About God’s purpose for your Life

Isaiah 55:8-9

8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

 Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

 So are My ways higher than your ways,

 And My thoughts than your thoughts.

That God’s love is Constant

Psalm 63:1

1 O God, You are my God;

 Early will I seek You;

 My soul thirsts for You;

 My flesh longs for You
 In a dry and thirsty land

 Where there is no water.

About living like Christ

Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Ephesians 4:13

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

1 Peter 4:11

11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Thoughts 

. Blessing others is a blessing to God.

. Christ, the Rock, is our sure hope.

. The risen Christ opens the door for you to have fullness of life.

. In every season of life we can know joy in Christ.

. The return of Jesus is sure.

Ways of a Fool: He

Destroys self.

Ecclesiastes 10:12  

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Is light and frivolous.

Ecclesiastes 7:6  

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Acknowledge he is a fool.

Ecclesiastes 10:3  

Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

Is full of empty words.

Ecclesiastes 10:14  

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

Has no foresight.

Matthew 7:26  

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Is ignorant.

1 Peter 2:15  

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Despises Wisdom.

Proverbs 23:9  

Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Cannot appreciate luxury and honor.

Proverbs 19:10  

Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

Proverbs 26:8  

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.

Is incapable of wisdom.

 Proverbs 24:7  

Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

Gives foolish answers.

Proverbs 26:4-5

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Is not dependable.

Proverbs 26:6  

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
Is hopeless.

Uplift your Spirit with Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:12 

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 

18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Philippians 3:7-9 

7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 

8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Ephesians 3:17-19 

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 

18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 

19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:20-21 

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Hebrews 10:19-23 

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 

20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

23 Let us hold unsweringly  to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

James 1:2-4 

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 

3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 

4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The Fear of Lord.

So let's talk about this concept of the fear of the Lord. Fear is an unhealthy thing when we're talking about relationships. It is a good thing to fear or respect a camp fire or a bottle of propane, but it is not helpful in the context of relationships, especially where emotional intimacy is involved. You could not freely enjoy an intimate relationship with your spouse if you were afraid or feared them, could you? It's impossible! Intimacy requires trust, which is the polar opposite of fear. Fear makes it impossible to trust; therefore it's like throwing ice water on intimacy, because intimacy is built on trust. 

You see, our relationship with God ought to be very intimate; the problem is, many of us don't even know what that means or looks like. You can't be in an intimate relationship with God and not have your life turned upside down, and frankly, many Christians have not yet had their lives turned upside down!

Many teach that the fear of the Lord is a respect and reverence of Him, but that teaching can quickly turn religious and cause us to feel like He's so high and lofty that He's almost unapproachable. Again, this kind of thinking is what wages war against our intimacy with our loving heavenly Father. You see, God is very approachable, and desires personal intimacy with us. He put His Spirit within us that cries out Abba Father! Approaching God should not feel like you're standing beside a sky scraper, it should feel more like having fellowship with a best friend.

Prayer.

There are no times that we are okay without prayer. 

There are no times that we are safe without prayer. 

There are no times that we can withstand temptation without prayer.

There are no times that God’s kingdom will advance without prayer.

Quote:

Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. - Mother Teresa

Power of God:

Our faith is not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Charles Spurgeon said: The power that in the Gospel does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher, otherwise men would be the converters of souls, nor does it lie in the preacher’s learning, otherwise it would consist in the wisdom of men. We might preach until our tongues rotted, till we would exhaust our lungs and die, but never a soul would.

How to walk with God

Genesis 5:21-24

Enoch's walk with the Lord was so close that Scripture tells us, “God took him” (Gen. 5:24). This implies Enoch didn’t die but was taken directly into the presence of God. What a wonderful testimony!

Fellowship. Just as human relationships fall apart without regular contact; our intimacy with God weakens when we don’t spend time with Him.

Walking with God is not an impossible mission, but it does require careful attention to the details of our Christian lives. When we set our course for God, He’ll always be there to direct our paths (Prov. 3:5-6).

