a glimpse of heaven's love

I love flowers--all flowers--but these are petunias in particular.  I'm showing a photo of not only a seedling that has germinated and grown, but also the full-grown beautiful flowers.  They're planted that they might bloom, bringing forth its full fruit of a flower.  That is what we are meant to do as Christians!  We are saved that we might grow and bring forth fruit.  Jesus said in my first Bible reference, "Ye shall know them by their fruits."  Do people see Jesus Christ in you?  Do people see a difference in you?  Are you producing fruit for His kingdom?  Please read further!  Please be certain that you are Christ's and have a home in Heaven--not just following a crowd.  May Christianity be real in you! Matthew 7:16-27   Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.A good ...

Let me turn your attention to our military for a moment.  (It doesn't have to be American, although I am especially partial!)…any military will do for my illustration.  What are some characteristics you can think of?  Feel free to leave your comments!  Here are some I thought of: looks sharp disciplined works hard defends a cause not focused on selfish desires  Now, there's no doubt a number of other characteristics that could be added to this; but this gives us a good start.  This is an excellent comparison for us, Christian!  There are so many countless people today who call themselves "Christians," and yet really have no desire to follow the Savior.  (perhaps I'll save that for another post!)  At any rate, God calls us to have all of those characteristics, and yet too many Christians today would rather just do their own thing.  What a shame!  I think our military today would call that going "AWOL," (meaning Abse...

I love trees--particularly oak trees!  They're so strong looking.  Do you know that God likens us to trees, in at least two places in scripture.  I believe I mentioned this before when I discussed fruit.  Let me reiterate!  Because this is a new year upon us, we should be thinking how we can make this year different--how we can improve upon the things of the past.  I thank God, our God is a God of new beginnings!  He is most gracious and merciful…how awesome a God we serve!  But He's a God of new beginnings because He desires for us to go forward, to reach higher heights for Him.  Let's discuss that topic again: producing fruit.  What is fruit ?  I believe fruit is everything in our lives--as born-again Christians--that points others to Christ.  That can mean everything from the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace...), to our witness and testimony for Christ, to even the character (or God-like qualities) that God and ...