14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14

Our country has had God's hand on it, but this is going to end if we don't turn back to God. Look at all the awful stuff happening in our country. This is the beginning of God's judgment. God's righteous right hand -- the favor of God. We have been protected by all kinds of evil. But, if we don't turn back He will discipline us. 

"25 Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, 26 and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span." Exodus 23:25-26

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people he chose for his inheritance." Psalm 33:12

The United States -- it was built on Christian truth. It wasn't until the 1960s that people began saying this wasn't true. We were the first country to ever break away from a Super Power successfully. All state constitutions mention God. God ordained us to be a light to the nations, to this world. We are mocking Him with our flagrant sin and our choices. Look at what our country is putting out into the world. 

The Beginning Lines of the Declaration of Independence:
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

God has given us warnings against falling away from God. 

13 The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.” 2 Kings 17:13

God is warning us. We see the lessons in history. He warned his people over and over but they insisted on ignoring those warnings. One thing they did was worship Baal who demanded child sacrifice. Not much different than what people do now -- abortion on demand. Killing children for own benefit. 

"12 Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his attendants, his nobles and his officials all surrendered to him. In the eighth year of the reign of the king of Babylon, he took Jehoiachin prisoner. 13 As the Lord had declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed the treasures from the temple of the Lord and from the royal palace, and cut up the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the Lord. 14 He carried all Jerusalem into exile: all the officers and fighting men, and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest people of the land were left. 15 Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and the prominent people of the land. 16 The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand skilled workers and artisans. 17 He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah. 18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. 19 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done. 20 It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end he thrust them from his presence." 2 Kings 24:12-24

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people he chose for his inheritance." Psalm 33:12

Is that us, the United States, now? No!

There was another time in history where we wouldn't discuss differences with each other; when all we did was divide ourselves and see others as enemies -- the Civil War. We lost more men in that war than ALL the wars combined America has been part of (and that doesn't include civilians). 

God has no use for America if we don't serve Him. 

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Galatians 6:7


"18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools" Romans 1:18-22

Sound familiar?

God's love is waiting for our return. 

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

What do we do?

"19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus." Acts 3:19-20

AND PRAY!!!

"2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time." 1 Timothy 2:1-6

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17

We live in the post-truth society -- now what matters is how people feel. Even science is no longer based on absolute truth -- We need to get back to absolute truth. Start with

#1 The bible. It has never been disproven. In fact, the more that is found the more it is proven. 
We, in this country, are reaping what we have sown. But we can still turn back to God. 



#2 Jesus Christ.

He was and is. Not a question that He existed. And He left no room for us to just think him as a teacher or a moral person. We either accept Him as the Son of God or not.

No one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ. 

#3 Follow His Commands.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

We will get persecuted. We won't be popular.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

We need to let our lights shine!

"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" Matthew 5:44-46

We need to love our enemies -- love everyone.

When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

"34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'" Matthew 22:33-40

Start with loving God and then loving people.

“The Lord is my strength and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2

Webster's definition of worship: : 1. to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power
2: to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion 

Songs, sacrifice, recognizing who God is and who we are -- all part of worship. Biblical examples are shown to us by Abraham, Moses, the prophets, the kings, even Jesus in the garden. Worship is essential to being a Christian. 

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song." Psalm 95:1-2

"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness." Psalm 29:2

"Come, let us bow down in worship,
    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;" Psalm 95:6

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." Psalm 100:1-3

Worship God. Praise God all the time. Worship in heaven and yet to come:
"8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:
“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,’[a]
who was, and is, and is to come.”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.'" Revelation 4:8-11

No matter who we are or how important we are in this world, we will always just be people and God will always be God. Every knee will bow. All creatures and all people will acknowledge Jesus as God -- either willingly or otherwise.



"11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
    be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!'" Revelation 5:11-13

Worship in Spirit and Truth

23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." Hebrews 13:15

Worship is Doing

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

Worship is a verb.

As a recipient of Christ's sacrifice, live your life in response to what you have received. Everything we do should be in response to Jesus's sacrifice.

Worship is Knowing

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven." James 5:13-15

Worship is obedience. 

Worship is Telling

"5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5

10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[b]" Romans 14:10-11

Doing, Knowing and Telling -- Each of us knows someone who doesn't know Jesus. We need to tell them.

Life of Worship:

“The Lord is my strength and my defense[a];
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 17:11-19

Be like the one, the foreigner; don't be like the 9.

"Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
  Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—" Psalm 103:1-2

"rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:7

The more we know the more we should be grateful. The world needs to see joyful Christians.

There was a gratitude study done by Berkeley in 2017. They took three groups of students who were having issues with mental health (Anxiety, depression, etc). One group was the control group -- they didn't do anything different. The second group got together weekly to discuss their problems. The third group was instructed to write a letter each week, a letter of gratitude to someone. The results of the study were thus:

1. Expressing gratitude unshackles you from negative emotions.
2. Even if the letter wasn't sent the act of writing the gratitude letter was enough to cause positive change.
3. Gratitude benefits takes time -- but it gets better and better. 
4. Gratitude has long-lasting effects on the brain an dhow it works. It changes our physical brains.

