God's doing a new thing

As we prepare to close out this year and enter into 2010, be encouraged as God is ready to do "a new thing" in your life, ministry, finances, etc. In Isaiah 43:18-19, the Word declares for us to "forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" God has a plan for your life and He is able to carry it out; will you perceive it in this coming year?

Forgive yourself

For all the mistakes that you may have made, this year or previous years, God has already forgiven you if you in Christ; it's time to forgive yourself. In Romans 8:1, the Bible declares "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." There is no need to live in condemnation when Christ has already set you free. This year, make a decision, not just a resolution, to live free in the Spirit of life.

Boast in the Cross

With modern technology, education, and more equality than has ever been available, there are more opportunities for all people to do great things. In Galatians 6:14, Paul declares "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Paul was one of the most highly educated and skilled men of his time, but he did not boast of himself; he boasted in the Lord. Even though the opportunity is available, we must never forget the Cross, as the one who empowers us hung in our places at Calvary.

Reflecting on God's greatness

As we prepare for the coming year, many of us are reflecting on the triumphs and trials that we faced an overcame in 2009. In Philippians 4:8, Paul urges his readers the think on the great things that God has already done "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Instead of dwelling on the mistakes that you made or the things that may have lost, think on these things; the great things that God has already done.

What's next?

Christmas is a great time to gather with our families, exchange gifts, and share the love of Christ with one another, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Now that the holiday is over, where do we go from here? In John 10:10, Jesus proclaims that he came that we would have "life and it more abundantly." The celebration of Christmas extends far beyond December 25th, as we celebrate not only the birth of Jesus, but his life, death, and resurrection. As we prepare to return to our lives after the Christmas holiday, consider the abundant life that we have through Christ and give God the praise.

A promise fulfilled

People often make promises that do not keep; thankfully, God always keeps His promises (2 Peter 3:9). When Christ was born, Luke 2:25-38, the Bible describes two devout faithful people were able to witness the promised saviour, Simeon and Anna. They both were faithful in their service to their temple, and both were seeking the promised saviour with great expectation. Even in their old age, they kept their spirit of expectation, and were able to have a first-hand encounter with the saviour of the world.

Manifest miracle

At first, the shepherds were afraid when the saw one angel that proclaimed the birth of Christ, then astounded when an entire heavenly host appeared to proclaim Christ as saviour and Lord. Despite their fear and uncertainty, they continued on to see the miracle the angels proclaimed. In Luke 2: 20, the Bible declares that "the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." The shepherds were on duty, and they unsure of what the angels proclaimed, but they had enough faith and curiosity to see the miracle manifest before their eyes.

Saviour and Lord of all

The salvation experience starts a remarkable transformation; it's an amazing process for all who accept Christ as their saviour. In Luke 2:11, the angels declared "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Christ is more than our saviour, who saved us from our sins; he is our Lord, who has the ultimate authority over all that concerns us.

Someone to watch over me

On the night that Christ was born, an entire heavenly host of angels appeared to shepherds tending their flock. In Luke 2:8, the Bible declares that "there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night." The shepherds were watching their flock, their most precious asset; now the angels declared that they had a lamb that would watch over them; Christ, the lamb of God.

Born to set us free

With all of the holiday activities that we participate in, and look forward to, we can lose sight of the most important aspect of the birth of Christ. In Matthew 1:21, the Bible says "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." God loved us so much that he could no longer bear to witness the great sin in the world. Instead of destroying the world, for our sakes, he sent his son Jesus, just to set us free from our sins.

Gift of giving

At Christmastime, people are usually kinder to one another; it's just another miracle of the Christmas season. Imagine how the world would change if we practiced the same hospitality to one another every day. In Romans 12:13, Paul urges his readers to "share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." This Christmas, share with those in need; hospitality and kindness are free gifts! For everything else, even if you don't have much, don't be afraid to share what you have, as God will make up the difference.

Gift of love

Christmastime tends to be quite stressful for many people, particularly when they have a long list of people to buy presents. They worry if the gift will be well received, will they enjoy it, use it, or just return it. This year, try to give others the gift of love. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, the Bible says that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Love is a gift that is always appropriate, always needed, always in style, and usually returned to the giver.

No room for Christ

During this Christmas season, things get a little hectic. Between shopping, church activities, sending Christmas cards, and attending Christmas parties, it's easy to get distracted. In Luke 2: 6-7, the Bible says "the time came for the baby to be born, and she (Mary) gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." In many ways, we still struggle with making room for Christ in our hearts and our lives. Take just a few moments and reflect on the miracle of Christ's birth and give thanks to God for his greatest gift to the world.

Bow Down and Worship

Bowing down is a a symbol of submission in most cultures; in worship, it is a sign of surrender. At the time of the Christ's birth, a bright star led the three Magi directly to the house where Jesus was. In Matthew 2: 11, the Bible declares "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." Regardless of their social and political stature, even they bowed down to worship Christ, as they recognized that no man and no system is to be more highly regarded than Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

A Father's Prophecy

In Luke 1:76-77, Zechariah sings praises to the Lord after being silenced for nine months during Elizabeth's pregnancy. Then he speaks prophesies over his son, John the Baptist. He declares "and you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins." The angel spoke the promise over John and filled him with the Holy Spirit while he was still in his mother's womb, but Zechariah walked in his authority, as both the priest in the temple as well as in his home, and spoke those promises of God over his son.

Glorify the Lord

Mary was just a poor young girl but God selected her to be a great vessel for the Lord. When she realized the magnitude of what God has done in her, she can't help but praise God. In Luke 1:46-49, Mary praises God; she sings "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. " Even though Mary was the mother of Christ, she recognized him as her Lord and saviour, even while Christ was in her womb. Regardless of what the situation looks like, remember that God's promises are irrefutable.

Nothing is impossible

The concept of a virgin giving birth is a difficult concept for many to accept; in our natural understanding, it would be impossible. Mary, mother of Christ, thought the same thing. When the angel tells her that she will give birth to a son, her reaction was "How can this be?" In Luke 1:35, an angel answered Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." In verse 37, the angel declares "For nothing is impossible with God."We must remember that God is not bound by our natural understanding. He can do more than we can ever imagine because He is indeed sovereign.

Better late than never

The Bible makes several references to the benefits of waiting, especially when you are waiting on God's promises to manifest. In Luke 1, the Bible tells a story of a couple named Zacharias and Elizabeth. In verse 6-7,they are described as "righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and the ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years." As Zacharias was serving as priest, an angel appeared to him and told him he would have a son who would prepare the way for the Messiah; we know him as John the Baptist. Even in their barrenness, Zacharias and Elizabeth remained faithful in their service, and God blessed them mightily.

Greatest Gift of All

As we approach the Christmas season, it's easy to get wrapped up in the traditions of Christmas: shopping, giving gifts, cooking holiday meals, etc. In John 3:16, the Bible declares that "for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." All of those traditions are fun and great ways to bring our family and friends together, but they cannot compare to greatest gift all: Christ our saviour.

One Way to the Father

There are thousands of organized religions in the world that we live in. People have more options presented as a means to access God. In John 14:6, Jesus tells his disciples, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." New-age philosophy and technology have broadened the scope of religion, but has the potential to blur the true path to God through Jesus Christ.

