James 1:25-27 TLB
[25] But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God’s law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does. [26] Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn’t control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn’t worth much. [27] The Christian who is pure and without fault, from God the Father’s point of view, is the one who takes care of orphans and widows, and who remains true to the Lord-not soiled and dirtied by his contacts with the world.
Good Morning!
As followers of Christ, we live in this world but are not of this world. The more we stay in contact with the world, the more we are drawn and lured into the empty promises it offers. We are to remain in the world, sharing the love of Christ and being a witness for Him, but not be of this world. Our lives should be full of salt and light so that others around us can see the joy of The Lord in our lives, as we live confident of our eternity and full of grace, and that our good works glorify the Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV
[13] “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. [14] “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Proverbs 16:25 tells us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” When people are drawn in by the things of the world and ignoring God’s instruction through His Word, they live in what seems right, but they are just “chasing after the wind.” There is a better way. Living with our priorities right, is the way that leads to life. When we put God first, before anything else, then everything else will fall into place and God provides the things we need for this life.
Ecclesiastes 4:4 TLB
[4] Then I observed that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy! But this, too, is foolishness, chasing the wind.
Matthew 6:33 NKJV
[33] But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Above all else we are to love God and love others as God loves us. These two simple things sum up the entire Word of God. Can you imagine a world where all people actually first loved God and His commands, and secondly truly loved other people? There would be no more wars, the poor would be taken care of, the world would truly be in order. But that is not the world we live in. So there is always more work to be done, spreading God’s good news until Jesus returns. Then, He will make all things new with a new heaven and new earth. Everything will be made right — no more sin, no more pain, no more suffering, no more wars, no more sickness — everyone will live eternally happy in the presence of our Lord in the new earth — the world that we are of.
Matthew 22:37,39-40 NKJV
[37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [39] And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Revelation 21:5 NKJV
[5] Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
Revelation 21:1 NKJV
[1] Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
I love you and am praying for you today!
Dad