HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT BURDENSOME

1 JN 5:3

Joh 6:40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

What a wonderful and peaceful feeling to have this promise safely tucked away in your soul. It is also empowering to always foster a strong faith, and exercise that faith daily to keep it strong and nimble.

1Jn 3:22 Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

"things that are pleasing in His sight ", This is the key to successful prayers. Encouraging the Holy Spirit, that dwells within you, to fashion your prayers to meet and be in harmony the will of our Lord.

Mat 11:30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Joh 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. Joh 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."

What is God's law? Once it was the Ten Commandments (still valid in my mind and heart) then was expanded {by man} to 613 commandments. Christ Jesus fulfilled the law and boiled it all down to this simple formula;

Mat 22:37-40 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' (38) "This is the great and foremost commandment. (39) "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' (40) "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

As Paul teaches us in Romans, It Ain't easy to stay within the lines and always do what one is supposed to do. (my paraphrase)

Rom 7:22-23 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, (23) but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

There is a real and violent battle going on between good and evil. Its in you, its in me and in the heavens and in the hell. Two creatures battling within you, each fighting to the death for the prize. The prize being you and your soul. Which one wins, you ask? GOOD or EVIL ?

THE ONE YOU FEED

THAT IS THE ONE THAT WILL WIN

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT BURDENSOME

1 JN 5:3

Joh 6:40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

What a wonderful and peaceful feeling to have this promise safely tucked away in your soul. It is also empowering to always foster a strong faith, and exercise that faith daily to keep it strong and nimble.

1Jn 3:22 Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

"things that are pleasing in His sight ", This is the key to successful prayers. Encouraging the Holy Spirit, that dwells within you, to fashion your prayers to meet and be in harmony the will of our Lord.

Mat 11:30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Joh 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. Joh 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."

What is God's law? Once it was the Ten Commandments (still valid in my mind and heart) then was expanded {by man} to 613 commandments. Christ Jesus fulfilled the law and boiled it all down to this simple formula;

Mat 22:37-40 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' (38) "This is the great and foremost commandment. (39) "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' (40) "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

As Paul teaches us in Romans, It Ain't easy to stay within the lines and always do what one is supposed to do. (my paraphrase)

Rom 7:22-23 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, (23) but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

There is a real and violent battle going on between good and evil. Its in you, its in me and in the heavens and in the hell. Two creatures battling within you, each fighting to the death for the prize. The prize being you and your soul. Which one wins, you ask? GOOD or EVIL ?

THE ONE YOU FEED

THAT IS THE ONE THAT WILL WIN

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HE LOVED

Joh 11:36 So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved him!"

Jesus wept not only for His dead friend Lazarus. He wept over the lost condition of the people. Lost, like sheep. Condemned to eternal death and suffering through the corrupt seed of Adam, and the falsehood of Satan.

2Co 5:15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

There is no love in the entire universe that can equal the depth of love that Jesus has for his own.

Joh 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Our Savior willingly came down from on high, permitted Himself to become the created of the Creator, to live among us, blemish free, to show us the way, and be the light upon our path leading to salvation from the sentence of eternal death and suffering. This resulting from the fall of man through Adam. His willingness to suffer and to die in perfection and sinlessness, was His personal and loving gift to His Father, and to those of whom He has created.

Heb 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

We would do well to pray prayers of intercession for those we know and those we love, or could love. Jesus is the Great Intercessor!

Jesus holds out His hand to us. Be an overcomer of sin. Cancel your reservation in Hell. Take His hand and believe!

Joh 14:2-3 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. (3) "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

As Christ interceded for us physically, and brutally through His death on the cross, Jesus prayed to our Father, and His Father that we be given Him as a possession, that He might be the propitiation for our transgressions, Amen.

Joh 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Did you ever in your whole life love so deeply that it was physically painful? That your bones ached, your stomach wrenched? Jesus Christ loved and loves us with a deepness that our earthly minds simply cannot comprehend. So deep that He chose to die that we might live.

Joh 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

1Jn 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.

2Co 5:14-15 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; (15) and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

Love Him with all your mind, with all your soul, with all your heart, with all your might, and, Love your brothers and sisters as you love yourself. Believe on Him.

