It is all about relationships

It is all about relationships. Our relationship with God. Our relationship with all those we know or even don’t know but come in contact because God has something in mind. Am I willing to humble myself? Can I give everything I have for what God wants me do in love of others? I can with His gift of Power of the Holy Spirit. That is His promise. That is the benefit of His new agreement based on love.

And in relationships, we should have the same attitude of mind that Jesus had. He lived in the moment. He did what He saw His Father doing. He came to serve, to love, to give, to do the “tough” things. He was obedient. He didn’t dodge what His Father sent Him here to do. He gave Himself to it.

In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind the Messiah Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Philippians 2:5-10 TNIV

Do I live like Jesus?

The Apostle John is consumed with the purity of Jesus life. It came down to one thing in John’s mind. It is all about love. Jesus is all about love. That is the essence of the commandments. That is how Jesus lived.

May I live like Jesus. May I mature my love.

“Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.” ~~Apostle John  (1 John 2:6 The Message)

Our mission is love

Jesus challenges us to love everyone, all the time.

Jesus challenges us to love God, with a passion that can’t be replicated.

“Because we love something else more than this world, we love even this world more than those who know no other.” ~~C. S. Lewis

What is worth reporting on?

What is worth reporting on, in Paul’s opinion? It is all about the love we show to others. That is it. There is nothing else.

It isn’t the new church building. It is not how moving the Worship Team sang the new song. It isn’t new car we just bought.

There are only two ways to get God’s attention. Love Him and love everyone we know and meet. That is how our faith in Jesus is demonstrated.

“We keep getting reports on your steady faith in the Messiah Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians.” ~Apostle Paul (Colossians 1:4 The Message)

Love must …

“Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

How do we know we are keeping God’s word?

How do we know we are keeping God’s word? Now that is a very reasonable question. God has said so much, it is easy to get overwhelmed.

The answer from the Apostle John (the one whom Jesus loved) is stunningly simple. Do we see God’s love in someone? Then they are keeping God’s word. That is what it comes down to over and over again. Love god. Love everyone else. That is the summation of the word of God.

It is in fact the only way to be certain.

“But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God.” ~~Apostle John  (1 John 2:5 The Message)

Will I be proud when I stand before Jesus?

Will I be proud when I stand before Jesus?

That is a stunning question. Think about it. Will I?

Do I live in His love or ashamed, in condemnation, because of my enemy?

May I live in His love. May I know how proud He is of me. May I know it in my soul.

“We want you to be as proud of us as we are of you when we stand together before our Master Jesus.” ~~Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 1:14 The Message)

What is love?

We like think we know a lot about love. It doesn’t start with us however. It starts with God. He initiated everything. And He proved His love for us. He gave us a great gift. How stunning. Our identity is based on His love.

It is all done. It is a new plan. His love led to sacrifice that brought us into right standing. How amazing is that?

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

 

Old plan thoughts carry over to the new plan

Here some old plan thoughts that carry over into the new plan that Jesus has revealed to us. Mostly things we should avoid doing but one affirmative act that is one of the two great laws that Jesus said to do. In His way, loving our neighbor is the BIG thing. If we do, we won’t pervert justice, show favoritism, gossip or seek revenge. God is love.

Don’t pervert justice.

Don’t show favoritism to either the poor or the great.

Judge on the basis of what is right.

Don’t spread gossip and rumors.

Don’t just stand by when your neighbor’s life is in danger.

I am God.

Don’t secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.

Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

I am God.

–Leviticus 19:15-18 The Message Bible

Am I on your side?

This is a stunning way to approach relationships. Do they know I am on their side?

It is simple but I am guessing not everyone I know gets that. And … it is not their fault if they don’t. God forbid they think I am against them. I’m sure, to my embarrassment, that it happens.

May I show my love by being on the side of my friends and family.

“Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them.” ~~Apostle Paul (Philippians 4:4 The Message)

Am I a liar?

The Apostle John can be direct. I think he learned it from Jesus. No point beating around the bush so to speak.

Jesus was clear. There are 2 commandments that we need to focus on. Love God. Love everyone else. That sums it up and it is pretty easy to remember. If we say we are a Christ (Messiah) follower and don’t do that, we are a liar. We aren’t following Jesus.

May I live, as a Christian, the way Jesus said I should. May there be no doubt about it.

“If someone claims, “I know him well!” but doesn’t keep his commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words.” ~~Apostle John  (1 John 2:4 The Message)

How will others come to know God?

This is an amazing truth. God wants us to love everyone we know or come in contact with.

How will they come to know God? Through our love of them.

