Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses)

The seed-bed of murder is hate.  That is the reason I taught you to “love one another, as I have loved you.”  The opposite of hate is love—that supreme concern for the well-being of another, with no regards to what you receive yourself.  Hate is the supreme concern for self, with no regards for the well-being of another.

I did not cancel the Old Testament Law; I fulfilled it, ushering in a whole new era of living based on love, not laws.  Where love reigns, law is not needed for love fulfills law.  Love wipes out the hate that would lead to murder.  But this kind of love is a conscious choice.  It enters your life when you accept my sacrifice on your behalf and you pass it on to others–all others that you have contact with.

As long as you are in the flesh you will have anger that can be used for good or evil.  Anger is a good thing as long as you allow it to motivate you toward doing good for others, rather than hating and killing them.  You will know when your anger is moving into a dangerous area when you begin name calling.  You must nip it in the bud by forgiveness.  I will help you forgive when someone has done the unforgivable to you.  You simply have to let go and let Me help you master the anger and focus it in productive ways.

Jesus’ Question for Me:  Will you refuse to allow hate to result from your emotion of anger?

Jesus’ Promise to Me: Those who believe on Me and follow Me will receive My strength when it comes to controlling and focusing anger.

My Song to Jesus:  Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus   Helen H. Lemmel

O Soul are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Chorus:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Thru death into life everlasting,

He passed, and we follow Him there;

Over us sin no more has dominion,

For more the conq’rors we are!

Chorus:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

Chorus:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses)

The world is full of books that are full of many good ideas of how to better yourself.  You read them and pick and choose those ideas that you feel will work for you.  But when it comes to the Bible—you are not free to pick and choose which things you wish to obey.  It’s an all or nothing kind of book.

The Old Testament tells the story of creation and how God shared his Laws for living with the people.  The Pharisees were a group of men who proclaimed themselves the interpreter of these laws.  They trivialized some things that they didn’t wish to do and claimed they were the perfect example of following God.  I came to earth to clean up their act.

In the New Testament I came to earth as a baby, grew and taught a new way into a right relationship with God.  Mankind can never be righteous by following the Laws of the Old Testament because he simply can’t do it.  By my death I completed the Old Law and set into motion the New Law of Liberty.  By faith in Me a person can be made right with God, not by following “some” of the Old Laws of God. By accepting Me you are giving me permission to “clean up your act” and put you right with God.   Reject Me and you remain under the strict Old Laws.  Follow Me and show others the way and you will be ushered into My eternal kingdom.

Jesus’ Question for Me: Will you choose to accept My forgiveness, let me clean up your act and welcome you into God’s forever Kingdom?

Jesus’ Promise to Me:  Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and I will give you the gift of eternal life.

My Song to Jesus:    Jesus I Come to Thee   by William T Sleeper 1887

Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessèd will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy throne,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets.  I’m not here to demolish but to complete.  I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama.  God’s Law is more real and lasting that the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet.  Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.”

Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses)

The Old Testament Law was put in place to help mankind curb their tendency to sin.  If they would just obey the laws then they would be free from sin.  But the people found that forcing their body to go through certain rituals for cleansing did not change their heart, their motives. It was a constant battle between sinning and cleansing.

God saw that mankind was unable to change their heart.  But that didn’t mean the Old laws were imperfect—but that mankind was imperfect.  Therefore, He chose a way to make a change in mankind’s imperfect condition—to offer him a solution to his tendency to sin—a way to be forgiven.  God came to earth in the body of a human, and I was called Jesus Christ.  My task was to live the human life free from sin—to show that it could be done.

As the Old Testament required a sacrifice of the blood of an animal without blemish for sinning I gave my life as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind so you could be forgiven.  You no longer need to follow every detail of the law in order to receive cleansing.  Rather, by accepting My sacrifice for your sin, I not only forgive but give you a new heart of love and compassion.  Instead of you dying for your sin I took your place and now you symbolically “wash away your sins” in the simple act of baptism.  Dying to sin—rising to walk in a forgiven state.  To reject my gift of salvation is to remain under the Law of condemnation.  Yes, God’s Law remains in effect, even beyond the stars, for those who reject My gift of salvation.

