ENDURE THE TEST

James 1:12
God blesses the people who
patiently endure testing.
Afterward they will receive
the crown of life that God has
promised to those who love him.



Companies and institutions reward their employees with bonuses for good performances. Similarly, students who patiently study and pass the exams are rewarded with their deserved grades when their classes are completed. All of this is a reward pattern that has been taken from the very Word of God for His faithful children. Jesus said in Matthew 7:11, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Be faithful and obedient to the Word, perform the tasks given to you, pass the exams of life and at the end of your journey Christ will have a crown waiting for you as a reward.

TROUBLES

2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our present troubles are quite
small and won't last very long.
Yet they produce for us an immeasurably
great glory that will last forever!
So we don't look at the troubles
we can see right now; rather, we look
forward to what we have not yet seen.
For the troubles we see will soon be over,
but the joys to come will last forever.



Throughout life, it's guaranteed that we will have problems and turbulent times, but according to the Word of God those moments will be short-lived happenings that are for our benefit and growth. You just have to look at life through the spiritual eyes given to us by our spiritual Father. Jesus taught us in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Our biggest enemy has already been overcome and defeated. Jesus is already victorious and we are on His side. Have you ever felt completely overcome while dealing with problems and trials? Take heart, Jesus has overcome and He's on your side.

JUST JUDGMENT

Psalm 51:2-4
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my shameful deeds —
they haunt me day and night.
Against you, and you alone,
have I sinned; I have done
what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right
in what you say, and your
judgment against me is just.



When we backslide and turn away from the right path, God still gives us His right and fair judgment. That judgment may hurt and we may even temporarily lose the comfortable peace, joy and happiness that He wants for us. The best remedy to regain His blessings is to recognize one’s mistakes and humbly come to the throne of God’s grace. Ask for cleansing from sin and for His forgiveness, and you’ll be off to a good start. After all, His judgment is justified.

REVERENT FEAR

Psalm 2:11
Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
With solemn declaration under oath.



Serving the Lord means doing exactly what He wants and the time He wants. Reverence means that you should think about things the way God is thinking about things. This can be achieved through continual prayer to God, just as He commanded us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to, “pray continually.” The Holy Spirit tells us what the will of God is through His Word as John 16:13 teaches us, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.” Also, 1 Corinthians 2:16 tell us, “Who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who can give him counsel? But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.” God’s children need to pray often to get and stay connected with God because He should be served with reverent fear.

A TRUE WITNESS

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when
the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."



A witness is a person with personal knowledge of something, who can give evidence and testify. This definition lets us know that a person who hasn’t experienced the saving power of Jesus cannot be a witness of His power and grace. Because of this definition, it's stands for us to reason that if you don’t know, or aren’t sure, if you are going to heaven when you die, the religious persuasion you are following is most likely a false teaching. The body of Christ knows where they are going as promised by Jesus himself in John 14:1-4 when He said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Take the time today to share this good news of salvation with the people around you and become a true witness of Christ.

DON'T LOOK BACK

Genesis 19:26
But Lot's wife looked back,
and she became a pillar of salt.



It wasn't the looking back that destroyed Lot’s wife, but rather it was her disobedience to God's given command. The angel’s instruction was clear in Genesis 19:17, “Run for your lives! Do not stop anywhere in the valley. And don't look back! Escape to the mountains, or you will die.” You’re might even be asking yourself, “Why on earth did she look back?” The Bible teaches us in Luke 12:34, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” When God gives instructions, our responsibility is to obey. What we may lose by obeying isn’t important at all as long as we gain Christ’s approval for being obedient.

THE BODY OF CHRIST

1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it.



The church, which is also called the body of Christ, is called out of from the darkness into God’s marvelous light through the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:18 tells us that, “Christ is the head of the church, which is his body.” This is why the Word of God says in 1 Peter 1:15, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” Always be reminded that as part of the body of Christ, you represent the Lord Jesus our God everywhere you go. Are you a good representative of the Lord Jesus?

LOVING EVIL?

1 John 2:15
Stop loving this evil world and
all that it offers you, for when
you love the world, you show that you
do not have the love of the Father in you.



In 1 John 2:15, the Apostle John isn’t referring to the world God created at the beginning of Genesis, but rather to the evil system and practices of the world in sin. People can choose either godly or evil practices to become the standards that dictate one’s lifestyle. When a person doesn’t read the Word of God, their chosen standard becomes the evil and sinful world, so if you want to live the godly standard that can be found in the Bible, you’ll need to read the Word and live it’s commands obediently. After all, you don't want to find yourself in that gray area of life where you may find yourself loving evil things.

APPROPRIATELY MODEST

1 Timothy 2:9
And I want women to be modest
in their appearance. They should
wear decent and appropriate clothing
and not draw attention to themselves
by the way they fix their hair or by
wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes.



