He was There

Where was Christ? He Was There!

He was there when I was conceived in my mother’s womb, just as surely as my earthly father was there at the act of intimacy that resulted in my conception. He gave the gift of life to grow the fetus and a child was born. It was I.

He was there when I believed and I was born again. His Spirit witnessed with my spirit that He loved me and that I was His child. By His grace my sins were forgiven. By His sacrifice I was redeemed and set free from the power and slavery of sin. By His love I became a citizen of heaven.

He was there when I surrendered all to Him and was filled with His Spirit. He poured His love into my heart. My sinful nature was subdued. Christ became my abiding place. He came to abide in me. I began to decrease. He began to increase.

He was there when I exchanged my life for His Life to strive to know Him, to serve Him, to be like Him until that day when I will forever view His face in glory!

He will always be there!

This is a prayer request for

a man in need of prayer.

Please, take a moment and pray for this man. He is in a situation that few people find themselves. He is criticized at every turn, and few people have thanked him for the good things he has done.

Few people know the extent of his situation. We need to pray that God gives him the guidance he needs to do his job effectively. I have attached a photo of this man. Look at it. Most of you will recognize him. Please pray for him.

Feel free to pass this on to anyone else who will pray for this man. He hasn't asked me to send this request, but I am sure that he will appreciate all your prayers. If you were facing what he is facing, you'd want people praying for you!

Thanks!

No matter what party you support, this man is our President right now and needs our help in prayers.

This country belongs to all of us.

IN GOD WE TRUST

My Testimony

My Testimony

I was bought with a price,
The precious blood of Jesus.
Therefore I must praise God in my body,
And my spirit which are His.
I do not claim any part of me to do my own will,
But allow God to have his will,
In all of my life!
I will not let Satan or sin posess,
Barrow, or pollute my body, mind or heart.
For I am God's.
Jesus is mine.
His Holy Spirit must be in control
Of every thought, act and relationship.
God is love.
I know God; I know He loves me.
Therefore, agape love must be my character.
Christ accepted me; I accepted Him.
There must be no division or separation.
This is a Covenant with Him,
For He gave his life and his Spirit to me.
And I give my life to Him
Amen.

Howdim

I Love You

I really Love You

I used to say to people,” Jesus loves you and so do I”, I have changed that to, “I really love you but not nearly as much as Jesus does”. He knows how to love far better than I. He is never less loving because he is tired or is upset or is selfish; or because you are not perfect, beautiful or friendly. He knows all about you, and loves you unconditionally anyway.

I am sure He is disappointed when you reject his love by not putting him at the very top of your priorities, but his offer of love never changes. Everything that he has ever allowed, or ever will allow, to come into your life is designed to bring you into a personal relationship with him. I know that is true, for who else would go to the cross and sacrifice their life so that our sins could be forgiven?

I also want you to know that there is nothing more satisfying uplifting and joyful than knowing deeply that you belong to Jesus; That you are His own; That your service to him is the best that you can give and that He is your own special friend and master.

Could I express my love for you any better than to ask you to make Jesus your best friend? He is longing to hear from you.

Love, Howard

Being A Disciple

For a very long time I have not understood what faith really is. Faith is believing that God is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (See Hebrews 11:16)

God made a promise to Abraham Genesis 26:3-5 (New King James Version)3 Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. 4 And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeys My voice and keeps My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

Abraham didn’t understand how it could happen for he was a hundred years old and his wife was far beyond childbearing age. Yet Abraham obeyed, even to offering Isaac, his son as a sacrifice, for he believed that God could raise him from the dead if need be. Abraham’s faith passes the test!

God’s desire and will is that Christians should be a holy people. Holy people do believe. But how do I believe in someone and trust someone I don’t know? I have to see the evidence. God gave us that evidence through His Son, Jesus. God loved us enough to unselfishly send His only Son to die to free us from our sins and from he fear of death. Jesus loved us enough to unselfishly go to the cross for us, give his blood to atone for our sin, and redeem us from death. Then He arose from the dead.

