Luke 10:27 –

And he answering said,

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy strength,

and with all thy mind;

and thy neighbour as thyself.

We Know love covers a multitude of Sins.

(1 Peter 4:8 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.)

There are so many different types of love.

Romantic love for our spouse/significant other.

Love for our brother or sister.

Love for our parents.

Love for our fur babies.

Love for our Country.

Love for our neighbor.

Love for the downtrodden and homeless…it goes on and on.

And, the most important love of all is LOVE FOR OUR FATHER.

John 14:15 – If ye love me, keep my commandments.

When we express kindness, compassion and forgiveness to others we are shining our inner light and following Christ. Staying with His commandments is an overt admission of our deep devotion and love for Him.

With each new day comes a renewal of heart and another day for another chance to express our devotion to the LORD.  No matter how dark the night is, the “light” will come in the morning.  The darkness cannot hide from the LIGHT…which will always be with us, indicative of His presence and love for us.

John 14:23-24 – Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

When we are in compliance with His Word and His ways we are “one with Him” and inasmuch He lives “in us.” When we are unkind to someone, be it through a harsh word or action the Spirit grieves.  Each one of us is a reflection of Christ…and what we do to someone, we are doing to Him.

1 John 4:19 – We love him, because he first loved us.

He came looking for us all those years ago.  He loved us before we knew Him…He loved us before we were born…He loves us even though we are sinners.  He loves us more than anyone in our lifetime or beyond.

So when the sun comes up in the morning, sing a song of praise to Him!

Shout His name and exalt Him to the highest!

Tell Him you love Him!

And, then show Him how much you love Him by loving others through Him!

“Father thank You for this new day and everyday that I rise, may I be an example to all I come into contact with, may my inner light shine to those in the dark, and may my love for You be expressed all day, everyday, today and always, in Jesus Christ name, I love You, Amen.”

John 17:24 – 17:26

 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am;

that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me:

for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
 

O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it:

that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Psalm 119:97 97

Oh, how I love your law!

I meditate on it all day long.

 “Oh that doesn’t matter any longer…that was so long ago…”  Sound familiar?   So many people labor under the misapprehension that the Bible, the very Word of our LORD is no longer valid.  They might feel it is an ancient way of thought and rule.  But, they are sadly mistaken, for God is the same today as He was thousands and thousands of years ago when He first created the world.

He still loves us unconditionally.

He still is in control on His throne.

He still has the final say in all matters.

He still doesn’t approve of lying, gossiping, stealing, adultery, bestiality or murder…and a host of many other things that are in the Bible.

What causes this confusion? — I would say that it is because the new Testament is about Jesus and His ministry and our salvation due to His sacrifice.  So, yes…Jesus dying for us changed us from sinners to offering eternal salvation, if we choose Him as our LORD and Savior.

We no longer have to do blood sacrifices, or be fearful of walking into His house of worship and boldly approach His throne, Christ made a clear path for us by way of the “cross.”

But, each Word of the Father, from beginning to end tells a story of Creation and mankind.  It tells what happened and what was and is to come.  It tells us how to live, how to be successful, how to continue to prosper, and how to gain entry into His Kingdom.

It tells us how to love, it teaches us about love, and it tells of the most incredible love of all time, Jesus Christ, and God who sent Him.  Offering Him as a way to be connected to us forever.  Sacrificing His only begotten Son for us, so that whomever believes, shall have eternal life.  THAT IS LOVE!

So, when someone tells you, “Nah, I don’t believe in that law…it doesn’t pertain any longer, that was so long ago…”  You can tell them in no uncertain terms, “Um-I think you missed the message, maybe go back and read from the beginning, line by line, precept by precept…and perhaps the LORD will impart His wisdom to open your eyes and ears, you only need ask, and it shall be given!  Amen!

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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
 
According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.    

1 Timothy 1:8-11

 Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.

Isaiah 30:21 

Did you ever do something and think to yourself, “Hmmm-why did I just do that?”  

Be it a compassionate act, or a road that you didn’t mean to turn down, that could be the Holy Spirit guiding you.

