His banner over me was love. (Song of Solomon 2:4)

God is love, and His love cannot be described as we understand love, for His capacity to love us supersedes our ability to love Him.  It is beyond our basic understanding, in this realm, to grasp, or comprehend His love.  His quality of love differs tremendously from our own. 

Many believe that we do not deserve His love…which in actuality, we probably don’t.  However, God died for us, while we were still sinners, and in so doing, revealed just how prolific His love is for us.  There is no need to ponder, just how much He loves us, and He will always love us, as the Bible promises He will.

Love, by definition, is a commitment to the peace, joy, security, satisfaction, and development of another person and His well-being. To put that person in front of our own needs, and place that individual first.

God’s love is not based on emotions, like regular love…His love flows out of His changeless character. God is love, the Bible tells us so.   He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (John 4:8)

 It is impossible for Him to do anything outside of His nature, and thus, His love will remain certain and dependable…forever.   And, that is what He is, by definition–a Sovereign, Omnipotent, prolific, dependable God, of which His love we can be certain.  His love and mercy will endure forever.

God’s love is our gift, our priceless and totally immeasurable gift. God offers it to us freely, willingly, lovingly…independently of our feelings. Whether we think we deserve His love or not.  It is separate and distinct from our feelings towards Him. His love is open, pure, and overwhelming. His love is indeed a gift, and it is good.   Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is not variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

God and His flawless character is boldly revealed throughout the Bible, time and time again… and throughout our lives–If, we take the time to get to know Him–I mean really know Him. When we know Him, things will begin to materialize, and eventually will create a clearer picture.  We will be able to recognize His character, and be certain of His love, and feel the peace of this revelation.

Our Father is perfect, and furthermore His love is perfect.  Every one of His characteristics represents perfection, and could not be improved to any degree.  How can perfection be perfected? He is that He is, and all that He is, represents love, certainty…and dependability.  He will always treat us lovingly in accordance to His love.

We walk under His banner of love, His canopy of love.  He loves us, and always will.  He loves us, even when we stray from the fold, His love is changeless.

He loves us when we wander from His will, or fall into some kind of mishap that defies His commandments…His love is certain.

He loves us when we disobey Him, and fall prey to foolish things that flesh sometimes can do…His love is dependable.

He loves us, unconditionally, purely and without any doubt. We walk under His banner/canopy of love.  So, never think for one moment, that He would walk away in dismay, for His love endures. The canopy never falls…and we cannot dismantle it.  God erected the canopy, and therefore it is impregnable.  It is unchanging, it is certain and it is dependable.

God and His love…how amazing is that?  How amazing is He?  Just release any misconceptions or doubts about His love.  Just accept He loves us, before we were born, while we’re here on earth, and will love us when He calls us home.

So, rejoice under His canopy/banner, and smile knowing “He loves us“– in no uncertain terms, and that is something we can depend on forever…Amen~

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I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. (Song of Solomon 6:3)

We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine.(Song of Solomon 1:4)

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm. (Song of Solomon 8:6)

If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. (John 14:23)

A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another (John 13:34)

Picture courtesy of BCF- Thank you!

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

The water given by Jesus means spiritual life. (John 4:14) drinking is not a ONE time decision…it is a progressive and voluntary act that will bring about a life-altering transition.  Drinking His water is a continuous process of regular intervals of communion with the source of living water, Jesus Christ Himself. 

No one can continue to drink the water of life, if one is severed from the source. If one does not partake regularly of the water of life, and gets disconnected from the supply (Jesus)–we become in danger of becoming “wells without water.”  Empty, shallow, unfulfilled.  The connection, along with the comitment to Jesus is essential to the flow and constant bubbling source of spiritual life, from within.

When we worship in both spirit and truth, amazing things happen.  We are forming an unbreakable bond with the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. 

But hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (John 4:23).

