Psalm 103 is a reminder to "Bless the Lord" or praise the Lord!

We learn from this Psalm: 

How to Praise God.

Why we should praise God.

Who should praise God.

This is not a message we want to hear but one we need to hear.  And it is a call to prepare.

Friends of Jesus:

Love One Another

Obey Him

Know Divine Truth

Are Chosen by Jesus

Jesus said abide in me.

He is inviting us to more than connection or even relationship; he is inviting us to union.

The message includes practices that can draw us into a deeper union with Christ.

Jesus asked the Father to send another helper, the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is "another" like Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is a person; the Holy Spirit is deity.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth.  The Holy Spirit teaches us.  The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and draws us to Jesus so that we might be born again.

The Holy Spirit also sanctifies believers, convicting us of sin so that we might become more Christ-like.

The call to discipleship is a call to obedient love and loving obedience.

If we say, we love Jesus then we must be obedient to his commandments.

But keeping the commandments is first and foremost about loving God and loving others.

Love and Obedience should be held in balance.

The Gospel is exclusive in that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

But it need not be offensive for Jesus has lovingly provided the solution to our dilemma.   

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us.

We must not lose sight of eternity or we will:

Expect too much of this life and people.

Be too self-focused.

Lack Hope

The new Commandment to love has:

1. A New Object - It includes everyone.

2. A New Measurement - the standard is the love of Jesus.

3. A New Power - the Holy Spirit