“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20-21; KJV).

As Christians we have died to the old life dominated by sin and spiritual death and have received new life in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:2). We have to live this new life by faith; faith that the Holy Spirit will work in us to change us to be more like Christ each day (Gal 5:22).

In Colossians 3:1-4 we read that we are to: “seek those things which are above”; seek the things of Jesus. In that passage we are exhorted to set our minds on heavenly things, knowing that when Christ returns, we will be with him in his glory; what a promise. When you set your mind on something it becomes your focus, your priority. God knows we have families and jobs but he wants us to make him our focus when we get up, as we go through our day and as we lay down to rest (Josh 1:8). Then we will be changed (Gal 5:22), experience all God has for us (Josh 1:8), walk in his peace (Ps 119:165) and have the assurance that we are his forever more (Col 3:4).

Please share this. All rights reserved.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others. 

God showed his kindness to us through Jesus (Eph. 2:7) and we need to imitate his example. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). The meaning of the Greek word in both verses is really the practical expression of goodness, particularly in the face of difficult people.

In Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) the apostle Paul taught us that we should: “be ye kind one to another" and in Colossians 3:12 he was more emphatic writing that we should: "put on…. kindness”.  In the familiar love passage of the new Testament (1 Cor 13): we see that kindness is one of the attributes of God’s unconditional love (V4).

A different Greek word for kindness is used in Acts 28:2: "the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness". The word used here denotes more of a loving kindness toward people. So, when we talk about kindness, we think of doing good things to help others as in Gal. 6:10: "do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith".

Sometimes kindness comes naturally to us but at other times we have to be intentional about it; it’s so easy to become consumed with our own problems and busyness and not notice what others are going through. Look out for opportunities to be a blessing to people today and have fun doing it.

Send this to a friend. All rights reserved.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.

 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim; 1:12 KJV).

In this verse Paul talks of his faith; he said he believed and was fully persuaded. He was persuaded that God could keep him until Christ’s return in the face of all the persecution and hardship he encountered (2 Cor 11:21-33). Paul was persecuted, beaten, stoned, almost drowned, weary, hungry, cold, and burdened by the concerns for the church but he could say that God delivered him from everything (2 Tim 3:11).

Going back to our text from 2 Timothy above, notice that Paul said I know whom I have believed and that he (God) can keep me. So often our focus is on building our faith for something (e.g. healing) and that is good, we need to do that; but first and foremost, we need to know and trust our God. This means we must know his nature and character.

“God is love” (1 John 4:8), his promises are yes and amen (2 Cor 1:20), he is faithful (1 Cor 1:9) and never changes (Mal 3:6). Nothing is too difficult for God (Luke 1:37); he is our shield and our: “exceedingly great reward” (Gen 15:1). His word is truth and the truth will set you free (John 17:17; John 8:32).

This is just a glimpse of our God; search the word and get to know your awesome all-powerful God.

Please pass this along to someone. All rights reserved.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.

Before he started his ministry, Jesus fasted for 40 days and then he was immediately tempted by the devil (Matt 4:1-11). Satan appealed to Jesus’ physical hunger by tempting him to turn stones into bread. Jesus refused this temptation even though he must have been hungry. He countered this and each of the 3 temptations that the devil brought him, with the word of God.

In the second temptation satan tried to appeal to human vanity, suggesting that as Jesus was God’s son, he could throw himself off of the temple and God would rescue him. Again, Jesus countered with the word: “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matt 4:7; KJV). Finally, satan appealed to the lust for power and prestige, offering Jesus authority over all the world if he would worship him (satan). But even at a time of physical weakness, Jesus was rock solid; quoting the word that man should serve and worship only God.

What can we learn from all of this? Well, Jesus was totally obedient to his heavenly Father. Satan will try to attack and tempt us to sin in our weakest moments and in the weakest areas of our lives. How do we put satan in his place? As he lies to us, we counter with the truth of the word. If he tries to talk you out of healing, through thoughts or people, speak those Bible verses on healing.

Jesus defeated satan at the cross and took all power and authority from him (Matt 28:18; Heb 2:14). As Christians we walk in Christ’s victory (1 Cor 15:57). Satan will try to test our resolve but we have to assert our victory by speaking the word. There is power in the word (Heb 4:12).

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.

 Money can do funny things to people. The word has much to say about money and prosperity and its place in our lives. God wants to prosper us, to provide all of our need: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19; KJV). Notice that the apostle Paul wrote: “according to his riches”, or by his standard; I like that.

However, God wants us to seek him not the blessings; as we seek him, God blesses us (Matt 6:33). So often we can: “ask amiss” (James 4:3), asking out of purely selfish desires; God can’t answer those kinds of prayers. Paul tells us not to trust in riches but to trust God (1 Tim 6:17).  Again, he says: “For the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10).

That focus on money can keep people from entering the kingdom of God (Mark 10:23-25); can so distract them that it blinds them to the word of God (Matt 13:22). We are not to pursue riches (1 Tim 6:9) but to pursue God. Be content with what you have (1 Tim 6:8) but look to God; he will bless you beyond all you can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20).

Why don’t you send this on to a friend? All rights reserved.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.