2 Peter 1:6 – 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
Once we get the knowledge we need to practice perseverance of our goodness and self control. All these things lead to Godliness.
Practice makes perfect. It is so important that we do, because it is important to our LORD.
Romans 12:9-10 – 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
If everyone obeyed these scriptures, where would the world be today?
Is the world in this spot today? No. It’s far from it. The world is full of self seeking people who are putting themselves first.
But it isn’t just about sacrifice either. Many people today are trying to help people in more of a Marxist Socialist type of way, but leaving God out of the loop in the process. For our love to be sincere, we need to seek our Lord and share Him with others.
Does evil bother you? It should. Just like the scripture says, Hate what is evil and cling to what is good. The world is busying either trying to decide for you what is evil or giving you that choice.
Is that what constitutes evil? No, God says what is evil and what is not. We need to learn what those things are and stay away from them.
1 John 1:5 – 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
God has given us, like He always does, a great parallel to understand darkness. We have light on this earth that is produced by the sun or light generated by sources. We have all been in very dark rooms or outside where we are literally blinded.
God and Jesus are light. There is no darkness in them. Satan on the other hand is the prince of darkness. Does that mean we can’t see him? No. The further you get away from the light, the darker it becomes.
Darkness is a form of not understanding God or His ways. That is when you hear the term spiritual darkness.
When we try to reach others who don’t have the Lord, we’re trying to reach a place with no light. We are trying to shine God’s light so they may see or understand. We’re trying to light a wick and hope that if it ignites and starts to burn and hope it won’t blow out too quickly. We want it to become a constant burning flame fueled by the Word.
John 1:1-5 – 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
As Christians who have come to know the Truth, it can be hard to fathom how the devil can be around so long and yet not understand that He’s lost the war. He’s seen prophecy after prophecy happen and yet refuses to accept it. That’s because he is in darkness. How can people today have a book explaining the end times and those who don’t believe in it still follow it? Because they are in darkness. They are far away from God and the further they get away, the darker their understanding becomes. It’s like spiritual amnesia.
God is Light, Jesus is Light, and the Holy Spirit is Light. There is no darkness in Them. Without them we are all in darkness. They are the Ones who bring us back. That is why it says there is a way that seems right unto man but in the end it leads to death. Everyone needs the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 – 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
We need to always be encouraging and not afraid to urge each other in living our lives for the Lord. We feel like we lived worthy when we stand before the Throne of God. Where as we know that only He is worthy and our worthiness comes from Him, we don’t want to face Him not living our lives for Him. Comfort one another and help each other strive for this goal.
Philippians 3:12-14 –12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
I’ve had some great memories in my past, but I don’t live for those. This whole earth is going to be our past. Everything worldly that we do is going to be gone and left behind. Everything we do for our Lord is coming with us. Everything the Lord has to offer lasts forever.
Who are the ones warning us about not living selfishly for the world today? That would be our Creator and King along with the Holy Spirit. I’m going to take Them at Their (His) Word. I am going to trust Them. I’m going to choose to listen when They say:
Matthew 6:19-20 – 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
James 5:3 – 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
Revelation 3: 17-18- 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
The goal! The goal is working for our Lord and His kingdom.
James 5:19-20 – 19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
It’s important because it can save them from death.
Continue to encourage one another, love one another, and pray for each other.
What if no one obeyed God?
It would be time for Him to close shop and move on to the next phase of eternity.
However, there are those who love Him. We see this especially in their obedience.
Does the Lord care about obedience?
1 Samuel 15:22 – 22 But Samuel replied:
“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
Luke 11:28 – 28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Very much so, in fact it’s what the Lord wants from us. If we obey what He asks it means we’re loving Him, serving Him, and reaching others for Him which are lost.
The world is full of people who aren’t doing what He wants them to do, or that care about Him.
I see people who have gotten their lives closer to God. They have a loving relationship with Jesus which wasn’t all that strong or much existent before. As a result I see their families getting closer to the Lord. Their obedience is helping to spread God’s love and power.
Obedience strengthens our own lives with God and it helps bring others to Him. It is so important to seek and obey our Lord.
This is the day that the Lord have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Great old hymn.
Live it. Be extremely grateful for all that you have and don’t make your whole goal chasing after what won’t bring you anymore happiness anyway.
Praise our Lord.
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
We really need to strive on the above scripture. As a perfect God we have no idea how much He wants us to succeed in getting our hearts right with Him. If we do that, we care about all those things mentioned above.
We’re in spiritual war and it’s for the hearts of men.
God wants us to live for Him and concentrate on eternity, not a fallen temporary abode in which we are trying to build a kingdom.
I saw the movie the Bucket List. The thing I don’t like about the Bucket list is people are trying to get things in before they die as if they will not have any opportunities in the future.
I don’t know about you, but the Lord has put on my heart that real living begins at that time. We have a job to do now and if we focus it on Him, the next step is going to be more glorious than ever.
John 14:27- 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The trend reveals that Christians are suffering more persecution all around the world lately. It is coming quicker than most think to America.
It’s those times we have to focus and realize that Jesus gives us peace. Keep the faith and stay strong. Get your strength from the Lord. No one will ever suffer for the Lord that will go unnoticed.
As children of God we all have a job to do. The biggest problem with most Christians is doing nothing. Do we want to stand in front of God and Jesus and to have done nothing? If you get persecuted for doing that job, the Lord will be with you and you will be doing the right thing for Him.
Have peace.