Pleasing God.

Every good gift we have has come from God, and He wants to give us “pleasures forevermore.” In gratitude for all He does for us, what can we do to please Him?
No matter how much we give God, we can never come close to scratching the surface of what He has done for us—much less what He wants to do for us. In this life He offers awesome benefits, such as:

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7). And in the future, He has an incredible gift in store for His faithful flock:
“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

One of the most exciting descriptions of the utopian Kingdom of God was recorded by King David, a man after God’s own heart. He wrote, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Prisoners Hope

Remind yourself that God wants to restore good things back to you.

Prayer

There are no times that we are okay without prayer.

There are no times that we are safe without prayer.

There are no times that we can withstand temptation without prayer.

There are no times that God’s kingdom will advance without prayer.

God is Faithful

Titus 1:2 

A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,

2 Timothy 2:11-13

11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;

12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;

13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

1 Peter 4:19 

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

God is jealous

Exodus 20:5 

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

Exodus 34:14 

Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Joshua 24:19 

Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.

Deuteronomy 4:24 

For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Hebrews 10:31 

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 12:29 

For our “God is a consuming fire.”

Matthew 6:33 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

James 4:4 

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Colossians 3:1-2 

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

What is the gospel is?

The gospel of the New Testament is the same good news of God which was promised in Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus Christ is the subject and the Author of the gospel, but gospel began long before the birth of Jesus. The gospel began long ago in the mind and plan of God, and God foretold the coming of the gospel i.e. His Son through the prophets of old.

Mark 1:1-3

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets:
   “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
 Who will prepare Your way before You.”
3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
 ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
 Make His paths straight.’ ”

John 5:39

39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

Acts 26:22

22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—

Hebrews 1:1

1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

2 Peter 1:20-21

20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Quote

Begin to weave and God will give you the thread.

Prisoners Hope

Remand yourself that God wants to restore good things back to you.

Consider

Consider Thy heavens, the work.

Psalms 8:3

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
 The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

Consider my troubles

Psalms 9:13

13 Have mercy on me, O Lord!
 Consider my trouble from those who hate me,
 You who lift me up from the gates of death,

Consider my enemies

Psalms 25:19

19 Consider my enemies, for they are many;
 And they hate me with cruel hatred.

Consider mine affliction

Psalms 119:153

153 Consider my affliction and deliver me,
 For I do not forget Your law.

Consider how I love Thy precepts

Psalms 119:159

159 Consider how I love Your precepts;
 Revive me, O Lord, according to Your loving kindness.

Consider the ways of the ant

Proverbs  6:6

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!
 Consider her ways and be wise,

Consider the work of God

Ecclesiastes  7:13

13 Consider the work of God;
 For who can make straight what He has made crooked?

Consider your ways

Haggai  1:5-7

5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
6 “You have sown much, and bring in little;
 You eat, but do not have enough;
 You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
 You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
 And he who earns wages,
 Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”
7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!

Consider lilies

Matthew 6:28

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

Consider the ravens

Luke 12:24

24 Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?

Consider what I say, and Lord

2 Timothy  2:7

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

Consider Him that endured such

Hebrew  12:3

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Don’t Miss Out!

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” Isaiah 6:8 

Although facing another year gone can be more than a little disappointing, the time has come to set a new goal. But what should that be?

God knows what you are supposed to be focusing on, rest assured. Have you stopped to ask Him? Instead of thinking solely of getting yourself back in track this January, take some time to stop and think about God’s plans for you. 

When you hear the Lord’s voice saying, “Who will go for Me?” let it be you and I. God’s goal for you this new year is far more important than any to-do list or relation you could make. 

Don’t miss out!

Evangelism

The best way to preach men to Christ is to preach Christ to men.

Our faith is not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Charles Spurgeon said: 

The power that is in the Gospel does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher, otherwise men would be the converters of souls, nor does it lie in the preacher’s learning, otherwise it would consist in the wisdom of men. We might preach until our tongues rotted, till we would exhaust our lungs and die, but never a soul would.