God with us

As we embark on the Christmas season, we must remember why we celebrate it. Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth, the promise of God being with us. In Matthew 1:23, the bible declares that"the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." It's comforting to know that in the midst of all of the materialism, confusion, and despair that we face daily that God is still with us.

Garment of Praise

During the holiday season, many people experience the holiday blues, especially when they think about better days, before they lost their loved one, well-paying job, home, etc,. In Isaiah 61:1, the prophet proclaims "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. Verse 3 says that he was sent to "provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness, instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." Instead of giving in to a spirit of despair, put on your garment of praise, and praise God just because he is worthy.

Destination: Eternal Life

As many of us return from our Thanksgiving excursions, it reminds me of our journey through this life. With the uncertainty of the travel system in this country, it's comforting to know that we will reach at least one of our destinations on time. In John 14:16, Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, our final destination was confirmed: eternal life with Christ.

Pray, Watch, Be Thankful

One of the most difficult challenges for a believer is to maintain the spirit of Sunday throughout the week. It's easy to praise God in the sanctuary, but God wants to maintain a relationship with us all throughout the week. In Colossians 4:2, Paul instructs his readers to "devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." It's great to fellowship with other believers and and praise God as a community; in the meantime, to maintain from Sunday to Sunday, the answer is simple: pray, watch, and give thanks.

Give Thanks

When someone does something nice for you, it is our custom to say "thank you." The word "Thanks" appears in the Bible nearly 150 times, so thankfulness must be important to God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul instructs his readers to "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. "Every day is a great day to give thanks as a lifestyle, not just on Thanksgiving day.

It's Not About Us

People often mistake a miracle for an act of their own will. They are happy to boast about their accomplishments and are delighted to share stories of how the did thus and so; praising themselves instead of God, instead of telling their testimony of the great things that God has done in their lives. In Proverbs 16:18-19, the Bible declares "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." So many things that God does for us are not for our benefit, but to benefit the kingdom. God brought us through many hard times in our lives not so we can tell others what we did, but so we can glorify God and declare "Look what the Lord has done!"

God is an Awesome God

There are few words that we have in our vocabulary to adequately describe God; "almighty," "wonderful," all-powerful," and of course "awesome" are as close as we can get. In Exodus 15:11, Moses declares "Who among the gods is like you, O Lord ? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? Moses was aware of other gods because of his upbringing in Egypt, but he realizes that there is simply no other God like the Lord God Almighty. When we experience the same revelation, then we are able to be true worshippers.

W.W.J.D.

"What would Jesus do?" is a popular catch-phrase that we often see on bumper stickers, bracelets, t-shirts, and all sorts of other merchandise. The logo should be an outward sign of the inward conviction of the believer who wears it, but do they really consider what Jesus would do in most situations? In Mark 2:13, Jesus is having dinner at Levi's house with both "sinners" and his disciples. The religious leaders criticize him for his many interactions with those they consider as sinners, but he shows everyone the same love and compassion; both saint and sinner. That is what Jesus did and what we should continue to do as his ambassadors.

Saved by Grace

We can truly be free when we realize that there is nothing that we can do to earn or keep our salvation. We all have sin in our lives; God is well aware of that, and yet He still loves us. In Romans 5:8, Paul declares "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Regardless of where we are in our spiritual journey, the same is true for all of us. In spite of ourselves and our sins, regardless of what they were, Christ loves us so much that He died for us, all of us.

Sombody's Watching Me

As confessed Christians, we are constantly being observed. Some are looking up to us as models for clean living; some are looking for us to minister to them in their time of need, while others are looking at us to see if we are really living the life in Christ that we confess. In 1 Corinthians 8:9, Paul warns his readers "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." In Verse 11, he says "this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge." Regardless of the reason that we are being watched, we must be mindful of our conduct and demeanor in the public eye.

Live Free

Simply stated, a life in Christ is a life of freedom; on the other hand, a life in sin is a life of bondage. In Galatians 5:1, Paul declares "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Not say that we do not sin, as we will sin daily in our thoughts, words, and actions, but we must make a decision to live free in Christ and refuse to burdened with the bondage of sin once Christ has set us free.

Community Prayer

As the body of Christ continues to grow, we have a responsibility to pray for one another. With all of the troubles that we face daily, it seems as though the world is determined to leave believers desolate in attacking their faith. In Colossians 1:9, Paul tells his readers "since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." Just as Paul prayed for the Colossians, we must pray for one another and encourage each other in the hope that we have in Christ.

Honor

In Romans 13:7, Paul teaches his readers a simple lesson: give people what you owe them. Hes says, in verse 7, "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." Today, as we honor our military heroes for their sacrifice, consider all of the heroes that you can honor today and show them your appreciation.

Who's Your Neighbor?

In Luke 10:28-29, Jesus details the law to one who was already an expert in the letter of the law, but he missed the spirit of "Love your neighbor as yourself." In verse 29, the Bible says that the expert in the law "wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Oftentimes, we are asking ourselves the same question; our neighbors are those who live near us, those who we pass by on the street, or speed by when exiting the highway. There are millions of hungry, homeless, and hopeless people in the world; obviously, we can't help all of them, but if each of us helps some of our neighbors, we can make a great impact on the world.

Come Together

Our church families are just as important as our natural families concerning our well-being. In Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10, the Bible declares "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" When trying to build the kingdom alone, you have no help when fall into the many snares that the world has set. The work of the kingdom is easier, more rewarding when we are able to work together instead of trying to walk this journey alone.

Testimony

Our testimony is one of the most powerful tools that we have to build up the kingdom of Christ, for which we should never be ashamed. In 2 Timothy 1:8-9, Paul urges his readers to"not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace." When God has delivered us, we should be ready and willing to share our testimony to draw others to Christ and give hope to those who are still struggling towards their deliverance.

Rejection to Direction

People are fickle. Unfortunately, rejection is part of our lives when we deal with people every day. If we are not careful, that disappointment from rejection can leave us in despair. In Psalm 94: 14, the psalmist declares "For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance." Thank God that He is not like man. God will never reject us, but he will allow people to reject us to direct us to what He has for us: our inheritance.

Stand for Something

A old adage says "if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." That sentiment has been true for centuries, even in ancient Babylon. While in captivity, Daniel decided to stand for his convictions. In Daniel 1:8, Daniel "resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." Daniel made a decision to trust God instead of compromising. When faced with a situation that may cause you to compromise, consider that God is the final authority and pray for wisdom to maintain your conviction without alienating those around you.

God's Authority

As we live in this world, we must recognize and submit ourselves to the authority of those who have authority over us. In Romans 13:1, Paul reminds his readers that "everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Even as we prepare to vote today, we must remember that regardless of how we vote, God has the final authority and has placed each leader in position.

Gift of God

A common misconception is that people can will themselves into their salvation. They say, "when I get myself together, then I'll go to church." The truth is that none of us have the power save ourselves. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul declares "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." We are all saved by grace, not by our works or our own will, but by the grace of God. Salvation is a gift, not something that we earn or even deserve; it's our gift from God.

God's Economics

In these challenging financial times, the world tells us the get rich however you can, even if it means being dishonest, cheating, or scheming on anyone who falls for the scheme. God's economics work a little differently. In James 2:5, the apostle declares "God chose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him." Regardless of what the stock market does, to inherit the kingdom, you don't need to be rich in material wealth, only rich in faith and love for God.

