Equipped with Divine Power

- God's divine power has given us whatever we need spiritually through our knowledge of Christ. His power is always available and always adequate for whatever we may face in life (He already knows what we will face). God's omnipotence is at work for us and in us. How wonderful this truth is! What a generous, gracious, mighty God we serve! "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose." (Philippians 2:13)

- Christ's own unique glory (excellence of His Being/His attributes) and virtue (excellence of His deeds) draw us to know Him and to live a Godly life in Him. We "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) by feeding on God's Word and by imitating Him. Godliness is Christlikeness. What we know/believe will dictate what we say and what we do. That's why it's so important for us to know the right Jesus of the Bible and to know God's Word. "It is impossible to practice godliness without a constant, consistent and balanced intake of the Word of God in our lives." (Jerry Bridges) "The difference between worldliness and godliness is a renewed mind." (Erwin W. Lutzer) Godliness is "a genuine reverence toward God that governs one's attitude toward every aspect of life." (from my NIV Bible commentary) "Godliness is devotion to God which results in a life that is pleasing to him." (Jerry Bridges) "It (Godliness in Greek) comes from two words: well and to worship. A godly person worships well. He directs his worship rightly...Godliness is true and real spiritual relation to God. Religion relates more to outward acts of religious observance or ceremony. Godliness, on the other hand, cherishes the will of God." (Dr. Grant C. Richison)

- Since God has granted us everything we ever need for our Christian life & Godliness, there is no excuse whatsoever for not living vibrant, Godly lives or for not growing in Christlikeness. "We may have as much of God as we will. Christ puts the key of the treasure-chamber into our hand, and bids us take all that we want. If a man is admitted into the bullion vault of a bank and told to help himself, and comes out with one cent, whose fault is it that he is poor?” (Alexander Maclaren) "If the way of godliness is rejected, so is the hope of eternal life. So Peter forbids us to turn our faith into a fire insurance policy for escaping hell while our lives remain unchanged. The hope and the way of godliness stand or fall together." (John Piper) The same power that raised Christ from the dead is presently at work in our lives. Are we living like heirs of the Almighty God or like paupers? It's a tragedy when we believers fail to live according to the hope, riches, and power we possess in Christ.

- God gives us great & precious promises on which we may stand. He gives us the spiritual ability to participate in the divine nature (the nature that characterizes God such as holiness, goodness, love, and grace) by His Holy Spirit's indwelling. Because of this new nature in Christ, we have escaped the (moral) corruption in the world caused by evil desires. Is this truth evident to all by our Godly lives? Yahweh Jireh provides everything including His divine power for us to live a Godly life; that's God's part. God empowers, equips, and enables us but we must cooperate (with the promptings of the Holy Spirit), obey, and work at it (in 2 Peter 1:5, Peter uses the phrase, "... make every effort to...). God will not make us Christlike against our will or without our involvement. It requires desire, determination, and discipline on our part. God gives us the gift of choice for a reason. Here we see a beautiful interplay between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. We are called to put our faith into action and to live the way God wants us to. We are called to do good deeds because we have been saved, not in order to be saved. 

- Prayer: Father, thank You for providing everything I ever need to live a Godly life for You! Please help me to never take my spiritual wealth that I have in Christ for granted. Please remind me to find hope and comfort in Your precious promises whenever I get discouraged. Please continually fill me with Your Holy Spirit and mold me into Christlikeness. Be glorified and magnified in my life always! In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Get Your Priorities Straight

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:31-33) 

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength." (Corrie ten Boom)
"Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due." (Unknown) 

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27) I think we can all agree that worrying is wasteful and doesn't work. It weakens us and makes us weary. It weighs our heart down, causes our mind to wander aimlessly, and withers our soul. It ain't worth it! Those who don't know God as their Heavenly Father may have worries and seek after material things, but this should not be the case for us, His children. Jesus tells us not to worry! "Casting all your care (anxiety) upon Him--because He cares for you!" (1 Peter 5:7) "The Lord knows all His people--all their needs, and all their trials. He thinks upon them--to bless, deliver and supply them. He keeps His eye upon them--in all places, at all times, and under all circumstances. He has them in His hand--and will not loosen His hold. It is a Father's care which He exercises. It is a wise, holy, tender, and constant care. Therefore all will be well with you--only trust Him." (James Smith)

