TRUE JOY

 

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

 

1.        In the same manner that Father has loved Jesus.  The same unity, purpose, plan, cohesion, character, nature and essence.  Beyond comprehension love.

2.        Jesus has loved us.  With the same patience, kindness, unselfishness, humility, honor, willing to serve, positive view of others, righteousness, peace, joy, graciousness and truthfulness.  His love protects us, trusts us, hopes and believes in us.  His love perseveres and endures with us.  Is love for us will never fail.

3.        Remain in Christ’s love. When Jesus tells us to remain in His love, He is telling us to rest in the knowledge of His love for us. As soon as we have placed faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us. His indwelling is permanent, and He never leaves us. The Holy Spirit can remind us of Jesus’ love and fill our hearts with the overflowing agape love of God.

 

10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

 

1.        Keeping his commands shows you re remaining in his love.  Did you know that there are 49 commands of Christ and seven statements he made?  I will highlight only seven briefly.

 

a.        Repent, Follow Me, Rejoice, Let Your Light Shine.

b.        Honor God's Law or Word, Love and Tell Others.

 

2.        Following Christ’s command shows that we have embraced, chosen, decided, and apply his love in our lives to ourselves and others. 

3.        Jesus is our example and role model.  His life and ministry showed and exhibited this.

4.        Jesus remained in the Father’s love. Jesus imitated and reflected Him.  He depended on His Father.  Jesus trusted and confided in the Father.  They worked together in unison, union and unity together.  There was no competition between them.  Jesus lived and did the will of His Father.  Jesus received His validation from the Father.

 

11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

 

1.        He has told us that His joy may be in complete as we do the will of our Father.  To glorify, honor and exhibit the qualities, essence, character and nature of the Father. Jesus’ joy is the joy that Jesus wants to place in you as a Christian. Biblical joy is choosing to respond to external circumstances with inner contentment and satisfaction, because we know that God will use these experiences to accomplish His work in and through our lives.  This knowledge brings peace and joy.

2.        Simply put doing the will of God will complete us. We were designed for God’s purpose and plan.  Nothing satisfies a person until they are doing the will of God in what ever manner for them takes.  It is up to us to find and then do it. 

 

TRUE JUSTICE

 

Dan will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel.  The name Dan actually means judge.  So here is Jacob telling Dan that he would have a descendant who would judge the people with justice.  Here we have Jacob looking into the future and seeing Dan’s most celebrated judge, Samson.  Who, we will talk in a moment.  Dan was the second largest of the tribes next to Judah.  It has two enclaves one that was situated in the north by modern day Haifa and Joppa right by Mount Carmel and another right next to Philistia.  They came with 26,500 men to make David king and they were experts in war.  Simon the Sorcerer of Acts fame claimed to be a Danite and Simon the Magician as well.  This is significant because Dan is left out of the list of tribes of Israel in Revelation because of it was one of the two locations for the golden calves the Jeroboam set up.  Dan was also known as an enclave later for occult practices.  Little lesson here, we need to pray for our children and their descendants because even the most godly families can start out good and end up shipwreck.  In fact the devil loves to destroy godly families.  The Ethiopian Jews claim to be from the tribe of San when they were dispersed during the time of the Assyrian captivity. 

 

Dan will be a snake by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse’s heel, so that its rider tumbles backward. 

 

This describes Samson to a tee.  So let’s look at a moment for a moment. 

 

Samson – Little Sun - Judges 13-16

 

-  Has a life of contrasts.  His birth was announced by The Angel of the Lord...  One of the rare     

    Supernatural encounters in judges.    The angel announces his birth, lifestyle, mission and

    Calling.  He interacts with Samson’s parents and touches their lives.  Jud 13:1-23

-  Samson is a Nazarite.  Not allowed to drink win or cut his hair.  Totally given to God. 

    His mission was to save Israel from Philistia. Jud 14:5

-  Samson loved Philistine women.  This would be the means to attack Philistia and his downfall.

    Jud 14:14-16

-  Killed a lion, told a riddle, and killed 30 Philistines to keep his promise.  Jud 14

-  Could not put up with women whining.  His wife, a prostitute and Delilah would destroy him. 

