Choose Wisely!

 While Jesus taught us how to love and treat ALL people in the last two blog entries, in today's study he gets specific when choosing our friends and close companions. When choosing those who we let deeply into our lives. Who we choose to "do life with." While we decide how to treat all people equally in love, (I. Cor. 13:4-8) we do not allow just any 'ol person into our lives to get close to us. This is a protection He teaches today.

Jesus had so many followers. Then He had the twelve apostles he did life with. Then among them He had his closest companions which were Peter, James, and John. 

He loved all people equally across the board, but He chose carefully who He allowed into His everyday life. Then He was even more careful who He allowed to be His closest companions. He gave us an example to follow today in the 21st century.

How do we know who to pick to be our friends, close companions, and even our spouses? 

He tells us how right here:

Luke 6:43-45 NIV

[43]  “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. 

People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 

[45] A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. 

For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

People who are good, do good things. People who are bad, do bad things. You will know them by what they do. Choose good people. Choose Christians. 

Let's say we just met someone and we haven't seen their actions to know if they are good or bad. We don't know if they are a Christian. How will we know who is good and who is bad? Jesus said to listen how they talk. We just listen to them.

"For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." 

We can learn who a person is, what is down in their heart by what they say and talk about. That's how we learn who we want to be friends with or who we want to be close companions with. If they are good people, we will know it in the initial interaction by what they say. 

You say, "Okay. Got it. But why do this? Who cares who I grow close to?" God cares because as Christians, He is inside us as the Holy Spirit lives inside us. We represent Jesus in the world. So we should make friends and close companions with good people who will enrich our lives. 

Jesus knows that we influence each other as we all hang out together. Oftentimes, we become like those we hang out with. You've heard that saying, "Birds of a feather flock together." 

So we can't allow just anyone to be close companions in our lives, because we will become like them. We should make friends with Christians and then good people out in the world.  Paul teaches this here:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NIV

[14] Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? [15] What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? [16] What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” [17] Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” [18] And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

King Solomon cautioned us also:

Proverbs 12:26 NIV

[26] The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

As Christians, we represent Jesus in our lives. We belong to Jesus Christ. We belong to God. We are the Church, so it matters who our closest friends and companions are. So, let's use His advice in this teaching when making friends and close companions.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Judging Others

 In the same vein of thought about loving people, Jesus continues His teaching from where we left off yesterday. Here it is:

Luke 6:37-38 NIV

[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. [38] Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

I love that Jesus taught all these things. He is the supreme authority in the universe and He is the head over the Church. So there is no guess work. Do what He says.

A person can have their views or opinions. They can fuss and argue over issues. They can take a stand on their soapbox. They can pitch a fit. At the end of the day, what Jesus says goes. 

Jesus said, "If you love me you will keep my commands." So, that's where we are. We should do what He says because we love Him. So, approaching this passage, we simply learn to do what He said. Easy-peezy. Lol

(Note: Everything He asks us to do is for our own good. He will never ask us to do anything that is not in our best interest. He loves us and wants nothing but the best for us.)

As an extension of what we learned yesterday, now Jesus is teaching us that we never judge people or condemn people. We always forgive people. 

He also warns us here that whatever we give to people, whether good or bad, we will get it right back in equal measure. We could use the old saying here, "What goes around comes around."

So, in loving all people no matter what they do to us, whether good or bad, we never judge them, or condemn them. If they've wronged us, we always forgive them for their words or actions. We never do any harm to anyone because "love does no harm to its neighbor." Again, see how "love never fails?"

In today's climate, we really have to just "zip our lips" whether in person, or social media, or leaving reviews, or commenting. Jesus is showing that expressing our opinions or thoughts is not the best way to love people. Again, people can rationalize, fuss and fight, or argue about this, but He said what He said. We love Jesus, so let's follow His teachings and rest in His love for us. He never teaches us anything that is not for our own good.

James also said it this way:

James 1:19-20 NIV

[19] My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, [20] because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

It's all about how we decide to treat people in this life. We represent Jesus, so let's always make Him look good by loving good.

Love you guys,

Jeffrey Post

Love does No Harm?

 As Christians, we are commanded by Jesus to love each other:

John 13:34-35 NIV

[34]  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

He said by loving each other, everyone would know we belong to Him.

