The First Love

"Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love." Revelation 2.4

The leaving of the first love happens when there is an exchange for another love. What good is for a husband to provide comfortable living, jewelry, luxury and money but to be absent to his wife? The same is with those who give the best of themselves in the church but, at their hearts, Jesus no longer occupies the first place.

The dew of Mount Hermon

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore." Psalm 133.1-3 

Mount Hermon represents the Mount of Consecration. It is the place where the Lord Jesus was transfigured, glorified and consecrated by God the Father before Peter, James and John. The Jordan River is formed from its sources and it supplies all Israel. It also typifies the Holy Spirit, which sustains the New Israel, the Church, worldwide. Led by the Spirit, King David says that is this Mount the Lord commanded His blessing and eternal life.

The name of the Lord Jesus Christ

"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2.9-11

The name of Jesus is not like any other name. It carries within itself all authority over all that exists in heaven, on earth and all the universe. That is, over all His creation and everything turns against it. No evil subsists or can stand against the Name of the Lord of Glory. Therefore, pronouncing this name frivolously is taking the name of the Lord God in vain.

Rest on the Altar

"And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them..." Matthew 5.1-2

The Lord Jesus used to take time to be alone with the Father when He went up the mountains, which can also be understood as the 'Altar'. And even in those precious moments, He did not refrain from doing the work He came to do. As soon as the disciples would approach Him, He began to teach them. This is the life of those who live on the Altar - even in times of rest and reflection, they serve those who need them.

Your eyes

"The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness." Luke 11.34

While good eyes appreciate the beauty of virtue, evil eyes do not rest until they find faults within the details. Good eyes always see the good in people, but evil eyes will always have criticism.

The Fast

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?" Isaiah 58.6

The fast that pleases the Lord God is all about showing concern for the wronged, afflicted, oppressed, in short, all those who find themselves trapped in the claws of the devil. The work of God is to destroy the works of the devil. And to do so, the Lord has given us His Spirit.

Show us the Father

"Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, show us the Father'?" John 14.9

Those who are on the Lord Jesus must, as a rule, exude His perfume, have His image and manifest His character. If someone claims to have the Holy Spirit but does not reflect the image of God, he deceives himself.

The lake of fire and brimstone

"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21.8

This verse leaves no doubt as to those who will be condemned to the lake of fire and brimstone. The devil, the beast, the false prophet, hell, death and all the people whose names were not written in the Book of Life will enter this place of eternal torment. There will not be a single moment of relief. Not even hell can be compared to this place. Because of that, it is worth investing in saving souls while there is time.

What a story!

"This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God." Genesis 6.9

The story of the real men of God is summed up in by justice and integrity. Noah, Abraham, Job, Daniel and many others were great before the Almighty as they expressed His image, the image of justice in a world of injustice.

It is difficult, but not impossible

"...while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4.18

If the person who is born of the Holy Spirit may find it hard not to heed to the lures of what your physical eyes see, imagine when you are not born of God. It is difficult, but not impossible. You really have to want it. But therein lies the secret of how to walk with God and the meaning of living by faith.

Confidence

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward." Hebrews 10.35

Not to cast away the confidence means keeping the faith. Many have given up, are discouraged or even abandoned the Christian faith for not seeing their wishes done in their time. They forget that the virtue of trust has great reward before God.

No condemnation

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8.1

Though someone's sins may exceed the limits, or as bad as they may be, when they begin to obey the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ they are is no longer  subject to condemnation. This eternal and inexhaustible treasure is reserved only for believers.

Intelligent faith

 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?" Luke 14.28

Intelligent faith has nothing to do with excitement, enthusiasm or feelings. Rather, Biblical faith requires the use of the intellect. It weighs, measures and checks that it is 100% in agreement with what he believes. From then, one must throw himself body, soul and spirit. That is, put all strength towards his goal.

Constantly

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26.41

These are two things that must be constantly on our minds: watch and pray. They are as important to maintaining a clear conscience, and therefore salvation, as oxygen is  for life.
To watch is to always be careful not to be surprised by temptation, and to pray is to be constantly rebuking evil thoughts, doubts, fears and all evils.
It is better to always be on the watch than to fall.

