“Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.” Jn. 14:21
Do you Love Jesus?
Everyone questions God’s love for us.
“If God loves us why does he allow suffering in the world?”
Is it possible that most of the suffering in the world is because WE do not love God!
If we did love God we would keep His commandments
And by keeping His commandments much of our self inflicted sins and suffering would come to an end.
New and Improved.
New!
That is the catch phrase of all advertising.
It is plastered across every product in the store.
New and Improved!
Because people want new things.
They want better things.
They are tired of the old.
So we buy new clothes,
New cars
New homes
New products.
But how new are they really.
A few new bells here.
A few new whistles there.
A few tweaks and upgrades.
But nothing really new and different.
Jesus however offers us something radically new.
He offers us a New Heavens and a New Earth Rev. 21:1-2
Where there will be no death or mourning, crying or pain;
Where every tear will be wiped away. Rev. 21:4
But in order to receive the new we must let go of the old.
The old resentments;
The old prejudices;
The old hurtful memories;
The old attitudes;
The old self;
What we need to change and make new is not what we wear, or the phone we use or the car we drive.
What we need to change and make new is ourselves.
Only Jesus can do this because He makes ALL things new. Rev. 21:5
Next time we go to the store and see something "new and improved"
Next time we see a product changed and upgraded.
Next time we think we need new clothes because we are tired of the old ones and want a "new look."
We should take a look at ourselves instead and see
What needs upgrading in our spiritual life.
What needs to be improved in our attitude.
What needs to be made new in our lives.
And turn to Jesus who makes ALL things New! Rev. 21:5
The Way, the Truth and the Life
We have the latest trends giving us directions
People telling us what to believe;
Even Life Coaches telling people how to live.
But none of these things or people can replace Jesus.
For Jesus is the Only Way, the Truth and the Life.
And those who follow the latest trends for directions;
Who listen to Other people’s opinions
And follow life Coaches,
Instead of Jesus
Are sure to get lost along the way.
No one is greater. Jn. 13:16-20
Jesus said that,
“No slave is greater than His Master,
No messenger greater than the One Who sent him “
If Jesus is our Master as He is, then we are His slave;
Called to do whatever He asks.
If Jesus is the Sender,
Then we are His messengers who must go wherever He sends us.
How often do we think of ourselves as slaves and messengers of Jesus?
“Blessed are you if you do!”
Jesus chooses us! Acts 1:15-26
We make many decisions in life.
What time to get up;
What to eat;
Who to talk to.
Little do we realize therefore how much and even more,
God influences our life
And leads us.
St Matthias didn’t choose to be an Apostle,
God chose him when Judas left the 12 and betrayed Jesus.
He did this by drawing lots.
Not by some dramatic vision.
We may not see visions,
But God is choosing us and leading us throughout our lives.
To do His Will and His Work.
In even the smallest of things.
Christ is the Gate Jn. 10:1-10
Gates are used for two things.
To keep things out and to allow others to pass through.
Every farm has a gate to keep out the wolves and to allow the sheep to go to pasture.
Christ is the Gate who keeps out the wolves of this world who seek seek to devour us
Christ is The Gate to Heaven
And if we wish to enter,
We must pass through Him.
Cats and dogs and sheep. Jn. 10:27-30
Are you a cat person or a dog person?
Try herding cats.
They are very independent.
And When they do something wrong. they never feel guilty;
They just look at you and say, “What?”
We like to think that dogs are obedient and come when they are called;
Until they see a rabbit!
And then you can holler all you want;
They are not coming back until they’ve caught it.
And they pretend to be guilty and look at you with those eyes;
Until you forgive them.
Then they wag their tale as if nothing happened.
People are like cats and dogs.
We can be independent and difficult to herd
Or we can be obedient until we see something we want and then off we go chasing after it.
getting in to all sort of trouble.
And in spite of it all Jesus calls us.
And those who belong to Him, come;
If not right away, eventually
Down deep we know our Shepherd’s voice.
And while we are not cats or dogs or sheep,
They certainly mirror back to us
How we relate with Jesus.
Independent;
Sometimes obedient
Come when we want something
And sometimes listen to Him and sometimes not.
But for those who do hear His voice,
And come when the Good Shepherd calls His sheep;
Jesus gives them;
Peace of mind;
Forgiveness of soul;
Healing of body;
And Eternal Life;
But how often do we listen for His voice?
