“Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like- minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2). 

The objective of preaching the gospel is for those who are following to have the mind of Christ. Whatever Christ has provided for us is to be provided through us to others. It is with His comfort of love that we become loving. A difference is made in our lives as the result of being loved by Christ. He settles us down and gives us both rest and a peace that surpasses all understanding. The disturbed soul cannot interact with others on the same level as one who senses the security of the arms of Christ. There would be a caution that interrupts that degree of fellowship. But the soul that rests in His love is free to love others because he is not dependent on them but gives to them expecting nothing in return. The Lord supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory. We are complete in Christ thus able to love unconditionally. The constant communion that we enjoy with the Lord provides evidence that the Word of God has taken root within our hearts. We do not have to rehearse what we have to say for it flows from our hearts of love. It is a joy when the entrance of God’s Word brings light, life, and love to the hearts of its hearers and doers. 

“My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26). 

As we grow weaker physically, and as time continues to make its mark upon our bodies in completing the story of our lives, we all the more declare the strength of the Lord as being our strength. His strength is made perfect in our weakened moments when we have no defense, but also in our weakened state as we grow weak and weary through the years. The flesh sags and loses it resiliency. The heart beats at a slower pace and its rhythm is not the same as in our youth. Yet our heart of hearts or determination is stronger than ever to keep in step with God. He is the strength our resolve and resilience. Time cannot rob us of what He gives. It will outlast our flesh and outpace the distance of all the efforts ever made by us and even others who are running against time. Our portion is forever. When time ceases our portion will still be there. All that He has promised will remain and we will have the wherewithal to enjoy all that God has given to us forever.

“Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23). 

The price paid for the truth may be the loss of friends and love ones. It may be the loss of the potential for profit requiring the compromise of our integrity. Our integrity is worth more than the things acquired through dishonest gain. Even though they may bring immediate success, but the high cost paid in the end far outweighs its temporal benefits. We must be willing to pay the price for the truth. The price of self-denial and sacrifice for the sake of having the character to stand for what is right. This is accompanied with wisdom which comes from above. God can speak His truth to our hearts and there is nothing within us rejecting it. The lust for things not sanctioned by God choke the Word and it becomes unfruitful. It is the fool that despises instructions. The ownership of truth will deliver us from the bondage of greed and self-centeredness. We can then understand what the will of the Lord is and comply with joy because we are enabled to see the benefits of our faithfulness to Him

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). 

Our strength against the enemy must not be in our boasting. Many may flex their muscles and consider that they are strong enough to withstand the attacks of the opposition. The chariots of old were status symbols representing the pedigrees of the warriors. Some had two horse chariots arrayed with precious metals which were often intimidating to those of lesser position. They trusted in their nobility and the amount of finery they were able to afford. Their horses were the best money could buy, trained to obey their every command. But even the best had the possibility of failing them. The psalmist placed his trust in Lord his God and remembered His name. His name defines His character. He trusted in what God said about Himself. When we who are called by His name remember it, we are able to face every opposition. We take ownership of His name as His people and are protected with His strength. He is reliable in keeping us from falling and failing and gives us victory over our enemies. 

“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 2:15-16). 

We must be presented as approved unto God. Our lives are to be on display as showing evidence of God’s character. How else would the world know that Jesus is alive and the same yesterday, today, and forevermore? It is the life that expresses the truest meaning to Scripture that others are able to read even clearer than the text itself. Their interest prompts them to read on until the Word irresistibly becomes life to them. We direct them to Jesus Christ, the source of all that may be seen in us. He is seen through our every effort. He is glorified through our every deed, and He is edified when we participate with Christ and all who have come to know Him. Ours is to establish His kingdom on the earth as it is in heaven. Those who profess to know but do not know Him bring shame and disgrace to His name. And their pride becomes their shame. But those who know Him have contained in His Word the life that He promises. 

“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4-5). 

