O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoid the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge-by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:20-21 NKJV
 
Paul made a commitment to pass on all that was entrusted to Him. What did the Lord entrust to Paul? What is Paul is passing on to Timothy? Paul is entrusting Timothy with the Gospel, the good news that God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to save us.              
 
Jesus sacrificed His life so we could live in intimate relationship with God. He made a way for us to receive the love of God and return His love. God raised Jesus from the grave as evidence the Father accepted the sacrifice of His Son as payment for our sin. 
 
Paul instructed Timothy to hold fast to the truth that Jesus is the Messiah. He is the Son of God. He is God!
 
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!
 
Paul told Timothy God called Him to be a minister of reconciliation. Our relationship with God is based on what Jesus has done for us!
 
Paul told Timothy to keep the main thing the main thing. He should not get caught up in arguments over non essential issues. Paul told Timothy we are not starting a new religion. The world already has enough religion. Our relationship with God should be viewed more as a love story than as a religious system! 
 
God is speaking the same words to us today. Jesus did not sacrifice His life so we could practice a religious system. Jesus wants us to live out our lives as a love song to Him!
 
Jesus wants us to lead other people to Him!
 
There are people who know about God but do not have a relationship with Jesus. They can talk about the love of God but have not been impacted by His love. There are people who can teach the scriptures, but the Word of God has not impacted how they live.
 
Jesus wants you to live in a loving relationship with Him today. Jesus desires your love more than anything in heaven above or on the earth below. Jesus wants you to love Him with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all of your strength!
 
Jesus wants to work in you and through you to will and to do of His good pleasure. Keep your focus on Jesus. Don’t argue over unimportant issues. Jesus is calling you to be a minister of reconciliation!
 
Guard what was committed to you. Profess your faith in Jesus. Don’t puff yourself up with knowledge. Fill your heart and mind with the holy scriptures. Surrender your life to Jesus so He can use you to reconcile lost, lonely and brokenhearted people to Himself!
 
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And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 1 John 2:28 NKJV
 
John was a very old man when he wrote these words. He was the last person alive who walked with the Jesus. He was the only man ever described as the disciple whom Jesus loved! 
 
What does it mean to abide in Jesus? To abide in Jesus is to draw our very life from Him!
 
When Jesus returns to the earth He will say to some people; “Depart from me for I never knew you”. They will claim to have cast out demons and healed the sick. Jesus will not be moved. 
 
In the thirteenth Chapter of the Gospel of John Jesus tells His disciples He will not be with them much longer. He tells the Disciples one of them will betray Him. The disciples were perplexed and confused.
 
John was leaning on Jesus. Peter motioned for John to ask Jesus who will betray Him. John drew even closer to Jesus. John was hanging all over Jesus. John was reclining on Jesus. John was using the Lord to make Himself comfortable!
 
Sometimes the Lord will speak a word or a short phrase to me. Recently He said, “Draw near to me and I will draw near to you.” I know it was the Lord because there is a scripture verse with those very words. How can we draw near to Jesus?
 
In the morning I drink a cup of coffee and focus my attention on Jesus. These messages come from my time spent with Jesus and a cup of coffee. Sometimes when I go to bed at night I get comfortable under the covers and ask Jesus if we can spend some time together.
 
We can abide in the Lord by just hanging out with Him!
 
God wants us to spend time with Him in prayer today. He wants us to spend time in His Word today. Jesus is calling us into a relationship not a religion! 
 
The ways you draw near to Jesus and abide in Him can be as unique as you are. The ways you spend time with Jesus can be as special as your relationship with Him is.
 
God did not create us to be robots or clones. He created us with unique personalities and characteristics. He created us with unique gifts and talents. 
 
Spend time getting to know Jesus. Draw near to Him today.
 
Have a cup of Coffee or tea with Jesus. Abide in Him so you can have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His second coming!
 