Gordon Fee said this: 

The danger always lies in letting the form and content get in the way of what should be the single concern: the gospel proclaimed through human weakness but accompanied by the powerful work of the Spirit so that lives are changed through a divine human encounter.

Question

What has been heart’s desire lately? 

Take a moment to consider this question as it relates to God’s purposes for you and your life.

Word of God

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8

If Any Man

If a man have a quarrel.

Colossians 1:13

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

If a man lack wisdom.

James 1:5

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

If a man offend not in word.

James 3:2

2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

If a man speak, let him.

1 Peter 4:11

11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

If a man sin, we have.

1 John 2:1

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

If a man love the world.

1 John 2:15

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

If a man hear my voice.

Revelation 3:20

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me

If a man worship the beast.

Revelation 14:9

9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,

If a man add to these words.

Revelation 22:18

18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;

If a man take away from

Revelation 22:19

19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Our God is still God.

See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. — Deuteronomy 1:21

A word of encouragement is indispensable at the start of a new journey, especially when the journey demands your leadership. Joshua is no longer second chair. He is no longer the backup to all-pro Moses. Now it is his turn to lead. The people he leads have only known the leadership of the incomparable Moses. How will he lead?

 He will lead trusting the promises of God and without fear or discouragement! How is this possible? Because the real leader of God's people hasn't really changed! God is still God. His word is still true. His promises are still trustworthy. His might is still all-powerful.

God’s love through you.

1 John 3:23 states God’s desire for us very simply: believe in Jesus Christ and love people. That’s it. That is how God wants us to spend our time here on earth. If you want to fulfill your purpose, do those two things, wherever you are. No matter what job you have, you can love God. No matter where you live, you can love the people along your path. In your everyday existence you will come across people who need God’s love through your warmth, your love, and your kindness.

God gives us gifts and talents to use for His glory. But the biggest influence we might have for the kingdom of God is seeking Him with all of our hearts and serving the people who surround us.

Lord, as I get to know You better, help me love other people better. Amen.

Billy Graham says - 

The message I preach hasn’t changed. Circumstances have changed. Problems have changed, but deep inside man has not changed, and the Gospel hasn’t changed.

Thing it over:

.. We say to our children, ‘Act like grown-ups,’ but Jesus said to the grown-ups, ‘Be like children.’

.. When we come to the end of ourselves, we come to the beginning of God.

Preach the Gospel

To defeat the devil, preach the Gospel. You will never scare him off by shouting and nosie. Use your Word of Sword.

Give Thanks

When you were in trouble, God heard your cries for help 

Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called upon the Lord,

 And cried out to my God;

 He heard my voice from His temple,

 And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Psalm 22:24

For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;

 Nor has He hidden His face from Him;

 But when He cried to Him, He heard.

Deliverance 

Psalm 18:49

Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles,

 And sing praises to Your name.

Psalm 54:7

For He has delivered me out of all trouble;

 And my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies.

Psalm 68:20

Our God is the God of salvation;

 And to God the Lord belong escapes from death.

Thank You Lord

Great is Your faithfulness. O Lord God! Each day I see You provide for me and show me mercy. Thank You.

Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past strengthens us for the future.

God’s Word

God’s Word serves many functions in our daily Christian walk. It is necessary for spiritual growth, living free from sin, and living the abundant life God intended for us.
It provides wisdom, strength, and comfort to face the challenges we meet every day. It corrects, admonishes, and disciplines us when we fall short; then it helps us to receive God’s forgiveness and restoration.

Man’s Concerns

God’s Love for you

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

1 Peter 1:18-19

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

Kindness

Rom 12:10

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

Ephesians 4:32

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Our God will not falter.

In faithfulness he will bring he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. - Isaiah 42:3-4

God will not falter! In a world where justice so seldom prevails, God is our only real assurance that justice will ultimately triumph. The hope for all lands and all peoples is for Jesus to return and bring with him God’s truth and justice. Maranatha, come O Lord!

