The Bible clarifies how love for Jesus is displayed. John 14:21 - Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
But there's more to loving Jesus. Over the course of three verses, He highlighted to Simon Peter that the way to show his love was to take care of people.
John 21:15 - When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
John 21:16 - Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
John 21:17 - The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
We are equally called to take care of others. This may include spending for them, praying for them, or lending them an ear. While these options address the physical condition of those Jesus cares for, we must also be concerned with their spiritual well-being and feed them the word of God.
Matthew 4:4 - Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Here, the Savior made it clear that God's word is the food that nourishes our souls. Prophet Jeremiah said similarly in Jeremiah 15:16 - Your words are what sustain me; they are food to my hungry soul. They bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me. How proud I am to bear your name, O Lord (TLB).
We cannot feed anyone God's word if we don't know it ourselves. As such, we need to study the Bible and rely upon the Holy Spirit to do for us what Jesus did for His disciples in Luke 24:45 - Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
As we apply what Jesus said to Simon Peter - take care of His sheep and feed them - we show that we love Him and obey His instructions. Let us pour love on others today and always.
To read old posts related to today's topic:
From AA - Thank you God for showing yourself to me and never leaving me. Thank you for the vessels (people) that God has used in my walk with Him and blessings to you all.
Had to let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go
Lord you, take full control, full control
That's when it's so
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
FINAL MESSAGE
We're almost halfway through the third month of 2025.
Have you been reading your Bible regularly? Are you studying it to receive God's revelation for your life?
No?
Well, it is never too late to start. Go open the Book of Matthew and start there. Start anywhere as long as it is in the Bible.
Remember, reading books and listening to teachings from Holy Spirit-led individuals is helpful, but none of that can give you more than the undiluted word of God itself.
Open your Bible today. Turn off the distractions and soak God's wisdom through the Holy Book.
God bless you!
CLOSING PRAYER
To the God who enabled another day of fellowship, I say thank You!
Lord, I am grateful for the privilege of holding hands with my brothers and sisters in Christ to acknowledge You in praises and to put our love for Jesus in effect through our petitions for others. Thank You for this opportunity.
As we go our separate ways, I call on You to cover today's participants with Your grace and mercy. May Your voice and word about them or their situation be the final word. God, be their shield, buckler, and great reward, IJN Amen.
So this is my worship
It may not be perfect
But You gon get it
For the rest of my days
I just wanna to Praise
LAST 10 MINUTES
Today we focused on how to show that we love Jesus in a practical manner.
I'll be the first to admit that loving the way Jesus instructed Simon Peter isn't a walk in the park. Some people make it hard to love them, right?
But, so do you. You make it hard to be loved. Can you believe that?
Think about how you've sinned in the past and despite that God loved and continues to love you. So much so, He let Jesus die for your sins so you can be redeemed and restored to Him.
It is that same love we are called to give to others. And we do that by caring for others and feeding them with God's word.
Ask yourself how you can be more intentional to achieve this. Be specific. Now, ask God for grace to help you achieve these changes you've identified so you can display your love for His Son even more than before. He might be the only one who will ever know what you do and that's all that matters because we love not to be loved by others but because God loved us first. He is all that really matters.
Glorious God, thank You for being the God who cares for all. Thank You for You are He who makes the sun shine on the good and evil. You allow the rain to fall on the wicked and upright (Matthew 5:45). praise be to You, kind Father.
Lord, God, I want to pray for those experiencing housing insecurity. God. You are He who does not deprive His children of any good thing per Psalm 34:10. Thank You, God, that housing is a good thing and just as You ensured that Elijah was taken care of even in the wilderness not allowing him to be exposed to the elements (1 Kings 19:9), I look to You to provide for Your people in need of housing. That none will be homeless but always have a safe and secure roof over their heads.
Remember Your word in Isaiah 32:18 - My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Grant Your people peaceful dwelling places, secure homes, undisturbed places of rest. For Thine is the glory, the honor and the power, IJN, Amen.
From JIR - Lord, I pray for those who are lonely. Please comfort them and bless them with Your presence. Please bless them to look to You, to depend on You and to lean on You for the love they may be yearning for. Please Lord bless them to know that they matter and wrap them in Your love. Please replace their loneliness with joy and gladness. IJMN. Amen.
Lord, I thank You for You are He who vanquished the darkness with Your word. Mighty Conqueror, I give You all the praise.
I pray for the success of Your righteous ones. They are experiencing obstacles and roadblocks that should not stand in their way.
Therefore, I implore You with Your own word in Psalm 90:17 - May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.
Grant success to Your people. May the path of righteousness be smooth, Upright God. Remember Your word in Psalm 118:25 - LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! Bless Your people, oh Lord, that the ends of the earth will fear You (Psalm 67:7).
IJMN Amen.
Dear Father, You are the Balm of Gilead. You empowered Jesus and others to heal the sick and even raise the dead. Glory be to Your Holy Name!
Lord there are many enduring sickness in the body, mind and spirit. The God of this age blinds them to the recourse that is in Your word.
Proverbs 4:20-22 - My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. /Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; /for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
Lord, You are He who opens the eyes of the blind. May those bound in shackles of disease receive the brightening of their eyes so they find their health in Your word and break free from disease (Matthew 6:23). IJMN Amen.