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By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16 NKJV
 
Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself on a Cross for us. He died to pay the penalty for our sin. The Lord made the ultimate sacrifice for us because He loves us. There is so much more to that sacrifice! 
 
The Eternal Son of God lived in a perfect loving relationship within the God head before time began. Jesus gave up a perfect existence to become a human. Jesus never knew pain, hunger, loneliness or temptation in His pre-incarnate state!
 
Jesus stepped out of eternity to be born of a woman Jesus was still God. He was also completely human. Jesus had the same needs and limitations as any other baby. He had to be fed and cared for just like any other baby.
 
Jesus allowed Himself to be ridiculed and abused. He allowed Himself to be tortured and murdered. Jesus took upon Himself every sin ever committed by human beings. He became separated from the love of the Father that He had known since eternity past!
 
Jesus allowed Himself to experience separation from the Father so we could be brought back into His loving presence and protection. He allowed Himself to live outside of God love, even if just for a moment, so we could live our lives in the light of God’s love!
 
Jesus values each of so highly that no sacrifice is too great. Our Lord made it clear that no price is too high to restore the relationship with our Heavenly Father that we were created to live in through eternity!
 
Today our Lord is asking us to humble ourselves by making sacrifices for our brothers and sisters. Jesus is calling us to love our brothers and sisters by giving ourselves to Him so He can love them through us! 
 
Ask God how you can love a brother or sister in the Lord today. Ask Him how you can share the love of God with someone who does not know Jesus. Ask Jesus how you can join Him in restoring other people to their rightful place in the Kingdom of God!
 
Jesus demonstrated His love for us by laying down His life for us. Demonstrate your love for someone somewhere by laying down your needs and desires to meet his or hers!
 
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Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 1 John 3:7 NKJV
 
John said if we abide in Jesus we will not sin. How do we abide in Jesus? What does it mean to abide in Jesus?
 
Knowing the Word of God is not abiding in Jesus. Going to church on Sunday and bible study in the middle of the week is not abiding in Jesus. Trying our hardest to live according to the standards of a righteous God is not abiding in Jesus.
 
Jesus is the only person who ever lived a righteous life. We can live in righteousness by faith in Jesus because He is righteous. We can be righteous by allowing Jesus to live out His life through us. The way to abide in Jesus is to live our lives in Him and for Him.
 
The way to abide in Jesus is by receiving His love and sharing it with our neighbors!
 
What is righteousness? It is right standing with God. It is living by faith in Jesus. It is living according to God’s perfect plan for our lives.
 
We can live in a way that pleases God. We can live in a way that brings glory and honor to Jesus. Our lives can impact the world and the people around us.
 
Jesus wants us to live in faith by expressing our love for Him to the people around us!
 
I have written down the words God put in my heart. I shared a spiritual principle with you but it is incomplete without application. How can we surrender our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ today?
 
We must be convinced God’s plan for our lives is far better than giving in to our selfish desires. God does not want to keep us from having fun. He wants to fill us to overflowing with the peace and contentment that comes from living for Jesus! 
 
Right standing with God comes at a price. We must give up our destructive lifestyles and trust Jesus with our lives. We must learn to give and receive love God’s perfect love.
 
God is love!
 
Ask Jesus how He wants you to love His people today. Ask Jesus to fill your heart with His love so you can impact your world today!
 
Jesus is not asking you to do anything in your own strength. He is calling you to abide in Him so He can accomplish His good and perfect plan in you and through you!
 
Practice righteousness by abiding in Jesus Christ!
 
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Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV
 
This world is not our true home. Life on planet Earth is only a small fraction of our eternal existence.
 
When I view my life through the light of eternity I do not feel like I have to get all I can before it is too late. Those thoughts kept me from coming to Christ for sixteen years. I was afraid I would miss out on something. I thought I would be deprived of something. 
 
How we live this small fraction of our existence determines where we spend eternity.
 
It is silly to invest our time, energy and talents in something that is temporary and fleeting. It is much wiser to invest in that which is eternal and unending. Our relationships with our Heavenly Father and each other can be eternal and unending! 
 
