His Words Are Life

"My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

"Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

"For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:20-22)

Indeed, God's Word is our life, for Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-2), and He is our Life (Colossians 3:4).

I reflect on this year recognizing that I had not been reading and resting in God's Word, God's promises.

There were many great things which God has done and is still committed to doing for us.

Yet how would I have known? I had been out of God's word for so long, I had not diligently hearkened. Then I prayed openly to God, and I told Him: "Daddy, I want to hunger for your word again. I want to get back into the habit of reading your word again."

Then I was banned forever from one of the social media sites I had been using frequently. Just like that, my original, my back-up, and my third accounts were all disabled. There was nothing that I could do about it.

And you know? That was the best thing that had happened to me!

"And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26)

and also

"And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;" (Jeremiah 17:24)

God wants us to listen and keeping listening to His Word!

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)

There is so much to read, to share, to know about God's Word, and there is so much that God our loving Daddy wants us to receive:

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23:2)

Green pastures, verdant pastures speaks of God's Word, which continues to grow and offer us sustenance. He wants us to receive and keep receiving from Him:

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

As we enter the New Year, let us continue to read, receive, reflect, and believe on God's Word for all that He is, that He has, and that He is doing in our us, through us, and for us!

Happy New Year!

Jesus Promised: You Will Make It to The Other Side

"And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side." (Mark 4:35)

The final account in Mark 4 has appeared at least four times to me this morning.

It's worth noting the clear direction which Jesus gave to His disciples following one of His major ministries outreaches: "Let's pass over to the other side."

Jesus said, and that should be enough to believe it. Jesus said that His disciple and He would cross over to the other side.

Yet the disciples were fearful when the hurricanes and strong winds hit the boat:

"37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:37-38)

Of course Jesus cares, and He is more than master. He is our Savior, and He assures that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but receive everlasting life! (John 3:16)

It's important in the midst of every storm we face that we rest in God's promises, that God gave His Word, literally--His Son Jesus.

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me." (Psalm 138:7)

Jesus Is With Us, Especially in Our Darkest Moments

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:23)

Jesus came into our world at one of the darkest moments in Israel's history. This account is often brought to people's attention today, since so many take for granted how God's grace has transformed the otherwise fallen world.

The Israelites were not just suffering under Roman Rule, but an Edomite--a non-Jew--was ruling Judea as a puppet king. How bad can it get?

Add to that the widespread poverty and oppression against Israelites, and the fact that the one-time glory of the Temple and David's kingdom had dissipated. The House of David had fallen into such low estate, that Joseph and Mary only offered doves for the dedication sacrifice of their Son Jesus (Luke 2:24)

Yet in the midst of such poverty, sorry, and oppression, Jesus the Light of the World was born (John 8:12).

God with us answers every need and overcomes every obstacle! There can be no greater joy for us than to know that He is with us!

Consider the initial sad state of Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob, betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery:

"1And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian." (Genesis 39:1-2)

Notice that God is with Joseph, and He prospered because God was with him. On the outside, he could not have found himself in a worse situation, similar dire straits like Israel under Roman rule. Yet Joseph was favored and prospered.

Look at what David sings in Psalm 23:

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

What could be worse, or more dark a place, than in a valley, in a shadow in the valley, and the shadow is cast upon us by death? Yet even in that darkest of moments, David knows that the LORD is with him!

No matter how dark or bleak your situation or circumstance may be, focus on Jesus, know that He is with, and therefore nothing can stand against you or overcome you (Romans 8:28, 37)

Jesus Our Savior is Not Hurried--So Don't Rush or Disqualify Yourself

"49While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole." (Luke 9: 49-50)

Jairus, the master of the synagogue, came to Jesus and begged him to help his daughter. His faith was not as strong as others, since he asked Jesus to come to his home. Remember that the centurion asked Jesus to "just say the word", because the Roman leader honored Jesus' authority (Matthew 8:8).

Once again, people saw Jesus as "master", as someone with influence and pre-eminence who would only come to help if they were properly coaxed or someone begged and pleaded.

That is not who Jesus is! He is our Savior!

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21).

Yes, Jesus is our King, but He is a king who serves, and He is not shy or ashamed to say so:

"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

Notice Jesus focuses on ministering, serving others, and serving many. There is no limit to the grace Jesus wants to give.

Now, in Luke's account above, notice that Jesus had to dispel fear from the ruler and his servants" "Fear not. Believe only."

