Walk In Love

Ephesians 5:2

…Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.

Believers are encouraged to walk in love as this manifest Christ as well as following His example set before us. It is noteworthy to say that being a Christian is being Christ-like; therefore, walking in love shows our commitment, obedience and loyalty to Christ our Savior. Walking in love expresses the believer's gratitude for Christ being our sacrificial lamb removing the alienation that existed between God the Father and the human race.

It is noteworthy to say, walking in love as love is one of the fruit of the spirit which is a characteristics of God (Galatians 5:22-23). Other fruit of the spirit are joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, good, and faith, meekness and temperance. Love is the greatest of all as God is love and His love was displayed in His plan of salvation.

God is pleased when all His children obey His commandments as this signifies believers' loyalty, obedience and a committed faith to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

How are believers able to walk in love? This is achieved by yielding to the indwelling Holy Spirit. Does the world see the love of Christ manifested in your Christian walk? Remember a tree is known by the fruit it bears.

To walk in love emulate Christ as believers show love to God and others.

Comments are welcome

Author's contact

white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

Grow In Love

Philippians 1:9

And this I pray, that your love abound more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.

Today's focus discussion is growing in love with explanations of why and how believers can grow in love. First, let's define love according to scripture (Genesis 37:3 and Matthew 5:46 as a deep enduring concern for others and their well-being. This can be seen in believers' treatment and care for his or her fellowman. Second, love is a characteristic of God which was demonstrated by His affectionate care and love for mankind in His plan of salvation. God would not allow His prize creation to remain in a state of lostness. In doing so He gave His best as man's propitiator. Third, believers are to love as it is essential to the Christian faith and must be from the heart as the heart is the epicenter of all actions. Love is to be based on Biblical truth as revealed by God and represents a personal relationship with Him.

Believers grow in love through knowing God's Word which comes from studying God's Word and yielding to its revelations as the Word is given for the betterment of men. Prayer must be a part of believers' daily lives. Lastly, believers grow in love as they become more Christ-like.

Grow in love and manifest Christ in your life as He commanded us to love one another.

Comments are welcome

Author's contact

white3285@sbcglobal.net     

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

Adhering To Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

If there were any doubts as to the purpose of scripture our discussion text make plain God's purpose and reason for inspiring men to write as they were led by the Holy Spirit who is God.

With that being said, let us look at God's intentions for giving scriptures, they are profitable for doctrine, which is teaching so that all men may know the truth of His Word and ways and then live according to God's Word. Scriptures are given as guidelines on how men are to live, which is according to God's holy standards. Scriptures are also designed for man's correction when he goes astray, in other words, scripture is a plum line indicating when man's life doesn't align with God's laws. Lastly, scripture is a set of instructions instructing man of the dos and don'ts of life, which are designed to create a righteous life as man was created in the image and likeness of God; therefore, His instructions are to mold man into holiness and perfection so that all the work that man does will be pleasing to God.

Given the purpose of scripture, Are you adhering to them as they are God's Word? It is one thing to read and know scripture, but quite another to adhere to scripture.

Scripture becomes meaningful when we adhere to them.

Comments are welcome

Author's contact

white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

The Shadow Of God's Love

Psalm 91:1-14

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

The entire number of this Psalm speaks to all those who abide in the secret place of God's love, protection, grace and mercy. The God of all creation is believers' refuge, high tower, and the horn of his or her salvation (Psalm 18:2) and He delivers. In the OT He is seen as delivering His people from harm. In the NT He provides salvation through His Son Jesus Christ as Jesus is the only way back to God the Father. Psalm 23:1 speaks of God as the shepherd supplying all our need; in John 10:1-30 Christ, God's Son is spoken of as the good shepherd outlining all the things that a shepherd does for His sheep (people).

God's attributes speaks of His uniqueness and goodness undergirded by His love, which was manifested in the greatest degree in providing salvation to all who believe in His Son. That being said, all humanity operates in God's love because He provides life sustaining necessities and without them there is no life. What a loving God?