“To love another person is to help them love God.” ~~Soren Kierkegaard

“We have guided missiles and misguided men.” ~~Martin Luther King, Jr.

So sad but true.

May God guide is in His path of love.

“We have guided missiles and misguided men.” ~~Martin Luther King, Jr.

“When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to do things differently than the way people of this world do things. He is not subtle at all. He knows our friends and acquaintances, even our families, will give us a hard time. Following Jesus guarantees that for sure. What should we do? We devote our whole energy to praying for them. That is the way of Jesus. When God is in us, that is second nature to us.

Jesus challenges us to be like God, to love like God. He gives us the power.

“When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5 The Message)

Can we really out imagine God?

We think we know it all. We are very confident about what the future holds for us. Can we really out imagine God?

No, we can’t out imagine the creator of the universe. We can’t out imagine the inventor of love. We can’t out imagine the author of faithfulness.

God loves us and we can’t imagine what He has in store for us. So let’s just fasten our seat belts and enjoy the ride.

“That’s why we have this Scripture text: No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him.” ~~ Apostle Paul   (1 Corinthians 2:9 The Message)

“You’re more than happy (blessed) when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.” ~~Jesus

Jesus demands that we care. He insists on it if we want to live in His world. Being full of care is His way. When we care, God our Father cares. That is the way of His world.

We all want to be cared for. The path is to care for others. That makes us more than happy.

May I care deeply the way my heavenly Father cares. May I show His love today.

“You’re more than happy (blessed) when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:7 The Message)

Do I care for others more than myself?

God is love. He teaches us the way, first and foremost, to His love.

He loved us so much, He gave His only Son as a sacrifice for us to get us back in right standing and in the new plan. Clearly this is how we are to love. We should not take our own interests in mind but care more others than our self. That is the way of God’s love.

May we love like Him!!!

“Love cares more for others than for self.” 1 Corinthians 13 (The Message Bible)

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“Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:12)

Fighting too much? Arguing too often? What can I do?

God calls us to love. Focus on loving the way God wants us to. He shows us the way. That is His wisdom.

“Hatred starts fights, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.” ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:12)

St. Theresa’s Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.

Do you know the meaning of the words?

We were in big trouble. We didn’t feel God’s love. We didn’t know how to love. We missed God’s goal for our life. Over and over again, minute by minute.

Jesus rescued us from all of that. Having never missed God’s goal, he became the sacrifice we needed. We now know love and can love. We are focused on God’s plan.

“We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we’re in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins.” ~~Apostle Paul (Galatians 1:4 The Message)  

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What is the opposite of love?

Is the opposite of love hate? Anger? Cruelty?

Not hardly. It is not caring. It is ignoring. It is indifference.

“The opposite of love is not hate, its indifference.” ~~Elie Wiesel

Will I remember to fan the flame?

Some times, ok, many times, I need to be reminded to fan the flame. So the reminder comes. It is now. The Spirit of God gives us power. This is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. Why be timid? No reason at all.

I just need to fan the flame. The Spirit is in me. It is in us. No need to be timid at all.

 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:6 TNIV Bible

Is this a cat and mouse game?

First of all, God conceived us in love. That is the starting point and is amazing in and of itself. I could stop here.

But …. even as imperfect we are, we know how to be good to our children. God is perfect. Imagine what His love is like? Seriously. Let us contemplate on that.

So … His love is better. End of story.

This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better? Matthew 7:7-11

Does God have our attention?

Jesus understood what He was here to do. He reminded us of the new plan as He lived it out. It is about loving God with all we’ve got. Moses got it directly from God. Jesus got it too.

To love God with our whole heart is our mission. It is written on our heart and in the very fabric of our soul. It is all we want to talk about.

Attention, Israel! God, our God! God the one and only! Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!

Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

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Love is …

Love is not stingy.
Love is not miserly.
Love is not tightfisted.
Love is not grudging.

Love is bighearted.
Love is openhanded.
Love is generous.
Love is kind.
Love forgets the bad and remembers the good.

A life full of Love is definitely more fun!

What fruit am I bearing?

There is my way and God’s way. What happens when we live God’s way? Imagine an orchard and the fruit that it produces. That is what God does for us. It is a gift because He loves us so much and is so very good. His gifts are like fruit just showing up one day. Bam!!!

So what are some of the gifts he gives us so freely? A real affection for others. Nothing fake at all. How about that amazing exuberance for living every day for Him? Remember the serenity that comes from knowing that He is so great? How about that compassion we sensed one day when normally we wouldn’t even care? And that conviction that we have never experienced before. A sense of being set apart for God and His purpose.