The Whole Bible is wrapped up in this command to love God and love people:

Matthew 22:34-40 NIV

[34] Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. [35] One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” [37] Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Okay let's get even more specific than that:

Romans 13:10 NIV

[10] Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 

Love never does ANY harm to anyone EVER. This sums up the whole Bible.

As Christians, this is how we walk like Jesus did.

You might be exasperated at this point saying, "Jeff, how in the world am I supposed to do that?"

Well, my friend, as Christians, the Holy Spirit lives inside us, and the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, so we CAN love everyone with His working through us to do so. So indeed our love CAN never do any harm to anyone else as we are led by the Spirit. That's the way people will know we are Christians: love does no harm to anyone ever!

If we read Luke 6:27-36, it can now become clear why He teaches us this lesson. Because "love does no harm to neighbor."

Luke 6:27-36 NIV

[27]  “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. [30] Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. [31] Do to others as you would have them do to you. [32]  “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. [35] But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 

Ok Jesus, so you're saying love those who hate me, or cuss me out, or mistreat me, or use me, or never pay me back when I loan them money, or who steal from me, or who hit me in the face, or who try to fight me, etc.? Yep. That's what He's saying. 

Love never does any harm to anyone else, whether they do harm to us or not.

At this point, you may be completely frustrated. You may be angry or irritated because that is not the way the world acts at all. That's not how you were raised. If you're a man, you are not going to take crap off of anybody!! Lol. This is a hard teaching because it challenges everything we have ever been taught about how to treat people who are not good to us.

You can see how this kind of love could truly be a "light" in a dark world. Because it is not a normal response when people do not treat us good. 

If we never do any harm to anyone no matter who they are or what they do to us, then God's love shines out into the world through us. God's love is seen in our lives and can impact people for good.

We can see why loving everyone impartially is so important. God will draw people to Himself by our love towards them, and then the Holy Spirit can do the rest and they can be saved and go to heaven.

All roads lead to that single purpose for us as Christians. People will be saved and go to heaven because of us. God makes His "appeal" to the world through us. By our love, He saves people.

So be merciful to all people at all times whether we think they deserve it or not, because God has been and is merciful to us. 

See how "love never fails?" So great!!

Please share this post with others!!

Love you dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

God Is Our Confidence!!

I want to encourage you today dear readers as we follow Jesus everyday and deal with the issues of life. 

Let us continually put our hope in God for all things. 

He loves us. He is with us. He oversees our lives. He is our help with whatever we face in life. 

Trust in Him. Depend upon Him through our Lord Jesus Christ who holds all things together today:

Colossians 1:15-17 NIV

[15] The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

Remember this Psalm. Renew your mind with it constantly!! Check it out!!

Psalms 121:1-8 NIV

[1] I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? [2] My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. [3] He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; [4] indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. [5] The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; [6] the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. [7] The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; [8] the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Let that be your hope and confidence always!!

Please share this post with others!!

Love you dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

The Road

 As Christians, we renew our minds everyday to who we are. We are children of God (I. John 3:1; Romans 8:16, John 1:12,13). We do not just have a physical family, but we are adopted into our spiritual family, the kingdom of God, the Church. Whoever has been born again is adopted into this new eternal family. We are included "in Christ" now. In God's eyes, being in Christ now, we are "seated with Him in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 2:6), our "citizenship is in heaven" (Phill.3:20-21) now, although we still live on Earth.

So, being in this eternal family of God, along with our physical family, how should we live out our lives here? Should we live like everyone else who has not been adopted into the family of God? No.

We should do what our new parent wants. God, the Father is our new parent. He is our Heavenly Father. How does He want us to live? We find out in His Word.

God gives us understanding and wisdom in this life through His Word on what path to take in life. Like any good parent, He protects us and guides us on what road to take, what path to follow in life.

He wants us to take the "road less travelled," because we are His children:

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

[13]  “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

We can't take just any old road we want, and by the help of the Holy Spirit, we won't because He guides us everyday. How does He guide us? Through the Word and in our spirit. God is with us everyday and we can be confident in the love God has for His children. He'll show us the path:

Isaiah 42:16 NIV

[16] I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

By staying in His Word, He shows us what path to take such as in Proverbs 2:6-15:

Proverbs 2:6-15 NIV

[6] For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. [7] He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, [8] for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. [9] Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. [10] For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. [11] Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. [12] Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, [13] who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, [14] who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, [15] whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

And:

Psalms 1:1 NIV

[1] Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

God loves us and the more we read His Word, the more we learn what path to walk.