Jesus wants us to come to Him in sincerity, with a heart for Him in order for significant worship to occur. When one comes to God with a genuine and open countenance, with a spirit that is directed by the life and activity of the Holy Spirit, phenomenal things begin to materialize…

 A higher level of worship occurs as the Father reveals Himself more. His truth will emerge…a characteristic that epitomizes God.  So, when we worship in the Father’s truth, which is revealed in the Son, which is then received through the Spirit, the connection becomes palpable, extraordinary, powerful..

Any one that promotes a doctrine that is not of truth, pushes aside the sturdy foundation for true worship in complete obedience to who, and what He is, and what He represents.

To put it simply, Jesus Christ is the truth, and to live in union with Christ requires speaking the truth. If others claim to have fellowship with Him, and are possessing and claiming salvation, yet fail to live and speak according to His truth, is to be deceitful. When someone has no truth, the real condition of their hearts are exposed. Without truth, there is darkness, and deception, and thus one will live outside the kingdom of heaven.  Just a slight twist of the “WORD” can be akin to “false preaching” and one can be in danger of falling prey to the “enemy.”

…You will know them by their fruits…(Matthew 7:16)

…Fruit unto life eternal that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. (John 4:36).  Those of us who sow seeds of truth, and love, hoping to ignite a fire of “hunger” for the Lord, can rejoice when even just ONE soul is saved.  And, although we rejoice here in our temporary home,  we will eventually be celebrating in heaven, because of those saved, and their witnesses. But, we must realize that this is not solely due to “our efforts” alone, it is often a reaping of the labors of others as well. All the frutiful ministry we have for God is in large part the result of the sacrificial labor of Christ, and others.  It’s so important to acknowledge that…and to be “puffed up.” Humility, and observance of the truth, is greatly rewarded, in heaven, where it counts.

Seek His face, His word, His ways, His heart, His love…Learn all about God, and His character.  I want to learn about Him more and more, the hunger is apparent, and the interest never ending.  There is so much to His word, His ways. 

The Bible is a “world” unto itself, in terms of Life and all that encompasses it.

Every day I delve into the word, with a minimum of one hour of Bible study.  His word opens up more and more, things are revealed constantly.  I cannot get enough of His word.  It is a seven day a week journey.  A relationship that is never-ending.  I seek Him actively…and long for His love always. 

He is the same as He was in the beginning, He is still on the throne, and is still in CONTROL.  Although this is a different time from when Christ walked the earth, it is still the same in terms of God’s laws, ways, and His love.  That DOES NOT change.  People may say it’s 2013, time is different —yes, but His word is never changing.  There are NO adjustments to His word, it is what it is, always has been always will be.

And, for those who seek His face, and His ways, and His love, the countless joy is overwhelming.  The rewards, impossible to describe, and the peace undeniable. For those who choose to “change His word” to accommodate their needs, it can only mean trouble. 

As for me and my house, “I will serve the LORD…”

 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.  Who hath ears to hear, let him hear…(Matthew13:44)

Picture courtesy of Scott  – Amazing photographer and friend, thank you!

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28 KJV)

Watching a peaceful scene, such as a deer grazing in an open field is rewarding in so many ways. The obvious one that comes to mind is “God made this lovely creature” and the second thought would be, “and He cares for this little precious thing, so how much more does He care for us?”

The Lord is our lifeline, our breathing apparatus, and our whole reason for existence. He– the sole creator of the Universe, and all things, big and small, He made us from scratch, and we are who we are because of Him.

In Hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began… (Titus 1:2)

Before we were even born, God was reconciled to His promises for His children.  He offers us eternal reward, and salvation.  We can breather easier as we go through life, although sometimes a perilous course…however, knowing that He will  ultimately bring home His promise of eternal life, makes it so much easier to get through it. His love, His wisdom, and His strength, get us through any hardship, and will make us that much stronger when we come through it.  His unsurpassed magnificence, and compassionate nature, is apparent through His mercy and grace, toward us… His children.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.  (1 John 2:15 KJV)

Things of the world, are insignificant, compared to the eternal reward of being in paradise with the Father.  We live life, according to His will and purposes, and as we become more involved with His word, and His commandments, we find the things of the world, less entertaining.  Superficial gains reap superficial reward.  It becomes easier to turn from shallow practices, and easier to shine our light as we conform and become more refined in His image. Eternal rewards…