The trials that we face have a far greater purpose than the aggravation and pain that we often suffer. Isolated from God’s intent, some would think that we had been abandoned to face the giants of perplexity alone. It is when nothing is left but God’s promises that faith is called into action. What we received during those moments when could clearly see Him and experience His blessings must keep us when we enter into the fog. Faith to endure is the patience that must further develop us. We learn to wait on the Lord and not attempt to rush the process. God has more to teach us in these dry cold winter seasons than we could ever learn in the springtime of life. This is when our faith is tested. How would we ever know whether we love God for who He is or merely love Him for what He gives? On the other side of the test is a faith that endures. We can then see Him for who He really is and not just an image of what we wish Him to be. Faith molds our character that we may become a reflection His own. 

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). 

The truth liberates us from the slavery of error. When we are deceived, we end up serving whatever lie we have embraced. But the truth liberates us from the manacles and shackles that would have forced us into conformity to the dictates of the world. It is the wisdom that cries out in the chief concourses, at the opening of the gates of the city, speaking her words. It contradicts the wisdom of this world because it came from above and descends from on High. It is the road less traveled and the narrow path often ignored by those who think they can find the way without godly instructions. Those who have found truth must continue in its ways. Any detour is a retreat backwards to the fears which once plagued the soul. This is the only path that leads away from all things which work against us because it leads to both life and love. There is a sense of certainty about truth. Even when we are led through the valley of the shadow of death, we remain bold. The reason being, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life leading us to the Father. 

“Now I’m alert to God’s ways; I don’t take God for granted” (Psalm 18:21 MSG). 

Things that we have grown accustomed to are often taken for granted. The sin of familiarity can often breed contempt. God’s ways are not our ways. He does what pleases Himself. Our wishful thinking and reasoning cannot alter what He has decreed. He looks beyond the limited view seen by us from where we are stationed in the theater of life. He is able to see the whole story from every viewpoint. When we doze off into a slumbered state we allow our minds to question God’s wisdom. He alerts us with a wake-up call and reminds us that He is God and we are mere dependent earthlings, yet loved by Him with a sacrificial love. The slack is jerked out of our loosened lifestyles and we acknowledge Him again as being our only security and hope. Now that we are alert, we must always stay that way. Our worship is determined by our continual awareness of God’s love, presence, and unlimited power. When we see what another has to suffer being without do we appreciate what we have? 

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23-24). 

Our confession is more than speaking words. It is our agreement with God in accomplishing what He has promised in us and through us. When our spirits have aligned with the Holy Spirit, we are provided a fresh and lively hope. Any secondary thought or effort will merely cloud the mind with clutter used to sway us away from God’s promises. God is faithful to deliver on every promise that He has made. Where do we stand and where should we stand in relation what has been given to us? Our confession is more precious than silver and gold. To believe God because we are in position to see Him as faithful even when we are challenged is the greater blessing. This is evidence that faith is established within our hearts. This kind of faith will produce a hope that will not disappoint. It is borne out of love and matured through experiences. None of these, whatever they are, will separate us from confessing that Jesus is Lord over every circumstance. 

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby”(1Peter 2:1-2). 

Things that have the potential of hindering our spiritual growth are to be laid aside. It is not always clear as to how things that may appear so benign can restrict the flow of fellowship with the Spirit of God. He is gentle and so pure that any of the above mentioned have the potential to disrupt the peacefulness and calm that He alone can provide. Feeding on the earnest milk of the Word is the antidote to the poisonous effect of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking. It will convict us when the thought arises in our minds to participate in practices which will hinder His effect upon our lives. One of the evidences that we are born again is that our spirits will know what we so desperately need. We are then able to grow past those things that plagued our souls before we came to know the Lord. As we lay these things aside, the fruit of the Spirit will grow within us. The very character of Christ becomes our character. Those who are born again desire the pure milk, not the polluted, that they may grow into what the Word has promised.