Just trust me, Jesus says to the ruler and to his servant. He is not bothered by delays, and a worsening situation is not going to make His work in our lives harder. In fact, the more dire the situation, the easier God's grace can make good out of a bad situation.

No matter what hindrances you think face your miracle or the hardships you face, know that Jesus is Savior today as much as is He when walking on this earth. Don't feel the need to rush Him to help you because He might change His mind, and do not disqualify yourself from receiving from Him because of the dire nature of your challenge or problem.

Come to Him and Let Him save you.

Jesus Allows Us To Go Through Storms--That We May See Him As He Is

"And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away." (Matthew 14:22)

This passage struck out at me when I read it.

Jesus was hurrying His disciples to get into the boat to cross the sea to Gennesaret. Why?

What's also interesting, too, is that the disciples asked Jesus to send away the multitudes.

"15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals." (Matthew 14:15)

Jesus did not send them away, but put the question to the disciples to provide them food. They had no idea how to do that, but Jesus simply directed the disciples to have the multitudes sit down. He would pray and provide bread for everyone there. 5,000 men were fed, and then there are the many women and children who were not counted. Jesus provided immense resources to these men and women seeking His help.

The disciples still did not see him as Son of God.

For this reason, Jesus sent them into the boat, and then the boat faced an intense storm. Their response to seeing Jesus walking on the storm is quite telling:

"24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." (Matthew 14: 24-27)

Notice that this time, they saw Jesus as a spirit first, then recognized Him when He said "I am".

Peter then called out to Jesus, that He would summon him to walk on the water to Him. Jesus called Peter, and he indeed walked on the water, and Jesus saved Peter when he stopped looking at Jesus as looked at the storm.

Notice that in this entire account, Jesus walks calmly through the storm. He assures His disciples not to be afraid, He welcomes Peter to walk on the water, too. He even rescues Peter when he fails and stops looking at the Savior.

Notice how the disciples respond to Jesus after they safely cross through the storm:

"32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God." (Matthew 14: 32-33)

Notice that the storm ceased as soon as Jesus and Peter came into the boat. In the midst of the intense trial surrounding and pressuring the disciples in the ship, Jesus appeared, demonstrated his power over all nature. He also showed that He would extend the same power to His disciples, and that He would save them even when they failed.

How did they respond? "Surely you are the Son of God!"

Their faith increased! They saw Jesus as more than some Master or teacher. They saw Him as He truly is--Savior!

Whatever storm you are going through, Jesus wants you to see Him more fully, to see Him as He is--as Savior!

Look to Him Who Has Been from the Beginning

My father's wife asked her grandchildren a great question about Jesus and Christmas:

"Christmas Day is Jesus' birthday. How old is he?"

One of her granddaughters, and my neice, Avery said "600 million million!"

How about 200?

Then I said: "He is ageless and timeless!"

Indeed.

No matter how tough times may be before us, we need to remember that He holds our times in His hands.

"I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father." (1 John 2:13)

How we have fatherhood, how we have maturity before God, we have it be seeing His Son Jesus.

It's all about seeing Him who has been from the beginning!

He declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

He has everything taken care of everything in our lives.

It's time that we see Him as the one who holds everything together for us!

Follow God's Counsel, Not the Counsel of the Ungodly

"And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD." (Joshua 9:14)

This verse appears within the account of the deceitful Gibeonites, who dressed themselves in ragged clothes and provided themselves moldy food to give themselves the appearance of having traveled a long distance, far beyond the Promised Land, even though they lived in that land.

They sought to fool Joshua and all the Israelites because they did not want to be wiped out by them.

What happened? Why did they get away with pulling a massive fraud on Joshua?

They did not seek counsel from God. They trusted in their own wit and wisdom.

We are called to heed God's word for every need, challenge, and occasion in our lives.

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." (Psalm 1:1)

Ungodly counsel is not just expressly evil advice, but any counsel which does not come from God.

For the past two weeks, I was relying on the opinions and advice of other people to comfort me in times of stress. All of that came about because as they outlined that things were going to proceed my way on certain conflicts, they did not turn out as expected.

Our hope comes from Him, for Christ in us is our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

Hope does not come from other people, and the best of advice of our best friends cannot compare with the wisdom we have in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30).

We need to rest in Him, not in ourselves, or in the best intentions and interactions of men:

"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." (Jeremiah 17:5)

But there is great blessing in trusting God:

"7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

"8For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Let us place our trust and hope in God's word, not in ourselves, nor in the words and counsels of those around us. 