That proves that we can trust God. Trusting and believing is an act of our will. Because we trust we can obey, that is keep his commandments and serve him with all our heart. We can be sure to reap the results of his love and keep all his promises. Obedience may not come easy because it means that we must abandon our selfish ways, motives and habits and make His will the law of our life. Jesus says “Take up your cross and follow me.” I say, ”I will”.

The Concert

The Concert When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit.""Keep playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, " Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along. May God bless you and be with you always! and remember , "Don't quit." "Keep playing."

Right Choice?

Have you made the right choice ?

We make many choices,some trivial, some important, and a few with eternal consequences.Some choices are influenced by trivial things, others by people in our lives, some by government or circumstances. Some we are pleased with some we regret. Some lead to happiness or gain others to dispair.or loss.

We generally enjoy the freedom we have to choose for ourselves our path of life.
God gave us that freedom and because we are his creation he loves us, all of us. And will never deny us the prevelage to make our own choices.

However, because He is the master and creator of all things he knows what is best for us. He told Adam and Eve exactly the truth and consequences of what could happen in the Garden of Eden. They chose to disregard His advice. They had known the presence and fellowship of their creator but because the temptor got her attention and told her lies she made a terrible mistake and chose to believe Satan rather than God. Adam was just as gulible.They had been clearly told that sin or disobidience produces death. When we read "death" we might nor know exactly what is meant. I am sure that Gods communication with Adam and Eve left no doubt in their mind about what was meant. It wasn't instant phyisical death, it was something far more hideous than that. They were God's creation, created in His image. That means eternal as he is eternal. This death is a change in character, With the rebellion against the creator comes the loss of His character in them. God is love. Now they had selfishness. God is truth. Now they have deciet. God is faithful. Now they have faithlessness. God is holy, Now they have sin. They have taken on the character of Satan himself. This leads in time to physical death as well. God later told Eve that someday that Satan would bruse her offspring's heel But that He, Christ would bruise Satans head.

Eve's offsping came as a baby born to a virgin, born in a manger. He came to save His people from their sin. He came to atone for our wrong choices on the cross of Calvary. He came to reverse the curse and show us how we can be restored to the likeness of our creator with the love, truth, faithfulness, holiness that he created us with. The choice we need to make is to make Jesus Christ our Savior. This choice is supported and applauded by all of heaven.

Love, Howard

God's Love

How Does God Love You?

The Astounding---Unfathomable---Incredible---Amazing LOVE GOD HAS FOR US!!!

These are the words that Paul the apostle used to try to get us to realize the wonder of God's love is:

I pray that you being rooted and established in LOVE may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the LOVE of Christ. And to know this LOVE that surpasses knowledge--That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

He is saying that we can have the very essence of GOD poured into our lives! In order for us to understand what the apostle is talking about here let us note that the LOVE we are considering is a divine love that is unconditional and undeserved. It originates with God but is imparted to men as they respond to it. His prayer is therefore, that we, each of us, might be completely filled with it and fully understand it. He calls it the fullness of God.

God's love is the central fact and theme of the Bible. Love is God's unchanging nature or essence. "God is love" John says in his first epistle. In Jer 31:3 God says he loves with an everlasting love. Paul says: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Rom 8:38-39] In other words this love is so powerful and tenacious that nothing can ever change it or its hold on our lives.

God's love is so wide it takes in every nation, every tribe, every culture, every language. It takes in every sinner from the little one who told a little white lie to Hitler who tried to murder a nation. It leaves no one out.
God's love is so long it is everlasting, his mercy endures forever, it is longsuffering and kind.It never quits.
God's love is so high it is totally righteous, absolutely truthful and absolutely just. It never makes a mistake.
God's love is so deep it is perfect compassion, perfect understanding, perfect sacrifice and perfect grace.It brings perfect redemption.

