CHAPTER 7

Loving God and loving one another as Jesus Christ loved us, should be the primary aim of every Christian.

After we go to church each week and learn from God's word How to Love, we then must strive to 'demonstrate' and apply God's love in our daily circumstances.

This should be the main focus of our Christian walk through this life.

EPHES 5:1,2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children and walk in Love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Those in the world can come to know Jesus Christ by how we have Love for one another.

A believer in Jesus Christ will not be able to properly give or understand God's Love unless that person takes time to first grow in God's Love, by humbling themselves and learning God's word and ways in the Bible and by being filled with God's Holy Spirit as well as submitting willingly to do what the Holy Spirit directs your heart.

Walk in the light of God's Love in all that you do, and you'll never be lost or hindered from any good blessing, by the darkness of evil.

SEE other section on Love for more Key Scriptures.....PAGES 153-166

LORD - ADONAI ( PL ) ADON ( SING ) Master, Ruler, King

As Christians when we say, Jesus Christ is " Lord " we must regard and reverence Him as our Lord, by willing obeying and following Him and God the Father.

As Lord, Jesus Christ must be ruling and reigning foremost upon our minds, and hearts, above every person and every thing; If someone or something else is the master passion of our life, then that has become our god, and is an idol.

No one can serve two masters, either you will love the one or hate the other.

As Christians we are under the protection and wisdom of the perfect kingship of Jesus Christ who is the King of Kings;

Under a Kingship the people do not determine the life decisions of the people but rather of the King.

LUKE 6:46 And why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say ?

6:47 Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like;

6:48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

6:49 But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed and the ruin of that house was great.

ROM 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

ROM 10:13 For whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

JOHN 20:28 Thomas answered and said to Him," My Lord and my God."

ACTS 17:24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;

17:25 neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things;

Throughout our life, we have followed the example of many different people; we constantly look for role models to pattern our lives after and often do so unconsciencely. Sometimes the people we wanted to follow seemed fun or beautiful outwardly, but still their imperfect lifestyle may have been full of rebellion, self seeking wrongful attitudes and evil deeds. Following a person with this kind of sinful nature only leads to destruction.

Moreover, we may also have been disappointed and confused when we would see the person we so highly admired fail in attitude or morality or lack the wisdom that we assumed they had or expected of them.

The world can be a maze of lies, confusion, and darkness, however if we follow God's word, it becomes a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path to show us the right direction to go in life.

It is essential that we follow the guide who knows the way to life; There are many who claim to know the way but are lost. Yet, Jesus Christ has already gone to Heaven, so I have decided to follow Jesus, through the direction of God's Holy Spirit and by following the words of instruction of Jesus Christ found in the Bible.

Jesus Christ is the only one who lived a perfect and sinless life, therefore when we choose to follow Him, we'll never get off of the path that leads to life.

If we follow ungodly counsel we will not find the answers that we are looking for that will bring true success.

The more we follow the same example of Jesus Christ, the less mistakes, and the less broken heartedness you'll experience.

Following God means that you are going in the right direction that God purposes for your life in pursuit of Godly things.

Jesus said " Take up your cross and follow Me."

Let each of us, sincerely ask ourselves....

Do we follow worthless trends or fads? Do we spend to much time following sports or social events or selfish ambitions, yet nothing seems to fulfill our heart ?

Solution: We all need to follow Jesus Christ.

MATTHEW 4:19 And He said to them, " Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

MARK 8:34 If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."

MARK 1:17,18 And Jesus said to them, " Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men, "

1:18 And they immediately left the nets and followed Him.

MARK 10:28 Peter began to say to Him, " Behold, we have left everything and followed You. "

10:29 Jesus said' " Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake,

10:30 But that he shall receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.

10:31 But many who are first, will be last; and the last, first.

All major decisions that we make should be based upon the word of God and not on our emotions and feelings. As Christians we would be wise to seek Godly counsel from other mature Christians and Pastors before making certain decisions; This is a matter of choice and very helpful, however, no Christian should ever be required to follow the counsel of a pastor or any person of authority, who is instructing them to do anything against the will of God.

Every Christian has One leader and Lord and that is Jesus Christ. Therefore first of all, we should pray to God the Father through Jesus Christ before making a decision and then follow the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Some people in general usually base their decisions on whether or not there is some personal benefit in it. Christians should never be self centered in their decisions, however when we esteem others more highly than ourselves, we ourselves will always be blessed, as well.

God will always help us to make the right decisions in life.

PROV 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

PROV 16:3 Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

PROV 11:14 Where there is no guidance, the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

ISAIAH 56:7 .. For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.

Prayer -

What should we pray for ?

For whom should we pray ?

How should we pray ? ~In what manner and ways ?

When should we pray?

Where has God's people prayed?

In what circumstances should we pray?

Why should we pray?

Under what conditions will our prayers be heard by God & more likely to be granted?

Prayers answered in the Bible

Under what conditions will our prayers ' not' be heard by God, nor granted?

Prayer is the act of addressing thanksgiving, adoration, supplication, or intercession to God.

Prayer is the act of communication with God, both verbal and silent.

Prayer is one of the first and sweetest duties of the Christian toward God. By prayer Christians can approach their Creator, and pour out their thanks for life, preservation, and salvation, glorifying God, asking aid, assistance, grace, or strength, or making intercession for some other person.

In asking God for things we must never forget that His knowledge and wisdom are infinitely greater than ours, and that we must not expect Him to grant our desires if in His sight they are not beneficial or will be harmful to us, or if it not His timing, or even if He has something else planned for our life.

God does answer , yes, to many of our good prayers, far beyond our expectations, so that He would receive the glory.

