News you won't see in controlled mainstream media.

"Love Never Fails"

1 Corinthians 13:8

THE first essential for a happy Christian home is that love must be practiced. Homes that are built on animal attraction and lust are destined to crumble and fall. Love is the cohesive force that holds the family together. True love contains an element of spiritual mystery. It embodies loyalty, reverence, and understanding.

Love imposes a trememndous responsibility on all members of a family, but it is a responsibility accompanied by glorious rewards. "Love," says the Bible, "even as Christ...loved the church, and gave Himself for it." How did Chist love the church? He loved it despite its faults, its mistakes, and its weaknesses. True love does not fail. It loves despite personality defects, physical blemishes, and mental quirks. Love is deep, abiding, and eternal. Nothing can bring a sense of security into the home as true love can.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer For The Day: Help me today, to listen, to love and care for my loved ones with a heart that is made sensitive by You, Jesus. AMEN!
Billy Graham
Day by Day ~~~

Blessings and have a blessed
Valentine's Day of love,
Abishag <><

Continue in My love....

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." John 15:9

The great Swiss theologian, Dr. Karl Barth, was probably in his generation the greatest theologian in the world, and a great philosopher as well. I did not always agree with him, but he was my friend and I respected him.

While he was in this country, a student at one of the seminaries said, "Dr. Barth, what is the greatest truth that ever crossed your mind?" All the seminary students were sitting on the edge of their seats to hear some great, profound, deep, complicated answer. Dr. Barth slowly raised his great shaggy gray head and looked at the student and said, "Jesus loves, me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer For The Day: Lord Jesus, may I always keep the knowledge of Your love in true simplicity--unemcombered by much learning. Thank You for loving me. AMEN.

Billy Graham
Day By Day

Blessings, Abishag <><

ENDURING LOVE

1 Corinthians 13:1-8
_____________________
Love bears all
things, believes
all things, hopes all
things, endures
all things.
---1 Corinthians 13:7
~~~~~~~~~
LIKE many people, I enjoy the Google homepage artwork that appears on special days. Last Valentine's Day, the logo showed an older couple--a man with a cane and a white-haired woman--walking hand in hand as the woman held two heart-shaped balloons. It was a beautiful reminder that while our culture glorifies youthful romance, true love has many stages in our journey through life.

Paul's essay in 1 Corinthians 13 celebrates the depth and tenacity of the love that carries us beyond self-interest and mere affection. "Love suffers long, and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails" (vv.4-8)

Brian Wren has captured this reality in his moving hymn, "When Love Is Found":

When love is tried as loved ones change,
Hold still to hope though all seems strange,
Till ease returns, and love grows wise
Through listening ears and opened eyes.

When our commitments are tested in the fires of life, no matter what difficulties we face, may God grant us a greater experience of His enduring love and the grace to demonstrate it each day. ~~
-----------------------
God's love is a fabric that never fades, no matter how
often it is washed in the waters of adversity.

Our Daily Bread
Blessings, Abishag <><

ON LOVE ~~

"Love is the fulfilment of all our works.
There is the goal; that is why we run: we run
toward it, and once we reach it, in it we shall
find rest."
~~~Augustine of Hippo

"If I put my own good name before the other's
highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love."

~~~Amy Carmichael

"But it is doubtless true, and evident from these
Scriptures, that the essence of all true religion
lies in holy love; and that in this divine affection,
and an habitual disposition to it, and that light
which is the foundation of it, and those things which
are the fruits of it, consists the whole of religion."

~~~~Jonathan Edwards

"A wise lover values not so much the gift of the
lover as the love of the giver."

~~~~Thomas Kempis

"When I have learnt to love God better than my
earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest
better than I do now."

~~~C. S. Lewis

"Joy is love exalted; peace is love in repose;
long-suffering is love enduring; gentleness is
love in society; goodness is love in action; faith
is love on the battlefield; meekness is love in
school; and temperance is love in training."

~~~D.L. Moody

"Love is the greatest thing that God can give us,
for Himself is love: and it is the greatest thing
we can give to God."

~~Jeremy Taylor

Have a Blessed Valentines Day and Everyday !

Blessings, Abishag

~~~The Bible: God's Love
Letter to Mankind

READ/ Isaiah 66:1-3
~~~~~~~~
The Bible is God's revelation of Himself to mankind. In the Scriptures, we find the records of His spoken words, His interventions in history, and His coming to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. From this book we derive our knowledge about God.

How amazing to consider that the full work was compiled from the pens of 40 men writing in 3 languages on 3 continents over the course of 1,500 years! Gather a group of historians from just one generation, and you will have neither the consistency nor the unified philosophy and mission found in Scripture.

Each book of the Bible reflects its human author's personality and background. For example, Moses was the political leader of the Israelites in the desert; Daniel rose to the rank of prime minister while a captive in Babylon; and Paul, the well-educated former Pharisee, dictated letters from prison. Yet every word remained true to God's central theme--that His love redeems those who call on His name.

In 2 Peter 1:21, we learn why the Scriptures are cohesive: God Himself spoke through each human writer. In some cases, the Holy Spirit brought to mind essential details (John 14:26), as when certain material was passed down orally for the Old Testament or the gospels. Then, to enable the writing of prophecies, psalms, and letters, God's Spirit revealed important truths (John 16:15).

EARLY LIGHT/ The heavenly Father loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him. For this reason, He used men from every walk of life to record His gospel messasge. Read His invitation for yourself.
~~~~~~~~~
Pastor Charles Stanley
In Touch Ministries
Blessings, Abishag <><

~~ God commeded his love toward us....

"But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

AS we stand at the cross of Christ we see a glorious exhibition of God's love. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, "While we were powerless to help ourselves...Christ died for sinful men." In human experience, it is a rare thing for one man to give his life for another, even if the latter be a good man, though there have been a few who have had the courage to do it. Yet the proof of God's amazing love is this: that it was "while we were sinners Christ died for us."

A beautiful young society leader came to visit my wife and me. She had been converted to Christ in one of our Crusades, and she was absolutely radiant in her transformation. Already she had learned scores of Scripture verses by heart and was so full of Christ that we sat for two hours listening to her give her moving testimony.

Over and over she said, "I cannot understand how God could forgive me. I have been such a wicked sinner. I just cannot understand the love of God."

Prayer For The Day:

It is beyond comprehension
the love that took You to the cross for me.
Humbly I praise and thank You, my Savior and my Lord. Amen.

Billy Graham
Day by Day ~~ + + +
Blessings, Abishag <><

~~~Ponder the Love of God !

"I pray that you...will have the power to
understand the greatness of Christ's love-
how wide and how long and how high and
how deep that love is." Eph. 3:18

~~There is no way our little minds can comprehend the love of God. But that didn't keep him from coming...

From the cradle in Bethlehem to the cross in Jerusalem we've pondered the love of our Father. What can you say to that kind of emotion? Upon learning that God would rather die than live without you, how do you react? How can you begin to explain such passion?

+ + +
Max Lucado
'In the Grip of Grace'
Blessings in Jesus, Abishag <><

A HEART OF
CONCERN

Philippians 2:1-11
------
Let each esteem
others better than
himself.
---Philippians 2:3
~~~~~
JASON Ray was a ray of joy on the University of North Carolina campus in Chapel Hill. He performed as Rameses, the school mascot, for 3 years, hauling his giant ram's head costume to sporting events one day and children's hospitals the next. Then, in March 2007, while with his team for a basketball tournament, Jason was struck by a car. His family watched and waited at the hospital, but the 21-year-old succumbed to his injuries and died.

His story doesn't end there, however. Jason had filed paperwork two years earlier to donate organs and tissue upon his death--and that act of concern saved the lives of four people and helped dozens of others. A young man in the prime of his life, with everything to live for, was concerned for the well-being of others and acted on that concern. Those individuals who were helped, as well as their families, are deeply grateful for this young man who thought of others.

Jason's act echoes the heart of Paul's words in Philippians 2, as he called believers to look beyond themselves and thier own interests, and to look to the interests of others. A heart that turns outward to others will be a healthy heart indeed.--

Love thyself last. Look near, behold thy duty
To those who walk beside thee down life's road,
Make glad their days by little acts of beauty
And help them bear the burden of earth's load. ~~
----------------------------
LOOKING TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS HONORS CHRIST.

Our Daily Bread
Blessings, Abishag <><

There is no fear in love....

"1 John 4:18

"There is no fear in love; but
perfect love casteth out fear;
because fear hath torment, He
that feareth is not made per-
fect in love."

A Gentle Lamb ~~

~~~A lot of us live with a hidden fear that God is angry at us. Somewhere, sometime, some Sunday school class or some television show convinced us that God has a whip behind his back, a paddle in his back pocket, and he's going to nail us when we've gone too far.

No concept could be more wrong! Our Savior's Father is very fond of us and only wants to share his love with us.

We have a Father who is filled with compassion, a feeling Father who hurts when his children hurt. We serve a God who says that even when we're under pressure and feel like nothing is going to go right, he is waiting for us, to embrace us whether we succeed or fail.

He doesn't come quarreling and wrangling and forcing his way into anyone's heart. He comes into our hearts like a gentle lamb, not a roaring lion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Walking with the Savior
Max Lucado ~
Blessings, Abishag <><

Love Is All You'll Find --

1 JOHN 4:16

And we have known and believe the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

~~Water must be wet. A fire must be hot. You can't take the wet out of water and still have water. You can't take the heat out of fire and still have fire.

In the same way, you can't take the love out of [God]...and still have him exist. For he was...and is...Love.

Probe deep within him. Explore every corner. Search every angle. Love is all you find. Go to the beginning of every decision he has made and you'll find it. God to the end of every story he has told and you'll see it.

Love.

No bitterness. No evil. No cruelty. Just love. Flawless love. Passionate love. Vast and pure love. He is love. + + +
~~~~~~
In the Eye of the Storm
Max Lucado <><

"Let love be your greatest aim..." 1 Corinthians 14:1 (TLB)

WHAT about love? How can you be certain you're in love? I suggest these simple measures that you can apply to yourself. Is your love patient? Is it considerate? Can it wait until marriaage for physical fulfillment? Experience says that true love's patience is inexhaustible. True love does not assert itself, claim rights, or demand privileges. It always thinks first of the other person. The Biblical phrase is it "vaunteth not itself."