We must get our priorities straight. We are kingdom people who are called to seek the things of God...things that matter for God's kingdom...things of spiritual values as a priority over the things of the world. Live in the light of eternity; have an eternal perspective and make an eternal impact in this dark, lost world! When we put God first in our lives, we'll discover that all other pieces of the life puzzle will fall into place. Seek first to do His will, live in obedience to Him, and share the Gospel with others, then your needs will be taken care of by Him. By the way, this verse is not a formula for gaining wealth or getting what you want. Needs are not the same as wants. Our spiritual well-being (holiness/being conformed to Christlikeness) comes first. Since God knows our needs and He promises to supply, we have no reasons to worry whatsoever. Yahweh Jireh will provide what we need when we need it. Trust God with every concern each and every day. Rest your full confidence in God!

Often things that we're afraid might happen never do. Don't waste time and energy on "what-if" worries for either the past or the future. It won't do you any good. Grieving over yesterday's failures or being anxious about tomorrow's responsibilities will deplete your energy and strength to accomplish today's tasks. And in the meantime, you'll be missing your opportunity to enjoy what is happening now. Worrying robs us of joy. "You can't change the past, but you ruin a perfectly good present by worrying about the future." (Unknown) God meets our daily needs daily (ex: manna and quail for each day in the wilderness). He wants us to trust His faithfulness. God is never too late. Live one day well at a time! His grace suffices for each day. "As your days--so shall your strength be." (Deuteronomy 33:25b)

Prayer: Father, thank You for caring for my daily needs! Please help me remain focused on You as my Source of peace, hope, joy, and strength. Please teach me through challenging times to rest in Your faithfulness, grace, and power. Please fill me up with childlike faith so that I have no room for fears, worries, or doubts. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Above and Beyond

"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, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Be thankful that God's answers are always wiser than our prayers and way better than what we can imagine! God is super cool like that! I've seen this truth played out over and over again in my life. My heart is filled with joy and gratitude. 

Let us look to Yahweh Jireh Who has infinite wisdom, power, love, and resources, with faith and expectancy! He is able (there's no limit to what God can do) and willing to provide for us. He never stops loving us or caring for us. What He wants to do for us is amazingly better than our wildest dreams! Never put limits on a limitless God! Nothing is impossible with God! Don't you see that our Heavenly Father is pleased to pour out unexpected, abundant blessings upon His children? In Christ, there's always so much more :)! "As it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.'" (1 Corinthians 2:9) God also gives us power (He equips us & strengthens by His Spirit) to do what He calls us to do. 

Paul ends Ephesians 1-3 with doxology. How appropriate! His heart was so filled with thankfulness for what God has done, for spiritual blessings in Christ, and for His marvelous love that surpasses knowledge that he could not help but praise God. May we remember that our chief goal is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever and continue to praise Him unendingly! "I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips." (Psalm 34:1) "O Lord, my God, I will praise You forever!" (Psalm 30:12b)

Prayer: Father, thank You for blessing me exceedingly far above and beyond what I ask! Please help me to always look to You for all that I need in life. Let me praise You and bring glory to Your Name every moment of my life! In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

God Will Supply Every Need

God will meet ALL our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. I love Paul's confidence in God (he even made it personal with "My God")! Yahweh Jireh always took care of his needs and He will do the same for us. God has infinite supplies/riches. We lack nothing when we have God. Look to Him for whatever you need and leave Him to judge whether it will be best for you and whether this is the best time for you to have it. If it is, He will give it to you. There is no end to His goodness and no limit to His power!

A wonderful example of God's provision is found in 1 Kings 17:7-16. During a great drought, God told Elijah to go to Zarephath because a widow there would supply him with food. Well, the widow suffered greatly from the drought and planned to prepare a final meal (she only had a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil) for herself and her son since they most likely would soon die from starvation. Elijah told her to make a small loaf of bread for him and then make something for herself and her son. Sounds like an audacious request or even demand, doesn't it? Until you hear the important message Elijah told the widow: "For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.'" (1 Kings 17:14) God promised to provide! The widow did as instructed "so there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah." (1 Kings 17:15-16) Again, we see that God's provision came after the widow's obedience, not before, and that God wants us to surrender ALL to Him, holding nothing back. It's easy for us to sympathize with the widow's predicament and probably would not blame her if she deemed Elijah's request unreasonable and chose to hold tightly to the little she had left. But imagine this: if she did not trust God's promise to her and did not obey, she would have missed experiencing God's abundant provision for her and she and her son would have surely died from starvation sooner or later. God could have provided for Elijah without the widow but she would have missed the miraculous blessing and seeing Yahweh (Jehovah) Jireh in action. Here God supplied both Elijah's and the widow's needs!