The way a person dresses can become an issue because one’s attire draws attention. The Bible doesn’t stop us from wearing the clothes we want, but rather it teaches us to dress appropriately because our attire can be used to draw people’s attention either toward yourself and maybe away from God. Whether you agree or disagree, when ladies wear the kind of clothes that draw men’s eyes to their body and form, those men are drawn closer to the flesh rather than to God. Always do your best present yourself decently and appropriately. You don’t want to find yourself as a stumbling block to someone else’s walk with or towards Christ.

I WILL BOAST

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace
is sufficient for you, for my
power is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore I will boast all the
more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ's power may rest on me.



Every person has strengths and weaknesses. God created us with weaknesses so that we would be dependent upon Him at the most challenging moments of our lives. You can take a moment to consider your life a success when you realize through difficult experiences that you've simply been designed this way. Our strengths are granted to us so that we can perform certain tasks on our own, but our weaknesses are there so that God can make Himself obvious as He works in our lives. Whatever you do, don’t try to perform God’s role because your strength will likely become your weakness when God isn't part of the equation of your life. Let God be your perfect partner by having Him complete you through your weaknesses. He can even turn your weaknesses into strengths compounding the strengths He has already blessed you with.

JUST ASK

James 1:5
If you need wisdom —
if you want to know what
God wants you to do — ask him,
and he will gladly tell you.
He will not resent your asking.



Have you asked God what He really wants from you? We usually find ourselves asking God for something, but not for what He wants from us. When you start asking God about what He wants you to give Him, you’re changed from being the loved one to being a lover. This is God’s goal for everyone. 1 Corinthians 8:3 says, “But the person who loves God is the one God knows and cares for.” Take the time and get to know what God wants from you. You might find the results to be enlightening. You'll probably find yourself the recipient of His blessing.

DISASTER STRIKES!

Jeremiah 6:19
Listen, all the earth!
I will bring disaster upon my people.
It is the fruit of their own sin
because they refuse to listen to me.
They have rejected all my instructions.



If you like to travel by car, you’ll notice that highways and roads are full of signs for directions, instructions and warnings meant to keep everyone traveling safely. When people disregard or disobey these signs, there's a likelihood of an increase in accidents, lost drivers or maybe even not people not reaching their destinations at all. Well, in much the same way, God has left the Word of God to faithful believers as the complete manual for a safe journey throughout life. It guides us to our eternal destiny with success in mind. Follow God’s directions, instructions and warnings, and you’ll get to where it is that you’re meant to be in the best and safest way.

TEMPTATION = DEATH

James 1:14-15
Temptation comes from the
lure of our own evil desires.
These evil desires lead to evil actions,
and evil actions lead to death.



Our original paths and design were always meant for success – that is, until the devil was allowed to have part in our systems by man's disobedience to God. When Satan voice was allowed into man's life, alliances with Satan were unknowingly forged. Since then, evil has reigned in the lives of man and our paths corrupted. The Bible teaches us in Romans 7:5 that, “When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced sinful deeds, resulting in death.” The enemy will keep on tempting us to trigger the timeless sinful nature that's within us. The way to keep that old nature dead is to keep our new nature strong by feeding upon the Word. Allowing our new nature to thrive will keep us on the path of success and away from the temptation that leads to death.

GOT CONNECTIONS?

Colossians 2:19
But they are not connected to Christ,
the head of the body. For we are joined
together in his body by his strong sinews,
and we grow only as we get our
nourishment and strength from God.



In real life, being connected or having connectivity means that you’re well supplied. When roots are connected to the soil, plants grow. In nearly the same fashion, when a person is connected to God, that person gets the kind of nourishment that’s really needed. Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. John Wesley wrote, “I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field.” We’re all interconnected with others in one way or another, but we still each have to individually choose to be connected to God who is the right source of growth and strength. Are you using your connectivity to connect others with God?

GOTTA EARN IT

Proverbs 12:24
Work hard and become a leader;
be lazy and become a slave.



One cannot ask for or demand to be a leader. You’ve got to earn that position through hard work and if you didn’t struggle to become a leader, it’s likely because somebody that is in the respected place of leadership placed you in a position of leadership. Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “I am not one of the desk-pounding types that like to stick out his jaw and look as if he is bossing the show. I would far rather get in the background and, recognizing the frailties and requirements of human nature, try to persuade a man to go along—because once I have persuaded him, he will stick. If I scare him, he will stay just as along as he is scared, and then he is gone.” Becoming a leader takes a time commitment and a willingness to go through the process of hard work. A true leader earns the trust and loyalty of those that will follow. Are you ready and willing to earn what you desire?

PEACEMAKERS

Matthew 5:9
God blesses those who work
for peace, for they will be
called the children of God.



On July 7th, 1792, Abbé Lamourette convinced the different factions of the Legislative Assembly to lay aside their differences to achieve peace in France. That reconciliation was so short lived that soon after the different political factions were back at each other's throats again. In political circles, this type of short-term reconciliation his since become known as “Lamourette's Kiss” or basically, a good try. In light of this, the children of God have been given the ministry of working for peace. 2 Corinthians 5:18 teaches us that, “God has given us the task of reconciling people to him.” Romans 5:10 tells us, “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!” Whenever we bring a reconciled soul to God through Jesus Christ, we are working for the kind of peace that can override any unrest or war. Certainly to have the eternal peace of Christ would be a better choice than having the short-term ceasefire of a “Lamourette’s Kiss”.