~For wisdom from God; For God to enlighten our eyes of understanding

~For direction; for God to show us His ways

~To teach us; To lead us; To lead us in His truth; To answer us

~For God to hear our prayers; That our words would be acceptable in God's sight

~For God's loving kindness

~For deliverance

~For God to do spiritual warfare

~For mercy

~For forgiveness

~For God not to remember our sins

~For God not to rebuke us

~For God to remove reproach & contempt

For Wisdom, understanding, enlighten eyes:

Psalm 13:3, 119:73, 119:17,19, 119:125, 119:144, 119:169, 2 Kings 6:17, James 1:5, Ephes. 1:15-23,Col. 1:9

For God's loving kindness: Psalm 17:7, 17:8, 25:6, 26:2, 36:10, 51:1, 119:88, 143:8

For God to maintain our cause: 1 Kings 8:49, 1 Kings 8:45

To bless food: Mat. 15:36, Jn. 6:11, Acts 27:35

For God to plead our cause: 1 Kings 8:49, Prov 31:8-9, Psalm 119:154, 35:1, 43:1

To dwell in the house of the Lord: Psalm 26:8, 27:4, 71:3

Make me hear joy & gladness: Psalm 51:8, 51:12

To bless the upright: Prov. 11:11

To bless enemies & pray for those who spitefully use us: Luke 6:28, Mat. 5:44

For the Government to have wisdom: 1 Tim. 2:1,2

For direction from God ~ For God to show us His ways, to teach us, to lead us in His truth, to answer us:

Psalm 16:11, 20:1, 20:9, 25:4, 24:5, 27:11, 31:3, 43:3, 61:2, 36:11, 102:2, 119:33, 119:35, 119:64,68, 119:24, 119:133, 119:135, 119:108, 143:1, 143:8, 143:10, 143:7, Jer. 42:3, 1 Kings 8:22-36

For God to hear our prayers ~ That our words would be acceptable in God's sight:

Psalm 13:3, 17:1, 17:6, 19:14, 20:4, 20:3, 27:7-8, 28:2, 31:2, 141:1,2, 142:6, 143:1, 38:16, 51:11, 55:1, 54:1,2, 64:1, 71:2, 80:1, 79:11, 84:8, 86:1, 86:6, 88;2, 102:1, 119:169-170, 119:145, 119:149, 1 Kings 8:22-36, 53, 8:22-43, 53 (Foreigners-Us), 8:52, 8:49, 8:42, 8:28,29, 18:37

For mercy: Psalm 6:2,4, 25:6, 25:16, 26:11, 27:7, 9:13, 51:1, 56:1, 57:1, 86:3, 86:16, 90:14, 79;8, 123:3, 143:12, 119:124, 119:124, 119:132, 119:41,119:76, 119:77

To forgive us: Psalm 25:18, Joel 2:17, 1 Kings 8:22, 36-53, 8:39,50, 8: 30

For God not to remember our sins: Psalm 25:7, 51:1,9, 79:8, Isa.43:25-26

For God to keep us from sin & temptation: Psalm 19:13, Luke 22:40-46, Mark 14:37,38,

Mat. 26:36-46

For compassion: 1 Kings 8:50

For God not to rebuke us: Psalm 6:1, 38:1

To remove reproach & contempt: Psalm 119:22

For God to cleanse us ; purge us: Psalm 19:12, 51:7

For God not to cast us away or to forsake us Psalm 27:8, 51:11, 71:18

For God to set a guard over our mouth: Psalm 141:3

For God to create in us a new heart: Psalm 51:10

For God not to take us away: Psalm 102:24

For God not to forget the humble Psalm 10:12

For God to establish His word come true Psalm 119:38, 1 Kings 8:26

For God to allow our soul to live to praise: Psalm 119:175

For God to restore & revive us: Psalm 51:12, 80:7,19, 80:18, 119:25, 119:37, 119:40, 119:88, 119:107, 119:156, 119:159

For protection by God to preserve: Psalm 17:8,9, 16:1, 25:2, 71:3, 17:11, 86:2, 140:1, 140:4

For God to uphold us

Psalm 51:12, 119:116, 119:117

For God to strengthen us

Psalm 119:28, 86:16, 105:4, 1 Chron. 16:11

To acknowledge trust in God

Psalm 7:1, 17:1, 25:20, 31:1

Acknowledge in prayer that God is our strength

Psalm 46:1, 18:1,2, 19:14, 27:1, 28;7, 28;8, 43:2, 59:17, 73:26, 118:14, 140:7, 144:1, Jer. 16:19, Isa. 12:2, 26:4, 49:5, Hab. 3:19

For God to save & redeem us

Psalm 20:9, 26:11, 25:22, 69:1, 79:9, 106:4, 106:47, 119:134

For those who persecute you

Mat. 5:44, Lk. 6:28

For your enemies; For those who spitefully use you

Mat. 5:44

For the government & all men

1 Tim. 2:2

For the sick

James 5:14-16

Jesus Continued in prayer Lk. 6:12

Fervently Col. 4:12, James 5:16

Continue earnestly vigilant Col. 4:2, Acts 6:4

Prayed more earnestly Lk. 33:44

Constant prayer Acts 12:5

Pray without ceasing 1 Thes. 5:17, Eph. 1:16

Pray always & not lose heart Lk. 18:1-18

Continued steadfastly Acts 2:42, 6;4

Continued with one accord Acts 1:14

I kept prostrating myself Deut. 9:25

Continued praying` 1 Sam. 1:12-18

Hannah spoke in her heart, only her lips moved, but her voice wasn't heard. Eli thought she was drunk, but she wasn't drunk with wine but was a woman of sorrowful spirit. "Poured out my soul before the Lord."