Prayer: Father, thank You for always supplying all my needs! Please help me never withhold anything from You but to trust You wholeheartedly. I don't want to miss out Your best for me. Please help me use my time, talents, and treasures to meet others' needs as You direct. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

The Lord Will Provide

"Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place Yahweh Yireh/ Yahweh Jireh (which means 'the Lord will provide'). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.'" Genesis 22:13-14

As a parent, it's always difficult for me to imagine being in Abraham's shoes when God told him to sacrifice Isaac, the promised son whom Abraham loved and waited for 25 years to receive. He must have been in indescribable anguish. I really admire Abraham's faith and obedience. He obeyed God (he did what God told him to do without even questioning God for details or reasons at all...maybe he did but it's not recorded in the Bible :) ?). He was willing to surrender all (even if it meant his one and only son) to God. He demonstrated extreme trust and confidence in God when he said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." (Genesis 22:5) "We" not just "I"! And in verse 8 in response to Isaac's asking where the sacrificial lamb was, Abraham answered, "God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." How did he have such confidence? Abraham completely believed God's promises to him (before Isaac was born, God promised Abraham that countless descendants would come through his son) and knew God would fulfill His promises. Besides, Abraham "reasoned that God could even raise the dead" (Hebrews 11:19a). God did provide a ram in a nearby thicket for a substitute sacrifice for Isaac.


To ponder: Are we willing to surrender all to God and trust Him for our every need/every situation?
                    Do we have something or someone precious to us that we've treasured or clung to more than God?
                    Are we walking in faith and in obedience? Notice that God's provision came after Abraham's obedience, not before. Step out in a childlike faith even when you cannot understand God's plan. Trust God's heart even when you cannot trace His hand.
                   Do we remember to thank God for His provision...for being our faithful Provider?
                   Do we have such confidence in God as Abraham did? If not, let's pray for that :)!
                  
God will provide for what we need (needs are not the same as wants). He already provided for our greatest need, the need for a substitute to pay the penalty for our sin and die in our place. He provided His one and only Son, Jesus Christ! "If we can trust God for our eternal salvation, how can we not trust Him to provide for the "little" things of life?" (M.E.Howard) God loves you and He will provide for what you need when you need it. "God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8). 

Prayer: Father, thank You for being my Provider! I can never thank You enough for sacrificing Your one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for my sin so that I may have eternal life and relationship with You. Please strengthen & grow my faith and help me wholly surrender all to You, completely trust You in all circumstances, and be utterly obedient to You like Abraham. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Remember the Poor

"For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles...All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along." (Galatians 2:8, 10)

- God worked through Peter in reaching Jews and He worked through Paul in reaching the Gentiles. The same Spirit of God who was at work in Peter and Paul is also at work in us, His children.

- Are we eager to help the poor and needy? Be kind, compassionate, and generous. "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern." (Proverbs 29:7) "Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (Proverbs 31:9) Let us welcome the marginalized with the love of Christ!

Preserve the Truth of the Gospel

"This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you." (Galatians 2:4-5)

These false believers ("Judaizers") insisted upon circumcision as necessary for salvation. In essence, they lost sight of grace and made believers slaves to the Mosaic Law. They knew nothing about liberty/freedom in Christ because they still maintained that one had to keep the Jewish law in order to be saved. The true gospel proclaims freedom from bondage to the Law (the yoke of ceremonial law).

Paul, other apostles, and elders did not give in to the false believers; they stood firm in the truth of the gospel and did everything to preserve it. We must do the same. Stand up to preserve the truth of the gospel! 

Persecutor Turned Preacher!

"They only heard the report: 'The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.' And they praised God because of me." (Galatians 1:23-24)

The churches of Judea had never met Paul in person but they heard the report about him that he who used to persecute Christians became a preacher and it led them to praise God. They acknowledged God's amazing power, grace, and transformation upon Paul's life. Only God could have turned Paul 180 degrees and changed his zeal for destroying Christianity into zeal for proclaiming Christianity to the world. We should also praise God for Paul whom God used tremendously for His glory and His kingdom.

