Having Bible knowledge and understanding is great, however if the scriptures are not living and active in our lives, it is all in vain (Hebrews 4:12-13). The life application selections contain thoughts provoking, real life challenges that will prayerfully transform us to be more like Jesus in our spiritual journey. James 1:23-27 challenges us to not just merely listen or read the scriptures, it says “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” Do not miss your blessings my friends!
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
When someone tells you to be strong, what comes to your mind? Apostle Paul was calling the disciples to be strong not in their might but in the power of God, Ephesians 6:1. Apostle Paul was helping his fellow Christian to know they are in a war because Satan will not stop, and he is full of schemes. His warning stands for everyone who says Jesus is Lord. We are in a war. And we must arm ourselves properly to fight this raging war.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.
This incredible promise from Jesus is one of the reasons for my zeal as a servant of the living God. Jesus is the gate that leads to a land filled with milk and honey. In life, I meet many people who are seeking happiness and peace. I was once one of these people. They are often frustrated because every time they think this is it, disappointments and setbacks overwhelm them. Jesus is offering a land that we can have access to that we truly seek. He is calling us to a green land where joy, peace, and true happiness reside. His promise has no condition, he simply accepts a willing heart to walk with him and to keep the words of the prophesy that is in the Bible (Revelation 22:7). Apostle John was given the honor to see the restoration of God’s pasture that is promised to those of us who choose to enter through Jesus, our gate. This was God’s original plan in the garden of Eden when Satan deceived Adam and Eve (Genesis-3). “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse! The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:1-5).
Matthew 18:7-8 NIV
Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.
James 4:4 NIV
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.
Have you ever made plans and believed your decisions were justified? Or do you make plans that seem right for reasons that are noble or selfless? Yet, despite your good or noble reasons for making the decisions it often feels that everything is going against you. The plans you have made are developing differently from what you pictured or anticipated. As a result, you get frustrated; you prayed, you bargain with God or doubt yourself and sometimes blame others around you.
When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.
I remember growing up my grandma used to say to my cousins after she disciplined them and they were crying, "I rather you cry now instead of me crying later." As a child, I did not understand why she would say that to them. However, when I became a parent, I found myself saying the same statement to my son. I took her statement a step further, I might cry later but I don’t want my tears to be driven by guilt that I did not do my best to bestow values and discipline in his life.