God in Me

Every day, it seems, we face a new challenge; for some, it's getting out of bed in the morning, for others, it's the constant struggle to stay hopeful in the midst of adversity. In 1 John 1:4, Paul encourages his readers by saying "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." Regardless of the challenge that you face today, if you are a believer, the Holy Spirit that lives in you is greater, more powerful, than any spirit,challenge, or trial that you may face.

Glory in all the Earth

As the weather changes, the fall leaves provide us with a glorious canvas filled with beautiful colors. Even as the seasons change, God reminds us of his presence. In Psalm 72:19, David declares "Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory." Those turning leaves and changing weather are just simple reminders that God is truly worthy to be praised; truly the whole earth is filled with his glory, and He alone is worthy to be praised.

Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs

It's funny how those in which we come into contact with can influence our attitudes. If someone is in a great mood, that mood tends to spill over into those around them; the same is true for those with bad attitudes. In Ephesians 5:19-20, Paul encourages his readers to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” When people see you today, show them the joy of the Lord with your own joyful noise, by giving thanks to God in every situation.

Teachable Spirit

A teacher's greatest joy is having an enthusiastic student who is teachable. In Psalm 119: 33, David prays " Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. In verse 37, he continues with "Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." Just as the teacher, God is delighted when we are hungry for his lesson, his word, and are teachable to learn not only his word, but his will for our lives. Instead of all of the useless things that we give so much time and attention to, God desires to preserve us through his word.

Desire for God's Will

A common prayer that many utter daily is for God to have his way. Rightfully so, as God's will is supreme; He alone knows the ending before the beginning. In Psalm 40:8, David declares " I desire to do your will, O my God;your law is within my heart." We should be more than just willing to let God have his way; like David, we should desire to do God's will. The only way that we recognize God's will is through relationship, meditation, and prayer.

Hurt? Let it Go

The "church hurt" has caused many babes in Christ to leave the faith; sometimes they never return. In Leviticus 19: 18, the Lord himself says " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Just as God forgave us, we must forgive one another. Even in the midst of the hurt, don't hold a grudge against them, or hold the entire body of Christ accountable for the actions of one. Let God exact his justice instead of seeking revenge or holding a grudge against them, love them anyway.

Faithful is our God

As we begin a new week, even in these uncertain times, remember that our God is faithful; He never changes. In Deuteronomy 7:9, the Bible declares"the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Regardless of the trials that you may face this week, know that our God is faithful; He never changes, He never fails, and He always takes care of his own.

He's a Keeper

We struggle with sin every day; for many of us, it's an hour by hour, minute by minute battle that we fight daily. In Psalm 19:13, David's prayer is "Keep your servant also from willful sins; that they may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, of great transgression." David's prayer applies to us even today; when God keeps us from willful sin, that sin will not have rule over us. The advantage that we have today, that David lacked, is the blood of Christ that covers ALL sin, both willful and intentional.

How Great is our God!

When we think about the awesome power of God, our limited vocabulary is simply insufficient. In 2 Samuel 7: 22, David declares "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears." Regardless of your situation, remember that God is sovereign; he is greater than any situation, any problem, any trial that you may encounter. Instead of complaining about how big your problem is, tell God how great He is.

Transformers

A caterpillar and a butterfly are essentially the same creature, but with a different appearance to withstand a different season. The creature covers itself in a cocoon, and after a period of 10 days to several months, the butterfly emerges. In Romans 12:2, Paul urges his readers "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." As Christians, it is critical for us to burrow ourselves into the cocoon of God's spirit to be transformed into the powerful creation the He intended us to be.

Superman/Superwoman

Sometimes our brothers and sisters in Christ can be well-meaning, but not effective in ministering to others. It's easier to just quote scriptures and walk away instead of helping each other work through our emotions and issues; easier to portray ourselves as "Superman/woman" instead of the vulnerable "Clark Kent" that we really are. In John 11:33, the Bible declares "when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." Verse 35 says that "Jesus wept." Even Jesus, the greatest man who ever lived, felt emotions and wasn't afraid to show them.

Ever-Present God

At times, when we go through trials and tribulations, it seems as though we are all alone. Our friends and family have grown tired of hearing the same complaint and seem to be disinterested in our trials. In Psalms 46: 1, David declares that " God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. In all that we go through, regardless of how those who are around us feel about our situations, remember that God is always with us

With you Always

Sometimes we need a little reminder that God is always with us. In Isaiah 43: 2, God promises " When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. " Regardless of what we have done, or what we are going through, God promises that He will be us; there is nothing that we cannot get through with the comfort of God's spirit.

Thirsty

The average person can survive for up to 60 days without food, but only about three to five days without water before they die from dehydration. In Psalm 63:1, David declare "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Just as the body cannot survive without water, our souls cannot survive without God's spirit.

You Are Not Alone

Sometimes, you experience pain and persecution when you have done nothing wrong. In Matthew 5:12, Jesus encourages his disciples saying "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Just as the prophets before you were persecuted, you may suffer the same persecution just because you are serving Christ. Just as Jesus encouraged his disciples, He encourages us as well; you are not suffering the persecution alone.

Talks in the Dark

Privacy is a right that we often hold dearly, and confidentiality is a privilege among those that we trust. In Luke 12: 3, Jesus warned "What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs." There are no private conversations that can be hidden from God because He is omnipresent; He hears and sees all. When you are tempted to say something to someone, or about someone else, consider whether or not God would pleased with your conversations, as He has a way of bringing private conversations out into the open.

Walk in the Light

God has a way of exposing us in ways that we cannot imagine. In John 3:21, the prophet says that "whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." When we have been delivered, he will shine the light on our testimony to help someone else; when we struggle, He will shine the light to direct someone to pray for us. Wherever we are in our Christian walk, God will continue to shine his light on us, and through us, to show that He is still with us.

Decreeing a Great Week

Today begins a new week; a week full of promise for some, and despair for others. Both of these groups are impacted by their perspective and attitude. In Job 22:28, the Bible declares that "you will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways." We have the power to decree a thing in faith and know that it will be established for us, especially when we decree God's promises over our lives. Instead of falling into a case of the "Monday's," decree that this will be a great week.

Walking in Truth

It's easy to get distracted with the cares and troubles of this life, especially when lose our focus on our relationship with Christ. In Psalm 86:11, the psalmist prays "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth, give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Whatever this life takes us through, our faith will carry us through it, when we walk in the truth of the sovereignty of God.

Weapons of Warfare

We hear many news reports about the powerful weapons that our enemies have that would destroy us, as well as most of the world, should they decide to launch those weapons against us. In Corinthians 10: 4-6, Paul encourages his readers that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Regardless of the weapons that the enemy intends to use to destroy us, natural or spiritual, they are powerless against the power of God that He has given each of us who dare to believe that God is indeed sovereign.

Rejoicing in Suffering

At some point in our Christian walk, we will suffer some things that will make us uncomfortable. Trials and tribulations are simply part of this life. In Romans 5:3-5, Paul encourages readers to "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. " We may suffer, but we never suffer alone because God has given us his spirit to comfort us in all that we go through.

Scent of Water

Water is one of the most critical elements in our world; without it, most living things will wither and die. Most people will go through a desert experience, where it seem as though all that sustains us has dried up. In Job 14:7, the Bible declares "there is hope for a tree: if it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail." Verse 9 says "at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant." Just as there is hope for the tree at the scent of water, there is hope for all of us that God will restore and refresh us when we sense His spirit.

