“You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.” ~Jesus
There are days I just don’t understand what Jesus is doing or saying. I like to think I do. I …
Tag Archives: Love
Love – Is the God of the Old Testament a grumpy old man?
Somehow, we have this image of God, from the Old Testament, as an angry old man. Grumpy to the core. …
There are ungodly and unrighteous people. What to do?
There are ungodly and unrighteous people. They are evil. They have rejected God and His Son Jesus, the anointed King …
“You’re not yet taking God seriously!” ~Jesus
How am I doing with my faith and belief in God and Jesus? Am I taking God seriously? Confidence in …
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” ~Jesus
In some circles, the end game is to be saved. Now that is important but it is not the end …
Justice — Will Jesus judge the nations with justice?
Justice is a term used for what is right or “as it should be.” Justice is one of God’s attributes …
“Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” ~Jesus
Jesus the Messiah was baptized by John: Jesus sets the example for us and was baptized by John. God is …
“If any of you wants to serve me, then accompany me.” ~Jesus
Jesus wants me to accompany him. Jesus wants me to go where He has gone and is going. Jesus wants …
“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” ~God
What does God want from me? Listen to His Son Jesus. It is a simple and straightforward challenge. God didn’t …
“When the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us.” ~Apostle Paul
God showed His infinite kindness to me. God sent His Son Jesus to die for me. Surely I can, by …
“For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name.” ~Mary, Mother of Jesus
Mary, who carried Jesus in her womb and gave birth to Him, breaks out into an amazing song as she visits …
Joy – Is it because of the believers’ love and concern?
Joy is something that I must work at. It is a fruit, needs cultivation, water, fertilizer and more. Neglect can …
“He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles. ” ~King Solomon
I don’t like to get in trouble. I do even though I don’t like it. Usually it is something I’ve …
Grace — How do I find grace and mercy in my life?
I don’t deserve God’s grace. In fact, that is what it means. It is a gift to me from Jesus …
“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” ~Jesus
What am I working for? Jesus wants to know. Jesus has some commands for me on this. I must act …
31 Questions that Jesus Asks in the Good News According to Luke
It is stunning how masterfully our Master Jesus, the Messiah, uses questions (read more here) to teach vital spiritual truths. …
“Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving, but where on earth can you find one?” ~King Solomon
Where is the loyalty? Where is the love? Doesn’t anyone care? God is loyal and God is loving. I can …
“The Master is full of compassion and is merciful.” ~James
Nothing moves me to forgive like the stunning knowledge that I have myself been forgiven. Nothing proves more clearly that I …
“But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” ~Apostle John
Jesus is clear. His apostle John is clear. My heart testifies to me what I ought to do. There …
“Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing.” ~Jesus
Here I see the care and compassion of my Master. It appeared somewhat callous to begin with. Lazarus is sick. …
Despite all the love … refusing to know God
This sad. It breaks God’s heart. There are a lot of people who simply refuse to know God. Despite all …
“My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” ~Jesus
Is justice a quality displayed in Jesus the Messiah’s life? Absolutely. God is God. God has given Jesus, His Son, the …
“Jesus the Messiah might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example.” ~Apostle Paul
God is very, very patient with me. Jesus the Messiah is perfectly patient. I am so thankful for that. Where …
“Celebrate God. Sing together—everyone! All you honest hearts, raise the roof!” ~King David
I serve an amazing God. I celebrate His goodness, righteousness and holiness. God is good. God is good all the …
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great.” ~Jesus
Jesus wants me to love. Jesus wants me to do good. Jesus wants me to not expect anything in return …
“Frauds!” ~Jesus
Jesus has the number of the religious elites. They are constantly trying to trap him. They are constantly trying to …
“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, the Messiah.” ~Jesus
Jesus isn’t enamored with my being a leader who serves. Jesus calls on me to be a servant or a …
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” ~Jesus
Jesus is my Master. As my Master, Jesus has some commands for me. They are not optional if I follow …
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” ~Jesus
Jesus has just finished talking about not judging and hypocrisy in the Jesus Manifesto. At first sight and hearing, this is …
Compassion — Is it shown in actions?
Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, exemplified all of the Father’s attributes, including His compassion. When Jesus saw His …
“Whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” ~Apostle John
Jesus tells me I “cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13) I must seek to be content with what …
“For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Master of hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, who is called the God of all the earth.” ~Isaiah
Without faithfulness to God there can be no discipleship life. Following Jesus is based first on faith that God is, …
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary.” ~Jesus
King David knew that our Master (Lord) is our shepherd. We all love Psalm 23. Jesus is the good shepherd. …
“Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.” ~Matthew about Jesus
This is striking. The first thing to note here is that Jesus saw the people. He didn’t look past them. …
What is God’s response to those who reject Him and His Son Jesus?