True love never thinks evil of the beloved. It is never suspicious, but always supportive and inspiring. True love bears all things. Nothing weakens or undermines it. It is a rock, an anchor, a foundation for all the years to come. These simple tests are a mirror that millions have used.

Physiologists, psychiatrists, and marriage counselors attest their validity. They were first recommended almost two thousand years ago by a man named Paul, in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13. That chapter provides the finest definition of love the world has received.

Prayer For The day:
'Lord, Your limitless love causes me to see the narrowness of mine. Fill me with Your loving Spirit, Lord Jesus.'

Billy Graham/Evangelist
Day by Day

-GOD'S LOVE
THROUGH ME ~
1 Corinthians 13
--
Love never fails.
--1 Corinthians 13:8 -
~~~~~~
During a devotional session at a conference, our leader asked us to read aloud 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, and substitute the name "Jesus" for "love." It seemed so natural to say, "Jesus suffers long and is kind; Jesus does not envy; Jesus does not parade Himself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek His own... Jesus never fails."

Then our leader said, "Read the passage aloud and say your name instead of Jesus. "We laughed nervously at the suggestion. "I want you to begin now," the leader said.

Quietly, haltingly I said the words that felt so untrue: "David does not seek his own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. David never fails."

The exercise caused me to ask, "How am I hindering God from expressing His love through me?" Do I think that other expressions of faith are more important? Paul declared that from God's perspective, eloquent speech, deep spiritual understanding, lavish generosity, and self-sacrifice are worthless when not accompanied by love (vv.1-3).

God longs to express His great heart of love for others through us. Will we allow Him to do it? -

To love our neighbors as ourselves
Is not an easy thing to do;
So Lord, please show us how to love
As we attempt to follow You.
---
Living like Christ is loving like God.

ODB/DM

-RESCUED!
Colossians 1:3-18
----
He has delivered
us from the power
of darkness and
conveyed us into the
kingdom of the Son
of His love.
--Colossians 1:13 -
---
IN the aftermath of Haiti's devastating earthquake in January 2010, the scenes of destruction and death were often puntuated by someone being pulled alive from the rubble, even after all hope seemed gone. Relief and tears of joy were followed by deep gratitude toward those who worked around the clock, often risking their own lives to give someone else another chance to live.

How would you feel if it happened to you? Have you ever been rescued? In Colossians 1, Paul wrote to people who had come to know Jesus Christ and whose lives showed evidence of their faith. After assuring them of his prayers for them to know God's will and to please Him, Paul used a powerful word picture to describe what God had done for them all: "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (vv.13-14).

In Christ, we have been rescued! He has taken us from danger to safety; from one power and destiny to another; from death to life.

It's worth pondering all that being rescued means to us, as we thank God for His grace and power.
---
Those who've been rescued from sin are
best able to help in the rescue of others.

ODB/DM

http://youtu.be/xliBTZfnRq8 / "Rescue" By: Newsong ~

-Never Too Late-

"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42-43)
---
One of the two thieves on the cross continued in unbelief right up until the time he died (Luke 23:39), but the second repented and believed unto salvation. The one assures us that no one need despair, since it is always possible to accept Christ at any time before death. The other warns us, on the other hand, that no one should presume. Long-continued rebellion against God is likely to become so fixed in one's character that sincere repentance may become impossible.

The repentant thief, beholding Christ and hearing the first of the seven so-called "words from the cross" (Luke 23:34), came to believe that Jesus truly was Lord and that He could, indeed, grant forgiveness and salvation.

The penitent thief had no opportunity to be baptized, to change his lifestyle, or to do anything whatever except repent, believe on Christ, and confess his faith (Romans 10:9-10). And that was sufficient!

Both thieves would die that day, and the soul of the unrepentant thief would soon descend into Hades, there to await condemnation at the future judgment day. The other, because of his trust in Christ, would go with Him to paradise.

The tragedy is that far too many people, assuring themselves that it is never too late, keep waiting until it becomes forever too late! "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth" (Proverbs 27:1). The overwhelming majority of people who come to trust in Christ for salvation do so when they are young. Very few come to the Lord when they are old or about to die. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
ICR/ HMM

-UNHOOK
THE CHAIN

John 14:;15-24
---
If you love Me, keep
My commandments.
--John 14:15
--
Jesus made it clear to His disciples that He is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). He is the only way to the Father, and our commitment to Him results in love and obedience--and leads to an eternal home in heaven.

Christina, a Bible student in Minsk, Belarus, wrote this testimony: "Jesus died for everyone, even the most desperate sinner. The worst criminal who comes to Him in faith, the Lord will accept. For a very long time, Jesus had been knocking at my door. Figuratively speaking, the door to my heart was open. I was a believer. But I kept the safety chain in place. I would not turn my life over to Him."

Christina knew this was not right, and she felt that God was compelling her to make a change. "I knelt before Him and opened the door as wide as I could." She took off the chain.

Committed followers of Jesus will do what He commands--without safety chains or back doors. No reserving little corners of our lives all for ourselves. No secret sins.

If you've been holding back from surrendering to God, it's time to unhook that safety chain. Let go of those reservations. Throw open the doors of your life, and experience the joy of obedient discipleship.

Less of self and more of Jesus,
More and more each day like Thee;
Just to live in full surrender
For my Lord who ransomed me.
---
-No life is more secure than a life surrendered to God.

--ODB/DE

-EXTENDING
GRACE ~~

-Matthew 9:9-13
---
Those who are well
have no need of a
physician, but those
who are sick.
--Matthew 9:12
---
In the mid-1970s, divorce filings and final decrees appeared in the Public Records section of our newspaper. Rev. Bill Flanagan, a pastor at our church, read those names week after week and began to picture people, not statistics. So he created a Divorce Recovery Workshop to offer help and healing in Christ to hurting people. When concerned church members told Bill he was condoning divorce, he softly replied that he was simply extending God's grace to folks in need.

When Jesus invited Matthew the tax collector to follow Him, he accepted. Matthew then invited Jesus to dinner at his house. After the religious leaders criticized Him for eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrfice.' For I did not come to call the righeous, but sinners, to repentance" (Matt. 9:12-13). Jesus, the Great Physician, wants to meet each of us at our point of need, offering forgiveness, healing, and hope. What we don't deserve, He freely gives.

By reaching out to people in need, we can extend to others this grace of God in Christ--guiding them to His healing touch.

There's advantage in our weakness,
There is blessing in our pain;
It is when we're feeling helpless
That God's grace and strength sustain.
---
When you know God's grace,
you will want to show God's grace.

--ODB/DM

-By Grace: A Sure Foundation
-Isaiah 28:16-19; Ephesians 2:20

"So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'See I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.'"
--(Isaiah 28:16)

When I came to Christ over 40 years ago, my trust in Him was relatively weak. But as I have come to know Him better, my trust in Jesus and His Word has strengthened. Besides growing spiritually, I have grown emotionally and intellectually. Some in the evangelical church might react negatively to my claim of "intellectual" growth, saying, "I have Jesus in my heart, not just in my head." But to get to one's heart,trust in Christ must first pass through the mind. Christ's "sure foundation" is laid there.

And this verse is about Christ. He is the stone whom "the builders rejected" (Matthew 21:42). He is the cornerstone from Judah (Zechariah (10:4). He is the spiritual "rock" in the desert from which water poured (1 Corinthians 10:4).

He is the "rock" on which the wise man built his house (Luke 6:48) and the "rock" of Peter's confession (Matthew 16:18). He is the earth's foundation--it's "cornerstone" (JOB 38:6). The Scriptures prove overwhelmingly to the mind that Jesus is the "sure foundation."

Because Jesus loves you so much, He died so that you might live forever with Him.--
Do I know Jesus loves me because "He lives within my heart?" Or, do I know that "Because the Bible tells me so"?

--Haven Today / BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE/ Phil Wickham

-Our Heavenly Father's Unconditional Love
-Romans 5:6-11 (Recommended Reading)

Scripture tells us that love is the very essence of who God is (1 John 4:7). So if you don't believe that He loves you unconditionally, you'll never really know Him or have genuine peace about your relationship with Him.

How do you define "love"? It is Jesus unselfishly reaching out to mankind, giving Himself to us and bringing good into our life regardless of whether or not we accept Him. Romans 5:8 tells us that His care and concern are so immeasurable that He laid down His life for us while we were still His enemies. In fact, the Bible says that He first began to express His love toward us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:3-5). That means your actions had absolutely nothing to do with His love for you!

God's commitment to us has absolutely no conditions or restrictions and isn't based on whether we love Him back. Nor does He have more love for "good" people who may strike us as more worthy. He loves us even in our sin, even when we don't repent. Does that give us license to disobey? No. It gives us power to live holy lives, walk obediently with Him, and learn to love Him the way He deserves. To follow Him is to receive the love He has been offering all along.

Every single moment, whether awake or asleep, we all live under the canopy of the Lord's wondrous, absolute love for us.
But to fully experience that love, you must receive it. Say yes to this amazing gift that God wants to pour out on you. Bask in it, and let it overflow to those around you.

--In Touch

-God's Radar Fixed on YOU!
-Psalm 33

"The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him; on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." (Psalm 33:18)

A contemporary Christian rocker cries, "God's radar is fixed on you; no matter where you go, no matter what you do, God's radar is fixed on you." Is God sitting in His cosmic cop car with His universal radar gun, writing tickets for all who speed by? If the eyes of the LORD are on you, is He keeping track on all your infractions?

We read in Psalm 33 that the eyes of the Lord are filled with "unfailing love," a love fixed on protection ("to deliver") and provision ("to keep alive"). For the believer, "the eyes of the Lord" speak of the glorious favor and blessing of the Most High. To look into the face of God is to look into the eyes of "unfailing love!"

The irony is that the Old Testament saints were not able to behold the face of God and live. Psalm 33 looks forward to the One who would turn the face of God toward us that we might fully experience this "unfailing love!"

Jesus experienced the forsaken face of the Father on the cross so that we might behold Him face-to-face for all eternity.
---
-The love of Jesus is patient and kind, keeping no record of wrongs.

--Haven Today

<http://youtu.be/EdSM3RQhlu8>

-God Is Able

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." (Ephesians 3:20)

The Bible portrays God as omnipotent--all-powerful, able even to create all things from nothing (Hebrews 11:3). The individual is portrayed as totally insufficient to do anything but fail. Yet the Bible also teaches that great things will be done in, and through, and to us. How? It is only through God's power and wisdom that anything of substance will be accomplished. He alone is able. Consider the following sampling of tasks He is able to perform for us.