Looking the Part

Just as the larger society has cultural expectations, so does the church. We learn to look the part of a saint from others in our church community as we become a part of that community. Paul warns his reader about keeping up appearances in 2 Timothy 3:5; he describes a list of all the characteristics that are directly opposite of "saintly," then he says that they "have a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." It's easy to look the part of a saint, but we must remember that God is more concerned with the way that we are living than He is with the way we look.

Not just "me, myself, and I"

In this "dog-eat-dog" world that we live in, we all have our moments of selfishness, sometimes masked as self-preservation. It's easy to overlook those who are in need because we are just barely scraping by ourselves. In Philippians 2: 3-4, Paul urges his readers to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”God is more concerned with our willingness to help others than the with the amount and extent to which we are able to help. A smile, a kind word, or a helping hand may not cost anything to the giver, but it can mean everything to the recipient.

Just as I am

A common misconception that people have, concerning Christ, is they have to get themselves together before they can accept him as Lord and Savior. The opposite is true; we cannot clean ourselves up or deliver ourselves. We don't have the power to do so on our own. In Romans 5:8, Paul encourages his readers by declaring that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Regardless of where we are in our faith walk, we all were sinners. Even in our most wretched state, God loves us so much that He sent Christ to die so that we could live an abundant life.

Beautiful Feet

Our feet are two of the most important parts of our bodies, as they support our bodies and keep us balanced. They are also, at times, our most neglected parts of our body. In Isaiah 52:7, the prophet declares "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" The same is true in the body of Christ; the feet of those spread the gospel are critical to supporting the body of Christ, and are truly beautiful in God's sight.

Delayed, not Denied

Sometimes it's frustrating when you pray and don't receive an answer or an action from God as soon as you hoped. In Daniel 10:12, Daniel became discouraged as he waited 21 days for God to answer his prayer request. An angel comforts him, saying "since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard." Verse 13 says that "the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia." God hears your prayers and begins to work on your behalf, even if he has to send an angel to your rescue.

Just Want to Thank You

When someone does something for you, it is polite and expected that you will at least say "thank you." Think about all of the things that God has done for us; from providing for our needs and keeping us safe, to forgiving our sins and sending his only begotten son as a ransom for us all. God has done more for us than we can comprehend with our limited minds; He is truly worthy of our praise. Take a praise break and just tell the Lord "Thank You," for that He has done.

Preparing to Meet the King

Queen Esther spent an entire year in preparing herself to meet the king. Esther 2:12 states that she and the other girls who were candidates to be the next queen, "had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics." Verse 14 says that "She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name. " We may not have physical beauty treatments, but we certainly have prayer, fasting, and worship that beautify our spirit to make us beautiful and pleasing to the King of Kings.

There's a War Going On

Some people believe that once they receive salvation that all of their issues will disappear; in many cases, the opposite is true, that is when the war truly begins. As Paul says, in Romans 7: 22-23, "in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." Deliverance is often a process and rarely an instantaneous miracle; the key is to persevere as God continues to lead you through your deliverance little by little, and keeping your faith throughout the process.

Work When No One Is Looking

It's easy, even tempting, to just enough at work to maintain and keep your job. Consider the times that you have come in late when you knew that your boss was out of the office, or worked fewer hours than you reported on your time sheet. In Colossians 3:23-34, Paul urges his readers "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." When you are working on your job, remember that God is aware of all that you do even when your coworkers and supervisors are not. Remember that you not just working for a paycheck; you are working to build up God's kingdom.

Keeping the Word

God's word is one of the most precious aspects of our Christian lives. In 2 Timothy 1:13-14, Paul urges his readers "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." Without the word, we would have little guidance and direction to maneuver through the snares of this life. Keep the word, and the teaching of God's servants, with faith and love; guard it, as the word is your instruction manual for living a godly life.

Represent

An ambassador is considered a representative of a higher entity who speaks and acts on their behalf. For example, ambassadors for the US Department of State goes to foreign countries and represents the United States, speaking on behalf of our president. In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul reminds his readers "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." Remember that as Christians, we are no longer our own; we represent Christ for the world. When people in our world interact with you, remember that you are the only Christ that they may ever know, the only Bible that they may read.

Friends and Associates

Be wary of the friends that they make because others often judge you by the company that you keep. If you make friends with a liar or a cheater, then people assume that you are a liar and cheater as well, even if that is not true about you. In Proverbs 22: 24-25, the Bible warns "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared." You can replace "anger" with any undesirable emotion; the principle remains the same: be cautious when you select your friends and associates. Instead of becoming what others assume that you are, continue to grow into who God has predestined you to be.

Called, Justified, and Glorified

The dictionary defines the term justified as "to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit." That's is exactly what the blood of Christ does for us when we accept salvation. In Romans 8: 29-30, Paul declares "those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." Regardless of what we have done in our past, God has already predestined us into our calling, he justifies us through the blood of Christ, and he glorifies us through the power of his Spirit.

Send Me

When God calls us to do something for the kingdom, why do we hesitate? In Isaiah 6:8, the prophet accepts his charge from the Lord "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah failed at his last assignment and he was a little unsure of himself, but God gave him another chance. Past failures, doubt, culture, our status, etc., may cause us to question God's call on our lives; when God calls us, he gives us everything that we need to fulfill our purpose.

Out of the Closet, Into the Pulpit?

Last Friday, leaders in the Lutheran Church lifted a decades-old ban that will allow openly homosexual men and women to serve in clergy and leadership positions. The resolution, passed by a vote of 619 to 402, supports people in "lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships." How will this decision impact the church as a whole? Will this decision lead to a trend of more denominations allowing openly homosexual men and women to serve in ministry and leadership positions? What do you think?

Many members, one body

The human body is truly God's masterpiece; each part is designed to meet a specific need. The same is true in the body of Christ. Each member is equally important, but they are designed for different functions. In Romans 12:4-5, Paul says "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. " Imagine how painful it would be if you had to walk on your hands instead of your feet; or write with your toes instead of your fingers. You could do it, but with much pain and little effectiveness; the same is true when we try to function in our lives and ministry where we were not designed.

I know I've been changed

I once heard a preacher say "if God can deliver you, he can deliver anybody." Jacob would certainly agree with that. He was a hustler, liar, and cheater for most of his life until he met God face-to-face. In Genesis 32:28, the Bible says that an angel declared"Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome." God changed more than just Jacob's name; He changed his nature. Consider the many things that God has delivered you from when you met the Lord face-to-face, and praise God for not only your deliverance, but for the deliverance of those around you.

Love Lifted Me

It's amazing how God knows all about us, and yet continues to pursue a relationship with us. In Psalm 94: 18, the psalmist declares "When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. " Even when you know that you are falling away from your relationship with Christ, when you recognize that you are sinking, further and farther away from God, we only need to call on His name, and He will deliver us and lift us up out of any bondage.

My Source

As people of God, are assured that He will care for us as a father cares for His children. In Psalm 16:2, David declares "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." We can make our own way and struggle on our own, as so many people who choose to live their lives without a relationship with God, but that struggle is unnecessary. God has already provided for us, God has already provided all that we need; we only need to accept God as Father, provider of all good things.