Poured out a prayer, as a woman with child Isa. 25:17,18

Lifting up Holy Hands Psalm 77:2, 63:4, 28:2,

1 Tim. 2:8, 1 Kings 8:22, 8:38,54

Without wrath Lam. 3:41

Without doubt Mark. 11;23, 1 Tim. 2:8

Laid hands on Acts 28:8, Acts 6:6, Mat. 19:13-15

Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them Mark. 11:25

Believe whatever you say will come to pass & you will have whatever you say

Mark. 11:23

With vehement cries & tears Heb. 5:7

Confessing, weeping, bowing down Ezra. 10:1,2

Calling on the name of the Lord Acts 22:16

Pray to the Father through Jesus Heb. 7:25

In Jesus name Jn. 14:13,14, 16:26, 16:23

In Spirit Ephes. 6:18, Rom. 8:26, Jude 1:20, 1 Cor. 14:13-15

Through the love of the Holy Spirit Rom. 15:30

Ask, seek, knock Mat. 7:7, Jn. 14:13, Psalm 27:4

Whatever you ask, when you pray, believe that you receive, and you will have Mark 11:24

Lift up you soul to God Psalm 143:8

Cast your burden on the Lord Psalm 55:22

Meditate Psalm 1:1-3, 4:4, Psalm 5

Wait on the Lord - Waited patiently - Listen Psalm 40:1

Silently waits Psalm 62:1,5

With your voice Psalm 142:1, 77:1, (Mouth Ps. 66:17)

Cry aloud Psalm 55:17

Cry out Psalm 107:28, 119:145, 146:147, 77:1, 66:17, 142:1,5, 40:1, 61:1, 57:2, 56:9, 27:7, 28:1,2, 30:2,8

With your whole heart seek God Psalm 119:10, 145

Pour out your heart before Him Psalm 62:8

Pour out your complaint Psalm 142:2

Declare your ways to God Psalm 119:26

Pray not with deceitful lips Psalm 17

Be anxious for nothing (self gratification) Phil. 4:6,7

Pray with supplications & thanksgiving Phil. 4:6, Col. 4:2, Neh. 11:17

Speaking out a prayerful command

Acts 9:40 "Tabitha arise"

Acts 9:34 "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you.Arise, make your bed"

We - knelt down Acts 21:5, 20:36

Strive together in prayer Rom. 15:30

Pray over (another) anointing Mat. 26:36, James 5:14

With the church Acts 12:5

With others Acts 1:13, 20:36, 21:5

Alone - knelt down 1 Kings 8:54, Acts 9:40, Dan. 6:10, Lk. 22;41

Pray alone; Go into you room, pray in secret Mat. 6:6

Freely sacrifice Psalm 5

Fell on His face Mat. 26;39, 14:35

With fasting Acts 13:3, 14:23

Toward Jerusalem & the Temple

1 Kings 8:29,30,38, 9:3, 2 Kings 20:2, Psalm 138:2,

Dan. 6:10

Foreigner

1 Kings 8:41,42,44,48

At all times, in everything, unceasing

Rom. 12:12, 1 Thess. 5:17, Ephes. 6:18,

Lk. 18:1, Col. 1;9, 1:3, 2 Thess. 1:11, Acts 10:2

Morning, at noon & evening Psalm 55:17

Three times a day Dan. 6:10

Morning - 3rd hour Psalm 5:3, 88:13, Acts 2:15

Midday - 6th hour Acts 10:9

Evening - 9th hour Acts 10:3, 3:1, 10:30, Dan. 9:31

Morning & evening ~ Day & night 1 Chron. 23:30 Neh 4:9, Psalm 88:1

As long as you live Psalm 116:2

Always Acts 10:2

At midnight Psalm 119:62

Before preaching Mk. 1:35-39

Before the dawning of the morning Psalm 119:147

Seven times a day Psalm 119:164

All day long Psalm 86:3

In the night without ceasing Psalm 77:2

Night watches Psalm 63:6

Early Psalm 63:1

In the morning having risen a long while before daylight

Mk. 1:35

In a time when you may be found

Psalm 32:6

"How long? Could you not watch with me one hour?"

Mat. 26:40, Mk. 14:37

Everywhere 1 Tim. 2:8

Go into your room, pray in secret Mat. 6;6

House top Acts 10:9

In the Temple Acts 22:17, 3;1

On the shore Acts 21:5

Upper Room home Dan. 6:10, Acts 1:13

On our bed Psalm 119:62, 63:6

From the end of the earth Psalm 61:1

Solitary place Mark 1:35

Withdrew Himself into the wilderness Lk. 5:16

Up on the mountain Lk. 9:28

So the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6,7

To build yourself up on faith (To overcome the world.) Jude 1:20, 1 Jn. 5:4

So that the Father may be glorified in the Son Jn. 14:13

To be saved Acts 2:21, Phil. 1:19, Psalm 116:3,4

To pull down strongholds of demonic powers & vain imaginations 2 Cor. 10:4

That the evil thoughts of our heart may be forgiven Acts 8:22

To raise the dead

Acts 9:40

For God to lead us forth by the right way

Psalm 107:7

Lest you fall into temptation

Mat. 26:41

So that they may stand perfect & complete; that they can do the will of God.

Col. 4:12

So that the Father may be glorified in the Son

Jn. 14:13

So that they may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him. So that they would be fruitful in every good work. So that they would increase in the knowledge of God. So that they would be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power. To have all patience. To have long-suffering with joy.

Col. 1:10,11, (What to Pray - See Col. 1:9)

To have the eyes of their understanding enlightened. So that they may know what is the hope of His calling. So that they may know what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. So that they may know what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.

Eph. 1:18,19 ( What to Pray - See Eph. 1:17)

So that we may lead a quiet & peaceable life in all Godliness and reverence, because this is good & acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Because God desires all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Tim. 2:2-4

So that they may approve the things that are excellent. That they may be sincere without offense till the day of Christ. So that they will be filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Phil. 1:10-11 (For what to pray - See Phil. 1:9)

So they will be delivered from prison

Acts 12:5 ( Peter)

That the love of others may abound still more & more in knowledge and all discernment.

Phil 1:9 ( Why should we pray - See Phil. 1:10-11)

For wisdom; that God's people would receive a spirit of wisdom.

Eph. 1:15-17, 23, Col. 1;9, James 1:5, Psalm 13:3

(See why? Col. 1:10, 14)

That their faith should not fail

Lk. 22:32

That they may be filled with knowledge of His will

Col. 1:9

That they may receive the Holy Spirit

Acts 8:15

That the unconfessed & unrepented sins of God's people & even those who persecute us, accuse us & spitefully use us, will be forgiven. That God would have mercy on them.

We should also pray God will bless them with favor & strength. We should pray that God would forgive all their iniquities & transgressions, and not just the faults which the've made against us personally.

We should pray and intercede for others

2 Chron. 30:17-20 As Hezekiah did.

Deut. 9:25, 26 As Moses did.

