Growing Faith Abounding Love Pt. 3: Love Works

1 John 2:7  (NKJV)Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him

Growing Faith & Abounding Love: How to Stand Strong in a Culture of Compromise

2 Thessalonians 1:2, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.The two most important factors to an authentic and fruitful life in Christ are faith and love. It is ironic that the two most neglected factors to an authentic and fruitful Christian life or faith and love.Paul commended the Thessalonians church for their growing faith and abounding love.  He did this for two reasons: 1) he wanted to encourage the people regarding the goal of living a lifestyle of love and faith. 2) he highlighted the importance of faith and love in the midst of a Greek culture that was full of counterfeits and selfish examples of faith and love.The evidence of growing faith is a greater sense of the presence of God and an increased willingness and boldness to do great things for God.The evidence of growing love is that our thinking and focus shifts from self to God and to others. We become clearer that love is not only words and feelings, but deeds and truth.I John 4: 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him[b] because He first loved us.1. Is universal and not selective2. It is sacrificial and not selfish3. It gives and doesn’t take

The Liberating Power of Giving Thanks

Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The Rest of God: Use the Power of Another. Ride the Wave. | Part 2

Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29) "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30) "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

The Rest of God: Use the Power of Another. Ride the Wave.

Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29) "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30) "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."What see today is not just a weariness of body, but of soul and spirit. Jesus said He will give rest to those who “labor” and are “heavy laden.” The Hebrews writer reminds us, “There remains a rest for the people of God.” We should work, but we should not labor.  Work becomes labor when you do or carry more than your can, more than you should without the help and strength of God, the Holy Spirit, who is also called our Comforter and Helper!Download PDF of Notes

RENEW | Looking Forward. Holding the Rope

All of your breakthroughs and blessing are in front or you. This is no time to stand still or look backwards. Discover and continue in your “race” and finish every endeavor strong!"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." ~ Philippians 3:13-14NOTE: "Hope The Rope" explained at 41:35

RENEW | Setting Your Mind

Colossians 3:1-3, If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

RENEW | The Practical Power of Dream

A dream is a motivating, focusing power. A dream is like hope, in that, we are inspired and energized. We get excited about talking about our dreams, because God designed us to think, dream and envision the future, which begins with a living better with Christ TODAY!
Ephesians 3:20, Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think [dream], according to the power that works in us.

RENEW | Best Version of You

Ephesians 4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Renew: Recognition, Willingness, Renewal

1 Sam. 11:14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us all go to Gilgal to RENEW the kingdom.”