Look at this:

Proverbs 4:10-27 NIV

[10] Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. [11] I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. [12] When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. [13] Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. [14] Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. [15] Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. [16] For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. [17] They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. [18] The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. [19] But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. [20] My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. [21] Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; [22] for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. [23] Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. [24] Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. [25] Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. [26] Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. [27] Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

See? He just spells it out right there. So cool. 

David understood this notion of staying in God's Word to stay on the right path when He said:

Psalms 119:104 NIV

[104] I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. 

And...

Psalms 119:101 NIV

[101] I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.

By staying in the Word, reading God's Word, He will show us what path to take everyday. He will always show us the road.

Please share this with friends and family.

Love you dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

A Truth From Jesus

Studying the gospels, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil, I ran across the first temptation of Jesus. Here it is:

Matthew 4:1-4 NIV

[1] Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. [3] The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” [4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’"

Jesus stated a truth here, that I find to be so awesome in my everyday life. He said:

4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’"

What did He mean? Well just like the physical body has to be fed everyday, our spirit needs to be fed everyday too. 

Simply? Feed your spirit everyday with the Word of God.

This is part of constantly renewing your mind daily as Romans 12:2 teaches.

Simply? Read your Bible everyday. Digest, meditate, study God's Word everyday. Have it in your life everyday. How much? Who knows? How long? You decide. The more you use God's Word, the more you will come to rely on it. The more you put the Word of God in front of you, the more it will transform your life.

I find this to be true. I cannot begin to explain how the Holy Spirit truly teaches us all things, but He truly does as I read the Word daily. 

So give it a try. However you like. Feed your spirit, renew your mind everyday by reading the Bible. God will show you something everytime.

We truly cannot live on food alone. We need the Word of God too!! 

So I encourage you to adopt this practice in your life. Open your Bible everyday and use it!! It will become life to you!!

If you need a Bible, contact me at: postjeff0321@gmail.com and I will get you one. No matter what!!

Or if you'd like a digital Bible go to this link and download this app on your phone or computer.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sirma.mobile.bible.android

Please share this post with friends and family!!

Love you dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

The Disease??

 All of humanity, right now, has a disease. We are born with it. We cannot deny it or act like it doesn't exist. The world wants to downplay it, make out like it is not so serious. They even encourage you to walk around with it, to exploit it, to enjoy it, all while it is killing you on the inside spiritually. It not only brings physical death, but it also brings eternal, spiritual death. This disease is sin. 

This disease is so serious that it separates you from the God of the universe. The God who created you.

God loves you and He would never create you and then just leave you on Earth to fend for yourself. He would never leave you with this disease of sin and not provide a way out. A way to be healed. He has provided an antidote for this disease and his name is Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. He is the only Way to get back to the Father.

Jesus said:

John 14:6 NIV

[6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

He is the antidote. He is the only way to do away with the penalty for sin which is eternal separation from God. 

When He lived on the Earth and died on the cross, shedding His own blood, over 2000 years ago, He took care of the punishment for all sin, the disease we are all born into. Afterwards, God raised Him from the dead and 40 days later, He ascended into heaven. Ever since then, He sits at the right hand of God the Father until He comes back a 2nd time to do away with evil once and for all, by conquering all evil. He reigns supreme over ALL things now and holds all things together in the seen and unseen realms:

 Colossians 1:15-20 NIV

[15] The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. [19] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

His blood takes the penalty of sin out of the way for all who would believe in Him and receive Him as their Lord and Savior. 

He is the only cure for the disease of sin. Nobody else can help you because nobody else has died for you. Jesus Christ is the good news of the world. When you believe in Jesus and go through Him, God will adopt you into His family and give you the free gift of eternal life and forgive ALL your sins forever because of the blood of Jesus. Because of the blood of Jesus, God is just in forgiving all your sins forever. Jesus Christ is the answer for your eternity. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior today!!!!!

Email me at: postjeff0321@gmail.com to be saved!!!

Share with friends and family dear readers.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Be "Real!"

 All over the world, people try to hide their sins, weaknesses, or flaws. It is natural to want to do this because people fear they will be rejected by those around them. It is natural to want to feel accepted and loved. So people in general do not disclose the bad stuff. Even those in the most intimate of relationships will conceal things from their mates to avoid rejection or judgement. It's just natural to do this. People hate rejection.