Many  years ago, I recall my sister had a “Hmmm-why did I just do that?” moment.  She  turned unto a highway for a reason that was unbeknownst to her at the time.  She usually traveled through the back roads and liked the peaceful ride.  Well she didn’t think much of it and went on with her day.  Later on the news reported that there had been flash floods continuously on the path she usually took.  She took a deep breath and got on her knees to give Praise and thanks to the LORD for His guidance.  That “Hmmm-Why did I just do that?” moment turned out to be a “God moment.”  Amen!

As we make a conscious effort to follow His voice, and meditate on His Word, we are all able to be in touch with Him, and His guidance.  It’s a matter of obeying and “hearing” what He tells us to do. And then following through, because after all, He only wants what is best for us.

So, the next time you do something that has you thinking “Hmmm-Why did I just do that?”  Don’t think…just do!

“Dear God, thank You for Your ever present love and guidance, You are my Rock and Savior, help me to continue to hear Your voice and obey You in all that I do, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Romans 14:17

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Joy in the LORD is different than joy from the “world.”

Joy in things that are irrelevant to heaven, items of materialistic gains, or money…that is circumstances.  And, circumstances can be dire as well, and most people won’t have joy in that kind of scenario.  However, Joy…in the LORD is overflowing and in abundance, and that never changes.

Circumstances come and go.  Scenarios wane and increase, both good and bad…but, they change.  The love of the LORD is never changing, and ever present, as is the Holy Spirit within. The joy of the LORD is glorious and infinite and powerfully compelling in force and gentle in emotions.

When we rejoice in the LORD, no matter the circumstances of “life in the flesh” we are establishing bonds and creating paths of righteousness that the LORD has provided for us to walk upon.  Our relationship wit Him is a bond that neither man nor situation can change.  Nothing can tear us away from Him, our Lord and Savior, our Sovereign and Mighty God.  The One and only who can provide life, and take it away, the only One that can raise up, or bring down, the only One who can hurt, and heal…Amen.

The joy of being in a relationship with the LORD counts for all things.  Only He can provide Joy and peace, for He is Peace.

The joy of being in a relationship with the LORD counts for all things. Only He can provide and sustain us with a Love overflowing.

He is forever.

He is always.

He is our EVERYTHING.

The intricate chains of love circle within us, for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  The Cord of three…Amen.

Never to be separated, nor ripped away from His hands of love.

Today, is my Birthday and the date of my Mother’s death; yet I find it comforting she went home to the LORD on my  Birthday.

I find it to be the best birthday present the LORD ever gave me.

The best Mom I could have ever had.

Mom delivered me this day, all those years ago…and then the LORD delivered her home today on my birthday, for all eternity where we will see each other again, and never have to say goodbye again. Special connection for life!

So, thank You LORD for being YOU.

Thank You for Loving me.

And, thank You for allowing me to LOVE YOU and feel the joy of Your Spirit from within.

“Dear Father, may all of Your children know the joy of loving You, and the joy of You loving them, may they embrace You and obey You, and follow the light, giving You all glory, honor and victory now and always, in Jesus precious name, Amen.”

Jesus answered and said to her, 

“If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you,

‘Give Me a drink,’

you would have asked Him,

and He would have given you living water.”

                                           John 4:10 NKJV

This chapter and verse always gives me pause to reflect not only on the significance of who Christ is…but also allows me to meditate and be ever vigilant to my surroundings. That includes the “world” and the procurement of all which is reflected in the news and every where else, film, media, streets, worldwide.

In other words,  it is a way to remind us to”be acutely aware”  of who Jesus is and who “is not.” There are false teachers, and preachers about us.  And, there are those who seem harmless enough, but they’re not of God.

There will always be good versus evil…and just the way the Spirit of God is here, so too is the spirit of evil.

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are under a protective shield…and God becomes our very sanctuary, and our Rock in which we can depend and stand in unity.

