“and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith” 1 Thessalonians 3:2 We are encouraged through others who have been well taught and learned the lesson of diligence and persistence in the faith. Timothy had learned much from Paul’s tutorship. His boldness…
“Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” Luke 17:37 The vultures gather together around dead bodies. Theirs is to devour the decaying flesh and ruin. They have a victory party before their feast with every intention to consume everything that is left unattended. Where Jesus died is the gathering place of demons and devils. Without His…
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Diligence is required in the preparation for the presentation of oneself as an authorized worker who is able to wholly participate in the work of God. God’s work must take place within the worker…
“Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.” Psalms 68:1 The very presence of the Lord confounds the enemy. The light of His glory shines so brightly that anything that is contrary to His nature melts and fades away. We are drawn to His light. We are perfected in order…
“But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does.” Job 23:13 God is complete in and of Himself. He is not like us with needs that may cause our focus to shift from one thing to another. Those are the limits placed upon the human experience. We navigate through time not…
“All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied.” Ecclesiastes 6:7 The work of man’s hands may satisfy his immediate but not his ultimate need. Hard work is required for one to eat his bread and provide for his family. Yet there are needs beyond the immediate but requiring immediate attention. The deep…
“If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord, to do good or bad of my own will. What the Lord says, that I must speak’?” Numbers 24:13 Hearing and obeying the Word of the Lord is more important than the benefits of hard work and…
“How you have advised the one without wisdom, and abundantly revealed your insight!” Job 26:3 (NET) God’s advice to those who are void of wisdom can be translated as those who lack the ability to plan ahead. Those who lack foresight to make plans for the future are advised by God in things only known to Him. Forward thinking is…
“And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. ” 1 Thessalonians 1:10 The posture of the follower of Jesus Christ is anticipation for what lies ahead. The word of God received has lifted his sights above the persecution of trials and the tests that come…
“Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthews 7:14 The way that leads to life remains as the road less traveled. There are rabbit-trails along the way often taken by wayward travelers who get sidetracked by some petty issue. Then there are dazzling streetlights with flashing signposts captivating…
“The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.” Proverbs 12:24 (MSG) There is a freedom that allows us to fully cooperate with God in what He is doing. There is a bondage that can hold one back so that they are never able to accomplish or complete anything. It is the mental bondage of procrastination.…
“I am God, your personal God who rescued you from Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians. I ripped off the harness of your slavery so that you can move about freely.” Leviticus 26:13 (MSG) God identifies with us and calls us His own. In order for us to experience the blessings of communion, there…