There is a tension between our choices and God’s grace.

God has a will for our lives and He empowers us to accomplish His good and perfect will. The key is knowing what His will is for us. Then nothing can stop what God has planned.

To ascertain His will is to be faithful in what He has already revealed. If we know what to do—at this point even establishing a daily quiet time—then more will be revealed as we go.

Lk 8:16-18
No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.

Let’s be faithful with little so we can be trusted with much. God wants to bless us! He has good plans for us!

We all want to love our neighbor because it’s obeying the Great Commandment.

Matthew 22:39
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

What does it mean to love our neighbors as ourselves? It means we are loving the way we would want to be loved. God has loved us by laying down His life for us, listening to us, providing for us, being kind to us, compassionate toward us, guiding and protecting us, and forgiving us.

As we love our neighbors like we want Jesus to love us, we ask, “Who is our neighbor?”

Lk 10:29
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

As Jesus explained in Luke 10:25-37, our neighbor is anyone we encounter who is in need of love, care, and assistance.

Everywhere we go today, let’s be sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance and be “on the ready” to love others the way we would want to be loved by Jesus. Let’s be Jesus in work clothes.

Lk 10:37b
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

God’s peace is more than the absence of hostilities, it’s the reconciliation between God and man. We enter into this realm of peace through believing Jesus paid our sin debt - a debt we couldn’t possibly pay - when He died and rose again.

Rom 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

We are in the realm of grace, doing all God wants us to do.

Phil 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

By grace let’s make our day a peace day. When things aren’t going well, let’s thank Him for the trial.

James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…

Then let’s bless and pray for opportunities several times a day to bring peace to someone.

I believe we’ll see the Spirit’s fruit, experiencing love, joy, and peace!

The term “stupid” can be harsh. It’s often used derogatorily to insult or belittle someone, insinuating that they lack common sense or good judgment.

In the movie “Forrest Gump,”Forrest says, “Stupid is as stupid does.” It suggests a person should be judged on what they do, rather than how they are perceived.

This agrees with Scripture.

Pr 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

The Bible is encouraging us to love discipline if we want to make good decisions based on facts, solve problems, and act wisely.

That’s why we should seek out and long for wise and biblically sound instructors. That’s why we must discipline ourselves to read, study, and memorize Scripture.

Pr 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

With God’s help, let’s crave discipline and correction. We are so deeply loved and God wants the very best for us. Let’s be wise!

Let’s shine like stars today!

Phil 2:14-15
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

Working out salvation is doing what Jesus did—seeking and saving the lost.

As we seek, we must love people, but NOT love the culture we must enter to find the lost.

Jn 17:18
As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

As we are sent onto the world, we must guard against loving the world.

1 Jn 2:15
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Let’s cultivate serving the lost with accountability, immersing ourselves with Scripture, praying, worshipping, and giving. We run the race to hear Jesus say, “Well done!”

1 Cor 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run…to get the prize.

I know we’ve been taught the paramount importance of Scripture. But since repetition is the key to learning, let’s focus on Scripture memory.

2 Tim 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

By God’s grace I’ve memorized a lot of Scripture. Not forgetting what’s been memorized has necessitated a scripture memory system I’d like to share. Also I wouldn’t trust solely on a memorization app. I used one that suddenly went down and erased all my work. If I didn’t have a paper back up, I would have lost years and years of work.

So this is what I do.
1. Write the scripture with reference down. Rewrite it several times. Then begin to erase parts of it until all is erased and you can quote it from memory. Then write it down again on 3 x 5 card.

2. Review these verse(s) every day for 3 weeks.

3. After 3 weeks put these verse(s) in a group to review once a week.

4. Then after 3 months put these verses in a group to review once a month.

4. Keep repeating the process every week. Eventually you’ll have verses stacked into daily, weekly, and then monthly groups.

After doing this you can easily transfer your work to a Bible app.

Personally no spiritual discipline has benefited my walk with Jesus more than Bible memory.

Ps 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Let’s do it! #AsOne

What does it mean to trust in God?

John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

Trust is translated from the Koine Greek word, “pistis.” It can also be translated as faith or belief. It refers to a strong belief or confidence in someone or something.

Jesus is exhorting us to put strong confidence in Him and His Father; They will do what they say they will do. They cannot fail.

We can have 100% confidence that He will lead us into all truth, help us live abundantly, and He will save us from our sins. We will live forever and ever with Him in an awesome place He’s prepared for us.

When He says to lose our lives we must trust Him that we will find our true purpose. When He says deny ourselves and take up our cross we must know He has our best interest in mind. When He says to love our enemies, then He knows you will benefit. We will hear “well done” as we reach out to the lost and hurting in His name.

Let’s believe!

Do we realize how counterintuitive it is to exhort believers to love their enemies? It’s hard to love our detractors.

Mt 5:43-44
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Let’s review the definition of love in 1 Cor 13.

1 Cor 13:4-8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Our enemy is a person or group who is hostile, opposed, or harmful towards us because of our message of love and righteousness.

It’s by God’s grace we forgive when wronged. We turn the other cheek. We return good to those who harm us. We pray for our enemies.

Lk 23:34a
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them…”

As I post, the hour is early. For me, early is the best time to spend with Jesus. In these quiet moments, God reveals His great love, mercy, and grace for us.

When someone doesn’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior they are spiritually blind and can’t see and understand the love of God.

Lk 4:19
He has sent me (Jesus) to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

Also those who experienced salvation but refuse to wholeheartedly follow Him are impaired; they walk in darkness.

Jn 8:12
(Jesus) said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Let’s not walk in darkness but walk in His Light. Let’s follow Him since His way is the only way!

2 Pt 1:9
…if anyone does not (add to their faith) he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

What does Jesus mean when He says to seek first the Kingdom of God?

Mt 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The Kingdom of God refers to God's rule and reign in our lives and in the world. Jesus wants us to make God's will and purposes our first priority. That means we seek His guidance, righteousness, and presence above any other pursuit.

It means making God the priority in our thoughts, decisions, and actions. We line up our lives with His teachings and principles.

As we prioritize the Kingdom, we proclaim that Jesus is Lord. He is our ultimate authority and source of wisdom. By faith we know everything else will fall into place.

Let’s put Jesus first and pray for His will to be done! His grace will help us lose our life so we can find it.

Mt 7:24
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

As followers of Jesus we are passionate about learning the ways of our Lord and Savior. Some define disciples of Jesus as “loyal learners.”

Ps 86:11
Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

We long to know the way of Jesus because we love the Truth.

Jn 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Living by the Truth means we have a heart that is wholly following Jesus. We love Him with all our heart. Anything that competes with our love for Him is sin: it grieves the Spirit and separates us from His fruits of love, joy, and peace.

1 Jn 2:15
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Let’s share the truth that true love cannot be found outside of Jesus. First thing each morning, let’s deny ourselves and take up our crosses so we will live a life of love!

Going through trials can be difficult, but a major part of our maturation process to become like Jesus are trials. Eventually we can experience pure joy, realizing that trials are temporary. Our faith remains steadfast as we see trials as opportunities to grow. We are becoming more like Jesus.

Before revival came to the church I led in Indiana, people were praying constantly for God to send revival. People signed up to pray every hour even during the night.

But when revival came people left because it required deep sacrifice, especially time. It broke my heart. During a time when His Presence was so strong, I was at the altar asking God why? I looked up as a young lady walked out.

Then the Lord clearly spoke these words to me:

Exodus 14:13
Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.

Let’s deny ourselves and live for God. He is fighting for us, ready to bless. Whatever He asks of us, His plans are perfect.