When we hear of testimonies to the glory of God's grace, it brings thankfulness and joy to our hearts. Every sinner saved is a cause for rejoicing and praising God. God's grace is greater than any sin! No one is beyond God's grace. Our past mistakes don't define us. When we are in Christ, we're forgiven and free, made new and holy. God wants to use us to be light and salt in this world. Don't dwell on the past. Move forward in faith. Share your testimony; share what God has done for you, in you, and through you. Life (on earth) is short; live for God...live to make an eternal impact!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your redeeming love and saving & transforming grace! Please empower me with Your Holy Spirit and use my life to shine Your love and truth to everyone around me. Be glorified in me, Lord. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Alone with God

"But when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus." (Galatians 1:15-17) 

- When we know we've been chosen by God and called by His grace, our lives have a purpose. God is pleased when we reflect Christ in our lives and tell others about Him.

- Paul was stunned by Christ's revelation and realized that his former life had been wasted. His encounter with the risen Lord completely changed his life. From then on, he lived for God and lived to fulfill God's purpose for his life. He received the truth of the Gospel from Jesus Himself (the very highest authority); therefore, he's confident in his message and there's no need for him to consult any human being. No human's opinion or approval can add to or take away from the revelation of Jesus. He did not seek other apostles to confirm the call on his life. He knew God called him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. First, Paul went into Arabia (wilderness area) to be alone with God. Solitude is good for our soul. It's important for us to spend time alone with God without distraction. Our soul will be refreshed and our strength will be renewed. In order to be effective in ministry, we must be consistent in our communion with God. In order to breathe out, we have to breathe in.

Please God, not People!

Paul bluntly (sometimes harshly) gave warning/rebuked. This indicates that he's more concerned about pleasing God than seeking people's approval. As servants of Christ, we must never compromise God's message.  Remember that the true gospel always is and will be offensive to some people. When we Christians live by God's Word, follow and proclaim the true Gospel, we will inevitably offend some people even though we speak the truth in love. Let us continue to live and speak God's truth in love, humility, & grace, and with respect, gentleness, & boldness. People may still be offended...so be it. I'd rather them be offended and know the true gospel than be deceived thinking they are doing just fine without Christ when in fact, they're lost and heading to Hell. We must not remain silent for fear of offending unbelievers when we have an opportunity to share the true gospel that can save them from spending an eternity in Hell apart from God.

God calls us to stand out from the world for Him and His kingdom, not to be conformed to the pattern of this world. The disease to please people is dangerous. If you live your life trying to please everybody, you'll definitely be sorely disappointed and miserable. Is your fear of offending people greater than your fear (utmost reverence) of God? It must not be. If we're honest, we'll admit that the pain of rejection is real. More or less, we all still like to be liked and approved by others, especially our loved ones. However, our goal of pleasing God must come first. Our worth/value is not and should never be based upon human's approval. Remember that we are God's children, dearly & unconditionally loved by Him despite our flaws and imperfections. He has already loved us with an everlasting love. We should not base our decisions on the opinions of other people, either. Instead, we should aim at obeying, pleasing, and honoring God in all our decisions.

Prayer: Lord, please give me the courage to always do what's right in Your eyes, no matter what others may think or feel about me. Please help me to share the gospel boldly. May my attitudes, words, and actions please, honor, and glorify You!

"Religion in America is big business. Scads of money, powerful personalities, huge egos, and positions of prominence, influence, and recognition are at stake in the business of religion, just as they are in any other business. There was a time when the concern of churches and preachers in this country was the glory of God and the truth of God. Today, like any business, the concern is for success. 

Christianity today is market-driven. The goal of all marketing is to make both the buyer and the seller satisfied. Consequently, market-driven churches, in utter abandonment of God’s glory and God’s truth, in their insatiable quest for success and recognition--do whatever it takes to win customers and keep them. 