2 Tim. 4:16 As Paul did.

Acts 7:60 As Stephen did.

As David did.

Luke 23:34 As Jesus Christ did.

"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." John 20:23

"If anyone sees his brothers sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask & He will give him life for those who commit sin..." 1 Jn. 5:16

For God to heal

James 5:13, 1 Kings 8:37, 17:21

For God's selection of church elders

Acts 1;24, 6:6

For the lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest

Mat. 9:38, Lk. 10:2

For God to seek for the lost

Psalm 119:176

For God to remove lying

Psalm 119:29

For the peace of Jerusalem

Psalm 122:6

To be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass & to stand before the Son of man

Lk. 21:36

For children - to have

1 Sam. 1:11, Gen. 20:17, Gen. 21

For God to bless others

2 Sam.7:18-29

To justify the righteous

1 Kings 8:32

For God to remove famine, pestilence, blight, locusts

1 Kings 8:37-39

To magnify God ~ To thank God

2 Sam. 7:18-29, (David)

For the people to know that God is the Lord God

1 Kings 18:20-37, 40

In all situations, whether we're in adverse situations or not. Moreover, we should pray to God in adoration to Him and thanksgiving for everything and always with intercessions for others, daily, in all circumstances.

Also when...

When we're suffering; affliction

James 5:13, Jonah 2:1-9

When we're in distress; troubled

Psalm 4, Psalm 6, Psalm 18:6, 107:6,19,28, 86:7, 77:2, 50:15

When we've sinned & transgressed

Psalm 6

When we're oppressed

Psalm 9:9-10, 10:17,18

When we're accused

Psalm 22:19-21

When we're held captive; persecuted

Psalm 7, Psalm 18:16-19, 22:4,5

When we humble ourselves

Lk. 18:10-14, 2 Chron. 33;12, 2 Chron. 7:14, Psalm 9:12, 10:17, 18:27, 34:18

When we keep God's commandments 1 Jn. 3:22-23

When we do things pleasing in His sight 1 Jn. 3:22-23

When we diligently seek Him by faith Heb. 11:6, 2 Chron. 7:14

When we have Godly fear ( Reverence) Heb. 5:7, Acts 10:2

When we share our bread, bring poor to your house, cover the naked

Isaiah 58:6-14

When we 'take away', pointing our fingers at others & speaking wickedness

(gossip) & satisfy the afflicted soul Isaiah 58:9-10, Psalm 15:1,3

When we pray according to His will 1 Jn. 5:14

When we 'do' the will of God Mat. 7:21, 1 Thes. 5:18

When we pray fervently James 5:16

When we are righteous 1 Pet. 3:12, James 5:16, Psalm 34:15,17

When we pray in our room, in secret ( Not just to be seen by men) Mat. 6:6

When we 'believe' that we'll receive that which we pray for Mark 11:23,24

When we confess & repent from (turn away) our sins & abide in the grace of Christ; trust in the Lord's mercy 2 Chron. 7:14, Psalm 18:25, Mk. 11:25,26

Hezekiah's prayer against Sennacherib, King of Assyria

Isaiah 37:15-20, 2 Kings 19:14-19

Lord's answer - Isaiah 37:22-35, 2 Kings 19:20-34, Isaiah 37:36

The angel of the Lord went out, killed 185,000 Assyrians;

Sennacherib's sons then killed Sennacherib with a sword.

2 Kings 19:35-37

Jeremiah prays for understanding Jer. 32:16-25

Lord's answer - Jer. 32:26-40, 44, 33:1-18 ( Everlasting covenant)

Hezekiah's prayer when sick & near death, "Remember me."

2 Kings 20:1-3, Isaiah 38:3, 5

Lord's answer - 2 Kings 20:5-6 Add to your days fifteen years

Figs used to heal; 2 Kings 20:7. A sign from God; 2 Kings 20:9-11

Hezekiah's prayer for atonement for everyone - those who did not sanctify themselves

2 Chron. 30:18-20

Mannasseh, the king of Jerusalem reigned 55 years; Mannasseh set up idols & did evil; taken captive by the king of Assyria. Prayer for deliverance

2 Chron. 33:11-13

Daniel's prayer for God to forgive, listen and act

Dan. 9:4-19

Jonah for deliverance

Jonah 2:1-9

Hannah's prayer for a child ( Samuel) 1 Sam. 1:11,27

Samuel's prayer for Israel to be saved from the Philistines

1 Sam. 7:8-12

~The Lord thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day & so confused them that they were overcome before Israel.

Abraham prayed; God healed Abimelech, his wife, & his maidservants; they bore children. Gen. 21 - Sarah conceived.

Moses prayed for Aaron & Israel for forgiveness of their idolatry Deut. 9:25

The Lord chose not to destroy you Deut. 10:10

The raising of the Shunammite's son ( Woman's faith), Elisha prayed

2 Kings 4:8-33,37

Layed twice on the dead 2 Kings 4:34,35

Elisha prayed; opened eyes; 18 struck with blindness 2 Kings 6:17

When we don't confess & turn away from our sins & iniquities

Isaiah 59:2,3, 1 Pet. 3:12

When we have spoken lies & muttered perversity; deceitful lips

Isaiah 59:3, Psalm 17:1

When we have pride

Lk. 18:10-14, Psalm 5:5, Psalm 12:3

When we pray amiss

When we doubt we'll receive that which we prayed for & have no faith

When we have unforgiveness towards anyone

When we pray like hypocrites, or standing in synagogues & on the street corners

Lk. 18:11, Mat. 6:5

When we follow after other gods

Jer. 11:10,11

If we regard iniquity in our heart

Psalm 66:18

Job 35:12

James 4:1-4 "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your own pleasures.

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

To do the will of God should always be the formost heart compelled desire of every Christian. When we are determined to do the will of God, we will have God's favor and will be extremely blessed.

Before we were a Christian, we were self-willed, following our own imperfect desires and beliefs, and based our decisions only on our limited human knowledge. Being self-willed only at best provided a shallow existence without any eternal benefits, moreover being self-willed caused us to make many hurtful mistakes because of our ignorance and never truly fulfilled our lives with true joy.

To deliberately go against the will of God is outright rebellion. This kind of pride was the downfall of Satan and one third of the angels in heaven, as well as the fall of man when Adam and Eve rebelled against the will of God, and against what He told them to do.

Doing the will of God, as God instructs in His word is contrary to our own logic or selfish lustful desires. Yet when we deny our self and purpose to do the will of God, we receive blessings and goodness more than we could ever imagine.

It is important for us not to lean to our own understanding, but rather learn first What is the will of God and purpose to obey What God is teaching us; As we do the will of God, our lives and the lives around us are blessed, and we will inherit the promises of God.

Those Christians that do the will of God are the people who are part a of God's family.

MARK 3:35 ( Jesus Said ) " Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother and My sister and mother.

MATTHEW 7:21 " Not everyone who says to Me, ' Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.

Jesus demonstrated the right attitude of heart that we should always have; even before He was about to die at the cross, He was praying to God the Father and seeking the will of God, and not just stubbornly looking after His own welfare.

MATTHEW 26:39 " And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ' My Father, if it is possible, let this cup ( His death on the cross ) pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

MATTHEW 26:42 " He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, " My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Thy will be done.'

JOHN 5:30 " I can do nothing on My own authority; as I hear I judge; and My judgment is just, because I seek not My own will but the will of Him who has sent Me."

1 THES 5:14-18 " And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 JOHN 2:15-17 " Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not of the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also it's lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever."

1 THES 4:3 " For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;

JOHN 4:34 Jesus said to them, " My food is to do the will of him who sent Me, and to finish His work."

ROMANS 12:1,2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service; And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God."

MAT 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, ' Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

MAT 12:50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

JOHN 6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life and I shall raise him up at the last day.

God desires that we choose to willfully obey His Word and direction for our lives.

God has the power and strength to force us to obey, but rather He desires that we individually choose to obey and follow His precepts and commandments. This reveals to God that we sincerely believe and trust His direction and Love Him wholeheartedly.

Jesus said, If you Love Me, You will keep ( obey ) My commandments."

It is important for us as Christians to aspire to have the right attitude of heart, by desiring fervently to obey God; Not because we have to obey God but because we want to obey and please God with all of our being.

Obedience is the act of conforming to the will of God out of respect and reverance to God because He is worthy.

EXODUS 19:5 Now therefore, if you obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine.

JOHN 14:15 "If you love me, ( Jesus) you will obey what I command.

14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--

14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.

14:18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

1 PETER 1:22 Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth to the Spirit, unto unfeigned love of the brethren; see that you love one another with a pure heart.

REV 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.

1 JOHN 2:3 " And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.

It should be obvious in order to obey God's commandments we need to learn what those commandments are first.

1 JOHN 2:5 " But whoever keeps His word in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him."

When we obey God's Word, we will bear much spiritual fruit and the Love of God will be perfected in us.

MATTHEW 7:24,25 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came and the wind blew, and burst against the house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.

In the Bible, all followers of Jesus Christ are instructed to be good stewards. As Christians, we should desire to be personally disciplined in faithfully using our talents and resources for the glory of God and to further His Kingdom. We can become good stewards by putting to action, and utilizing our talents and resources to minister to the needs of others, and moreover by continually sharing the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ with those whom the Lord brings us to.

Another way we should be good stewards is by setting aside time each day to pray to God and setting time to study and meditate on God's Word.

When we become good stewards, of our time, talents, and resources, then our lives will be well balanced and blessed; Our Love will become effectual and we will bear much fruit, thereby many other lives around us will be blessed as well.

For any of us to demonstrate stewardship in the way God intended, we must keep the proper balance of spending our time, talents and resources so that we never neglect one area of our life over another. As Christians we should learn from God's Holy Spirit when to devote time and assistance to family, friends, strangers, enemies and those in need.

God helps us in many ways to become good stewards, by instructing us in His word, just What should be our priorities, and further by directing and enabling us to do various righteous deeds. God's Holy Spirit will show us the right timing and further, exactly what are the right proportions to give.

It is God who gives to each person certain measure of specific talents, spiritual gifts and resources.

Being a steward means you have been entrusted with God's resources and spiritual gifts therefore the money , the land, all that you own and your very being was given to you by God for His purpose, and we are responsible to wisely use all that have for serving God. This includes taking care of your family as a priority.

Each Christian will be held accountable to God, to show How he has used his talents and resources in doing the will of God. By being a good steward of our time, talents and resources, we can fulfill God's commandment to Love one another.

ASK YOURSELF And GOD the following Questions, then respond, set goals, and take action.....

How can I, today better use my time, talents and resources to glorify God?

What are my talents ?

What are my resources ?

Who can I serve ?

MAT 25:14 For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them.

25:15 And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his ability; and he went on his journey.

25:16 Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.

25:17 In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more.

25:18 But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the ground, and hid his master's money.

25:19 Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.

25:20 And the one who had received the five talents came up and bought five more talents, saying, ' Master, you entrusted five talents to me; see, I have gained five more talents.'

25:21 " His master said to him, " Well done, good and faithful servant; You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter the joy of your master.'

25:22 The one also who had received the two talents came up and said, " Master, you entrusted to me two talents; see, I have gained two more talents.

26:23 His master said to him, ' Well done, good and faithful servant,; you were faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter the joy of your master.

25:24 And the one who had received the one talent, came up and said," Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed.

25:25 And I was afraid and went away, and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours."

25:26 But his master answered and said to him,' You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I scattered no seed.

25:27 Then you ought to put your money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.

25:28 Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten talents.

25:29 For everyone who has, more shall be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.

25:30 And cast out the worthless slave into outerdarkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing teeth.

LUKE 16:1 Now He was also saying to the disciples, ' There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and this steward was reported to him as squandering his possessions.

16:2 And he called him and said to him, " What is this I hear about you ? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.'

READ 16:3-8

16:8 And his master praised the unrighteous steward because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.

Every Christian should be responsible to labor with their hands, to support themselves, and their family. Even many pastors and Christian teachers should labor when they are able, so as to be a good example.

