WE need to know this, friend

How would we know something was cold if we had nothing warm to compare it to?

How would we know what God is like unless He revealed himself in ways that we could grasp?

And it is quite clear to me that someone in authority over me just telling me how to do something with their words, without showing me an example of what to do results in my being resentful and rebellious – but if they are walking it out themselves,  living by example, it is then that I am receptive and they are a leader.

Psalms 130:3-4 NLT
Lord , if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.

Praise God for teaching us about sin and about fearing and respecting Him and about seeking His will for our lives – so that we know the Truth of what sin is and we know that we need change in our lives.

And praise God for giving us a living example of walking it out and demonstrating the one truth,  life,  and way – so that we can Hope for what it can look like in our own lives.

And praise God for His giving us the gift of the Holy Sprit when we surrender our lives to Him – so we can know Faith and grow to become more like Him,  a reflection of His righteousness shining through us.

And praise God for His mercy and grace and glory and power and wisdom – so that we can know Love,  true unfailing and sacrificial Love, that is so foreign from our worldly ways, but that we know that we want when we hear that still quiet voice encouraging us to love God,  love others, and to not just focus on ourselves.

Truth, Hope, Faith, and Love – this IS the Good News.

Without Truth, we might forget our need for change, we might rest in the comfort of our complacency. BE CONVICTED! KNOW YOUR SIN!

Without Hope, we might be crushed under the weight of our guilt and shame,  and we might give up on our own instead of accepting forgiveness. BE FORGIVEN! CAST OFF YOUR CHAINS! CAST DOWN YOUR BURDENS!

Without Faith, we might never know maturity and wisdom and understanding and repentance and fruitfulness in our lives, instead,  thinking that it is all about me either receiving punishment or reward. BE WISE! BE REPENTANT! HONOR GOD WITH A GRATEFUL RENEWED LIFE!

Without Love, we have nothing.

WITHOUT LOVE,  WE ARE NOTHING.

We cannot accept God’s love for ourselves and deny loving others.

We cannot receive forgiveness for ourselves and deny forgiving others.

We cannot look at our fellow man and hate him and say that we know God.

WITHOUT LOVE, YOU ARE NOT A REDEEMED CHILD OF GOD.

AN EMPTY PRAYER DOESN’T BOTH BUY YOU HEAVEN AFTER DEATH AND BUY YOU FREEDOM TO LIVE LIKE HELL ON EARTH.

Do you know love, friend?

Will your life today honor God and show His love to others?

Wake up.

It’s time to quit faking it.

We don’t fake it until we make it.

We surrender our lives and He delivers us into victory.

Do you know victory,  friend?

Have you surrendered?

Do you have love?

Grasp it today,  friend.

Not with empty words,  but with a broken and humbled heart – surrender it to Him.

Cast off the anger and hatred and bitterness and envy and strife and wickedness and guilt and shame and unforgiveness and murmuring and complaining and gossiping and plotting and manipulation and pride and sin – cast it away,  in the name of Jesus Christ. 

And know His healing touch on your life,  on your heart.

Know His redeeming touch on your life.

Know Love.

Know God.

Today.

NOW!