God

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY

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There are so many Bible verses that we should pay attention too. I believe that much of our relationship with God has to do with what and how we connect with God. How are you worshipping God? Is it the correct way? According to the following, John 4:24, the Bible tells us the correct way. God gave us a spirit for a reason. Could it be so we are able to connect with Holy Spirit? The Bible is so important, but we have to read and study it. God loves us so much that He gave us instructions. We need to listen to what He says.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY – January 13, 2026

John 4:24 “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth,”

A key verse from Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well that emphasizes authentic, heartfelt, spiritual devotion over specific physical locations or rituals. It means worship should come from your inner self (spirit) and be genuine, honest, and align with God’s revealed character (truth), not just outward performance.

Key Meanings

  • God is Spirit: God isn’t limited to a physical place like a temple; He’s non-physical and omnipresent.
  • Worship in Spirit: Worship should be internal, sincere, and from your heart, not just ritualistic actions.
  • Worship in Truth: Worship must be genuine, authentic, and aligned with God’s nature as revealed in His Word (the Bible), not false ideas or pretense. 

Context

  • This verse resolves the debate between Jews and Samaritans about the proper place to worship (Jerusalem vs. Mount Gerizim) by shifting focus from where to how.
  • It highlights Jesus seeking authentic, deep connection with people, even those considered outcasts, showing God desires our true selves. 

John 4:24 means true worship of God, who is Spirit, must be sincere, genuine, and from the heart (in spirit) and based on reality and God’s Word (in truth), rather than being tied to specific physical places, rituals, or outward ceremonies. Jesus taught this to the Samaritan woman, emphasizing that God seeks worshippers who connect with Him personally and authentically through the Spirit, not just through tradition or location.

Key aspects of John 4:24:

  • God is Spirit: 

God is not limited by physical form, time, or place; He is transcendent and spiritual. 

  • Worship in Spirit:
  • Comes from the inner being, the heart, and the deepest part of a person. 
  • Requires being indwelt by the Holy Spirit and genuinely seeking God. 
  • Involves sincere, earnest, and devoted worship, not just going through motions. 
  • Worship in Truth:
  • Is based on the reality of who God is, revealed in His Word (the Bible) and through Jesus (the Truth). 
  • Means worshiping honestly, without hypocrisy, and with a transparent heart. 
  • Is in harmony with God’s nature and will. 

In context (Jesus and the Samaritan woman):

  • Jesus was correcting her belief that worship was confined to a specific mountain (Gerizim) or the temple in Jerusalem. 
  • He conveyed that God isn’t confined to a building; rather, He is Spirit and seeks worshippers who connect with Him internally. 
  • True worship moves beyond geographical boundaries to a personal, spiritual relationship with God. 

TWO CHOICES, YOURS OR JESUS

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Two Choices, Yours or Jesus

I want to point out something that I believe is very important. There are two words that appear over 200 times in the New Testament. Apostle Paul used the two words more than 160 times representing a deep spiritual union.

The two words are found around 40 times in the Book of Ephesians. Paul uses these words to describe what he believed was an important theme in his writings. Paul not only felt being near to Christ, but being united with Him, like a branch in a vine or a limb in a body.

You can find related Bible verses in Colossians 2:6-7, Galatians 3:28, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:1, and John 15:5.

Also, Paul uses the two words to describe a believer’s union with Jesus representing identity, salvation, and a new life. The exact numbers vary by Bible version such as KJV, NIV, etc.

The two words are “in Christ,” “in Him,” and “in the Lord,” or similar verses with the word, “in.”

In reality, being “in Christ” is the fundamental description of a follower of Jesus and a participant of Christ divine life.

To be “in Christ” means we have accepted His sacrifice as payment for our own sins. No amount of self-cleansing can make us pure enough to be forgiven and have a relationship with a Holy God (Romans 3:10-12).

A Divine Exchange takes place at the foot of the cross: our old sin nature for His perfect one (2 Corinthians 5:17).