Look at Jesus, Not the Giants in the Land

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

We are called to set aside anything and everything that can set us off or keep us down.

Sin is in the world, and not just in our flesh. This is a fallen world, and we should not allow anything that induces sorrow, worry, hardships, or discouragement.

We need to focus on Jesus, for He establishes faith and culminates our faith.

It's all about Him, not the hardships before us or behind us.

Consider how the Israelites failed massively in this regard:

"And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, who come of the giants. And we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” (Numbers 13:33)

"We were in our own sight" the ten false spies shared with the rest of the Israelite congregation.

Unbelievable! They needed to look at God's Word, and God's promises, not themselves.

Consider Abram, before he received his new covenant name for God:

"And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land." (Genesis 12:6)

The giants were already there, but Abram did not care.

He was walking by faith!

"8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:8-10)

He was not looking at himself or his circumstances.

He didn;t consider the giants in the land.

He consider God, who faithfully promised--and delivered on that promise!

Today, when it comes to any or all challenges we may face in our lives, let us rest and meditate on God's promises, not our premises or our circumstances. Look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Faith!

Keep Hearing and Hearing God's Word

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

None of us have a full grasp of God's Word, and there is something new which God's living Word can show us.

For the longest time, I found that I was not listening diligently to God's Word. I had gotten so busy with doing other things, writing, blogging, activism, looking for work, etc.

I need to keep hearing, too.

"And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26)

and then

"Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day." (Deuteronomy 15:5)

and also

"And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:" (Deuteronomy 28:1)

Then we find Romans 10:17: Faith comes by hearing and hearing.

"Hearken diligently" in the Hebrew is literally "hear hear", the verb printed twice to form an intensive.

We need to keep hearing God's Word.

We need to see Jesus in the Word, keep receiving the strong and growing testimony of His grace and peace in our lives.

"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:22)

Walking in Truth: Reject Condemnation in Your Heart

"And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him." (1 John 3:19)

In John's Third Epistle to his beloved friend Gaius, John gives God's heartbeat for all of us:

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)

How do we ensure that our souls prosper?

We walk in the truth:

"3For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 3-4)

It's all about walking in the truth, and truth in this context relates specifically to the Gospel, to Grace:

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)

and

"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:" (1 Peter 1:22)

Now, what is one key aspect of walking or being in the truth?

John relates this in his First Epistle:

"20For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God" (1 John 3:20-21)

We need to believe every aspect of the Gospel, that there is no condemnation in Christ--none.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1, NIV)

If you feel condemned about anything, then you are not walking in the truth. No one can claim that there soul is prospering if they do not accept that Jesus has cleared us from all our sins, has granted us His life, and we now have His standing before God our Father:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)

Jesus is not condemned in any way--neither are we in this world.

In order to walk in truth, reject all condemnation, and let the grace of God teach you how to walk in godliness (Titus 2: 11-14, 1 John 2: 20, 27)

"All These Things Are Against Me!" -- No, They Are Not!

"And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me." (Genesis 42:36)

It's really easy to chuckle when reading this passage. Of course Joseph wasn't dead. Not only was he alive and well, he was reigning as second in command in Egypt.

Simeon was not dead, either. In fact, he was held as a promissory captive, if you will, so that the sons of Jacob would return to Egypt with Benjamin. No one suggested that Jacob was going to lose his son.

He had indeed lost Joseph, at least for an extended period of time, since all of his sons (except Benjamin) had deceived their father Jacob about his death.

Jacob and his sons were the only men on earth who possessed a covenant with the Living God. He assuredly promised to care for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and to deliver to their progeny the entire Promised Land. Nothing could hold back this essential promise. Nothing.

And yet ... Jacob looked at the all the hardships he was facing, and he concluded very succinctly: "All these things are against me."

Yet they were not.

This is the hardest lesson for me to learn. I guess I have not quite gotten there yet. Funny, but true. At this time, I face significant challenges on many fronts, and frankly I don't need to delve into details about it. Pastor Joseph Prince invited me and others to consider how Jacob must have felt in the midst of these incredible hardships. We know the story, so we can sit back and laugh.

But what if we are the ones who don't know what's going on? What if we are the ones who seem to think that everything is going against us? Can we rest in the promise that God our Loving Father is taking care of everything? Do we really believe that He holds us with both hands, and that He hangs the world on nothing? (Job 26:7)

I must admit that I find this calculation very difficult to accept. I want to have some idea of where I am going. Abraham wandered in the Promised Land, not having any idea where He was going (Hebrews 11:8), but He trusted that God was indeed guiding him.