Jesus’ Question for Me: Are you merely comforted by My forgiveness or are you becoming a comforter so others will come to understand the forgiveness I long to give them also?

Jesus’ Promise to Me:  I forgive you!  As far as the east is from the west, so far do I remove your sins when you seek forgiveness through Me.

My Song to Jesus:  Living for Jesus  Thomas O Chisholm 1917

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses)

You are not merely reflecting My light but burn as lights lit from my fire.  Light serves two purposes—to expose beauty or to expose sinful folly.  As was the purpose of my light—I pass the torch on to you—expose the beauty of the God-colors in the world and expose sinful folly that mankind are so easily drawn into.

When the light does not shine the God-colors are not visible.  The absence of light is darkness.  But you are My ambassadors of light—My light that exposes.  Know that the darkness seeks to put out the light but you must not let it quench My light that shines through you.  Your life is on exhibit 24/7.  Whenever, wherever, whoever you come in contact with—be generous with My light.  Shine it—share it—whether or not other try to quench it.

God employs no under-cover agents.  Don’t hide your light but share it openly but lovingly, not with condemnation.  Leave that to Me.  Your job is simply to SHINE and I will work in the heart of the one exposed to My light.  Live your life as an “open house” to the world.  Be generous is all you do.  Why?  So the world can “see” My love, expressed through the loving deeds of your life and the loving words you speak.  SHINE for Me!

Jesus’ Question for Me: Are there some dark corners of your world where you have not taken My light? Why?

Jesus’ Promise to Me:  As you let My light shine from your life—not only are you lighting the path for others—you are able to see the path into My presence clearly.

My Song to Jesus:  This Little Light of Mine  by Harry Dixon Loes  1920

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine 
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won’t let Satan blow it out.
I’m gonna let it shine.
Won’t let Satan blow it out.
I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. : http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/religious+music/this+little+light+of+mine_
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine til Jesus comes.
I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, no!
I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, no!
I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Shine all over (insert your city)
I’m gonna let it shine.
Shine all over (insert your city)
I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses)

Look at your world!  What kind of morals are being lived out?  What kind of morals are you watching on TV?  Are they ones you wish your children or grandchildren to adopt?  Whose influence is being felt strongest over the TV, radio, in the schools, colleges, and on your computer?  Mine or Satan’s?  And who is responsible for this degradation?  The Christians—those who claim to believe in and follow Me.

I see you don’t want to accept that responsibility. All that it takes for immorality to be proclaimed as the “in thing,” is for Christians to keep quiet about what I have so clearly taught in the Bible.  Today the world claims politically correct means I’m okay, you’re okay, we’re all okay, just as we are.  America was founded upon Biblical principles and for righteous purposes.  But something went wrong—very wrong.  Yes, the “Christians” are the ones to blame—not the evil ones who have taken over.

I have called My people to be the salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.  But more and more I see you huddled together in your elaborate structures, condemning the world for its immorality.  Instead, you are to be out and about, sprinkling on the salt of My Word in your sphere of influence.  When the Christian says or does nothing about the obvious evil going on around them, evil prevails and gains a stronghold.  Christian—get out of the salt- shaker.  Spread the goodness of My teaching far and wide and stop the evil that is spreading like wild-fire.

Jesus’ Question for Me: Will you accept your responsibility is causing the evil in the world?

Jesus’ Promise to Me: I do not send you out alone to combat evil—I am with you!

My Song to Jesus:    You Never Mentioned Him to Me   by James Rowe 1949

When in the better land before the bar we stand,
How deeply grieved our souls will be;
If any lost one there should cry in deep despair,
“You never mentioned Him to me.”

CHORUS:

You never mentioned Him to me,
You helped me not the way to see;
You met me day by day and knew I was astray,
Yet never mentioned Him to me.”

O let us spread the word _ where e’er it may be heard,
Help groping souls the light to see,
That yonder none may say, “You showed me not the way.”
You never mentioned Him to me.

CHORUS

You never mentioned Him to me,
You helped me not the way to see;
You met me day by day and knew I was astray,
Yet never mentioned Him to me.”

A few sweet words may guide a lost one to His side,
Or turn sad eyes on Calvary;
So work as days go by, that yonder none may cry,
“You never mentioned Him to me.”

