*1.* “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. . .Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” *2* “The poor are ruled by the rich, and those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders.” *3* “Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again…
Here it is, paid in full: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12, NKJV). When God talks about debts, He’s talking about the times when people hurt you and do you wrong. It’s debt because human nature says, “I was wronged. Now I want justice. You have to pay me back.” But the mistake many people make is trying to collect a debt that only God can pay. Your parents can’t pay you back for…
Ordinarily, believers in Christ Jesus are not to struggle with listening to God! When you are compelled to listen to God, it is as dangerous as being disobedient to Him! However, this is not the subject here! For various indeterminate reasons, Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, told the servants at the Marriage of Cana. I quote, “His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5, ESV). Could this be a variant of active listening or…
*1.* “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” *2* “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” *3* “When a scoffer is…
Remember that you are always of great value to God; you are precious to Him. Fear Him alone. Reverence Him. Believe Him. Trust Him. Indeed, you are precious: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31). That’s it!!!
Yes, on Pearls! Jesus says we should conquer evil with good and to bless our enemies. He likewise tells us not to cast our pearls among pigs. By “your pearls,” He intended not to continue to attempt to persuade the individuals who will not trust the Gospel, yet it likewise incorporates you. Specific individuals won’t esteem the approaching your life, the gift God has given you, or your blessing. They will reject and stomp on over the Gospel and who…
*1.* “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” *2* “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” *3* “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I…
What are those things you permit to steal your joy? Indeed, there are things, insignificant for that matter, that can rob you of your joy. Various stories about how little things tend to steal people’s joy. A man told me he could not come for Sunday service because he couldn’t locate his preferred shoes in time that Sunday! What? Yes, but don’t you have your own story of how some insignificant “thing” stole your joy? Stop the thieves of joy…
The apostle Paul knew that worthless things are not to be central to his life. He emphasised that only one thing should be foremost to him. What was that? Christlikeness and I quote: “But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life].” (Philippians 3:7, AB). So, he…
*1.* “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” *2* “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” *3* “No, in all these things we…