My actions follow my heart. When I focus my attention on something I should not it influences my attitude. It affects my relationships.
 
If I set my eyes on things that arouses my flesh I set myself up for a fall. When I crave the life of the rich and famous it affects the way I view my wife and family. I can spend so much time pursuing wealth work becomes more important than people I love. 
 
When my mind is free from the influence of fleeting pleasures I realize my wife and children are a precious gift from God. When I set my heart on the goodness and mercy of God I am free to love and treasure them!
 
The evil one holds out the things of the world to catch our attention away from the Lord!
 
When we focus our hearts and attention on pleasure rather than truth our ability to make wise decisions is affected. It has happened to me. It can happen to you!
 
What is truth? Jesus Christ is the Truth!
 
The lust of the flesh and eyes, the pride of life and the fleeting pleasures of sin will pass away. You are an eternal being created to live in eternal intimacy with God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ.
 
If Jesus has set you free you are free indeed. Do not return to bondage in the land of unbelief. Live in the eternal land of promise through faith in the Saviors love!
 
Do not consume the devil’s bait. Spend eternity receiving and returning Almighty God’s perfect love!
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Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world. 1 John 4:1-3 NKJV
 
It is one thing to know God loves you. That is theology. It is another thing to experience God’s love. That is reality!
 
When you experience the love of God it is no longer a Theological doctrine. It becomes a reality that affects every area of your life. It becomes the reason you live. 
 
All true love comes from God. When the love of God for us becomes reality it has a transforming affect on our lives!
 
I had a dream last night. I was in a car with a Pastor and His church. The Pastor was driving. There was a man in the passenger seat. He told us we were going to a certain location. Later we found out he lied. We were actually going in a different direction.
 
There is a growing movement in the church that claims to be leading people to God. In reality they are leading people away from the Lord. They want us to accept all religions as equal. They want us to believe you can be a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or whatever and it is all the same. 
 
God loves everyone. He wants to reveal truth to everyone. What is the truth? Jesus Christ is the only Way to God the Father. Jesus Christ is the Truth of God. Eternal life can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ! 
 
There is only one way to an eternity spent in the presence of our Heavenly Father where there is unending joy. That way is to be born again by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ!
 
All religions are the same. All religions are the same because religion does not save anyone. No religion does. There is only One True and Living God. He is found in the bible. He reveals Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ! 
 
God is calling you today. He is not calling you into a religion. He is calling you into a loving relationship with Him! 
 
Separate the voices of people who teach a false gospel and a false God from the voice of the biblical God who loves you!
 
God sent forth wisdom. She cries out in the streets, “This is the way, walk in it.”
 
“Seek the Lord in the morning, learn to walk in His ways.” Wisdom is in His right hand!
 
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And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
 
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1
 
There is only one God. He exists eternally in three persons. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit existed in a perfect loving relationship since before time began. 
 
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27
 
Jesus created us in His image and likeness. Jesus created us to join Him in the perfect loving relationship He existed in since before time began. Jesus created us to be loved by Him as only He can love us. Jesus created us to love Him as only we can love Him!
 
Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper to remind us that we were created to join Him in a perfect loving relationship. Christianity is not a religion. It is a love story. The main characters in this love story are Almighty God and you!
 
God the Father sacrificed the Son He has loved since before time began for you. He sent the Holy Spirit whom He loves without measure to empower you. He sent the Holy Spirit whom He loves without measure to lead you and guide you into His perfect will for your life!
 
Communion is so special and sacred Jesus will not partake of it again until we sit at His table in eternity. Jesus will not partake of the fruit of the vine again until He has delivered His spotless bride (me and you) as a gift to His Father!
 
Jesus is speaking to you today. He is saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
 
Take the bread in remembrance of God’s great love for you. Take it in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice for you. Remember that one day you will break bread with Jesus is His Father’s house!
 