Joh 15:10 "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.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HE LOVED

Joh 11:36 So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved him!"

Jesus wept not only for His dead friend Lazarus. He wept over the lost condition of the people. Lost, like sheep. Condemned to eternal death and suffering through the corrupt seed of Adam, and the falsehood of Satan.

2Co 5:15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

There is no love in the entire universe that can equal the depth of love that Jesus has for his own.

Joh 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Our Savior willingly came down from on high, permitted Himself to become the created of the Creator, to live among us, blemish free, to show us the way, and be the light upon our path leading to salvation from the sentence of eternal death and suffering. This resulting from the fall of man through Adam. His willingness to suffer and to die in perfection and sinlessness, was His personal and loving gift to His Father, and to those of whom He has created.

Heb 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

We would do well to pray prayers of intercession for those we know and those we love, or could love. Jesus is the Great Intercessor!

Jesus holds out His hand to us. Be an overcomer of sin. Cancel your reservation in Hell. Take His hand and believe!

Joh 14:2-3 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. (3) "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

As Christ interceded for us physically, and brutally through His death on the cross, Jesus prayed to our Father, and His Father that we be given Him as a possession, that He might be the propitiation for our transgressions, Amen.

Joh 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Did you ever in your whole life love so deeply that it was physically painful? That your bones ached, your stomach wrenched? Jesus Christ loved and loves us with a deepness that our earthly minds simply cannot comprehend. So deep that He chose to die that we might live.

Joh 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

1Jn 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.

2Co 5:14-15 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; (15) and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

Love Him with all your mind, with all your soul, with all your heart, with all your might, and, Love your brothers and sisters as you love yourself. Believe on Him.

Joh 15:10 "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.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THEIR JOURNEY CONTINUES

He breathed his last, his hand resting on hers. She breathed her last a few minutes later. Sweethearts in elementary school, they dated through high school. After the prom came summer, then fall, then war. In a small community church, they swore one to the other in the eyes of God, exchanged blessed rings, and said I DO. Through the miracle of the Holy Spirit in which they both had been baptized, they became one.

As a pilot in the Army Air Corps., a country relied on his prowess as a test pilot and trainer. She became his trusted deputy, confidant, friend, lover defender of the home, and supreme supporter. Then came the lateral move to the newly formed Air Force--a new uniform he now wore. Flying now in foreign lands, his work for Special Services soon evolved into what is now Special Ops.

Mama always helped him keep his flight bag at the ready. The secret pouch that housed his Dristan pills to treat the pesky sinus problem and kept him flying. Off he would go, mama never knew where or how long he might be gone. She never doubted that he would return, her faith was strong. Years of trusting, seldom questioning, knowing that where he went and what he did would always be secured in the vault of his promise to a nation. For 34 years, He and she served quietly in the background of the noise of a busy world, a dangerous planet.

He breathed his last. She followed. The promise they made to each other to always return is kept. Married for 74 years, Their Journey continues.

Rev 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (2) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, (4) and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

They will be witness from on high.

[Please pray for those who serve in Hospice Ministry.]

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THEIR JOURNEY CONTINUES

He breathed his last, his hand resting on hers. She breathed her last a few minutes later. Sweethearts in elementary school, they dated through high school. After the prom came summer, then fall, then war. In a small community church, they swore one to the other in the eyes of God, exchanged blessed rings, and said I DO. Through the miracle of the Holy Spirit in which they both had been baptized, they became one.

As a pilot in the Army Air Corps., a country relied on his prowess as a test pilot and trainer. She became his trusted deputy, confidant, friend, lover defender of the home, and supreme supporter. Then came the lateral move to the newly formed Air Force--a new uniform he now wore. Flying now in foreign lands, his work for Special Services soon evolved into what is now Special Ops.

Mama always helped him keep his flight bag at the ready. The secret pouch that housed his Dristan pills to treat the pesky sinus problem and kept him flying. Off he would go, mama never knew where or how long he might be gone. She never doubted that he would return, her faith was strong. Years of trusting, seldom questioning, knowing that where he went and what he did would always be secured in the vault of his promise to a nation. For 34 years, He and she served quietly in the background of the noise of a busy world, a dangerous planet.

