THE AMAZING RESULTS OF AGREEMENT

Amos 3:3

Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?

An contractual agreement binds two parties together, setting each party's accountability to each other to help all that are involved complete the purpose of the contractual relationship. The Bible teaches us about two men who walked in agreement with God: Enoch and Noah. Enoch never experienced death and was even brought up to heaven by God in Genesis 5:24 as a result of his pleasing walk with Him. Noah became the root of all generations after the Lord sent the great flood that doomed all people for not repenting from their sins. Enoch and Noah are proof that being in agreement with God can provide amazing results. Find out and carry through on what His will is for your life and you’ll find yourself in agreement with God, the results of which will likely be amazing.

POWERFUL, WILLING AND COMMITTED

2 Corinthians 11:23

They say they serve Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.

While on your Christian walk, when you look back to the time before you knew Christ personally, you'll likely find that you were quite bold when it came to doing things that you now realize are unpleasing to God. It probably began with being disobedient to your parents many times over. You might have even tried vices that you knew were bad for you like alcohol, smoking, drugs or countless others. You were likely taught to tell the truth, but you learned and chose to lie anyway. However, once Christ came into your life you probably began to make changes in your decision making. You hopefully began to make good decisions instead of poor decisions. Making the right choices, however, doesn't mean that you lose the fervent spirit of your individual self. In fact, you can still use that spirited side of your personality, but you should use it for Christ and His Kingdom. Use your spirited personality to serve with a powerful, willing and committed energy.

PURSUING HAPPINESS

1 Peter 3:18

Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

That which is missing from man’s existence isn’t money, health or any worldly items that can be pursued with any level of effort. Even if you were able to achieve or amass all the things you desire, you’d still find yourself personally lacking and you would still crave for more. There's always going to be that feeling of being incomplete. That feeling of having something missing from your life. The thing that's missing is the personal cleansing from sin and the presence of God in your life to feel that cleanliness. Until you are cleansed from sin, there’ll be no satisfaction with your pursuits. The death of Jesus gives you the cleansing that you desire deep in your soul – the desire to travel safely home to God.

PURIFY MY HEART

1 Peter 1:7

These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Trials will test, strengthen and purify your faith. We learn about how God views our faith with importance when Hebrews 11:6 teaches us, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Romans 14:23 says, “And everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Don’t let any trials or challenges leave you feeling defeated. Always remember that the trials are a test to make your faith stronger and they are not intended to crush you. Your faith is so precious to God and He just want to build upon it. How strong is your faith today?

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

1 Thessalonians 4:11

This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before.

The church at Thessalonica was a loving and ideal church. However, there were some who were idle gossipers that disturbed others with their uncontrolled tongues. These people, instead of working, would go from house to house, gossiping and becoming a burden to others. They would continually meddle in people’s lives under the guise of religion. James 3:8-9 says, “But no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God.” Be ambitious and make every effort to tame your tongue. Mind your own business and you’ll find yourself living a quiet life. So, how tamed is your tongue?

FIND INTEGRITY AND REJOICE

1 Chronicles 29:17

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.

Integrity is all about truthfulness, and the best way for us have integrity is by integrating Jesus into our lives and letting Him into our hearts. I remember a quote that read, "when sin is inside, it’s because the Son is on the outside." Jesus is God the Son. He is the Truth as we learn from John 14:6. When He's actively alive in our lives we are capable of doing all the right things with all the right motives. Without the Son on the inside of our lives, Isaiah 64:6 tells us that, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away.” Get the Son on the inside and your life will be filled with truth and integrity.

BORN WITH AN EVIL NATURE

Ephesians 2:3

All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else.

Ephesians 2:3 speaks about our actual human nature before God gave us a new life in Christ. Anybody who gives their life to Jesus, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” The choice, however, to become this new creation or to remain the old creature is ours to make. The only way to escape from the lustful desires of our old evil nature is to choose the new nature offered to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. What kind life are you leading right now? Are you succumbing to your old self and your old lustful desires or have you chosen to become a new creature? You won't have to look far to find what will likely be some obvious evidence.

