Tag: #Bible

A Life Understanding Truth

Truth is what makes us feel secure when we understand it. Truth does not change and it is an absolute. There is only one source of truth and that is the Lord God. Jesus Christ is God and He is the Truth.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; John 14:6a

There are many different truths in the Bible and although they are all summed up and understood in Jesus Christ, it is important to understand that truths are like diamonds and there are many facets to the same truth. Each facet is a different aspect of a particular truth. Often when people argue about a truth they are often arguing about different facets of the same truth. However, if we are to understand the truth about anything then we must first know the Lord.

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10b

If we want to know and understand a certain truth then it is good to do a word study of that truth in the Scriptures. Often one verse will communicate one aspect or facet of a truth. An example of this would be if a person wants to understand how to find favor with God and with people. There are 141 instances and verses in the Bible concerning favor. Here are a few on favor.

The Bible tells us that Jesus kept increasing in favor with God and men.

And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52

However, the Bible also tells us how Jesus lived to increase in favor with God and men. Jesus had to learn the Scriptures just as we do. He was fully God, but He laid aside His God powers when He became a man. (Philippians 2:6,7) He had to live like us and yet He did not sin. He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3) . He was made like Adam after He sinned and yet Jesus never sinned. He was tempted but never yielded to the temptation. For this reason He understands our weaknesses and our temptations (Hebrews 4:15).

So, Jesus had to learn that everything He did needed to be characterized by kindness and truth.

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3,4

Another wonderful verse about favor is the Lord tells us its value. The Lord says that favor is better than silver or gold.

Favor is better than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1b

There are many other verses about favor. How to receive favor from the Lord and how to lose favor with people. The Lord tells us that if we are wise then we are wise for ourself. A life of favor is one which is much easier than struggling with little or no favor from the Lord or others.

There may be another area that you are struggling with in your own personal life. When you are frustrated then often it can come from not knowing God’s truth in a particular area of life. The Lord says that “knowledge is power”. He wants to give us the knowledge and power to live an abundant life. He offers wisdom, instruction, knowledge and understanding to all of us.

Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding. Proverbs 23:23

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

When the Lord says “without reproach” then what it means is that He does not scold us for not knowing what to do or for even being in a troubling circumstance. Rather, He is communicating to us that He wants to help us. He wants to give us the truth on what to do in our struggles. That is what wisdom is. It is the knowledge of the truth of what to do in a particular situation. It is the right truth of what to do so that we can have peace and quietness and confidence.

And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17

Are you weary of not knowing the truth about what to do? He says to “Come to Him.”

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The outcome of knowing truth is not only peace, quietness and confidence but it is also rest for your soul. Come to Him and you will not be disappointed.

To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed. Psalm 22:5

How to Avoid a Troubled Life

Troubles come in life but the more we can minimize our troubles the sweeter life will be and the less weary we will be become. Troubles weary the soul and lead to discouragement and despair.

Job 4:8 According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity And those who sow trouble harvest it.

Trouble is the opposite of peace. God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows this will he reap. Sow trouble then reap trouble. Sow peace then reap peace.

Isaiah 43:22 “There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.

There is no peace for the wicked person. A wicked person is one who does evil. The meaning of evil is to cause grief. A wicked person causes grief to others. In other words, they sow trouble and will reap trouble. There is no peace for the wicked.

Genesis 6:5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The wicked man has much pain and also suffers from terrors in his mind. He has no peace and even when it seems as though there is peace at last, there is no peace because the destroyer, who is Satan, comes and destroys the wicked and takes away any shred of temporary peace he thought that he had.

Job 15:20,21 The wicked man writhes in pain all his days,
And numbered are the years stored up for the ruthless.
Sounds of terror are in his ears;
While at peace the destroyer comes upon him.

The wicked man is also one who does not turn to the Lord but will trust in himself and the works of his own hands. He hopes that the good will outweigh the bad when he stands before God, but no, we have all sinned and unless we repent and turn to Him with all of our hearts we will all perish. The wicked person is sorry for their sins and hate what they do, but not sorry enough or hate it enough to repent. Repenting is turning to God and away from our sin.

