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LOVE Everybody. Now. Seriously. Please.

joe sheep

LOVE EVERYBODY. NOW. SERIOUSLY. PLEASE.

Published by WAY UP BOOKS™, a division of WAY UP PUBLISHING™

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©2015 Mark Toth

ISBN 978-0-9888836-1-1

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Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations in Chapters 1-10 and 12-13 or marked (NIV) in Chapter 12

are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by

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FIRST EDITION 2015

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3

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put this book down.

2. Read the Bible.

3. Repeat Step 2 a minimum of 837 times.

4. Read this book slooooooooooooooowly.

There’s lots of white space on purpose.

Think deeeeep thoughts and ask God to

change your ♥.

5. LOVE everybody. Now. Seriously. Please.

4

CONTENTS

1. WHAT IS LOVE?

2. WHO IS LOVE?

3. LOVE POWER

4. LOVE RULES

5. LOVE GOD

6. LOVE OTHERS

7. LOVE THOSE YOU HATE

8. LOVE WORDS

9. LOVE-ITUDE

10. LOVE TEST

11. JESUS SAYS LOVE

12. LOVE PRAYER

13. LOVE LIFE

9

23

33

43

55

63

75

85

103

115

121

201

205

1. WHAT IS LOVE?

6

What exactly is LOVE?

Here’s what the world says …

7

According to philosophers,

LOVE is …

a grave mental disease

(Plato)

a dirty trick played on us to

achieve continuation of the species

(W. Somerset Maugham)

temporary insanity curable by marriage

(Ambrose Bierce)

8

According to the world of music …

All you need is LOVE

(The Beatles)

LOVE will keep us together

(The Captain & Tennille)

LOVE will tear us apart

(Joy Division)

LOVE is a battlefield

(Pat Benatar)

LOVE stinks

(The J. Geils Band)

9

And, according to Hollywood …

To LOVE is to suffer.

To avoid suffering one must not LOVE.

But then one suffers from not loving.

Therefore, to LOVE is to suffer,

not to LOVE is to suffer.

To suffer is to suffer.

To be happy is to LOVE.

To be happy then is to suffer.

But suffering makes one unhappy.

Therefore, to be unhappy

one must LOVE.

(Woody Allen)1

DEEEEEEEEEP QUESTION

How do YOU define LOVE?

11

So, how does God define LOVE?

Here it is in 60 little words:

LOVE is patient,

LOVE is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It is not rude,

it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

LOVE does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

always trusts,

always hopes,

always perseveres.

LOVE never fails.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

12

How important is LOVE?

Even if we can “fathom all mysteries

and knowledge” and “have a

faith that can move mountains”

but don’t have LOVE, here’s

what we’ve got …

0

14

Or, put another way,

without LOVE we’re this …

16

As the Bible says:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels

but do not have LOVE, I am only a

resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can

fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,

and if I have a faith that can move

mountains, but have not LOVE,

I am nothing.

(1 Corinthians 13:1-2)

17

Indeed, LOVE is the key

to the universe:

The only thing that counts

is faith expressing itself through LOVE.

(Galatians 5:6)

And now these three remain:

faith, hope and LOVE.

But the greatest of these is LOVE.

(1 Corinthians 13:13)


How does God’s definition of LOVE differ from the world’s?

From yours?

Who’s right?

2. WHO IS LOVE?

20

It all starts here …

21

God is LOVE. (1 John 4:16)

22

Ponder that for a moment.

And another.

God doesn’t just like LOVE.

He doesn’t just love LOVE.

He IS LOVE.

Wow.

23

As mind-blowing as it may seem, the God of the

universe LOVES us mere puny little humans. In fact,

he LOVES us soooooo much that he’s willing to

adopt us permanently into his family:

See what great LOVE

the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called

children of God!

And that is what we are!

(1 John 3:1)

And, as the most famous verse

in the history of the planet says:

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.

(John 3:16)

24

Those simple truths explain a lot of things …

Q: Why did God create a world that

gives him so much grief?

A: Because God is LOVE and LOVE

is expressed in relationships

(even messy ones).

Q: Why did God give us free will?

A: LOVE can’t be forced.

A true relationship involves

the ability to choose LOVE

and to reject it.

Q: Why does God offer us eternal life?

A: Because he LOVES us and

wants us to be with him forever.

25

Q: Can anything ever separate

us from God’s LOVE?

A: Nope.

Neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future,

nor any powers,

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 8:38-39)

Q: How long does God’s LOVE last?

A: Here’s a Psalm that answers that

question quite definitively …

26

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.

His LOVE endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods.


Give thanks to the Lord of lords:


to him who alone does great wonders,


who by his understanding made the heavens,


who spread out the earth upon the waters,


who made the great lights –


the sun to govern the day,


the moon and stars to govern the night;


(Psalm 136:1-9)


God is LOVE.

What does that mean to YOU personally?

3. LOVE POWER

29

Let’s be honest.

We aren’t always super-awesome

at this whole LOVE thing.

30

Here’s a graphic description of what life

can look like under our own feeble

and often un-LOVE-ly power:

The acts of the flesh are obvious:

sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry

and witchcraft; hatred, discord,

jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,

dissensions, factions and envy;

drunkenness, orgies and the like.

(Galatians 5:19-20)

Yikes.

That list is followed by a

not-all-that-subtle warning:

Those who live like this

will not inherit the kingdom of God.

(Galatians 5:21)

31

So where does LOVE power come from?

LOVE doesn’t start with us.

It starts with God:

This is LOVE: not that we LOVED God,

but that he LOVED us and sent his son

as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

(1 John 4:10)

We LOVE

because he first LOVED us.

(1 John 4:19)

32

Jesus came to show us the way.

Through his life, death and resurrection,

he LOVED completely and perfectly.

And when he left earth, he didn’t

leave us powerless and alone:

I will ask the Father, and He will give you

another Counselor to be with you forever.

He is the Spirit of Truth.

(John 14:15-17) (HCSB)

33

In other words, we have 24/7/365.25* access to

our very own personal LOVE counselor:

the Holy Spirit …

Do you not know that your body is a

temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,

whom you have received from God?

(1 Corinthians 6:19)

God’s LOVE has been poured out into

our hearts through the Holy Spirit,

who has been given to us.

(Romans 5:5)

*Includes leap years.

34

So, what exactly do we do?

It’s pretty simple …

35

Be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

36

What happens if we do that?

We overflow with:

LOVE

JOY

PEACE

PATIENCE

KINDNESS

GOODNESS

FAITHFULNESS

GENTLENESS

SELF-CONTROL

(Galatians 5:22-23) (ESV)

Just in case you missed it, what’s #1 on the list?

Yep, that’s right: LOVE.


Take a good long look at your life.

Are you full of the Spirit and overflowing

with LOVE, joy and peace?

Or are you full of something else?

4. LOVE RULES

39

Here’s the Bible in one verb …

LOVE

41

When Jesus was asked to name the

absolute #1 rule in the universe,

here’s what he said …

42

LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your mind.

This is the first and the greatest commandment.

(Matthew 22:37-38)

43

Then he added this …

44

And the second is like it: LOVE your neighbor

as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets

hang on these two commandments.

(Matthew 22:39-40)

45

So, here’s the Bible in 5 words ...

LOVE God.

LOVE others.

Repeat.

Personally, that’s a problem for me.

Here’s how I usually see things:

ME

others

god

That’s a bit out of whack.

It should look more like this:

GOD

OTHERS

me


What would the world be like

if everybody did what God says

and actually LOVED him

and others?

5. LOVE GOD

51

How exactly do we “LOVE God”?

Isn’t that like trying to find a gift for the proverbial

guy who’s got everything (literally)?

Here’s what the Bible says:

This is LOVE for God: to obey his commands.

(1 John 5:3)

And what are his main commands?

To LOVE him and others.

Get it? It’s all about LOVE.

52

Let’s go a bit deeper.

