Actions and in Truth – 1 John 3:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth
1 John 3:18 (NIV)

John says in this verse that to love with words is not enough; that love requires meaningful actions. We are to love in action and in truth. We don’t need to serve others to be saved; through God’s grace, we are saved.

We serve others because we are saved; Jesus died for our sins. We should serve others through loving actions like Jesus. We can love with words but need to show love through our actions.

Actions and truth go side by side. The truth is what we believe as Christians, and what we believe should be demonstrated by our actions.

18 My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality.
1 John 3:18 (MSG)

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Is your love shown by action and in truth?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, mercy and grace. Guide us and help us to grow more like Jesus. Teach us to exhibit actions that show Your truth and light. Like the bright and open flowers of the potentilla, let us open our hearts to love and brighten other people’s lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Happy Easter, my friends!

Good Shepherd – John 10:11

Click to download a print of the good shepherd photo and scripture.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11 (NIV)

Who is the Good Shepard? Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The Greek word kalos translates to good, noble, and beautiful. The Good Shepherd describes Jesus’ inherent goodness and righteousness. He guides and nurtures His flock.
Sheep are defenseless, dependent upon the shepherd’s protection and guidance. Jesus the Good Shepard is our guide and protector. He loves us so much that he laid down His life for our sins.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,
John 10:14 (NLT)

Jesus is God; He is able to protect and guide believers. He will never abandon us; He gives us eternal life.

7Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. a They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:7-11

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Are you following Jesus the Good Shepherd?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Teach us to follow Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who protects and guides us. Let us realize that as we love flowers in many different forms and colors, Jesus loves us regardless of nationality or color. Thank you for Your forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love. Amen

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Simply Love – 1 Timothy 1:5

5 The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love – love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.
1 Timothy 1:5 (MSG)

Timothy was left in Ephesus to make sure teaching stayed on track. False preaching was leading to bickering over pointless issues and meaningless speculations. They were so caught up in controversy that they missed the importance of loving God and others.

Paul explains that false teachers are not motivated by love; instead, they raise controversy by pushing false doctrines and dwelling on spiritual pedigrees. A true Christian leader needs to be motivated by love, simply love. Love comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)

Christians should exhibit a love of God and love for others, a life open to God.

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Do you radiate love, simply love in all you do?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father guide us and protects us from false teachers. Help us not to be self-centered but have our actions and behaviors, radiate love, simply love. Teach us to have a pure heart and sincere faith. Like the bright and beautiful flower of the bleeding heart plant, let us shine with your brightness and flower with Your love. In Jesus’ loving name. Amen

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His Seal – John 6:27

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.
John 6:27 (NKJV)

On the day before this passage, Jesus had taken five loaves and two small fish and fed thousands. People were seeking Jesus, not for spiritual needs but looking for free food and additional supernatural occurrences. Their motivation for pursuing Him was wrong.

Jesus encourages us to seek spiritual fulfillment rather than striving for physical and temporary objects. Seek spiritual nourishment, for we need more than food to thrive. As the Message version of the Bible says, “Work for food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides.”

28Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”29Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”The Son of Man, Jesus, Has God’s seal on Him, God’s seal of approval. Jesus, His Son gives believers in Him the bread of eternal life.
John 6:28-29 (NKJV)

Jesus bore the seal of God, His seal of divine approval. God’s seal of truth is on what Jesus is saying. To His believers, Jesus, gives the bread of eternal life.

²⁷“Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.”
John 6:27 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your forgiveness and grace toward us. Thank you for Your Son Jesus, who bears your seal of divine approval. Help us to strive for the nourishing spiritual food that Jesus provides. Like the crocus flowers joyfully proclaim the arrival of spring, let our voices resound with joy, proclaiming our salvation through Jesus. Amen

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