He breathed his last. She followed. The promise they made to each other to always return is kept. Married for 74 years, Their Journey continues.

Rev 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (2) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, (4) and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

They will be witness from on high.

[Please pray for those who serve in Hospice Ministry.]

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU

Joh 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Rom 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.

Rom 7:24-25 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? (25) Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Rom 8:10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Col 1:23 If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

1Jn 2:28, 2:6 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. (2:6) the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU

Joh 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Rom 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.

Rom 7:24-25 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? (25) Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Rom 8:10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Col 1:23 If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

1Jn 2:28, 2:6 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. (2:6) the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

GOD OF MY END

It is my greatest, noblest pleasure
to be acquainted with thee
and with my rational, immortal soul;

It is sweet and entertaining
to look into my being
when all my powers and passions
are united and engaged in pursuit of thee,

when my soul longs and passionately breathes
after conformity to thee
and the full enjoyment of thee;

No hours pass away with so much pleasure
as those spent in communion with thee
and with my heart.

O how desirable, how profitable to the Christian life
is a spirit of holy watchfulness
and godly jealousy over myself,
when my soul is afraid of nothing
except grieving and offending thee,
the blessed God, my Father and friend,
whom I then love and long to please,
rather than be happy in myself!

Knowing, as I do, that this is the pious temper,
worthy of the highest ambition, and closest
pursuit of intelligent creatures
and holy Christians,

may my joy derive from glorifying and
delighting thee.

I long to fill all my time for thee,
whether at home or in the way;
to place all my concerns in thy hands;
to be entirely at thy disposal,
having no will or interest of my own.

Help me to live to thee for ever,
to make thee my last and only end,
so that I may never more in one instance
love my sinful self.

Blessed thanks to Puritan Prayers and Devotions

from The Valley of Vision, Arthur Bennett, Banner of Truth Trust

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

GOD OF MY END

It is my greatest, noblest pleasure
to be acquainted with thee
and with my rational, immortal soul;

It is sweet and entertaining
to look into my being
when all my powers and passions
are united and engaged in pursuit of thee,

when my soul longs and passionately breathes
after conformity to thee
and the full enjoyment of thee;

No hours pass away with so much pleasure
as those spent in communion with thee
and with my heart.

O how desirable, how profitable to the Christian life
is a spirit of holy watchfulness
and godly jealousy over myself,
when my soul is afraid of nothing
except grieving and offending thee,
the blessed God, my Father and friend,
whom I then love and long to please,
rather than be happy in myself!

Knowing, as I do, that this is the pious temper,
worthy of the highest ambition, and closest
pursuit of intelligent creatures
and holy Christians,

may my joy derive from glorifying and
delighting thee.

I long to fill all my time for thee,
whether at home or in the way;
to place all my concerns in thy hands;
to be entirely at thy disposal,
having no will or interest of my own.

Help me to live to thee for ever,
to make thee my last and only end,
so that I may never more in one instance
love my sinful self.

Blessed thanks to Puritan Prayers and Devotions

from The Valley of Vision, Arthur Bennett, Banner of Truth Trust

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

REMEMBER ME

Neh 5:19 Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

Jer 2:2 "Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, The love of your betrothals, Your following after Me in the wilderness, Through a land not sown. Eze 16:60 "Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.

Jer 29:10-11 "For thus says the LORD, 'When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. (11) 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Isa 55:9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Job 5:8-9 "But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God; (9) Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number.

Psa 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

REMEMBER ME

Neh 5:19 Remember me, O my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

Jer 2:2 "Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, The love of your betrothals, Your following after Me in the wilderness, Through a land not sown. Eze 16:60 "Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.

Jer 29:10-11 "For thus says the LORD, 'When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. (11) 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Isa 55:9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Job 5:8-9 "But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God; (9) Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number.

Psa 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

The name of the city from that day shall be, 'The LORD is there.' Eze 48:35

Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.

Rev 21:22-23 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. (23) And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Psa 17:15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake. Psa 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

Joe 3:20-21 But Judah will be inhabited forever And Jerusalem for all generations. (21) And I will avenge their blood which I have not avenged, For the LORD dwells in Zion. Zec 2:10 "Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," declares the LORD.

Rev 22:3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?