By Way of Reminder

“Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.” (2 Peter 1:12-15 NASB1995)

Have you ever noticed how much the Scriptures repeat the same messages over and over again? And do you ever have the tendency to skip over those repetitive messages, thinking, “I already know that”? But did you know, too, that as human beings, we can easily be distracted, and we can easily get off course if we do not have those regular reminders? And we can begin to take in other messages, and then find ourselves not where we ought to be?

So, what specific things was Peter reminding the people of? He was speaking of a faith in Jesus Christ that was equal to the faith of the apostles. And this faith was to result in the believers in Christ partaking of the divine nature of our Lord Jesus, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. So this is a faith resulting in us being crucified with Christ in death to sin, and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin but as servants of God and of his righteousness, in his power.

And this faith is to be producing in us such things as self-control, godliness, perseverance, brotherly kindness, and love. And love prefers what God prefers, which is all that is holy, upright, morally pure, honest, faithful, and obedient to our Lord and to his commands. And if we have these qualities, in practice, in our lives, they render us neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

So, we need these reminders to keep us on course, especially in today’s world where we are getting so many messages fed to us daily from so many different sources, many of which are contradicting the Scriptures. We need to be reminded that faith in Jesus Christ must result in us denying self, dying to sin daily (in practice), and us following our Lord in walks of obedience to his commands (in practice) – all in the power of God and not in our own flesh, and all to the glory of God, and not to our own glory and praise. 

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Acts 26:18] 

Myopic  

Based off 2 Peter 1:3-11

An Original Work / August 19, 2013

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Jesus has given ev’rything

Needed for life and godliness.

His great and precious promises

Free us from our sin and distress.

Add to your faith His goodness;

Knowledge; patience; godliness;

Brotherly love and mutual affection;

Kindness and unselfishness.

If you possess these qualities,

Growing in your maturity,

They will keep you from vanity.

You will bear fruit effectually. 

Nonetheless, if you lack them;

Forget you’ve been cleansed from sin,

Nearsighted are you; you can’t see Jesus.

You have closed your heart to Him.

Therefore, beloved, confirm, then,

Your calling and your election.

Do this by showing diligence:

Obey your Lord; be repentant.

Practice all these qualities

God provided on a tree.

He died for our sins so we’d be given

Life with Him eternally. 

https://vimeo.com/115839336

By Way of Reminder

An Original Work / March 12, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Godliness and Self-Control

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” (2 Peter 1:5-11 NASB1995)

The whole purpose of the word “salvation” has to do with being rescued, with being delivered, with being brought out of the place where we once were to a new place, not like the old place. Like if someone rescued you from the mouth of a lion and brought you to a place of safety where the lion can no longer reach you. You aren’t still hanging out with the lion (sin) hoping to not get bit or devoured, but you are now in a place of safety.

But so many people today are not teaching salvation like that. They are teaching that a mere profession of faith in Jesus Christ saves them from the penalty of sin so that they can go to heaven when they die, but while they are still hanging out with the lion (sin), hoping to not get devoured. But you can’t be two places at once. You can’t still be hanging out with sin and expect that God is going to rescue you from hell, just because you said so.

For the purpose of our salvation is that we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. So we are to put off such things as “immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB1995)

And we are to put on the qualities mentioned in these verses from 2 Peter 1, and others. For God’s grace, which is bringing us salvation, is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for our Lord’s return (Titus 2:11-14). All throughout the Scriptures we are given lists of things which must be put out of our lives, and of the things which should now be put on in our lives.

And all throughout the New Testament Scriptures we are taught that if sin is what we practice, and not obedience to our Lord, that we will not inherit eternal life with God, regardless of what our lips profess. And that is what it is teaching us here in 2 Peter 1, as well. For our salvation and God’s grace are not freedom to keep on in deliberate and habitual sin, but they are there to rescue us out of our slavery (addiction) to sin so we will now serve God with our lives in walks of surrender to him in obedience to his commands.

Put Offs and Put Ons: [Matt 5:27-30; Matt 7:21-23; Rom 1:18-32; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; 1 Co 6:9-10; Gal 5:16-24; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 3:5-11; 1 Thes 4:1-8; 1 Tim 4:7; Titus 2:11-14; Heb 12:1-17; 1 Pet 1:14; 1 Pet 2:24; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4-10]  

Near the Cross  

Hymn lyrics by Fanny J. Crosby, 1869

Music by William H. Doane, 1869 

Jesus, keep me near the cross; 

There a precious fountain, 

Free to all, a healing stream, 

Flows from Calvary's mountain. 

Near the cross, a trembling soul, 

Love and mercy found me; 

There the bright and morning star 

Sheds its beams around me. 