To enter the presence of a holy God, we must be hidden in the righteousness of Christ. To be “in Christ” means that God no longer sees our imperfections; He sees the righteousness of His own Son

My question is, are you “in Christ,” fully, maybe part way, or nor at all? We need to be careful how we respond to Jesus for He warns about being like lukewarm water as He will spue you out of His mouth, Revelation 3:15-16

In essence, being “in Christ” is the fundamental description of a follower of Jesus, representing identity, new life, and participation in His divine life.

There are dire warnings about our how God will deal with our relationship with Jesus. Yes,  God and Jesus are all about love. They want everybody to follow their instructions by their own free will, their choice, and receive their love. The book of instructions (the Bible) is for your help in making the right choice. It is not for God to make the right choice, (He already did) it is yours.

Jesus loves you and He showed His love on the cross.

Instead of a Bible Verse, I am posting an article.

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What is Thanksgiving Day To You?

Family, Outings, Sports, Day Off, Work, Etc.

I believe that we should be looking at Thanksgiving far more than just a holiday for pleasure. I say this because of the way our world is going. How much our society has gotten away from God and what it used to be.

It appears that satan is gaining ground in his attempts to gather more souls to join him in his final attempts to overthrow God. It is sad to realize that people you know and maybe you will join them separated from God. Satan lost his war against God when Jesus (who is God) came down to earth and suffered, died, buried, and rose again and sits at the hand of the Father waiting to come back and claim those that have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. There are two roads, a wide road (satan’s road) and a narrow road, (Jesus’ road).

Do you realize that all the provisions you enjoy like food, water, air you breath, your home, material of the clothes you wear, your life, etc. come from God? In addition God offers salvation which is life after death through His Son Jesus Christ. God is the sustainer of your life. You are here because He created you for a purpose.

Biblical thanksgiving is an act of worship that involves acknowledging and praising God for His goodness, grace, and provisions through a heart of gratitude. It goes beyond simply counting blessings and is defined by both Old and New Testament scriptures as a constant and active expression of devotion that includes praise, confession, worship, and even sacrificial offerings. Key aspects include recognizing God’s character and His works, giving thanks in all circumstances, and approaching God’s presence with a thankful spirit. 

Core concepts of biblical thanksgiving

  • A form of worship: Thanksgiving is not just a feeling, but an active, spiritual act of worship directed toward God.
  • Acknowledging God’s character: It is about recognizing God for who He is—Creator, Provider, and Redeemer—and praising Him for His infinite majesty and glory.
  • Expression of gratitude: It is a response to God’s gifts, blessings, and redemptive work in one’s life.
  • A spiritual attitude: It is an ongoing attitude of the heart that is to be practiced in all circumstances, not just during good times. 

Old Testament examples and practices

  • Sacrificial offerings: The Old Testament connects thanksgiving with bringing offerings, such as bread and meat, as a thank offering to the Lord (Leviticus 7:13-15).
  • The Psalms: The book of Psalms frequently uses words for thanksgiving to praise God for His mighty acts and deliverance (Psalm 100:4, Psalm 107:1).
  • Hebrew word: The primary Hebrew word for thanksgiving, todah, literally means “extended hand” and is tied to confession, praise, or thanks, often expressed through song, praise, and offerings. 

New Testament examples and practices

  • Greek words: The New Testament uses the Greek word eucharistia, which is a combination of “good” and “grace” or “gift,” highlighting gratitude for God’s grace.
  • Jesus’s example: Jesus gave thanks over the bread and wine at the Last Supper, an act that became the foundation for the sacrament of the Eucharist.
  • Paul’s teachings: The Apostle Paul encourages believers to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The purpose of giving thanks to God is to acknowledge His goodness and love, express dependence, honor Him in worship, and cultivate a humble, grateful mindset. It is a spiritual response that involves recognizing God’s sovereignty and grace in all circumstances, which can lead to greater peace, deeper faith, and a closer relationship with the divine. 

Expressing gratitude and worship

To acknowledge goodness: 

Thanksgiving is a way to thank God for His constant goodness, love, and providence in both good and bad times. 

As a core part of worship: 

Expressing gratitude is a fundamental part of worship and honoring God through words and actions. 

To celebrate God’s character: 

It is a way to publicly celebrate God’s character, mercy, and compassion by sharing what He has done. 

Cultivating a spiritual mindset

To foster humility: 

By acknowledging dependence on God, thanksgiving helps individuals stay humble. 

