My God My Everything

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” – John 21:15 In this scene above, Jesus led Peter through an experience that would remove the cloud of his denial. Peter had disowned Jesus three times. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. When Peter answered yes, Jesus told him to feed His sheep. It is one thing to say you love Jesus, but the real test is your willingness to serve Him. Peter had repented, and here Jesus was asking him to…

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Mark 14:38 “You probably face many problems that wear you down. You deal with irritating people whom you must love and serve; you face burdens of unfinished tasks or lack of obvious results; you cope with helpers who let you down or fail to comprehend. Remember that in times of great stress, you are vulnerable to temptation, even if you are a willing spirit.” When I read those notes in my study bible I felt as though someone had a front row seat into my life. It perfectly described how…

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 I recently read a daily devotional by Christine Caine that was a very visual reminder of the love God has for us. She shared about an illustration she saw in a church service that profoundly affected her. The speaker held up a brand-new, crisp $100 bill and asked the congregation if anyone wanted it. Of course everyone did. The speaker than scrunched up the bill and jumped on it. He held it up again and asked who wanted it. Again, everyone did. Then he told the congregation that…

Then he said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all.” – Mark 16:15 MSG At first the Great Commission may seem like a huge task but the truth is, it’s an incredible privilege. People hesitate obeying God’s command because they feel that they are not good with words or they don’t know the bible well enough. While both are helpful, the best way to share the Good News is to tell of the love of God that you have experienced. God has already given you the words to share – your redemption story. You know all the details. You’ve…

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 What a joy it was to celebrate Easter with a church filled with believers and to know that His resurrection was being celeberated worldwide. Praise God! As I read the events of Resurrection Sunday from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John it brought such excitement about…

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:37-39 Doesn’t today’s verse just make you breathe a sigh of relief? When I speak this verse aloud I can feel the power in the truth that is reveals. As a sinner, I know the pain and weight of my sin on my soul. I also know the fear…

Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? – Romans 8:35 Just read the updates on social media or watch the evening news and you might wonder where God is in all of this mess. Shootings, natural disaters, war, human trafficing and loss seem to daily make the headlines and catch our attention. It seems that the world has forgotten how to love, when the truth is that we have forgotten who love is. While we may forget, God never does. The depth of His love is ever present in the cross. It was on…

Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! – Lamentations 3:40 ESV For the month of April we will be studying Love. It is the first Fruit of The Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 and is the foundation for all of them. Love is required to obey the first and greatest commandment, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” as well as the second,  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22: 36-40 The first post of this month presented a challenge to test or examine yourself by entering your name in the following passage…