God is able to do the work of salvation in a believer's heart. "Wherefore (God) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). We can entrust that salvation for eternity "unto him that is able to keep (us) from falling, and to present (us) faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24).

In this life we will have physical needs, and included in a passage on the obligation we have to give so that others' needs will be met is Paul's claim that "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). Furthermore, He alone is able to equip us for service. "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry" (1 Timothy 1:12).

His able ministry toward us does not stop in this life, for He "shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Philippians 3:21).

As our text teaches, He "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." JDM

<http://youtu.be/zlA5IDnpGhc> /OUR GOD IS GREATER!

-Responding to God's Love
-READ/ John 3:16 -

God has to be true to Himself. People are foolish to entertain the hope that He will ignore justice and sacrifice holiness in order to allow unbelievers into heaven. Living a mostly moral life will not satisfy a righteous Judge.

As much as the Lord loves us and desires to save us from our sins, He can not deny His holiness by accepting sin in His presence. The Father is pristine perfection--a holy Being who, by His very nature, must condemn all sin. Therefore, it is the height of egotism to think that God will bend both His law and His nature to welcome one whom still bears the stain of wrongdoing.

There is not one person who's good enough to enter heaven on his or her own merit. Every one of us needs Jesus. The stain of sin is washed clean only by the sacrifice of God's holy and blameless Son. Those who believe in Christ are forgiven their wrongs and cloaked in His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21).

Let me make it very clear that trusting Jesus is far more than giving intellectural assent to His existence--that's something even the Devil acknowledges. A true believer enters into a relationship with the One who loves his soul enough to save him from eternal punishment.

Those who remain tightly wrapped in their mantle of sin cannot hope to sneak into heaven. God's holy nature demands perfection, and since we can't provide this for ourselves, the Lord has given it to all who believe in Him. He has exchanged our filthy rags for a cloak of righteousness (Zech. 3:4).
Oh, How He Love Us!

-THE REAL
-THING!

1 John 2:3-11
---
The apostle John wrote his first epistle to encourage believers not to just look like real Christians, but to prove they are genuine by how they live. The evidence that a person's faith is real is not found in some mystical experience with God. The proof that people truly know and love God is found in submitting to His authority and to His Word. John writes, "But whosoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:5-6).

If we claim that we have been transformed by the gospel and intimately know and love God, we should validate it by our obedience to His Word.

Don't listen to the Word of God
And then ignore what you have heard;
Instead obey God's will for you--
Be doers of the Word.
---
-Obedience to God is an
expression of our love for God.

--ODB/MW

--GOD'S
UNFAILING
LOVE ~~

Hosea 10:9-15
---
Sow for yourselves
righteousness; reap
in mercy;...for it
is time to seek the
LORD. -Hosea 10:12
----
THE Old Testament book of Hosea is the story of God's faithful love for His unfaithful people. In what seems strange to us, the Lord commanded Hosea to marry a woman who would break her marriage vows and bring grief to him (Hosea 1:2-3). After she deserted Hosea for other men, the Lord told him to take her back--a picture of "the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods" (3:1).

Later, Hosea was called upon to tell the Israelites that because of their rebellion against the Lord, they would be carried away into captivity by a foreign power. "Tumult shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be plundered" (10:14).

Yet in the midst of their sin and punishment, the grace of God toward His people was never exhausted. In a grace-filled exhortation, He said: "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you".
--(10:12)

Even when we have "plowed wickedness" and "reaped iniquity" (10:13), God doesn't stop loving us. Whatever our situation, we can turn to the Lord and find forgiveness to make a new start. His love never fails!
---
-No force is greater than the power of God's love.

--ODB/DM

-This is Love

�This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us. John 4:10�

-Love never fails!

Wait a minute, no one has unfailing love! No person can love with perfection.

That�s right. But God is not a person. Unlike our love, his love never fails! God�s love is immensely different from ours. Ours depends on the receiver of the love. Our love will be regulated by appearance or by personality. Even when we find a few people we like, our feelings will still fluctuate.

Does God love us because of our goodness? Because of our kindness? Because of our great faith?

-No. He loves us because of HIS goodness, kindness, and great faith. The love of God is born from within Him, not from what He finds in us. His love is uncaused, spontaneous.

God loves you simply because He has chosen to do so!

--Max Lucado

-HOW MUCH DOES GOD LOVE YOU?

-"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." --John 3:16

-Is it possible to know the breadth, the depth, the length, and the height of the love of God? Well, we know it is revealed in today's verse, which is often thought of as one of the most priceless gems in all of the Scriptures, John 3:16.

The breadth of the love of God is found in the first part, "For God so loved the world..." God's love embraces the whole world.

The length of the love of God is that "...he gave his only begotten Son," showing how far God would go in order to love us.

The depth of the love of God is that "...whoever believes in him should not perish..." Jesus descended into the destination of the damned in order to deliver us and to save us from perishing!

And then the height of the love of God is that we should "...have eternal life." That's what God's love does.

Now, the reality is that while we can read the words of the most famous verse in the Bible on paper, God's love is so much greater than anything you or I could ever express or imagine. So take time today and meditate on how much God loves you. And thank Him for showing it by sending Jesus to die for you!

~God's love is greater than we could ever express in words. So thank Him for showing His love through Jesus Christ! Jesus died to save each one of us, so let's be sure to live for His glory and good. Tell someone today how much God loves them!

--Daily Word/ JG
<http://youtu.be/3ej04tCeoII>

--UNFAILING LOVE/ CHRIS TOMLIN

You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My unfailing love
Unfailing love

You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still you make time for me
I can't understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

I will praise You
Praise you God of earth and sky
How beautiful is your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love

Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love

--HAVING CHARITY
--By: David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

"For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief,suffering wrongfully. . . . Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously"
-- (1 Peter 2:19-23).

Peter described how Jesus handled every situation in life. When people hurt and reviled Him, He did not fight back or threaten them. When they wanted to argue with Him, He did not get involved. Instead, He simply walked away.

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps" (verse 21). Peter makes it clear: Jesus is to be our example of behavior.

The apostle Paul adds, "If you don't have charity�that is, the love of Christ�you are nothing." According to 1 Corinthians 13, charity means showing kindness to everyone, with no exceptions . . . having no jealousy whatsoever . . not boasting or promoting oneself . . . seeking others' interests above our own . . . not being easily provoked . . . not thinking evil of anyone . . . not rejoicing when someone falls, even an enemy.

Both Peter and Paul stated very clearly in these passages: "Our command to you is that there be no fighting back, no revenge, no threatening among you. Instead, commit all your agitations, fears and bitterness to Christ."

Our hearts may answer, "Lord, that's what I want." We may get a few victories under our belt and start to feel confident. Then, out of nowhere, someone says or does something that plunges an ugly, unexpected, acid arrow into us�and we have a quick rush of angry thoughts. Before we know it, we are shooting poisoned arrows back at the one who crossed us.

We realize we failed even though we had tried hard�praying, seeking God, clinging to truth, and enjoying many successes. When the enemy came in like a flood, we completely failed in our effort to be like Jesus.

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). You simply must have patience with yourself and with your growth. After all, the race is going to continue until Jesus returns. Yes, you will stumble, trip and get winded, but if you fail, you will get up and move on.~~
-----
-NO GREATER LOVE/ Rachael Lampa

--The Immensity of God's Love for You~

"God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:5)

Whenever I have a chance to go to the ocean and look out all the way to the horizon, I'm in awe of the greatness of God. It's hard to imagine, then, that at at sea level you can only see a little over three miles. And it's even harder to imagine that what you're seeing is less than a billionth of a percent of all the oceans in the world!

And that's just the surface area. When you add in the fact that over half of the ocean is more than 10,000 feet deep, the vastness of our planet is astounding. It's so big, in fact, that scientists estimate that we have only discovered about a tenth of the species found in the ocean!

Yet, when it comes to the love of God, that ocean is simply a drop. God's love is so vast, so full, and so powerful that anything else we consider "big" pales in comparison to its grandeur. And the best part is that this wonderful love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

I've visited prisons where I've seen people that society would say are unlovely. But God loves every person...and there is nothing that you can do to make God love you more or less. The love of God is not conditioned upon you. God loves you because it is His nature to love. So share His love with others no matter how "unlovely" they may be!

--God'l love is bigger than you could ever imagine. So share His love with others each day no matter how "unlovely" they are! Remember the verse, "Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart."

--Daily Word/JG

---JESUS LOVES ME~ JESUS LOVES YOU!

--Romans 8:31-39
----
Keep yourselves in
the love of God.
--Jude 1:21 -
----
-ON COLD DAYS, our old dog moves around the yard, finding a sunny spot to stretch out on the grass to keep herself in the warmth of the sun.

This reminds me that we must "keep" ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:21). That doesn't mean we have to act in some special way to make God love us (although our desire is to please Him). Because we are His children we're loved no matter what we do or fail to do. It means instead that we should think about His love and bask in its radiance and warmth all day long.

"[Nothing] shall be able to separate us from the love of God" (Rom 8:39). He loved us before we were born, and He loves us now. This is our identity in Christ; it is who we are--God's beloved children. That's something to think about throughout the day.

Five times in John's gospel he described himself as the disciple Jesus loved (13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). Jesus loved His other disciples too, but John reveled in the fact that Jesus loved him! We can adopt John's them--"I am the disciple Jesus loves!"--and repeat it to ourselves. Or we can sing that familiar song in our hearts, "Jesus loves me, this I know." As we carry that truth with us throughout the day, we'll bask in the warmth of His love!
------
-God loves us not because of who we are,
but because of who He is. ~~
--ODB/DR
<http://youtu.be/FekKpKgq86k>
-------

--WHAT'S LOVE?

--Psalm 103:1-14
----
In this is love, not
that we loved God,
but that He loved
us and sent His Son.
---1 John 4:10
---
WHEN asked, "What's love?" children have some great answers. Noelle, age 7, said, "Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day." Rebecca, who is 8, answered "Since my grandmother got arthritis, she can't bend over and polish her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even after his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Jessica, also 8, concluded, "You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Sometimes we need reminding that God loves us. We focus on the difficulties of life and wonder, 'Where's the love?' But if we pause and consider all that God has done for us, we remember how much we are loved by God who is love (1 John 4:8-10).

