A Good Friend

SOURCE: Maxlucado.com

John 15:13 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible.

To me, John was able to condensed 1 Corinthians 13 in one statement. After all, Jesus Christ is the ultimate persona of love.

1 Corinthians 13 lists the definition, characteristics, attributes of love. The list may be short or long, depending on how one views it, but it sure is a list that we all can't adhere to at all times. But why should we strive to adhere to it despite everything?!?!

John 15:9-17 has the answers. If we love:

• we shall remain in love in Christ, and consequently, in God;
• we shall experience Christ's joy---our complete joy;
• we shall be intimate friends with Jesus Christ, who shall reveal God to us; and
• we shall find favor in the sight of God, who will answer the prayers we've prayed in the name of Jesus Christ.

What a list of incentives!

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 (NIV)

His Words That Pierced Through My Heart

Spirit of Peace

O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalm 84:12 (NIV)

Jesus Christ: Our Next Door Savior

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:8 (NIV)

His Children

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)

Love is a Fruit

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 5:6 (NIV)

Our Faithful God

He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

John 6:6 (NIV)

Spirit of Peace

SOURCE: Maxlucado.com

Lately, I noticed people quoting the phrase---"infinite possibilities". It's a good thing to always be positive but we can only do so much.... At times, we might find ourselves saying "We CAN'T!". If we want to drop the T off, it will require the power of the spirit of peace. It is a gift from God. It is the unfathomable (Philippians 4:7, NIV) and unstoppable (Mark 4:39, NIV) force behind the possibility of "infinite possibilities".

Once we come to know and/or experience God's gift of peace and trust in Him, it will only be then that we can truly claim the "infinite possibilities" and say "Yes, we CAN!"

O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalm 84:12 (NIV)

Jesus Christ: Our Next Door Savior

SOURCE: Maxlucado.com

Jesus Christ is a God-man---Colossians 2:9.

He is NEITHER a God-like man nor a man-like God. And Max Lucado summed up in one statement why Jesus Christ is a God-man: "We must let him be all God and all man. All God so he can save you. All man so he can understand you."

These are enlightening words. These are comforting words.

My heart, mind and soul cannot help but sing "Oh, I Want to Know You More" by  Steven Green:

"Oh, I want to know You more!
Deep within my soul I want to know You,
Oh, I want to know You.
To feel Your Heart and know Your Mind,
looking in Your eyes stirs up within me,
cries that says I want to know You
Oh, I want to know You more."
(LYRIC SOURCE: Artists.LetsSingIt.com)

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:8 (NIV)