A rebellious spirit leads to temptation. Temptation leads to lies. Lies entice you and draw you away from the truth of God’s word. When desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin. Sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death (James 1:13-16).

How quickly can one fall away or become ensnared by the temptations and lusts of the world and step outside the security of the Kingdom?

To “abide,” in biblical context, most often refers to living or dwelling in a state of faith and obedience to God.

In Psalm 32:8, the psalmist pens God’s guidance: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go: I will counsel guide you with My eye upon you.” In this passage we should notice that our Creator loves us so that He would not leave us without attention and direction.

Some might despair at what the passage asks of us: rejoicing all the time, even when we’re down; being reasonable all the time, even when we don’t feel gentle or reasonable; being anxious for nothing when we in fact feel anxiety. However, this is an application passage: the application of a foundation. We need to develop a mind set on peace, a mind that is focused on and dwelling on peace of Christ.

Who will carry the torch for you once you have gone to your eternal reward?

No matter how many times you may read the Sermon on the Mount over a lifetime, it just keeps giving, providing spiritual sustenance...

Not only do the elders and evangelist help us grow, but each member of the body has a part in helping us mature.