Resolve to Follow GOD - March 8, 2014

Scripture: Acts 21-2212 When we heard this, both we and the people there begged him not to go up to Yerushalayim; 13 but Sha’ul answered, “What are you doing, crying and trying to weaken my resolve? I am prepared not only to be tied up, but even to die in Yerushalayim for the name of the Lord Yeshua.” 14 And when he would not be convinced, we said, “May the Lord’s will be done,” and kept quiet.

Message:

Resolved to do the will of GOD, resolve to follow God.

Observation/Promise:

When our hearts are one with GOD, we have the mind of Christ, and the heart of GOD. We begin to do things that are not logical to the human mind, but these things only GOD can explain why. Just as Paul wanting to go to Yerushalayim where everyone knows will put his life in danger. The believers tried to stop him, but they couldn't convince him from walking straight into his death. Paul knew the dangers and what kind of suffering he had to go through, prophets were telling him but he would not budge. As a reader, I wanted him to live longer. Didn't GOD want him to live longer? It broke my heart reading how the believers loved him and wanted him to stay with them but time and time they kept saying goodbye to him because he was only meant to stay for a time. Didn't he deserve a life with family at least to retire from his hard work teaching and preaching? His life had to end like those of the martyrs, and its tragic on earth. But GOD's purpose can explain everything. In Heaven martyrdom is one of the greatest accomplishment a follower could do for Yeshua.

Command/Application:
Many people may not understand or be one in heart with what GOD wants you to do. But stay in GOD and listen to His voice. Be one in heart with GOD and be filled with His Spirit. Only you can know what GOD wants you to do, and sometimes you are the only one who believe what GOD wants you to do. Many times we have to walk our faith alone, but GOD will never fail to strengthen you and give you everything you need to accomplish His will and plan for you. Just like Paul resolve to follow GOD with all your heart. Do not let anyone or anything change your mind, do not let anything or anyone move you except the will of GOD and the heart of GOD for your Life.

Fullness of GOD's love - March 2, 2014

Scripture: 1 John 4-5

4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 

18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other[b] because he loved us first.

20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters. - 1 John 4

13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. - 1 John 5

Message:
The fullness of GOD's love is the power that enables us to love others.

Observation/Promise:
We cannot love others if we don't have the love of GOD. And this is the way that the world knows that we belong to GOD is through our love for each other. We have to live in GOD day by day, so that our love grows deeper and becomes more perfect. This perfect love is not afraid of anything, for fear is not of GOD but is of the devil. Perfect love expels fear. There is also no such thing as loving GOD and hating other believers. It is difficult to love others especially believers when they have hurt us. But when we soak ourselves in the love of GOD and fill ourselves with His love everyday, His love will heal all our brokenness and give us the power to love the unlovable, to love our enemies. Whatever seems difficult, ask this of GOD, especially in loving others and GOD will answer the requests of your heart for you know that when you ask something that pleases GOD, HE will certainly answer you prayers.

Command/Application:
Soak in the love of GOD, be filled with the love of GOD. For GOD's love is always available for us, always waiting for us to partake of it like the air we breathe. GOD's love is freely given to us and is shown by the life and death of His Son Yeshua. GOD's love is waiting for you and me each day. GOD's love longs to heal, to restore our broken lives, our wounded hearts. There's no other power that can enable us to love others, and enable us to win our daily battles but the love of GOD and the Spirit of GOD in us. Believe in His Son Yeshua, and partake of His love so that you can be confident that whatever you ask for you in prayer pleases Him. For when we are one with GOD, He makes our desires conform to His will and when we ask in accordance to His will, we are sure to  receive whatever we ask for in prayer. 

Let GOD Be

4 If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? 5 I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? 6 But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!
7 Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.

- 1 Corinthians 6

Disagreements and conflicts are common in the world even inside of the church because people even though they love GOD are still human. People are imperfect and are different from each other. It's only natural at times when brethren do not get along with each other. However, discords should be settled between believers and not taken outside the church for this would shame the whole body of Christ. Unbelievers should see the light from the body of Christ, not see believers as exactly the same with them - unbelievers. For it would be useless to evangelize to the whole world when the world will think that there believers are the same with unbelievers.

Paul was saying that when believers file lawsuits against each other, right then the power of Christ has already been lost. Since Christ teaching has always been to give to those who wants to take, to love their enemies, and to just be at the losing end when other are trying to overtake you, faithful believers defeat the purpose of being Yeshua's follower when they cannot practice what Yeshua has taught them. Therefore, let humility be your crown and let GOD's grace be your guiding light the next time you feel you are being cheated, used or taken advantage of, let it go and let GOD be your GOD.