Psalm 103 lists the "benefits" God showers on us in love: He forgives our sin (v.3), satisfies us with good things (v.5), and executes justice (v.6). He is slow to anger and abounds in mercy (v.8). He doesn't deal with us as our sins deserve (v.10) and has removed our sin as far as the east is from the west (v.12). He has not forgotten us!

-What's love? God is love, and He's constantly pouring out that love on you and me.
-------
-The death of Christ is the measure of
God's love for you.

--ODB/AC/ THE WONDER OF YOUR LOVE! HILLSONG~
<http://youtu.be/4jyrpdztKIg>

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son." --1 John 4:10
<http://youtu.be/ylihJUH0gP4>

--OVERSHADOWED

--Luke 1:26-38
-----
The Holy Spirit will
come upon you,
and the power of
the Highest will
overshadow you.
--Luke1:35
---
THE assassination of US President John F. Kennedy stunned people around the globe 50 years ago. The day after the shooting, an article in 'The Times' (London)spoke of the reverberations being felt throughout world financial markets. It carried the headline, "All Other Events Overshadowed by US Tragedy."

There are times in our lives when a death, a tragedy, or a sudden turn of events eclipses everything else. It happened to an unmarried young woman who was told that she would become the mother of the promised Messiah, God's Son (Luke 1:26-33). When she asked how this could happen, the angel Gabriel said, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you" (v.35)

The impossibility in Mary's life was overshadowed not by darkness but by the brightness of God's glory and power. Her response continues to leave us in awe: "Let it be to me according to your word." (v.38)

When we read the Christmas story and consider the birth of Jesus into our world, it's worth pondering the word 'overshadowed'. It speaks so powerfully of the Lord's presence in our hearts and His ability to outshine the darkest moments.~~
---
--IN EVERY SITUATION, WE ARE OVERSHADOWED BY
GOD'S MIGHTY LOVE AND POWER. THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. ~~

--ODB/DM / The Power of Your Love/ Hillsong~~
<http://youtu.be/3NoktEqJSog>
---------

--God Accomplishes What Concerns You
--Psalms 138:7-8 (recommended reading)

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever--
do not abandon the works of your hands."

David was a man who walked through trouble on a regular basis. His psalms express the struggles and disappointments he faced, yet in the end, he always turned his focus back to God. The key to his victorious attitude was his strong faith in the Lord.

David was confident in God's purpose. That's why he could say, "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me" (v. 8). The only way we can walk through trouble and not be defeated is by keeping our focus on the Lord and His purpose. He has promised to do a good work in our lives, but sometimes the only way He can complete it is in valleys of hardship.

He relied on the Lord's power. When troubles arise, we, too, can trust God to deliver us, but it may not be by escape. Sometimes He sustains us through the difficulty, walking with us every step of the way.

David believed the promises of God. Throughout these two verses, he repeatedly reminds himself what the Lord will do. We also need to have some specific promises from Scripture that will anchor us in times of trouble. The truths of the Bible are our most valuable possession when the storms of life assail us. Self-reliance or advice from others will never equal the help God's Word offers us.

God assumes responsibility for accomplishing what concerns you in times of trouble. Your job is to believe that He will fulfill His purpose, His power is adequate, and He'll keep every promise. When the trial has achieved His goal, He'll remove it. Until then, keep walking with your eyes on Him. /
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." ~ JESUS+

--DOES GOD LOVE ME?
--Psalm 145:7-9

-"They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."~~

LIFE can hit us with unexpected and undesirable circumstances. When that happens, shock and pain can make us wonder. 'Does God really care about me?'

FIRST of all, Scripture tells us, "God is love" (1 John 4:8), which means His very nature is characterized by compassion and concern. Love originated with the Lord, and He is our greatest example of how to express it. This truth, combined with His Holiness, means His love is perfect--He'll never make a mistake in the way He loves us.

SECONDLY, we know God loves us because He calls us His children. "To those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God," writes John in his gospel (1:12 NIV). Sadly, some people don't have a mother or father who shows them love. But God is the perfect parent, He is our Abba Father. It would go against His character to treat His children with anything less than unconditional love.

FINALLY, the Lord gave the supreme demonstration of His love at the Cross. We were all dead in our sins, but Christ went to the greatest lengths possible to give us life. He came to earth as an expression of His Father's infinite love, and in giving His life on our behalf, did what no one else was able to do.

After considering these facts about God's love, how could we not expect Him to take care of even the smallest details of our life? Look for ways He is expressing His love to you, and remember Jesus' own words on the subject: "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13). /HOLY IS THE LORD/ CHRIS TOMLIN
<http://youtu.be/FIwMYktdBg8>
----------

---AT HOME WITH GOD ~~

"If people love me, they will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and We will come to them and make our home with them." --John 14:23

~~ GOD wants to be your dwelling place. He has no interest in being a weekend getaway or a Sunday bungalow or a summer cottage. Don't consider using God as a vacation cabin or an eventual retirement. He wants you under His roof now and always. He wants to be your mailing address, your point of reference; He wants to be your home. ...

For many this is a new thought. We think of God as a deity to discuss not a place to dwell. We think of God as a mysterious miracle worker, not a house to live in. We think of God as a Creator to call on, not a home to reside in. But our Father wants to be much more. He wants to be the One in whom "we live and move and have our being."
---ACTS 17:28
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

--The Great House of God/ML/ HE DOES'NT LOVE US CAUSE OF WHO WE ARE, HE ONLY LOVES US CAUSE OF WHO HE IS..~~

--LOVING AND
-KNOWING HIM!

-Romans 5:6-11
----
God demonstrates
His own love toward
us, in that while we
were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
---Romans 5:8
-----
WHENEVER we love something, or someone we want to know everything about them. When we love a person, we want to know every detail of his or her life. And most importantly, we want our loved ones to know Christ Jesus. So we are to shine for Him so others will see Christ in us.

The Lord loves each one of His children. He makes Himself known to us, through Creation, Scriptures, and Christ.

Jesus loves each one of us in spite of our imperfections. We can safely confess our faults to Him, and He forgives us. (1 John 1:9) "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Yes, we are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms.
--------
--There is no greater joy than to Know that God loves us!
<http://youtu.be/B5BLuV69kdE>
---------

--REAL LOVE

--1 Corinthians 13:1-8
----
[Love] bears all
things, believes
all things, hopes all
things, endures all
things. Love never
fails.-1 Cor.13:7-8
----
A FEW years ago, my friend's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Since then, Beth has been forced to make tough decisions about her mom's care, and her heart has often been broken as she watched her vibrant mom slowly slipping away. In the process, my friend has learned that real love is not always easy or convenient.

After her mom was hospitalized last year, Beth wrote to to some of her friends: "As backwards as it may seem, I'm very thankful for the journey I am on with my mom. Behind the memory loss, confusion, and utter helplessness is a beautiful person who loves life and is at complete peace. I am learning so much about what real love is, and even though I probably wouldn't have asked for this journey and the tears and heartache that go with it, I wouldn't trade it for anything."

The Bible reminds us that love is patient and kind. It is not self-seeking or easily angered. It "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

Real love originated with our Father, who gave us the gift of His Son. As we seek to show His love to others, we can follow the example of Christ, who laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16-18).
---------
--Real love is helping others for Jesus' sake even if they can never return the favor.~~

--ODB/CHK
<http://youtu.be/Zrc1xHEwtLY>
----------

--Our Heavenly Father's Unconditional Love
--Romans 5:6-11

Scripture tells us that love is the very essence of who God is (1 John 4:7). So if you don't believe that He loves you unconditionally, you'll never really know Him or have genuine peace about your relationship with Him.

How do you define "love"? It is Jesus unselfishly reaching out to mankind, giving Himself to us and bringing good into our life regardless of whether or not we accept Him. Romans 5:8 tells us that His care and concern are so immeasurable that He laid down His life for us while we were still His enemies. In fact, the Bible says that He first began to express His love toward us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:3-5). That means your actions had absolutely nothing to do with His love for you!

God's commitment to us has absolutely no conditions or restrictions and isn't based on whether we love Him back. Nor does He have more love for "good" people who may strike us as more worthy. He loves us even in our sin, even when we don't repent. Does that give us license to disobey? No. It gives us power to live holy lives, walk obediently with Him, and learn to love Him the way He deserves. To follow Him is to receive the love He has been offering all along.

Every single moment, whether awake or asleep, we all live under the canopy of the Lord's wondrous, absolute love for us. But to fully experience that love, you must receive it. Say yes to this amazing gift that God wants to pour out on you. Bask in it, and let it overflow to those around you.
--IN TOUCH~~/ YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS! =NEWSBOYS~
<http://youtu.be/Zrc1xHEwtLY>
-------------

--The Word of Life ~~

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life. The life appeared; we have seen Him and testify to Him and we proclaim to you eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy and complete. [1 JOHN 1-4]
This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is Light; in His there is no darkness at all.
--[1 JOHN vs5] Love Never Fails/ Brandon Heath ~~~
<http://youtu.be/8nQy-aP_Koo>
------------

--THE LOVE OF CHRIST~~

---I WILL REMEMBER THY LOVE FOR ME~~

--"...that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able...to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." -

--CHRIST'S sacrificial love for us was remarkable. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," which He did. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

The gospels give graphic portrayals of Christ's physical suffering on the Cross, but a prophetic passage equally explicit is found in Isaiah, where we read that because of His treatment, "His visage was so marred more than any man." Why did He endure all this? "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities..the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

How should we react? Certainly by accepting His 'free gift' of forgiveness, based on the truth that our sins are already paid for, but also with a heart of loving remembrance throughout our entire lives.~~
----
--SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 3:17-19; John 15:13; Romans 5:8;
Isaiah 52:14; 53:5-6 ~~~
<http://youtu.be/DzoxsxsIMCE>
--------------

--STAND FOR THE HOME IN A WORLD OF CHAOS

'Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.'
--Psalm 127:1

-Years ago, Newsweek magazine printed an article about the many problems in our society. And one of the conclusions of the article was: �There is a high correlation between disrupted homes and just about every social problem imaginable.�

I remember reading that article, putting the magazine down, and thinking, �Wow� what a well-researched, thoughtful, and utterly biblical conclusion!� Newsweek was exactly right. If the home is not in line, then there is going to be chaos.