Worship If It's Worth It

In Mark 14:3-6, we see a model for worship, even in the midst of criticism and judgement. The Bible declares that "a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head." The religious leaders criticized her harshly, saying that she has wasted her precious perfume that could have been sold to help the poor, but Jesus defends her in verse 6, telling them "Leave her alone, she has done a beautiful thing to me." This woman sacrificed all that was precious to her, held nothing back, and poured out all that she had on her savior. Sincere worship requires a sacrifice, but the benefits of worship far outweigh the cost, as we show the Lord his worth to us through our worship.

Can't We All Get Along?

Basic principles of Christianity are pretty simple: Christ was born of a virgin, he was crucified for our sins, and he rose again on the third day; these are the basic principles of the Christian faith. In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul says "there is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Considering that, as Christians, we all basically believe the same, why is there so much division in the church? Why should we wait until "we all get to heaven" to rejoice together?

Look Where He's Brought Me

Once we have become entrenched in the culture of church, it's easy to forget the wretched state that we were in before salvation. Unfortunately, some people get so far removed that they discourage those who are still lost. In 1Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul gives his readers a reminder a reality check. He says "Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." They were all of those things before salvation, but Christ cleaned them up, just as He cleaned up all of us. Consider where you were before Christ saved you the next time you consider judging another.

Dysfunction Junction

Most of Joseph's young life life reads like a soap opera or an episode of daytime television. In Genesis 37: 3-4, the Bible declares that "Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a coat of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him. " Joseph went from his father's house to a pit, from a pit to slavery, from slavery to prison, from prison to the palace. The story of Joseph tells of a life of many challenges, but it is also a great story of God's favor. Despite Joseph's past, his dysfunctional family life, and his failure to carry his annointing with wisdom, God still favored him in every circumstance because he honored God in all that he did.

Waiting for Isaac

When God makes us a promise, it's easy to get impatient. It's tempting to take matters into your own hands and try to help God with fulfilling his promise to us. In Galatians 4:22-23, the Bible declares that "Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise." Isaac was the son of God's promise; even though Abraham was well past his fathering age, God was still faithful concerning his promises. Just as God was faithful to Abraham, He will be faithful to you as well.

Faith and Knowledge

As many prepare to go back to school, remember the foundation of your faith. In I Timothy 6:20, Paul urges Timothy to "guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith." Regardless of the knowledge that you gain from your education, protect what you know in your faith, and be aware of those conversations that are contrary to your faith, as those conversations have caused others to fall away from their faith.

What Do You Say?

In Matthew 16: 13-16, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Jesus asked "But what about you?" Who do you say I am?" Then Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus asked all of his disciples who they say that he is, but only Peter responded. As you prepare for the challenges of the day, who do YOU say that Jesus is? Comforter, Savior, Redeemer, Lord...

Praise God Like You Won the Lottery

It's remarkable how people who are normally sedate spring to life when they win money or get receive it in a large sum. In Psalm 119: 14, the psalmist declares "I rejoice in following your laws as one rejoices in great riches." Our salvation promises to give us eternal life, but riches are fleeting and often give us more problems than blessings. Imagine the incredible worship that we would have if we rejoiced at hearing God's word, or considered all of the things that He has done for us, like we just won the lottery. Try it; you won't be disappointed.

What's on your mind?

In the 1970's and 1980's, there were a string of self-help books that advocated positive thinking for a positive change. Titles such as "Think and Grow Rich," or "Think and Grow Thin," etc., filled the shelves of bookstores and libraries around the country. There is certainly credence to positive thinking; your perception of many circumstances is shaped by your attitude. In Proverbs 23:7, the Bible declares "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." As we embark on this week, think positively about the situations that you may have to face this week; even if God does not immediately change your circumstance, He can certainly change your attitude.

Thank God I'm Free (TGIF)

Without the Lord, we are slaves to sin; Christ has set us free, but it is up to us to stay free and delivered. In Galatians 5:1, Paul declares "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. " Even when we fall into sin and temptation, we can repent and continue in our liberty through Christ.

Don't Quit

As Christians, acting as the hands and feet of Christ, we can become overwhelmed. There is so much to do in ministry as well as in our personal lives; with limited resources, it's easy to become frustrated. In Galatians 6:9, Paul encourages his readers "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." As Paul encouraged his readers, be encouraged with the same promise; at God's appointed time, we will reap the harvest of our labor if we simply don't quit.

Relax!

Several medical studies have shown the relationship between emotions and health; a hot temper, uncontrolled or repressed emotions often lead to an array of medical problems and a limited quality of life. In Proverbs 14:30, the Bible declares that"a peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones." Another translations says that "A relaxed attitude lengthens a man's life." Instead of carrying the burdens of this life, particularly when there is little that you can do to change your situation, relax! Only you can change your attitude, even when you can't change the circumstances.

Pursuing Peace

There is no doubt that God is the source of our peace, particularly in such an uncertain world. We pray for peace in many situations, as we should, but sometimes, we need to do more than pray for peace, we should actively pursue it. In 1 Peter 3:11, "He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it." At times, the turbulence in our lives was caused by a decision or action that was contrary to the will of God. In pursuing peace, we also pursue to the will of God.

Doers of the Word

Knowing the scriptures is a great starting point to build up your faith. However, simply memorizing the scriptures is not enough to carry you through the challenges that you face each day. In James 1: 22, James encourages his readers "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” You must hear the word, but don't be fooled; you must move beyond simple Bible knowledge and apply the principles of the message into your life to live the victorious life that God desires.

Going Fishing

Jesus had a gift for reaching people right where they were. His first disciples were seasoned fishermen; in Matthew 4:19, Jesus tells them "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." As Christ's ambassadors in the world, we should also be "fishers of men," to bring others to Christ. Different fish require different types of bait to draw them to the hook; what kinds of "bait" could you use to draw your friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors to Christ?

Let it shine

A familiar Sunday School song talks about the "Little Light" that we all have as Christians; we sang that we would "let it shine" everywhere we went. In Matthew 5: 14-16, Jesus instructs his disciples "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." We don't have to quote scriptures in every conversation or wear a giant-sized cross to show others our faith; we only have to let our light shine to show the world our life in Christ.

Babes in Christ

As committed Christians, it is only natural to want to teach our children about the love of God and the sacrifice of Christ. In 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Paul encourages Timothy to "continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." Timothy, like many of us and our own children, was raised in church and taught the scriptures from his infancy. When should you teach children about Christ and the Scriptures? At what age is it appropriate to baptize children?

Keep Pressing

At times, living a righteous life can be challenging. Please rest assured, however, that you are not the first Christian to struggle with this faith walk. I assure you, however, that the challenge is worth the reward. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul declares "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." The life that you left behind when you accepted Christ is nothing compared to the life that God promised each one of us through Jesus Christ.

Nothing to Lose

Have you ever been in a situation where you simply had nothing to lose? In 2 Kings 7:3-5, four lepers asked one another“Why should we sit here waiting to die?”...we might as well go out and surrender to the Syrian army. If they let us live, so much the better. But if they kill us, we would have died anyway." The lepers decided to go into the enemy's camp, intending to surrender, but found that the Lord had caused the entire army to flee, leaving their camp full of food, silver and gold; the lepers not only fed themselves, but took the good news back to Israel. The Lord promised to provide for all of our needs, but oftentimes, we have to get up from where we are to receive our blessings.

