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1 John 4:8 "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
A significant other who does not know God cannot properly love you, because they cannot give you what they do not have. And, no disrespect, but if you don't have God living inside of you, neither can you properly love your significant other. As mere humans, we can only love on conditions: When our relationship is going well, when our significant other is doing what is expected of them, as long as that person continues to make us feel a certain way, as long as that person looks a particular way we prefer or has something that virtually benefits us (money, cars, houses, a great job, etc.), and the list goes on .... But only when the love of God is working in us, are we able to overlook faults and flaws and love in spite of... Only when the love of God is working in us, are we able to endure all things... Only when the love of God is working in us, are we able to give our significant other our best and expect nothing in return. It is God who enables us to love unconditionally.. That same unconditional love that God demonstrated while we were still sinners, having Christ die for us (Romans 5:8)... For the Believer, it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). God wants to express His love toward your significant other, and He desires to use you to do it! Want a joyful relationship? Allow God to be the foundation on which it stands. Grace and peace. **Disclaimer: This devotional was written to Married couples and couples moving toward Marriage. God honors covenant. 'Boyfriend and Girlfriend' is not a real covenant.** I'm not shaken by the terrible things that happen in this present life,
because I know that a better life awaits me.... I know that I will spend eternity in Heaven with God.. He will dwell among His people as He did with Adam in the garden (WE GET TO ACTUALLY SEE GOD WITH OUR EYES!!!!)... In this second life, there will be no more crying, no more death, no more pain, no more sicknesses, no more cancer cells taking away our loved ones, no more child abuse, no more rape and molestation, no more fears, no more worries, no more stress, etc.. "for the former things have passed away." (Read Revelation 21:1-8). Heaven will be wonderful! 1 Corinthians 2:9 says ""No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." .... Think of the most amazing sight you've ever seen (in person or on Google lol), Scripture reveals that whatever we've seen can't even COMPARE to what we will see in Heaven! And our bodies will be changed, fashioned after the "glorious body" of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:21).. Even the animals will get along! Read what Isaiah 11:6-8 (ERV) says.. "[6] Then wolves will live at peace with lambs, and leopards will lie down in peace with young goats. Calves, lions, and bulls will all live together in peace. A little child will lead them. [7] Bears and cattle will eat together in peace, and all their young will lie down together and will not hurt each other. Lions will eat hay like cattle. [8] Even snakes will not hurt people. Babies will be able to play near a cobra’s hole and put their hands into the nest of a poisonous snake." .... Ever wonder what it would be like to ride a grizzly bear, or play wrestle with a mountain lion? Well this too will become a reality in God's Heaven.. Never will we become bored at any given moment... Psalm 16:11 says "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Salvation is a free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9)... Those who believe in Christ, who have accepted His sacrifice in payment of their sins, and who follow Him in obedience will spend eternity in heaven. Those who reject Him will not ....... Do you receive this gift? I used to LOVE watching movies with curse words and sexual jokes.. Now when I hear that stuff, I cringe... that's how I know I'm changed. When I hear my old favorite songs (that I used to turn up to at clubs), but nothing in me jumps.... that's how I know I'm changed. When I see old flames I used to "mess with", and the only thing that comes to mind is to tell them about Jesus.. that's how I know I'm changed. When I write music, I'm not glorifying sex, money, cars and clothes.. But I'm exposing it for what it is (temporal happiness)... that's how I know I'm changed. When someone deliberately disrespects me, no longer do I respond in anger.. But I hold my peace.... that's how I know I'm changed. When women flirt with me, no longer do I give in to my lust.. But I have the strength to resist that temptation..that's how I know I'm changed. When I'm deeply stressed, no longer am I smoking, drinking or putting knives to my wrist.. But I pray about it... that's how I know I'm changed.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.".. JESUS did the change in me.. And that's how I know I'm changed. There's this popular belief that when you get Saved and begin to live for God, you lose friends.... This is not true ... You actually GAIN friends: Friends who are mindful of you.. Friends who genuinely love you.. Friends who always have your best interest at heart.. Friends who will pray for/with you even you're too weak to pray for yourself.. Friends who care about where you will spend eternity after you leave this Earth.. Friends who will not agree with you in wrong, but will challenge you to do what is right in the eyesight of God ...... God is love, and a person who has a sincere desire to please God will also love His people (1 John 4:15-16). In conclusion, someone who truly knows God, will ultimately treat you better in contrast to someone who does not know Him.