CHORUS

You never mentioned Him to me,
You helped me not the way to see;
You met me day by day and knew I was astray,
Yet never mentioned Him to me.”

Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses)

Where has your commitment to God led you?  Do you stand back when you see the world around you making choices that are so very contrary to God’s Word?  Do you self-righteously condemn their choices but fail to speak out your concerns or disagreement?  Has political correctness silenced My truth?  You can disagree without being disagreeable or hateful or condemning.  Speak the truth in love!

Would you behave differently if I were standing at your side, reading the things you are reading, watching the things you see happening?  You must always remember that I am there with you.  I will never leave or forsake you.  What you partake of—I am your partner.  You are my hands and feet, my voice to minister to your world using my message of salvation.  That message isn’t always welcome or accepted but that does not mean the message should be silenced.

My greatest blessings are gifts to the heart.  Others may persecute you for standing up for Me and speaking the truth, even in love, but your heart will be blessed because I am with you.  You must speak up for Me since I am not there to speak for Myself—you are my voice to your world—in your sphere of influence.  Are you silently disagreeing or daring to speak the truth in love—regardless of how you may be persecuted.  Heaven is far too silent now-days; the applause has died down because mankind is remaining silent when God’s Word is being trampled underfoot.  Bring back the applause!

Jesus’ Question for Me: Will you speak out for me and accept the persecution you may receive?

Jesus’ Promise to Me: All heaven is your audience and you are the “star” in the drama that is taking place on planet earth.  We are cheering you on with our applause.  You can do it!

My Song to Jesus:   Stand Up For Jesus   by George Duffield Jr.  1858

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.

Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses)

Everyone wants peace gifted to them as an inalienable right.  I call my people to be PEACE-MAKERS and that means not folding your “peace loving” hands but rolling up your sleeves.  As my Ambassador you must become so convinced of the value of human brotherhood that no cost is too high to bring about justice and peace. Be willing to get involved in the warfare for peace.

In the warfare for peace you must seek to not only put a stop to hostilities but to teach mankind to love one another.  It is not an easy task I give you but I went ahead of you and set the example and lost my earthly life in the process.  My brothers and sisters follow my example by giving up their own personal peace to help others find peace with God.  That, my friends, is the only real source of lasting peace.  God plants the seed of peace in the heart of all his children.   

War begins in the heart of the individual who seeks to suppress all opinions but their own.  Behind this mindset is concern only with self and what self will benefit.  This is the mindset of the world that has turned their back on God.  But I have called My people to be difference makers by being PEACE MAKERS. You do this by getting involved with others and “showing” them what cooperation, forgiveness and love look like.  Show and tell!  This is the identifying mark of God’s children—PEACE MAKERS.

Jesus’ Question for Me: Are you willing to set self aside and reach out to others, showing and telling them about the source of real peace?

Jesus’ Promise to Me: I will never leave you nor forsake you.  I’m with you each step of the way.

My Song to Jesus:  So Send I You  by Margaret Clarkson (Link to her story below)

So send I you to labor unrewarded
To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown
To bear rebuke, to suffer scorn and scoffing
So send I you to toil for Me alone

So send I you to bind the bruised and broken
Over wandering souls to work, to weep, to wake
To bear the burdens of a world a-weary
So send I you to suffer for My sake

So send I you to loneliness and longing
With heart a-hungering for the loved and known
Forsaking kin and kindred, friend and dear one
So send I you to know My love alone

So send I you to leave your life’s ambition
To die to dear desire, self-will resign
To labor long, and love where men revile you
So send I you to lose your life in Mine

So send I you to hearts made hard by hatred
To eyes made blind because they will not see
To spend, though it be blood to spend and spare not
So send I you to taste of Calvary

“As the Father hath sent me, so send I you”

You will find the story of the challenging life of the author at http://www2.wheaton.edu/learnres/ARCSC/exhibits/clarkson/

Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses)

Everyone longs for enduring happiness.  They turn life into the pursuit of happiness by trying first this, then that, running here, running there, experimenting with this and that, always searching.  Happiness always seems to be just around the next corner.  But happiness is not “out there somewhere.”  Happiness, true happiness, is the result of getting your inside world, your mind and your heart—put right with God.