The nature of God's love is such that He is reaching out to us with an intense longing and a divine purpose to bring us into a friendly relationship with him. He says: "Behold I stand at the door and knock: If any man will hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." [Rev 3:20] Jesus said: "I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me he will bear much fruit." [John 15:5] "As the father has loved me so have I loved you. Now remain in my love". [John 5:9] "God so loved---that whosoever---should not perish but have everlasting life." [John 3:16] "I go to prepare a place for you--- that where I am you may be also." [John 4:2-3]

God's love is impartial and unconditional. It makes no difference who we are, or what our condition, his love extends to us. God loves men because he has chosen to love them. He loves them in spite of their sin, filthiness, pride, arrogance, and rebellion. No reason for his love can be given. But the love of God is free, spontaneous, unevoked, uncaused. His love for us is such that he cannot be happy, satisfied and fulfilled until we his beloved are out of trouble and danger. His purpose and delight is to comfort, inspire provide for, educate, guide and love us so that we may be fulfilled in doing the same to others. There is joy (God's own joy) in the presence of the angels when a person recieves this Jesus and his love. "For there is no respect of persons with God." [Rom 2:11]; "God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right" [Acts 10:34-35]; "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us." [Rom 5:8]; "But because of his great love for us, God---made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions." [Eph 2:4] In his crucifixion Jesus willingly suffered intense pain, thirst, mockery, injustice, cruelty, shame, and abandonment. In spite of the fact that he knows the very core of who we are and our rebellion and our selfishness, and our sin. He poured out his lifeblood as an atonement for us. He took the punishment that should have been ours.. He himself said, "Greater love hath no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." [John 15:13] But he did it even for us who were his enemies. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ lay down his life for us." [1 John 3:16a] "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities." [Isa 53:3-5] God has an intense longing and an urgent desire to establish a deep mutual relationship with you and me, his created ones.

The friendship that he desires would be restored in those persons who would put their faith in him. Adam (and his descendants) were created for one divine and eternal purpose: To love and fellowship with God but he had to give them the choice. Love cannot be coerced it must be freely chosen. By choice then Adam and all who were born after him were born in sin and strayed from God, going their own way and doing their own thing. Sin means breaking God's law, that is, doing what we know is wrong because we don't love God and others as we should. Since God's law was lovingly designed to protect and enhance your life, you are at risk if you ignore, or disobey it. When you disobey it you show contempt for God's love and care, saying, in effect, that you know better than he does what is best for you. It appears, then, that you have no respect for his wisdom or the fact that he created you and the world in which you live. Even though he loves you dearly fellowship between he and you is broken. He can not comfort you with his presence nor protect you by his power

The guilt you carry damages your mind as well as your body. You are unable to love as you ought.Because he loves you so much he is deeply hurt because you push him away and then pretend everything is all right and sometimes even claim you love him. The Father has created you in his own image, the very greatest product of his creative genius, and Jesus, in love, has purchased your salvation by death on the cross to provide forgiveness for your sin. How do you think he feels when you reject all this so that you can sin as you please. Sin is a horrible master. When sin takes hold you cannot escape without God's help. He still loves you, longs for you. It makes no difference how far you have gone or what you have done. He is ready to help you. He wants to forgive your sin and adopt you into his family.

Pray now "Dear Lord, I know that you love me, I repent and turn from my sin. Fill me with your love. Amen.

A GOOD RIDDLE

A GOOD RIDDLE

WHAT IS GREATER THAN GOD?

WHAT IS WORSE THAN THE DEVIL?

DEAD MEN EAT IT.

IF YOU EAT IT YOU DIE.

The answer is absolutely

NOTHING · NOTHING IS GREATER THAN GOD!

If God is the greatest, and because he is, then why not give him control of your life today? He knows all about you. He loves you anyway. He wants to make something beautiful of your life and eventually take you to heaven to be with him. Jesus said. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (John 14 1-2)

NOTHING· NOTHING IS WORSE THAN THE DEVIL!

