Give Jesus the 1st Place in your life.

"Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts."  (1 Peter 3: 15 NABRE)

This is the word to live by this Sunday.  What does it mean to sanctify Jesus as Lord in our hearts? How do we do it?

1.  Revere Jesus as the Lord of your life.
2.  Allow Jesus to reign over your Time, Talent and Treasure.
3.  Worship Christ as Lord in your life.
4.  Trust yourself to Christ as Lord.

To summarize, give Jesus the First Place in your life.

If you do this, Jesus will meet every desire of your heart.  (Matthew 6:  33, Psalm 37: 4)

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No slave is greater than the master.

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you."  (John 15: 18 - 19 NABRE)

The world will hate you for loving Jesus.  What do you do? Never compromise with the world. They will only use and discard you. The Scriptures below will strengthen your heart and mind.

"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."  (Romans 12: 2)

“No one can serve two  masters.  He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."  (Matthew 6: 24)

 "Adulterers! Do you not know that to be a lover of the world means enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wants to be a lover of the world makes himself an enemy of God."  (James 4: 4).

"Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers.  For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?   What accord has Christ with Beliar? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?"  (2 Corinthians 6: 14 - 15)

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The Holy Spirit is the Source of Abundant life promised by Jesus.

Veni Sancte Spiritu

The Holy Spirit is that Source of Abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10: 10.  Did you know that?
Pentecost is near. Don't miss the Opportunity!

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul's most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue's sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen. Alleluia.

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You are my friends. I have called you friends.

"You are my friends if you do what I command you.... I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father."  (John 15: 14, 15 NABRE).

Jesus calls us His intimate friends, His closest friends.  Let us consider how Scripture characterizes true friendship:

"Faithful friends are beyond price,
no amount can balance their worth.
Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; those who fear God will find them.  Those who fear the Lord enjoy stable friendship, for as they are, so will their neighbors be."  (Sirach 6: 15 - 17 NABRE)

We are truly friends and companions of Jesus, the true and faithful Witness.

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If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my embrace.

"As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love."  (John 15: 9 NABRE)

How do we abide in the love of Jesus?
Jesus wants us to:
Feel at home in His love.
Feel comfortable about His loving us radically.
Never never doubt His love for you.
Know that nothing, nothing can ever separate you from His love.

How do you enjoy this embrace of Jesus forever?
"If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love."  (John 15: 10)

The Holy Spirit, the Comforter and our Advocate is always present to help us.

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Whoever remains in me will bear much fruit.

"I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.    Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]."  (John 15: 1 - 2 AMP)

What is pruning? Trimming and cleaning.  Painful process. Pruning is done only to branches that show potential.  Are you being pruned? Rejoice and laugh for joy. You are destined to bear much fruit in the Kingdom.

Opposite of fruitfulness is barrenness.  A barren womb gives birth to wind. (Isaiah 26: 18).

What areas of your life need pruning? Consider the following:
Unbelief, worry, fear, unforgiveness, lust, love of money, prayerlessness, etc.

What are the fruits of a pruned branch?

Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Generosity
8. Gentleness
9. Faithfulness
10. Modesty
11. Self-control
12. Chastity

The above fruits represent the exact character of Jesus Christ.

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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

"Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]"  (John 14: 27 AMP)

What is the peace of Christ?
Blessed calm and assurance that all is well and all shall be well because Jesus is in control.  God Never Fails?

How do we obtain this peace, this gracious Shalom?
Completely trust Jesus for Peace. Pray constantly for peace of heart, mind and body.  Pray for financial peace.

Can we lose this peace?
Yes. Here is how:  Living in sin and Unbelief.

Where do I feel this peace?
Health, Family, Money, Job, Possessions and Tools, Food, Future.

When do I feel this peace?
Always. In sickness or health, in richness or poverty, popular or unpopular.  (Philippians 4: 12)

The peace of Christ is beyond all understanding. (Philippians 4: 6 - 7)

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The Holy Spirit will teach you everything.

"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name — he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."  (John 14: 26 NABRE)

The Holy Spirit is the Abundant life promised by Jesus. (John 10: 10)
He is the Spirit of power and truth. The Holy Spirit is the Voice that speaks in court.

Last week, we saw the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Below are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit:

1. Charity
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Generosity
8. Gentleness
9. Faithfulness
10. Modesty
11. Self-control
12. Chastity

O Holy Spirit of Light and Love, may our lives faithfully imitate the life and virtues of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him with the Father and You, Divine Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen.

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