I am grateful for the learning opportunities given during the 2026 annual convention of the Iowa Honey Producers Association.
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”
Luke 14:26
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
Me: Good morning, Father!
Abba: Good morning, Jon!
Me: Did Jesus’ hearers understand His statement about whom one must “hate” to be His disciple?
Abba: If they wanted to understand they would have realized He was making an emphatic statement that one’s relationship with Me must come first. You know that truly loving others requires My love operating through you.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5
Do you see that the fruit of the Spirit is essential to good relationships? Love is the first thing in the list. There were some who did not understand what Jesus was saying in the day He said it. But today, the Spirit does guide into all the truth (John 16:13). Following Me does not lessen love for others. Following Me makes it possible.
Me: Thank You, Father! I love You!
Abba: You are welcome! I love you!
