“Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” – John 14:23

What a delightfully simple summary of the most wonderful relationship and reality in the universe!

1) Love Jesus. Simple enough to grasp. Fortunately, it’s easy to love Jesus because of His great love for us demonstrated by His sacrificial death and resurrection. However, true love for Jesus certainly also requires believing Jesus to be truthful that He is the eternal Son of God and God Himself come in the flesh. If you believe less about Jesus, it would be difficult to argue that you love Him since you consider Him a liar, a lunatic, a weakling unable to preserve His own words down through history.

2) Obey Jesus. Jesus is emphatic that if you love Him, you will do your Spirit-filled best to obey His commands. Including the commands that are difficult, uncomfortable, or potentially dangerous.

3) Be Loved by the Father. This follows from those first two things. Very simple, very beautiful!

4) The Triune God will live in you. Every true believer in Jesus is sealed by the Holy Spirit and the Triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit – lives in them. Incredible, but also incredibly true!

Love and obey Lord Jesus. Delight in His love and presence in your life. Be blessed today and every day! #FollowJesus

“But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?” – 2 Chronicles 2:6

Always remember this bit of wisdom from Solomon. The most elaborate temple, the most spectacular cathedral, and the most beautiful church can never compare to the magnificence of God. They can do nothing but give a hint of the majesty, grandeur, and greatness of our Father in Heaven!

The beautiful spaces and places we make for worship here on earth can never contain the Lord or His glory. They’re all just a place for us to make our offerings. Offerings of our worship. Offerings of our lives as living sacrifices with wholehearted love for the Lord our God and His Son Jesus.

Though we naturally become attached to our earthly places of worship and want the best for them, our energy and attention must always remain focused on the God and His Son they were built to point us toward. Solomon got it right. Let us never forget this bit of wisdom. #FollowJesus

“He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
Do you see a man skillful in his work?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.”
-Proverbs 22:11,29

Would you like to be real influencer? Not an online performer with a large audience, but someone who is genuinely able to influence others, particularly those in high standing? It isn’t wrong to desire that, as long as you follow the biblical pattern to become a truly influential person.

What is that pattern?

1) Excellence of character. Seek to live a life above the reproach of others, even if they don’t like you. Imitate Jesus in the way you live your life and pursue personal holiness.

2) Excellence of speech. Always speak in a way that builds up, giving grace to those who hear you speak. Don’t gossip, slander, or undermine. Speak life into others and use your speech to encourage them to aim higher than themselves.

3) Excellence in your work. Whatever your skills, job responsibilities, or position description, do things well. Work with total integrity and the best skill you can bring to bear in every situation. You will be noticed!

Life isn’t perfectly just. Unfortunately things happen. However, if you follow the Bible’s wisdom on these matters, you’ll likely be surprised at how much influence you’ll have. Influence that can be used for God’s purpose and glory. #FollowJesus

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will repay him for his deed.”
– Proverbs 19:17

Honestly, there isn’t much to add or clarify about this. God has tremendous love for the poor and has appointed His people to care for those in need with generosity, dignity, and mercy.

Jesus emphasized this repeatedly. He was extremely blunt about people who call themselves Christian but don’t have generosity toward the poor. When you love and care for those in need, you’re doing it to Jesus (see Matthew 25).

Be generous to the poor. God will repay! #FollowJesus

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and the Lord tests hearts.”
– Proverbs 17:3

Precious metals are tested and refined through intense heat and fire. The crucible. The furnace. Precious silver and gold melt under the fiery trial and the junk is separated from what’s genuine. The result is pure and of great value, which everyone can acknowledge.

God does the same thing for something far more precious to Him than gold or silver. God doesn’t care about silver or gold because He already owns all that. Rather, God tests, refines, and purifies the hearts of those made in His image. Precious human beings.

God allows His children to pass through fiery trials and terrible seasons to strengthen and purify their hearts. Those who endure in Christ find their hearts and souls refined by these trials. Strengthened and renewed as they learned to walk through suffering hand-in-hand with their Suffering Savior. As they allowed themselves to be carried by God’s strength in their weakness.

Faith grows strong in the furnace. Priorities get clarified in the crucible. What is produced by those things which test our hearts is enduring faith, Christ-like character, and strength in the Spirit.

If Jesus is your Lord, please understand that it’s not a question of whether tests and trials will come. They will certainly come. But they aren’t a curse from God. They’re intended to ultimately be a blessing for your good and His glory. #FollowJesus