Make an account of the folks you hang out with

What kind of folks am I hanging with?
1.) Who will direct me to Jesus when I seem lost?
2.) Who will pray for me when I need it?
3.) Who will show discernment in my life when I need it?
4.)Who will talk to me when I am turning the wrong direction?
5.) Who is loving people?
6.) Who is hating on folks?
7.) Who is not a believer?
8.) Who is smart?
Not judging but ID the folks you hang with to know who you can count on and for what you can count on them for.

Know the right way

Proverbs 14

¹ The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. ² Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways. ³ A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. ⁴ Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests. ⁵ An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. ⁶ The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. ⁷ Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.⁸ The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.⁹ Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. ¹⁰ Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. ¹¹ The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. ¹² There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. ¹³ Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief. ¹⁴ The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs. ¹⁵ The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. ¹⁶ The wise fear the LORD and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure. ¹⁷ A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated. ¹⁸ The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. ¹⁹ Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. ²⁰ The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. ²¹ It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. ²² Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. ²³ All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. ²⁴ The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly. ²⁵ A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful. ²⁶ Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. ²⁷ The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. ²⁸ A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined. ²⁹ Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.³⁰ A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.³¹ Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.³² When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God. ³³ Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.³⁴ Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.³⁵ A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

Truth is the truth and it will set you free. In the end all knees will bow and confess Jesus is Lord of all. Doesn’t mean that everyone gets into heaven. Unless you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. Everyone will have to account for what they do, and who they hang out with.

Romans 12

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Real Love

Real Love!

Real love, what is it? How do we indentify it? Why do we all fall so short of these so called rules and descriptions of love? We can find out what real love is by reading about it in the bible scriptures .

Romans 8:39

neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 12

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. ²⁰On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

My Thoughts… Okay to really love someone you really should be able to follow these rules, this should be our so to speak default setting. And once a day reset all to these default settings.

Rule: Love must be sincere.

Setting > anything not loving = delete all =>cling to what is good.

Rule: Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

Setting>Feelings that cause you to turn your back on your brother, friend, family=delete all=> Honor one another above yourselves. (Note: okay if we are thinking of ourselves we may walk away or run from our brothers. example: Oh I can’t believe what he said. Or that guy was just out to hurt me. )

Rule: Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Setting: I’m tiered I need a break, I’m doing everything = Action : Delete all => ready to serve God and His people at all times.

1 Corinthians 13

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. ¹¹When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. ¹²Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

Galatians 5

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

My Thoughts: I believe can read the bible and make all teachings into a yes or no flow chart and apply it to our lives.

Is this Love or an act of Love?

= Yes = = Fruit

Identify non act of Love

=No

Persecution Selfishness Proud

Romans 12:12 , patient in affliction Romans 12:16 ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Yes the bible says we all fall short of Gods Glory, however I believe we can if applied correctly really love each other. We need to really take a look at the teaching in the bible daily and meditate and reflect and banish all thoughts that do not apply. Each day we should look at how we are loving our wife, brother, mother, co-workers and friends. And we should say did I love them, if your answer is yes, good. But if your answer is no, then you should apply the teachings and get back to loving them the very next day. We can do this we can love each other. Problem is the enemy has a plan and that is to divide and concur. But Jesus has already beaten him, and we can prove that by loving each other.

my yoke is easy and my burden is light

Matthew 11: Rest for the Weary
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Notes: I have found this to be a truth for when I was out off all my options, destroyed from a lifestyle of Drugs and dying. I called out to Jesus and he rescued me, and His yoke is easy. It is much easier to follow what is right, then to follow the is wrong in the long run. 13 years ago my life was forever changed by Jesus, as He took me in my life has been one reward after another. Marriage to a loving wife, cars, home, great job. I was in hell for 14 years of drugs and following my own desires. My prayer is simple and that is for God to use me and be in control of my life to twice of what I wasted. So if I am allowed by Him to reach out to others on His behave for another 15 yrs then I will be greatly rewarded. And the weary and weakness of my wasted years will be taken back in my mind at least.

I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Matthew 10
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law - 36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'[e]
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
40"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Notes from Nobody:
I have read this over and over again, quoting whoever shale lose his life for my sake will find it. But I have found something new to think about. 34 Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I am pretty sure that I have seen all of this stuff happed while serving at Church. And in my own life, with other family members that are Christians but the Church itself is more important to them the relationship with Jesus the Christ. They follow blindly hiding there eyes to what the Bible says is wrong because there Church accepts it. To quote my Pastor “right now you can call me a Baptist, but the second being a Baptist takes me away from the truth of the Bible and way from a relationship with Christ then I will be something else because following Jesus and the truth are more important that any Church.

MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS

Matthew 28:16
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Okay most of us are familiar with this scripture verse but really if we are honest with ourselves how many of us are doing this? How many of us are living this kind of life. There is more to it than just going to church. More to it than just knowing the scriptures. More to it than preaching at church! I have been listening to the Holy Spirit and what Jesus is saying to us all right now and it is simple.
MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS!
Revelation 2:1
1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Okay here is what I get out of this “You have forsaken your first love”. I can remember when I first really gave my life to Christ. Everyone I meant knew about it and knew what He did for me. I could not help but to talk about Jesus and who He is and how much He loves us. I was like a little kid in the candy store that was promised I could have anything I wanted. I was on cloud nine per say.
I think the Holy Spirit is telling us, that unless we get back to that first love status, and start really making disciples of all nations we are in big trouble. Especially as a country. Look at the miss USA pageant Ms Californian is being hammered just for stating that she believed marriage should be between and man and a women. What would have happened if she would have said anything about Jesus? What kind of Nation is this that we can no longer speak the Truth? What has happened is that we have fallen asleep.
Revelation 3:1
1"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Lets wake up as a Nation as Christians and get back to just telling people about Jesus and stop worrying about what the world thinks. It does not edify the Church or God for us to set around and simply complain as our Nation our Christian Nation slips away because we can’t motivate ourselves to share our Lord with others.
Heavenly Father we hear you and we ask you to bless us with the right word to bring our nation into a discipleship with you. We ask you to hide us from the enemy as we share with others about you and to water the seeds and make them grow and for us to help you however you need us to. Form Man to women, from Son to sister, from Neighbor to co-worker, from shopper to door person. Allow us to share your Word of Truth to everyone we meet.
AMEN.