“This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
 
Take the wine and remember that Jesus shed His blood so you can live an abundant life. Remember that Jesus wants to fill you with the fruits of His righteousness. Remember that Jesus will not partake of the fruit of the vine again until you join Him in His Father’s house!
 
Remember that you were created to live in a perfect loving relationship with Almighty God!
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He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in Him. 1 john 2:10 NKJV
 
God loves us. His love was demonstrated by sacrificing His Son. God knows all things. He knew what it would take to save our souls. He knew what it would take to demonstrate His love for us. Jesus knows what it takes for us to love each other.
 
Jesus wants us to love each other as much as He does!
 
Is it possible for us to love each other as much as Jesus does? I would say no. It is not possibly for us to love each other as much as Jesus does. Jesus is perfect and sinless. We are imperfect and have a sinful nature that wars against our desire to please God.
 
The Lord makes a clear distinction between people who keep His commandments and people who do not. If we say we love Jesus and do not keep His commandments we are liars. The truth is not in us. If we obey His Word the love of God is perfected in us.
 
A person who says he loves God and hates his brother is living in darkness.
 
Jesus shows us how we can love each other as much as He does. We can love our brothers and sisters as much as He does by abiding in the light. Jesus is the light. Abiding in Jesus means allowing Him to form His life in us and live out His life through us.
 
The commandment that determines if we know Jesus and are in Him is love. Jesus really does want us to love each other as much as He does! 
 
Jesus wants us to love each other as much as He does because our relationships are important to Him. Relationship is what the Christian life is all about. We were created to love God with every fiber of our being. We were created to love each other as much as we love ourselves!
 
Our Heavenly Father wants us to love His Son as much as He does. Jesus wants us to love each other as much as He loves God the Father. 
 
We can love our brothers and sisters even though none of us is perfect. We can love our brothers and sisters even though we have a sinful nature. We can love God with every aspect of our mind, body and spirit!
 
Show Jesus how much you love Him by showing your brothers and sisters how much you love them!
 
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Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalm 32:1 NKJV
 
Blessed are the forgiven!
 
This Psalm is as a maskil of David. Maskil is a musical term relating to a teachable moment. Do you have a teachable spirit? Do I? We can cultivate a teachable spirit!
 
David summoned a married woman to satisfy his lust. David killed her husband to hide his sin. David’s sin was gross. The consequences were great. God’s mercy was greater!
 
People whose sin is forgiven are blessed. They are blessed because we all sin. All sin is gross in God’s eyes. The consequence of sin is eternal death.
 
People who have been forgiven of sin through faith in Jesus Christ are eternally blessed through relationship with a loving God whose mercy triumphs over sin!
 
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgression to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Vs 5
 
David compounded his sin by lying and committing murder. When it was exposed David did not to justify or excuse his wickedness. He repented. He cried out to God. David accepted the Lord’s discipline and chastisement as just and righteous.
 
I was a very sinful man before Jesus saved my soul. My sins were gross and numerous. Some of those sinful habits followed me into the kingdom of God. I cried out to Jesus time and again. The prayer of my heart was “Lord please do not leave me to myself”!
 
At a prayer meeting I asked the Lord for correction and discipline. Afterwards a brother said he could not believe I would ask God to correct and discipline me. I did it because I did not want Jesus to leave me to myself.
 
I have always believed the greatest judgment of God is to let us go our own way!
 
I was a naïve young Christian. My trust in Jesus was childlike. That is why the Lord encourages us to love God with childlike faith. I have not prayed that way for a long time. At this very moment I am asking Jesus to return the childlike faith of my salvation!
 
I have never surrendered my faith in Jesus. I have lived in practical unbelief at times. Some of those sins, failures and mistakes have led me into teachable moments. Jesus had His way. I was blessed.
 
You will sin. You will fail. You will make mistakes. Don’t give in. Don’t give out. Do not ever give up. Let Jesus turn seasons of trial, testing and living in practical unbelief into teachable moments that will give glory to God and bless your soul!
 
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