Be An Example

As servants of the Lord and followers of Jesus, we are instructed to be a good example to our neighbors, even as Jesus was our example. (See John 13:15; 1 Peter 2:21)

Here are some pertinent Scripture passages:

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (Phil 3:17 ESV)

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Tim 4:12 NIV)

. . . in all things showing yourself to be a pattern [model] of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility . . . (Tit 2:7 NKJV)

We are challenged by the Word of God to live in unity and harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ. We do that by studying and memorizing the Word of God, and by pursuing spiritual maturity in our walk with Christ. We also fulfill this mandate by living peaceful and responsible lives.

We’re instructed to perform good deeds, and to be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Our lives will display integrity, reverence for God and for spiritual things, as well as an incorruptible spirit. As we live in this way, we will be following Christ’s example, as well as being a good example, too. God bless you.

The Crown of Life

Believers in Jesus Christ receive the crown of life. Let’s remember that before Jesus came, God had made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Jesus came so that the Gentiles might also be saved, and that atonement might be made for the sins of all of mankind. Jesus is the Lamb of God, and he was the perfect sacrifice for all of mankind. (see John 1:29, 36)

Believers are not promised an easy life in the Bible. We are warned in 2 Timothy 3:12 that those who desire to live godly in Jesus will suffer persecution. We must stop and realize that the enemy would not be attacking Christians so desperately if we did not possess something of great value.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (Jas 1:12 NIV, emphasis added)

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer for ten days. But be faithful, even if you have to die, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:10 NCV, emphasis added)

Trials of various types test a Christian’s faith, develop endurance in their lives, and help develop spiritual maturity in them. We can all read in 1 Peter how Jesus responded to persecution:

Although he was abused, he never tried to get even. And when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he had faith in God, who judges fairly. (1 Pet 2:23 CEV)

The Lord will give every believer the sustaining grace that they need to go through such trials victoriously. We just need to hold onto our faith in God and in His ability to uphold and sustain us spiritually, mentally, and emotionally through persecution.

Let’s consider how we can stand firm in our resolve to continue speaking the Word of Life boldly, even under the threat of persecution.

Before persecution begins, we must prepare for it by cultivating the Word of God in our hearts. This means that we memorize various passages from the Bible and review them regularly to make sure we retain them.

Scripture teaches that we carry the Word of God in two places: in our mouths, and in our hearts (see Romans 10:8, and Deuteronomy 30:14). Remember this vital truth: Whenever persecution attempts to silence the Word that is in our mouths, it is the Word that is in our hearts which will sustain us.

We carry the incorruptible Seed of the Word of God in our mouths and in our hearts, and we cannot begin to fathom the fruit that will come from that Seed. Hold fast to the Seed that has been sown in your hearts, brothers and sisters! It will uphold and sustain you, along with the very real presence of the Prince of Peace who never leaves us. Glory to God!

Don’t Make Yourself God’s Enemy

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have chosen to follow Christ above all things, especially above the world. Jesus taught that we cannot be loved by this world because we are not truly a part of it.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. (Mt 6:24 CEB)

The Bible reminds us that we can’t serve two different masters. So we must make a clear and firm choice about our allegiance.

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, the world therefore hates you. (Joh 15:19 MEV)

The world hates Christians because Jesus chose us out of the world, and we chose Jesus. We have put Jesus first above all other relationships, alliances, and commitments.

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (Jam 4:4 NKJV)

Friendship with the world equals hostility toward God and the Word of God. Many in the world malign and ridicule believers, and all those who value the Bible.

Stop loving the world and the things that are in the world. If anyone persists in loving the world, the Father’s love is not in him. ¹⁶For everything that is in the world—the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance—is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 Joh 2:15-16 ISV)

Everything—EVERYTHING—that is in the world [ambition, avariciousness, passions, arrogance] is connected with this world’s way of doing things; and does not connect to a love of God the Father.

As we continue to choose to follow Jesus and to obey God’s Word, we would do well to seek God’s face and ask Him for continuing grace to live a holy life. We know that God hears and answers our prayers, so we may pray with confidence and assurance. God bless you.