The home isn�t just a dwelling where people go to eat and sleep. It�s a place where lessons should be taught, love given and received, and Jesus exalted. That�s the biblical model for the home � and it�s one that has been proven to be a tremendous benefit to society.

Any attack on the home is an attack on the very foundations of our society and our way of life. That�s because the home is an establishment created by God with the divine imperative to live in relationship with Him and train the next generation to do the same. So stand for the family and help fight chaos and broken lives!

--STAND FOR THE HOME IN A WORLD OF CHAOS AND YOU�LL HELP KEEP FAMILIES AND LIVES TOGETHER.~~

--PP/JG - / UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE/K GREEN
<http://youtu.be/qULtV42ft7s>
------------

--THE PATH GOD HAS FOR YOU~~

-"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
---Romans 12:2

--In Lewis Carroll�s famous novel 'Alice in Wonderland', an exchange takes place where Alice comes upon the grinning Cheshire Cat. She�s lost and asks him, �Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?�

The cat quips back, �That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.�

�I don�t much care where,� Alice replies.

So the cat says, �Then it doesn�t matter which way you go.�

Many folks today, like Alice, simply don�t know where they�re going. Then they�re surprised after they�ve ended up wasting their years starting this, stopping that, switching gears, but never really having a purpose in life.

But what would happen if we became not more �simple� minded, but �single� minded in our resolve? What if instead of looking for just the right job or person to marry, people began with the end in mind of living full-out for Christ whatever path that meant taking?

In Christ, you have a destination: to serve Him fully and wholeheartedly. And while the exact path to that destination may not be illuminated yet, you can begin looking for direction today with that end in mind. Keep Christ first and let your life�s path go from there.

-KEEP CHRIST AS YOUR DESTINATION IN LIFE AND HE�LL REVEAL THE RIGHT PATH FOR YOU.

--PP/JG=/ JESUS IS MAJESTY OF HEAVEN! KEEP YOUR EYES ON HIM!
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PIVaadNe2w#t=27>
---------------

--BREAKING FREE!
--Read: Romans 8:1-11

-"There is therefore now
no condemnation to those
who are in Christ Jesus."
---Romans 8:1
--------
--THE elephant is the largest land animal on earth--and one of the most powerful. Yet it takes only a strong rope to restrain one. Here's how it works. When the elephant is young, he is tied to a large tree. For weeks, he will strain and pull, but the rope holds him fast. So eventually he gives up.

Then, when the elephant reaches his full size and strength, he won't struggle to get free, for once he feels resistance, he stops. He still believes he's held captive and can't break free.

Satan can play a similar trick on us to hold us captive. The Bible assures us that there is "no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). We have been set "free from the law of sin and death" (v.2). But the enemy of our soul tries to make us believe we are still dominated by sin.

What shall we do then? Reflect on what Christ has done. He died for our sins and declared an end to sin's control over us (v.3). He rose from the dead and gave us the Holy Spirit. Now we are empowered to live victoriously in Him because "the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us" (v.11).

In Christ, we are set free! Jesus is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient and immutable! He Shines through the Heavens and the Stars! Stay focused on Him.
--Experience true freedom--take every thought captive in obedience to Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

--ODB/PFC / CHASEN--SHINE THROUGH THE STARS!
<http://youtu.be/3mycHpqXieY>
----------

--LOVE IS A DECISION~~

--When we look at the love of Christ, we make a wonderful discovery. Love is more a decision than an emotion! Christ-like love applauds good behavior. At the same time Christ-like love refuses to endorse misbehavior. Jesus loved his apostles, but he wasn�t silent when they were faithless. Jesus loved the people in the temple, but he didn�t sit still when they were hypocritical.

Love does whatever is in the best interest of a person. The cheating husband says to his wife, �If you loved me, you�d forget what has happened and let me come home.� That may not be true. Love does what�s in the best interest of a person. Love sets boundaries and seeks counsel.

The love of Christ is no sweet sentiment�but rather a heartfelt resolve to do what�s in the best interest of another person. Sometimes that means dying on a Cross!
---On Life/ML = The Wonderful Cross/ Matt Redman and C.Tomlin
<http://youtu.be/tHio4Ldxkt4>
-------------

--CONFESSION / FORGIVENESS ~~

"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.
"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but also for the whole world." (1 John 1:9-10; 2:1-2) ~~
[Keep short accounts, when you feel the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, repent and move on.]
-Forgiveness / Matthew West
<http://youtu.be/eYTnTorkkxg>

--IN OUR PLACE/ (Jesus died, so we may live eternally)

--Suppose you were to stand on a stage while a film of every secret and selfish moment of your life was projected on the screen behind you? Would you not scream for the heavens to have mercy? And would you not feel just a fraction of what Christ felt on the Cross? The icy displeasure of a sin-hating God?

The Bible says Christ carried all our sins in his body. See Christ on the Cross? That’s a gossiper hanging there. See Jesus? Embezzler….liar…bigot. Hold it, Max! Don’t you lump Christ with those evildoers. I didn’t. HE did. More than place his name in the same sentence, he placed himself in their place. And yours!
With hands nailed open, he invited God, Treat me as you would them. And God did. “My God, my God, why did you abandon me?” (Matthew 27:46). Why did Christ scream those words? It’s simple–so you will never have to!
--He Chose the Nails/ML~
----
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
--(1 JOHN 4:7-11)

--What Must I Do To Be Saved? How can I tell I Have the True Gospel?

--BIBLE MEDITATION:
-“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8).
-----
--DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
-How can you tell whether or not you have the true gospel? Paul gives you three tests.

First, the source of the gospel. Where did it come from? God gave it. It is direct and divine revelation. The gospel is authenticated by its source.

Secondly, by its salvation. Any gospel that is not the gospel of grace is not the true gospel. You can’t beg it. You can’t buy it. You can’t borrow it. You can’t steal it. You can’t earn it. It was bought by Christ on the Cross. It is the supernatural work of God. Jesus paid your and my sin-debt on the Cross of Calvary.

The third test is its subject. It is the grace of Christ. Jesus is the subject. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is all about Jesus. (Read: Romans 10:9-10)

--ACTION POINT:
Take an hour or two this week and find the prophecies about Jesus in the book of Isaiah. Take comfort in knowing that Jesus is the One Who was, Who is, and Who is to come!

--Adrian Rogers~~
[You can have eternal life now by asking Jesus to become your Savior. Pray a prayer like this or use your own words:

'Lord Jesus, I believe You died so that I might be accepted as a child of God. Please forgive me, help me turn from my sins, and show me how to follow You each and every day. Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life. Amen.~
(To take the next step, call 1-800-789-1473 or visit <intouch.org> to receive our free resource, 'Now that You Believe: Beginning Your New Relationship With Jesus.']

--PROTECTIVE POWER OF DISCERNMENT

--(Please read/ 2 Peter 3:14-18)

--Spiritual discernment protects us from deception. Sin is always dressed up to look tempting and appealing; if we think what looks good and feels right must be OK, then we’re in danger of being misled by the enemy. When Satan tempts us, he never mentions consequences or negative impact.

Spiritual discernment is our God-given capacity to judge what’s right and wrong. It protects us from the suffering that accompanies disobedience. Ignoring an agitation in our Spirit— (or our conscience) leads to sin. We need a clear connection to the Holy Spirit to have peace and assurance that we’re doing the right thing and aligned with God’s will.

Sometimes an opportunity appears harmless or, more likely, very appealing. But if the Holy Spirit within us sends a signal not to pursue it, then we dare not—for some reason, God doesn’t want us in that situation. And though we can speculate, we may never know what danger we avoided by being obedient. We must always be obedient to God and leave the consequences to Him.

Sin doesn’t initially appear as the ugly, deceitful disobedience it is. Instead, it comes wrapped in a pretty package, one hard to resist. God’s children can see past the glitter and false beauty if they choose to look. This spiritual wisdom comes only from a clean heart and discerning Spirit. An astute believer is one who makes prayer, repentance, and biblical training a regular part of his or her routine. [Tell Him, Blessed Be Your Name, Jesus-(Matt Redman)]
-- IN TOUCH /
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnWKehsOXu8>
-------------

--LIVING BY PROMISES NOT EXPLANATIONS~~

�Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.� - ----(Matthew 6:8)

According to an article, Henry Ford asked some engineers to box the transmissions for his Model-T Fords in certain sized boxes. He gave meticulous dimensions and material instructions for these boxes. The builders were confused, but they did as they were told.

When the transmissions were delivered, the factory workers took apart the boxes and used them for the floorboards! Mr. Ford was thinking ahead!

That�s what God does. He knows what we need even before we ask Him. We may not understand all of His ways, just like those workers who were boxing up the transmissions did not understand.

We do not live by our understanding; we live by His promises.

Is there something happening in your life right now that you don�t understand? Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and trust in the promise that He will direct your path.
--Adrian Rogers~~ / 'I Believe the Promise' - Hillsong<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGsqxnPdx88>
----------

---PUT OTHERS FIRST~~

--God points to the sparrow, the most inexpensive bird of his day and says, "Five sparrows are sold for only two pennies, and God does not forget any of them. You are worth much more than many sparrows"
---(Luke 12:6-7).)

God remembers the small birds of the world. We remember the eagles. But God notices the sparrows. We make bronze statues of the hawk. But God notices the sparrows. We celebrate the majestic birds, but Christ is partial to the beat up and done in and urges us to follow suit. He said, "When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind" (Luke 14:13).

Want to love others as Christ has loved you? Take note of the last, the lost, the little, and the left out. Take note of the sparrows. After all, God takes note of you.

-From 'A Love Worth Giving' / Max Lucado 'I Just Want to Be Where You Are / Don Moen~
<https://youtu.be/qrBYbjSg3kA>

---MADE ALIVE!

-"You were dead in your
transgressions and sins,
in which you formerly walked
according to the course of
this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air,
of the spirit that is now work-
ing in the sons of disobedience."
--(EPHESIANS 2:1-2)--

--AS a young man, my dad was traveling with a group of friends to an out-of-town sporting event when the tires of their car slipped on the rain-soaked roads. They had an accident--a bad accident. One of his friends was paralyzed and another was killed. My dad was declared dead and taken to the morgue. His shocked and grief-stricken parents came to identify him. But my dad revived from what turned out to be a deep coma. Their mourning turned to joy.--

In Ephesians 2, the apostle Paul reminds us that apart from Christ we are "dead in [our] transgressions and sins" (v.1). But because of his great love for us, "God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions" (VV.4-5). Through Christ we have been brought from death to life.

So in every sense, we all owe our life to the Father in heaven. Through His great love, He has made it possible for those of us who were dead in sin to have life and purpose through His Son.~~
[-"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on Him." --[JOHN 3:36 NASB~]

--WE OWED A DEBT WE COULD NOT PAY, BUT JESUS PAID THE DEBT HE DID NOT OWE.~~

--ODB/BC~ [Please read Romans 10:9-11]/ 'GOD LOVES YOU' / Jaci Velaquez
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSATOECyIYw>
-----------

--A FAITHFUL FATHER~~~

'He is a faithful God who
does no wrong, who is right
and fair.' -(Deuteronomy 32:4)