KNOW THE TRUTH

John 8:31-32
Jesus said to the people who believed
in him, "You are truly my disciples
if you keep obeying my teachings.
And you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free."



What is a truth? Well, for me the truth is something that’s absolute and unchanging. The Word of God tells us all about the absolute and the unchanging in Hebrews 13:8 when we learn that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." This validates why only Jesus could state in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." Jesus Christ is the absolute unchanging Truth and when the Truth is present, there is no room for deceitful lies. When the Truth is in your heart, you are freed from the bondage of lies. When your life is filled with the Truth, you’re set free.

THE NAME

Ephesians 5:20
Always giving thanks
to God the Father
for everything,
in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ.



Ever wondered why Christians would typically end a prayer with the phrase, “In Jesus' name”? Well, the reason is that this is what we were commanded to do in Ephesians 5:20. The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” In life, it's important to remember that there are no random accidents or incidents. God already knows everything - past, present and future - and if you're doing His will, be thankful that everything in your life is working together to glorify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

GENEROUSLY GIVING RICHES

Romans 10:12
Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect.
They all have the same Lord, who generously
gives his riches to all who ask for them.



We all know that the Jews were blessed by God because of His promise to Abraham. God shows no favoritism, however, among neither Jews nor Gentiles. The same inheritance He gave to the Hebrews is the same inheritance the He gives to Gentiles according to Colossians 1:12 where we are taught, “Always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light.” Colossians 3:24 tells us, “Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.” It's a plain and simple truth that if you make Jesus your Lord and master, the blessed and generous inheritance of eternal life is yours.

MERCY

Luke 1:50
His mercy goes on from
generation to generation,
to all who fear him.



Mercy is compassion by God for men. Despite the ongoing rebellion and disregard for God in people’s lives, God still shows us mercy. 2 Peter 3:9 teaches us, “The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.” We learn from 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?” God is kindly giving you extra time to come and repent; if you can trust and obey God and His will, He will definitely have mercy on you.

NEW SONG

Psalm 149:1
Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song.
Sing his praises in
the assembly of the faithful.



Serenading is one of the most rhythmic and artistic ways of conveying what's in a lover's heart. When we sing a love song to God it's so sweet to Him because music itself portrays God’s character. The timing, rhythm, artistry and precision can be traced even to God’s very own works of art all throughout nature. Only God could move the galaxy with precision timing, planetary rhythm and radiating beauty. Praise the Lord though music and song because in that artistry, God can be seen.

BLOOD

1 John 2:2
He is the sacrifice for our sins.
He takes away not only our sins
but the sins of all the world.



Sin is like a system error that never should’ve been part of our lives. Because the sin we’ve inherited is embedded throughout our lives, the only way for us to be sinless in God’s eyes is to have the blood of Jesus Christ run through our veins. 1 John 1:7 teaches us that, “The blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin.” Our system will run smooth when we our lives are cleansed of sin by the blood and Son is flowing our lives. Have you asked Jesus to cleanse your life of the sins embedded in your life?

GOLD STANDARD

Exodus 24:12
And the Lord said to Moses,
"Come up to me on the mountain.
Stay there while I give you
the tablets of stone that I have
inscribed with my instructions and commands.
Then you will teach the people from them."



When God gave us His commandments, He gave His children the gold standard of how to live. Standards are important for uniformity, consistency and most especially for safety. Since God’s commandments are the gold standard, the desirable results are very clear and you never have to question the safety of your actions. Simply put: kids get into trouble with their parents when the family standards are violated. Romans 13:4 tells us, “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.” Set yourself up within God’s gold standard and your choices will always be a safe distance from the troubles of the world. Are you living your life fully within God's gold standard?

SUPER VISION

Matthew 6:13
And don't let us yield to temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.



We learn in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that the evil one is a counterfeiter that presents himself as authentic: “But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light.” It’s nearly impossible for one to detect with the naked eye if that which is before you is from God or from Satan. The only way to correctly identify what's in front of you is by the use of our spiritual eyes which are opened by our prayers to the Lord. This is what the prophet Elisha did in 2 Kings 6:17, “Then Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!’ The Lord opened his servant's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.” Elisha’s servant saw the angels of God who delivered him from the evil one. If you pray for super spiritual vision for your own life, you too will be able to identify the authentic over the counterfeit. Have you ever been fooled by a spiritual counterfeit?

NOT MY OWN

Jeremiah 17:16
Lord, I have not abandoned my job
as a shepherd for your people.
I have not urged you to send disaster.
It is your message I have
given them, not my own.



The first general order for a military sentry is, “To take charge of this post and all government property in view.” God gave us marching orders in Matthew 28:19-20 when He said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Our order is to reach out with Jesus’ message. Move without fear because God is the only commander you'll ever have that stays with each soldier because His Spirit is in you wherever you may be.