Psalm 36:1,2 Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart;
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
For it flatters him in his own eyes
Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it.

The wicked person has forsaken the Lord to worship other gods. They also worship the works of their hands. What have you made? Do you consider yourself a selfmade person? Have you accomplished what you have done or do you give glory to the Lord? Beware that you do not worship the works of your hands and your accomplishments.

Jeremiah 1:16 I will pronounce My judgments on them concerning all their wickedness, whereby they have forsaken Me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands.

The storm is coming for the wicked and God’s wrath is being stored up for them. The lack of peace they have on earth is only a taste of what will come if they do not repent. A lack of peace with God is to move us to get right with the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:19 Behold, the storm of the Lord has gone forth in wrath, Even a whirling tempest; It will swirl down on the head of the wicked.

He offers peace for even the wicked if they will come to Him. Our God is a compassionate God. God sent His Son because of His great love and compassion and all who come to God through Jesus Christ will be abundantly pardoned and experience forgiveness.

Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.

He takes no delight in the death and destruction of the wicked.

Ezekiel 33:10b, 11a Thus you have spoken, saying, “Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?”’ Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways!

There is no peace for the wicked but if the wicked will turn to the Lord, confess and repent of their sin then He will forgive and give life and peace to them. All of our hearts are wicked and we all need Jesus Christ to come into our hearts, forgive us our sin and give new life to us. Come to Him and lay your troubles before Him. He will take your troubles when you give yourself to Him. He will take your fears and your burdens. He takes it all. He takes our life and He gives us His life and peace. The way to avoid a troubled life is to come to Him. The sooner and earlier in life you come to Him then the less troubles you will have. Come to Him and live. Receive His peace.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

 

How to Have A Life of Peace

You will be living life to the fullest when you have peace. The Lord offers us peace and an untroubled heart.

John 14:1 Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

He gives us not only peace but peace that can not be taken away. Let not your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Fear is the opposite of peace. The world offers a lack of peace and lots of fears but a Christian had much peace and a lack of fears. A person who has God’s peace, which is a great peace, will not stumble when circumstances are troubling.

Psalm 119:65 Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.

God’s Word is His law and the Lord says those who will love His Word will have great peace

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Are you living in the world and in the kingdom of this age. You will have troubles and tribulation. If you live in His kingdom then you will be courageous for you will see that He has overcome the world.

Luke 1:78,79 Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

It was the tender mercy of God that sent Jesus Christ to us. He came to shine on us while we were in darkness and the shadow of death but He will guide our feet into the way of peace. If we allow Him to be our Shepherd then He will guide our feet into the way of peace. One of the ways He does this is by leading us down paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Psalms 23:3 He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

When we walk in His righteousness then we will experience His peace. He is righteous and He wants us to walk in His righteousness. We have to learn how to do what is right through His Word and the example of godly believers who are living out the Word of God.

II Timothy 3:16,17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

As you are trained in walking in righteousness through His Word then you will be equipped for the good works which He has prepared for beforehand for you. One of the good works that He has prepared for you is that He has called you to be a peacemaker. Before you can be a peacemaker you must be at peace with God, with yourself and with others.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

A peacemaker is one who leads others to peace with God. Once people are at peace with God then they will have peace with themselves and will be able to be at peace with others.

James 3:18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Peace if the fruit of righteousness. Where there is righteousness there will be peace.

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

Do you want peace in your life, in your family, in your all of your relationships and in your job or wherever you are? Let there be righteousness in you and there will be peace, quietness and confidence.

 

 

 

 

 

A Life that Is Not Disappointed

The Master Builder says that you will not be disappointed if you build your life on His design and according to His instructions.

Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

Believing means that you are trusting Him to be your Lord and will follow His instructions exactly how to build your life. Not only that, but you will let Him be the builder and allow Him to build your life and make the choices. The opposite of allowing Him to be the builder is believing that you know what is best for your life and that you need to make the decisions…such as, who you will marry, where you will live etc. Lordship means that He is Lord of your life and you are to follow and obey Him. His promise is…”you will not be disappointed”. He is the only One who can make this promise and keep it. No human can ever love you the same way.