The Bible also says:

God is LOVE. Whoever lives in LOVE

lives in God and God in them.

(1 John 4:16)

God wants us to live IN him.

You can’t get much closer than that.

He wants us to spend time with him, to listen

to him, to talk to him, to have a deeeeep,

intimate, spiritual relationship with him.

He wants his unselfish, unconditional

and unshakable LOVE to flow into

our ♥s and out into the lives

of everyone around us.

53

It’s a beautiful thing.

54

But that’s not all. The Bible also says this

about those who LOVE God:

What no eye has seen, no ear has heard,

and what no human mind has conceived –

these things God has prepared

for those who LOVE him.

(1 Corinthians 2:9)

God has absolutely amazing, astonishing,

astounding things in store for those who

LOVE him. Our tiny little brains can’t

even begin to comprehend

what he’s got planned.

55

Still don’t trust God 100% to work things

out wonderfully? Read this:

And we know that in all things God works for

the good of those who LOVE him, who have

been called according to his purpose.

(Romans 8:28)

Read that verse again.

Not some things. Not most things.

ALL things.


If someone were to follow you around

for a day, who or what would they

say is your first LOVE?

If the answer isn’t God, you might want

to make some adjustments.

6. LOVE OTHERS

58

One great way to learn how we should

relate to our fellow humans is to see

how the Bible fills in this blank:

_______ one another

59

Let’s start with Jesus. Not too surprisingly, he filled

the blank with LOVE:

A new command I give you: LOVE one another.

As I have LOVED you, so you must LOVE one another.

By this all men will know that you are

my disciples, if you LOVE one another.

(John 13:33-35)

60

What’s the ultimate way to LOVE one another?

Here’s what Jesus said:

Greater LOVE has no one than this:

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

(John 15:13)

61

Those words were recorded by John, who was

known as “the disciple Jesus LOVED.”

It’s said that when John was old and too weak to

walk, he would be carried into church to preach.

Here was his entire sermon

week after week after week ...

62

Little children,

LOVE one another.

63

Earlier in his career, John put it this way:

Let us LOVE one another, for LOVE comes from God.

Everyone who LOVES has been born of God and knows

God. Whoever does not LOVE does not know God,

because God is LOVE.

(1 John 4:7-8)

Another follower of Jesus, a guy

named Paul, created this handy …

LOVE ONE ANOTHER TO-DO LIST

Be devoted to one another.

Honor one another above yourselves.

Share with God’s peeps who’re in need.

Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you.

Rejoice with those who rejoice.

Mourn with those who mourn.

Live in harmony with one another.

Don’t repay anyone evil for evil.

Live at peace with everyone.

Don’t seek revenge.

If your enemies are hungry, feed ’em.

If they’re thirsty, give ’em a drink.

(Romans 12:10-20)

65

How else can we LOVE one another?

The Bible gives us lots of other blank-fillers …

66

SERVE one another (Galatians 5:13)

ENCOURAGE one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

FORGIVE one another (Ephesians 4:32)

PRAY for one another (James 5:16)

SUBMIT to one another (Ephesians 5:21)

BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE

to one another (Ephesians 4:32)

ACCEPT one another

just as Christ accepted you (Romans 15:7)

SPUR one another

on toward LOVE and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)


How can YOU help fill in the blank?

7. LOVE THOSE YOU HATE

69

Think of the one person on this planet you despise

more than anyone else.

Here’s what Jesus said we should do

about people like that …

70

LOVE them.

71

Here are his exact words:

LOVE your enemies and pray for those who persecute

you, that you may be children

of your Father in heaven.

(Matthew 5:44-45)

72

Here’s more …

You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye

and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, do not resist

an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek,

turn to them the other cheek also.

And if anyone wants to sue you and take your

shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone

forces you to go one mile, go with them

two miles. Give to the one who asks you

and do not turn away from the one

who wants to borrow from you.

(Matthew 5:38-43)

73

What would happen if people actually

took Jesus’ words seriously?

Think we’d have less war?

Fewer shootings in our neighborhoods?

Want more peace in the world?

Let it start today with you.

Ask God to help you

LOVE those you hate.

74

Need more inspiration? Here are a

few more verses to put in your ♥:

Do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you, pray

for those who mistreat you.

(Luke 6:27-28)

Anyone who claims to be in the light but

hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.

Whoever claims to LOVE God yet hates

a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever

does not LOVE their brother or sister,

whom they have seen, cannot LOVE

God, whom they have not seen.

(1 John 2:9, 4:19-20)

75

Don’t wait.

Stop the hate.


Think back to that person you despise more than

any other on this planet. What would happen if

instead of hating ’em

you started LOVING ’em?

Right now?

Seriously?

8. LOVE WORDS

78

Q: According to experts, what’s the #1 cause of

failure in relationships, business, medicine, politics,

war and maybe even religion?

A: Crummy communication. We

don’t wield words wisely.

79

Just in case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the

midst of an absolute communication explosion.

A few factoids:

Google the word “communication” and you

get 2.29 billion hits.

There are 332,325 communication books on

Amazon.com.

We sent more than 50 trillion e-mails in the past

year.

There are more than 300,000 Twitter tweets

every single minute.

Facebook now has more than a billion users

sharing private intimate communications with

people they’ve never met.

The average teenager sends 3,399 texts each

month.

But it’s not just teenagers – studies

show a rapid increase in texting even by

octogenarians.2

So, is all this communication making life better?

NO

81

In study after study after study, people report

feeling more depressed, disconnected

and un-LOVED than ever before.

We can all help change that sad state

of affairs one word at a time.

Here’s where it all starts,

according to Jesus …

82

The mouth speaks

what the ♥ is full of.

(Luke 6:45)


Answer this before

you say another word …

What is your ♥ full of?

84

Ask God to fill your ♥ to overflowing with LOVE

before you even think about

opening your mouth.

85

How powerful are our words?

The tongue has the power of life and death.

(Proverbs 18:21)

The words of the reckless pierce like swords,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

(Proverbs 12:18)

Harmful words can fatally wound –

they stab, pierce, cut, slash and hack.

They can destroy friendships, kill marriages,

bring down companies, ruin churches

and start wars.

On the other hand, helpful words

can literally heal.

It’s truly a matter of life and death.

86

So, how exactly should we use our tongues?

Here’s what the Bible says …

87

Speak the truth in LOVE. (Ephesians 4:15)

88

Again, that’s TRUTH in LOVE.

Let’s break it down a bit, starting with TRUTH.

According to one survey, a whopping 91% of

Americans lie “routinely” (assuming they weren’t

lying when they responded).3

Here’s what the Bible says about that:

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a

flattering mouth works ruin.

(Proverbs 26:28)

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

(Proverbs 24:26)

89

In other words, lies are hateful but

TRUTH is like heavenly smooches.

Jesus took it even further.

Here’s what he said about Satan:

When he lies, he speaks his native language,

for he is a liar and the father of lies.

(John 8:44)

Don’t be like Satan. Be like Jesus.

Speak the TRUTH.

90

OK, so that’s TRUTH.

But what about the LOVE part?

Over and over the Bible tells us to

use words to build, not to destroy:

Encourage one another and build each other up.

(1 Thessalonians 5:11)

How often should we encourage one another?

Encourage one another daily, as long as it is

called “Today,” so that none of you may

be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

(Hebrews 3:13)

91

Times are tough out there. People are hurting. Ask

God to help you encourage as many of your

fellow humans as possible today. And tomorrow.

And the day after tomorrow.

So …

Encourage your spouse.

Encourage your kids.

Encourage your parents.

Encourage your friends.

Encourage your co-workers.

Encourage your boss.

Encourage your dentist.

Encourage your gastroenterologist.

The possibilities are endless.

92

Here are some other LOVE words:

Gracious words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

(Proverbs 16:24)

An anxious heart weighs a man down

but a kind word cheers him up.

(Proverbs 12:25)

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.

