But I Like Fruit

But, but, but, but -- this is probably the most famous word for excuses.  Often, excuses are valid in the case of someone being ill or having an accident.  However, when one's dog has been blamed for eating the homework, and it wasn't done;  or, one was late, because he/she waited until 25 minutes before he or she had to leave the house to just make it; then, it is the fault of that person.   And then there are the times we make excuses to ourselves about getting a second helping or having that extra piece of cake.  Sometimes, it is hard to know if we are doing something we ought not do.  The bad looks good, and it gets confusing.  I wonder if that is what Eve felt in the Garden of Eden.  What went through her mind, as she disobeyed God?

First, let's look at the serpent of the field.  Do you notice there is a lower-case "s" used in the Bible, which leads me to believe there was an actual serpent talking to her.  God made serpents, and we always assume it was Satan talking to her.  Also, Revelation 20:2 says this:  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years...In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Satan is described as [transforming] himself into an angel of light  (KJV).  Therefore, I am going to propose that maybe he really is a serpent, because he is also called a serpent in 2 Corinthians 11:14.  However, whether this is actually his appearance, whether he actually spoke aloud, or he spoke to Eve in her thoughts is not the important thing.  

It is important to know the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. (KJV, Genesis 3:1a).  Therefore, we know God created him and he had intelligence.  And as he spoke to Eve, he lied...

Defined by His Mercy

Does God define you by your illnesses or your human imperfections?  No, He doesn't measure us by the world's standards.  It is not our emotional, mental, and physical strengths that are the standard God measures for salvation. What counts is that we love God and follow Jesus Christ.  Psalm 147:1-11 fills me with peace as I read it, and I immediately offer praise to the  Lord.  It speaks of building up Jerusalem and of gathering together the outcasts of Israel; and...

I Choose Jesus

If we love God, then we will love His Son Jesus Christ.  Someone who does not recognize Jesus Christ has missed the signs that God made clear.  And it possible they missed the signs, because they do not really love God;   because their eyes are blinded by the things of the world and their own desires.

It is true that as human beings, we all have desires and most of us have our favorite things in this world;  but, if these things are more important than God's commandments  and the teachings of Jesus, we should examine ourselves and see if the truth is in us.  What is the truth?  God's Spirit...

Love Demonstrated

 "Love And Friendship" by xedos4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Many of us are well acquainted with 1 Corinthians 13 as being the "love chapter" in the Bible.  We hear it at weddings and funerals.  We look to it for the proof we will understand the things we do not presently understand.  However, 1 Corinthians 13 is not the the only chapter in the New Testament that speaks at length about love...