"IF"

"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."  (John 15:10, NASB)

The "ifs" of the Bible spoil things for our fleshly nature.  Here is another one: "You are My friends if you do what I command you." (v.14)  

How would a worship service go if we sang the song, "I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, He calls me friend"------ Oh, that is, "....if [I] do what [He] command[s me]."

Father, in Jesus' Name, deliver me from any flippancy.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

CONSIDER WHAT THEY "SAW"

"Jesus said to him,..'He who has seen Me has seen the Father....'"  (John 14:9c)

In short, "You do not have to l0ok, 'search,' inquire further.  The Living Triune God is standing in front of you."  And later, Jesus will tell them, "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you."  This is the whole, complete objective of the Godhead for humanity.  

The wonderful state of, "....you in Me, and I in you..," was lost, however, because of "free will."  And it was that proud, adhering-to "free will" which led to man's death sentence.

In Jesus Christ's, what Romans 5 tells us, "one act of righteousness," we can now be back where we belong, viz., The Lord God in us and we in The Lord God.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "The wonder of it all."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....THE SECRET OF HIS PLAN...."

"For God had allowed us to know the secret of His plan, and it is this:  He purposes in His sovereign will that all human history shall be consummated in Christ, that everything that exists in Heaven or earth shall find its perfection and fulfillment in Him."  (Ephesians 1:9, 10--Phillips)

Worship songs and preaching should reflect the same.

Our text should be the mission statement of every local congregation on earth.  Our text should be the theme of all the programs in the 

"megachurches."

There is so much talk of people wanting to find themselves, their purpose, etc.  Here it is:  "....All human history shall be consummated in Christ."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, may my life align with, "....the secret of [Your] plan...."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

IT AND HE WILL SURELY COME

"For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land."  (Ezekiel 36:24)

Israel had The Land; they lost it; they have it again.  The Bible is full of promises which took thousands of years to come to pass.  Our text is one of them.  

The old hymn says, "Be faithful weary pilgrim the morning I can see."   Remember: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, "let you be true and every man a liar."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2