Incentive – desire to come out of sin. Initiative – action requires direction. Inspiration – hope, courage. Search for spiritual leavening and use the tools with the right attitude. Points:
Never doubt God. Don’t be complainers. Search hearts daily not annually. Have humility. Respect Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Sincerity and truth. Love your brother.
Blessed is the man who trusts in God and doesn’t put trust in man. God doesn’t lie and therefore is trustworthy. God doesn’t forsake those who seek Him. Don’t worry or be anxious about anything but rely on God’s promises. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you. God will strengthen your heart.
Be transformed. Prove by examining selves. Our lifestyle will reflect faith. Lead a life worthy of the Lord. God has qualified us to be partakers of His inheritance by trials. Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Overcome SELF, SATAN, SOCIETY. God give us the victory through Jesus Christ. Lose our life for God’s sake and find it. Be alert, pray always to be counted worthy.
The difference between goats and sheep. Cantankerous old goat compared to a gentle sheep that stays silent while being shorn. Sheep keep giving wool all of their life. Jesus Christ is the lamb of God and He knows His sheep as a good shepherd.
Patience is needed for endurance. Have faith and patience. Beware, don’t let your heart be weighed down. Identify where the body of Jesus Christ is – there also will be vultures. More evidence is the love they will have for one another. Satan will bring persecution from within and out. Be involved in work of God. Don’t be discouraged and follow Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is there to plead our case. Our advocate. He knows it because He has lived it. God will give us faith if we ask without doubting. Don’t be disconnected from the power source. Persistence. Ask according to His will, ask in faith – never wavering. If you don’t know His will – ask. Be immoveable and steadfast. Prayer unselfishly for others.
God leads us to repentance through His goodness. It is a gift that cannot happen without Him. Don’t be envious of evil doers or desire to be with them. They will be cut down. Wait on the Lord and cast your burden on Him who sustains. Biblical examples: Noah, Abraham, Issac, David – they all were “full of days”. Look at trials as an opportunity to be more perfect. They are evidence that we are counted worthy.
If you put your hand to the plough don’t turn back. The Egyptians complained and looked back after the exodus. Lot’s wife looked back. What would attract me back? Many participate but how many stay and are committed?
We are going to get new clothes. All things are naked and exposed to God. His wife is making herself ready – arrayed in fine linen. Are we living examples – would people want to emulate me? Be prepared to withstand – stay close to God. Are we deceiving ourselves? Don’t measure ourselves amongst ourselves. Be purified and made white, refined in the fire. Everyday life is the wedding rehearsal.
The peculiar or special treasure is something that God is looking for, to acquire as a possession. Israel was a special treasure. We may forget God but He doesn’t forget us. There are promises of blessing for obedience.