To deepen faith: 

Thanksgiving can lead to greater peace, change perspective, and deepen one’s relationship with God. 

To live a life of gratitude: 

The practice is meant to be a lifestyle of constant appreciation, not just a single event. 

Fulfilling a spiritual purpose

  • To renew submission: 

Thanksgiving is a reminder of our dependence on God and can renew our submission to His will. 

  • As a spiritual discipline: 

For believers, it can be seen as a spiritual practice that helps with sanctification and secures blessings. 

  • To prompt further blessings: 

Some spiritual traditions believe that a truly grateful heart can prompt further blessings from God. 

I pray that your mindset and those of your family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, that the Holy Spirit stirs your spirit to awaken you to know the truth and the truth sets you free according to John 8:32.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS LOOKING FROM ANOTHER PROSPECTIVE, THE BIBLE.

Jesus loves you and so do I.

ARE YOU CONCERNED?

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ARE YOU CONCERNED?

The Apostle Paul who wrote most of the New Testament says in Romans 9:2 NIV “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Paul was referring to people that did not have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Paul was continuously heartbroken for those without hope and without a Savior. God realized that his creation of mankind was losing their relationship with Him. Because of His love for us He sent His Son down to us to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

When God created the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve they had a perfect relationship. Then something happened that is called sin that changed that relationship. That sin was the result of violating the will of God. God told man that he was not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, man choose to violate God’s will and they still do.

Since God created man with free will to make his own decisions, Sin occurs when  a person chooses to be drawn away by their own desires. No one can make another person sin. People make their own decision to do so. Sin is personally and willfully choosing to disobey God.

If you are a born-again believer of Jesus Christ. Do you have a deep concern for people who are separated from God? Be honest as God knows your heart.

 Many people are hung up on the term “born-again.” When God created man, He created them with  a body, soul, and spirit. When Jesus departed this earth after His death, burial, and resurrection He said, I leave you one greater  than I. He is referring to the Holy Spirit. The rebirth comes when a person receives Jesus as their personal Savior. This is where your spirit connects to the Holy Spirit. Your spirit has been inactive until it connects with the Holy Spirit. The rebirth is spiritual. A person confesses their sins and ask to be forgiven. They surrender their life to Jesus and the Holy Spirit takes overs and begins to transform their life in Jesus.  

Somewhere during your transformation, you will become aware  of those that do not have Jesus in their life. It could be loved ones, friends, acquaintances or just strangers. If you are a true follower of Jesus you will come to understand and feel sorrow for those that may be lost eternally, especially if it is a loved one. Don’t run away from the opportunity to share the salvation of Jesus regardless of whoever it may be. This kind of sorrow is not just a feeling but requires action. Not tomorrow but today for tomorrow may be too late.

Because God is love, He is most concerned about people who do not know  His love through His Son Jesus Christ.

God knows and understands the sorrow of separation and is ready to give you His blessings and fulfill our purpose by the power of the Holy Spirit working inside us.

In the world today, it is easy to be caught up in the fleshly desires of life and lose sight of what matters the most. The glory of God and lost souls of people.

Are you one that believes that God is really mad at you and can hardly wait to punish you for your sins? Yes, God hates sin, but He dearly loves the people He created. He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to be our sacrifice for our sins. There are two choices, you can reject God’s gift through Jesus Christ or received His gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ and enjoy a relationship with Him. You are a free will person who makes their choice, right or wrong. Whatever choice a person makes will determine their eternal destination.

I shudder to think that loved ones, friends, acquaintances, or even a stranger would be separated from God’s love and grace for eternity. They go without God’s help and blessings because of a misunderstanding or teaching that crossed their life at some time.

God is spiritual and not in a physical form to us humans. That is why He depends on His people to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you concerned?

Jesus loves you and so do I.

Savior and Lord

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SAVIOR AND LORD

Do you realize that there is a difference between these two words? The Bible teaches that we are to accept Jesus as both Savior and Lord. It is essential for salvation to be complete.

Jesus is the one who saves us from sin and the one to whom authority is given to continue His saving work. To reject His Lordship is rejecting His saving work. Jesus as the Savior offers redemption for our sins and Jesus as the Lord ask believers to surrender their lives to His rule and guidance.