Isaiah 64:5 You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness, who remembers You in Your ways.

The Lord meets the one who wants to do life right, that is, according to His ways. He will help the one who wants to build their life on His Word. He will come to you and help you learn to obey Him and follow His instructions and His commandments.

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.

The outcome of doing life God’s way and building your life on His Word is that you will not be disappointed and you will have a life of peace, quietness and confidence. If you don’t do it God’s way then you will be disappointed and will be tempted to be bitter and envious of others and there will be NO peace, quietness and confidence. You will have doubts and regrets.

How to Avoid an Unstable Life

The Bible says that a double minded person is unstable in all of their ways. What does it mean to be double minded? It means just that you can not make up your mind as to what you should do. So, often the double minded person will seek out others and ask them what they should do. However, often it is the bling leading the blind. Not a good situation and especially when it comes to decisions. The double minded person is unstable in everything that they do.

James 1:6a-8 …for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The double minded person is unstable but what does the double minded person need to do so that they will not be doubting and double minded. The Lord tells us through His Word.

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Double mindedness is not the problem but it is the symptom of a deeper issue. The root problem that needs to be addressed is the fact that the double minded person does not have a pure heart. A pure heart is a heart that is fully surrendered to the Lord and has no will of its own but the attitude that Jesus had which was always, “Not My will, but Thy will be done.” A person with a pure heart is one that has fully surrendered its will to the Lord. They have no will of their own.

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

When you see the Lord then you will also see clearly and know what to do. You will not need to ask others what to do, you will be able to understand righteousness, justice and discern every good course.

Proverbs 2:1-9 My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.

If you will learn to receive God’s sayings and treasure His commandments within your heart. If you will make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to understanding. If you will cry for discernment and lift your voice for understanding. If you will seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. You will also discern righteousness, justice, equity and every good course. Your life will not only be stable but your life will be a light to others.

Psalm 73:1 Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!

The Lord is good and those who have a pure heart will see His goodness. Not only will you experience and see His goodness but you will see the Lord. The Lord is our stability and when our lives are built on Him then there is nothing that can shake us.

Psalm 46:1,2 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

No matter what the situation is and no matter what happens you will not fear if the Lord is your refuge and strength. He is a present help in trouble and wants to show Himself strong on your behalf. He will be the stability of your times.

Isaiah 33:6 And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure.

 

A Life that Is Thankful

If you want your cup of joy to really overflow then this truth is what you need to apply to your everyday walk through life. To the degree that you do this you can almost measure your joy and happiness. The truth that characterizes every happy and joyful person is that they are thankful. They learn to give thanks for everything…when things don’t go so well and when things are wonderful in life. Only the Christian can live out this truth because the Lord has commanded it and what He commands He gives the grace to do.

I Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

We can give thanks in everything because we know the One who controls everything. Nothing catches the Lord Jesus Christ by surprise and He has the power to cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

The Lord is all powerful and all loving and He loves His children. He loves everyone but only those who have put their trust in Him and love Him will see His goodness ALL of the time. He is good and no evil dwells with Him. The meaning of evil is to cause grief so what this means for the Christian is that He will never cause you grief for any other reason than for your good.

Psalm 5:4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil dwells with You.

Everything that God allows in your life is for your good. Sometimes we suffer and we have not done anything wrong but the Lord has allowed it for reasons we may never know and need to trust Him. We still need to thank Him even when we do not understand. #God

Sometimes we experience sorrow because we have gotten off His path and He needs to discipline us. If you get off of the path of righteousness and experience His discipline then it is for your good.

Hebrews 12:10,11 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

If you do not want to experience the sorrow of discipline from the Lord then you need to do what is right so that you will not experience His discipline unnecessarily. When you learn righteousness then you will experience peaceful fruit in your life. So, even His discipline, which is painful, is for our good and shows that we are His children and that He loves us. It is for discipline that we endure until we see Him face to face.

