Love much!

After the devotion yesterday about forgiveness I read these verses on love and forgiveness....very interesting!



Luke 7:36-50



A Sinful Woman Forgiven

36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

So he said, “Teacher, say it.”

41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”



How much do you love Jesus this morning? From these verse this is what they say to me....the more I realize how much of a dirty, sinning, unholy person I am and turn to Jesus with my life the more it says how much I love Him. He has proved His love for me on the cross, am I proving how much I love Him with my life? As James says:



James 2:20

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?



Works don't save you but they prove you are a lover of Jesus! How much love for Jesus do you have today?



Tom

Do you keep a record of sins?

A reminder for us all this morning, if God forgives us, we must forgive others. Thank God for His forgiveness for our sins as we could never stand before Him if He kept our sins held against us. He provided our forgiveness through His Son, Jesus, who shed His blood and died for our sins!



Psalm 130:3-4





3 If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

4 But there is forgiveness with You,

That You may be feared.



Matthew 6:15

But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.



The Psalm verses say God does not keep a record of our sins, and the Matthew verse says if we keep a record and don't forgive we WILL NOT be forgiven! Think on that! There isn't any exceptions that I see either. Not matter how deep the wound we must forgive. This is one of the if not the toughest part of our walk with the Lord, to forgive those who have hurt us....but it must be done.



So this morning, get rid of the score card, give it to Jesus, and forgive....it does the soul good.



Tom

Thank God for keeping His anger!

I was listening to a sermon yesterday and the preacher was preaching on Psalm 103. He shared these verse and they really hit home with me:





Psalm 103:8-10

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

9 He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.



Wow think on these for a moment. So much good stuff here!



1. God is merciful! What if he wasn't? We would be dead and in hell that is for sure!

2. God is slow to anger. Like a good Father he is patient with us!

3. V9 reminds us that time is running out....judgement will come!

4. God sees his children through the blood of Jesus! Therefore we don't get what we deserve...which is death and hell. Also for those that are not saved, as long as they are alive, He is not giving them what they deserve for their sins either as He is patients hoping all will come to see their sin, repent, and turn to Jesus for salvation!



God is so good! Thank you Jesus for not giving us what we deserve!



Tom

Great Vacation....don't take them for granted!

Well I know some of you were wondering where I was at last week as I did not post any devotions. I was on vacation with my family at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and we had a great time. As I get back to work this morning I was reflecting on the vacation and the thought came to mind of never taking time with family for granted. I don't know about you but I need to be reminded of that from time to time. As I get older these times together seem even more important than ever. Remember theses verses from the Bible:

James 4:14

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Psalm 39:5

Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.

Psalm 39:11

When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty melt away like a moth; Surely every man is vapor.

It is strange how when you are young time is not of importance, time is very important! Enjoy your family guys and if there is a strain in a relationship...get it worked out! Life is too short not to love one another and get along!

Tom

God's power over my life.

Can we honestly say this morning I have given God all the power over my life? Think before you answer. My answer would be some days yes and some days no. It is our choice every second of everyday of who controls the power over our own lives.....self or God?



Acts 5:12-42



Continuing Power in the Church

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Apostles on Trial Again

22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside, before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Advice

33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.



A few things I want you to see in these verses:



1. God can use us to do great things if we give him our lives as you see he did with the apostles.

2. God has great power and uses it when HE sees fit as in the prison situation above.

3. They apostles were bold and did what God wanted them to do and did not fear man!

4. The apostles rejoiced in being beaten because they knew they were being obedient to God!

5. The apostles DID NOT STOP preaching and teaching Jesus!



Take note of these my friends and march forward!



Tom

God's power over death!

God's power over death!


Sadly all of us have had to go through the death of a loved one. H ave you ever seen that loved one come back to life? Yeah me neither! With that mind read these verses:



John 19:31-20:20



Jesus’ Side Is Pierced

31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb

38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

The Empty Tomb

20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

The Apostles Commissioned

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.



My sweet Jesus defeated death! That is true power! He lives, He lives! One day soon He will be coming back! Are you ready? I know I am!



Tom

God's power over sin.

Oh my do we need to shout out praises to the Father this morning for His power over sin. Thank goodness He loves us enough to send us a free gift in His son Jesus to die on a cross for our sins. We are so unworthy but yet so greatful.



Romans 6:23



23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.



The best gift we will ever be offered....Jesus Christ. Notice i say offered because it is a choice for us. We can receive Jesus or we can say no to the gift. The choice is ours! BUT remember eternity is at stake!



1 Corinthians 15:3-4



3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,



As Paul delivered this good news to the Corinthians, let those of us who have accepted Christ as Lord be busy about the Fathers business and be delivering this good news to others that are in our lives!



Thank you, thank you Jesus for your power over sin! For when You said "It is finished" sin had been defeated!



Tom