Jesus as Savior means receiving forgiveness and a new life. Accepting Jesus as Lord means a daily yielding to His will and trusting Him with your entire life. Jesus expects to be called Savior and Lord.

If you are honest with yourself, you must realize that your decisions in your life are not very good. If we followed the Bible guide lines, life would be so much better. Most often we think we have the answers to our problems. Yes, I am no different and I have learned and still learning a lot by hard knocks. I am trying to pass on some important lessons that could save you from some of your serious problems.

Time is short, whether you want to believe it or not. God has blessed me with 89 years on this earth. When I stop and think, I ask myself, time has gone by so fast. You may come to realize how fast, days, months, and years go by faster and faster. The most important question you need to look at, is how do I stand with Jesus Christ? Is my name written in the BOOK OF LIFE?

Maybe you have not received Jesus Christ as your Savior. Maybe you have received Jesus as your Savior but not as Lord. I pray that you consider doing so soon. The Bible tells us not to put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

Jesus loves you and so do I.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT VOTING?

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I’m about to enter a subject that is very controversial. I do so by the guidance of the Bible. As we near a time to vote, we should do so with guidance. Although we do not live under Old Testament law, there is much we can learn from what it tells us.

In 1 Samuel 8:1-22 there is the story of Isreal rejecting their God, the one who rescued them from slavery, provided for them and gave them victory over their enemies. Isreal demanded a King who would judge them, go before them and fight their battles. God had already provided these for them. They wanted a king as other nations. They rejected their true King. God tried to tell them that He was their King.

God granted their request and gave them over to their desires, but not without warning. He promised them a king like all nations. He would give them one who was selfish, oppressive, lied, and had self-interested instead of the people’s needs. They did not heed God’s warning.

Does this sound like what is happening in our election today. We want to be like everyone else. If we follow Isreal’s desire, we could find ourselves overcome by our leader’s wants and desires. Guess who is going to pay? You will never have enough because the “King” will demand more.  You can be sure we will lose our freedom.

I could go on, and I’m sure you could too. Where has the truth gone? All we hear is lie after lie, They promise freedom, a better life, free stuff, when they are slaves to corruption. 2 Peter 2:19 warns  us about this.

This is what happens when we, like Isreal fall prey to the desires of the flesh. When we turn from the wisdom of the Lord and His ways, we eat the fruit of our ways.

In our ways to be like what the devil wants; we miss out on the real blessings of God. Even though we fallow the desires of the flesh, God still shows mercy and works through our rebellion by providing what is best for us just as God later appointed David King.

In God’s eyes there is only one King and that is Jesus Christ. Freedom will only come by submitting ourselves to the true King, Jesus Christ. Otherwise, there is no peace or freedom.

So, when you vote, people have a choice, you can ask God for wisdom as stated in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you”. Or you can follow your own desire. God also provides common sense as stated in Proverbs 3:21, Encourages people to hold onto common sense and discernment, which are like jewels that keep people safe. 

Regardless of how you vote, are you following the aforementioned guidelines or the desires of the flesh? By living in the United States, you have the privilege of voting and take the responsibility seriously.

For those that follow the Christian life, be informed and vote as you believe the Lord leads especially for those that demonstrate Godly leadership. Be careful not to be taken in by emotional forces or political campaigns or your own selfish interests.

Something that may be overlooked after the election is over, Christians are to pray for those that are in authority. 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-2 Pray for those that are in higher offices whose decisions affect many people lives.

PROVERBS 29:2 With good men in authority, the people rejoice; but with the wicked in power, they groan.

We need to remember Hebrews 13:8 KJV,  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

He loves you and so do I.

A SUGGESTION

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A SUGGESTION

I want to pass on what could strengthen your prayer life. In Ephesians Chapter 6 there is some advice that should be considered as part of our prayer time. In fact, I recommend you start your prayer time every day by putting yourself in this prayer. Praying the Scriptures has the power of God.