Unfortunately, this has crept into the Church also. People go to church or hang out with other Christians, and a lot of times put on a front or act like everything is great when it's not. They stay at arms length emotionally and wear a mask of perfection or act like they have their act together. Everyone wants to act like they are putting their best foot forward and have no troubles. We all know this isn't true. They do this for the same reason any of us do it. Fear of rejection. Some call this "playing church." A lot of this mindset has crept into the Church.

The Word of God teaches differently, as God always shows what's best for us. He shows us how to be healthy and whole in all of our relationships.

Ephesians 4:25 NIV

[25] Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 

When we are vulnerable and don't hide anything we can help each other. God helps and comforts us in all our troubles. So by sharing this with others, they can have hope and trust that God will help them too. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

We can build each other up, we can pray for each other, we can have closer, stronger relationships when we confess our faults to one another. We can be healed by God when we are genuine with people.

James 5:13-16 NIV

[13] Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. [14] Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. [16] Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

We all need each other in the Church which is our heavenly family. We're all in this together. So let's build strong, honest relationships with each other. Let's confess our sins to each other, pray for each other so that God will heal us. Build each other up in the Lord. Be exposed. Be vulnerable. Be real!!

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

A Gauge for Our Lives

 A few months back, I was studying Colossians chapter three. I came across a verse and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had an epiphany at that moment. In our everyday lives, the Word says to "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith"

2 Corinthians 13:5a NIV

[5] Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

("In the faith?"-Are you trusting and depending on God for your life?)

This verse is a great gauge to use to test yourselves everyday:

Colossians 3:17 NIV

[17] And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Wow!! What a way to test ourselves. 

Whatever we do, our words, our thoughts, or our actions, can we do them in the name of the Lord Jesus, and give thanks to God the Father through Jesus or in Jesus' name? Ouch!!!

This is a great gauge to use everyday. I must confess, as I'm sure you would too, that a lot of things we do or think or say, we cannot do in the name of the Lord Jesus, much less give thanks to God for it. 

For example, if I get irritated at a customer on my job, then I cannot do that in the name of the Lord Jesus because He tells us to put off anger. 

See?

Whatever we do, can we do it in the name of the Lord Jesus? Can we give thanks to God the Father for it?

This gauge will force us to slow down and see if Jesus would want us to do or say this or that in His name.

So, memorize this verse or write it down. Use it to examine your life at anytime. When, not if, we fall short, confess your sin and keep moving forward.    

1 John 1:9 NIV-[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Again, why should we do this? Because, as Christians, we represent Jesus on this Earth. He uses us to bring people to Himself so they can be saved too.

So awesome. 

Share this with friends and families!

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Good Enough?

"Can we ever be good enough to go to heaven?" This question puts the problem of sin on the person and not on God. This question takes God out of the picture altogether. 

Yet, many live their lives with this mentality. "If I'm a good person, if I live right and do good things, then surely God would let me go to heaven." 

This is a "cause and effect" ideology that weaves its way into societies all over the world. Because cause and effect is seen everyday. If I do this, then that will happen. Cause and effect. So we assume this is how God works too.

The bad news? No, you can never be good enough to go to heaven by your own actions. You cannot save yourself.

"For all have sinned (past tense) and fall short of the glory of God (present tense)." Romans 3:23.

Every person always falls short of the glory of God because we always sin. No matter how hard we try not to sin, we always do. So you cannot be good enough to go to heaven.

The good news? You don't have to be good enough to go to heaven. God made way for us to live with Him forever that wasn't dependent upon us.

Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the answer. HE is the way we get to go to heaven when we die. He is the ONLY way. 

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6)

Believe in Him, not yourself, to go to heaven someday:

John 3:16 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

Apart from Jesus, mankind is condemned to be eternally separated from God because of sin. The only way to come to the Father is to be freed from sin. Sin has to be taken out of the way for mankind to come to God. Jesus Christ took sin out of the way when He was crucified on the cross. By shedding His blood, sacrificing Himself, He paid the penalty for sin. 

So, how do we get to God now? By believing in Jesus Christ. By believing that He is the Messiah, the Savior of the world, and that He is the Son of God. Through Jesus we get to God.

When we believe in Him and his finished work, we are "born again" by the Holy Spirit. (I. John 5:1)We are adopted into the kingdom of God/ family of God. We become children of God.(Romans 8:16; I. John 3:1; John 1:12,13) We are saved by God's grace (Ephesians 2:8,9)and are forever justified from our sin by the blood of Jesus.(Romans 3:24).

