Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Love confused

by David Long

To be confused is to be unclear in one's mind about something or to be in doubt. "And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God" (John 20:26-28). When love is confused or in doubt it can't be what the Lord would have it to be.
"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17).
Don't be confused about the Lord and His word. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12:30-31). Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Love illuminated

by David Long

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:14-26).
Love is seen through faith. "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17).
Love shines when we shine (Matt. 5:14-16).
Do you love the way God wants you to love (Matt. 12:30-31)? Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Love redacted

by David Long

Redacted means, "to hide, delete, remove (text) from a document before publication." Love redacted means it is hid, deleted or removed from a person's life. What redacts love? SIN! "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). What if I don't keep His commandments, do I really love Him? No, love is redacted. Sin less by loving more. Love the way God says (Mk. 12:30-31). Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Love exalted

by David Long

"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mk. 12:29-31).
Anything less and we won't make it to heaven!