Our God will not falter

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. — Isaiah 42:3-4

God will not falter! In a world where justice so seldom prevails, God is our only real assurance that justice will ultimately triumph. The hope for all lands and all peoples is for Jesus to return and bring with him God's truth and justice. Maranatha, come O Lord!

Sharing the Gospel

Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. — Acts 28:31

So often, we give excuses why we can't do evangelism. Throughout his life, Paul shows us how lame our excuses really are! He is under house arrest and having to support himself, yet he still manages to get the Gospel out to the lost!

Power in the name of JESUS

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. - Hebrews 1:3

We talk about Mother Nature, but did you know that Scripture identifies Jesus as the power behind the order of our universe? He sustains our world by his powerful word. Not only did he save us by the sacrifice of his life, but he also sustains us by his Word. He sustains us spiritually by His Word of teaching and sustains our world by his Word of power and grace. 

2 Corinthians 9:7

God loves people who loves to give.

Doing the good deeds.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. - Proverbs 3:27

Rather than “looking out for” only “number 1”, we are to look out for those deserving of good whether that be help, aide, praise, love, affection, attention, praise and to act decisively to give them what they need and deserve.

We are be a people, as Paul tells us, that Jesus saved so we would be “eager to do good deeds.” - Titus 2:14

Fellowship

“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.” 1 John 1:7

As we draw near to the Lord and live for him, two amazing blessings come our way. 
First, we find that our sins are forgiven and we’re cleansed of those sins thanks to the loving sacrifice of Jesus.

Second, we find that we are not alone in this wonderful cleansing. True fellowship among believers is built when folks seeking the Lord find each other in his presence.
This fellowship isn’t forced or contrived, just heavenly. 

True Justice

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Administer true justice; show mercy and comsasion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.” Zechariah 7:9-10

Do you want a clear, simple, straightforward word from the Lord today? That’s what Zechariah gives us. He reminds us that God wants us to be fair, compassionate, caring, without prejudice, and tenderhearted to those in need, and to give each other the benefit of the doubt.

In other words, he wants us to treat each other like Christ treated people. Why? Because we can’t be right with God and be wrong with people!

Matthew 9:26

With God all things are possible!

John 9:4

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 

Think it over:

. Anxiety happens when you think you have to figure everything out. Turn to God. He has a plan. 

. God answers when you least expect it.

Evangelism:

If not you and me, who else? If not here and now, where and how?

Missionary work

The key to the missionary’s work is the authority of Jesus Christ, not the needs of the lost. We are inclined to look on our Lord as one who assists us in our endeavors for God. Yet our Lord places Himself as the absolute sovereign and supreme Lord over His disciples. 
He does not say that the lost will never be saved if we don’t go— He simply says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . ." He says, "Go on the basis of the revealed truth of My sovereignty, teaching and preaching out of your living experience of Me." 

John 9:4

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Spiritual Burden.

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. - Psalm 71:8

In the beautiful hymn entitled, “O Sacred Head,” the final verse ends with this plea: “Lord, let me never, never, outlive my love to thee.”

To this sentiment we want to add one other.” Lord, let me never, never, die until the next generation knoweth thee!

Prayers:

God answers when you least expect it!

Jesus is calling you.

NOW.

Having a relationship with God is paramount in your calling as a believer. God comes to you, God discovers you he is calling you. 

There is an old hymn which proclaims it so clearly: Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and for me.

Quotes

. Successful people build each other up. They motivate, inspire, and push each other. Unsuccessful people just hate, blame and complain.

. Love Your Neighbor

 “Not everyone is your brother or sister in the faith, but everyone is your neighbor, and you must love your neighbor.” 

Christian Life

And if you take the Christian life one day at a time, one step at a time, and go from one answered prayer request to another, from one time of Sunday fellowship to another, from one blessing, one good Christian friend to another. 

When you go from strength to strength, you will look back over your life and be amazed that you have come so far. 