(Ephesians 4:29)


What LOVE words could you share

with someone right now?

9. LOVE-ITUDE

95

What should our attitude be in doing

all this LOVE stuff?

Basically, it’s the exact opposite of the world’s

me-first-this-life-is-all-there-is-grab-all-you-can-

right-now-before-you-die attitude.


Your attitude should be the same as that

of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something

to be grasped, but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant.

(Philippians 2:5-7)

96

Here’s what Jesus himself said:

Whoever wants to be my disciple must

deny themselves and take up their cross

daily and follow me. For whoever wants

to save their life will lose it, but whoever

loses their life for me will save it.

(Luke 9:23-24)

Hmmm …

make yourself nothing

be a servant

deny yourself

take up your cross

lose your life

Frankly, that doesn’t sound very fun.

But fun ain’t the point.

It goes way deeper than that.

97

If you follow Jesus, you don’t get mere

here-today-gone-tomorrow happiness.

You get something far better …

JOY

99

Remember the list of what life with the

Spirit looks like? What was #2 on

that list, right after LOVE?

Yep, that’s right: JOY.

Christianity isn’t about following a bunch

of rituals, rules and regulations with

grumbles, gripes and groans.

Here’s what Jesus is after …

101

If you’re truly full of the Spirit and LOVE God and

LOVE others, your ♥ will be

overflowing with big fat JOY.

Here’s what some famous Christians with much

bigger brains (and ♥s) than me

said on this subject:

Joy is the serious business of heaven.

(C.S. Lewis)

If you have no joy in your religion,

there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.

(Billy Sunday)

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

(Paul)

102

What’s God’s will for your life

(in 10 words or less)?


Rejoice always, pray continually,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

103

How often should we rejoice?

ALWAYS.

When are we supposed to pray?

CONTINUALLY.

What should we thank God for?

EVERYTHING.


If the people closest to you were asked

to describe your attitude, would they

say they see loads of JOY?

10. LOVE TEST

106

Before we get to the real LOVE TEST,

here’s a little pop quiz to see if

you’ve been paying attention:

107

1. LOVE …

a. Is patient and kind

b. Is not rude, self-seeking or easily angered

c. Keeps no record of wrongs

d. Always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres

e. All of the above

2. God is …

a. Too big and busy to care

b. Unknowable

c. Whatever we want him to be

d. LOVE

3. LOVE comes from …

a. Hallmark

b. Hollywood

c. Listening to Barry White songs

d. God

4. What’s the #1 Commandment?

a. Live long and prosper

b. Thou shalt not eat carbs

c. LOVE God with all you’ve got

d. He who dies with the most yachts wins

5. How do we LOVE God?

a. Buy him a gift card at a Christian bookstore

b. Go to church

c. We can’t

d. Obey him

(Answers: e, d, d, c, d)

108

If you scored 100% you are now ready for …

THE LOVE TEST

Before doing anything on this planet,

ask yourself this this one little question …

And then DO it.

What’s the absolute

very most LOVE thing

I could do right now?

11. JESUS SAYS LOVE

111

LOVE isn’t optional.

Jesus gave us lots of commands to

make that perfectly clear.

Here’s one:

My command is this:

LOVE each other as I have LOVED you.

(John 15:12)

112

How important is it to follow Jesus’ commands?

Here’s what he said:

If you LOVE me, keep my commands.

(John 14:15)

Whoever has my commands and keeps

them is the one who LOVES me.

(John 14:21)

If you keep my commands

you will remain in my LOVE.

(John 15:10)

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

Then you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free.

(John 8:31-32)

113

I suffer from two problems when it comes

to obeying Jesus’ commands:

1. I don’t know them.

2. I don’t always like to obey.

114

To help you not be like me, the following are 50

commands straight from the mouth of Jesus

to further illustrate what it means to

LOVE God and others.

They’re arranged in rough chronological order as

they appear in the Gospels and use a variety of

modern Bible translations to

help you go deeeeeeeeeeeeep.

They’re conspicuously countercultural.

They’re radically revolutionary.

Meditate on ’em.

Marinate in ’em.

Memorize ’em.

115

And then DO ’em

with all your ♥.

116

JESUS’ OFFICIAL LOVE TO-DO LIST

1. Trust God.

2. Worship and serve only God.

3. Repent and believe the good news.

4. Follow Jesus and fish for people.

5. Be spiritually reborn.

6. Rejoice.

7. Be salty.

8. Shine.

9. Don’t wait. Stop the hate.

10. Stop sin at its source.

11. Honor marriage.

12. Wield words wisely.

13. LOVE your enemies.

14. Give.

15. Be compassionate.

16. Don’t trumpet your good deeds.

17. Pray.

18. Forgive.

19. Fast joyfully.

20. Serve God, not $$$.

21. Don’t worry.

22. Fear nothing in this world.

23. Believe in Jesus.

24. Yank your planks before spotting specks.

25. Don’t throw pearls to pigs.

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26. Beware hypocrisy.

27. Enter life through Jesus.

28. Beware false prophets and false followers.

29. Get well soon. Stop sinning.

30. Don’t make excuses.

31. Be merciful.

32. Wake up and work with God.

33. Let the Spirit do the talking.

34. Rest with Jesus.

35. Take up your cross and follow Jesus.

36. Deal with sin directly.

37. Become like little children.

38. Leave it all behind.

39. Serve.

40. Keep God’s house clean.

41. Give God what is God’s.

42. Never exalt yourself. Always be humble.

43. Be alert, pray and stand firm.

44. Remember and remain in Jesus.

45. Put your sword away.

46. Receive the Holy Spirit.

47. Stop doubting and believe.

48. LOVE Jesus and feed his sheep.

49. Follow Jesus. Now. Seriously. Please.

50. Go, make disciples, teach and baptize.

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Trust God, Don’t Test Him.

Satan was trying to tempt Jesus. He took him to the highest

point of the temple and said:

If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

“He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold

you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot

on a stone.” (Matthew 4:5-6; Luke

4:9-11) (NLT)

Satan was twisting Scripture about trusting God (Psalm 91:11-12)

in an attempt to get Jesus to test God. Jesus responded with

these words:

You must not test the LORD your God. (Matthew 4:7; Luke

4:12) (NLT)

Jesus was quoting a command Moses gave to the Israelites

when they were grumbling and stumbling around the desert.

Instead of trusting God to provide like he had over and over

and over, they put him to the test, saying “Is the LORD here with

us or not?” (Deuteronomy 6:16; Exodus

17:2-7) (NLT)

The answer according to Jesus? YES. Always. Forever.

Do what Jesus says: TRUST GOD, DON’T TEST HIM.

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Worship + Serve Only God.

Satan took Jesus to the top of a mountain and showed him “all

the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” He said to Jesus, “I

will give it all to you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Jesus responded with this command:

Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the

Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” (Matthew

4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8) (ESV)

The world is full of splendiferous things that tempt us to take a

step away from God. We’re constantly bombarded with

messages promoting a 100% self-centered and 0% God-

centered approach to life. Pleasure. Riches. Beauty. Stuff. God

is almost never mentioned and when he is it’s usually as a

profanity.

Don’t buy what Satan’s selling. As a guy named Bob Dylan

once said: “You’re gonna have to serve somebody. It may be

the devil or it may be the Lord. But you’re gonna have to serve

somebody.” True that.

Do what Jesus says: WORSHIP AND SERVE ONLY GOD.

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Repent + Believe the Good News.

Jesus kicked off his public ministry with this command:

Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15) (NIV)

What exactly does “repent” mean? Here’s a good definition:

A radical turning from sin to a new way of life oriented

towards God.4

And what exactly is the “good news”? Jesus said he was sent to

“proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God.” (Luke 4:43)

More specifically:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed

me to proclaim good news for the poor. He has sent me

to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of

sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim

the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19) (NIV)

Do what Jesus says: REPENT + BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS!

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Follow + Fish.

Peter and other future disciples went fishing without Jesus. They

caught nothing.