If the Devil is the worst, then why let him ruin your body and soul by enticing you into sin? Jesus has power over the devil! He can set you free. “He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason Jesus came was to destroy the devil’s work.(1 John 3:8)

NOTHING· NOTHING IS WHAT DEAD MEN EAT!

When you die you will not be able to make any decision about your eternal destiny!

IF YOU EAT NOTHING ·

You will die physically. If you haven’t made the decision to trust Jesus as your Savior you are already dead spiritually.

Think about this:

Jesus said: “I am the bread of LIFE. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty”.(John 6:5) He has offered us his broken body and his precious blood so that our sins can be forgiven and we can freely partake of eternal life, and the best life has to offer here. If we refuse to eat we’re DEAD!

He offers you the bread of spiritual life. Why not put your trust in Him right now. If you will confess that you are a sinner and ask him to forgive you. You will have eternal life and can really begin living a life of love and fulfillment with Jesus.

Love, Howdim

I Know Who You Are!

I know who you are !

I may not know your name but, I know !

I may not know your name but whatever your name is, I know that you are the one God has chosen to receive the fabulous life that everyone is looking for. He knows who you are and all about you and he is says in His word that he loves you. He loves you in spite of your sin and failure to love and honor Him. He said so in the most quoted verse in the Bible, "God so loved you that he gave his only begotton Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life"

A new life for you !

That is why he chose you to receive this NEW LIFE. When he said "whosoever believes", he meant you because he bought your eligibility for a NEW LIFE with a price so huge we will never understand it. It was the precious blood of Jesus Christ, God's only Son.

What is this new life?

What is this NEW LIFE ? It is Salvation from sin, which includes forgiveness, freedom from the guilt and shame of sin, freedom from the slavery of sin and it's grip on your life. You can be God's purchased possession, his loved and cherished creation. A child of the King. A ransomed soul. A new creation. A member of the family of God. However it is your CHOICE to accept or reject this identity.

Will you accept?

If you will not accept then , I am sorry to say I know who you are. You are a slave to sin, an unforgiven sinner, a lost soul.

WHAT will you choose ?

You do have a choice. I know that in many things in your life you have not had a choice but that if you do not make a choice in this matter it Satan will make it for you.

Satan has made his claim.

Satan has already claimed your soul. But your CHOICE has awesome power. If you make Jesus your choice all the power of heaven is on your side!

Make your claim now!

Pray this prayer: "Dear Jesus I know I am a sinner. I claim your promise to save me. Forgive me and give me this new life. I accept Jesus with all my heart. Amen

He will answer your prayer if you are sincere and if you trust him for your salvation .
I write these words because God has put love in my heart for you who have not understood God's plan of redemption. I , too, am a sinner transformed by the love of God has for me. If in reading this you have found hope and love Or if you would like me to pray for you just
Email me. howard.dimmick4@verizon.net

Love, Howard

Why Do I Love Jesus

Why Do I Love Jesus?

I love you Jesus,

For being light in my darkness,

For being a guide in my blindness,

A lighthouse when I was lost in sin,

My loving Savior when I was a sinner,

You are the sacrifice that redeemed my soul.

You are my rock in the quagmire of sin,

My rich resource in my poverty,

My spring of living water for my thirst,

My loving friend when I am In trouble,

A counselor when I am foolish,

A disciplinarian when I am wayward,

A loving friend when I am in trouble,

A great help when I am helpless,

The God who answers my prayers,

You are the example on which to pattern my life.

No wonder they call you:

The pearl of Great price,

The bright and morning star,

The lily of the valley,

The fairest of ten thousand,

The rock of ages,

The light of the world!

You are my Savior and Lord!

How blest I am!

Do you know my Jesus?

He already knows you,

He longs to be your friend.