In 2 Corinthians 5:10, Paul echoes this verse here when he writes, “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ.” He knew that wherever he went, whatever he did and said, would all be assessed when he stood before Christ, and he kept laboring, kept serving, kept striving, kept running, because he wanted to be bold and confident and unashamed before Christ at His coming.

The world is not my home

At a friend’s bedside in a hospital emergency ward, I was moved by the sounds of suffering I heard from other patients in pain. As  I prayed for my friend and for the ailing patients, I realized anew how fleeting our life on earth is. Then I recalled an old country song by Jim Reeves that talks about how the world is not home for us --we’re just a passin’ through.”
Our world is full of weariness, pain, hunger, debt, poverty, disease, and death. Because we must pass through such a world, Jesus’ invitation is welcome and timely: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). 

We need rest.

In the Beginning.

He (the Word Jesus) was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. - John 1:2-3

Jesus was there. He was with God in the beginning. But he was more than just a witness of Creation; he created it! Jesus, who allowed himself to be limited to human flesh and to die a cruel and agonizing death on the Cross, was there at the beginning as the Word speaking our world into existence. He made it. It is his. Yet he came and died to redeem it. More specifrically, he came to redeem you and me. So when the Word speaks to us telling us how to live to please God, don’t you think we’d better pay attention? Better yet, don’t you think we ought to do it?

Familiar verse from the Bible…

1 John 1:9 

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:17 

 If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new has come

Hebrews 11:1 

- Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Eternal Things

Consolation

2 Thessalonians  2:16

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,

Gospel

Revelation 14:6

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-
Pleasures

Psalms 16:11

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Mountains and hills

Genesis 49:26

The blessings of your father have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.

Hebrews 3:6

but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Desolation of Babylon

Jeremiah 51:26

They shall not take from you a stone for a corner 
 Nor a stone for a foundation,
 But you shall be desolate forever,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 51:62

 36 Therefore thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance for you.
 I will dry up her sea and make her springs dry.

Family

Judges 16:25-30 

25 So it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may perform for us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them. And they stationed him between the pillars. 26 Then Samson said to the lad who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars which support the temple, so that I can lean on them.” 27 Now the temple was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there—about three thousand men and women on the roof watching while Samson performed.
28 Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!” 29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars which supported the temple, and he braced himself against them, one on his right and the other on his left. 30 Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.

Exodus 4:26 

26 So He let him go. Then she said, “You are a husband of blood!”—because of the circumcision.

Genesis 50:17-21 

17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 9 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Genesis 29:30-34 

30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.

    The Children of Jacob

31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. 32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.” 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I 34 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. 

Our beginning in the New Year

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. - Genesis 1:1

We are creatures of the of the earth. Yes, we are much more than that, but occasionally we need to be reminded of that! We can’t truly understand existence before time, yet before the beginning of time as we know it, God existed - he has revealed himself as “I AM”, the one who was and who is and who is to come.

Before there was an ordered universe to provide the basis of our existence, God is “I Am.” He had existence before, beyond, and without our created universe. We can’t even truly comprehend this in its entirety. That’s why every new beginning - whether it is a day, a week, a year, or a millennium - should begin with God.

He alone is the ultimate Genesis, our beginning. 

No more

“The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command” - 1 Thes. 4:16
Have you ever wondered what that command will be? It will be the inaugural word of heaven. I I could very well be wrong, but I think the command that puts an end to the pains of the earth and initiates the joys of heaven will be two words: “No More.”

No more loneliness. No more tears. No more death. No more sadness. No more crying. No more pain.

What kind of God do we serve?

He is completely good.

He is constantly good.

He is unchangeably good.

God will never not be good.

God could never be less than good.

Everything he does is good.

New Year Calendar.

Are you just too busy lately? 

Ask God to give you wisdom for your daily scheduling. Remember: He is in charge, and you ar following His all-encompassing lead. Place your hand over your daily to-do list or calendar and give it over to God.