Then Jesus joined them and they caught enough to sink

their boats.

Peter and the others freaked out, prompting Jesus to say:

Do not be afraid. Follow me and I will turn you into fishers

for people! (Matthew 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18; Luke 5:1-10)

(NET)

They immediately dropped their fishing gear and followed him.

Their lives were never the same.

Do what Jesus says: FOLLOW HIM + FISH FOR PEOPLE.

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Be Spiritually Reborn + Believe.

Jesus made this rather provocative statement to a man named

Nicodemus:

I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot

see the Kingdom of God.

Nicodemus was baffled. “How can an old man go back into his

mother’s womb and be born again?” he asked.

Here was Jesus’ reply:

I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God

without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can

reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth

to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, “You

must be born again.” The wind blows wherever it wants.

Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it

comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain

how people are born of the Spirit.

Jesus followed that up with this:

For God LOVED the world so much that he gave his one

and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will

not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:3-16) (NLT)

Jesus’ command here consists of two parts. The first is God’s

and the second is ours.

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First we have to be spiritually reborn. We can’t enter God’s

kingdom under our own feeble power. We need the Holy Spirit

to transform us into children of God. Jesus compares this rebirth

to the wind: it’s unpredictable and is controlled by God, not us.

So what’s our part? To believe. Jesus repeatedly used that one

little word to express what he expects of us. But what does it

mean exactly? To “believe” means more than saying “Yeah,

OK, whatever, I believe in God.” Over and over in the Bible, true

faith is depicted as a growing trust in response to the way God

reveals himself. Faith isn’t a blind leap: it’s an ever-deepening

journey that involves our entire being: ♥, mind and soul.

Do what Jesus says: BE SPIRITUALLY REBORN + BELIEVE.

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Rejoice.

Jesus said:

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute

you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because

of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is

great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets

who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12; Luke 6:22-23)

(NASB)

Jesus’ brother James said this:

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter

various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith

produces endurance. (James 1:2-3) (NASB)

Joy in persecution? Joy in suffering? Joy in trials?

Really?

Yes.

What on earth is “joy”? It isn’t an emotion. It isn’t happiness. It

isn’t pleasure. It’s waaaay deeper than that.

Joy comes from God. It’s available anytime, anywhere, no

matter the circumstances. As we discussed, it’s the second fruit

of the Spirit – right after LOVE. (Galatians 5:22-23)

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Joy is a major theme in the Bible. It sings in the Psalms, graces

the Gospels, epitomizes the Epistles and reverberates in

Revelation. Here’s just a sampling:

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth!” (Psalm 66:1) (NIV)

“The joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

(NKJV)

Jesus told His disciples: “I will see you again. Your hearts will

rejoice, and no one will rob you of your joy.” (John 16:22)

(HCSB)

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!” (Philippians

4:4) (NET)

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all

circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for

you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) (ESV)

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!” (Revelation

19:7) (NIV)

Do what Jesus says: REJOICE!

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Be Salty.

Jesus said:

You are the salt of the earth. Salt is good, but if the salt

has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? It is

no longer good for anything except to be thrown out

and trampled under people’s feet. Have salt in

yourselves, and be at peace with one another.

(Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34-35) (ESV)

Jesus’ followers are called to be different. We should stand out

from the world around us.

Salt has two main uses: preservation and flavor. Christians are

called to rub themselves into this decaying world to help keep it

from going bad. If we lose our saltiness, we look and taste just

like the world and we might as well be thrown out and stomped

on.

Do what Jesus says: BE SALTY.

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Shine.

Jesus said:

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill

cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it

under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to

all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before

men, that they may see your good works and glorify your

Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16) (NKJV)

Don’t try to cover up the light God has put within you. Let it

shine for the world to see.

Do what Jesus says: SHINE!

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Don’t Wait. Stop the Hate.

Jesus said:

You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, “Do not

murder,” and whoever murders shall be subject to

judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his

brother will be subject to judgment …

So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you

remember that your brother has something against you,

leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be

reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer

your gift.

Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while

you’re on the way with him, or your adversary will hand

you over to the judge, the judge to the officer, and you

will be thrown into prison. I assure you: You will never get

out of there until you have paid the last penny! (Matthew

5:21-26) (HCSB)

Jesus knows where murder starts: in our ♥s.

Hateful thoughts. Angry insults. How often have we murdered

others in our minds? Crushed their spirits with our words?

Destroyed reputations with our whispers?

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Jesus wants us to take action now. If you’re in church about to

put money in the offering plate and suddenly remember that

someone has something against you, leave immediately and

go make it right. If you’re on your way to court, settle quickly

before you get there.

Jesus’ friend John put it this way:

Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a

murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t

have eternal life within them. (1 John 3:15) (NLT)

Do what Jesus says: DON’T WAIT. STOP THE HATE.

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Stop Sin at its Source.

Jesus said:

You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit

adultery.” But I tell you that anyone who looks at a

woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her

in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble,

gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose

one part of your body than for your whole body to be

thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to

stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to

lose one part of your body than for your whole body to

go into hell. (Matthew 5:27-30) (NIV)

The message couldn’t be clearer: stop sin at its source. Now.

Jesus isn’t advocating self-mutilation. That wouldn’t cure our lust

because it’s a disease of the ♥. He uses this graphic language

to get us to see the deadliness of sin and to urge us to nip our

lustful thoughts in the bud before they bloom into full-blown

adulterous actions.

Jesus’ words apply today probably more than at any other time

in human history. Lust-inducing images are everywhere: TV,

Internet, movies, billboards – even the grocery store checkout

line. Almost everywhere you go, sin screams “LOOOOOOOOOK

AT ME!”

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The solution? It’s simple: DON’T LOOK. Every time you’re

confronted with an offensive image, remember Jesus’ words,

think “gouge!” and look away. And never ever forget that

we’re never ever alone. Ask the Holy Spirit to smack sin down

before it seeps into your ♥.

Here are a couple of great verses to keep in mind:

Guard your heart: “Guard you heart above all else, for it is

the source of life. Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly,

and don’t let your lips talk deviously. Let your eyes look

forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the

path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.

Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away

from evil.” (Proverbs 4:23-27) (HCSB)

Fill your brain with holy thoughts: “Fix your thoughts on what

is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and

admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy

of praise.” (Philippians 4:8) (NLT)

Or, put another way:

Focus on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2) (GW)

Do what Jesus says: STOP SIN AT ITS SOURCE. NOW.

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Honor Marriage.

Jesus took marriage seriously. So should we:

It was said: “Whoever divorces his wife must give her a

legal document.” But I say to you that everyone who

divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her

commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced

woman commits adultery.

Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator

“made them male and female,” and said, “For this

reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be

united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh”?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what

God has joined together, let no one separate. (Matthew

5:31-32) (NET)

Marriage is a marvelous, majestic and mysterious thing.

Somehow, two become one with God’s help. That blessed

union should never ever ever ever be broken lightly.

The law under Moses allowed divorce (see Deuteronomy 24:1-4,

for example) in limited circumstances. It certainly wasn’t

commanded – it was a concession to human sinfulness.

Jesus’ take on divorce deeeeepened the law. He’s after our ♥s.

He commands us to LOVE our neighbor as ourselves. There

aren’t many closer “neighbors” than a spouse living

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right under your own roof. He even commands us to LOVE our

enemies. That means we should LOVE our spouse even if s/he

does something truly terrible like neglecting to replace the toilet

paper roll.

Imagine a world where people actually (1) let the Holy Spirit fill

their ♥s with LOVE, (2) let that LOVE overflow into every aspect

of their marriage and (3) stay together through good times, bad

times, sickness, health and everything else on this planet ’til

“death do us part.”

It’d be a beautiful thing.

Do what Jesus says: HONOR MARRIAGE.

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Wield Words Wisely.