Let's close with this question, God provides the necessities of life to both the saved and unsaved, then why not believe in Jesus Christ, be saved and enjoy even greater blessings from the Lord?

God's love surpasses all.

Comments are welcome

Author's contact

white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

Christians Or Church Folk

Acts 11:26; Ezekiel 37:1-14

…And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church and taught much people, and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

I have just finished reading a Christian novel written by a local author, Michele Bowen; as I read and reflected on the actions that occur in many of our Black churches today. I began to ponder some of the conduct by my Christian sisters and brothers and ask myself, where Christ is in this conduct and what does scripture say? I have witnessed love affairs, adultery, gossip, leaders scattering sheep, church fights and splits over things that has nothing to do with salvation and other forms of worldliness that have crept into the church.

The late Rev. Dr. Ozzie Clark would say, "A lot of folk are going to hell through the church," and Rev. Dr. Oscar King's saying is, " going to hell over a piece of chicken." Both sayings are true because everyone in the church is not a Christian and church folk have the biggest fights over things that have nothing to do with salvation. I took the position, I refuse to live in hell and then die and go to hell because I failed to live according to God's Word.

God's Word is given for our benefit which is designed to be a lamb unto our (my) feet and a light unto our (my) path (Psalm 119:105). Christ left His Spirit as a guide for His church and individual believers to keep us walking in God's way. See, sin remains in this world, but Christians are a set apart to shine the light of Christ daily and when we come together to worship it must be done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) because self-pride, lust, perceived power and self-exaltation have no place in God's house.

Love, passion and desires when focused properly and with godly motives are a good thing. Brotherly love is a commandment issued by Christ (1 John 2:7). Serving in any position should glorify God, edify the body of Christ, grow His church and build God's kingdom and must be done with a spirit of humility.

Being that we are imperfect people and are clay in the potter's (God) hand that is being shaped and molded into His perfect image. Christians, we are in the church as we are the church, but do no have to be church folks-displaying ungodly behaviors.

Comments are welcome.

Rich In God's Grace

Ephesians 2:7

That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

Paul in his writing to the church at Ephesus was reminding the people of the magnitude of God's grace and His gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is the work of God and His Son. That being said, man is rich in God's grace. Man's is to believe in Jesus Christ and receive the greatest gift that can and will ever be given-salvation. What a gift!

The gift of salvation is one that has stood through and will continue to stand through all the ages to come as it carries riches beyond comparison and can only be comprehended with a spiritual mind as revealed by God the Holy Spirit. The magnitude of God's grace is that mercy took the place of justice which was demanded for the punishment of sin, but thank God for His Son Jesus who took man's punishment. This was love in action and cannot be superseded by any other love as Jesus Christ became man's propitiator. What a propitiator!

Believers are rich in God's grace because of His Son's atoning work on Calvary of providing salvation so all who believes will spend eternity with Him.

God's grace what a rich gift to have.

Comments are welcome

Author's contact

white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info

A Renewed Commitment

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world; be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

As we begin the New Year I have heard a common theme from ministers and laity that God is going to do great things for the world to see that yes there is a God, He is supreme above all and His holy laws will last forever. One can concluded that God is speaking to the minds of His children informing them to remain steadfast in his or her faith in spite of the turmoils and all manner of evil that exist in our society today. Satan knows his days are numbered here on earth and he is trying to destroy all that he can. Believers fear not because Satan is a defeated foe and there will always be more believers than non-believers.

Our scripture text encourages all to "be not conformed to this world" by having a transformed mind with a renewed spirit to live holy lives unto God, which pleases Him.   A renewed commitment to the Lord leads to a steadfast faith in God where His protection and deliverance is assured. With a transformed mind, believers know the Will of God and are committed to doing His will as this is the highest and best way of life contrary to what the world says.

A renewed commitment to God is a steadfast servant of God.

Comments welcome

Author's contact

white3285@sbcglobal.net

http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.shepherdministries.info