He wants you to know His mercy, grace and love.

He gave His life so that He could be your Savior too.

Will you accept His offer?

What A Christian Is Like

What is a Christian Like?

In the fifth Chapter of Mathew Jesus tells us what it is like to be his follower..
We read, "Blessed are--- " Only God supplies "blessing" It is His favor, His reward, His approval. Only his own receive all of it.
Now I paraphrase, verse:

3. "Blessed are those who recognize their need of God for spiritual and moral help, wisdom and guidance, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

4. Blessed are those who have a godly sorrow for their sins and are conscious of their helpless condition, for they will be comforted with forgiveness and salvation.

5. Blessed are the teachable, and co-operative, for they will overcome the world with Me.

6. Blessed are those who really want to be Godly and obedient to me, for they will succeed in their quest.

7. Blessed are those who are unselfishly kind and helpful to their fellow man, for they will receive an abundance of kindness.

8. Blessed are those whose lives are free of willful sin and have only worthy motives, for God calls them his own children.

9. Blessed are those, who quell strife, violence, and hatred; for they are called Gods children.

10. Blessed are those who receive persecution because of their uprightness and morality, for God will give them a place with Him forever.

11. Blessed are you for I appreciate you when you are unjustly accused, slandered and defamed, because of the stand you take for God

12 You may rejoice and celebrate for your reward is surely coming, you will have your place of honor with all the worthy ones who have gone before!

Hallelujah!
.
It pays to serve Jesus.

Love,
Howard

Jesus Laughing "Jesus Laughing, copyright 1977 Praise Screen Prints, used with permission"

If Jesus

If Jesus

If my Savior He would be,
If He gave His all for me,
If His friend, He'd have me be,
If His Spirit dwells in me,
If He, "The Truth" abides in me,
If He gives to me his wisdom free,
If I would His servant be,
If for his work, He strengthens me,
If where He leads I follow free,
A glorious life, He knows, I'll see!

Love: Howard

Jesus Is The Vine

Jesus, the True Vine

¹"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. ³You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. ⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.

⁵"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. ⁷But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! ⁸My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father.

⁹"I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. ¹⁰When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. ¹¹I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Love,
Howard

Can You Answer This Riddle?

What is greater than God, worse than the Devil, dead men eat it, and if you eat it you will DIE?

Send your answer to me: howard.dimmick4@Verizon.net or leave a comment, If your answer is right I will send you a confirmation.

Love, Howard

Two Questions God Will Ask

First Question:

Since Jesus Christ said "I am the way the truth and the life", and proved it by His sinless life, His sacrificial death, and His miraculous resurection, have you believed or have you rejected Him?

Millions have believed and have proved by their changed lives and good deeds that what he said of himself was true, and still is true. God will not ask what church you belonged to, or if you were a good person. He knows if you have accepted His Son as your Savior or not, and if your life has been cleansed and changed by His grace. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through Me!" If you have not believed, do so now. It will change your life.

Second Question:
Since I created you on purpose to love me and to love your fellow-man,
how have you used the life I gave you? What did you do with your gifts, talents, opportunities, energy, relationships, and resources you have had? Did you squander them on yourself, or use them for the purpose I intended ?

Your answer to these questions wil determine where and how you will spend eternity.

If you would like more information Leave a comment below. God loves you and so do I. The only reason I post these blogs is to help you get the best out of life.

Love, Howard

Have a Laugh

Go to http://lifeonprospecthill.blogspot.com/
read "I Know You're Gonna Laugh"
Love, Howard

About Jesus and Me

The Preachers Kid

Jesus now is the focus of my life. It wasn't always that way. I was a reprobate hypocrite.