Jesus said:

You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You

shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what

you have sworn.” But I say to you, do not take an oath at

all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the

earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city

of the great King. And do not take an oath by your

head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let

what you say be simply “Yes” or “No”; anything more

than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:33-37) (ESV)

Our words should be few and true. ’Nuf said.

Do what Jesus says: WIELD WORDS WISELY.

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LOVE Your Enemies.

We’ve discussed it before but this mind-blowing heart-

expanding command from Jesus bears repeating: LOVE YOUR

ENEMIES:

You have heard the law that says the punishment must

match the injury. “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a

tooth.” But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone

slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If

you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you,

give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry

his gear for a mile, carry it two miles …

You have heard that the law says, “LOVE your neighbor”

and hate your enemy. But I say, LOVE your enemies! Pray

for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be

acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he

gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he

sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you LOVE

only those who LOVE you, what reward is there for that?

Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind

only to your friends, how are you different from anyone

else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect,

just as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:38-48)

(NLT)

Do what Jesus says: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.

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Give.

Jesus had lots to say on this subject:

Give Freely. “Freely you received, freely give.” (Matthew

10:8) (NASB)

Give to Those Who Ask. “Give to the one who asks you, and

do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.”

(Matthew 5:42) (NET)

Store Up Treasures in Heaven. “Don’t store up treasures here

on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them,

and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in

heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves

do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there

the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

(NLT)

Sell Your Stuff. “If you want to be perfect, go sell your

belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure

in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21) (HCSB)

Care for the “Least of These”. “Truly I tell you, whatever you

did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,

you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) (NIV)

Beware Greed. “Beware! Guard against every kind of

greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke

12:15) (NLT)

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Have a Party and Invite the Disadvantaged. “When you

give a dinner or banquet, do not invite your friends or your

brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also

invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a

feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and

you will be blessed because they cannot repay you. For you

will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:12-14)

(ESV)

Do what Jesus says: GIVE!

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Be Compassionate.

Jesus said:

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is

compassionate. (Luke 6:36) (NLT)

It’s a word we toss around all the time, but what exactly is

“compassion”? Here’s a good definition:

A feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry,

in trouble, etc.; sympathetic consciousness of others’

distress together with a desire to alleviate it.5

Want to be more like our Heavenly Father?

Do what Jesus says: BE COMPASSIONATE.

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Don’t Trumpet Your Good Deeds.

Jesus said:

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to

be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with

your Father who is in heaven. So when you give to the

poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the

hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so

that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you,

they have their reward in full. But when you give to the

poor, do not let your left hand know what your right

hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and

your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward

you. (Matthew

6:1-4) (NASB)

Is your ♥ hypocritical or humble?

Do you do good things to honor God?

Or do you do them to be honored by others?

If you’re at all like me and your answer is “ummmmm … wellllll ...

both,” I suggest that you ask God to change your ♥ right now.

Do what Jesus says: DO GOOD SECRETLY.

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Pray.

What did Jesus preach about prayer? Plenty:

Don’t Do It For Show. “Whenever you pray, do not be like

the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in

synagogues and on street corners so that people can see

them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But

whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and

pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in

secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-6) (NET)

Don’t Babble. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as

people of other religions do. They think their prayers are

answered merely by repeating their words again and again.

Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you

need even before you ask him!” (Matthew 6:7-8) (NLT)

Pray This Way. “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be

done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily

bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven

our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us

from evil.’” (Matthew 6:9-13) (ESV)

Never Give Up. “Will not God bring about justice for his

chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he

keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get

justice, and quickly.” (Luke 18:1-8) (NIV)

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Ask, Seek, Knock. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and

you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For

everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to

him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there

among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a

stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will

he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to

your children, how much more will your Father who is in

heaven give what is good – the Holy Spirit – to those who ask

Him?” (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13) (NASB)

Pray in Faith. “Have faith in God! I can guarantee this truth:

This is what will be done for someone who doesn’t doubt but

believes what he says will happen: He can say to this

mountain, ‘Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will

be done for him. That’s why I tell you to have faith that you

have already received whatever you pray for, and it will be

yours.” (Mark 11:23-24) (GW) “Whatever you request along

the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it.” “If you

make yourselves at home with me and my words are at

home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be

listened to and acted upon.” (John 14:13, 15:7) (The

Message)

Don’t Snooze. Pray. “Stay awake and pray, so that you

won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh

is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) (HCSB)

Seek God’s Will. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from

me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) (NIV)

Do what Jesus says: PRAY!

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Forgive.

Jesus said:

When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are

holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven

will forgive your sins, too.

One of his disciples asked Jesus: “Lord, how often should I

forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

Here was Jesus’ response:

No, not seven times, but seventy times seven! (Mark

11:25; Matthew 18:21-22) (NLT)

Do what Jesus says …

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FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE

































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Fast Joyfully.

Jesus said:

When you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites

do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so

people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the

truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when

you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no

one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father,

who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who

sees everything, will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18) (NLT)

Jesus started by unveiling the hypocritical “Hey look at me!”

actions of some religious-y folks. Fasting isn’t a superficial

external ritual that earns us heaven points. It’s muuuuuch

deeper than that. As always, Jesus is after our ♥s.

The fact that Jesus said “When you fast …” seems to indicate

that fasting should be a normal part of our lives. Jesus also

made it clear that it should be done in secret, not for show.

So, what exactly is “fasting”? Essentially, it’s abstaining from

anything in this world that interferes with our relationship with

God. Fasting in the Bible typically accompanied times of

intense prayer, worship, repentance or grief.

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Should YOU fast? That’s a great question that I can’t answer.

Thankfully, we all have our own personal fasting counselor: the

Holy Spirit. I suggest you stop reading this right now and ask Him

to bring to mind anything that you should cut out of your life.

Do what Jesus says: FAST JOYFULLY.

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Serve God Not $$$.

Whom or what are you reeeeeally serving?

Read this command a minimum of 77 times:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the

one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one

and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and

money. (Matthew 6:24) (NIV)

I need this drilled into my head at the start of every day and at

least every 5 seconds thereafter: You cannot cannot cannot

serve both God and money.

Do what Jesus says: SERVE GOD NOT GREEN.

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Don’t Worry.

Worried? Anxious? Stressed? This command’s for you:

I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you

have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.

Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than

clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or

store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them.

And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Jesus equated worrying with a lack of faith:

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of

the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make

their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed

as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so

wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and

thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for

you. Why do you have so little faith?

What should we do instead of worrying?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, “What will we

eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?” These

things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your

heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the

Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and

he will give you everything you

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need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will

bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

(Matthew 6:25-34) (NLT)

Do what Jesus says. NEVER WORRY. ALWAYS SEEK GOD’S

KINGDOM.

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Fear Nothing In This World.

There are now more than 500 documented phobias in the

world. There’s autophobia (fear of yourself), chorophobia (fear

of dancing), coulrophobia (fear of clowns), arachibutyrophobia

(fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth),

homilophobia (fear of sermons) and panophobia (fear of

everything). There’s even phobefobia (fear of phobias).

What’s the antidote to all this fear, fretting and freaking out?

Here’s what Jesus said:

Don’t be afraid. Just have faith. (Mark 5:36; Luke 8:50)

(NLT)

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the

body, and after that have nothing more they can do.

But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear the one

who, after the killing, has the authority to throw you into

hell. (Luke 12:4-5) (NET)

Don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives the Father great

happiness to give you the Kingdom. (Luke 12:32) (NLT)

Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust

also in me. (John 14:1) (ESV)

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Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not

give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be

troubled or fearful. (John 14:27) (HCSB)

Do what Jesus says: FEAR NOTHING IN THIS WORLD.

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Believe in Jesus.

Some religious folks came to Jesus with a question:

What must we do to do the works God requires?

Jesus’ answer cuts right to the very ♥ of everything:

The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.

(John 6:28-29) (NIV)

Do what Jesus says: BELIEVE IN HIM.