The godless have abandoned God. They have rejected God. I see it everywhere. You see it as well. It seems …
“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Master Jesus the Messiah.” ~Apostle Paul
Can I do good? I want to but there is this evil nature that can get in the way. God shows …
“Watch out for the religion scholars.” ~Jesus
Jesus is constantly challenging the religious elites and leaders of His time here on earth. He still does today. This …
“Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness.” ~Apostle Paul
Obedience is a willingness to submit myself to the will of God and to put it into effect. Scripture emphasizes the …
“I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” ~Apostle Paul
Self-control is an issue of my heart. I must not be wishy-washy in my resolve. I must excerpt control of my …
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.” ~Jesus
It starts with faith. I need to get clear with my faith in Jesus. When peace leaves me, I need to …
“How can we picture God’s kingdom?” ~Jesus
Jesus invites me to picture what God’s kingdom is like. Jesus wants me to understand Him as King of the …
Anger — Dealing with it in Jesus | Becoming slow to anger
My mission, given to me by Jesus, is to love. That is it. That should be my day. That should …
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.” ~Jesus
God has a goal in mind for me. It could bring me into conflict with those I love most. Betrayal …
Authority — Without it sin is Unrestrained
According to the Bible, human and governmental authority ought to be submitted to and respected. This is a hard teaching …
Respect — It leads to Godly living
The apostle Peter summarizes the Bible’s teaching on respect in his first Epistle. My mission is clear. Show proper respect …
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” ~Apostle Paul
Should I renounce anger? Yes! Jesus does not exhort me to get angry, as if anger were a good motivator or energy for …
Magnify God — By Honoring Him
Giving glory to God through worship and through upright living. God’s people are exhorted to praise him and to bring …
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ~Jesus
What does the gentleness of Jesus the Messiah look like? Jesus gave us the perfect picture of gentleness: “See, your …
Holy — Becoming holy involves striving after God
The holiness of God is the most difficult of all God’s attributes to explain, partly because it is one of …
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ~Jesus
Grace is a gift. God gives me grace when I am humble. There is no peace if I am proud …
Achievement — Is faith required?
Where does faith come from? Faith is not something I conjure up on my own, nor is it something I am …
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” ~Apostle John
Love isn’t about me. Love is about God and Jesus. I don’t know the first thing about love. Anything I …
“The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” ~Jesus
Jesus challenges me. Am I “sinless“? If so, I get to throw the first stone. Jesus challenged the elite religious …
“Let angry people endure the backlash of their own anger; if you try to make it better, you’ll only make it worse.” ~King Solomon
There is a natural set of consequences for angry people. There is a backlash. Something very real is going to …
Forgiveness — Jesus the Messiah’s Ministry of Forgiveness was Foretold
I need forgiveness. I have missed God’s goal for my life (aka sin). I am guilty. God forgives me. Now …
Tenderness — A Mark of a Disciple’s Behavior
Jesus shows me how to love and be kind. Jesus commands me to love. God wants me to be kind, …
“Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” ~Jesus
Jesus has a requirement for me as I stand before Him, confessing I have missed God’s goal, I am a …
Forgiveness — True Love is Forgiving
I miss God’s goal (aka sin). There is a penalty for that. Unless … I am forgiven. So there is …
Justice — It is Declared in Jesus the Messiah
Justice is a term used for what is right or “as it should be.” Justice is one of God’s attributes …
“There is far more at stake here than religion.” ~Jesus
Jesus is not a fan of organized religion and the elite attitudes that go with it. Jesus is in favor …
Son of God — God Proclaims it and Jesus the Messiah Affirms It
Jesus, the Messiah, is the Son of God. God says it and Jesus affirms it. As the Apostle John says …
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life.” ~Jesus
There are a lot of details to life. What to eat. What to wear. Which way to drive to work. …
Ecstasy — It can be in Response to Jesus the Messiah
We seem a little reluctant to talk about the ecstatic experience. Is that for mystics and weirdo’s? Maybe it’s not …
“For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us.” ~Ezra
I want the quality of compassion and generosity in my life. I need to learn how God loves the weak and poor. It is …
Truth — As Opposed to Falsehood and Lies
Truth as opposed to falsehood and lies. Truth may be used to convey a sense of being in accordance with fact …
“Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.” ~King David
Now here is some good news. God is going to take care of me. My job is to love God. …
“Behold, your mother!” ~Jesus
Consider the tenderness of Jesus the Messiah. Everywhere we turn, Jesus is moved and full of compassion. Jesus shows the goodness of …
Discipleship – Joy is a Benefit and Results from Being a Disciple
Joy is closely related to gladness and happiness, although joy is more a state of being than an emotion; a …
“Do you understand what you are reading?” ~Philip
I need wisdom. I need understanding. Wisdom and understanding is a God-given perception. God’s goal for me is to be wise …
