As we live, no one is without problems and struggles. There are so many obstacles, burdens, and temptations. But then making the right decisions is important.
PRAY FOR WISDOM
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5-6 KJV)
BELIEVE WHEN YOU PRAY
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:21-22 KJV)
KNOW AND FOLLOW GOD’S WILL
Know what God’s will is and stand for it, even though there are hardships and difficulties.
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17 KJV)
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. (Proverbs 11:3 KJV)
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. (Proverbs 11:5-6 KJV)
Problems cannot be solved by choosing the easy way or making another mistake to solve the consequences of one mistake, but no matter how hard, always seek wisdom from God and hold on to what is true and right. God bless!!!
Many people desire to be great before the eyes of men by exalting themselves. However, to be great in God’s kingdom is to be willing to serve God and be useful in the ministry. Serving God is not only worshipping but also supporting His ministry. Every believer must not only worship and hear the word but also share God’s message with others.
God has many ways of supporting the needs of His servants who preach His word. He touches the hearts of believers. Preachers must go by faith to preach the gospel believing in God’s ability to provide and sustain.
And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. (2 Kings 4:8 KJV)
The meeting of Elisha and the woman at Shunem was not an accident. Rather it was a divine providence and appointment. God wanted to bless Elisha and the woman. It is God who leads His servants where they should go. He led Elisha to go to where there was a great woman. She was called great because she had a heart for God’s work.
Some would invite or offer you food for compliments, not sincerely. However, this Shunamite woman did constrain Elisha to eat. She was very generous and kind. It must be God who led and used her to provide for Elisha’s needs. Every true preacher must just go by faith believing in God’s provision.
And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. (2 Kings 4:9 KJV)
If God’s man will just go by faith, God can use anyone, even people you do not really know. The woman did initiate to help the man of God, but at first, she didn’t know that this man was God’s man. She didn’t even know that she was helping God’s servant. Somehow, God used her for a great purpose and as a channel of blessing. We really cannot limit God for His ways of providing for our needs are unlimited.
Later, she observed that this man who passed by them regularly was God’s man and righteous. She was right in her perception that indeed this man was a man of God. The Bible says that it is God who gives good pastors who shall teach you with knowledge.
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:15 KJV)
Good pastors feed you with true knowledge and understanding and they are a blessing to the people and churches wherever they go. But the bad ones scatter sheep with false knowledge and lies. The Bible says that God gives pastors for the edification of the church.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV)
Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. (2 Kings 4:10-11 KJV)
This woman was great because she was so supportive especially when she learned that this man was God’s servant. She was a great encouragement to her husband to support the man of God. They provided him a room, a bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick. They provided the prophet a room to rest, sleep, and study.
And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. (2 Kings 4:12-17 KJV)
When church members do care for pastors, it is God who will also bless them. It was an opportunity for the Shunamite to help the man of God, and to be blessed by the Lord. God cares for His servants and He cares also for those people who love His ministry. There are many promises in the Scriptures that the Lord will bless those channels of His blessings for the ministry.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (2 Corinthians 9:7-8 KJV)
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25 KJV)
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (Mark 9:41 KJV)
And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out. (2 Kings 4:18-37 KJV)
We must have great concern for the Lord’s work. Why are there many churches seemingly dying, and members have become worldly and spiritually sick. It is because of a lack of concern for God’s laborers and His works. We need revival!!!
My attention was caught by a kitten who was trying to enter a fence made of cyclone wire. Her head got entangled by the wires. She just cried due to the pain and couldn’t get her head out. So, I tried to help her by twisting her head gently, though she might be hurt just to get her head out.
There is a saying, “Sometimes it takes pain to make us change our ways”. We are hesitant to speak the truth to a person we care for fear that she or he might get hurt. But if you love someone, you have to tell him or her what is right. Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing.
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (1 Corinthians 13:6 KJV)
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3 John 1:3-4 KJV)
Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:5-6 KJV)
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. (Proverbs 12:18 KJV)
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV)
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:13-17 KJV)
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! (Proverbs 15:23 KJV)
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16 KJV)
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. (Proverbs 15:10 KJV)
A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. (Proverbs 15:12 KJV)
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:8-10 KJV)
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:19-21 KJV)
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (1 Timothy 6:3-4 KJV)
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105 KJV)
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. (Proverbs 3:12 KJV)
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: (Job 5:17 KJV)
Consider how great things the Lord has done for us. God has blessed us in many ways. Despite our many shortcomings, yet He has shown His goodness and kindness.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
God has provided us a Savior, Jesus. That very moment we received Him by faith, we have become God’s children (John 1: 12). He has guided us as we travel in this life by His word and Spirit and helped us go through a long the storms of life. God has been so good in the past and He will always be good in the future.
Only fear the Lord
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
When a man has the fear of the Lord, he will avoid sinning.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. (Proverbs 16:6)
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. (Proverbs 16:17)
When a man has the fear of the Lord, he will obey God than man.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalms 118:8)
When a man has the fear of the Lord, he will follow God than his feelings.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. (1 John 3:20)
Serve Him
We are saved to serve.
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. (Luke 1:74-75)
We are to serve in newness of spirit.
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:6)
We are to serve with gladness of heart.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. (Psalms 100:2)
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (Psalms 2:11)
We are to serve God faithfully.
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. (Psalms 101:6)
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)
In Truth
Jesus commanded to search the Scriptures.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)
Paul appreciated the Bereans for Searching the Scriptures.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)
The Scriptures, God’s word is truth.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)
The Scriptures will make us wise to know the true way of salvation.
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)
We are to worship God in spirit and truth.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)
We are to choose today whom we will serve.
Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:14-15)
With all your heart
Our responsibility to God is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)
We are to know God sincerely with all our hearts through His words.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
We are to consider God’s great goodness in our lives to serve Him with all our hearts.
Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. (1 Samuel 12:24)
When we sin, we must repent and confess our sins to the Lord.
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: (Joel 2:12)
And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; (1 Samuel 12:20)
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)
Whatever we do, we must do our work heartily as to the Lord and be grateful always.
And whatsoever ye do in wo d or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17)
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)
STEP BY STEP 