We get to go to heaven because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, not because of anything we have done. We just believe and put our hope in Jesus.

"What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

Thank you Jesus!!!

Love you all,

JeffreyPost 

God RESCUES!!

In my studies today, I came across a scripture that the Holy Spirit wanted me to see. It was a moment where this verse was like a flashing neon sign and God was shouting this at me. It was a great revelation that I now can connect with another passage.

Here it is:

2 Timothy 4:18 NIV

[18] The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

That says it all. This is a promise of God that we can all count on everyday of our lives as children of God. No matter where we are in life, no matter what we do or are presented with, no matter our situations or circumstances, God is in control. He will always rescue us from every evil attack. EVERY evil attack. That is huge!! 

He gives us confidence to face anything in this life, because He is our rescuer. When life happens, when the dark forces attack, or the world attacks, or our old human sinful nature attacks, God will rescue us. He will protect us and keep us in His care.

AND He will "bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom."

This is in harmony with what Peter said in First Peter:

1 Peter 1:5 NIV

[5] who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

We are shielded or protected or rescued by God's power until we get our inheritance, which is our salvation, our gift of eternal life. God protects us and rescues us from every evil attack until He safely brings us into His heavenly kingdom.

Thank you Father. Wow....

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

In Times of Troubles

Dear Friends, 

We all have troubles as we live our lives. Noone is exempt because we live in a fallen, broken world. Jesus said, "It rains on the just and the unjust." This means that life happens to everybody. I have troubles. You have troubles. How we cope with these issues determines the direction of our lives. If we focus on them they can saturate our lives and make us miserable. If we focus on God and His promises, if we trust in Him, depend upon on Him, then we can rise above our circumstances and live the "abundant life" Jesus promised to give us.

Let's look at some of those promises now. Refer to them often for strength and endurance as we run the race set before us.

Psalms 121:5-8 NIV

[5] The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; [6] the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. [7] The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; [8] the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalms 138:6-7 NIV

[6] Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. [7] Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me.

Psalms 9:9 NIV

[9] The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalms 41:1-3 NIV

[1] Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. [2] The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes. [3] The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

Psalms 59:16-17 NIV

[16] But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. [17] You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Psalms 46:1,10 NIV

[1] God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

[10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Nahum 1:7 NIV

[7] The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

Psalms 9:10 NIV

[10] Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalms 27:4-5 NIV

[4] One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. [5] For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

Psalms 50:15 NIV

[15] and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Psalms 91:14-16 NIV

[14] “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Psalms 107:28-31 NIV

[28] Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. [29] He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. [30] They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. [31] Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

James 5:13a. NIV

[13] Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. 

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

[7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Let's all trust God with everything in our lives. He is everything we need. He will protect us and deliver us in this world.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV

[3] But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 

1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV

[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, [5] who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

We are protected and shielded by God's power until we get to heaven. So be courageous. Stand strong. God loves us and will deliver us from our troubles.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Goodness of God?

As Christians, God wants us to renew our minds everyday to the truths in His Word.

God has said in Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you or forsake you." God is always in our individual lives. He will never leave us or forsake. 

Nothing will ever separate us from the "love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Romans 8:38-39 NIV

[38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [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.

No matter how we FEEL, whether close to God or far away, He is right there with us always. We are always in His presence and He always loves us no matter what. 

His unfailing love and compassion are new every morning. He is always faithful. He will never let us down. We can always trust and depend upon Him.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

[22] Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. [23] They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

He always protects us in this world:

Psalms 91:11 NIV

[11] For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Psalms 91:14-16 NIV

[14] “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

We have the goodness of God and the mercy of God in this life right now. We will experience it now, everyday.

Psalms 27:13-14 NIV

[13] I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. [14] Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalms 23:6 NKJV

[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

God has a great future and a hope for each of our lives. So let's continue to seek God everyday. Build our relationship with Him everyday:

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

[11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [12] Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 

We never have to worry or be afraid about what we need in life.

Matthew 6:25-33 NIV

[25]  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? [28]  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. [29] Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. [30] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? [31] So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

There are countless passages that show the goodness of God that He gives to all His children. This is just a small example of how God loves us and takes care of us.

I hope this encourages you today. Refer to these often. Do not believe Satan's lies that we get attacked with, which are just the opposite of what God says in His Word.