“The world is against me because I expose the evil behind its pretensions.” ~Jesus
Jesus stands firm against evil. Jesus challenges me to do the same. As God’s child, I walk according to this …
Denial of Jesus — The Jewish People Rejected Jesus
Denial is the making of a conscious, informed decision not to accept Jesus as the Messiah or his claims and …
“Jesus came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near.” ~Apostle Paul
Prophecies of peace are fulfilled in the coming of Jesus the Messiah. Peace is real. Jesus wants me to experience peace. …
“Be very careful. Keep a sharp eye out for the contaminating yeast of the Baptist, Methodist, Episcopals, Lutherans or the Catholics. Also the yeast of Obama, Cruz, Sanders, Clinton or Trump.” ~Jesus
This is a special message for our current toxic political and religious environment. Jesus has something to say about all …
Baptism — Jesus sets the Example and how it all Started
I came to Jesus and decided to follow Him at the age of 12. I was immediately baptized in water. …
Atonement — The Purpose of Jesus the Messiah’s death on Behalf of Others
The dictionary definition of atonement is satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury or making amends. Jesus has paid the …
“Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words.” ~King Solomon
Scripture portrays fools as those who have rejected God and/or his ways and are unable or unwilling to appreciate the …
Listening — To Jesus the Messiah
What does Jesus want from me? Jesus wants me to listen. Jesus wants me to be a good and faithful servant. …
Kindness — It’s Demonstrated in the Good News of Jesus the Messiah
I desperately need more kindness and compassion in my life. I need to judge less and love more. That is …
“You have neglected the more important matters of the law — justice, mercy and faithfulness.” ~Jesus
How is God’s justice declared? Justice is a term used for what is right or “as it should be.” Justice is …
“The fear of the Master is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” ~King Solomon
Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the Master is the beginning of knowledge.” Until I understand who God is and develop …
Compassion — A Vital Character Requirement in the Followers of Jesus
Compassion is an attitude of care and concern, grounded in pity and sympathy towards others, given to me by Jesus. …
“My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune.” ~Jesus
Jesus the Messiah’s life was lived under the shadow of the cross. He was concerned that people should understand his …
Obedience — Jesus the Messiah is Totally Obedient to His Father’s Will
I have a lot to learn about obedience. I have a great teacher in Jesus the Messiah. Jesus “learned obedience” …
“Woe to you … ” ~Jesus
Jesus is upset. Jesus is upset with the elite religious leaders of the day. Jesus hasn’t gotten over it. I …
“Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to change you mind?” ~Apostle Paul
What is my attitude? How should I act? What do I think God has in store for me? Jesus calls …
Mercifulness — God Shows it to us as He is Merciful
Mercifulness is an attitude of compassion and care, grounded in the nature of God himself, made manifest in the life …
“Hard trials and temptations are bound to come, but woe to him for whoever brings them on!” ~Jesus
Life is tough. Jesus knows that. He really knows that. Jesus has a warning. Am I ready to hear it? …
Heart — Assurance Through Inward Experiences of the Renewed Heart
Jesus calls on me to be pure of heart. I need need His regenerating Spirit and the blood of His …
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” ~Jesus the Messiah
Is there Good News? There is good news. The Word of God and Jesus offers an understanding of the source, character, …
Self-Examination — The Importance for Followers of Jesus
I need to take heed and exam myself. It isn’t acceptable to just keep moving on and winging it when …
“It is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” ~Jesus
According to the Bible, though, hell is just as real as heaven. The Bible clearly and explicitly teaches that hell …
Justice — A Quality Displayed in Jesus the Messiah’s Life
Justice is a term used for what is right or “as it should be.” Justice is one of God’s attributes …
Patience — Is Jesus God’s model and example?
God is patient with me when I miss His goal (aka sin). Jesus perfectly models that for me. Jesus is …
Goodness — Good Works will be Rewarded
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the “fruit of the Spirit”. “Fruit,” here, means “beneficial results,” the good things that come …
“When you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’ ”
I am a slave of Jesus. Jesus is my Master (aka Lord). Jesus owns me. I have to be clear about …
Fasting — As an Empty Ritual it is Condemned
Fasting can be an empty ritual and is condemned. Did not people come to Jesus and ask: ‘Why do John’s …
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” ~Jesus
Jesus is about to wrap His Manifesto. There is one final parable to lay it all out. There is a contrast …
Love — God’s Love for the World
God’s love for humanity. There is good news in that the Word of God and Jesus offers an understanding of the …
Materialism — Material Goods can Turn the Heart Away From God
Material goods can turn my heart away from God. The pursuit of possessions and wealth and a preoccupation with physical things …
“Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and — good-bye, friend!” ~King Solomon
Friendship is an amazing experience. It also can be a fragile relationship. Am I looking at the good in my …
