"A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:34-35

That's a tall order Jesus gave His disciples. "Love one another as I have loved you." How did Jesus love us? He paid the price for our sins on the cross. 

How do we recognize love? Love gives. Father God loved the world and gave His Son. Jesus loved and gave His life. The world knows we belong to Christ by our love for one another.

How do we show love? Does this mean we are to give our lives as well? Jesus said in John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will obey what I command." The one command all the former commandments hinge on is LOVE. We show our love for God by giving Him our all. We show our love for others by giving of ourselves, by serving others.

When we see someone in need, we help them out with what we have. If they are sick, we pray for their healing and perhaps provide a meal or two while they are recuperating. We help clean their house if they don't have the strength. If possible we might help with yard work. We give of ourselves to others.

LOVE is what separates us from the world. What are we doing to share God's love? I challenge you to be creative. Let your light shine to a lost and dying world by showing His amazing love to those you meet.

Jesus knew His fate. Torture beyond comprehension, ridicule, and ultimately death lay only a few hours before Him. We find our Lord in the garden of Gethsemane with eleven of His disciples. He asked them to pray while He trekked further down the familiar path to entreat His Heavenly Father regarding the coming events.

           

Our precious Savior fell on His knees and wept bitterly. In agony, He bore the weight of the world on His shoulders, carrying the sins of all mankind throughout the ages. For the first time, sinless Deity experienced the hopelessness and wretchedness of being separated from Abba Father, Daddy God.

Arrested, scorned by a mock trial, abandoned by His disciples, Jesus said not a word. The Roman Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on His head, and a purple robe on His back, as they relentlessly taunted Him, beat Him, and pulled out His beard. 

After being beaten beyond recognition, they made Jesus carry His own cross to the hill of Galgatha. Nails pierced His precious hands and feet. As the cross was lifted upright, it fell hard into the hole prepared for the cross to stand in, taring his flesh even more. A few hours later He cried out "It is finished!" Jesus, the only begotten Son of God died carrying your and my sins to the grave with Him.

Devastated, His disciples hid for fear of their own lives. Their Teacher, their Lord was gone. What was to come of them? 

But, praise God, this isn't the end of the story. Three days later something miraculous happened in His tomb. The dynamite power of the Holy Spirit breathed life into His lifeless body. He opened His eyes. Holy Ghost Fire flooded His very being. Jesus sprang to His feet, bursting with life!

Hallelujah, Jesus is alive today!

Our Lord suffered this agonizing ordeal because HE LOVES YOU! He conquered death, hell, and the grave for YOU! He is alive forever more, seated at the right hand of Father God ever living to make intercession for YOU! Now, what will you do for Him?

He died for me. The least I can do is to live for Him! Happy Easter (Resurrection Day) everyone!

"I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Luke 19:40

This Sunday being Palm Sunday when we celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, it's only fitting we honor our Lord Jesus Christ with our praise. 

Jesus sent two of His disciples into town. "You will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you why, tell them the Lord needs it." The men found the donkey and brought it back to the Savior. They put their cloaks on the colt and helped Jesus climb on it.

When they reached the road going to the Mount of Olives, they were greeted with a crowd of people who began boisterously praising God. "Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God in the highest!"

Some of the teachers nearby were jealous of His stature with the people and told Jesus to make the crowd shut up. But Jesus replied, "I tell you if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Little did the people know the King of all kings was about to be crucified. The people praised Him for His works, not realizing He was the Messiah, the King of Glory, the Lord of all lords, Who alone is worthy of praise.

Today I want to praise and honor my Savior, my King. Jesus said if the people didn't praise, the stones would cry out. May it never be! No stone or anyone else will ever glorify my Jesus for me. He has done too much for me not to bring honor and glory to Him. He literally went through hell and back for me and for you. He is my Savior, my Righteousness, my Redeemer, my Healer, my Master, my Lord, and my Friend.

I will praise Him forever for His love, mercy, and grace! For He alone is worthy! I will sing praise to His Name! I will clap my hands and shout praises to my God! I will love and honor Him because He first loved me!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

When you gave your heart and life to Jesus Christ, you became a new creation. You were born anew, or born again. Your past, no matter how sorted, has been covered by the precious blood of Jesus and you've received the awesome opportunity to basically start all over again. Father God no longer holds your past transgressions and failures against you.

