John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.ThoughtGod’s love is the beginning of everything. Scripture teaches that the Lord moved toward us first, not because we were good, but because He is gracious. He loved us while we were still sinners, and that love...

John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.Thought:Jesus defines love in a way that questions our shallow ideas. In His teaching, love is not simply an emotion that rises and falls with our moods or circumstances. Love is faithful loyalty. It is a settled devotion of the heart that shows itself through obedience. Jesus does not call for warm feelings or kind thoughts about Him. He calls for a l...

John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me…”Thought:Jesus does not say, “He that has heard my commandments,” but, “He that hath my commandments.” That difference matters. To hear Christ’s words can simply mean you have only been exposed to them. You can sit in a service, listen to preaching, read a passage, or memorize facts, and still keep His Word at a dist...

Acts 27:2929 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.Thought:On Paul’s dangerous voyage, the sailors could not control the wind, the rain, or the waves. They did what they could. They cast out anchors and waited for daylight. The anchors did not calm the sea. They simply kept the ship from being smashed to pieces.We often ...

John 15:9, 12–139 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. …12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”Thought:In John chapter 15, Jesus speaks to disciples who are weak and imperfect. Peter, who will deny Him. Thomas, who will doubt Him. Others with ...