Be warned! False doctrine and worldliness always go hand in hand. Worldliness usually leads the way. The early modernists did not aim at destroying biblical Christianity. They simply tried to make Christianity palatable to an unbelieving world." (Don Fortner)

Know the True Gospel

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the One who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-7)

Paul was shocked that these Galatians got off track so soon after their conversion. They chose rules over relationship with Christ. They turned to a different gospel which is indeed no gospel at all. Anything that adds to or subtracts from the gospel of God's grace/the gospel of Jesus Christ is false. Sinners are saved by grace alone and justified by faith in Christ alone. False teachers in Galatia (the Judaizers) taught that one was justified by works of the Mosaic law (such as the necessity of circumcision). We must be so familiar with the truth (God's Word) that we may detect any false teaching/false gospel immediately and avoid being confused or deceived. Be careful; watch out for those who twist the Scriptures and change the truth concerning Christ.

"Heresy is not so much the total denial of the truth as a perversion of it." (A.W. Pink)

The Rescuer

“…Who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Galatians 1:4-5

Jesus voluntarily gave Himself for our sins. Salvation is God's gift to us. Jesus died so that we may have eternal life. "...Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:14) The righteousness and justice of God require payment for sin. Jesus paid that payment for us once and for all by His death on the cross according to the will of God the Father. There is nothing we can do to pay for our sin. All we can do is to rest in the finished work of Christ on the cross. He rescues us/delivers us/sets us free from the penalty and bondage of sin. He saves us from the present evil age (world). This implies ongoing sanctification. All glory and honor belong to God Who does not have to save us but wants to and does because He loves us!

"We have been saved from the penalty of sin. We are being saved from the power of sin. We shall be saved from the presence of sin." (Bishop Westcott)

Hope and Comfort

We have unchanging hope because our God is faithful and unchanging. God's promises preserve our lives. Knowing that He always keeps His promises gives us comfort in our affliction/suffering and helps us stand firm in our faith & in His Word amidst ridicule/insolence. We read the last chapter of the Bible and we know how it's all going to end.

The world seeks hope and comfort in all the wrong places such as drugs, alcohol, money, fame, pleasures, government, etc. These can only deliver false, failing hope and superficial, temporary comfort. We find eternal, living hope and real, lasting comfort in God and His Word. I know Whom I have believed! God's Word relieves me in my distress, revives me, cheers me up, & encourages me; I will not turn away from His Word.

If we stand up for God's truths, we cannot expect to escape the mockery and even hatred of the ungodly/unbelievers. They love to deride us, especially when we are in affliction. Pay no attention to them; we must focus our hearts and mind on God's Word, instead. Stay faithful and true to God  & His holy Word in the face of contempt and persecution, come what may. Never compromise God's truths!

"God has not promised peace without pain, joy without sorrow, nor sun without rain. But He promised strength for the day, grace for the trials. and light for the way." (Annie Johnson Flint) 

Prayer: "Loving Father, show me the mercy of afflictions. Cleanse me from earthly and sensual desires--and strengthen me with trust and heavenly rest. Graciously accept my prayers, O heavenly Father, and help me with true thankfulness to praise You. For Your dear Son Jesus Christ's sake. Amen."(William Purton)

I Trust in Your Word

- God's unfailing love (mercy) for us and salvation as revealed in His Word give us hope and security. Because of this and because we trust in God's word, we can face anything. No one can ever take away what we have in Christ. We can undauntedly answer those who taunt us with what we believe according to God's Word. It is wise to arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We have proofs (our own testimonies) of God's love, grace, mercy, and faithfulness for those who make fun of our faith. We can show them that God has kept His promises, answered our prayers, and supplied our needs. Trials and sufferings don't destroy us or make us despair because we know we are eternally loved and eternally saved.

- Obeying God's Word is walking in freedom (free from that which is evil and corrupted, free from spiritual slavery/bondage of sin). Walking in a wide place as "unconfined by affliction or oppression" (from the NIV Study Bible's commentary). Roaming without fear and without falsehood. "Jesus said, 'If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" (John 8:31-32)

Turn My Heart and My Eyes

- This is a prayer we all should pray. We all struggle with selfishness more or less. The natural inclination of our heart is self-gain. Pray against covetousness and self-centeredness. "For the love of money is a root of all kind of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." (1 Timothy 6:10) Ask God to incline our heart (the center of the human spirit which dictates emotions, thoughts, motivations, and actions) to His statutes.

- We also need God to help us turn our eyes (the window to external influences) from looking at worthless things (the vain things of this world, idols), from looking at things that tempt us, lead us astray, and/or cause us to have discontent, envy, greed, covetousness, and lust. "If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." (Matthew 5:29) "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness." (Matthew 6:22-23) Keep Christ in view at all times! Ask God to preserve our lives according to His Word in His ways. 

Teach Me and Lead Me, Lord!

- We must recognize our need for wisdom and understanding from God and ask for it. Spiritual discernment is a gracious gift from God. Understanding is very important as Jesus points out in Matthew 13:24, "But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the Word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." Without understanding, the result is tragic: "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path." (Matthew 13:19) We also need God to help us keep His law as we ought to and obey it with all our heart. Undivided heart's devotion to Him and His Word is what God desires. 

- Pray and ask God to lead (direct, guide) us in the path of His commandments. Leaving it to ourselves, we are prone to wander off track and get distracted by all sorts of things. An enlightened heart and mind delight in God's Word and desire to observe & obey it. He who teaches us the way also gives us the grace to walk in it. 

- Prayer: Father, please give me wisdom, understanding, and insight that I may keep Your law and obey it with my whole heart. Please teach me Your way and lead me in the path of Your commandments, the path of holiness and do not let me stray from it. Please guard my heart and mind from being enticed by the things of the world. Please keep me away from anything that may weaken my delight in Your Word and zeal for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

The Way of Faithfulness

- We need God to help us understand His Word. Ask God to give us knowledge, wisdom, and a deep insight into the practical meaning of Scriptures. The more we understand God's precepts, the more we admire, appreciate, and want to meditate on His wondrous works and the more ready & equipped we are to tell others about His Word & works. 

- When our soul is weary with sorrow, God's Word can strengthen us and comfort us.

- Choose the way of faithfulness by setting your heart on God's truths and principles. Be intentional. The way of godliness/holiness doesn't just happen by itself. "God made it possible for us to walk in holiness. But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking; He does not do that for us." (Jerry Bridges) "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" (Isaiah 30:21) We must choose to walk in this narrow way of truth, governed by God's Word. Each day is filled with choices. We can choose to walk in God's way or our own way or the world's way. If we do not set God's Word before us at all times, we will start drifting away from it. "I desire to do Your will, my God; Your law is within my heart." (Psalm 40:8)

Behold Wondrous Things in God's Word

- We need to pray and ask God to open our spiritual eyes so that we may see wonderful things in His Word and comprehend spiritual truths. The eyes of our hearts must be opened/enlightened in order that the beauty, benefits, wisdom, and glory of God's Word may be fully perceived, appreciated, and enjoyed. God's Word is a world of wonders! 

- Do you care more about what people say or what God says? We should not get discouraged or distressed when others slander us or plot against us. Stay calm and focus on God's Word, instead. Resolve to spend time meditating on His promises. God is our Defender! Pay no attention to slanderers. Don't let them distract you from your communion with God. Their words are not worth our time and thoughts. Those who feed upon God's Word grow strong, wise, content, and immovable. When you are unjustly slandered, accused, or mistreated even by those in authorities, go to God in prayer and ponder His Word. When your hearts and minds are overwhelmed with trouble, turn to the Scriptures for guidance and comfort. And keep walking uprightly with integrity and purity according to God's Word. When we humbly submit to God's will and entrust ourselves to His care, we are less concerned with what others say about us or say to us. We can be still/silent and know that God will take care of us and the situations. It is best to look over offenses and look to the One who loves us with infinite love and watches over us with perfect wisdom.

 - God's statutes are our delight and counselors. God's Word is joy in our sorrows and guide in our difficulties. God's Word is a balm to our aching hearts and wisdom to our wandering minds.

Rejoice In and Meditate On God's Word

- When we value God's Word as treasure, it is our joy and delight to read, study, ponder, and apply God's Word/His precepts. It is as if one rejoices in great riches. God's Word is indeed incomparable wealth. 

- Meditation in eastern religions is about emptying one's mind but meditation in the Bible is about filling one's mind with God's Word. It is profitable/nourishing to our soul to meditate on God's Word which helps us to know God more. His heart, attributes, and will are revealed in His Word. The more we meditate on God's Word, the more we think God's thoughts. God uses His Word to renew/remold our mind and transform our hearts. Meditating on the Scriptures takes time. We don't read the Bible just so we can check off a to-do item on our list. Do you delight in spending time with God in prayer and in His Word? We must fix our eyes on God's ways so that we won't be wandering off the narrow path, be led astray, or be troubled by the worries of this world.