God Speaks to Us

The Word of God gives us multiple instances of how God has spoken to His people over the centuries. The written Word of God, the Bible, is one way that the Lord communicates with His people. In His Word, He gives us instructions and promises which will lead us, guide us, and encourage us.

. . . and said to Moses, “If you speak to us, we will listen. But don’t let God speak to us, or we will die!” ²⁰“Don’t be afraid!” Moses replied. “God has come only to test you, so that by obeying him you won’t sin.” ²¹But when Moses went near the thick cloud where God was, the people stayed a long way off. (Ex 20:19-22 CEV) The Jewish people who followed Moses didn’t want to hear God’s voice! They wanted Moses to speak with the Lord and to be their intermediary. They wanted to receive their instructions from a man rather than directly from the Lord.

From heaven he spoke to you in order to teach you, and on earth he showed you his great fire from which you also heard his words. (Deu 4:36 NET) God speaks to us in order to teach us, to encourage us, and to bless us.

Then you and your son and your grandson will fear the Lord your God. You will obey all His Laws that I tell you, all the days of your life. And then you will have a longer life. (Deu 6:2 NLV) One of the Bible’s promises concerning obeying God’s instructions is that we will have a long life.

This is the one who was in the assembly in the wilderness together with the angel who spoke to him at length on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to you. (Ac 7:38 NASB) God’s Words are living words. (See Heb 4:12)

There are multitude of ways that God communicates with mankind. He speaks to us through the beauty and majesty of His creation. Also, he speaks to us by the Holy Spirit through dreams, visions, and our inner thoughts. As we’ve already mentioned, the Lord converses with us through the Bible.

Two Bible passages remind us that we who follow Jesus, our Shepherd, hear His voice and know His voice. (Joh 10:16, 27) This should reassure us, and encourage us. Place your faith in God and in His Word, for God cannot lie! Glory to God!

Listen to and Accept Instruction

We’re taught by the Word of God to listen to the Word and to obey it. We’re also encouraged to accept instruction from our parents, our elders, and wise counselors. Most human beings find these instructions challenging—at least some of the time!

But the Bible reminds us repeatedly that blessings, wisdom, and long life will be given to us if we listen to and accept instruction. Let’s look at some Bible verses:

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. (Pro 4:10 NIV)

Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold . . . (Pro 8:10 NIV)

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. (Pro 19:20 NIV)

Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. (Job 22:22 NIV)

This verse in Job recommends that we memorize the Scriptures to make it easier to meditate upon them.

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (1 Thes 2:13 NIV)

The more that we memorize and meditate upon the Word–as well as obeying it–the more powerfully the Word will work in us and transform us into the image of our Savior and Creator. God bless you.

Guard Your Words & Emotions

It is important for us to guard our words and our emotions. Words are very important in life, and the Bible attests to that. Let’s see what the Scriptures tell us.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (Jam 1:19 NIV)

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves from trouble. (Prov 21:23 CEB)

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. (Prov 10:19 ESV)

Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior, and anyone who has control of his spirit is better than someone who captures a city. (Pro 16:32 ISV)

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. (Col 3:8 NKJV)

We’re taught by the Word of God to be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Do you notice that the only thing we should be QUICK about is listening? Isn’t that opposite to what usually happens?

The wisdom that we can glean from God’s Word is that:

Restricting our words keeps us away from trouble;
We should control and limit our words;
Curtailing our lips is sensible and discreet;
Being able to control our own spirit is better than conquering an entire city; and
We should put away anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and all filthy language.

As we live in harmony with and obedience to the Word of God, we invite God’s blessings upon our lives. Hallelujah!

Be Kindhearted and Empathetic

The Word of God teaches us how to live good, righteous, and content lives. All we need to do is to honor and to obey His Word.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Rom 12:15 NIV) Be considerate of and sympathetic to other peoples’ feelings and life experiences. In this way we minister God’s love to them.

And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (1 Cor 12:26 NKJV) We should rejoice with those who rejoice and sorrow with those who grieve, since we are all a part of the family of God.

Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place. (Heb 13:3 CEB) The Lord wants us to be benevolent and gentle with other peoples’ feelings and life experiences. He wants us to respond to peoples’ needs as if we have been in exactly the same spot that they are in.

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. (Phil 2:17-18 NKJV) The writer of Philippians, who is allowing his own life to resemble a drink offering unto the Lord, reminds his cherished readers to be glad and to rejoice with him.

This is the right way to respond to all who are members of the family of faith–the family of God.

Sweet Meditations on Scriptures

It is a blessing of our salvation that we may have sweet meditations using the promises of God.

The Bible says: For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Pro 23:7a) Our very thoughts govern our actions, according to the Bible. So if we meditate upon Scriptures and the promises found therein, we can write God’s laws and blessings into our hearts and even into our lives!

My meditation of Him shall be sweet; I will be glad in the Lord. (Ps 104:34 KJ21) We have the privilege to think about all of the beautiful and precious attributes that belong to our Savior and God. And doing so will cause us to praise and worship and rejoice in the Him.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. (Ps 19:14 KJ21) If we would like our words to be acceptable to God, we will memorize Bible passages, because our words flow from our hearts and thoughts. And meditating upon the promises of God will always be acceptable to God, for it is one of the purposes for which He gave us His written Word.

I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Thy testimonies are my meditation. (Ps 119:99 KJ21) This Scripture communicates to us that we can be wiser than our teachers by making Bible passages our frequent meditation, and by obeying and honoring God’s Word. Why is that? Because the wisdom of God is found within the Word of God, and He is willing and happy to share His wisdom with us. Blessings upon you!

God Holds Us

The Word of God tells us that the Lord has engraved [inscribed, imprinted, etched] us on the palms of His own hands! Wow! What a concept! That’s worth meditating upon.

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands . . . (Isa 49:16a ESV)

God also tells us that He holds us by the hand, and He reminds us that He is the One who helps us. What an honor and a blessing to be helped by the all-powerful, living God! He is not only “close” to us, but He is actually holding us by the hand. Glory!

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isa 41:13 ESV)

Even if people who are blood relatives of ours desert us, our Savior God holds us close to His heart. He will never leave us nor disown [reject] us. (Hebrews 13:5) God’s love is constant, enduring and unfailing. (Ps 136:26; Rom 8:39)

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. (Ps 27:10 NLT)

NO ONE has the strength, might or power to be able to take us out of our Father God’s hand. Praise the Lord!

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. (Joh 10:29 ESV, emphasis added)

The Lord says that He is our God for our entire lives. Once we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, He cares for us and will carry us and save us—even into eternity!

I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (Isa 46:4 NLT) The Lord upholds [sustains] our very lives. (Isa 54:4 NLT)

Did you realize that? Return His perfect love and worship Him today!

Sow Righteousness

The concept of sowing and reaping is an important one in the Scriptures. We are instructed by the Lord to sow righteousness. How may we do that?

The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. (Pro 11:18) We are taught by God’s Word, that those who “sow righteousness” will have a certain reward.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Gal 6:7) We are warned that whatever we sow, we shall also reap.

In other words, if a person sows corn, they will produce a corn crop. If they sow malice and hatred, they will gather heartache and sorrow. If we sow love and mercy in order to honor the Lord, then we will harvest blessings for ourselves and our children.

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Gal 6:8) If we satisfy our own fleshly desires and sinful nature, we will collect only decay and death as a result. But if we will sow to the Spirit (or sow righteousness), we will harvest eternal life and many of God’s blessings along the way..

The Bible makes it very clear that the seed that every believer should sow is the Word of God. When we sow the Word of God, we sow righteousness.

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Pet 1:23 NIV)

The seed is the word of God. (Lk 8:11b NIV)

Sharing our testimony with other people, inviting people to visit our church so that they can hear the Good News, and praying for the salvation of people that we know are also beautiful ways to sow righteousness. Praising God and supporting the Kingdom of God financially, as well as doing good works, are other righteous seeds to plant. Blessings upon you!

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Tag: Word of God