I was a Pastors son, born in a parsonage, brought up in church. My religion was environmental not personal. I was always interested in science, particularly, electronics. I was employed by the Army Signal Corps as an engineer during WW2. After the war I started a Two Way Radio business in Ferndale, NY. Built a house for my wife and family of three girls and a boy. I joined a local church and became a very good hypocrite. Many nights I wept in my pillow for I didn't know the Lord. An evangelist from Pittsburg called Rusty came to our church, he was the son of the largest beer distributor in that city, but he had found the Lord because he was infatuated with a pastors daughter who wouldn't date him unless it was to go to church with her. When he did he heard the Gospel for the first time gave his life to Christ.

He was so full of the love and compassion of Jesus. It just spilled out of him as he spoke. He showed that love to me and my wife. And we gave our lives to Christ.We wanted that Love. That changed my life. I loved my new life, Church became a joy. Sunday school was a blast. Prayer meeting was delightful.

As my business grew, the burdens of running the business, supporting a growing family was hard. But temptations of putting temporal things before spiritual things. Short cuts on integrity etc, etc. Skipping my devotions. Coolness set in and I had lost the joy. A brother-in-law reminded me that something must be wrong with me, he said I lost my tenderness. After a while I began to admit it to myself. I decided to spend some time alone with God and get this thing settled. As I poured out my heart before Him I promised to sell my beloved business, become a missionary or do anything he wanted me to do no matter what it cost. I was desperate. This was the turning point. I can never explain it, but Jesus spoke to me as if we were face to face. He said "I want you to give your family and business to me. You run things for Me. You are my friend I will be with you and show you the way!"

He did, and He does yet. There are still hard times. But since I determined to have that "ruthless trust" in Him and obey His Spirit completely. I have a source of power that spans the universe, and I know a LOVE that is unconditional and unshakable, followed by a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory.

I am now 86 years old. God has been so very good to me. I live in Florida, attend a wonderful Church where people realley love the Lord Jesus. Visit us : www.zhillswesleyan.org

Love, Howard

Pure Love

Love Is The Goal!

Paul always taught the principles that Jesus taught. Loving God and loving our neighbor is one of these teachings.

In 1 Tim 1:5 Paul says to Timothy that love is the goal of the commandment. The commandment that just precedes this statement is"
"Command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith. 5The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
He is saying that if men have pure love they will never teach false doctrine, nor do anything to harm the kingdom of God. What these "teachers" needed was a revival of Christ's love in their hearts.

He is teaching here that three things will characterize those who have God's love.

What is a pure heart?

Psalm 24:4: He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.

Psalm 51:9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

A heart filled with pure love; No hypocrisy. No hidden agendas, No insincerity, but pure (agape) love for everyone. Jesus said:
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."

What is a good conscience?

A conscience trained by the standard of pure Christ-like love. Paul's example of a good conscience is this: "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." He also wrote "Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace."

No offense toward God or man that has not been confessed and repented of and forgiven. The slightest offense not forgiven causes the conscience to pain and hinders our love.

What is a sincere faith?

No hypocrisy, no facade, no mask. The faith has to be in Jesus. Not in our own wisdom and pride or even in our church or pastor. Total commitment and trust in God. God is the source of our love and faith, if we are not fully committed to him his love cannot work in our lives.

How can you know that you have this kind of love? How is our love tested?

Here is how Jesus' was tested:

Matt 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

The first temptation was a test to see how much love we have for physical satisfaction.

4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

This was Jesus' answer. It showed that his highest love was not for physical things but for God's word.

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"

The second temptation was to determine how much love we have for emotional satisfaction.

7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

This was Jesus' answer. I t showed that Jesus first love was not on himself, but on God.

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down
and worship me."

The third was to determine how much love we have for God.

10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

This was Jesus' answer. It showed that His highest love was for God his Father.

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

If you are responding, as you ought to the pressures of life, God's angels will minister to you too.

Our trials and temptations test us every day. How are you doing? Check out how you are reacting to the choices of everyday life.

My prayer for you, personally, is: Lord, please make my friend more like Jesus every day. Amen.

Love,

Howard