    Jud 14&16

-  Could not control his carnal appetites.  Jud 14 & 16

-  Was a man of vengeance and anger.  Killed 30 Philistines over a riddle, burned Philistines fields,

    Killed 1000 men with a jawbone of donkey,   Jud 14:20-15:17

-   Had great strength when the Spirit of the Lord was upon him.  Jud 14-16

-  Was a judged for 20 years.

-  A deceitful Philistine woman named Delilah would trick him into revealing his strength.  She

    Cut his hair, he lost his eyes and strength.  Jud 16:4-21

-  Learned painful lesson, allowed to end his life by destroying Philistine temple, himself and

    3000 Philistines.  Jud 16:23-31

-  As a life of contrasts, he was separated as a Nazarite.  Jud 13:5, 16:17

   Yet associated with evil people.  Jud 14:1-3      

-  Spiritual at times, Jud 13:35, 15:14

   Yet gave into his carnal lusts.  Jud 16:1-4

-  Childish in his plan.  Jud 15:4

    Yet courageous in battle.  Jud 15:11-14

-  Mighty in physical strength.  Jug 16:3, 9, 12, & 14

    Weak in resisting temptation.  Jud 16:15-17

-  His end was sad because of these contrasts.  Jud 16:30

 

Samson life reflects what happened to Dan.  His people were noble, godly, experts in warfare but then fell into idol worship, sorcery and eventually into oblivion.  Great many lessons to learn here for there is no guarantee.  That is why we must stay close to the Lord, read our bibles, pray, go to the house of the Lord, stay, accountable and transparent.  You make choices to be godly.  Make those choices every moment.

 

I look for your deliverance, Lord.

 

     Jacob then closes his prophecy or address to Dan by saying, Lord I look to you for deliverance.  He is praying for Dan.  Dan you will need deliverance.  God protect Dan, keep him, don’t let him fall.  So as I close I want to give you some things you can pray over your children. 

 

Pray for faith that they would serve the Lord.

Pray for health and healing in every area of life and

Pray for friendships who would be godly and a positive influence

Pray for a future they would live in the plan of God and find if God’s will a godly spouse.

Pray for character that they would be righteous, godly, honest, truthful, faithful, obedient to God, transparent, accountable and honorable.

Pray for safety.  We all know how children and adults love to talk chances.

Pray for joy and peace in their lives and how they would be peacemakers in the lives of others.

Pray for their desire for the things that matter.  They would make right choices and be people of integrity.

QUOTES FOR APRIL 16, 2026

 

TRUE LOVE

 

     As Valentines Day approaches many people and their hearts turn to love.  They think of cards, flowers, and gifts for that special person in their lives.  Today we have so many interesting concepts of love.  Back in 1969 Dionne Warwick sang a song saying, “What the world needs now is love sweet love.”  In the same year a Christian song writer named Andre Crouch wrote these words, “Jesus is the answer for the world today above Him there is no other Jesus is the way.”  Many do not know this, but love is a communicated attribute of God.

     Love is who God is.  1 John 4:8 says that God is love.  It is His essence, nature, and character.  John 3:16 sums up God’s love.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  Love is not just a bunch of chemicals rattling around in our brain as science has tried to define it.  It is a gift from God.  He gave it so we can have a friendship with Him and others. 

     Did you know that love is a commitment?  Feelings fade or change but love is a decision.  You decide that no matter what you face together you stay in relationship with those you have chosen to love.  Family is a good example.  You may disagree or at times dislike each other but because you love each other you forgive and move on. 

     Love has been expressed and abused by people throughout the ages.  It has been written about.  Love has been discussed and explained a thousand ways and often wrongly.  The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, gives us the best picture or snapshot of love and it goes as follows.  “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8 Love never fails.  In the last verse of this chapter Paul states that these three remain, faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love. 

     William Shakespeare said that love is not a fancy or feast.  Love is deeper than emotions.  It is more than just a connection between two people.  It has its heart and essence in God.  So, as you approach this Valentine season.  As you think of that special one.  Remember the love you have for them is a gift of God.  It is not to be exploited or manipulated.  It has value and is precious.  If God has placed someone in your life value them and express more often in a tangible way you love them.  I guarantee it will return to you.