Practice gratitude regularly. When we do this we will see a real difference in our entire lives. 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

Live the life of gratefulness. Daily! Must be deliberate or it won't happen.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17

Change yourself, change your world. In our prayer and despair, we are grateful. 

"Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:13-18

Start from the fact that we are blessed. 

​Fear is a powerful thing. It can be good (like getting us to react fast to a poisonous snake, getting out of the road when a car is about to hit us, etc.) but it can also paralyze us. In today's social climate people fear so much that they just blindly obey the authorities and government to just get along. 

Love of God = no fear of man

The opposite of love is fear. 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation--
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life--
    of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

"For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Memorize those verses. 

Fear is the opposite of love. Fear can take us over and make us do things we don't want to do if we don't fight it with faith and love. 

We are never alone

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]" Psalm 46:1-3

God always was -- before time -- and always will be. This life on earth is just a wisp of life. Do what Jesus did. Jesus healed. Jesus preached. That is what the disciples did. This is what we are called to do.

Our worth is not measured on earth by God -- the way the world measures our worth.

26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:26-31

Christ is with us. Always with us.

​Peace of God vs the world's peace
"23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:23-27

The world says, "Be afraid and behave!""

God knows what is best for us. Seek him.

Fear Not

"So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

I called and you heard me


Those who were my enemies without cause
    hunted me like a bird.
53 They tried to end my life in a pit
    and threw stones at me;
54 the waters closed over my head,
    and I thought I was about to perish.
55 I called on your name, Lord,
    from the depths of the pit.
56 You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears
    to my cry for relief.”
57 You came near when I called you,
    and you said, “Do not fear.” Lamentations 3:52-57

If fear starts coming over you, call out to God. He is there. 

Therefore, be confident in power and love


 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”[a] Hebrews 13:6

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
2 Timothy 1:6-7

Love like Christ did. Self-discipline, read word; pray and listen -- 2 way conversation.

Jesus was not afraid ever.

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17

If God tells you to do something and you don't do it, it's sin. If God tells you something and you make excuses you aren't following Jesus.

"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." James 4:17

The example has been given in Jesus Christ.

"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15

Jesus went and found the people who needed healing, who needed saving. He kept on healing, kept on preaching, kept on forgiving no matter the reaction he got from others.

Have a servant heart

​"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

Everything we do should lead to this way of life (in above verses). We can't "sell" Christianity with earthly rewards. Jesus doesn't promise these. But the life is rewarding -- it is abundant life! Rewards for following Christ in deeds:

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Everyone of us are wealthy. We are doing really well compared to most people in the world. Put your hope in God, not in riches. The abundant life is living the life of Christ right now. 

The day is coming:

 "'When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
Matthew 25:31-40

The deciding factor is what they DID for Jesus. Don't just think or wish -- DO! When you don't do it to others, you aren't doing it for Jesus. How can we claim we know Christ if we don't live as He calls us to live?

Actions and Truth 

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

Pray for people right now. We have to put our hands on people -- get real, get honest, do, do, do.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." Romans 12:6-8

Everyone has gifts. Use them for the kingdom of God. Use what you've been given.

WARNING:

There is danger in inactivity. You can defend really well but you'll never win just defending. Unless you go on the offensive you will never gain, never win.

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26

Is your faith dead?

"They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good." Titus 1:16

"With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him." Daniel 11:32

Defense and offense. We have to be moving out -- moving forward. Step out. Do. We have no excuse to have faith without action.

 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

"He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”" Matthew 17:20

Do! You're strong enough!
Pray knowing God is listening and working. Do the work. Our faith has to be a verb in our lives. This is what we are meant to do. 

Evaluate yourself -- work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 

What if Jesus asks you, "What did you do for me?" 

Even the demonws know who Jesus is but that's not faith. Faith without action is worthless. Be engaged wholly.

The world is lost. We all know the world is lost. If the world was honest the world would admit to being lost. So what do we need when we are lost? We need a way forward. 

Our way forward is Christ.
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,God  did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:1-8

God went His son to fulfill the Law to make a way for us to be with Him in heaven. 

You have to choose -- the world or Jesus.

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:6

Jesus is the door!

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:21

Follow in His steps wherever He leads us.

The path forward is marked. 

The markers left by Christ are clear.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
  in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.[a]" Proverbs 3:5-6

"Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6

Live in me as I live in the Father is what Jesus says. 

Do as I do -- Love as I love.

​"13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:13-17

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12

Resurrection makes all things new!

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:16-19

Jesus will physically return to earth!

Do as I do.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher." Luke 6:37-47

See in the above passage --  your action reaps. If you judge you will be judged. don't judge and you won't be judged; don't forgive and you won't be forgiven, etc....

They are Promises and Warnings.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Luke 6:46-49

Set your mind on the Resurrection. Don't be a fan. Be a follower.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4

Don't be deceived. 

We are never left alone.

"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:4-6

Challenge: Be a well-trained student. Use discipline. Get into the Word. Do what Jesus does. Follow Him.