Putting on the armour of God represents the defense we must take in our spiritual lives. Satan is out to destroy any action we take as Christians. We must realize that we are defenseless against him on our own. Only through Jesus.  It is important that we understand how dangerous this battle is.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

In the book of Daniel, a prayer of Daniel was delayed 3 weeks (Daniel 10:10-14) because the devil fought the angel delivering the answer. Could this be happening to your prayers?

If we don’t follow God’s advice, we can’t expect much in return. Be strong in the Lord and in His power. Put on the armour of God so we can stand against the wiles of the devil.

When you invited Jesus into your life, you became heirs of all He has. The armour is part of what you can have if you desire. It’s your choice.

The following prayer was not written by me. I’m just passing in on. I suggest you begin your daily prayer by repeating it without fail.

Jesus loves you and so do I.

HEAVENLY FATHER, Your warrior prepares for battle. Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God.

I PUT ON THE GIRDLE OF TRUTH! May I stand in the truth of your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan’s lies.

I PUT ON THE BRESTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS! May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

I PUT ON THE SHOES OF PEACE! May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine though me and be a light to all I encounter.

I TAKE THE SHIELD OF FAITH! May I be ready for Satan’s fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

I PUT ON THE HELMET OF SALVATION! May I keep my mind focused on You so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

I TAKE THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT! May the two-edged sword of your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.

By faith your warrior has put on the whole armor of God.

I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory!

AMEN

FAITh

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FAITH

Today is what many look upon as Easter. It is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave.

On the other hand, it is about the Easter Bunny.

My question is which is the most important to you and your family?

It appears that the Easter Bunny is winning the popular vote.

Let’s look at what each has to offer. Jesus is real and offers eternal life. The Easter Bunny is not real and offers temporary pleasure. God has given each person the right to choose, right or wrong.

By the way our society is going, it is what we believe and have faith in. All a person has to look at, what they have to offer? The Easter Bunny offers nothing but a temporary fix.

Everything you have comes from God including your life. He created you and provides everything that sustains you. Also, He is love. By His love you can have life after death through His Son, Jesus Christ.

If you don’t believe and have faith in Jesus Christ, you lose everything. 1Corinthians 15:13 -14 says; “but if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen, and our preaching is in vain is and your faith is in vain.

The righteous shall live by faith. Faith is so important because it is the way we have a relationship with God. For by grace, you have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8). By faith you become heirs of all that Jesus has done for you including the punishment He endured for our sins.

Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is.

Faith is the foundation for hope. It is a supernatural gift from God.

Faith enables a believer to further understands the truths about God that cannot be understood by reason alone.

God requires faith because He is our Heavenly Father. It takes faith to believe He loves us, and He provides everything for us. Without God you could not survive. No one living fully understands the things of God. You can learn if you desire.

The first commandment is that you put nothing before God. He means anything.

On this Easter day I pray that all who reads this remembers that Jesus loves you and if you believe and confess Him as your Savior you will become joint heir with Him. According to Acts 4:12, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Salvation is the most important gift you can ever receive. It is all provided for by what Jesus went through for everyone. He is risen!

I love you and Happy Easter

SPIRITUAL COMPLACENCY

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Spiritual Complacency

Where are you with God and His way? Have you become so overconfident with your relationship with Him that you may have entered into apathy?

Are you aware that spiritual complacency is a dangerous spiritual condition that can lead to an outright rejection of Jesus Christ? It leaves a person open to the attacks of satan and his ways.

In the old testament of the bible, it says that people became so complacent with God, they got into making idols. Do you have any idols in your life? It can be anything that comes before God.

One of the signs of spiritual complacency is being lukewarm in your relationship with Jesus. In Revelation 3:14-22 , the letter written to the Church of Laodicea, according to Jesus they were lukewarm. Evidently Jesus cannot stand people that are lukewarm. Another word for lukewarm is complacency. People will find that complacency is not contentment.

Another sign of spiritual complacency is looking upon success, which is far more dangerous than failure. The fruit of complacency is what you consume. In most cases it is what is dictating the direction of your life.

Here are some other indications of complacency.

Do you look at yourself other than what God does? Especially when we think we are doing okay spiritually. Do we compare ourselves with others? The Bible gives us an example in Luke 18: 10-14 of how to compare ourselves to the holiness of Jesus.