Now here is a gift worth receiving. Finding ourselves involved in loyal commitments we have never imagined before.

May we marshal our energy wisely taking full advantage of His gifts.

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“I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda. ” ~~Jesus

Jesus is direct with us. He can do nothing but say what He hears His Father say. He knows God’s agenda. His only desire is to do exactly what God wants Him to. He is  speaking to us this way so that we will be saved.

He challenges us is to love. Completely and with our whole heart. This quote is actually from  a very long rant that Jesus gave to the religious (Jews) in church (The Temple) one day. To get it in context read all of John 5.

We need to be careful. Going to church may make us feel good but it won’t “save us”. May Jesus never say this of us as he said to the religious people of His day.

“I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda. ” ~~Jesus (John 5:41-44 The Message)

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Should we strut our stuff?

I see athletes do it all the time. Strutting their stuff when they do something cool.

Subtly we are learning in our culture that taking credit is a good thing. Tooting our own horn is supposed to make sense. Not strutting can be seen as a weakness.

God is love. He doesn’t strut and neither should we.

Love doesn’t strut. 1 Corinthians 13 (The Message Bible)

“The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.” ~~Jesus

As mothers and fathers, we understand the love that we have for our children. Magnify that by a factor of billions and that is the love that our heavenly Father has for His son Jesus. And that is the kind of love He also has for us.

Jesus is included in everything God has in mind for us. When Jesus speaks, he knows what He is saying. His Father has told Him everything. We can trust it.

“The Father loves the Son and includes him in everything he is doing.” ~~Jesus (John 5:19-20 The Message)

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Should I want what I don’t have?

How many times do we envy what someone else has. How come they have such a loving family? How come I can’t speak like that in public? How come I didn’t get that promotion?

The list goes on and on in our minds. We get offended with God. How come He blesses others and not me? The key is to see what He is doing and not what He isn’t. We will be happy if we don’t get offended with Him. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love is happy with what it has.

God is love. He shows us the way to love.

“Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.” 1 Corinthians 13 (The Message Bible )

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Love is about action

“Love is not about concepts; love is about action. The only way to master love is to practice love.” – Don Miguel Ruiz 

 

Should I be the judge?

This theme seems very clear. There isn’t too much to be added here. 8 very specific references citing Jesus, Peter and James. Should I be the judge?

1. Matthew 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
2. Matthew 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3. Luke 6:37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
4. Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5. Romans 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
6. 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
7. James 4:11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
8. James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

How passionate is God?

God is passionately in love with us. His love is not just an average run of the mill kind of love. In His word he gives us analogy after analogy about how ecstatic and passionate His love is. It is the thrilling and exhilarating love of a bridegroom for His bride.

It goes way beyond anything we have ever experienced. He can’t remain quiet about it. He is shouting it out!!

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch . . . As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. (Isa. 62:1, 5)

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Do I love enough?

This says so much. And I think St. Augustine knew something about this. God wants us to love him like we love no one else. That is the main thing about the main thing. Do we long for Him?

May my whole existence long for You. Every minute of every day.

“The whole life of the good Christian,” said Augustine, “is a holy longing.”

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“You know both God and how he works.” ~~Jesus

Jesus challenges us to not worry and live for what God wants to accomplish today. God takes care of the flowers and the birds. We see that and know that. And yet we get focused on the wrong things.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—Jesus wants us to know that God will attend to us, take pride in us, do his best for us? God is the loving Father who has our best in mind all the time.

Do we know God is in a good mood? If so, we know how he works. We need to understand in our heart the very nature of God. Once we get that, we will always know how He works.

“You know both God and how he works.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 6:33 The Message)

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What is my give to get ratio?

I live in a culture where there is always something else to get. Today is a day to think about my give to get ratio.

So, what did I give? What did I get?

Jesus is about giving. He came and continues to serve.

Jesus challenges us to give. He is all about love. My evaluation of the day should be based on how much did I give.

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May God’s love smother us all today!!

Our Father is magnificent. There are no boundaries to His greatness. I stand in awe of His great power. He has so much energy and the desire to give me a life filled with every good thing. His absolute perfection is almost incomprehensible.

May God’s love smother us all today!!

Who is God?

Love is not something God does.

Love is something God is.

God  is love.

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“The simple moral fact is that words kill.” ~~Jesus

Jesus warns us to be careful about what we say to others. Our mandate is to love. Anything other than that is not acceptable. Our words to others is a reflection of life or death. This is stark but He gives a whole new way to live through His Holy Spirit.

In His world (Kingdom) there is no loving your friends and hating your enemies. It is only love. What we say to others should reflect that. He demands it.