SOMEONE HAD TO PAY

2 Peter 2:4

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment.

The Word of God explains all about the punishment in store for us because of our disobedience. This isn’t something that the Lord likes doing, but His justice demands that a penalty be paid. In stark contrast, His love implores us to be forgiving. This dichotomy helps us to understand the lesson of Romans 2:4, “Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?” Jesus teaches us in Luke 5:32 that, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Ask for God’s forgiveness and let Him rule your life – before it’s too late. The punishment for never repenting is a gloomy eternity in hell.

OUTSIDE OF CHRIST

1 John 5:19

We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the power and control of the evil one.

While this verse unveils a tough reality, it still speaks the truth. It very simply explains why people sometimes behave the way they do since we're are either under God’s power or the evil one’s power. The way for us to be under God's power is to be reconciled to Him through our Lord Jesus Christ. Outside of Jesus, you will certainly fall under the power of the evil one. Romans 5:10 teaches us that, “For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” If you’re seeking victory, peace and eternity in heaven, make no mistakes about placing yourself under the power and control of God.

OBEDIENCE KEEPS YOU THERE

John 15:10

When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.

John 15:10 is crystal clear about the fact that obedience is what keeps us in God’s love. It doesn't mean that when we're disobedient that the Lord doesn't love us, but rather it means that you're actively shutting His love out of your own life. For example, I'll always love my kids, but when they disobey me it simply means they’re not doing what I've asked them to do. Whatever plans I’ve made for them, however good they may be, are not going to happen because of their disobedience. Our God is an all-knowing God and He knows what's best and perfect for each of us. He wants us to experience His plan because He loves us. Obey the Lord and remain in God’s love. You’ll be happy that you did.

FORGIVE US OUR SINS

Luke 11:4

And forgive us our sins — just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And don't let us yield to temptation.

Christians ought to remember that life's journey takes us toward the success that God has designed for us. When our walk is straight and obedient, we successfully reach the goals at the exact times that God designed. However, two things that could delay or hinder the journey are temptation and an unforgiving spirit. When we fall into temptation, blessings are slow to come and we find ourselves in need of God’s forgiveness. A forgiving spirit requires you to follow God’s command to forgive those who have sinned against you. Sometimes it can be as simple as telling a person that wronged you, “You’re forgiven,” and then never speaking of that trial again. Do you find yourself ever harboring any unforgiving feelings? Don't be tempted into a mindset of "getting even." What is your obstacle hindering you from having a forgiving spirit?

NEVER FIND YOURSELF LACKING

Psalm 34:10

Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.

Lions have long been considered the “King of the Jungle” because they live at the top of the food chain. Few animals dare to challenge a lion, even during periods of extreme hunger. The Bible, however, says sometimes lions “go hungry but those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.” This has been God’s design from the beginning. Genesis 2:16 says, “And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden.’” If you’re lacking in any area of your life, then you’re lacking trust in Him. What does that mean? It means you’ve not given your entire life over to God to manage so that he can provide all your needs. Trust Him and you’ll never find yourself lacking.

CAN WEALTH BRING TRUE HAPPINESS?

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness!

The phrase, “Counting your chickens before they’re hatched,” comes from the story of Alnaschar, a character from the classic The Arabian Nights. Alnaschar dreamed of investing all of his money in a basket of glassware and he planned on using his sales profits to make even more money until he'd become wealthy enough to marry a high ranking official’s daughter. In his dream, however, he became angry and accidentally kicked his imaginary future wife causing his basket of glassware to fall, breaking all of his wares. The hard lesson for people is that money will never be enough to realize your dreams. If you pursue money in this way, you will just become a slave to the pursuit. Instead, love the Lord your God and use your money as your servant.

BLESSED WITH PROSPERITY

Job 36:11

If they listen and obey God, then they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.

