Dear Friend,

I’ve been going through the scriptures that speak about love recently, and “love” is mentioned 468 times in the Bible—there must be something to it (I’m smiling). In my life, I get to choose what influence I want to be under, and I’m choosing Jesus, amen.

John 15 speaks a lot about love, and in verse 5, Jesus states: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. It is important that we pattern ourselves after Jesus. He only did what the Father told him, and we are to do what Jesus tells us, especially if we want the fruit of answered prayer in our life. Just listen to the promise we are given in the seventh verse: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

In verse 9, Jesus goes on to say: As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. You know the devil is going to fight this love with everything he can. He does not want us to walk in the fullness of the love God has for us. In fact, Satan will work overtime to try to keep us in strife and unforgiveness, and if we don’t keep our minds renewed to God’s Word and His love, the enemy’s plans will succeed every time.

Now, there are certain things that are going to make you angry in life, such as hearing about cases of child abuse, murder, and poverty, but these things should anger you in the way that causes you to pray for change. The devil gets so ticked when someone is healed, delivered, and set free, hallelujah!

I believe we can get into such a place of peace knowing God’s love is always there for us. Jesus even said we are His friends if we keep His commandments:

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. . . .

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

John 15:10-12,14,15

It seems to me that Jesus was pretty set on how important love is. To walk in God’s love is my heart’s desire, and to be called Jesus’ friend is the greatest honor. I want to be under Jesus’ influence.

Satan feeds on a carnal mind, so let’s starve him to death! Romans 8:6 says it best: For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Glory to God. It really is our choice to whom we’re going to serve. Let’s choose to serve Jesus and walk in His love all the days of our life.

In His love,

Donner Roberson