:13
13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
We can use or body parts in one of two ways....to please God or to sin against God. It is our choice. When we become followers of Jesus though we have pledged to strive to be sinless thus not using our members to sin. So let us draw on the power of the Holy Spirit and bring glory to God by using or members for His righteousness!!!
Tom
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11
God created it all! So He is the only one who should receive all glory and honor from those He created!!! Are you giving Him the praise that is due to the Almighty Creator God???
Tom
Read this:
Your word is settled in heaven.
God's Word has been delivered to us, and it will stand as the truth forever. It can not be changed nor does it need to be. God has said what He has said and we are to obey His Word! It is a done deal!
Read it, learn it, and follow the Word of God for it is our guide book to a fulfilling life!
Tom
"Whatever keeps me from my Bible is my enemy." -AW Tozer
who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.[b]
8 I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!
God's word is very important in our life. We must make it a priority in our lives. To have a proper relationship with God we must know it and practice it. So what ever is keeping you from the word of God is your enemy!
Tom
A couple verses all need to know and remember!
“Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17–18
Jesus has the keys of Death and Hades! He is in control and has the power to save from both! You must put your faith in Him and follow Him!!!
Chew on that today!
Tom
Yesterday started advent. Advent defined is the arrival of a notable person. For the follower of Jesus it is the arrival of the most important person ever....Jesus!!! With each week before we celebrate the birth of Jesus each advent week also has a word that goes with it. This week it is hope! Our hope is in Jesus and Jesus alone!
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
We have hope in Jesus who gave Himself for us to redeem us!!!
Thank you Lord for coming to die for us and providing the hope we need!
Tom
Whatever you are dealing with our loving God will see you through if you have committed your life to Him!
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
God loves you and cares about you. Give all you have to Him! Trust Him! He will bring you through!!! Thank you Lord Jesus!
Tom
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”
One thing we must never forget is God and His Word are eternal. They are forever! Thus we must read His Word, learn His word, meditate on His word, and live His word in our lives for we will be with Him for eternity if put our faith in Jesus. But if we do not heed His word we will be in hell forever!
God in His great love and mercy has given us a guide book for life and eternity....it is our choice to obey it or leave it behind. Just remember forever is a mighty long time!
Tom