Andrew Carnegie once said, “Millionaires who laugh are rare. My experience is that wealth is apt to take the smiles away.” Diametrically, the Word of God teaches us in Ecclesiastes 5:19 that, “It is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – that is indeed a gift from God.” Knowing and enjoying one's place in the world is such a rarity for modern folks. Be sure to listen for and to obey God’s instruction because if you're sincerely content with where you are, He will bless your pursuits with the desires of your heart. If you really consider everything, it doesn't seem so appealing to be a person that pursued their own wealth only to live a life without joy and laughter. It'd be better to have all your years be pleasant and prosperous in the obedience of the Lord. Which path do you find yourself pursuing today - yours or God's?

EXECUTE THE PLAN

James 1:11

The hot sun rises and dries up the grass; the flower withers, and its beauty fades away. So also, wealthy people will fade away with all of their achievements.

Before you pray to become rich, or startup a new tech company to make your first million bucks, or purchase that elusive multi-family investment property, understand that when you pursue worldly riches you move closer to dying. Hopefully, the money you accumulate might be left behind to people that you actually love and care about. Otherwise, your efforts will have been an exercise in complete futility. Do yourself a big favor and be sure to seek God’s plan for your life and then move to execute His plan for you. Just imagine what it would be like if the Lord God Himself would be your capital or operating partner. It would give the term "guaranteed returns" a whole new meaning. Have you taken the time to find and then execute God's plan for your life? If not, why not?

SAFETY IN NUMBERS

Proverbs 11:14

Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety.

When Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt, problems were as numerous as the number of people being led. Moses, however, tried to solve all of the problems alone without help. His father-in-law recognized this approach in Exodus 18:13-14 where we learn, "The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people's complaints against each other. They were lined up in front of him from morning till evening. When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, 'Why are you trying to do all this alone? The people have been standing here all day to get your help.’ And his father-in-law said 'find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.'" Choose capable, honest and Godly people to help you reach success. Without wise counsel, success can’t be guaranteed ever.

DON'T FOOL YOURSELF

Galatians 6:3

If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.

Galatians 6:3 addresses something that people seem to forget during the good times: do not brag about anything or convince yourselves into thinking you're important. Paul teaches us that we should not be self-absorbed when helping others, but rather that we should boast in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:31 tells us that, “The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.” Our ability to help others is a God-given privilege. Don’t go fooling yourself into thinking that you can take credit for things that are God's doing. In the grand scope of all things, when you really stop and thing about it, you're almost nothing.

HERE WE GOOOO!

Psalm 66:1

Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!

I read a story about a little girl who had been attending her church's kindergarten class. Every day before the children were dismissed, they would sing The Doxology. The famed hymn reads:

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

This particular little girl, however, loved to sing her own shortened version which went like this:

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures, HERE WE GOOOO!

As we all go about our daily lives doing whatever it is that we do, we should shout for joy and sing His praises. When was the last time you let out a shout for joy or sang His praises at the top of your lungs? If you don't know, you're missing a major piece of the puzzle to a happier and better life.

YOUR UNBELIEVING NEIGHBORS

1 Peter 2:12

Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world.

If Christians chose to live honorably, it's highly likely that more people would come to believe the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ. Patrick Morley wrote that the church's problem with integrity is in the misconception "that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior." People must see the good behavioral change in our lives because our walk is greater than our talk. After all, people will believe what they see. Ask yourself this question: would people know that I was a Christian by the way I live my life? The answer to that question is going to unveil a lot about your integrity.

BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS DONE

2 Corinthians 4:5

We don't go around preaching about ourselves; we preach Christ Jesus, the Lord. All we say about ourselves is that we are your servants because of what Jesus has done for us.

Being a servant of Jesus Christ is a great privilege. I remember previously serving as a personal driver and bodyguard to my mentor during times of threatening violence. At the time, clergymen were being targeted for murder and some were even beheaded. Ironically, during those dangerous times, I never considered my own personal safety because I was overjoyed just to be able to serve in some way. If that feeling of joy can be experienced in serving a mentor, what kind of joy do you think you'll experience serving the Lamb of God? In the meantime, joyfully serve alongside the people preaching the Good News of Jesus’ salvation. You'll likely find that even the most challenging days are the most fruitful you'll ever have.

