I John 5:12 “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

This scripture doesn’t mince words…you either have eternal life, or you don’t.  You either claim Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, or you don’t.  In this wishy-washy world where no one wants to commit or take a stand, it’s pretty black and white…you either believe in Jesus and have eternal life, or reject Him and have God’s wrath on you.

Proverbs 4:18 “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”

Our journey with the Lord is just that – a journey.  It’s not a stagnant, or stationary time in our lives when we just stand still… waiting.  We need to be growing daily, pushing ourselves ever closer in becoming more like Jesus.  And as we mature, we become established, full of Godly wisdom, and able to further the Kingdom of Heaven. For just like that first gleam of dawn, the light of God will shine brighter and brighter within us.

Zechariah 10:1 ” Ask the Lord for rain in the Springtime; it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone.”

What are you asking the Lord for today?  Are you tempering your request based on your limited vision and emotional involvement or by God’s limitless vision and His desire to fulfill your  petition according to His will?  Ephesians 3:20 tells us, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”  When you ask the Lord for something…don’t limit Him…for we cannot start to  mentally grasp all He can do and set into motion at His disposable.   Instead,  pray His vision into the situation…and then stand back and watch what miracles  God will do.

John 6:44 “Jesus answered, ‘No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him and I will raise him up at the last day.’ “

God sent Jesus on a mission of rescue…lovely drawing us to Him and saving our souls.  Psalm 91:14 says, ” ‘Because he loves Me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.’ ”  Jesus is still on that mission of rescue today…desiring  none to perish.

Matthew 3:10 ” The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Healthy trees produce lots of fruit, so when they don’t, the orchardist looks deeper.  The trees may look perfect from the outside, but hide disease within.  Their roots may be withered and gnarled from lack of water or fertilizer.  We too can look good on the outside, but be stunted within.   We can act very spiritual in Church, say all the right things at Bible Study, and still be very withered inside. The Lord wants us healthy and productive – inside and out,  for just like strong, hardy trees that produce lots of fruit… so should we.

II Corinthians 4:4 ” The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

The darkness of evil is everywhere in this present world…obscuring the understanding of the Gospel to the lost.  As a Believer,  what can I do to make a difference?  The song, “My Father’s Eyes”,  reminded me that His light needs to be shining forth when someone looks at me.  I need to be unashamed of professing my faith in public and able to back it up with sound doctrine when questioned.  I need to be able to share the Good News of Jesus with anyone, at anytime,  in a manner that is easy to understand, non-threating, and loving.  Finally, I need to be able to share my testimony…my story,  in a concise, simple manner…for there is nothing more powerful than a declaration of what the Lord has done in my life.  Are you up to the challenge to make a difference in this fallen world?

Luke 24:18 ” They stood still, their faces downcast, one of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, ‘Are You only a vistor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ “

It was still on the third day that these two followers of Christ  were trudging on the road to Emmaus.  Disheartened and disillusioned , they had put their hope in this man named Jesus only to see Him die on a Cross.  Yes, some crazy women had  tried to convince them that He had risen from the dead, but they weren’t believing any of it.  Suddenly,  a man was walking along side them, asking what they were talking about.  Cleopas was incredulous that this stranger didn’t know the events of the last few days.  In more modern language, Cleopas might have exclaimed to Him – “Have you been living under a rock?!”  And Jesus could have replied, “As a matter of fact, Yes, I have.”

Luke 4:3 ” The devil said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’ “

Satan was questioning Jesus’ authority.  Satan knew who Jesus was – but used intimidating language , wanting Jesus to falter.  Never allow Satan to force you to question if you’re saved or not…if God really loves you or not… or if He can heal you or not.  For if Satan can get you to waver in your belief and trust even a little, fear and doubt will rush in and take over.  And when they do, God’s plan and purpose in your life will be stymied.

John 8:42 ” Jesus said to them, ‘ If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on My own; but He sent Me.’ “

God sent His only Son to earth in order to save us from  our sins.  Jesus Christ came from God to take our place on that cross.  So if you know God…you love Jesus…and if you love Jesus and accept Him as your Savior, your sins are forgiven…and when your sins are forgiven, you receive eternal life.

Luke 11:9 ” Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Today marks the 1500 devotional I’ve written over the last 4 1/2 years.  What would have happened if I had not askednot sought…not knocked?  God tells us He will supply all our needs…all we have to do is supply the trust.  And in additional to that, we need to have the insight to realize what we “want” may not be what we need.  As I look back today at how He’s worked in my life with Safetypinlove, I see the plan and purpose He had for me when I first asked, sought, and knocked.