~~~~TO RECOGNIZE GOD AS LORD is to acknowledge that He is sovereign and supreme in the universe. To accept Him as Savior is to accept His gift of salvation offered on the Cross. To regard Him as Father is to go a step further. Ideally, a father is the one in your life who provides and protects. This is exactly what God has done.

**He has provided for your needs --(Matthew 6:25-34).
**He has protected you from harm --(Psalm 139:5).
**He has adopted you (Ephesians 1:5). And He has given you His name (1 John 3:1).

God has proven Himself as a faithful Father. Now it falls to us to be trusting children.~~

--He Still Moves Stones/ML~~--"I'm Alive, I'm Alive! You revive me!"
--"You Revive Me" / Christy Nockles~~
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgo4vMspXJ4>
----------

--RESPONDING TO GOD'S LOVE~~
--(Please Read/ John 3:16)

--God has to be true to Himself. People are foolish to entertain the hope that He will ignore justice and sacrifice holiness in order to allow unbelievers into heaven. Living a mostly moral life will not satisfy a righteous Judge.

As much as the Lord loves us and desires to save us from our sins, He cannot deny His holiness by accepting sin in His presence. The Father is pristine perfection--a holy Being who, by His very nature, must condemn all sin. Therefore, it is the height of egotism to think that God will bend both His law and His nature to welcome one whom still bears the stain of wrongdoing.

There is not one person who's good enough to enter heaven on his or her own merit. Every one of us needs Jesus. The stain of sin is washed clean only by the sacrifice of God's holy and blameless Son. Those who believe in Christ are forgiven their wrongs and cloaked in His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21).

**Let me make it very clear that trusting Jesus is far more than giving intellectual assent to His existence--that's something even the Devil acknowledges. A true believer enters into a relationship with the One who loves his soul enough to save him from eternal punishment.

Those who remain tightly wrapped in their mantle of sin cannot hope to sneak into heaven. God's holy nature demands perfection, and since we can't provide this for ourselves, the Lord has given it to all who believe in Him. He has exchanged our filthy rags for a cloak of righteousness (Zech. 3:4).
--IN TOUCH~~ 'Jesus Messiah' / Chris Tomlin ~<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwJzTV1uurU>
-------

---LIVING LIGHT DAILY DEVOTIONAL~~
--By: Pastor James Merritt
----MOTIVATION~~~

�For Christ�s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.�
---(2 Corinthians 5:14)--

There is a difference between saying that you believe something, and actually believing what you say you believe. It is one thing to say it and another thing altogether to live it out. The first requires intellect, but the second requires conviction. One needs only words, but the other must have sacrifice. There is a question I would like you to ponder: As a follower of Christ, do you believe what you claim to believe?

Jesus said, �I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.� As Christians, we have staked our eternity on this statement. This is the foundation of the Gospel � that Jesus is our only hope of a relationship with God.
If we really believe in the redeeming and transforming power of Christ in a person�s life � and that our relatives, friends, neighbors, and co-workers will only go to heaven if they know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, then the single greatest gift we can ever give anyone is a clear explanation of how to be rightly connected to God through Jesus Christ. How could any true Christian who believes the words of Christ deny that statement?

The question remains, then, why do so many self-proclaimed Christians rarely share their faith with anyone? I believe that many times it comes down to an issue of motivation. In life, many things motivate us. Fear, guilt, love, money, power, and popularity can all be motivators. Regardless of the source, when motivation reaches a certain level we will do what we are motivated to do.

When it comes to sharing our faith, love should always be our motivator, not guilt or fear. Love for God and love for other people should be what compels us to share the Good News of Jesus with others. In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul wrote, �For Christ�s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.�

Look at the words of this passage...Christ�s love, compels, convinced, one died, for all, raised again....when we become convinced of Christ�s love for us through the Gospel, His love will compel us to share this message with others.

So, are you convinced that Christ died for all? If so, are you motivated by His love to share that message with others? Give Him Praise! \o/

"God, Thank You for sending Christ to die for my sins. May His love for me always compel me to share that love with others. In Jesus� name, Amen."
~~~~~~~~~~
--Give Him Praise! "I [We], Exalt Thee, Oh Lord" / Kim Walker~ https://<www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMb8g8cOgE>
-----------

----GOD'S LOVE ~~

--Paul wrote, "I am convinced that neither death nor life...nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
---(Romans 8:38-39 / NIV)
-(Suggested Reading: 1 John 4:7-12)---

---Our value to God never changes. We are always beloved in God's eyes, and God is always there for us no matter what challenges or difficulties we face. God does not love us more when things are going well and we are obedient to God's direction. God doesn't love us less when times are hard and we stray from God's teachings. As today's reading says, "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him" (1 John 4:9).

We can be assured that we are eternally loved by God. It doesn't matter if we are moving, changing jobs, or going through stressful times. God loves us, and nothing "will be able to separate us from God's love." GOD LOVES YOU!

--UPPER ROOM/MK

~~~GOD IS LOVE~

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

"The one who does not love does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE." -(1 John 4:7-8 /emphasis mine)

--"LORD GOD, thank You for loving us unconditionally. May we show the same love to others that You show to us. We love you, our beloved Lord Jesus. Thank You for always being with us. In Jesus~ Amen ~


--"I Am Not Alone" / Kari Jobe = <https://youtu.be/MbbCGqK6uNc>
~~~~~~~~

---SACRIFICIAL LOVE~~

-"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But is you give up your life for my sake, you will save it."
---(Luke 9:23-24/ NLT) ~~

~~~Charlie gave up everything to care for his wife, Sarah, who had early onset Alzheimer's. Charlie rearranged his schedule to more effectively care for her. He cherished her in sickness, health, disappointment, and frailty. Great love drove him to selflessly give up his life for her whether she knew it or not.