TRUE MEANING OF EASTER

 

Robert Dean Steel

Pastor of Cornerstone Community Church

 

     We just celebrated Easter.  To me this is the most wonderful time of the year, and this article is designed to help you understand why.  I grew up in a small town in Alberta.  I went to church until I was thirteen.  My Mom gave me the choice of whether or not I had to go to church which of course being thirteen I decided not to go.  Now I grew up in the time of hippies and the counter revolution.  Growing in my small town in Southern Alberta you were either a hippy or a cowboy.  I chose to be a hippy.  I had the long hair, granny glasses, hippy ideas, and morality.  I dabbled in socialism, cults, occult, activism, eastern mysticism, politics, martial arts and a number of other things.  You do this when you do not have a moral compass.  I wanted to change the world because I didn’t know how to change myself.  That is what people do when they don’t know how or want to change themselves.  They focus on some large issue such as climate change, righting the wrongs of the past, trying to rewrite history, dabble in political correctness, become social re-constructionists, and various other large issues.  I know because I been there, done that and got the t shirt.   

     When I was seventeen two young friends of mine invited me to a young people’s convention in Montana telling me that I was going to meet girls.  Being seventeen and running on hormones I went fully expecting to meet Miss Right.  It was Thanksgiving weekend and on the Friday night I went to a service was nothing like what I grew up in.  My church was a liturgical church.  It featured scripted prayers and an outline which was the same every week.  To an active child it was boring and confusing.  Just before I stopped going to the church my mom convinced our priest to employ me as an altar boy which ended abruptly when I hit my priest in the back of the head.  By the way I heard words coming out his mouth that should have never been said or heard in church. 

     The young people in that service were Jesus people and they really knew how to worship God and experience their faith.  Later that night I asked a young person I was staying with what the service was all about and he said he didn’t know because he was forced to go by his parents The following morning I went to the morning rally in the park of that community and the speaker had long hair and beard so we already had a connection because he looked like me.  It was like he was reading my mail.  He talked about how many of us had tried so many different things to fill our life which I had done.  Then he said, “Why don’t you try Jesus?  It made sense and then he instructed to find a place of prayer and ask Jesus into our heart.  By a tree in the center of that park not knowing how to pray I simply said, “Jesus if you are real would you come into my heart, and He did.”

     When the first Easter came around after my conversion. I fully understood that Easter was about Jesus allowing His body to be broken and His blood to be shed so I could be healed and forgiven.  He died on the cross on Good Friday and rose again on Easter Sunday so all mankind had a way back to God.

I Googled what Easter means and this is what they said.  “Easter is the Christian festival that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his promise of eternal life. Christians celebrate Easter to remember the great sacrifice that Jesus made.”  I like that.  Easter is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  I love Easter and the impact it has on me.  It is a time to refocus, reset and be renewed.  It is a time to be thankful and grateful that God loved us to much to l eave us the way we are.  Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection gives us eternal and abundant life and the beautiful thing it is offered any time and place.  My prayer is that you will be wise like I was on that Thanksgiving morning and accept the offer. 

TRUE PEACE

 

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

 

1.      In Vs 14, For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.  Paul in this portion is revealing one main theme and that is Jesus Himself is our peace.  Jesus gives peace that the world cannot give or take away.  Peace is the absence of personal conflict, war or strife in the heart.  In the Bible it is taking action to restore a broken situation, a state of wholeness or completeness and it is fruit of the Spirit. 

 

a.      Paul reveals there were two groups in the world.  There were the Jews and the Gentiles.  The covenant people and the people who were not.  The saved and the unsaved.  There was a barrier, wall, impasse between both groups.  The dividing wall between the two groups created hostility, prejudice and warfare.  That still happens today.  If the Bible was bedtime stories, a myth or legend why it is banned in 52 countries.  There are 50 countries where Christians are actively persecuted. 

b.      Jesus Christ is the bridge over troubled waters.  The gate to eternal life.  He is the peacemaker between two opposing camps.  Jesus became the bridge between ourselves and God.  His death, burial and resurrection made this happened.  His broken body and shed blood accomplished this.  In Paul’s days the Jews were the chosen people.  They were the carriers of truth.  Jesus had come from them.  To them only through Judaism could people come to God.  Jesus destroyed the wall, partition, fence and barrier.  He was and is the peacemaker.  Jesus restored a broken situation.  He made us complete and whole and He is the fruit of divine intervention.