Let these bring you comfort, joy, and peace as we live each day.

Note: Share this one with your friends and family!!!

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

The Answer for What We All Need

During the tremendous snowfall we had last week, I was unable to drive to work for four days in a row. During that time and part of this week I got on Facebook and scrolled here and there. I was able to observe one common theme among all those posts. With every post, I could just feel people's need for attention. Every post was screaming at me saying, "Look at me! Look at me!" "Will somebody notice me?" "Can somebody please respond to me?" 

Our need to be noticed and accepted is seen in the physical world as well. For example, a person has a nice vehicle, rolls down his windows, cranks up his stereo, and goes down the road so everyone can hear his tunes. Why? There is a need there to be noticed. He needs attention. Or a woman wears the finest clothes and jewelry. She is gorgeous. She turns heads everywhere she goes. Why? She has a deficit in her life. She needs people to notice her. She needs that attention. Or the rock star on stage does a guitar solo, or a man climbs Mount Everest, or gets tatoos all over, or jumps the Grand Canyon on a motorcycle. You could just pencil in whatever you want for an example. It could be anything really. 

Why do people do all these things in social media or in the real world? They're all experiencing deficits in their lives in some way. They want to be noticed. They want to be admired or accepted. They need the approval of people. They are all screaming, "Look at me! Look at me!"

If you're one of those people and you need to feel noticed, or seen, or accepted, or loved. If you need to feel important. You already are. God made you. He loves you. He accepts you. He sees you. You are important to Him. He loves you so much and wants you to live with Him forever.

He loves you so much that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross, shed His blood, to take the penalty of sins out of the way forever for the whole world. He did this for ALL humanity so that we could have access to God the Father. God loves you and made a way for all of us to live with Him forever.

If you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. If you believe that God raised Him from the dead. You will be saved. You will be "born again" "born of the Spirit." The Holy Spirit makes you born again. God saves you and adopts you into His eternal family, which is the Church, which is the kingdom of God. He freely gives you the gift of eternal life by His grace, love, and mercy. You will live with Him forever in heaven. 

He loves you that much!! 

Jesus loves you that much!!

So whatever you need in life, whatever you feel like is missing in your life, you can find it in Jesus Christ. Come to Jesus!! He said:

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

[28]  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Receive Jesus into your life by believing in His name. (John 1:12,13) Confess with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)You will receive the gift of eternal life. (John 3:16) You will be born again by the Holy Spirit. (I. John 5:1)You will be adopted into God's family. (Romans 8:15-16)He already loves you. Come to Jesus Christ, His Son for everything you need!!! You will never want for love or acceptance or approval ever again!! Come to Him today!!

I love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Walking In the Holy Spirit

When we became Christians, the Holy Spirit came to live inside us. 

Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV

[13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. 

He is deposited into our spirit as a seal guaranteeing our inheritance which is to come. Simply? We are forever sealed as God's child by the Holy Spirit which now lives within us.

So, now in practical terms, God wants us to live our lives guided by the Holy Spirit within us. He does not want us to be guided by our regular human nature or as some call it, our "human sinful nature." That nature is what the Bible calls "the old man," or "old self," or walking in the "flesh." We have a new nature inside us as the Holy Spirit lives inside us. We are not left to our own devices like we were before we were born again. We have help and guidance from the Holy Spirit within us. We can focus on our "new self" which is "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Eph.2:24 NIV.

It says in Galatians 5:16:

[16] So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 

If we follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit inside our spirit, then we will not be guided by our "flesh" or our regular human nature. We will not be controlled by the old nature and its desires. 

How do we know if we are being controlled by our old nature and not being guided by the Holy Spirit?

Our lives will produce all kinds of junk in our spirit such as:

Galatians 5:19-21a NIV

[19] The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; [20] idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions [21] and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. 

Colossians 3:5-10 NIV

[5] Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [7] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [8] But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 

Whenever we see this junk pop up in our lives then we're being led by the human sinful nature. 