 …You have come to a judge (the God of all people) and to the spirits of people who have God’s approval and have gained eternal life. 24 You have come to Jesus, who brings the new promise  from God, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better message than Abel’s. (Hebrews 12:23-24 KJV)

Through the Lord, Jesus Christ, we have been saved, and forgiven.  We, can breathe, our life line is in place, and our actions are being noted.  We will sow what we reap, and harvest time is not far off.  But, the incredible feeling of peace, along with the promise of God’s Word, is beyond description. It is more a feeling that supercedes any elaboration process, for words fail to incorporate the reverberating happiness that resonates within your soul, when you have an intimate relationship with God.

The feeling of bliss and internal peace begins and ends with God.  His word, His love and His promise of eternal life speaks directly to our hearts. 

Can you hear His voice???

Listen, be still and “know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 KJV)

…You have come to a judge (the God of all people) and to the spirits of people who have God’s approval and have gained eternal life. 24 You have come to Jesus, who brings the new promise  from God, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better message than Abel’s. (Hebrews 12:23-24 KJV)

 Christ has given us the promise of eternal life. (John 2:25 KJV)

(Exodus 31:3 KJV)
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

While discussing the Bible with a dear Christian friend, the ability to understand God and His word came up.  We were discussing all the different versions of the Bible and how so many take away and add to His word.  God distinctly warns against that in various books, one of which is proverbs: “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:6 KJV).

When one follows His word, and yields to the obedience of the word, He will be blessed, and rewarded.  But, clearly the Lord, will do more than admonish for playing around with His word, as it so clearly states in revelation: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:19 KJV).

The problem is…so many versions are out there, and a good majority of people will reach for these “tampered with” versions, not knowing any better. “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2 KJV)

I have been to many different churches in my years as a Christian, whether be it through visiting, attending a wedding, or due to a move, through an invitation to attend,  most especially, when I am led by the Spirit to move on elsewhere.

 Now, in all of these places, obviously,  with different Leaders, Pastors, Rabbis, Reverends, so on and so forth, there have been different versions of the Bible in place.  In one such place I had asked the Reverend why a particular version was used, and his reply was one I had expected, yet still took me off guard,  “because it’s easier for people to understand.”  Huh? No disrespect Reverend, but…how about God’s word?  The changing in meaning from the translation?  And, how about the wisdom of the Lord to guide and open up the meaning of the scriptures, is that not an important piece of the equation?

I know the Reverend has a heart for God, and I am not judging him or any of the others who do not use the KJV…but it bothers me when the word is tampered with during translations.

Now back to my dear Christian  friend, and our discussion.  Her mother, who has since departed, loved the Lord, her children, her husband, and reading the Bible.  She had a fifth grade education, was a simple lady in all facets of her life, but was a scholar in the word.  She read the KJV only, and through her faith, tenacity, and the Holy Spirit providing wisdom, she understoond the KJV as well as any Bible scholar, if not more!  If this little simple lady, with a heart for God, and a fifth grade education could read the KJV, anyone can. 

Why so admanat about the word?  Because the one and only God sent His book for our purposes…it’s His love letter to His children, us.  It is from God, that it was written, through His vessels/prophets/Apostles/Disciples, etc., etc., it was, and is, the divine word of GOD.  And, that stands for TRUTH.  A lot of truth, and love. “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” (Psalm 119:160 KJV)

The word is our defense, it is our shield, our fortress and our weapons against the enemy.  The word is truth,  the word is an inlet pouring out sincerity, the word is our salvation and protection.  It should be in our heart and be incorporated into our vision for current times and future  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11 KJV)

⁵ Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.⁶ Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6 KJV).

So, to sum up…thank You Lord for providing the insight into Your astounding, and powerful word, for opening eyes, and opening ears to Your intimate words, and allowing us to glimpse Your character, and Your traits. For being there for every single one of us, for listening, for Your grace,  Your blessings, and Your encouragement–And, Your arms that encircle us, each and everyday.

Thank You for Your truth and love Father~

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¹⁹ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV)