God Will Strengthen You

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10.

Fear and anxiety can grip us at the most unexpected times.  We may be doing something we have done a hundred times with success, when we begin to question our competence.  This may be brought on by a boss who micro manages us at work or by critics who take delight in under minding our efforts. 

We are not left alone to face conjured up fears.  God is with us and He will help us overcome all obstacles. 

God will strengthen you.

Show Hospitality

Let love of the brethren continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13:1-2

Let us be kind to those who most need it:  the sad, the grieving, the social outcast, the stinky kid and the grouchy neighbor.   It is in showing hospitality that we show God’s love to the world. 

And, perhaps entertain angels.

Avoid Trouble

After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.

John 7:1

Going out of our way to avoid trouble is the right thing to do. 

Good Human Relations

Do not judge so that you will not be judged.  “For the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?”

“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus was serious when it came to teaching good human relations.  He wanted us to know that we cannot win people to the Gospel, if we beat them up by pointing out all their character flaws.  And, that the truth is that we all have plenty of flaws which need fixing because people are not perfect. 

Jesus wants us to love others unconditionally.  And, generously share the Gospel message with everyone.

It is when people receive Jesus as their Lord, Master and Savior that the life transforming work of God begins.  And, our part in it is to be there as their cheerleaders.   

Stop Spending, Start Living

Ho!  Every one who thirsts, come to the waters;

And You who have no money come, buy and eat.

Come buy wine and milk

Without money without cost.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And delight yourself in abundance.

Incline your ear and come to Me.

Listen, that you may live;

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you….

Isaiah 55:1-3

God says we do not need to use brute force to muscle our way through life.  There is a better way, His way.  Satisfaction does not come from accumulating great piles of things.  Satisfaction comes from knowing God, and the free gift of God, His Son – Jesus.

Spending money on things to make us happy is only a temporary fix.  Things break, rust, and expire, but the love and mercy of God is forever.

Stop spending.  Start Living.  Get to know Jesus.

Built Up

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Colossians 2:6-7.