We also must be willing to forsake all, when called by God to do a certain task or mission, and not have selfish ambition holding us back.

When we earn our own money and then use it for God's work in some way, many people will be blessed including ourselves, because our joy is made full as we fulfill God's purpose.

2 THES 3:8 Nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship, we kept working night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you.

2 THES 3:10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order; if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.

1 THES 2:9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

This word has quite a number of definite and distinct meanings, almost all of which appear in translation at some point or other in the Bible. The more importatant of them are...

1) Love, benevolence, good will, especially to our neighbor;

2) Liberality and generosity to the poor and those suffering, otherwise known as almsgiving.

Christians should always be charitable and be very giving towards the support of those in need both within the church as well as towards non-christians.

God loves those whom are cheerful givers, who give willingly and expect nothing in return; God abundantly blesses those whom have a kind and generous heart.

LUKE 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys.

12:34 For where your treasure is there will be your heart also.

MAT 6:1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is heaven.

6:2 When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

6:3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is diong,

6:4 that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

2 CORIN 9:7 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Do you hold a grudge against someone, or have bitterness and unforgiveness towards someone ? If you do, you must forgive them in your heart, according to what God has told us to do; This does not mean that you condone the wrong that they have done, but rather you just forgive their actions so that God can change their life. Jesus has commanded us to forgive everyone.

Unless we forgive all of those who have said or done something wrong against us then neither are we forgiven by God; We should continue to forgive a person for their wrong actions, even countless times, just as God continues to forgive us countless times even for the same sins that we may commit, to this very day.

MATTHEW 6:14,15 For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

MATTHEW 18:21 Then Peter came and said to Him, " Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him ? Up to seven times ?

18:22 Jesus said to him, " I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

Submit to one another in the Love of God.

Submitting to each other's needs and desires, is part of demonstrating God's love.

We can rightfully submit to other Christians by not insisting on our own way, and by further having a teachable spirit; Choosing to assist others over our own selfish interests, reflects a Christlike love.

However, we should never submit to any man in authority, secular or Christian, who asks us to sin in any way; because we should always be a God pleaser and not a man pleaser.

1 PETER 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,

2:14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

2:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

1 PETER 3:1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives,

3:2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

1 TIM 2:11 Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.

EPHES 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence

1 PET 1:14,15,16 As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, " Be holy, for I am holy."

God desires that every Christian to be Holy. Holiness means to separated from worldliness and from every sinful way.

Likewise holiness means also to be without blame, to have a pure mind, and heart or to have spiritual integrity.

God is Holy, so we should also be Holy, if we desire to please God and hope to have a good relationship before Him.

It is important for us to desire God to work His holiness into our lives so that our joy will be full, and so our lives would be protected from evil.

Holiness is not achieved through our acts of righteousness, even though our faith must be followed rightly by good deeds.

Neither can holiness be just an outward appearance of false humility, or self abasement, rather our lives must reflect the genuine holiness and pureness of God which is only made possible through the grace of Jesus Christ.

Holiness comes to the depths of our minds and hearts as we sincerely repent, and turn away from every evil way, while we submit ourselves to be sanctified by the grace and words of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is further important for us to be holy and separated from the world, so that we will have the time and ability to do the work of God unhindered;

This does not mean that we should isolate ourselves somewhere. We are still to go among non-Christians and sinners, however we are not to continue to have close friendship with them any longer nor do the same carnal ways of the world. we should still witness to them and bring the good news of God's Love.

Holiness is only possible by taking on the nature of Jesus Christ as we ongoingly humble ourselves and ask for His forgiveness and be cleansed by His grace and word of truth.

When we live a holy life, we can rest in the goodness of God apart from the bondage of the world of sin. Let all of us purpose to make holiness our desire, and to be holy because God is holy.

ROMANS 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2 CORIN 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

EPHES 1:4 According as He has chosen us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, without blame before Him in Love.

HEBREWS 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.

Steadfastness is the quality of constant spiritual stability that a Christian chooses to have by remaining firm in his beliefs and convictions of Godly principles.

Every Christian must resolve in their mind and heart to be immovable away from the life-giving principles of Jesus Christ, We need to be fixed on doing and fulfilling God's will, and obeying His commandments without wavering, even in the midst of trials, opposition, ridicule, temptation and even after failure.

What convinces us and persuades us to remain firm in living out the truth of Jesus Christ is the hope of the fulfillment of our eternal life in Heaven and the hope to receive the numerous promises of God, and estill further xperiencing all the Love, goodness, mercy and blessings that God daily pours upon our individual lives.

The spiritual welfare and the deliverance from evil of our lives depends upon us remaining steadfast in Jesus Christ under His protection, grace and power.

Jesus Christ is the Rock of our salvation and if we stand upon Him and His truth we will not be moved in the midst of any storm.

Jesus remained steadfast for us even to death on the cross, so that we would be free from all sin and receive eternal life. As Jesus said, " Father, Not My will but Thy will be done. "

As we are engaged in spiritual warfare - " steadfast " means, in a military sense of the word, ' one who does not retreat or give in to the enemy.' Likewise when tempted with evil we should not give in to the enemy.

Anchor your life to the rock of Jesus Christ, so that you will fulfill all that God has called you to achieve, and so you will never drift away from your eternal destination and home in the Kingdom of God.

1 CORIN 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

2 PETER 3:17,18 You therefore, beloved knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity, Amen.

HEB 3:14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.

There are many trials, sufferings, problems that we each face every day. And as Christians we will not only encounter social problems but also many spiritual problems.

However God even works our trials and sufferings to benefit us.

ROMANS 5:3-5 And not only that, but we also glory in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance; and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the Love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Just like any athlete who needs physical endurance to win, so does every Christian need spiritual, emotional and physical endurance to succeed.

Any good athlete trains many hours each day and disciplines his body to achieve higher results. This athlete will suffer much as he diligently goes through various exercises and specific training obstacles, yet this builds stronger endurance so that the athlete is able to withstand the race, with the purpose of winning.