Many times Satan tries to bring up our past and put us under condemnation. He likes to remind us of our not so glorious beginnings. He tries to tell us we aren't "good enough" to share the gospel with someone else. We're not worthy of serving the Almighty God.

I'm reminded of a story told by Smith Wigglesworth, a mighty many of God during the 1930's era. He was sound asleep one night, when he heard a noise in the other room. Getting up to check it out, Smith found Satan standing by a chalk board resting on an easel. On the blackboard the devil wrote all the sins of Wigglesworth's past. Smith just chuckled, saying, "Oh, it's you." He walked over to the board and wrote in big letters, "COVERED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS", and went back to bed.

Friend, I want to you know today Father God doesn't remember your past. It has been washed clean by the precious blood Jesus shed for you on the cross. It's covered by the blood of Jesus. You are a new creation in Christ. 

No one is worthy in their own merits to serve such a mighty God, but in Jesus all things have become new. You are not the same person as you were before Jesus came into your heart and life. You have been reborn, transformed, recreated by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The next time Satan tries to remind you of your past, just laugh and say, "Praise God I'm covered by the blood of Jesus."

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4

Most of us are familiar with the phrase, "Lord, give me patience, and give it to me right now!" I'm sure we can all identify with this statement.

None of us can really know how we are going to react under pressure. It's easy to be kind to others, especially when they show us thoughtfulness. But how do we respond when faced with persecution, trials, and just downright ornery people?

I'm so thankful Father God is concerned enough about our spiritual development to allow us to experience trials and testing. He realizes these ordeals and troubles we go through bring faith and patience. And He promised to walk with us through the hardships and tough times of this life.

Next time we experience trials and tribulations, rejoice! Daddy God is preparing us for a divine growth spurt. Keep your eyes focused on Him. Ask Him to give you wisdom and strength to endure with patience. Look on this as another opportunity for Father God to show Himself BIG in your circumstances.

Remember, our Heavenly Father is growing us up to be patient, perfectly complete, lacking nothing.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

We have all been faced with making a life-changing decision. It can feel quite overwhelming, not knowing who we can turn to, who can we trust to help us make the right choice. It's comforting to know others who have walked through the same situation you're facing, but is their advise right for you?

Only God knows what's best for you. He's a much better judge of what you need, even more than you know yourself.

God has given each of us wisdom and understanding. He placed in us the ability to reason and think things through. However, we should never trust exclusively in our own understanding of the situation, thinking we are wise enough to handle things on our own. 

We must learn to trust our Heavenly Father completely in every choice we make. Be willing to listen and be corrected by God and His Word.

Bring all your decisions to Daddy God in prayer. Use His Word as a guide, then follow His leading. He loves you and will direct your paths if you lean on Him and trust Him with whatever comes your way.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!"

Ephesians 3:20-21

The other day I woke up with a song going through my mind.

He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today.

He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way.

He is able, more than able, to do much more than I could ever dream.

He is able, more than able, to make me what He wants me to be.

We serve a big, loving Daddy God who is more than able to do abundantly above anything we could ask or even think. He is bigger than any mountain, stronger than any foe, and more powerful than any situation we may find ourselves in today.

Ephesians 3:20 tells us this same power is at work in us. The word "power" is where we get the word "dynamite." Have you ever seen a bomb explode? It changes everything in it's wake. This same explosive, life-changing power brings results in our lives. It's the God imparted authority and ability to overcome any obstacle we may encounter.

This power working in and through us the Holy Spirit of God that is imparted in us when we are born into His family. Residing in you today is the same dynamite power that raised Jesus from the dead. WOW!

What is it you're facing today? What needs to be changed in your life or circumstances? No matter how insurmountable it seems, know Father God is more than able to do exceedingly abundantly more than you could every dream, and to change you into what He wants you to be. 

Surrender completely to Him and allow His dynamite power do it's mighty work in your heart and life. HE IS ABLE!