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Yank Your Planks Before Spotting Specks.

Jesus said:

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Do not

condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and

you will be forgiven. 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 in the same way you judge others, you will be

judged, and with the measure you use, it will be

measured to you.

Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and

pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can

you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of

your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own

eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own

eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck

from your brother’s eye.

Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge

correctly. (Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:37-38; John 7:24) (NIV)

Jesus hates it when we’re either (a) hypercritical or

(b) hypocritical.

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We must first deal with the sin in our own ♥s before even thinking

about opening our mouths. If we don’t ask God to yank our

planks, we can’t possibly spot others’ specks.

Once we’ve been de-planked, we should then ask God to help

us KINDLY and GENTLY approach others with an attitude of

LOVE. Jesus’ words are plain and clear: if we display self-

righteous, others-condemning attitudes and actions, we risk

being judged that same way ourselves.

As Mother Teresa put it:

If you judge people, you have no time to LOVE them.

Do what Jesus says: YANK YOUR PLANKS BEFORE SPOTTING

SPECKS.

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Don’t Throw Pearls to Pigs.

Here’s a rather intriguing command:

Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your

pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their

feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6)

(NASB)

Jesus used graphic imagery to warn of the dangers about

sharing “holy” things with “dogs” and “pigs” (those who are

viciously hostile to the kingdom of God).

We’re called to be “wise” and “shrewd” in how we relate to

others. As Jesus said:

Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as

you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off.

I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be

shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. (Matthew

10:14, 16) (NASB)

Pray for wisdom and discernment before you open your mouth.

Please.

Do what Jesus says: DON’T THROW PEARLS TO PIGS.

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Beware Hypocrisy.

Jesus said:

Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees,

which is hypocrisy.

Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long

robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces, the

front seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at

banquets. (Luke 12:1, 20:46; Mark 12:38-39) (HCSB)

Jesus’ commands are aimed straight at our ♥s. Look deeeeep

inside yours right now. Is it humble or hypocritical?

Do what Jesus says: BEWARE HYPOCRISY.

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Enter Life Through Jesus.

Jesus makes it clear that we must choose our path wisely:

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and

broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many

enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the

road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew

7:13-14) (NIV)

The great sadness of this world is that so many choose the me-

first path of sin and selfishness that leads to destruction and that

so few choose to follow Jesus down his God-first path that leads

to life.

So, how exactly do we know which way to go? Here’s what

Jesus said:

The sheep recognize his voice and come to him.

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.

All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But

the true sheep don’t listen to them. Yes, I am the gate.

Those who come in through me will be saved. They will

come and go freely and will find good pastures. The

thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose

is to give them a rich and satisfying life. I am the good

shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the

sheep. (John 10:1-3, 7-11) (NLT)

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Want to really live? Listen to Jesus’ voice. Follow him. He’ll lead

you away from destruction and into his pasture of everlasting

LOVE, joy and peace.

Do what Jesus says: ENTER LIFE THROUGH HIM.

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Beware False Prophets + False Believers.

Let’s start with false prophets:

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as

harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can

identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. A

good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces

bad fruit. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so

you can identify people by their actions. (Matthew 7:15-

16a, 17, 20) (NLT)

What kind of fruit should we see from those who truly walk with

God? As we’ve discussed before …

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: LOVE,

joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) (NLT)

What should we expect from those who don’t?

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the

results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful

pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy,

outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,

envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.

(Galatians 5:19-21a) (NLT)

If you don’t see LOVE, joy, peace and the other fruit of the Spirit

in a person’s life – and instead see things like hostility,

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rage, jealousy and/or anything else on the second list – don’t

follow ’em.

OK, so what about false followers? Jesus said:

Not everyone who calls out to me, “Lord! Lord!” will enter

the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the

will of my Father in heaven will enter. (Matthew 7:21)

(NLT)

Who are Jesus’ true followers who will enter the kingdom of

heaven? To repeat: “Only those who actually do the will of my

Father in heaven.”

What does it look like to do God’s will? Here’s one way of

putting it: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to

you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the

prophets.” (Matthew 7:12) (NLT)

Don’t be fooled by false leaders. Look at their fruit. And don’t

be a false follower. Do God’s will.

Do what Jesus says: BEWARE FALSE LEADERS AND FALSE

FOLLOWERS.

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Get Well Soon. Stop Sinning.

In Jerusalem there was a pool rumored to have magical

healing properties. Legend had it that an angel would

occasionally stir up the water with its wings and that the first

person into the water would be cured.

A real healing occurred when Jesus came on the scene. He

went up to a man who had been disabled for thirty-eight years

and asked him this rather poignant question:

“Do you want to get well?”

“Sir,” the man answered, “I don’t have a man to put me

in the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m

coming, someone goes down ahead of me.”

“Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk!”

Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and

started to walk.

After this, Jesus found him in the temple complex and

said to him, “See, you are well. Do not sin anymore, so

that something worse doesn’t happen to you.” (John 5:6-

9, 14-15) (HCSB)

Jesus’ question is one we should all ask ourselves: “Do you want

to get well?” Do we really want to abandon our favorite sins?

Or are we too addicted to the world’s pleasures to quit?

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Jesus ended with a command we should all take to ♥: “Do not

sin anymore, so that something worse doesn’t happen to you.”

Let Jesus heal you. Turn from your sins and never return.

There’s no other way to live.

Do what Jesus says: GET WELL SOON. STOP SINNING.

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Follow Jesus Now. No Excuses.

Jesus gave this rather simple command:

Follow me.

That prompted one man to say, “Lord, first let me go and bury

my father.”

Here’s how Jesus responded:

Let the dead bury their own dead, but as for you, go and

proclaim the kingdom of God.

Then another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say

goodbye to my family.”

Jesus replied:

No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is

fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:59-62) (NET)

Drop whatever you’re doing and follow Jesus NOW – no

excuses, no looking back, no matter the cost and no matter

where he leads.

Do what Jesus says: FOLLOW HIM NOW. NO EXCUSES.

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Desire Mercy.

Jesus invited Matthew – one of the biggest outcasts in town – to

follow him. In response, Matthew threw a big party and invited

a bunch of not-so-religious-y folks. That prompted the religious

leaders to ask the disciples why their teacher hung out with

losers.

Here’s how Jesus responded:

It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but

those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: “I

desire mercy, and not sacrifice,” for I did not come to

call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:10-13; Mark

2:15-17; Luke 5:29-32) (NASB)

We’re ALL sinners. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory

of God.” (Romans 3:23) (NASB) If Jesus hadn’t hung out with

sinners he would have hung out with nobody.

The religious leaders completely missed the point of Jesus’

mission. They were into religious rituals instead of real

repentance. Jesus came for the poor, the imprisoned, the blind

and the oppressed. He desires mercy, not sacrifice. So should

we.

Recognize your own spiritual sickness and come to Jesus for

healing. Then throw a big bash, invite everyone you know –

even sinners like yourself – and introduce ’em to Jesus.

Do what Jesus says: DESIRE MERCY.

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Wake Up + Work With God.

Jesus said:

Wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for

harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the

fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What

joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You

know the saying, “One plants and another harvests.”

And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant;

others had already done the work, and now you will

gather the harvest. (John 4:35-38) (NLT)

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;

therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to

send out laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37-38)

(ESV)

Jesus invites us to join in the joyful job of bringing people to

eternal life. Opportunities are all around us. Don’t miss a single

one.

Do what Jesus says: WAKE UP, WORK WITH GOD AND PRAY FOR

OTHERS TO JOIN IN.

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Let the Spirit Do the Talking.

Jesus warned his followers that they would face difficulties in this

world but told ’em not to worry:

When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to

respond or what to say. God will give you the right words

at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking – it

will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

(Matthew 10:19-20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11-12) (NLT)

Tongue-tied in tough times? No worries …

Do what Jesus says: LET THE SPIRIT DO THE TALKING.