Make a Joyful Noise

Rejoice and make a joyful noise in praise to God, not because of how you feel, but just because God is worthy of our praise. In Psalm 100:1-3, the Bible encourages us to "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." If for no other reason, praise God today because we are his people, his beloved, and his greatest creation.

Present with the Lord

Death is a universal element that we all must content with; regardless of our faith, culture, or status, the end of our lives is inevitable. For many, the concept of death is a frightening end, but for the believer, it's just the beginning of our life with the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, the Bible declares that "while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." There are only two ways for the believer to be with Lord: death and rapture. Neither of these transitions involve our natural bodies, but both promise our eternal life with the Lord.

Careful, Watch your Tone

Yesterday, one of the nation's most renowned African-American scholars, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, was arrested at his home in Cambridge, MA. He was trying to break into his own home after a trip abroad; he wasn't arrested for breaking and entering, but was arrested for his behavior, described as belligerent, accusing the officer of racial profiling, when the officer began to question him. Could he have avoided his own arrest if he would have approached the officer a little differently, perhaps with a "soft answer" as described in Proverbs 15:1? Was this really a case of racial profiling, or did Gates cause his own arrest by his behavior?

Above All Things

The cares of this world can be so burdensome and heavy that we forget that God is still in control. God is still worthy of our praise, regardless of how we feel or what we are going through. In Psalm 138:2, David declares " I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. " David made a decision to worship the Lord, in spite of all that he experienced, because he remembered that God's name and his word are higher and more powerful than anything that he experienced. Consider some of the things in your own life that need to take a lower priority than God's word and his name.

Walk in the Light

It's amazing how some people can be so confident in their faith and in their walk with the Lord when they are visibly struggling with their strongholds. The truth is that we all have issues; some struggles are visible are visible and obvious, and many struggles are secret, subtle, and invisible to the natural eye. In John 1:6, the Bible declares "If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." We all have sin, but we must make a choice not to practice sin, and strive to live a righteous life through our fellowship with the Lord and with one another, and accept the cleansing of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Secret to Success

Hundreds of books a year are published and sold to the millions by people who want to shape themselves into a success. In Proverbs 21: 21, the Bible declares " He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor." In Matthew 6:33, the Bible declares "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." The secret to true success has little to do with one's ability to help yourself; it has much more to do with your ability to seek God's will, his righteousness, and his word to achieve true success.

Mark of Christ

DNA is a powerful tool to identify paternity of a child; it's used on talk shows and court television shows, even in reality, to identify the father of children. Determining paternity often establishes the child's rights to financial support until the child becomes and adult; it also establishes a right to the father's inheritance. In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul declares that " when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him." Instead of using DNA, God marks us as his own children with the mark of Christ, the Holy Spirit.

Faith in Action

It's a frustrating mystery how some people are able to hear the word, week after week, and remain unchanged. James 1: 22, the apostle urges his readers to "not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Verse 25 declares that "the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." Simply hearing the word is a start to changing your life, but it's not enough to evoke a change. It's nearly impossible to do what the word says without hearing it, studying it for yourself. When you have heard the word, do what it says, to see the change and blessing in your life.

God's Child

David was truly a man after God's own heart; he loved the Lord with everything that was in him, but he was also a mighty warrior. In 1 Chronicles 22:9-10, God promised David that he "will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. He will be my son, and I will be his father." David's love was not enough to build the temple, but God's love for him, and his family line, caused God to to not only make the promise for his son, but to call David's son his own son, and fulfil his promise from generation to generation.

Joy in My Soul

There is a stark difference between happiness and joy; happiness is conditional, based on circumstances, but God will give you joy regardless of your situation. In Psalm 30:11-12, David praised God for his joy. He says "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. " David considered God's goodness, mercy, and love towards him, his joy overwhelmed him so that he had to give thanks to God. When you consider all that God has done in your life, it's easy to keep your joy.

It's All About Love

It's easy to say that we love our brother or sister, but showing them our love is more challenging, yet more rewarding. In 1 John 3:18-20, The Bible declares "let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us." Instead of telling someone that you love them, show them not only your love, but the love of Christ.

Beauty's Only Skin Deep

Physical attractiveness is a great advantage to garnering attention from other people, but God looks far beyond the surface of your outward appearance. In 1 Samuel 17:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." David's brothers all looked like kings; even Samuel was sure that one of them would be anointed, but God already selected David, the least likely, to be king. Regardless of what your outward appearance seems to be, God is more concerned with with who you are inside instead of what you appear to be on the outside.

My Refuge

When most people think about refugees, the mental image is hardly ever positive, based on the image that our culture has formed in our imaginations. However, we are all in need of refuge from time to time. In Psalms 18: 2, David declares"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." We seek refuge from our burdens and cares of this life, and we can always find that refuge in our quiet time with the Lord.

Talk is Cheap

Most people have known at least one person who is all talk and no action. They have grand schemes and ideas, but they are not willing or able to invest the time, money, or labor that is needed; they lack the action to push their dreams to the next level. In Proverbs 14:23, the Bible declares that "in all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty." Of course, God will give you a vision, but you have to do the work to manifest your dreams into reality.

Spiritual Diet

One of the easiest ways to determine how you are maturing in Christ is to recognize what you are able to digest of the word. In Hebrews 5: 13-14, Paul says that "Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." The word of God is food to the soul and necessary for growth; just as a child cannot grow without proper nutrition, the Christian cannot grow in the faith without a consistent study of God's word.

Kingdom Gifts

God has blessed each one of us with at least one spiritual gift; how we use it is up to us. In Romans 12:7-8, Paul encourages his readers to use their gifts with the faith that God has given them. He says "If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly." Paul's message still applies to us today. Discover the gift(s) that God has blessed you with, and use them to the fullest to advance his kingdom.

Supreme Wisdom

Our culture places a heavy emphasis on obtaining knowledge; many say that obtaining knowledge is power and the key to success. I would disagree, to some extent. Instead of knowledge alone, seek the wisdom to apply that knowledge. In Proverbs 4:6-7, the Bible declares that we should "not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." Knowledge alone is indeed powerful, but wisdom allows you to apply that knowledge and get an understanding of what to do with that knowledge.

Righteousness, Peace, and Joy

The Body of Christ is one of the most diverse families in the world. We have so many different denominations and doctrines that at times, worshipping and fellow shipping can present social challenges. In Romans 14: 17-18, Paul urges his reader to put aside petty differences that cause division and act in love by the power of the Holy Spirit. He says "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." When we focus on the basics of Christianity, the basic beliefs that bind us together, instead of our differences, then we will achieve the unity and strength that pleases God and received by man.

Perfect Peace

It's easy to get distracted when we have so many things that are going on around us. We want to pray, we want to read the word, sometimes we just want to rest in God's presence, but there are so many distractions around us that we often lose our focus. In Isaiah 26: 3, the prophet declares that God "will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him; because he trusts in Him." When we keep our minds focused on the Lord, He will give us perfect peace, complete peace. When you get distracted, frustrated, angry, etc., focus on the Lord for His perfect peace.

Overcoming the World

An old song used to say "If it ain't one thing, it's another." When one issue in our lives seems to be resolved, another issue seems to sprout into full bloom. In John 16:33, Jesus says to his disciples" I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Troubles and trials are just a part of living in this world, but as Jesus comforts his disciples, He also comforts us today; He has overcome the world, so we can overcome as well.