“The simple moral fact is that words kill.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:22 The Message)

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Should I give up hope?

God is great. Nothing is impossible with Him. When the odds seem to be against us, God finds a way to reach us.

Against all odds. Don’t give up hope. Some people change. Love finds a way.
— Kenny Chesney

“If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal?” ~~Jesus

Sometimes we get so proud of ourselves for doing what anyone can do. Jesus challenges us not to see things that way. That isn’t the way it is in God’s world (Kingdom).

Jesus challenges us to love like He does. He was ridiculed, humiliated, killed and yet did it all for love. He empowers us to do it. He gives us the Holy Spirit and a completely new heart.

“If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5 The Message)

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Do I have a swollen head?

Love just does it’s job. That is normal in God’s way of doing things. Love doesn’t get all enamored with itself. God does His “love thing” day in and day out. He is love. He doesn’t make a big deal of it at all. That is just the way He rolls.

May just do what I know to do. May I just love. Day in and day out. There is no glory in that. There should be no “pats on the back”. That is my job.

Love doesn’t have a swelled head. ~~Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 13)

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How can you build yourself up?

The mission is to keep myself in a faith that is set apart for Him. That is the real deal. That is what the end game is for me. It is a building process. I am not there for sure. But I am making progress. He has a goal where I need to be. He has a strategy for how I will get there. He “whacks” away at it every second of every day. So, bring it on my Master.

There is a coming together of the physical, the soul (heart) and spiritual. So I start with a physical act. Let’s say I raise my hands being open and outstretched to Him. I begin to experience His love being poured out on me. Then the presence of His Spirit invades the scene. Watch out then!! This all leads to love. It leads to experiencing His gift of mercy. Not justice. Just mercy.

What is the real outcome? What is this all about? A life that is unending. A life that is real.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:20-21

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What should I be full of?

Imagine being so full of God that there is no longer any room for anything else. Imagine all of His love and having all of that within my heart. Imagine all of His power, His Spirit and what He can do bubbling out because I am so full of Him.

I can experience this if I am grounded in love. It is all about loving Him with everything I have. Every thought captured to love Him totally. My heart soaked in His love and my love for Him. That love will lead me to His power.

This is the kind of love that is hard for me grasp with what I know in the culture I live in now. But in God’s culture, it is the norm. It sets me apart and makes me His.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of the Messiah, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

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Am I free?

The old plan is finished. The rules, the regulations, the spirit of religion. It is done with. I was called to be free. There is a new plan. I only need to know one thing. I must love.

That is it. That is the plan. That is the agreement my Father has with me. That is the agreement I have with those I know. That is the real deal.

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-15 NIV

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Is individuality our right?

English: Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We place a great deal of emphasis on individuality. It is “our right”!!

Not really. What is important is do what God wants. That is it. And what He wants is for us to love Him without reservation.

“But our individuality must be yielded to God so that our spiritual life may be brought forth into fellowship with Him.” ~~Oswald Chambers

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What does God want me to do?

Jesus has called me. He wants me. It is His desire that I do what I do right now. He is sending me forward according to His new plan. I have been picked up and cleaned up. While I missed the mark before, that is not the case now since He is so good to show me the way. I was a mess before but not now.

I have been set apart by Him for a life filled with God. He is my Master and He is yours as well. He wants to have this great relationship, founded on love. That is all he wants.

It does come back to “What would Jesus do?” kind of question.

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Am I flying off the handle?

Here is a concept. Our Father is absolutely perfectly in love with me. He isn’t, can’t, won’t fly off the handle at me. He keeps His cool. I don’t frustrate him. He is amazing. OK, this is much better than a concept. It is real. It is true.

May I love like him. May I never fly off the handle. May I keep my cool.

Love doesn’t fly off the handle. 1 Corinthians 13 – The Message

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“If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that.” ~~Jesus

We live in a world where there is conventional wisdom. We have a culture of success and infatuation with the beautiful. Look at our celebrity worship. Jesus challenges that. He says, that is no big deal. Why are you impressed with that? Anyone can do that.

What is Jesus standard? Love everyone. Love the “unlovely”. That is God’s world and what Jesus demands of us.

“If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that.” ~~Jesus (Matthew 5:44 The Message)

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“Don’t act so surprised at all this.” ~~Jesus

Jesus tells us everything we need to know. We know God’s plan. We know what He wants. If nothing else, find someone to love right now. He makes everything clear. There are no surprises with Him.

God gave the plan to men of God way in advance. He made it know. There shouldn’t be any surprises at all.

“Don’t act so surprised at all this.” ~~Jesus (John 5:28-29 The Message)

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