Hebrews 12:7,8 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

For this reason, whether you are experiencing joy or sorrow you can give thanks to the Lord. Giving thanks causes you to focus on the Giver of all good gifts, rather than on your circumstances or yourself. The most unhappiest people in the world are the most self focused and their unhappiness is expressed through their constant complaining. Drip, drip, drip it goes and it never stops. They worry and complain because they are not looking to the One who is life and who never complained, even though He never suffered for his own wrong doing but for the wrong doing of everyone else. Complaining wearies the Lord also, as well as everyone else.

Psalm 100:1-5 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.

As you learn to live in His presence and fellowship with Him, which is a taste of heaven on earth, then you will learn to enter His presence with thanksgiving. If you have never done it then make a list today of the things that you are thankful for and each day go over that list with the Lord and thank Him for each thing. As you continue in this then add the more difficult struggles you have and thank Him for those things also. You will see as you thank Him that your entire perspective changes and you truly become thankful from the heart. He can change your circumstances anytime that He wants and when that situation is no longer for your good and His glory and it becomes damaging then He will remove it. He is good and He loves you. Do you really believe it?

I John 4:16-18a We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear

If you know Him and belong to Him you have nothing to fear. Learn to trust Him by giving thanks for everything. This is God’s will for you.

 

 

 

A Life that Is a Blessing

Do you want to be a blessing to others? As you are a blessing to others then your life will be blessed. You won’t have to worry about the Lord blessing you for you will feel as though heaven has opened up on your life and that blessings are poured down on you.

Proverbs 11:25 The generous man will be prosperous,
And he who waters will himself be watered.

Everyone always has something to give and those who give will be prosperous. As you give to others and water their lives then your life will also be watered and nourished. Everyone has needs and when you allow the Lord to open your eyes and see the needs of others then as you meet those needs your life will overflow. When you meet someone’s needs then it is like giving a cup of cold water to one who is thirsty.

Matthew 10:42 And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.

When you give a word of encouragement or thanksgiving to someone who has meant something to you then you are making their heart glad. Everyone needs their heart to be lifted up by their friends and family. There also are some who do not have friends or family and you can be a blessing sometimes to them even more than those who are not lacking in close relationships. The one who is the most thirsty is usually the one who is the most grateful.

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a good word makes it glad.

All of our souls become weary. We need a good word from others. Ask the Lord to show you who you can give a good word to that their hearts might be lifted up.

Romans 10:15b-17 Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

The greatest way that you can bless someone is to bring them the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Most people want forgiveness but don’t know how to receive it. Most people want to believe in God but don’t know how to come to Him. When you bring the words of Christ to someone then you are sharing the greatest news there ever has been told. Your feet will be beautiful to the one who you share with and you will be blessed as well as being a blessing.

A Life of Devotion

One of the greatest illustrations of true devotion was done by a single woman who gave her all to express her love. Even though it was criticized by another who did not have the same devotion it was praised and received by the One who matters…and that One is the only One who is worthy of our total devotion.

Luke 12:3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Mary loved Jesus and expressed it at a great cost to herself. She was a single woman, whether she had ever been married we do not know. She lived with her brother and sister and no parents are ever mentioned. Whether they were alive or not we do not know. So, she really did not have much security that she could depend on in her old age. However, she gave what was precious to her, and what she may have been counting on to help her in her time of need, to express her love to her Lord. The Lord was so touched that He said that what she had done would be remembered and mentioned wherever the Gospel is preached.

Mark 14:3-9 While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

Mary did what she could to show her love for Jesus. She knew that He loved her and was giving her all that He had and she gave all that she could to show her love. Her love for Jesus cost her something. The gift that she poured over Him and anointed Him with was worth about a year’s wages. Her love for Him was a fragrant aroma that filled the house where He was. When He went through His crucifixion He had the fragrant aroma of her love for Him. When we love Jesus then the world will be filled with the fragrant aroma of our devotion to Him. Those who don’t have the same devotion may be critical or indignant but that does not deter the one who is devoted nor does it take away from the gift of devotion to the recipient. Mary need not have worried about her security or being ashamed.

Psalm 34:5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.

