Everyone makes mistakes. Yet, when Christians fall the world is quick to judge and gloat. The world uses us as examples that God does not exist; the claims of Christianity to be false.

The failures of Christians do reflect poorly on Christ and his church. Yet, they in no way prove the grave of Jesus to be empty. They do not mean God’s character is no longer intact. They do not cause morality and truth to become indefinable.

Regardless how Christians behave, Christ is risen! Whether anyone believes or not, God is alive. The Holy Spirit is available despite whether any Christian chooses to utilize or access his power.

We all fall short of God’s glory. Our failures merely prove how much we stand in constant need of love and forgiveness. It only proves how much we all need Christ’s atoning sacrifice and cleansing blood to make us whole once again.

At least when Christians fall, we know the way back home!

One of the most loving of relationships is our relationship with God. If we truly know God, then we experience love in a personal way. Without God, one cannot love like God. Without God, one cannot properly experience and recognize the importance of love.

If one has experienced love, one has experienced God.

Many things are practiced in the name Jesus and Christianity that have nothing to do with Jesus. Many things are practiced in Christian churches that have nothing to do with original and true Christianity.

Christians are known best by their love.

Accept no religion that does not properly emphasize and practice love.

God loves me, unconditionally. Of this, I am certain. But, his unconditional love does not tolerate my unfaithfulness forever. His covenant relationship is like a marriage.

Can I live unfaithful to my spouse and expect my marriage to last? Likewise, can I live apart from God and expect him to live with me in eternity?

A loving parent disciplines his children. God will do no less. For God loves no less. God loves even more.

God will punish sin. Love demands it. Unconditional love demands it even more.

Dad had 11 siblings. My grandfather and grandmother had a lot of experience in raising children. Some thought them harsh. As I approached adulthood, I sought their advice. My grandfather wisely spoke when he said,

"Never discipline your children for being children. Discipline your children for disobedience."

As parents, we get frustrated with our children simply for being children. Why do we expect them to behave as adults? Why does it surprise us when they act like children or make really stupid decisions? We shouldn't be surprised. Nor should we be unprepared.

We must offer consistent and appropriate rules, boundaries, and limitations. We should be prepared to offer appropriate discipline. We should always make the punishment fit the crime with respect to the age of the child. We should always discipline disobedience.

Children need to hit the same wall each time they wander off the reservation. They need to know we care. Appropriate and consistent discipline is one of the greatest expressions of love.

Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered.

God disciplines those whom he loves.

I firmly believe one cannot form a healthy relationship with another human being until one first forms a healthy relationship with God. There are many things God provides that a person can NEVER provide. He fills us in ways no human can. He fill us to depths that are not humanly possible.

We give to others out of the abundance and overflow we receive from God, spiritually and emotionally. If we do not know God, we have little to give away. We cannot provide to others what they desperately need. We especially cannot provide it at levels they need if that other person is particularly needy! Regardless how much we are capable of giving, it is always insufficient to overfill. God alone fills another to overflowing.

It's a lot like eating. Once we eat and are full we aren't completely satisfied. Soon we hunger again. God alone fills and satisfies for weeks, at the deepest levels. There are times we are so full of God (and satisfied) that we absolutely have no need either for the company of others or for food!

Maybe this is what Jesus means when, in John 4, he tells his closest disciples, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." Now, that's kool!

Fill me to overflowing, Lord, so that I might overflow to others! And, also so I can drop a few pounds!