Paul gave a huge talk about this in Ephesians. He talks about those who live by their old nature and then tells us how to live in our new nature being led by the Holy Spirit. Check it out:

Ephesians 4:17-32 NIV

[17] So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. [20] That, however, is not the way of life you learned [21] when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

 [22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. [25] Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. [26] “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold. [28] Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5:1-21 NIV

[1] Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. [3] But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. [4] Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [5] For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [7] Therefore do not be partners with them. [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. [14] This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” [15] Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Being "led by the Spirit," we'll see all kinds of good  behaviors/actions/fruits of the Spirit in our lives:

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Simply? When we are guided by the Holy Spirit, when we are walking by the Spirit, then we'll do all kinds of good stuff. When we are not walking by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then our human sinful nature takes over and out comes the bad stuff. So just don't listen to our old nature when it rises up in us. (Note: This is an everyday process.)

Why does it matter who we listen to? Why not just do whatever? Because we represent the Lord Jesus Christ. God uses us in this world so others can be saved and adopted into His Family, the Church. He uses us so others can go to heaven too!! 

So let's listen to the Holy Spirit, stay in step with the Holy Spirit, walk in the Holy Spirit and we will not satisfy the cravings of the human sinful nature. Then God will use us to save others and our quality of life will be awesome!

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Do Your Part

Christians sometimes misunderstand God working in their lives. Sometimes we think that God is just going to come along and do and fix everything for us. He's not a geenie or a magician. He's not going to waive his magic wand and POOF! everything is fixed in our lives. We have a certain amount of responsibility on our end. We have to have faith that God will work in our lives and then do everything on our end for Him to do so. 

I mentioned this example before, but it illustrates how God works in our lives. 

If I need a job, by faith, I pray and ask God to give me a job. Now, if I just sit on the couch, day after day, waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for God to give me a job, then I could easily starve to death.

I have to do everything on my end and trust that God will make a job available. I fill out applications, submit resumes, make calls, go on job interviews. I do everything I can do on my end, and then trust in God to open the doors and make it happen for me. I have to trust God that He will place me exactly where He wants me to be.

It says in Ephesians 6:13-14, "...having done everything to stand. Stand Firm." 

This is talking about spiritual warfare, but it applies

here as well. 

Whatever we need in life we have to pray about it, "casting all our cares on Him for He cares for us." Do everything we can on our end for God to work in our lives. Then "stand firm," and wait for God to work it out in our lives. Ps. 46:10 says, "Be still and know that I am God." After we have prayed and done all we can do, we have to wait on God. We have to be still and wait on Him. 

We have a role to play in our own lives. We have to have faith and pray to our Heavenly Father when "life" happens. We have to do our part. Then wait for Him to do His part. That is how He works in our lives. 

There are many examples of this in the Bible. One great example of this is the story of Naaman. Check it out:

2 Kings 5:1-14 NIV

[1] Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. [2] Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. [3] She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” [4] Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. [5] “By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing. [6] The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.” [7] As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” [8] When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” [9] So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. [10] Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” [11] But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. [12] Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. [13] Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” [14] So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

God would heal him of his leprosy, but Naaman had to do his part, by faith, to allow God to work in His life.

Knowing how God works WITH us in our lives

will keep us from being discouraged or disillusioned when things are not happening fast enough. Pray, do your part, stand firm, and wait on God!

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post

Be Like Jesus?

In my daily Bible study in Luke we get to see Jesus in action. After being rejected in His hometown, He went on to Capernaum to teach the people there. He drove out an evil spirit that was in a man in the synagogue. Afterwards, He went to Simon's mother-in-law's house. She was sick with a fever and He healed her. Then as the sun was setting, people brought all kinds of people who had various kinds of sicknesses to Jesus. He took time and laid hands on each one, one at a time, and healed each person. He drove out demons and told the demons not to speak because they knew He was the Christ. I do not know how long it took for Him to heal each person, but next we read that it was daybreak. Jesus went off to solitary place and the people followed him and begged Him not to leave. 

Let's read that section:

Luke 4:31-44 NIV

[31] Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. [32] They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. [33] In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, [34] “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” [35]  “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. [36] All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” [37] And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.  [38] Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. [39] So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. [40] At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. [41] Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. [42] At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. [43] But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” [44] And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Can you just feel the love of Jesus in this passage? He was patient and kind. He was humble. He wasn't selfish. He wasn't rude or easily angered or frustrated with the crowd. He had all the characteristics of love that First Corinthians 3:4-8 discusses. Verse 8 says "Love never fails." Jesus proved this in this passage. All those people begged Him to stay. He loved those people. How did He show it? He helped them. He met their needs. One person at a time. So beautiful. What a perfect example for us as Christians. 

It reminds me of a stanza in this old song that people used to sing in the 60s and 70s: "And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, and they'll know we are Christians by our love."

