What makes a saying of God seem hard to us? Why, it becomes a hard saying whenever it is contrary to our own desires. If we are spiritually lazy, any saying that would make us rise to action will be a hard one. If a saying of Scripture would force us to deny ourselves, that will be a hard saying for us. Any time the teaching of God condemns us for what we are or what we do, the saying that does so is hard to us.

Even though our heavenly Father will never leave us nor forsake us (cf. Hebrews 13:5), we still fight the feeling of loneliness when others do. I remember the anxious feeling I had attending the services of the church before I got married to my wife. As I got out of my vehicle and started for the building, I would think, "Where am I going to sit this morning, and will it probably be on a pew alone?" Services can be difficult for those by themselves. It can seem like everyone else around you is engaged in dialogue with one another, smiling, laughing, and having a pleasant time, but no one notices you. Sadly for some, a crowded church building can seem like the loneliest place in the world

Any and all sin will keep you out of heaven. However, if we were to list some of the worst sins committed, envy would have to be at or near the top. Envy was one of the reasons Jesus was crucified, as Pilate knew that for envy they [the Jewish leaders] had delivered him (Matthew 27:18). Jesus would tell Pilate, he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin (John 19:11). 

Christ was not the first man to die upon a cross. Neither was he to be the last to suffer the horrors of the Roman Cross. However, it was he who has placed the cross into the glory of his matchless love for the fallen sons and daughters of Adam’s race. By dying upon the tree as a sin offering, he has transformed the ignominious cross into the great and glorious symbol of his love for the lost.

Jesus said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up (Matthew 15:13). This was in reference to false teachers and their doctrines, as he followed up this statement by saying, Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch (v. 14). Rooting up a plant is a violent action. The truth, that is the word of God, will root out false teaching and expose false teachers, both now and ultimately in the judgment to come. This would include every person or organization today that teaches something different than what the Bible says. 

I’m thinking back to a time several years ago when our children were still living at home with us, but were old enough to go out on their own with friends, or attend some church activity without us with them. I can still remember, to this day, what was said to them almost (if not every time) they left the house. It serves as the title for this post today – “Remember Who You Are and Whose You Are.” I think both of them would tell you they remember this statement.

There is nothing good ever said about a lazy person in the Bible. However, laziness can be a temptation to all Christians, as Jesus said, Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41 NKJV). How many times have you said, "Let someone else do it," or, "I'll do it tomorrow" when it can be done today? Or said, "This is too hard," and you just quit? 

In Jesus’ day, “Then they said unto him, What shall we do that we might work the work of God?” Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:28-29.) It is the opportunity of every teacher to help others to have a deeper faith – then that teacher is working the works of God.

The Bible says, whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14 NKJV).

God wants his children to take life seriously. In writing to a young Timothy concerning prayer in the assembly, the apostle Paul said, I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity(1 Timothy 2:1,2 ASV). 

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The works of Jesus Christ may be divided into two classes: The finished and unfinished work. In prayer he said, “I have glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do.” (John 17:4).

We pray for forgiveness. Help us, dear Father, to be forgiving. May the mercy we ask of thee emanate from our own heart. Thou art not far from any one of us: for in thee we live, and move and have our being. At every moment and in every place, may we be aware of thy blessed nearness. When we come to the end of the journey and lay the burdens down, lift us to thyself. In thy presence is the fulness of joy. There may we abide. Through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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At the beginning of a new year, many are motivated to make positive changes in their lives. But after a month, that motivation is usually nowhere to be found. What really makes lasting change in people's lives is not motivation, but discipline.

God's will is that everyone will respond appropriately to His sending of His Son:  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29). However, God has left the choice up to us. Belief in Jesus is more than a mental assent (James 2:19). It is an obedient faith (Romans 1:5) that fully relies upon Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Pentecost was the beginning of the New Testament order. Colossians 2:14 states that the old law was nailed to the cross, or abolished, when Christ died. Peter, in Acts 2:33, stated that Christ was raised from the dead and that he is now seated on the right hand of God, thereby indicating his position as Lord and Christ. After Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and his ascension to the throne in heaven; Christ began his reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Pentecost was the day on which Christ’s reign began.

. “O my God, my soul is cast down within me: . . . Yet Jehovah will command his lovingkindness in the daytime; and in the night his song shall be with me.” (Psalm 42:6-8). “I call to remembrance my song in the night.” (Psalm 77:6). “Let the saints exult in glory: let them sing for joy upon their beds.” (Psalm 149:5). “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25).

Jesus made a surprising statement about Sodom when he rebuked certain unrepentant cities in Galilee: And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day (Matthew 11:23). The Lord reveals to us that Sodom could have avoided the rain of fire and brimstone if they would have repented. This point is hammered home when Peter later wrote, But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God cares about the righteous, but He also cares about every soul.

A study of the context shows that Paul has reference to the philosophies of men which set themselves against God and/or the revelation of His will (study both the first and second chapter). The wisdom of the world is man’s effort to learn the truth about God, about man, about man’s duty and man’s destiny and to learn it not only apart from divine revelation but in repudiation of divine revelation.

We can get discouraged in our work for the Lord thinking no one else cares enough to contribute. If we are not careful, we ourselves may give up on the Lord's work. When you find yourself thinking this way, remember that God always has other people working in his kingdom.

The psalmist had little scripture for his guidance and inspiration; yet he says, “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Compared with our full-orbed blaze of revelation his was the twinkle of a star. Yet he found his way through life and experienced great joy in his pilgrimage.