So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV
Life is hard.
As Christians we are called to reconcile with a world that makes life hard. But we have a Savior who understands and strengthens us.
Trust Him.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 ESV
Israel knew we had to love God and love others, but Jesus came and basically said, “Keep going, guys! I want you to love each other as brothers and sisters!”
We may be a dysfunctional family, but good families stick together, care for each other, and defend each other.
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Proverbs 21:21 ESV
Whoever says we do not need the Old Testament should remember that Jesus basically used this in the beatitudes: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, because they will be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV
God wants to respond to His people. He is about relationships. If we seek Him, we will find Him. This is the first step in changing our world.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
The Father inspired every word in the Bible. It is not just to give us comfort. God desires to reveal and remove our sin to then make us more like His Son through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Honestly, this often is not comfortable.
But it is worth it.
May the Lord give you increase, you and your children!
Psalm 115:14, ESV
I am immediately struck with Jesus’ words: “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Mark 4:24-25)
Things are good, but obedience and love are better!
Then the glory of the Lord went out from the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubim.
Ezekiel 10:18, ESV
Paul tells us that the Church is the house of God (1 Timothy 3:15). His glory proceeds from the house, and we have been commissioned, as the Church, to carry His glory to the world. He helps carry us along as we are sent out.