 

Near the cross! O Lamb of God, 

Bring its scenes before me; 

Help me walk from day to day 

With its shadow o'er me. 

Near the cross I'll watch and wait, 

Hoping, trusting ever, 

Till I reach the golden strand 

Just beyond the river. 

In the cross, in the cross, 

Be my glory ever, 

Till my raptured soul shall find 

Rest beyond the river.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5gong-PNmY

Caution: This link may contain ads

Godliness and Self-Control

An Original Work / March 12, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Partakers of The Divine Nature

“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB1995)

We live in a present age, at least here in the USA, we do, when so much of what is called “the church” is disregarding the teachings of Jesus Christ and of his New Testament apostles, and they are teaching an altered “gospel” designed to appease and to appeal to the lusts of the flesh. They are not teaching the critical nature of dying to sin and walking in obedience to our Lord’s commands, but they are teaching a “cheap grace gospel” which caters to the flesh, and which permits the sinners to keep on in their habitual sin.

And they call that “God’s grace.” But God’s grace, which is bringing us salvation, is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for our Lord’s return. But is God’s grace forgiveness of sins? Yes! But provided that the sinners have renounced their lives of living in sin to now walk with God in obedience to his commands. And this doesn’t mean we will be perfect (1 John 2:1-2) but that sin must no longer be our practice, but obedience.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Acts 26:18] 

Near the Cross  

Hymn lyrics by Fanny J. Crosby, 1869

Music by William H. Doane, 1869 

Jesus, keep me near the cross; 

There a precious fountain, 

Free to all, a healing stream, 

Flows from Calvary's mountain. 

Near the cross, a trembling soul, 

Love and mercy found me; 

There the bright and morning star 

Sheds its beams around me. 

 

Near the cross! O Lamb of God, 

Bring its scenes before me; 

Help me walk from day to day 

With its shadow o'er me. 

Near the cross I'll watch and wait, 

Hoping, trusting ever, 

Till I reach the golden strand 

Just beyond the river. 

In the cross, in the cross, 

Be my glory ever, 

Till my raptured soul shall find 

Rest beyond the river.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5gong-PNmY

Caution: This link may contain ads

Partakers of The Divine Nature

An Original Work / March 12, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

The Faithful God

“Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9 NASB1995)

This was taught to God’s people (Jews only) under the Old Covenant, but this was also taught to God’s people (Jew and Gentile, by faith in Jesus Christ) under the New Covenant. Yes, as believers in Christ we are not under the Old Covenant liturgical, ceremonial, sacrificial, purification, circumcision, dietary and Sabbath laws. But we are not lawless, as God’s people. We still have to, by faith in Jesus, deny self, die to sin daily, by the Spirit, and walk (in conduct) in obedience to our Lord’s commands, as a matter of practice.

For Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity. But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew 7:21-23).

For by God-gifted faith in Jesus Christ, which is not of our own doing, we are crucified with Christ in death to sin and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in him, no longer to live as slaves to sin but as slaves to righteousness in walks of obedience to God’s commands. We are no longer to permit sin to reign in our mortal bodies to make us obey its desires. For if sin is what we obey, it results in death. But if obedience to God is what we obey, it results in sanctification, and its end is eternal life with God (see Romans 6:1-23).

For God’s grace, which is bringing us salvation, is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for Jesus’ return. For Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (See Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 2:8-10) 

And we learn in 1 John 1-3 that if we claim that we have fellowship with God, but yet we walk in darkness (sin), we are liars. If we claim that we know God, but we do not obey his commandments, in practice, we are liars. For it is not the one who claims he is “in Christ” who is “in Christ,” but it is the one who has denied self, died with Christ to sin, and who is now walking in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in practice, and no longer in sin. We have the hope and the promise of eternal life with God in heaven.

Additional Scriptures

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22] 

The Faithful God

An Original Work / March 11, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Not Well

Starting late last night I began to not feel well. Around midnight I began to vomit and to have Diarrhea simultaneously, and this continued all throughout the night, probably as many as 9 times. And after about 12 hours of this it stopped, but I feel very weak and I am sleeping a lot. My husband started to be sick 2 days before me so I think I probably got this from him. And I am still vomiting. So that is why I didn't post anything on here today until now.

Do Not Fear Intimidation

“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” (1 Peter 3:13-17 NASB1995)

If we are living righteously, in obedience to our Lord and to his commands, in the power of God, not of our flesh, and if sin is no longer what we practice, for we are now living holy lives, pleasing to God, by the grace of God, in an era and culture which is so worldly, and so ridden with sinful rebellion, we are not going to be voted “most popular.” We are not going to have huge followings. And we are not going to be well liked and appreciated. We may have some supporters, but we are going to be opposed, too.