The Path of Purity

- How can a young person stay pure (free from immorality)? By living according to God's Word. God's Word will guide young (and old) people on the narrow road of righteousness, help them navigate when they face obstacles and/or temptations, and teach them how to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. The Bible must be our life's manual and map. If you don't want to get lost in this life's journey, take heed to God's directions. We all need strength and wisdom from God and He provides them through His Word. The sooner the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom begins in a person, the better. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16) "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity...Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching." (1 Timothy 4:12-13)

- We need to seek God with all our heart and ask Him to help us not stray from His commands. God does the enabling part; we do the obeying part. We cannot live pure & holy lives apart from fellowship with God. Seek Him first.

- It's beneficial for us to study and memorize God's Word (hide it in our heart). God's Word occupying our heart and mind and permeating our soul will help us abhor sin and keep us from sinning against God. It will serve as a constant reminder and guideline for our thoughts, motives, words, and actions. Bibles may be taken away from us but this treasure (God's Word hidden in our heart) can never be taken away from us. The Scripture we've learned and memorized will be readily available whenever we need it. Remember what God says and practice it.

Blessed Are the Obedient!

Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is an acrostic poem. Each of the 22 stanza begins with letter of the Hebrew alphabet and the 8 lines of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Those who obey God's Word and seek Him with all their hearts are blessed. God's instruction is given to us for our own good. God shows us the right path to follow/the blessed way to live. To be blameless/ undefiled is to walk in faith and obedience to the law of the Lord. This requires action. Be doers of the Word, not just hearers or knowers. Happy/joyful are people who faithfully follow the instructions of the Lord. They don't walk in the way of the world or in their own way. They diligently seek God and seek to glorify Him, not selves. They wholeheartedly devote themselves to the Word of God and to God of the Word. The joyful make God's will, God's Word, God's way the rule/standard of all their actions. In return, they shall be guided, comforted, refreshed, strengthened, and encouraged. Very blessed, indeed!

Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Peter concludes with a final warning and an exhortation. He tells us Christians to be on guard so that we may not be led astray by the error (wandering out of sound doctrine) of the lawless (the morally corrupt/false teachers) and fall from our secure position (our firm faith in Christ). Be prepared and be careful. Be on the alert against instability in our faith and against false teaching. The danger is real. Don't be so arrogant thinking that you can never fall (get off course spiritually) or be deceived. "Keep watch over yourselves...Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!" (Acts 20:28a, 30-31a)

We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christians are not meant to be stagnant/static. We are to keep on growing to be more like Christ every day. Ongoing spiritual growth is the most effective safeguard against spiritual instability/weakness. A growing tree is a healthy, stable tree that does not get blown over by a wind of false teaching. God wants us to grow in embracing grace, appreciating grace, understanding grace, and giving grace. Imitate Jesus Christ! He is the ultimate picture of “grace”...the Embodiment of God's grace! Is grace evident in our speech, attitude, and actions? Do we extend grace that the Lord bestowed upon us to others? “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14) “Growing in grace” means learning to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions while living self-controlled, upright, and Godly lives, being more like Christ each day. Abide in Christ and you will grow in grace!

A growing knowledge of Christ (a more increasingly intimate relationship with Christ) will protect us against error/false teaching. The more we know Christ, the more we love Him. The more we love Him, the more we want to know Him. "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 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 on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:8-11) When Christians don't know the Scriptures well or don't spend time with God regularly, they become unstable in their faith and vulnerable to seduction from false teachers. Ignorance of God's Word will make anyone an easy target for Satan's lies, truth distortions, and all sorts of false teaching & unBiblical ideas. Even mature Christians sometimes are easily impressed by famous teachers/ preachers who attract huge crowd or authors who sell millions of copies without comparing their messages to the Scriptures. We must be careful not to be so enamored with any preacher/teacher/author that we think they are infallible. We must be more like the Bereans who "received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." (Acts 17:11)

Our life's purpose should be to praise, honor, and glorify Christ now and forevermore. "The knowledge of Christ’s love for us should cause us to love Him in such a way that it is demonstrated in our attitude, conduct, and commitment to serve God. Spiritual maturity is marked by spiritual knowledge being put into action." (Edward Bedore)

Prayer: Lord, please help me grow in grace and in Your likeness. I want to know You more and more. Shine Your love and Your light through me, Lord Jesus! I want none of self but all of You. Be glorified in my life, in everything I do and say, Lord!