The same Abraham who had not one child born of his lawful wife Sarah is today a father of many nations, and I am one of his children!

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:29)

There is something in me that wants to rush God, to get Him to hurry up, too. I fear that there is a passage of time that I cannot recover from, too. That kind of thinking, of course, merely implies that He doesn't have everything figured out behind the scenes. We rest in Him, and we can take knowledge of the truth that He is working--actively, continuously, right now--in us, both to will and to do for His good will and pleasure (Philippians 2: 12-13)

As I write this post, I recognize how arrogant the assumptions become when we think that we--that I--have to hustle because God the Father, my loving Daddy God is not on the job. That kind of thinking belies the truth of who He is, for God is love, and He desires that I prosper and be in health (3 John 2).

God is at work behind the scenes. It is not my job to figure out what is going on or why. There is no benefit in my trying to get any idea as to where I am headed.

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, is He not?

Jesus Offers Us Life, Not Just Liberty

This is an interesting concept I was meditating on today.

Jesus came to mankind, taking on human form. He wanted us to receive everlasting life (John 3:16).

He was clear about his intentions and desire for us:

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)

What is the number one priority here that Jesus declares?

He wants us to have LIFE!

He wants us to have an abundant life, too!

Notice that He does not say "I have come to give you liberty."

That's not to say that liberty is not important. He came to offer us liberty, certainly:

"18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)

Jesus came to set those at liberty who had been imprisoned, who had lost their way, who were in bondage to sin and death. If we are honest, all of us fall into the category. All of us are dead in Adam when born into this world. In Christ Jesus, He takes us from death to life, and we reign in His life (Romans 5:15-17)

Jesus Himself announced His role in our liberty:

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

and

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)

Paul writes about the Holy Spirit, and how through Him we have liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Freedom matters, but the most important thing is LIFE!

What's the value of liberty if you are sick? What's the use of having choice when there is no capacity to choose, bound to sin and shame?

Righteousness sets us from the destruction and death of sin, both in our flesh and in the world.

With God's gift of righteousness, we receive life, and with it the incredible liberty to submit ourselves joyfully to God's goodness and grace--and reign in life!

It's all about life, His life, and not just liberty, not license:

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13)

Liberty is a means, not an end. I think this necessary concept escapes many in our culture. Liberty is not important with God's love for us. Liberty means nothing if we have nothing to do or have. There is no reason to move on or to act independently if we do not know who made us or what we were made for.

Jesus is Our Life, and He offers us His Life, Himself!

There is still so much I am learning in this regard, and there is more to come. It's about Himself, it's about His Life, not just liberty.

God Permits Delays, That He May Bless Us Thoroughly

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." (Psalam 68:19)

God wants us to receive all good things from Him.

He wants us to open our mouths wide and receive from Him:

"I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." (Psalm 81:10)

So, if He is dedicated to our enrichment and prosperity, why do we find that some Christians are not walking in full health and wealth?

He wants us to be healed and whole on the inside, so that His material blessings do not induce us to failure, sin, and destruction:

"For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them." (Proverbs 1:32)

John's prayer, and thus God's Number 1 prayer:

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (3 John 2)

He desires that our souls prosper above all. Consider the warning which Jesus declared to His disciples during His earthly ministry:

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26)

Why does God allow delays?

He wants us to be ready for all the blessings He wants to load upon us.

Consider Saul, the first King anointed over Israel, who ultimately failed and died a tragic death.

His soul was not fulfilled and prosperous. He lived in fear, He did not have a heart after God. He even feared to be recognized as King of Israel. Saul endured no major trials in his life to see God as His loving protection and guarantee.

David, however, knew God's heart, and saw Himself as Beloved (his name means "Beloved", by the way). He endured privation, wilderness experiences. He lived through threats on his life, betrayal from his closest confidants, and all while having been anointed King of Israel in the midst of his own brethren.

We receive chastening from our Loving Father, that we may walk in the full sonship which our Daddy God has granted us:

"9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.” (Hebrews 12: 9-10)

Remember, wealth destroys fools--and God wants us to be WISE!

He wants us to know who we are in Christ, what we have in Christ, and what He is committed to doing through us in Christ:

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9)

God wants us to grow in grace, that we may enjoy every blessings, and that means that every time our flesh, our self-efforts fall away, the more that His grace flows in our lives, and we receive more of His blessings in our lives.