From JIR - Lord, I pray for the all Jews. I pray that You remove the veils from their eyes so that they come to know You as their Messiah. I pray that You stir their hearts to turn to You and seek You as Father Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I pray that You turn their hearts of stone into hearts of flesh and open their hearts and their eyes to You Lord. IJMN. Amen.
From SN - HELLOOOOOO!!!!!
This is not a drill!!! I am here!!!!
I have been dealing with a lot of different things, so please excuse my absence.
I know this is a time to pray for others. However, I really need to pray for myself today. Thank you for understanding.
Firstly, I just want to thank God for all that He has done for myself and my family.
As I deal with uncertainties, I ask that God increases my faith during this time.
He has also asked me to step out on faith in a particular area of my life... Some things that I have been asking for and praying for... and He is telling me that right now is the set time.
Even with His blessings and guidance, I am terrified!!! So I ask for His courage and support. I ask for unlimited faith in Him and in His plans for my life. In Jesus' name
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. /It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. /Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. /It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. /Love never fails.
Lord, please help Your people to be more loving. Help Your people to display the love of Christ in a manner that gives You glory and brings the hurting and weary into Your family, IJMN Amen.
From JIR - I pray for those in the waiting season. I pray that You give them the strength they need to carry on. Please recharge them Lord so that they continue to seek You, depend on You and hold on to Your promises with zeal. Please protect them from the enemy’s conniving, sly ways and bless them to be spiritually aware of his tactics. Lord please guide them and place them under Your wings and protect them from the worries of this world. IJMN. Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Let us pray for the needs of other people and practice our love and obedience to Christ.
Glory be to God in the highest! Great and mighty King. Thank You for deeming us worthy of ever being houses for Your residence on earth.
Hebrews 3:6 - But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
Father, thank You for this incredible grace and privilege. We are grateful that You love us so much to grant it to us. Hallelujah!!!! Thank You for loving us despite our limitations. For showering us with abounding love and grace.
My Sovereign Lord, I exalt You. Thank You for being the God over me. Thank You for taking complete responsibility for me.
Thank You for surrounding me with Your compassion, love, and mercy. Your favor surrounds me like a shield and I flourish in Your grace and kindness.
Hallelujah to You alone, my King.
From JIR - Lord You give me the strength and the courage to do things that would otherwise be impossible. You are Who I lean on and trust in. You, the Creator of the universe, Sovereign and Almighty, yet accessible and relatable is Who I aim to please. You give me everything I need. As a loving father tends to his child, it is under Your wings that I trust. Thank You Lord for always being with me and watching over me. I worship and praise You. IJMN. Amen.
From JIR - “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2 KJV
Thank You for bringing us together, dear Father. This is indeed a blessing I look forward to. Thank You for using my fellowship partners to lift thanksgiving and petitions that touch the core of Your heart. Thank You, dear Creator for taking the time to listen to us.
For what is man, that He is mindful of Him? (Psalm 8:4)
We are nothing and yet You esteem us greatly by giving us a role to play in impacting lives through our humble prayers.
Almighty, I rejoice in You this day and always. Thank You so much!!!
From JIR - Thank You Lord for Your faithfulness. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking me. You are my Rock and Who I look to in good times and in bad times. You have never let me down and are always on time. Thank You for being the intentional, Sovereign God that You are. I am forever grateful and I praise Your name. IJMN. Amen.
Thank You for victory, Heavenly Father. Thank You for when You defeated satan, You ensured that I also overcame the devil!
I'm grateful for the privilege of this truth and the power it contains.
Be glorified my King and Mighty Warrior!
From JIR -
PRAISE TIME
Let us follow the example and instruction of Jesus by praising the Lord and giving Him thanks.
Holy Spirit take me all the way
Take me up into the holy place
I surrender to You all today
I forever give You all my praise
This was blasting on one of my local gospel radio stations on Friday evening. The DJ did a great job mixing it with the other songs he was playing. Folks were hyped in the car, lolll!
Blessings on the left
Favor on the right
....
Goodness and mercy dey follow
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow
From JIR - Thank You Lord for waking us all up this morning. We are grateful that You breathed life into us this morning for us to see another day; a day that You have made. Thank You for guiding us in here today to praise You and pray for others. It is only by Your grace we are here and we thank You. IJMN. Amen.
Thanks for today’s message sis @FFJ. Thanks for pointing out that loving Jesus is not an emotion but an action. I try to mention Jesus whether I say all glory to Him, or mention His name wherever I go, whether that be work or when I’m out and about. I need to work on spreading the gospel in a more extensive way, which may take some time but I do try to acknowledge Him no matter what setting I may be in. I pray that we all take action in spreading the gospel and giving to those in need spiritually and physically to show our love for Jesus. After all He is the one who matters above all else things. IJMN. Amen.
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
ALTAR CALL
The video below explains the significance and how to submit to Jesus Christ and become part of God's royal family.
If you watched the video to the end and say that prayer, then welcome to being a child of God! Send me a message and I'll answer questions and send you more material, okay?
God bless you.