Do you live with an attitude of self-sufficiency? Are you trusting your own ability to handle the ways of life? Have you forgotten that God has control of your body, soul, and spirit? Everything good and I mean everything good including you was created by Him. We need to put Proverbs 3:5-6 in our heart and not depend on our understanding.

You have become comfortable with your life. A believer of Jesus should never be comfortable this side of heaven. Have you become so close to groups, systems, lifestyle, politics, etc. that we no longer seek the spiritual things of God. Do not let 1 John 2:15-17 become your lifestyle and lose what the Kingdom of God has for you.

Are you spiritually aware of what salvation in Jesus Christ is all about? Could you be spiritually dull about the understanding about accepting and believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior? Do you desire to live your life with Him? God gave us a book of instructions called the Bible. He gave us a pathway to communicate with Him, it is called prayer. Do you exercise these blessings in order to have victory over the forces of the devil or are trying to carry on without help from the only one who has provided you with victory, Jesus Christ. Read and follow Ephesians 6:12-18.

The real danger of complacency is when we are not paying attention to the real spiritual dangers such as you no longer have intimacy with Jesus as found in Mathew 7:21-23. You are no longer part of His purposes as stated in John 15:8. You are no longer prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ as found in John 5:28-30.

If there ever comes a time when you feel smug or satisfied with yourself regarding your achievements, or feel overconfident, you may be headed into spiritual complacency. I’m sure that most of us have had periods where complacency has entered our lives. If there comes a time when you think you are headed in that direction, get out of it as if your life depends on it.

Find the promises of God. The Bible has around 7000 promises. If you are following Jesus here is 7 promises He has for you.

Life – Matthew 16:24-25 It seems like an incredible contradiction, but we will only find life when we quit pursuing it. When we stop chasing the things we believe will bring us life and instead, pursue the creator of life, we discover life as it was designed to be.

Acceptance – John 6:37 Charles Spurgeon once called this one of his favorite verses. In this passage, we discover Christ’s assurance that he will not send those who come to him away. We see this acceptance peppered throughout his interactions in the Gospels. If we come to him, we will find him waiting with open arms. Christ’s invitation extends to everyone, and he accepts all those who follow him.

Reward – Mark 10:29-31, Following Jesus requires sacrifice. There are times when the immediate benefit of going our own way may appear to outweigh the potential gains of obedience. Jesus wants us to know that our sacrifices aren’t in vain and there’s nothing we can surrender that exceeds what’s attained in following him.

Revelation – John 14:21  When you get down to it, there’s an element of God’s truth that one can only understand from the inside. All the arguments and proofs for God’s existence pale in comparison to actually experiencing a relationship with God through Christ. Jesus promises us that, when we obey him, he will manifest himself to us.

Friendship with God – John 15:14-5 Jesus came to reconcile God to mankind. The surprise there isn’t just that a bridge would be built between God and humanity; it’s that we would enter this relationship as friends. Yet, this is exactly what Jesus promises us. 

Joy – John 15:9-11   We’re instructed to continually exist in God’s love, and he tells us that we can do that by keeping his commands. Our obedience keeps the relationship alive and active, allowing us to remain in his love. Why does he want to securely stay in this relationship? So, our joy will remain full.

Jesus promises us that joy is a byproduct of remaining in God’s love.

Trials – 2 Timothy 3:12 When you get down to it, following Jesus puts you at odds with the world. This persecution can vary in extremes. Some that belong to Jesus will lose friends, family, jobs, opportunities, maybe even their lives. This truth is partially why these other promises exist. It’s as if God is saying, “Following me will be a struggle, but here are the things I will promise those who persevere.”

Jesus says it this way: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:10-11)

There is a very important question you need to answer, do you claim the promises of Jesus but do not believe with living in oneness with Him?

If there is a way, I can encourage you to examine your relationship with Jesus, I do so now. Every one of us is in a learning stage. If there are areas of your life that needs to change, share your heart with Jesus in prayer or just have a conversation with Him, then listen and keep listening. He hears you and will come to you.

Remember that Jesus loves you more than you can understand. We are entering a time when we celebrate the Gospel. Jesus suffered, died, buried, and rose from the dead and is alive so that we may live.

Jesus loves you and so do I.