In retrospect, God uses all the suffering and trials that we go through to build spiritual endurance into each person's character, so that we are able to withstand evil and continue through any spiritual opposition, till we attain the promises of God and receive the crown of eternal life.

God also makes everything work for good for those that love God.

Before we were Christians, suffering caused by satanic powers would bring oppression, discouragement and defeat; However God helps to turn all of our suffering and trials to still work for the better in our lives; Therefore the next time you encounter a trial as a Christian realize that God will cause it to produce spiritual endurance into your life, and with spiritual endurance you will be able to obtain eternal rewards.

MATTHEW 5:11,12 " Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

1 PETER 4:1,2 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.

1 PETER 4:12-14 "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

JAMES 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1 PETER 5:9,10 But resist him, (Satan) firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

2 CORIN 4:8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;

4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed:

4:10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

4:11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

All things work for good for those who love God.

1 CORIN 13:7,8 Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things, love never fails.

Anyone going through this life needs endurance. Perseverance is the ability or state of persisting in doing the will of God. It is the continued pursuit for that which is good regardless of the obstacles, trials or time involved. We gain perseverance and endurance by the power and encouragement of God's Holy Spirit as we go through various trials.

The very circumstances that try to hinder our lives are the very things that God uses sometimes to strengthen our lives to be able to endure other obstacles and to overcome.

ROMANS 5:3-5 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the Love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

MATTHEW 24:13 But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.

LUKE 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

ROMANS 2:6,7 Who will render to every man according to his deeds; 7 To those who by perseverance in doing good, seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.

JAMES 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

JAMES 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

PROVERBS 24:16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,...

HEBREWS 12:1-3 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us;

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.

HEBREWS 11:24-,26 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

considering the reproach of Christ as greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

As we grow in Christ, God will begin to reveal our weaknesses. We may even fall short and fail many times in various areas of our walk with God.

However we should not be discouraged or give up because God will be faithful, to complete the work that He first began in our lives.

We should never allow ourselves to fall into disbelief but rather to put our trust in God. God is able and will give us spiritual strength and stability, to overcome.

Nor should we ever justify sin, because of weakness but rather purpose to repent and overcome.

God has chosen us who are foolish and weak in the world to confound the wise, so that He gets the glory, because it's His Wisdom, not ours!

As we continue to empty ourselves of trusting only in our own human strengths, God will then fill our lives with His perfect strength which is able to bring true success in all things.

ZECHARIAH 4:6 " It's not by power, it's not by might, it's by My Spirit says the Lord. "

2 CORIN 12:9" My grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfected in weakness"

JOHN 8:31,32 " If you continue in My Word, you are truly My disciple, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

PROVERBS 24:16 " A righteous mans falls seven times, and rises again."

Many individuals and even Christians have a feeling of unworthiness either keeping them from accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior or hindering them from growing in Christ. God does not want any person to wait to become righteous and worthy first before becoming a Christian because the only way a person can become righteous and worthy is to accept Jesus in their life.

Furthermore any time we feel unworthly of God's Love and goodness, as a Christian, we need to remember that God desires us to accept His forgiveness for all our sins past, present, and future, and to trust and believe that God has made us worthy of His Love and goodness through Jesus Christ.

God's gift of eternal life is not earned by our own merit, therefore, although we are not worthy because of our sinful nature, God still lovingly chooses to offer each one of us His gift of eternal life.

God Loves you, and we are made worthy of His love and grace through Jesus Christ.

ROM 5:8 But God demonstrates His Love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Comporise and Hypocrisy is knowing what is right to do according to the word of God, and choosing to deliberately to go against it in some way.

As Christians, any time that we choose to compromise God's truth and disobey His word, there are many detrimental results;

Most important, we displease God, and when we sin, this always hinders God's true blessings upon our lives. The conviction of being a hypocrite is both degrading spiritually and emotionally and brings no lasting joy.

When we recognize and admit, and turn away from hypocrisy in any area in our life, only then will we grow further into the fulness of the maturity of Jesus Christ.

LUKE 12:1 Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

1 TIM 4:1,2 But the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

4:2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars, seared in their own conscience, as with a branding iron.

JAMES 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

MATTHEW 23:13-15 But woe to you, scribes and Parisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from men; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

23:14 Woe to you, scrbes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows' houses, even while for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you shall receive greater condemnation.

23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Parisees, hypocrites, because you travel about the sea and land to make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

We have been given the ministry of reconcilation by God.

Reconcilation is the re-establishing of the fellowship which was broken between two individuals;

As Christians we should do and say everything to help reconcile everyone back into fellowship with God.

If we repent from our sin, God will reconcile us back to Himself, so that we can continue to have good fellowship with Him and so that we can continue to receive all the spiritual promises of God.

2 CORIN 5:18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconcilation,

5:19 namely, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconcilation.

5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Throughout our lives as Christians we need to " be strong and of good courage." We need to learn and understand that we should not allow ourselves to become discouraged if any of our friends or loved ones should fail us or leave us, but rather we should be encouraged that there is one friend who will never leave us nor forsake us, Jesus Christ.

We should, likewise, not fall into dispair when we somehow loose any of our material wealth but rather we should be encouraged that our eternal riches are secure in Jesus Christ, and no man or circumstance can take the blessings of God from us.

To be strong and of good encouragement is vital so that we may obtain all the promises of God and be equipt to do His work.

Anxiety causes depression but a good word from the Lord gladens the heart.

Other Christian testimonies of God's faithfulness encourages us, because we see the real life results of God working in other people's lives.

Every Christian should purpose to encourage one another with the promises and truth of God's word, to strengthen each other for fulfilling God's will.

HEBREWS 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it still called " Today " lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

PHILIPPIANS 2:1 If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in the spirit, intent on one purpose.

1 THESS 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

All Christians have the liberty in the Spirit and should not be constrained to only wear conservative clothing.

However, we should all be modest in our dress, as an outward statement of our heart and always use godly discretion for what we choose to wear or do, so we won't stumble each other.

1 TIM 2:9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold, or pearls or costly garments.

2:10 But rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness.