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Rest with Jesus.

Feeling burned out by life? The Savior of the Universe invites us

to rest with him:

Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get

some rest. (Mark 6:31) (NIV)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and

I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my

burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) (NIV)

Do what Jesus says: GO WITH HIM, LEARN FROM HIM AND REST

WITH HIM.

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Take Up Your Cross + Follow Jesus.

What does it really mean to follow Jesus?

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from

your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If

you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you

give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the

Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if

you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?

(Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-36; Luke 9:23-25) (NLT)

Do what Jesus says: DENY YOURSELF, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS,

FOLLOW HIM AND LOSE YOUR LIFE FOR HIS SAKE.

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Deal with Sin Directly.

Jesus tells us how to keep sin from spreading:

If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in

private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.

But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so

that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact

may be established. If he pays no attention to them, tell

the church. But if he doesn’t pay attention even to the

church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector

to you. I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is

already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on

earth is already loosed in heaven. Again, I assure you: If

two of you on earth agree about any matter that you

pray for, it will be done for you. (Matthew 18:15-19)

(HCSB)

Sin is serious. Jesus wants us to deal with it directly. If someone

sins, don’t gossip about it – go straight to the person and discuss

the matter just between the two of you. If the person won’t

listen, take one or two others with you and talk to the person

again. If they still won’t listen, bring it to the church.

Jesus gives his followers authority to decide matters like these in

the best interests of the entire community. Whenever we gather

in Jesus’ name, he’s right there in our midst helping us reach the

right decision for all involved.

Do what Jesus says: DEAL WITH SIN DIRECTLY.

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Become Like Little Children.

Jesus loooooves little children:

I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and

become like little children, you will never get into the

Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as

humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of

Heaven.

Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little

ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always

in the presence of my heavenly Father.

Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the

Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these

children. (Matthew 18:3-4, 10, 19:14) (NLT)

Do what Jesus says. BECOME LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN. WELCOME

’EM. DON’T LOOK DOWN ON ’EM. AND NEVER HINDER ’EM.

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Leave It All Behind.

Want eternal life? Here’s what Jesus says to do:

Someone ran up to Jesus, fell on his knees, and said,

“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is

good except God alone. You know the commandments:

‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do

not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father

and mother.’”

The man said to Him, “Teacher, I have wholeheartedly

obeyed all these laws since my youth.”

As Jesus looked at him, he felt LOVE for him and said, “You

lack one thing. Go, sell whatever you have and give the

money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.

Then come, follow me.”

But at this statement, the man looked sad and went away

sorrowful, for he was very rich. (Mark 10:17-22) (NET)

Do what Jesus says. LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND. FOLLOW HIM.

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Serve.

Want to be great? Here’s what Jesus says to do:

Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be

your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you

shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not

come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a

ransom for many. (Mark 10:43-45) (NASB)

Do what Jesus says: SERVE!

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Keep God’s House Clean.

Jesus visited the temple. What he found didn’t make him

happy:

He saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for

sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging

foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and

chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the

sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins

over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going

over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get

these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house

into a marketplace!”

Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the

Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”

(John 2:13-17) (NLT)

What on earth made Jesus so angry?

The temple’s purpose was being perverted by the pursuit of

profit. Jesus is passionate about letting nothing get in the way of

prayer and worship and a true relationship with God. He takes

quick and decisive action to make sure the people get the

message.

What on earth does this have to do with us today?

Let’s answer that question with a question from the Bible:

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Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple

of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? (1

Corinthians 3:16) (NLT)

Let that soak in a minute. We’re God’s walking-around temple

in the world today. We’re supposed to be a house of

passionate prayer and worship.

Ask Jesus to drive out anything that’s getting in the way.

Do what Jesus says: KEEP GOD’S HOUSE CLEAN.

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Give God What Is God’s.

The religious leaders came to Jesus with a trick question:

“Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You

are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the

way of God truthfully. Now tell us – is it right to pay taxes

to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or shouldn’t we?”

Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you

trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell

you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose

picture and title are stamped on it?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to

Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

His reply completely amazed them. (Mark 12:13-17) (NLT)

The question was designed to make look Jesus bad no matter

how he answered. If he said “yes,” it would show loyalty to

Caesar instead of God. If he said “no,” he would be disobeying

the law and the leaders could report him to the authorities and

have him arrested.

Never try to trap Jesus.

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Sure, we should pay our taxes. But God is after something

muuuuuch deeper than that. Everything belongs to him. He

wants our ♥s. He wants an intimate relationship with us. He

wants us to know him and to trust him. He wants our LOVE.

Once again, as Jesus said the #1 command is:

LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart and with all

your soul and with all your mind and with all your

strength. (Mark 12:30) NIV)

Do what Jesus says: GIVE GOD ALL YOU’VE GOT.

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Never Exalt Yourself. Always Be Humble.

Jesus said:

You are not to be called “Rabbi,” for you have one

Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call

anyone on earth “father,” for you have one Father, and

he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for

you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest

among you will be your servant. For those who exalt

themselves will be humbled, and those who humble

themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:8-12) (NIV)

There’s only one capital-T “Teacher” and/or capital-I

“Instructor.” (Hint: His words are in red.)

There’s only one capital-F “Father”. (Hint: He’s in heaven.)

We’re all brothers and sisters. Seek servanthood, not superiority.

As Jesus said on another occasion:

When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not

take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished

than you may have been invited. If so, the host who

invited both of you will come and say to you, “Give this

person your seat.” Then, humiliated, you will have to take

the least important place. But when you are invited, take

the lowest place, so that

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when your host comes, he will say to you, “Friend, move

up to a better place.” Then you will be honored in the

presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt

themselves will be humbled, and those who humble

themselves will be exalted. (Luke 14:8-11) (NIV)

Do what Jesus says: NEVER EVER EXALT YOURSELF. ALWAYS

ALWAYS BE HUMBLE.

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Be Alert, Pray + Stand Firm.

Ever wonder when the end will come and what it will be like? I

do, approximately every 0.8 seconds.

Jesus gave his disciples lots of clues about the coming of God’s

“already-but-not-yet” kingdom. It’s already among us through

Jesus’ first coming but won’t be fully realized until his return.

So, what exactly should we DO while we await his second

coming? For all the details, check out Matthew 24:1-5, Mark

13:1-37 and Luke 21:5-38. Here’s a summary:

Be alert. Jesus urged his disciples to “Be on guard!” and to

“Watch!” This is serious stuff – note the exclamation points.

Don’t be deceived. Don’t follow false messiahs. There’s only

one Jesus. Follow him.

Don’t be frightened. If you’re with Jesus there’s no need to

fear. Everything’s going according to plan and he’s working

for good.

Don’t let your LOVE grow cold. Ask the Spirit to warm your ♥.

Jesus’ return won’t be secret. It’ll be obvious to everyone.

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Only the Father knows. Ignore those who try to predict when

Jesus will return. No one knows but the Father.

Be faithful and do God’s will. Don’t be lazy or weighed

down by all the worries and pleasures of this life. Those who

stand firm will “win life.”

Pray. Pray that you’ll be strong enough to face all that’s to

come and to stand before God when all is said and done.

Do what Jesus says: BE ALERT, PRAY AND STAND FIRM.

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Remember + Remain.

Jesus often used vivid images to drive his messages deeeeep

into the ♥s of his followers.

Here’s what he said at the Last Supper:

Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in

pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and

eat it, for this is my body. Do this in remembrance of me.”

And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for

it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it,

for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant

between God and his people. It is poured out as a

sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.” (Matthew 26:26-27;

Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20) (NLT)

Here’s another memorable image:

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch

cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and

you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am

the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me,

and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me

you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5) (NLT)

Do what Jesus says: REMEMBER AND REMAIN.

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Put Your Sword Away.

Led by Judas, the authorities came to arrest Jesus. Here’s what

happened, according to eyewitnesses:

One of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and

struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use

the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I

could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect

us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how

would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must

happen now?”