But we who are following Jesus Christ with our lives, in being and in doing what he has called us to be and to do (not in claiming absolute perfection), we are not to fear the intimidations of those who would mock us or rebuke us or call us crazy or accuse us falsely of teaching lies. And we are not to fear how others might view us or might treat us or speak to us as a result of what others are saying about us. For we may get accused falsely of being legalistic or self-righteous, but we must hold to the truth of God’s Word.

For lies and liars abound every where you look these days. Fakery and deception is all over the place. Pastors and preachers lie. Politicians lie. The news media lies. Even the alternative media tells lies. Famous and powerful people speak lies. Evangelists speak lies. Now not everyone speaks lies, but it appears that the majority of people, even the majority of those professing faith in Jesus Christ, make a habit of telling lies, and sometimes they lie in order to coverup their habitual sins which they commit in secret in the dark.

In all of this upheaval and fakery and deception and betrayal at the hands of those who profess all goodness, but who are not what they profess, we are not to fear any repercussions for speaking the truth. In an era where so many have now altered the gospel of Christ to pacify human flesh, and have reprogrammed what is being called “the church,” to make it more attractive and inviting to the people of the world, we must stand strong on the truth of God’s Word and not make compromises just so we will not face persecution.

But we must keep speaking the truth of God’s word, and we must keep refuting the lies of the enemy of our souls, no matter how hard it gets, and no matter how much flack we may get from it. But we must speak the truth in love, not with hate, and not harshly. But speaking the truth not harshly but kindly and in love does not mean backing down from the truth or diluting the truth to make it less offensive. For if sin is what we practice, and not obedience to God, we will not inherit eternal life with God. It’s the truth!

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

As the Deer 

By Martin J. Nystrom

Based off Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth for the water

So my soul longeth after You

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield

To You alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship You

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZv3jzOTE70

Caution: This link may contain ads

Do Not Fear Intimidation

An Original Work / March 10, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Turn From Evil and Do Good

“The one who desires life, to love and see good days,

Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

He must turn away from evil and do good;

He must seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,

And His ears attend to their prayer,

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

(1 Peter 3:10-12 NASB1995)

You can’t fake it! Either it is real, or it isn’t. Love for God or love for spouse or love for others is not in words only. Saying, “I love you,” is not love if it is not followed up with action which demonstrates what love truly is. And it is not love if it is accompanied by deception, manipulation, conniving, and trickery to try to get other people to do what you want them to do to gratify the sinful cravings of your own flesh. So don’t say it if you don’t mean it. And don’t say it if you are faking it and you are not really living it, in truth.

The love that God desires is shown through our actions, not in words only. For to love God is to obey him and his commandments (New Covenant). And to love God and other humans must be based in what is morally pure, godly, upright, honest, and faithful to God and to spouse and to words spoken. For if lying, cheating, stealing, and/or committing adultery, etc., is what you do, in practice, don’t call it love. And don’t try to fake it. God knows, and your spouse may know, too, when you are faking it to cover for your evil deeds.

Don’t act like you love God if how you live and what you practice speaks the opposite of love. Don’t try to put on a performance to make others think you are godly and a genuine follower of Christ if you know that you are living in deliberate and habitual sin against God and/or against your spouse (if you are married) and that you are lying about it to cover up the truth. And don’t act like habitual and deliberate sin against God is the norm for everyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ, as though God just overlooks habitual sin.

For God’s grace, which is bringing us salvation, is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. So we are no longer to permit sin to reign in our mortal bodies to make us obey its desires. For if sin is what we obey, it results in death. But if obedience to God is what we obey, it results in sanctification, and its end is eternal life with God. For not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one doing the will of God in heaven.

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Acts 26:18] 

The Battle for Truth

Based off Malachi 1-4

An Original Work / May 18, 2013 

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Truth is marching, truth is marching.

I love you. Honor me.

Tell the truth. You’ll be free.

Sing My praise all your days.

I will give all you need.

Truth is marching, truth is marching.

Turn from sin; cleansed within.

Stand in awe of My Name.

Teach what’s true. Walk in peace.

Follow Christ, in His ways.

Truth is marching, truth is marching.

Show to God faithfulness.

Do not be adult’rous. 

Do not shed shallow tears.

Do not be insincere. 

Truth is marching, truth is marching.

I have sent messengers,

Who have giv’n my address.

They call for repentance,

And they warn of judgment.

Truth is marching, truth is marching.

I, the Lord, do not change,

So return – blessings gain:

Healing comes; joyfulness;

Freedom from your distress.

https://vimeo.com/117023801

Turn From Evil and Do Good

An Original Work / March 10, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love