Mary was radiant in her love for Jesus. Jesus will never let those be ashamed who put their trust in Him. Others, who do not have the same devotion to Jesus Christ, may try to shame them but He is the One who honors and allows shame. Jesus stood by her and would not let her be ashamed.

Psalm 25:1-3 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in You I trust,
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.

Indeed, none who wait for the Lord and put their trust and devotion in Him will be ashamed.

A Life that Is Ready

There is an event that is going to happen and only those who are ready and on the alert will be glad. Everyone else will want to hide but there will be no where to go. Jesus Christ is coming again and it has been foretold and will happen just as it has been declared beforehand.

Matthew 24:42-44 Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

If the world knew when He is coming back then they would all be ready. However, He wants us to live each day as if He were coming today, for in that way we will always be ready for His coming again. The Lord is faithful and He wants those who belong to Him to be faithful. Faithfulness is doing everyday what is pleasing to Him. Hypocrisy is a pretentious lifestyle that is for show and is not the real thing. There is something within us that wants to see the “real thing” in a Christian. Jesus Christ was God and no one could accuse Him of being a hypocrite. He lived out doing what is right and He wants those who go by His name to do the same.

Matthew 24:45-51 Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Would anyone call you a hypocrite or would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian? Do you do good to all men and especially those who are believers? Who are your closest friends? Are they fellow believers in the Lord?

Galatians 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Jesus Christ is coming again and it will be too late for many. The signs of the times are coming together and He can come anytime now.

Mark 13:28-32 Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

The Lord’s instruction to us is to be on the alert and be ready. Blessed are those who take heed to His words and are ready.

Mark 13:33-37 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’”

Often when someone does not want to face reality then they will want to sleep. In the same way, the Lord tells us to face reality that He is coming again, to be wide awake and ready.

I Thessalonians 5:1-6 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

The world longs for peace and safety but it is elusive. We as Christians are to be longing for the One whom we belong to and that is Jesus Christ. He offers lasting and enduring peace and true security that can not be taken away. Learn to live for Him and you will not be afraid of dying or be fearful of His coming again. You will be ready.

Revelation 22:12,13  “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Jesus Christ, Himself, testifies that He is coming again at the very end of the last book of the Bible. He is coming quickly and His reward is with Him, to render to every man according to what he has done. He is the beginning and the end.

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

It is not too late to come to Him. He offers this invitation to all who want to drink of the water of life. It is the gift of salvation that is offered to all who come to Jesus Christ through faith and receive Him as their Lord and Savior. Call upon Him before it is too late.

A Life that Is Filled with Joy

Joy is what comes from the presence of the Lord and it is for those who know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Joy is different from happiness. Happiness has more to do with what is happening while the person who is filled with joy has something that transcends circumstances.

Psalm 16:9 You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Joy is connected to thanksgiving. It is a state of mind and heart of knowing that life is more than what is happening at any given moment. Joy is a gift that the Lord gives to His children through His Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Joy can only come from the Lord and it is knowing that you are pleasing Him in your life and in your responses to life. It is a confirming from the Lord that you are in His will and doing what He delights in. When you are filled with joy it is almost as though you can feel His smile on your life. Your joy can be quenched through the old self, which is expressed in the flesh. The deeds of the flesh are not pleasing to the Lord so if you are involved in any of them then you will not have joy. The deeds of the flesh are evident when one is controlled by the flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The nonChristian will use artificial means to try to be happy because they do not have the Spirit of God living within them. Artificial means, such as wine, drugs, etc., are very superficial and will not last but will only leave the one feeling more empty. When a Christian engages in any of these activities then they will quench the Holy Spirit who has come to live within them.

I Thessalonians 5:16-19 Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit;

The way that a Christian can be continually filled with joy is to continually walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit keeps the Christian from being controlled by the flesh and expressing the deeds of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16,17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

We are to please the One who lived and died for us. When we live according to His ways then our hearts will be filled with the joy of the Lord and how sweet it is. You will also find that thanksgiving and joy go together. Your heart will also be filled with much gratitude. What a contrast to those who do not know the Lord and who are always complaining.