Charlie's sacrificial decision reminds me of what it means to "take up [our crosses] daily" When we're truly in love with Jesus, our hearts become devoted to Him. We want to spend every waking minute in His presence to become more like Him. We want to do whatever it takes to live like Jesus.

We have to turn from our selfish tendencies--our plans and our desires--to follow our Savior's example. In Romans 8:12-13, Paul wrote, "You have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do... If through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live" (NLT).

Like Jesus, may we carry our cross today and sacrifice our lives out of love.
"You are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms." ~~

--ODB/MG~--[One Thing" With Darlene Zschech/ [video Recorded / 2007/ (No Words on Screen/ Turn Up Your Speakers and be blessed!) ] --<https://youtu.be/rJmb5h7YR84>

---REDEEMING LOVE~~

-[Please read / 1 Corinthians 1:18-31]

~~"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
--(1 Corinthians 1:31 / NRSV)--

~~IN 2003, I was hospitalized for depression. My image as a Pastor's wife who had it all together was shattered. I spent two weeks alongside drug addicts, schizophrenics, and alcoholics. By society's standards, we were failures and outcasts: weak, broken, and ashamed.

As we each shared our stories, I watched the others give comfort and encouragement. They offered kind words, a touch or silent acceptance of "you're not alone" and "me too." No one gave advice; no one condemned. No one judged or acted better than anyone else. After all, as hospital patients we could not pretend that we were well.

~~Romans 3:23-24 tells us that no distinctions exist among us since all "fall short of the glory of God...[but] are now justified by [God's] grace as a gift."

In today's reading, Paul reminded the Corinthian church that value does not lie in worldly wisdom, wealth, or power; rather, it is our identity in Christ. In our weaknesses, Christ unites us and gives us his wisdom, wealth, or power.

I no longer need to depend on my image as a Pastor's wife for acceptance. Instead, in my brokenness, I reveal Christ and will boast in Him.

~~"Our Beloved and Redeeming God, forgive us for wanting to look good before others. Remind us that it's only in You that we are made whole. We praise You, our Rock and Savior, in Jesus's Name ~~ amen~" .

[Friend, 'GOD IS LOVE'~ JESUS LOVES YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE. (1 John 4:8b)]

--"GOD OF ALL MY DAYS" // Casting Crowns// <https://youtu.be/RocPcgqCDE0>
~~~~~~~~

~~ THIS IS THE PROMISE I MADE TO YOU~~

--[Sung by: Grace Larson Brumley/ FWC]
<https://youtu.be/kV0ZlHxE4nM>

--Friend, God can not lie. He always keeps His promises.
Song from 'Family Worship Center' / -- "This is the Promise"
~~~~~~
I never said that I would give you silver or gold
Or that you would never feel the fire or shiver in the cold.
But I did say you�d never walk thru this world alone
And I did say don�t make this world your home.

I never said that fear wouldn�t find you in the night
Or that loneliness was something you�d never have to fight.
But I did say I�d be right there by your side
And I did say I�ll always help you fight.

�Cause you know I made a promise that I intend to keep
My grace will be sufficient in your time of need
My love will be the anchor that you can hold on to
This is the promise, this is the promise I�ve made to you.

I never said that friends would never turn their backs on you
Or that the world around you wouldn�t see you as a fool.
But I did say like me you�ll surely be despised
And I did say My ways confound the wise.

I didn�t say you�d never taste the bitter kiss of death
Or have to walk thru chilly Jordan to enter into rest.
But I did say I�d be waiting right on the other side
And I did say I�ll dry every tear you�ve cried.

�Cause you know I made a promise that I�ve prepared a place
And someday sooner than you think you�ll see me face to face.
And you�ll sing with the angels and a countless multitude
This is the promise, this is the promise I�ve made to you.

So just keep on walking don�t turn to the left or right
And in the midst of darkness let this be your light
That hell can�t separate us and you�re gonna make it thru
This is the promise, this is the promise I�ve made to you
Oh, this is the promise, this is the promise I�ve made to you ~~~

[PRESS ON, BELOVED ONES. We're Almost Home with Jesus!+ ]

---YOU ARE WORTH DYING FOR~~

--"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
"The one who does not love does not know God for GOD IS LOVE~
---(1 John 4:7-8)--

~~Has someone called you a lost cause? A failure? Has someone dismissed you as insignificant? Don�t listen to them. They don�t know what they�re talking about. You were conceived by God before you were conceived by your parents. You were loved in heaven before you were known on earth. You aren�t an accident.

When you say yes to God you are being made into God�s image. Print that on your resume! In the eyes of God you are worth dying for. Would you let this truth define the way you see yourself? Would you let this truth define the way you see other people? Every person you see was created by God to bear his image and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. This is God�s plan. This is God�s promise. And he will fulfill it! And because God�s promises are unbreakable our hope is unshakable!

--"Unshakable Hope"/ML~~
[-- ~~Friend, you are loved by the Creator of the entire Universe! God can not lie and He tells you, "If you confess with your mouth [Jesus], as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For whoever will call on the Name of the Lord will be saved." --[Romans 10:9 thru 13]. Jesus died a brutal, horrific, painful death on the Cross to pay for the sins of the entire world, for all people, and that includes you. If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please pray a prayer like this or in your own words, Jesus died so you and I can live eternally with Him! Please accept His gift and receive Him as Lord.

~~"Lord Jesus, I am a sinner in need of Your love. I confess that I can not live without You as my Savior, Please come into my heart, forgive me, and help me to live for You. Help me to never be ashamed of You, and to tell others about Your saving grace. I want to trust You, Lord Jesus, and follow You as my Lord from this day forward. I accept the payment of your death on the Cross for the payment in full for my sins. I trust in You. In Jesus' Name. amen~"

The Holy Bible tells all people, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. In Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, By abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the Cross, by it having put to death the enmity." -[Ephesians 2:verses 8-10, 13-16].
~~~~~~~~~~~
~~CALL US and let us know of your decision, or simply to ask questions. We are available to help you know Him, Jesus Christ. [BGEA] // And we will send information to help you. // Toll-free, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-877-247-2426.

----GOD IS LOVE~~

-"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and everyone
who loves is born of God and knows God.
The one who does not love does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE."
----(1 John 4:7-8 /emphasis mine)

--"Haven't you heard...'the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one."
---(Matthew 19:4-6) ~

~~Long-stemmed red roses, thick boxes of chocolates, huge stuffed bears holding plush hearts--it was easy to see that Valentine's Day was just around the corner! But as I stood in the card aisle of the grocery store that morning, I wasn't there to buy sentimental verse or romantic humor. I was there to choose a get-well card for our friend Jan who had suffered a bad fall, breaking both her arm and pelvic bone.

Jan and her husband Dwight work together, building beautiful homes in our community. They had been finishing up one that they were going to in to when, late one evening, Jan misjudged the position of the second-story stairway and fell eleven feet onto the hardwood floor below. Dwight called for help and stayed beside her until the ambulance arrived.

When my husband Gary and I went to visit her, we found Jan sitting in a wheelchair in the kitchen of the duplex where they were living. "Oh, Jan, we're so sorry you're hurt!"

Jan laughed. "Oh, it could have been lots worse!"

A hospital bed took up most of the living room. Dwight hovered nearby, eager to get her a glass of water or reposition her cushions. He spoke in hushed tones about how scared he had been when she fell. Then, as we were leaving, I noticed a small mattress leaning up against the wall by the front door. Dwight smiled. "That's my bed. I put it on the floor beside her in case she needs anything in the night."

Flowers and cards and even plush bears are fine. But I knew that what I'd just witnessed went way beyond those. This was true romance. I slipped my had into Gary's. "Happy Valentine's Day," I whispered.

-"Lord God, You are the source of all real love. Thank You for loving us, so we can love you and others! In the Name above all other names, Jesus.~ amen"

--Daily Guideposts/MLC--"Love Has A Name" (lyrics) Jesus Culture (feat. Kim Walker-Smith) //<https://youtu.be/Igdy0-cetuw>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

---He means What He Says~~

--"He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit."
~~(Psalm 147:4-5 / NIV) --

---I am more convinced than I have ever been that God means what He says in His Word. When the Bible says that God knows how many stars are in the sky, and has a name for every one of them, I believe it. When the Bible says that God knows how many hairs are on your head, I believe He has an accurate count after a few came out in your comb this morning. I don�t think Scripture is speaking about His knowledge in a poetic way; I believe God means what He says. I�m a bit concerned by our increasing willingness to depend on technology and reluctance to believe what God says. We allow unknown people to give us advice about which road to take and where to eat, but we question God�s knowledge of the stars. I�m not opposed to technology or science. In fact, I�m an advocate for both, but they cannot replace or exceed the knowledge of the God who created the heavens and the earth.
"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" [Deuteronomy 33:27].

THINK ABOUT IT
Are there areas where you trust man�s devices, but are skeptical of God�s Word? Ask God to help you trust Him as your all-knowing Creator. Then, watch Scripture come alive to you in new and more meaningful ways.

PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, forgive me where I have doubted Your wisdom and knowledge. I choose to believe that Your thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than mine, and You mean just what You say. From now on, I will take You at Your word. Oh, my Lord and Redeemer, Jesus, thank You for loving me so much. Thank you that You forgive me even before I ask. Help me, Lord, to stay in the Bible, as my road map to the Celestial City. I love You. In Jesus� name, amen."
Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
~~~~~~

---MADE FOR EACH OTHER~~

~~"It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
---(Genesis 2:18) --

--"I take care of him. When he's happy, I'm happy," says Stella. Merle replies, "I'm happy when she's around." Merle and Stella have been married for 79 years. When Merle was recently admitted to a nursing home, he was miserable--so Stella gladly brought him home. He's 101, and she's 95. Though she needs a walker to get around, she lovingly does what she can for her husband, such as preparing the food he likes. But she couldn't do it on her own. Grandchildren and neighbors help with the things Stella can't manage. The Lord takes care of each person, as they help each other.