DEVELOP ENDURANCE AND WISDOM

Romans 5:3

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to endure.

The Apostle Paul knew what he was talking about when it came to the problems and trials of life because he had personally experienced suffering many times over. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:23, “I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in jail more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.” With all these trials, Paul still wrote that problems are good because helps us develop endurance and wisdom. With the right attitude and a humble spirit, you’ll find that even while enduring your most difficult problems there's always something to rejoice over. Is your attitude right? Is your spirit humble?

IT'S NO ACCIDENT

Romans 1:19-20

For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.

When a person says, "There is no God," it’s fair to assume that the person speaking is making some form of an excuse or that the person speaking is simply an utter fool. Psalm 14:1 tells us, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” The grandeur of the world could only have been created by a wise and all powerful one. The universe is too beautiful to have been produced by an accident or by some random big bang. Look deep inside yourself and your instincts alone will tell you that your body alone is too systematically perfect to have not been planned out thoroughly with great care. Face it, the human body alone has been made too fearfully and wonderfully for it to have not been made by our mighty God.

LIVING BY EXAMPLE

1 Timothy 5:8

But those who won't care for their own relatives, especially those living in the same household, have denied what we believe. Such people are worse than unbelievers.

As Christians, the first thing that we should care about is our family and the salvation of our family members. The Bible says in James 4:14, “How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog – it's here a little while, then it's gone.” Make sure of whether or not your family knows if they are going to Heaven or to hell. Share the good news of Jesus with your loved ones not just with your words, but also through the way you live. Hebrews 13:16 says, “Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.” Remember what's at stake: a one-way trip to Heaven versus a one-way trip to hell.

ALL THAT YOU NEED

Matthew 6:33

And He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

Matthew 6:33 typically makes a lot of sense to working folk that are just trying to get through the daily grind. As Christians, we need to remember (and sometimes be reminded) that our ransom was paid for by God through the death of His son, Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:20 teaches us, "For God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." Therefore, live your life for God by doing things that would be pleasing to Him, making His kingdom first and foremost in your life. This means that we should be sharing the Good News of salvation with everyone. When this happens, the Bible says in Luke 15:10 that, "There is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents." This is the primary concern of the Kingdom of God. When we place our focus on this concern, "He will give you all you need from day to day."

THE PROFIT OF WISDOM

Proverbs 3:14

For the profit of wisdom is better than silver, and her wages are better than gold.

It's storied that as Alexander the Great was conquering nations and vast territories, his armies had taken such extreme spoils of treasure that it had become burdensome for the troops to transport the lootings. Upon realizing this, Alexander had his men gather up these treasures and he ordered them to be burned. At first, the soldiers were angry, but later they realized the wisdom of their leader. They were able to move faster and proceeded to easily gain victory in their next war campaign. Wisdom is truly more valuable than riches. So exactly what would be the best way to gain wisdom? The beginning of wisdom is in giving reverence to God. Are you giving reverence to God in all of your actions?

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

John 8:12

Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

It can be difficult to understand God because the world has worked hard to blind our eyes from Him or it's possible that we've been given false and distorted images of Him. Today, at schools and universities, there are no topics considered off-limits - except for God. Throughout government institutions, the name of “God” is being systematically removed from sight and procedure. You're allowed to believe in Him, but you’ve got to keep it to yourself. When the very Light of the world is being covered, darkness is given the opportunity to prevail. Don’t allow yourself to be bound by darkness or institutions. Know the Word and follow Jesus. He is the light that leads to life.

I DO NOT LIE

Romans 9:1

In the presence of Christ, I speak with utter truthfulness — I do not lie — and my conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm that what I am saying is true.