JAMES 2:1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

2:2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes,

2:3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes and say, ' You sit here in a good place,' and you say to the poor man,' You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,'

2:4 have you not made distinction among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives ?

2:5 Listen, my beloved brethren, did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him ?

As a new believer in Jesus, we are like spiritual babes in Christ; We can easily become discouraged when we lack the faith, or strength to continue on as a Christian; However even when we are faithless, God wants us to know and have the reassurance that He will still be faithful on our behalf to help us through any problem, or help us to overcome any evil, or even further to help us to attain His promises.

It seems God often allows us to go to the ends of our own limited human solutions, before He intervenes and displays His almighty power and brings His perfect answer to our problem.

This is the faithfulness of God, when God perfectly achieves what was impossible for man and not even seen at first.

God has placed rainbows in the sky as a beautiful reminder of His faithful fulfillment of what He promises.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

PSALM 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.

145:14 The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

145:15 The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time.

145:16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

145:17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made.

145:18 The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.

145:19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.

145:20 The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

1 CORIN 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 THES 5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

" In God We Trust;" This motto should not be written on money, but rather it should be inscribed on our very hearts. Every Christian should purpose in their mind and heart to fully rely on and put their confidence in God, in His abilities, and in His faithfulness. With all assurance, we should completely rest our minds, and lives, upon God's strength, love, wisdom, justice, mercy, truth, integrity and protection; and commit all of our plans and problems into His hands through prayer.

Some men trust in earthly riches, some trust in human power and knowledge. Yet all human efforts and abilities will most certainly fail at one time or another, because of their imperfect nature, however as we put our trust in God, all of our burdens and troubles seem to pass away, and godly peace will fill our heart.

God is perfect and as we put our trust in Him, we will have perfect success.

PROVERBS 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord, with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path and make it straight."

PSA 28:7 " The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped."

In this world of constant turmoil, natural disasters and violence, we all need a safe place to live and to find shelter and protection.

We continually encounter spiritual warfare, accusations, hatred, adverse emotions, and power struggles; Therefore the only place we will find True peace and security is to abide in God. If we keep God's commandments we will abide in God, and He will abide in us. As we keep His commandments we will also abide in Jesus' Love and He promises us that our joy will be full. Therefore it is important to learn just What are the commandments that Jesus Christ instructed us to follow.

JOHN 15:9-10 " Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you: abide in My Love. If you keep My commandments you will abide in My Love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His Love."

JOHN 15:1-4 I (Jesus) am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

JOHN 15:5-8 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If you abide in Me (Jesus) and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.

By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

Every Christian is called by God to walk each day on a narrow and difficult path.

What NARROW means is that you cannot go in any direction that you want nor do just anything you want;

Instead, you must follow a particular course and which is following same self disciplines that Jesus did and giving the same love that Jesus gave. This narrow path of following Jesus Christ is DIFFICULT but not impossible because you have God's Holy Spirit.

There are many paths in this world, but only this one leads to life;

Once you have found the way in Jesus Christ, you can see clearly and distinctly that there is no other way , worth taking. Therefore it isn't necessary to follow other teachings before realizing that every other earthly path is a dead end.

Life is like a maze with many entrances and paths, some seem to go all the way to the finish but end with a block, and only one path leads to life.

There can be many keys on a key chain but only one will open the door.

A broad path is liken to when a person is self willed, goes their own foolish carnal evil way, or chooses to go after any religious belief other than Christianity, or even chooses to live a diluted version of Christianity. This is an 'easy' selfish way because a person disregards any responsibilities at the cost of not helping to fulfill the needs of other people.

The person who follows the broad path, does not do the will of God. Only the narrow path of Jesus Christ leads to life.

The words of our mouth ethier bring life or death, to those who hear. Our speech, as Christians, should always be filled with kind words that are spoken in love, and with goodness;

Our words should bring edification to all those around us. Not tear down people's lives or be rude in any way.

We can be bold and straightforward in our words, and bring a correction, without swearing or using the Lord's name in vain.

If we speak evil words, we ourselves will be adversely affected; but if we choose to always speak good and gentle words then our lives will reap the precious eternal treasures of God.

Out of our mouth should flow rivers of living waters, that will always bless others.

COL 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.

JAMES 3:2-6 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says , he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

Now if we put the bits into a horses' mouth so that they may obey us, we direct their whole body as well.

Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire !

And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

PROVERBS 16:23,24 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

PROVERBS 15:23 A man has joy in an apt answer; And how delightful is a timely word.

PROVERBS 12:14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man's hands will return to him.

PROVERBS 13:3 The one who guards his mouth preserves his life.

PROVERBS 12:19 Truthful lips will be established forever.

What things are truly worthwhile for us to be a success at in life, of which any of us can have the potential to accomplish and do for others regardless of our financial standing, intellect, physical abilities or ethnic background ?

To often we strive to be successful in many things which will never rightly fulfill our foremost needs and heartfelt desires ;

In our ignorance we engage in mixed-up priorities and overly give our attention and time to areas which should take a lesser place within our life or even should not be there at all.

In our pursuit for what the world regards as success we find ourselves preoccupied and struggling in many detrimental endeavors. This can aversively affect others as well as ourselves, such as our greed for materialistic gain and luxury beyond our needs, social status, prideful recognitions, physical goals with no purposeful direction, and vain appearance;

Furthermore we ourselves will invariably miss out in obtaining and sharing life's most precious virtues, if we allow ourselves to become entangled in a world of pride and selfish ambition.

Why should we grasp the wind only to find nothing to satisfy ?

We must focus in and devote proper time to the more essential areas of life, such as love, kindness, patience, and the care that we should give, not only to our family but also to all those whom we come in contact with, and thereby so doing we can be successful in the most meaningful aspects of life that will bring fullness of joy not only to us but to all concerned.

When we humble ourselves and only when we are humble, we are then able to receive Godly instruction and knowledge which will enable us to excel beyond our greatest expectations.

True success is evident when we Love God with all of our heart and esteem others more highly than ourselves.

We should give, instead of take, yet in so doing we will also receive lasting rewards which will not waste away.

Love, along with humility, are the highest achievements any individual can make.