While these things alone sound great, let us now focus on the greatest friend you are gaining; which is Jesus Christ! John 15:13 says "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." Jesus loves you (reader), and He took on your punishment of death to prove it.. In John 15:15, Jesus says, "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." .... You have a friend in Jesus! A friend who said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).. You can cast all your cares and anxieties on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).. You can do all things through Him because He strengthens you (Philippians 4:13).. and He sits at the right hand of God, ever making intercession for you (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:23-28).. What an awesome friend He is! Not only can you enjoy a friendship with Jesus in this present life, but also in the life to come! Jesus says in John 14:2-4: [2] In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. [4] And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” Therefore, I conclude that the myth of us losing friends when we live for God is false.. You have many great friends waiting for you on the other side ..... Are you ready to make new friends? Tonight's Bible Study lesson: "The Judge Who Judges With Righteousness"! (C.O.G.I.C.). Zoom in to read. If you'd like to attend Bible Study tonight, service starts at 7:30pm. We also have 1 hour prayer before service (starting at 6:30pm). My church is called Greater Shiloh Church Of God In Christ. The address is: 15007 S. Atlantic Ave, Compton, CA 90221. Hope to see you (reader)! God bless. 
Psalm 86:5 "For you, Lord, are good, and READY to forgive; and abundant in mercy unto ALL them that call upon you."
We all know of God's judgement side; His wrath, etc.. But what satan WON'T tell us is that God is actually Loving, Merciful, Patient, Kind and FORGIVING ..... Before I (actually) got to know God, living Saved just seemed impossible.. But then I learned about His GRACE... It is by GRACE we are Saved (Ephesians 2:8) ..... It used to tear me up when I'd slip up and sin... But I learned that when Jesus died on the Cross, He made atonement for even my FUTURE sins ..... 1 John 2:1-2 says, "[1] My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone DOES sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. [2] He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." Lamentations 3:22-23 says that God's mercies are renewed EACH morning. Every time we open our eyes, it is God giving us another chance...... Psalm 103:12 says "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." .... God is a MERCIFUL God ..... Proverbs 24:16 says "the righteous falls seven times and rises again".. Don't stay down; waddling in condemnation.. Repent and GET UP! Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Greater Shiloh C.O.G.I.C. Mime Team - Mary, Did You Know (by CeeLo Green) December 20th, 2013. To see the video, click here: ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hO9bDEuwPc ) Greater Shiloh C.O.G.I.C. Mime Team - The Hymns Medley (by Marvin Sapp) June 28th, 2013. To see the video, click here: ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egDcJReYrTc ) More pictures of the Greater Shiloh C.O.G.I.C. Mime Team. 
Greater Shiloh Mime Team Presents, "Break Every Chain"
Who: Greater Shiloh Church Of God In Christ What: A Deliverance & Healing Service When: August 23rd (Friday) at 7:30pm Where: 15007 S. Atlantic Ave, Compton, CA 90221 (cross streets: Atlantic Ave & Compton Blvd) Pastor: Spencer L. Davis, Sr. Please come out to support us, and to experience a move of GOD! Be blessed. This is how we know if the blessing is from satan; if it involves making small compromises in our Faith, overriding our convictions etc. .... satan told Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew. 4:1-11), he'd give Him all the kingdoms of the world if He'd worship him.... We see this everyday.. Musicians making music for the devil in exchange for nice houses, cars, jewelry, women/men etc.. People steal, sell drugs, do credit card schemes etc. to feed their family.. That's not of God, He's not pleased with that... But Proverbs 10:22 says "The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds NO sorrow with it." ........ We don't have to worry about GOD's blessing turning on us and bringing us pain, hurt and torment in the end ..... Every GOOD and PERFECT gift is from above (James 1:17).. I hear people thanking God for stuff they obtained by sinning, but God's not in that.
We dont have to turn to the devil for NOTHING! ... GOD is our provider!!! ..... Philippians 4:19 says "And my God will supply EVERY NEED of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." ... John 15:7 says "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask WHATEVER you wish, and it WILL be done for you." ..... Trust in the LORD, people.. We don't have to compromise our Faith in God to get what we desire...... Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." ......... Take a stand for righteousness, pray according to His will, believe; then watch God come through for you.. God bless. |
About MeAs a writer, my objective is to provoke thought. As a minister, my objective is to encourage you to Christ. As a disciple, my objective is to do these things in love. Archives
July 2017
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