We are to be wise and faithful to the LORD while on our journey in life.  As we worship God and follow His voice, we become more in tune with Him, and our discerning spirit will guide us accordingly.  He will be our “go to” for whatever we are in need of…He is always there.  Our comforter, as Jesus said, “I will send you a Comforter” and He will never leave you. (John 14:16 KJV)

Be wise and gentle, (Matthew 10:16 KJV)  yet be firm in your belief and faith. Don’t let opposing views persuade you, be aware…and embrace the light always.

Pray for those in the darkness, and stay true to yourself…but most important…to God!

It’s a journey worth traveling when you’re on the road with Christ.  There is no better traveling companion…that’s for sure!

“Praise You Father for Your love, for Your guidance, and for Your steadfast and unconditional love towards us, Your children, I pray that those in the darkness will seek Your light and love, as I pray those in the light continue to walk the path of righteousness, now and always, in Jesus precious name, Amen.”

John 4:10-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁰ Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

¹¹ The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? ¹² Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”

¹³ Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

¹⁵ The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”

John 4:10-15 (NKJV)

His banner over me was love. (Song of Solomon 2:4)

God is love, and His love cannot be described as we understand love, for His capacity to love us supersedes our ability to love Him.  It is beyond our basic understanding, in this realm, to grasp, or comprehend His love.  His quality of love differs tremendously from our own. 

Many believe that we do not deserve His love…which in actuality, we probably don’t.  However, God died for us, while we were still sinners, and in so doing, revealed just how prolific His love is for us.  There is no need to ponder, just how much He loves us, but know this; He will always love us, as the Bible promises He will.

Love, by definition, is a commitment to the peace, joy, security, satisfaction, and development of another person and His well-being. To put that person in front of our own needs, and place that individual first.

God’s love is not based on emotions, like regular love…His love flows out of His changeless character. God is love, the Bible tells us so.   He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (John 4:8)

It is impossible for Him to do anything outside of His nature, and thus, His love will remain certain and dependable…forever.   And, that is what He is, by definition–a Sovereign, Omnipotent, prolific, dependable God, of which His love we can be certain.  His love and mercy will endure forever.

God’s love is our gift, our priceless and totally immeasurable gift. God offers it to us freely, willingly, lovingly…independently of our feelings. Whether we think we deserve His love or not.  It is separate and distinct from our feelings towards Him. His love is open, pure, and overwhelming. His love is indeed a gift, and it is good.   Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is not variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

God and His flawless character is boldly revealed throughout the Bible, time and time again… and throughout our lives–If, we take the time to get to know Him–I mean really know Him.

When we know Him, things will begin to materialize, and eventually will create a clearer picture.  We will be able to recognize His character, and be certain of His love, and feel the peace of this revelation.

Our Father is perfect, and furthermore His love is perfect.  Every one of His characteristics represents perfection, and could not be improved to any degree.  How can perfection be perfected? He is that He is, and all that He is, represents love, certainty…and dependability.  He will always treat us lovingly in accordance to His love.

We walk under His banner of love, His canopy of love.  He loves us, and always will.  He loves us, even when we stray from the fold, His love is changeless.

He loves us when we wander from His will, or fall into some kind of mishap that defies His commandments…His love is certain.

He loves us when we disobey Him, and fall prey to foolish things that flesh sometimes can do…His love is dependable.

He loves us, unconditionally, purely and without any doubt. We walk under His banner/canopy of love.  So, never think for one moment, that He would walk away in dismay, for His love endures. The canopy never falls…and we cannot dismantle it.  God erected the canopy, and therefore it is impregnable.  It is unchanging, it is certain and it is dependable.

God and His love…how amazing is that?  How amazing is He?  Just release any misconceptions or doubts about His love.  Just accept He loves us, before we were born, while we’re here on earth, and will love us when He calls us home.

So, rejoice under His canopy/banner, and smile knowing “He loves us“– in no uncertain terms, and that is something we can depend on forever…Amen~

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I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. (Song of Solomon 6:3)

We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine.(Song of Solomon 1:4)

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm. (Song of Solomon 8:6)

If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. (John 14:23)

A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another (John 13:34)

“Do not Judge, or you too will be judged”

Matthew 7:1

 “Our Father who art in heaven, give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for the Kingdom and the power and glory are yours, now and forever,  Amen.”