Get Busy

People often ask "what are my gifts," or "what is my calling?" These are both profound questions that are difficult for another person to answer. The simple answer is to just get busy and start working wherever you see fit. In 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13, Paul warns against idleness. He says "We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right." It's easy to be a "busybody," just looking busy without actually being productive, but it takes determination and sincere willingness to work with a purpose.

Just Wait

Our culture mandates that we move at lightning-fast speed and demand everything immediately. The media calls this the "microwave generation," because technology has sped up delivery and changed the way that we eat, study, research, even socialize. But speed does not always mean quality. In Isaiah 40:31, God himself declares"they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." An old saying adage says that "good things come to those who wait." What are you willing to wait on the Lord for the quality blessing that He has in store for you?

Promises, Promises

We hear a lot of promises from people that they are really not able to keep. Friends promise that they will never betray us and couples often promise to love one another forever. Only God has the ability to keep a promise that concerns eternity. In Joshua 1:5, God promises "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." God's promises still apply to us even today. As God was with Moses, He will be with us, as he promises to be with us always.

Weeping to Joy

The children of Israel had been in bondage for many years, and Jerusalem had been destroyed; they had much to weep about. When the wall of Jerusalem were rebuilt, the people were still weeping. In Nehemiah 8:10, the prophet declared the people"Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." There is a time to weep and a time to rejoice. Even now, we must recognize when that time for weeping is over and rejoice in the joy of the Lord, our strength.

Living Sacrifice

Each day presents a struggle between our will and the will of God, as we have our own desires and our own will. In Romans 12: 1, Paul urges his readers "to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." We will never be able to walk in God's will until we lay down our own will. When we submit our will, our minds, our bodies to the will of God, He accepts this submission as worship.

Awesome God

When we consider just how good that God has been to all of us, our vocabulary is too limited to truly describe God's love for us; simply put, God is indeed awesome. In Psalms 68:5-6, David tells a little about the goodness of God. He declares that God is "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. " The Psalms are full of praise for God's goodness and His mercy towards his people. Consider your own Psalm today; how would you describe his great love towards you?

Spirit of Excellence

In our corporate lives, we often hear about continuous improvement, intentionally working towards the next level of performance in our position. It's only natural to strive for the next level of excellence in our positions, particularly when we consider the benefits of excellence, such as a higher salary, greater influence, or a better position. The same holds true in the spirit as well as in the natural. In Colossians 3: 23-24, the Bible declares "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Whatever we do, whether natural or spiritual, we must do it to the best of our ability, not to please man, but our excellence pleases God.

Extreme Makeover

Reality TV shows have essentially taken over network television. Any day or night, we can peek into people's lives in almost every situation. We see extreme transformations to the point that family members have to take a second look at their loved ones after their makeover. In Jeremiah 18: 3-5, the prophet recalls God's kind of makeover, "So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. "As entertaining as these show are, they don't show the final outcome of the transformation. Only God, the master potter, can truly make you over; He doesn't just change the outward appearance, but transforms you to a new vessel, shaping you as He sees fit.

My Friend

Most people have hierarchies of friends on differing levels: work friends, church friends, social friends, college friends, etc. We have differing levels of fellowship and confidence with those friends; we can share our deepest secrets with one friend, but only share a meal with another. In Proverbs 18:24, the Bible declares that "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." A true friend is more than just someone you share a meal with; they share your trials and your triumphs, victories and defeats. Christ is the best friend that we can ever have! He will never betray your confidence, He is with you in everything that you go through, and He will intercede on your behalf to change your circumstance, or give you the strength to cope.

Stand Still

It seems as though every day brings a new challenge, a new battle, or a continuation of the battle from yesterday in an ongoing war. Oftentimes, the battle that wears us down daily is not even ours to fight, but it belongs to God. In 2 Chronicles 2:17, the Bible declares "You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and , see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!" After the prophet declared this word to king Jehoshaphat, he and all the people began to worship. Instead of preparing for a natural battle, arm yourself in the spirit. Worship God and let Him fight your battles.

God's Approval

Oftentimes, the will of God is in direct opposition with the will of man. God never changes, but people are fickle; one day, the people cried out "Hosanna!" when Jesus entered the city, a few days later, they cried "Crucify Him!" In 1 Thessalonians 2: 4-6, Paul declares that "we are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else." When you seek to please God, you will often displease others. Doing God's will may not make you popular, but you will have peace in knowing that you have pleased God in your obedience.

What Kind of Fruit?

People recognize a tree by the fruit that it produces; you will never find orange blossoms on an apple tree. In Matthew 7: 17-20, Jesus says "likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. " What kind of fruit are you producing? How do people recognize you?

What Are You Wearing Today?

While preparing for work, school, or your other plans for the day and this week, what are you wearing? I ask that because we spend so much time preparing for our outward appearance that we forget to cover ourselves in the spirit. In Ephesians 6: 11-13, Paul declares that we should "put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." A soldier would never go into battle in street clothes, or no clothes at all. Consider the battle that you may face today, then prepare yourself spiritually with the whole armor of God.

Encourage Yourself and Others

There is great strength in fellowship with other believers; it's encouraging to know that you are not alone in whatever you are going through. In 1 Thessalonians 5: 11-13, the Bible encourages us to "comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." Our church family is more than people we worship with; they are a source of comfort and strength. When so many people and circumstances in the world intend to tear us down, isn't it comforting to know that we can depend on one another to build us up? What was a time when other believers encouraged you and prayed you through your time of trouble?

For Christ's Sake

Some may think that their troubles will all be resolved once they accept Christ; for many, their major troubles began when they became serious about their relationship with Christ. In 2 Corinthians 4:-11, Paul declares "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." When we suffer trials and persecution, and keep Christ in mind and for His sake, the struggle is well worth the trouble as He gives us the strength to keep going.

Cost of Independence

Popular culture tells us that we can do whatever we like, either without consequence, or with the understanding that consequence is worth the reward. In John 15: 5-6, Jesus says “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. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." Unfortunately, there is such an emphasis on independence, working in our own will, that we sometimes forget that God's will is best; only He knows how our stories end. Independence may be empowering, from the world's perspective, but it is also uncertain, as we never fully understand the consequences of "doing our own thing."

Little Children

Children are our most precious objects of our affection; the Bible calls them our reward (Psalm 127:3). In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus blessed the children; he said"let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Jesus showed us how to love our children, and how we should come to him as little children: trusting, loving, and depending on God. Just as our children depend on us, we should depend on our Heavenly Father.

Cast All your Cares

To often, we carry the burdens of this life and they weigh us down. We are hardly able to praise God because of carrying these burdens of hurt, worry, fear, lack of faith, etc. In 1 Peter 5:7, Peter encourages us to "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." God wants to carry our burdens because he loves us, but He will not forcibly take them from us. Instead of worrying about the cares of this life, cast all of your cares, your anxieties, your fears upon God. Just as a fishing lure is cast into the lake, God wants us to cast all of our cares on him without reeling them back.

Generational Blessings

As parents, it is our responsibility to take care of our children. We make sure that they have everything that they need, from school clothes and supplies to several meals a day. How we live today will affect our children for several generations. In Psalm 103: 17-18, the Bible declares that “from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”We can leave them an inheritance of generational blessings when we fear the lord and keep His commandments, and pass those principles down to our children for the next generation.

