In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul points out that we must do all things with love, and if we don’t have love then we are useless. We must be taught what Christian love looks like and how it acts. Again, having knowledge without the actions of love is useless.

We need to honor and protect God’s holy name, and resolve to use it only when we are addressing Him in prayer or speaking of Him. His name should never be used in a selfish way, it should never become just another flippant phrase whether said by lip or in a text message: both are disrespectful.

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?

We can take comfort in the soul saving ability of His word. God has kept and will always keep His promise to you. Will you do your best to keep your promise of obedience to Him?

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.

The Almighty God is ever present to faithfully honor His promises of covenant and mercy.

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

Someone somewhere in your life has made, or still makes decisions toward the care and benefit of your wellbeing.

...appearing ignorant might be embarrassing, and maybe your faith was shaken enough that your trust in them has been eroded. What do you do?

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.

We must keep in mind that positive emotions like joy and gladness do not exclusively belong to those with a greater affinity for optimism.

Habakkuk gives us a great example of humbly trusting God, even when he didn’t like what God had in store.