Stella and Merle's life together is an example of Genesis 2, where God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." None of the creatures God brought before Adam fit that description. Only in Eve, made from the rib of Adam, did Adam find a suitable helper and companion (vv. 19-24).

Eve was the perfect companion for Adam, and through them God instituted marriage. This wasn't only for the mutual of individuals but also to begin a family and to care for creation, which includes other people (1:28). From that first family came a community so that, whether married or single, old or young, none of us would be alone. As a community, God has given us the privilege of sharing "each other's burdens" (Galatians 6:2).

--"Dear God, thank You for creating man and woman for each other and for instituting community so that none of us are truly alone. Stay by our side as we travel this pilgrimage. Thank you Father, that You are Love. --[1John 4:8] ~~

--ODB/AK~
--"King Of Love"// - I Am They //<https://youtu.be/xHge2HDqCLI>
~~~~~~~~~~~~

----WONDERFUL REWARD~~

--"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."
--(Psalm 119:18)--

--Donelan, a teacher, had always been a reader, but one day it literally paid off. She was planning a trip and reviewing her lengthy travel insurance policy when on page seven she discovered a wonderful reward. As part of their "It Pays to Read" contest, the company was giving $10,000 to the first person to read that far into the contract. They also donated thousands of dollars to schools in Donelan's area for children's literacy. She says, "I've always been that nerd who reads contracts. I was the most surprised of anyone!"

The psalmist wanted his eyes opened to "see wonderful things" about God (PSALM 119:18). He must have had an understanding that God wants to be known, and so he longed for a deeper closeness to Him. His desire was to see more of who God is, what He'd already given, and how to follow Him more closely (vv.24,98). He wrote, "Oh how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long" (v.97).

We too have the privilege of taking time to ponder God, His character, and His provisions--to learn about and grow closer to Him. God longs to instruct us, guide us, and open our hearts to who He is. When we search for Him, He rewards us with greater wonder at who He is and the enjoyment of His presence! ~~
--ODB/AC~
--"There Was Jesus" -(lyric video)// Zach Williams and Dolly Parton//-<https://youtu.be/3CNqhpRycfY>
~~~~~~~~~~~~

---The Hem of His Garment ~~

--"And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment."
---(Matthew 9:20) -

---"When you feel that your life is hanging by a thread, make sure it's the hem of His garment." We saw this motto on the desk of a receptionist while visiting a a doctor recently. I had not been feeling well for some time, so our family doctor had recommended seeing a neurologist. After an examination and a brief consultation, the doctor gave the dreaded verdict: Parkinson's. As I was leaving the office and feeling somewhat drained, the above words of the motto became very precious to me. I chose to hang on to His garment!

Life brings about many changes and challenges. As Christians we can find comfort and relief in the unwavering faith that all of life's circumstances are examined and approved by God's wise sovereignty. God makes no mistakes; any surprises or disappointments are on our part, not God's. Faith is indispensable in a believer's life. "But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Many of our forefathers went through tremendous hardships and endured much suffering without any physicians prescriptions to offer relief from physical pain. Numerous modern medications simply did not exist years ago; we should thank God for giving man intelligence to devise the medical treatments available today. We also need to to remember that Jesus said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Sickness and physical pain cause us to depend on God as nothing else can. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:15). ~
--'Beside Still Waters'/DY~
--"Dancing On The Waves"/ (lyrics) We The Kingdom // <https://youtu.be/BAV4foPyX5Q>
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--ZEPHANIAH Chapter 3~~

--"The LORD your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior. [verse 17]

He will exult over you with joy.
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."

--"Strong God"// Meredith Andrews//<https://youtu.be/OAXgKPtAiMA>
~~~~~~

--THE LORD TAKES OUR HAND~~

--"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." --[PSALM 37:24]

~~As an Amish boy of about eight or nine, I sometimes went on errands to the neighbors or to the nearby town. I usually walked, and for the better part I enjoyed it. An elderly lady once warned me, "Don't ever ever accept a ride from a stranger; it's not safe!" Although that put fear in my heart, I wasn't extremely concerned, because I had never been offered a ride with a stranger in a car.

Then one summer afternoon I was walking home and still had several miles to go when a car approached from behind. It slowed down and a voice called out, "Come around to the other side, and I'll take you home." I froze, speechless, because I was looking at a stranger. He obviously noticed my fright because he kindly said in Pennsylvania Dutch, "Ess iss okay; ich nemm dich hame." (It's okay; I'll take you home.) Greatly comforted, I accepted the ride home, but I'll probably never know who the man was.

The world is less safe nowadays, yet the comforting words of God still give us hope and courage. Today's Bible reading indicates that He wants to direct our steps and to delight in our way (verse 23). God wants to comfort us when we fall so that we are not utterly discouraged. He will take our hand and uphold us (verse 24), which is a great comfort in fearful circumstances. This should inspire us to give a hand to others when they need it.

As we recall former times when God delivered us, we build a strong trust in His faithfulness. He has promised to preserve us forever. He has promised that the end of the upright man is peace. May our trust become ever deeper as we grow older and wiser in Him, our Rock and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. ~~

'To overcome fear of the unknown, we need to trust in the God we know.' ~~

--BSW/JB~
--"Only You"// (lyric video// Phillips, Craig, and Dean) <https://youtu.be/tZHg0U3qjoI>
~~~~~~~~

----JESUS IS ALWAYS CLOSE TO US~

[**Friend, however you may be feeling right now,... if sad, depressed, or even joyful, give all praise to the King above all kings, JESUS CHRIST! He is LOVE!
Sit in His presence and let His great love surround you in this moment. As you give Him all praise, the enemy of our soul must flee. JESUS IS LORD! ]

---"Weeping may stay for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. --[PSALM 30:5/ NIV~ ]

~~TODAY I am going to meet my sister, Jenny, for coffee and some shopping. We have lived within thirty miles of each other for the past fourteen years. In three weeks...she and her family will be moving to Colorado. I have known the day of Jenny's departure is coming. I have been crying a lot. This is the unraveling of my heart, the loosening of the bond that ties me to Jenny. When they drive away, I want to send her off to her new adventure with joy, shouting, "Go with God!" instead of "Stay with me!"

My sorrow comes from knowing we will never be the same. We have shared the goodness of our closeness. That part of the relationship is ending. I will miss her with my whole heart. Sorrow is a heavy, deep thing. But love is the thing that buoys us up: the love of family and friends and mostly... Jesus. 'Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.' ( Psalm 30:5 // KJV). We don't always understand why life takes the twists and turns that it does. But His love makes a way for us to look past the present sorrow and know that joy will come again.

Jesus is close to the brokenhearted. He is close to those of us who are experiencing loss in a million different ways. He is pulling us into His arms, filling us with strength, inviting us to look beyond what we are feeling and recognize him for who He is. He is the lifter of our heads. His love will lift us up. And that is where the joy comes in.....always we can run to Him and say, "Lord, Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing Spirit." --[Psalm 51:12]

--ODB/SFA~
--"Only You" // (lyric video// Phillips, Craig and Dean) ~<https://youtu.be/tZHg0U3qjoI>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--BE HOPEFUL~ / JESUS IS OUR BLESSED HOPE THROUGH ALL OF IT~

"[Look] for the blessed hope and the
appearing of the glory of our great God
and Savior, Christ Jesus." -[Titus 2:13]

--As we watch twilight fade into darkness in our culture, God's Word shows us how to live.

The apostle Paul said that in light of the last days, we need to be hopeful. Certainly, there's enough to be fearful about today, isn't there? But instead of being overwhelmed by the negative possibilities, Paul said he wants us to be "steadfast" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

The word "steadfast" means "to be seated, firmly situated, settled in your emotions." Now, Paul was not saying that we're to be lackadaisical in our attitude about life. Elsewhere in Paul's writings, he reminded us that we're in a death struggle against the forces of evil. "Therefore," he said in Ephesians 5:15-16, "be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."

When Paul was talking about being relaxed or settled, he was talking about having your inner emotions under control. In spite of opposition, we can be settled in our spirits, knowing that Jesus Christ is coming for us.

The Bible calls that knowledge of Christ's return "the blessed hope" for Christians (Titus 2:13). The only hope we have that keeps us from being overwhelmed by the difficulties of this world is the knowledge that one day Christ is going to deliver us to a better destination. Keep looking and hoping for Christ's return!
--PTV/RJ~
--"Through All Of It"// (lyric video/ Colton Dixon)<https://youtu.be/RRw9pXyYiOI>
~~~~~~~