I overheard someone chastising another individual in the store I was shopping in, and it was very uncomfortable to hear and witness.  The individual was judging the other one who was quiet and teary eyed.  The person kept repeating, “You shouldn’t do that, you always do that. You always do things wrong, you should go to a class in college and try to improve yourself. Your personality is gruff, and you are a difficult person to be around.”  It went on and on.

I said a prayer for that person being “verbally attacked and judged” and also for the “judging one” doing the damage.

Jesus said, “do not judge lest you be judged…”  And, that’s all I could think of for the rest of my shopping trip.

When we are with others, God wants us to be part of a uniformed body uplifting one another, and building each other up, encouraging, offering counseling where needed, and friendship unconditionally.

So even if someone is difficult, or stubborn, or hard to listen to at times…judge not and call on the fruits of the Spirit to help with the situation at hand.

A little bit of kindness tolerance and patience…along with love go a long long way.

And, it will make Jesus very happy indeed!

So, “give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.”

“Father God, help us to be gentle and kind to one another, and to remember we are all the same, and no one is better than the other, show us the way, and help us to never judge one another, in Jesus name, Amen.”

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said,

Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel,

I AM hath sent me unto you.”       

Exodus 3:14 (KJV)

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All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 

2 Timothy 3:16

Throughout our lives we all have something in common, one banality in which we share a single thread of connection…and that is that we were “all created” by His hands.

No matter what we do in life, no matter our status, no matter where we live, what we drive, what we look like, we were ALL created by Him. And, He loves ALL of us equally.

Having said that, we all are here for a purpose, and that is what we seek to fulfill according to His will. Amen.

He is the Great I AM…  He knows all—and He sees all, and He loves all.  When we acknowledge that He is the GREAT I AM we begin to transform our lives and walk accordingly, that is to say, “we strive to become Holy” as “our Father in Heaven is Holy.”   

Leviticus 11:44 (NIV)
I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground.

Recognizing Him as the Great I AM and as our Father a Sovereign and Mighty Being, we become aware of His presence and we then strive to do things to please Him.  We blossom into Christianity as the truth unfolds in our minds, hearts, and souls.  We attain that which we ought, and ought what He wishes.

Jesus told us to be “Perfect just like our Father in Heaven is Perfect”  (Matthew 5:48)

Although we fall short of perfection, for there is but ONE that is perfect…we still walk in hope and walk the narrow path of righteousness, wishing to please Him, wanting to receive Him, and of course… LOVING HIM.

I’d like to say to everyone reading this now, that no matter what is happening in your life at this very God given second, realize that He is with you always.  And realize that He will never leave you (Matthew 28:20)

So, when things get rough, and the road becomes filled and strewn with hurdles and debris, Look up…and have courage, be of good cheer, for God is with you.  He is holding you up. He will provide the strength through your weakest moments, and provide the answers when there seems to be none.

He will lead you out of whatever it is you’re facing.  He will slay your Goliath, your giant…and you will be victorious through the LORD Jesus Christ.

(Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. – 1 Samuel 17:45)

And, remember…if there is someone needing healing, or an operation, or peace…God is the Great I AM and the Great Physician, and the Great Healer, and the Author of Peace.   That is all you will ever need, or could ever want. And His love…oh how He loves us…yes, that is the single Greatest Love Story of all times!

“Father God, thank You for Your great love and wonders since the beginning of time, we know You are in control and are over all things of this Universe big and small, grant us Your perfect peace, Your wisdom and Your guidance this day and always, and Father, thank You for Your love and compassion and grace in Jesus Christ precious name, Amen.”

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.

(Psalm 91:2 KJV)

God offers us peace in all that we do.  He is our refuge throughout our daily activities of life.  As we go through life it’s His hands and His strength that enables us to go through it with an inner peace.

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord   (Jeremiah 1:8 KJV)

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Heavenly gates and landscape by our Magnificent Creator and loving God Almighty:

***Picture captured by Scott Birge