Happiness can be yours in any circumstance. Happiness does not depend upon what is happening in your outside world.  It is a matter of who is on the throne of your heart.  Self on the throne is always searching for that elusive happiness.  I stand at the door of your heart and knock.  To allow Me to enter will be the beginning of the end of your search for outward happiness.

Real and lasting happiness comes from the inside out.  You can tell who is on the throne of your heart by the deeds and actions of your life.  The inward always shows up in the outward.  When you have truly invited Me into your heart it will be evidenced by your treatment of others and how you spend your time and your money.  The eyes of your heart will be opened to see God when you look at His creation and seek to be a blessing instead of being blest.

Jesus’ Question for Me: How about your heart. . . . .is it right with God?

Jesus’ Promise to Me: I have come to give you life and life more abundant.  Happiness is a byproduct of a life put right with God. 

My Song to Jesus:    Happy All The Time

I’m inright [point in], outright [point out],

upright [point up], downright [point down]

Happy all the time [clap with each word]

I’m inright [point in], outright [point out], 

upright [point up], downright [point down]

Happy all the time [clap with each word]

Since Jesus Christ came in

And took away my sin I’m…

I’m inright [point in], outright [point out],

upright [point up], downright [point down]

Happy all the time [clap with each word]

[Repeat faster and faster each time]

Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through this verse.)

The world longs for someone to care.  You can be that someone.  When you care for another you are blessed as much as the one to whom you express care. A blessed person is a happy person.  Or perhaps you are the one wishing someone would care about you. Turn that feeling on its tail and step out of your comfort zone and care for someone else.  I set the example for you.  It was not my comfort zone to be physically abused and die on the cross.  I did it because I care deeply for you—for all of humanity.

How, you ask, should you demonstrate your care for another?  Follow My example. Be gentle with those whose convictions are different from your own.  Condemnation wins no converts.  Simply treat them as you wish to be treated.  Be helpful to those who need help.  And not just your friends and family—those who will reciprocate—but to those who can never repay.  And added to your gentleness and helpfulness, you must add forgiveness.  What you saw in Me, pass on to others.

Self-pity is self-depreciating.  In my life I set you the example that you should set self aside.  And in the setting aside of self and caring for another, you will find that your needs are met in the meeting of another’s needs.  My followers are care-givers—wherever they go.  First determine how you wish for me to treat you—then you go out and treat others that way.  It is your actions toward others that dictate my actions toward you.

Jesus’ Question for Me: Who have you cared for in a gentle, helpful or forgiving way today?

Jesus’ Promise to Me: The care you give to another, who cannot repay you, is the same care I will give to you.  Even the ungodly care for their own.

My Song to Jesus:  Does Jesus Care   by Frank E Graeff 1901

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Refrain:
Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Jesus’ Message to Me: (My interpretation of what Jesus is saying to me through these verses)

I came to earth to give you a “taste” of God.  Have you ever paused to thank God for the amazing ability he gave you for “tasting?”  Seeds are each one of God’s tiny computers.  Within that tiny seed it holds the information for what it can grow into.  The small apple seed holds within it the “taste” of the apple.  The corn seed knows what the corn will “taste” like.  He did this just for you to give you health, nourishment, and variety to spice your life.  When something you eat delights your taste buds—thank God.

There is more to happy living that a good appetite for food.  Happy is the person who has “tasted” the joy and blessing of “feeding” their spirit from the wellspring of the Bible—God’s direct connection to your spirit.  There is nothing like it!  In the same way that food “satisfies” your hunger, the Bible satisfies your deep spiritual hunger like nothing else can.

As there are many foods that entice but do not nourish—there are many teachings that entice but do not nourish the spirit.  They give a false satisfaction and cause you to miss the blessing of the real nourishment.  The Bible is the True North of spiritual teachings.  Mankind hungers for true spiritual nourishment for I have created that need in them.  I am depending upon My followers to be My hands and feet in taking the “food—the nourishment” from My Word and creating an appetite for God before their world.

Jesus’ Question for Me: What are you doing to help “feed” the spiritually starving millions?

Jesus’ Promise to Me: The only satisfying spiritual food comes directly from the Bible.

My Song to Jesus:   Satisfied    by Clara Tear Williams

All my life I had a longing
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Refrain
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.

Refrain
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.

Refrain
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.

Refrain
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.