 

2.       In vs 15, By setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.  Paul states that through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  Jesus created a new humanity.  Through His broken body and shed blood the law with its commands and regulations were done away.  The old covenant ended at the cross.  When Jesus said, “It is finished,’ the old Testament ended.  When He died a new covenant began. 

 

a.      This next statement is so revolutionary.  Jesus created a new humanity in Himself.  The old has passed away all are becoming new.  He made one flesh out of two.  What the law could not do Jesus did.  This statement of course was a complete surprise to the law keepers.  You did not need circumcision, sacrifices, law or priest any longer. 

b.      There was no longer need for hostility.  Jesus made peace.  The two were now one.  They were the chosen generation, holy nation, royal priest hood  and particular people.  Jesus made us unique in the world.  There is no organism like the church.  We have one head but many parts and each part does its function nothing and no one can stop us.  I want you to know that God has a plan for your life today.  You are special.  There is no one like you.  No one can love, heal and touch others for good like you.  Jesus is the complete one who makes us whole and is the giver of the fruit of the Spirit. 

 

3.      In vs 16, Paul says, 16, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.  This is one of the benefits of the cross.  Both groups the Jews and the Gentiles were reconciled to God.  Reconcile means to restore friendly relationships, to cause coexistence and harmony and to create consistency.  This was done on the cross.  Jesus’ broken body brought healing and His blood brought salvation, redemption and forgiveness. 

 

a.      All hostility and war were put to death on the cross.  God is no longer our enemy neither is anyone else.  God’s love accomplished in one act what thousands of years of manmade efforts could not.  God love has healed us  and as we love Him with every fiber of our being and we love others made in the image of God.  We are His channels of love, acceptance and forgiveness.

b.      At the cross Jesus took our place, He took our curse, He clothed us with righteousness and He created a way to the Father, heaven and eternal life.  He gave us eternal and abundant life.  At the cross He gave us light and our burdens rolled away.  He gave us sight, hearing and truth. 

c.      He destroyed every reason, excuse and justification for hostility between God, man and each other.  He created an eternal peace treaty.  One that cannot be broken or rescinded.  A perfect example is Rahab of Jericho fame.  Jewish tradition says that Salmon was one of the two spies Rahab saved.  He was the one who got her at the order of Joshua.  He then married her and she was the mother of Boaz of Ruth fame.  That is why he was not opposed to marry Ruth.

 

4.      In Vs 17, Paul says, He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.  There are many results or benefits of Jesus’ passion.  Paul says that He came to bring peace to those that were far away which is the Gentiles or us.  He took action.  He made us whole and complete.  We are the fruit of His labor.  Jesus also brought peace to those near which were the Jews.  Can you imagine the Jewish believers in the crowd as this letter was being read?  There was a gasp, a what, a wait a minute and what are you talking about Paul moment.   Jesus our peacemaker had accomplished what no other person could.  One of the beatitudes said “Blessed are the peacemaker for they shall be called the sons of God.”  The Son of God blazed the way.  Because of the Son who sets the captive free and brings peace to warring camps we can as well.  That is why Paul says we have been given the ministry of reconciliation.  Jesus came and preached peace and so will we.  The reality is we bring Jesus to our world we give people an opportunity to find the Prince of Peace.

 

5.      In vs 18, Paul says, “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”   We have through Jesus Christ access to the Father.  The writer of Hebrews tells us that this gives us mercy, grace and help in our time of need.  We also have been given the Holy Spirit who is our seal and our guarantee to all the benefits of heaven.  God has made all of us one.  We have been given eternal and abundant life together.   All mankind has access to God through Jesus Christ.  The gospel is universal in its scope and application.  People from every race, creed, color, tribe, nation, region and language can come to Christ.  All walls of prejudice, bias, hostility and shame have been broken down.  You just have to believe in your heart and confess with your mouth.  The Holy Spirit draws, convinces, regenerates and transforms us.  He then fills us with gifts, anointing, power, authority and fruit.  All because of the Prince of Peace.  He is the one who took action, made us whole and complete and through the indwelling Holy Spirit gives us the fruit of peace based on the foundation of God’s love.  What a wonderful Savior, Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lord.  He gives us peace and today let us be like Paul when he said in 1 Cor 11:23, “That which I have I give unto you.”  Close with man who was filled with demons who came to worship Jesus and after Jesus healed Him He was clothed and in His right mind.

QUOTES FOR APRIL 15, 2026