“No more of this,” said Jesus. And he touched the man’s

ear and healed him. (Matthew 26:47-54; Mark 14:43-47;

Luke 22:47-51; John 18:1-11) (NLT)

Avoid the temptation to take matters into your own hands using

merely human, violent means. Seek to do God’s will through the

power of the Holy Spirit with LOVE.

Do what Jesus says: PUT YOUR SWORD AWAY.

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Receive the Holy Spirit.

On the first night after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his

rather freaked-out disciples, who were huddled together in a

locked room out of fear.

First, he said:

Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am

sending you.

Then he “breathed on them” and said:

Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their

sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not

forgiven. (John 20:19-25; Luke 24:36-43) (NIV)

Receive the Holy Spirit. What on earth does that mean and why

does it matter? Jesus had lots to say on this all-important

subject:

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another

Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth.

The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t

see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because he

remains with you and will be in you.

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit – the Father will send Him in

my name – will teach you all things and remind you of

everything I have told you.

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It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go

away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will

send Him to you. When He comes, He will convict the

world about sin, righteousness, and judgment.

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all

the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will

speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you

what is to come. He will glorify Me, because He will take

from what is Mine and declare it to you. (John 14:16-17,

15:26, 16:7-8, 16:13-14) (HCSB)

So, who exactly is the Holy Spirit and what exactly does he do?

Here’s a summary:

He’s the Counselor the Father sends to Jesus’ followers.

He lives inside us to help us, teach us and remind us of

everything Jesus said.

He’ll convict the world of sin.

He’ll guide us into all truth.

He’ll tell us about what’s to come.

He glorifies Jesus.

Never ever ever go it alone. Receive the Spirit and ask him to

help you, teach you, guide you and remind you of Jesus’ words.

There’s no other way to live.

Do what Jesus says: RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT.

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Stop Doubting + Believe.

Jesus said:

Stop doubting and believe. (John 20:27) (NIV)

What was the context of this command? Jesus had just risen

from the dead and appeared to his disciples. All but Thomas,

that is.

When the other disciples told Thomas they had seen Jesus, he

said this:

Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger

where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will

not believe.

A week later, Thomas got his chance. Here’s what happened:

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace

be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger

here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into

my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas’ reaction? He freaked and shouted:

My Lord and my God!

Jesus’ next words have echoed across the centuries all the way

to us:

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Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed

are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Right after describing this scene in his gospel, John said this:

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his

disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these

are written that you may believe that Jesus is the

Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may

have life in his name. (John 20:24-31) (NIV)

Do what Jesus says: STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE.

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LOVE Jesus + Feed His Sheep.

Jesus was about to leave Earth. He had one last breakfast with

his disciples and then he took Peter aside and asked him three

simple questions:

“Simon son of John, do you LOVE me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied. “You know that I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you

LOVE me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you

love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time.

He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love

you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) (NLT)

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What if Jesus asked you what he asked Peter? If you think about

it, it’s the ultimate question in the universe.

How would you respond? Would your actions back up your

answer?

It’s important to note that in the original Greek Jesus used a

different word for “LOVE” than Peter in his first two questions.

The LOVE Jesus has in mind is agape, which signifies the

deeeeep, irreversible, unshakeable, unconditional LOVE of God

– or, in other words, total 100% commitment. Peter tempered his

first two responses by confessing mere philia “love” for Jesus,

which connotes friendship or affection.

In essence, Jesus asked Peter “Do you LOVE me?” and Peter

responded “Yes, Lord, you know I’m fond of you.” (It seems that

Peter has learned a lesson from his previous over-the-top

declarations that he would never ever forsake Jesus – only to

deny him three times a little while later.)

Interestingly, in his third question Jesus switched to the lower

philia “love.” That question cut Peter to the ♥. After

acknowledging that Jesus “knows all things,” Peter admitted

that philia “love” was all he had.

Jesus’ message never wavers. Once again, he wants us to (1)

LOVE God with all our ♥, soul, mind and strength and (2) LOVE

our neighbors as ourselves.

Do what Jesus says: LOVE HIM AND FEED HIS SHEEP.

188

Follow Jesus. Now. Seriously. Please.

After asking Peter the three simple questions discussed in #48,

Jesus gave Peter one simple command:

Follow me! (John 21:19) (NASB)

Note the exclamation point.

Do that.

Now.

Seriously.

Please.

Jesus says.

189

Go!

We now come to Jesus’ final command – the Great

Commission:

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in

the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to obey everything I have commanded

you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of

the age. (Matthew 28:18-20) (NET)

Jesus’ call to action is clear. He wants his disciples to go and

make disciples everywhere, baptizing them and teaching them

to obey everything he commanded. Again, that’s: Go. Make

Disciples. Baptize. Teach.

And as we go, we’re never ever alone. Jesus will be with us

always, to the very end.

Do what Jesus says: GO!

12. LOVE PRAYER

191

Before we close, here’s a little

LOVE prayer …

DEAR GOD,

Please fill me to overflowing

with your Holy Spirit.

Help me to LOVE you above all else

with all my ♥,

with all my soul,

with all my mind

and with all my strength.

Help me to LOVE others.

Help me to be patient and kind.

Help me never to be envious, boastful,

proud, rude, self-seeking or easily angered.

Help me to keep no record of wrongs

and to never delight in evil

but to always rejoice in the truth.

Help me to always protect,

always trust, always hope

and always persevere.

Thank you sooooooo much

that your LOVE never fails.

AMEN

13. LOVE LIFE

194

LOVE is easy to talk about.

But are we DOING it?

Consider this verse:

Let us not LOVE with words or tongue

but with actions and in truth.

(1 John 3:18)

Our entire lives should be a LOVE story.

As the Bible rather succinctly says ...

195

Live in LOVE .(Ephesians 5:2) (NET)

196

Or, put another way:

Do EVERYTHING in LOVE. (1 Corinthians 16:14)

197

That’s enough talk.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you do this …

LOVE Everybody. Now. Seriously. Please.

199

SOURCES

1. “Love” Quotes: Plato, Quote-wise.com; Somerset Maugham,

Brainyquote.com; Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary

(Public Domain); John Lennon & Paul McCartney, All You

Need is Love (Parlophone, 1967);

The Captain & Tennille, Love Will Keep Us Together, written

by Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield (A&M, 1974); Joy

Division, Love Will Tear Us Apart, written by Ian Curtis, Peter

Hook, Stephen Morris & Bernard Sumner (Factory, 1980); Pat

Benatar, Love is a Battlefield, written by Holly Knight & Mike

Chapman (Chrysalis Records, 1983); The J. Geils Band, Love

Stinks, written by Peter Wolf & Seth Justman (EMI, 1980);

Woody Allen, Love and Death, produced by Charles Joffe

(United Artists, 1975).

2. “Communication” Statistics: Google.com; Amazon.com;

Radicati Group, Inc., Email Statistics Report 2012-16;

Newsroom.fb.com/company-info; Internetlivestats.com; The

Nielsen Company; Mashable.com.

3. “Lying” Statistic: James Patterson & Peter Kim, The Day

America Told the Truth (Prentice-Hall, 1991).

4. “Repent” Definition: William Mounce, Mounce’s Complete

Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words

(Zondervan, 2006).

5. “Compassion” Definition: Merriam-Webster.com

(http://www.merriam-webster.com) (January 11, 2015).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joe Sheep is the not-all-that-creative pen name

of a fairly ordinary guy who likes to write Bible-y

stuff. He’s not a pastor and has no formal Bible

training. Basically, he’s a former nincompoop who

was saved by God.

For more LOVE stuff,

visit getupwithgod.com.

Now. Seriously. Please.

WAY UP BOOKS™

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LOVE - Get Up With Godgetupwithgod.com/wp-content/uploads/LOVE-eBook-05.22.15.pdf · LOVE will keep us together (The Captain & Tennille) LOVE will tear us apart ... will be able to