A Good Testimony

It's amazing how our ancestors were able to have so much joy and hope when their circumstances were often full of despair. In Hebrews 11: 1-3, Paul teaches "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."With so much technology, material goods, and opportunities, why is that this generation is overcome with fear and doubt? Our ancestors had faith, oftentimes, because they had little else; through faith, we can obtain a good testimony as well.

He's Able

In Ephesian 3: 20-21, the Bible declares that God is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever." God is able to do all that he promised, all that we can ask, or even think with our imagination. His power is limitless when we are limited; when we surrender our will to God's will, we allow his great power to to work in us and through us.

Christ, the Solid Rock

When so many things in this world are uncertain, change is a consistent factor in all of our lives. With so much uncertainty, however, the word of God remains the same. In Matthew 7: 24-25, Jesus declares"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." When you have a solid foundation of Christ, you will be able to withstand the storms of this life because your faith is built on Christ, the solid rock, and not on the fragile things of the world.

Spirit of Unity

A popular proverb says that is strength in numbers, which is often true, particularly when those within the "numbers" agree. The same is true within our Christian community. In Romans 15:5-6, Paul prays "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. " With unity, we have more than just strength; we have collective worship that glorifies God as one powerful voice.

Think on These Things

It is so easy to get discouraged, as it seems that we hear more bad news every day. Be encouraged. In Philippians 4:8, Paul encourages all of us to change our thinking. He says "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things." Instead of thinking about all of the terrible things that are happening in the world, think about the many blessings that God has already given to you. If all you hear is bad news, then focus your attention on the Good News and promises of God.

What You Do for Christ Will Last

Have you wondered if all of the good works that you do will be remembered by anyone? You try to do all that you can for others, especially for other Christians, and sometimes you don't even get a "thank you." If no one else remembers your works, God will. In Hebrews 6:10, the Bible declares that "God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. " Continue working in your ministry and don't worry about your reward; as Revelation 14:13 promises, your works do follow you.

Saving Grace

Christ came to this world to save sinners, regardless of degree of sin that we have committed, as we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23), God had so much love and mercy on all of us that He sent his son to save us. In 1 Timothy 1: 15-17, Paul declares that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all long suffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life." Paul considered himself as the worst of sinners, and Christ not only saved him, he used him mightily in his ministry. Whether our sin is a "little white lie," or murder, God loves us and He will use us if we are available.

All Things Are Working

We experience so much calamity in this world that our faith is continually being shaken. We go through so much pain, heartache, sickness, and adversity that it seems as though God has hand-picked us to go through these trials. We must understand, however, that everything that we go through has a purpose. In Romans 8:28, Paul encourages us to know that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Simply put, if you love the Lord, and you are called in His purpose, everything that happens to you works for your good. Instead of complaining and falling into depression, rejoice in those trials; it's all working together for your good!

Payback vs. Paying it Forward

In 2000, a movie titled Pay it Forward was released, where a little boy wanted to make the world a better place by doing a good deed for another person instead of returning a favor. In 1 Thessalonians 5 :15, the Bible says that we should "See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people." The movie may have been fictional, but as the people of God, we should do all that we can to "pay forward" and do good for other people, instead of trying to payback the evil that others have done to us.

Trials to Triumph

As the old saying goes "in every life, a little rain must fall." Most of us don't mind a little rain, but for many of us, it seems as though we are wading through a torrential downpour. But be encouraged by the trials and temptations that we all encounter. In James 1: 2-4, the Apostle instructs us to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." The trials and temptations that we experience are necessary to try our faith and allow us to mature. As we are working through the trial, God is working on our behalf, and working his patience through us to help us mature.

Trust in the Lord

People have lost their jobs, or had a range of life-changing experiences, that chip away at their self-esteem because they are not living up to their own expectations. In Jeremiah 17: 7-8, the Bible declares "blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." We should put our trust and confidence in God, instead of ourselves and the things of this world, as He alone has the power to provide for all of our needs and never fails.

Choosing the Good Part

Have you ever been pulled in so many directions, and been so busy, that you didn't have time to worship? Consider the actions of Martha and Mary when Jesus came to visit. In Luke 10: 39-41, Martha was busy serving, ministering to Jesus and his disciples, while Mary sat at the Lord's feet. Martha complained and asked the Lord to tell her sister to help her, but Jesus replied "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."It's easy to get wrapped up in the work of the ministry; there is always so much work to do for the kingdom! But we should not be so distracted in doing the work of ministry that we don't take time at the feet of Jesus to strengthen, empower, and restore us.

Hold Your Peace

An old adage says that "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything." I would like to add to that adage, "if you don't know what to say, hold your peace." In Proverbs 17:27-28, the Bible declares that "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." Our words are powerful; we can speak life, or we can speak death, blessings, or curses. Our words can never be retracted once they have been spoken. When we use our words wisely, we will be considered wise, even if we don't always know what to say.

A Friend of God

Too often, people consider the name of Christ the same as they do their fire extinguisher; only used in case of an emergency. When they are in trouble, in sickness, or going through a range of afflictions, they pray for deliverance and help. When God has mercy on them, they put their relationship back on the shelf until the next crisis. In James 2: 22-23, the Bible declares that "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God." God desires to have a personal relationship with all of us daily, not just when we are in trouble. Consider that we also are friends of God, and make your personal relationship a long-lasting friendship.

Grace in Humility

When God has allowed to accomplish many things in our lives, both in the natural and the spirit, it is easy to forget that God was the one who made a way for us. In Proverbs 3: 34-35, the Bible says that God "mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame." When we realize that we are helpless without God, we make room for Him to bless us. With all of our shortcomings and inadequacies in our human condition, it is easy for us to be humbled and realize that we could do little on our own without God's help.

I'd Rather Have Jesus

The culture of our world often teaches us that having great wealth will enable us to have great lives. With the severe economic downturn, many are finding that is simply untrue. In Proverbs 15:16, the Bible says "Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil." Instead of seeking the wealth of this world, which changes from day to day, seek the kingdom of God, as Jesus instructs us in Matthew 6:33, and He will provide all of these other things for you.

Strength in Weakness

Today's society has little tolerance for weakness. Our culture teaches us not let anyone catch us in a moment of weakness, to stand up for ourselves, and prove that we strong and powerful. God has a different outlook on weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10, Paul tells us of God's reassurance that "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. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." When we submit our power to God in weakness, then His power will rest in us, making us stronger than we could ever be in our own strength.

Struggle with Sin

For many of us, the struggle with sin is a constant battle between our desire to please God and the natural desire to please ourselves. How do you balance the two? In Psalm 119:9-11, the psalmist says "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Winning the struggle with sin starts with a decision to live your life according to God's word, seeking Him, inquiring as to what is pleasing to Him, and surrendering your will to become His will.

Lord, Help Me!

Oftentimes, it seems as though we are left on our own, with no one to lean on for a little help. Our families and friends are too busy, or too engrossed in their own issues to worry about ours. In Psalm 121: 1-21, David declares "I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Instead of seeking help from those around us, who need as much help, or more, than we do, we should look to Lord for our help; all of our help comes from the Lord.

Redeemed in Christ

A common reason that people give for living outside of the will of God is their upbringing; they were raised to live in their own will, so they continue living outside of God's will. In 1 Peter 1:18-19, the Bible declares “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” Consider the price, the sacrifice, that Christ paid for us all so that we would be free from the empty lives of our past.