Love and justice

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you." Isaiah 49.15

The righteousness of God is infinite and eternal.
The love of God is also infinite and eternal.
But would His everlasting love override His justice? Of course not! But by thinking like that, many people have been taking advantage of the Divine Compassion, thinking that at the end of it all, God will make a way to save everyone.

Abide in Me

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." John 15.4

To abide in Him means persevering to follow Him. Everyone has the power to decide whether to continue or to quit it. Jesus gives us the right to choose to continue or quit walking with Him, and if we choose to abide in Him, then He will remain in us. Otherwise, no deal. Nobody can blame others or the devil for failing to follow the path of salvation.

If...

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." John 15.7

God is not a magician. His favors and miracles never happen by chance, by luck or merit. Everything depends on Obedience to His Word. Jesus promises everything, but it all depends on the "if". If you abide in Me, and if my words abide in you... Ask what you desire.

Hatred

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." John 15.18

The feeling of hatred from the children of this world towards the children of God is part of carrying the cross. The Lord Jesus warned His disciples about it. It is waste of time trying to please God and the children of the world. It is more comfortable to keep the cross and take its sacrifices than trying to reconcile faith with the world.

Dream of dreams

"But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1.20

When one is generated by the Holy Spirit, he is holy, pure, has character, is true, is correct, flee from evil, is perfect in the eyes of the Father, is faithful, loves God, loves his neighbor, forgives, is patient, fears God, he is a new creature, a servant, obedient, his thoughts match the thoughts of God, his word is yes, yes, no, no, and he serves Jesus with all of his heart, with all his strength and with all understanding .
But when he is generated by flesh, nothing of this happens.

Desired Temple

"The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts..." Haggai 2.9

The people were amazed when the First Temple was erected and the presence of God filled that holy place. It was just a test for what He really wanted to do: A temple for His Spirit inside each follower of His Son.
There is no greater honor than to be dwelling of the Most High God. If such knowledge is too great, imagine when you have that experience.

Faithful

"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." Revelation 2.10-11

The practice of faithfulness is what makes the Christian an overcomer, worthy of eternal life. It is about character and honesty. Faith without character is useless. Unfortunately, many are believers in the church, and yet are unfaithful to the principles of character.

Vanity

"Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, because he was determined to go after vanity." Hosea 5.11 (NRSV)

All humans have at least a minimum of vanity. This is common to human nature. But what is not acceptable to the Lord is for one to be lead by vanity thoughts. The thoughts of the faithful must be guided by the thoughts of God. Ephraim preferred to walk in the vanity of his heart, which displeased the Lord and brought serious consequences for himself.

How?

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He." Deuteronomy 32.4

How wonderful is the Lord our God! Everything in Him is perfect, glorious and majestic! As the bear minimum Perfect imperfection? How would the Perfect put up with a minimum of impurity? And the Most Holy bear the profane? But by faith, practiced in the Word of His Son Jesus, we are justified. Justified to be perfect, pure and holy... How can we understand such greatness?

Taking Christian faith lightly

"The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked..." Nahum 1.3

That word is addressed to those who are take the Christian faith lightly. Especially for those who, claiming that God is love, are deliberately living in sin, as if the love of God would make Him tolerate sin or injustice.
The LORD is slow to anger and great in mercy and love, but never clears the guilty.

High heels

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5.3

This was the first teaching of Jesus. At first glance, it does not seem to draw too much attention. However, this is the basis of deliverance and salvation. If a person does not become humble like a child, it is impossible to be born of the Holy Spirit. Is it not the truth that sets one free? But how can it freed someone proud? Impossible. Unfortunately, many people, despite being in the bottom of the pit, remain on top of their high heels shoes. 

Whoever loves his wife loves himself

"So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself." Ephesians 5:28

Much more than a feeling, love is caring. A wife's role is to replace her husband's mother and a husband's role is to replace his wife's father. The relationship between parents and children goes beyond feelings. Feelings are like clouds that come and go. But true and pure love cares about the other person with perseverance, and forever. He who loves his wife loves himself. Whoever mistreats his wife, hurts himself.

The love God wants

"He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'do you love Me?'And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.'Jesus said to him, 'Feed My sheep.'" John 21.17

Why did Jesus ask Peter if he loved Him? From my understanding, he wanted to teach about pure and true love. Just as faith requires attitude, love also requires action. Those who think that pure love is a feeling are completely wrong. It is not. Just as  and faith, it also requires sacrifices.