Tag Archives: John 14:15

Christian, Inspirational

A Race To Be Won

Have you heard Jesus did it all, it is finished, you don’t need to do anything for your salvation?

Jesus completed his race. He lived an Holy life teaching us to follow him and the Heavenly Father. He was scourged and died on the cross as the final sacrifice for our sins.

What about our race? Do we have to do anything to be cleansed in Jesus’ blood? Do we have to do anything to make it to Heaven?

If you accept Jesus as Messiah, you need to repent and be baptized (submerged in water) in the name of Jesus for the remission or forgiveness of sins in your life till that point. Acts 2:38 After baptism forgiveness of sin can be covered in love and by confession. James 5:20, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 John 1:9.

This is at the heart of the race assigned to us all: Preach the truth to others – Mark 16:15-16, Keep the Commandments – Romans 2:13, John 14:15, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Love one another – John 13:34.

As Paul hoped to finish his race well, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, so do we. Jesus completed his life and work proclaiming, “It is finished”, while on the cross, but our race as we follow him is yet to be won!

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Christian

A Closer Walk

It’s not about going to Church. It’s not about following a set of rules. It’s about having that personal relationship with Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Have you heard this before? The above is a direct quote from the television show, 7 Brides Who Portray the Bride of Christ, Christ in Prophecy, but sadly it’s nothing new. I’ve heard it before.

Do you desire a relationship with Jesus?

A few ways you can actually build a relationship with Jesus:

  • Go to Church – to learn, to sing, to fellowship with Jesus and other believers.
  • Follow God’s set of rules. In John 14:15, Jesus said, If you love me, keep my Commandments. A good place to start is Exodus 20, with the Ten Commandments you’ve heard your whole life.

Relationships take time, but just as in any relationship, be careful where and from whom you get your advice.

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Pesky Details

Once again I recently heard a preacher saying that fear of the Lord doesn’t actually mean fear. He added that you can’t have an intimate relationship with the Lord if you fear him, you can’t have a healthy relationship with someone you fear.

God chooses love for us and even prefers it to our fear, but for love to replace fear we have to get past one pesky detail. Malachi 1:6 KJV says, A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? . . ..

Do you love the Lord enough to separate yourself and not touch the unclean thing? 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Do you honor the Lord enough to do what he asks and not sin? John 14:15

If you let love and honor of God lead you, then there is no need to fear. You have found the more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31

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Do You Love Me?

Hebrews 8:10 KJV
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

The only way to learn the law is through hearing. You can hope to hear all you need to know in Church or you can read the Holy Bible for yourself. I recommend both. Read the Holy Bible and use it to study and verify what you hear from every speaker.

A great place to start is Exodus 20 and the Ten Commandments. To fully comprehend the law you’ll need to read both the Old and the New Testament of the Holy Bible.

What laws then should I follow? Follow what the Lord writes on your heart. What he’s written on mine I am obliged to share.

In Matthew 28:19-20 KJV, Jesus said, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The Ten Commandments are valid, present day Commandments of Jesus. In fact, Jesus taught them. Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20 He also instructed that mercy and love are to be a part of the law. John 8:7

The law did have two significant changes between the Old and New Testament. Here are those changes God made to the law:

  • The dietary laws were revoked in Peter’s dream opening the Gospel to the Gentiles. Acts 11:9
  • Sacrificial law or animal sacrifice for sin ceased at the death of Christ on the Cross. John 3:16, Hebrews 10:12

Do you love Jesus enough to keep his Commandments? How much do you actually value his sacrifice?

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I Sense Much Fear

Why are people afraid of the word religion? Could it be they’re afraid of the word duty? Does replacing the word religion with the word relationship mean you get to define the relationship yourself rather than let God define it? Jesus said, if you love me keep my commandments. John 14:15.

The Bible also says in Luke 17:10 KJV So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Why do people want unconditional love? Could it be because they are afraid of consequences? Read John 3:16. It is the first condition of Christianity: Believe.

Heaven and Hell are real and we will all be judged.

Matthew 16:27 KJV
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

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Seeker

I have heard of late, on WayFM and from certain teachers of the Word: “God loves you”, “He loves you more than you know”, or “God adores you, he is pursuing you”. Again, we see someone speaking on God’s behalf. It may be true, but it might not be.

Don’t get me wrong, we are told God is love and that he sent Jesus to gain many sons and daughters. But, if we read the Holy Bible it appears God wants us to pursue him.

Jeremiah 29:13 KJV
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Matthew 6:31-33 KJV
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Love is truly a two way proposition. And if we want love, perhaps we should show love. Jesus said in John 14:15 KJV
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

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Christian, Inspirational

Synonyms

Religion and Relationship with God are synonymous. I am a Christian. It is my religion. How I follow Christ is my relationship with him, which is my religion.

When someone says we aren’t religious or we don’t believe in religion, we believe in relationship – often what they are really saying is we don’t believe in God’s rules. For them religion is synonymous with keeping the law and they want no part of God’s rules and regulations.

The truth is we must strive to keep the law if we want to make it to Heaven. Keeping the law is a critical part of our relationship with Jesus. Jesus said, if you love me keep my commandments. John 14:15.

He repeated it again in John 14:21 KJV: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

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Christian, Inspirational

State of the Church

Recently, I have heard a few people comment on the great freedom we have to worship the Lord here in the United States and how blessed we are that it is so. What good is that freedom if the Church members will not hear and do not do God’s word.

Where is the persecution Christ promised? John 15:20. Satan is satisfied to give you religious freedom if what you practice is mediocrity and lukewarm Christianity.

What can combat mediocrity and lukewarm Christianity is the truth:

Baptism is required for salvation! Mark 16:16.

Following the Ten Commandments is expected. Exodus 20, John 14:15. I have heard it well expressed the first four show love for God and the last six show love for others. My advice is where you hear a law in the Holy Bible and it seems wise and good, keep it. Write them on your mind and heart. His precepts will guide you.

Read the Holy Bible and pray for understanding. Don’t be afraid to disagree with your pastor or others. Many who cling to denominational creed simply cannot hear the truth.

It is said speaking in tongues is evidence of the Holy Spirit. The Truth is evidence of the Holy Spirit. He is also known as the Spirit of Truth. He takes of Christ and gives to you.

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Christian, Inspirational

Lover

Suppose your dream girl or dream guy gave you a book and said I would like a relationship with you, what I expect from you is in this book. Wouldn’t you read it. Wouldn’t you follow it?

God did exactly that. He came to Earth and gave his life to be in a relationship with us. He wrote a book all about it. It’s called the Holy Bible. Can a relationship actually be a list of do’s and don’ts? It can be. What does Jesus expect from us? What defines a healthy relationship with God?

  • Baptized into the blood. Mark 16:16
  • Read the Holy Bible. Psalm 1
  • Keep the law. John 14:15
  • Confession. 1 John 1:9
  • Prayer. Matthew 6:9-13
  • Fasting. Matthew 6:16-18
  • Attend Church services. Hebrews 10:25
  • Good deeds. Matthew 3:8

This isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list, but it certainly covers the basics. My relationship with Christ over the years hasn’t always looked the same. It is now the strongest it has been in 48 years. Do you know what the Bible has to say about that?

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Job 17:9 KJV

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