You can share the Good News with people really easily if your relationship with those persons is good. People that you have a good relationship with would easily know if you were being honest and sincere. They'd be able to tell if your life had truly changed or if you were really just the same old person you'd always been. I'd heard a silly story about a woman that was discussing marriage counseling with her friends. This woman proudly shared, “My husband and I will never need counseling because we have an excellent relationship. My husband was a communications major in college and I majored in theater arts. He communicates really well and I just act like I am listening.” If you want people to believe your words about the Good News, you'll need to speak and behave with sincere utter truthfulness. Other than that, you'll be living a lie that the people closest to you would be able to easily detect. If you want your life to be a beacon for the Good News, make sure that your sincerity shines through.

BROKEN PROMISES

Psalm 55:20

As for this friend of mine, he betrayed me; he broke his promises.

Even the best of friendships can end up in betrayal. It’s one of the hardest things in life to accept, but it’s a reality. The worst thing about a friend’s betrayal is that it’s caused by someone we love. Here’s a silly story to lighten the sobering mood. A few customers were at a bank while it was being robbed, when one of the robber’s masks fell off. The thief looked at a customer who was also caught in the holdup and asked him, “Did you see my face?” As the man responded, “Yes,” the robber shot him. Then he asked a nearby woman. “Did you see my face?” She responded, “No… but my husband over there did.” When given a choice between our comforts against others, would you betray your loved ones or would you choose an uncomfortable position? How you answer that question will unveil quite a bit about what kind of friend you are.

TREACHEROUS AMBITION

Proverbs 11:6

The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them.

Godliness is about being just and fair. In the same vein, it's the godliness of good people that yields positive results. The Gospel Herald once ran a story about a man who was arrested for selling marijuana to students. The accused easily beat the charges because he was able to prove that he was actually selling plain drinking tea to the students. His victory was short-lived, however, because he was later convicted for defrauding the students he sold the tea leaves to because they thought they were buying marijuana. In the same way that godliness yields good results, there’s no escaping from the traps of sinful treachery. Sins will always find you out and corner you down, so be careful with your ambitions, desires and personal agendas.

LOVE EACH OTHER

John 13:34

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

Love takes a commitment and a willingness to assure each other of our love. The Guinness Book of World Records says that Lauren Lubeck Blair and David E. Hough Blair of Tennessee married each other for the 83rd time on August 16, 2004. When asked why they married 83 times they responded, "We love telling each other that we love each other and looking into each other's eyes and saying our vows." Our love must always be expressed by words and implied by our actions. God did the same exact thing for you and I in the ultimate expression of eternal love. He expressed His love in words by the Holy Word of the Bible, and in physical action by Jesus’ actions on the cross at Calvary.

ESTABLISHED BY GOD

Romans 13:4

The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong.

The authorities are institutional leaders that have been placed into positions of power by God. These institutions were generally established to provide rules for disciplinary purposes. Similarly, a person cannot be a disciple without understanding disciplines. There's a story I'd heard about a mother who went to court to pay a $55 traffic fine for her teenaged son. While standing before the judge, she turned to face her son and then delivered a resounding slap to his young face. The shocked judge quickly responded, “Madam, that gets you a $10 reduction on the fine.” The mother responded, “Oh that’s nothing, wait till I get him at home.” The cold hard truth is that when the authorities deliver discipline, the main purpose is to get people to behave properly and to live safely.

MYSTERIOUS WAYS

Isaiah 45:15

Truly, O God of Israel, our Savior, you work in strange and mysterious ways.

It’s storied that William Cowper had intended to end his life at the age of 32 by throwing himself from a bridge after drinking opium-laced tea, but in his drugged state and in the fogginess of the night he drove around in circles ending up back at his own doorstep. The next day, he tried falling onto a knife, only to have the blade break under his weight. He'd later even try hanging himself, but rescuers were able to get to him in time to cut him down while he was unconscious. Later on in life, he would find a Bible and take in verses that would inspire his heart and change his life forever. Cowper would eventually become one of the most famous hymnists ever by penning the aptly titled God Moves In A Mysterious Way. Cowper found out in many twists of irony that he was meant to live for something more than he could ever have envisioned. Are you letting God move in mysterious ways throughout your life?