THAT'S the "light" we shine in this dark world. Love for all people. How? One person at a time as they have need. Love in "action and in truth." This is how we can be like Jesus. Show people love, one at a time, one need at a time. Helping people one need at a time. 

Jesus said in John 13:34-35 NIV

[34]  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This is how the world knows we belong to Jesus, by the love we give them. The apostle John made sense of this even more so in:

1 John 3:16-19 NIV

[16] This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. [17] If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? [18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. [19] This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 

Wow!! He nailed it with that passage!! Love people like Jesus did. Help people like Jesus did. Lay down our lives for them like Jesus did. That's loving them. That's how we can truly be like Jesus. One day at a time, one person at a time. Jesus further illustrates this in this next passage about the end of all things, that I will close out with:

Matthew 25:31-40 NIV

[31]  “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. [34]  “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, [36] I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ [37]  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ [40]  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

So great. Awesome. Let's be like Jesus now.

I love you all dear readers. If you need anything contact me at: postjeff0321@gmail.com.

Best regards,

Jeffrey Post

The Greatest Decision You'll Ever Make in 2025

As the new year approaches, every person on this planet has a decision to make. This decision is the reason why you were born and placed upon this planet to live out your lives. God made you to find Him.

Acts 17:26-27 NIV

[26] From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. [27] God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 

God made us to be adopted into a spiritual family, the Kingdom of God. Just like you were born into a physical family, God made you to be born into His spiritual family. This is called being "born again" or "born of the Spirit."

John 3:1-8 NIV

[1] Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” [3] Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” [4] “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” [5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

We have all been "born of the flesh," when our mothers brought us into the world. Now it's time to be "born of the Spirit," by the Holy Spirit.

 [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

You might say, "Why should I be 'born again'?" And "How can I be born again?"

Why? So you can live with God forever in heaven as He will give you the gift of eternal life once you are born again.

How? Believe that Jesus is the Christ (Savior/Messiah), the Son of God. Then instantly you are born again by the Holy Spirit.

1 John 5:1a. NIV

[1] Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God...

This is what we call being saved.

Why is it called being "saved?" What are we saved from? We are saved from being eternally separated from God. 

The only way to be saved is to be adopted into the Kingdom of God. 

So, the most important decision you will ever make is whether or not you want to be added to this family, the Kingdom of God. Whether or not you want the free gift of eternal life. 

There is only one way to enter the Kingdom/family of God and that's through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Jesus is the only Way because He was the only One who paid the penalty for all sin when he died on the cross.

Jesus came to Earth to die on the cross. He shed His blood to pay the penalty for all sin. He had to do this because God cannot be around sin. Sin naturally separated mankind from God. So, for mankind to get back to God, sin had to be taken out of the way. Jesus took all our sin out of the way by shedding His blood on the cross. He took all the sins of the world upon HimselfNow we can have access to God because of Jesus Christ. Now we can be adopted into the Kingdom of God because of Jesus Christ. Now we can have eternal life because of Jesus Christ.

All we have to do is believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. We have to believe He died on the cross, shed His blood, to take the penalty of sin out of the way. We have to believe that God raised Him from the dead after 3 days. We have to believe He ascended to heaven and now sits at the righthand of God. Essentially believing that He is who He says He is which is the Son of God. 

Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? Then do this now!!!

Romans 10:9 NIV

[9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 

If you did that, then you are born again by the Holy Spirit. It's just that quick. You received the free gift of eternal life, you are adopted into the Kingdom/Family of God. You are now a child of God. You will never be separated from God. Your penalty for sin is taken away forever by the blood of Jesus. 

You are born again!!!

Now, Jesus wants all of us to be baptized which declares to those around you that you got saved and are now a child of God. It symbolizes sharing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You go down into the water, dying with Jesus, and you raise up out of the water, being resurrected with Jesus, and come out of the water, to live a new life with Jesus.

So find a church, tell them you got saved, and need to be baptized. They'll help you do this.

Please, please, please email me if you got saved at:

postjeff0321@gmail.com. 

Let me celebrate with you!!!

If you need a Bible or anything email me and I will help you in starting your new life in Christ.

This is the greatest decison you'll ever make in your lifetime.

NOTE: PLEASE SHARE THIS POST WITH ANYONE WHO IS NOT A CHRISTIAN.

Love you all,

Jeffrey Post