Let Us Examine Our Ways And Test Them And Return To The Lord

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord - Lamentations 3:40.

Walking in the Light 

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin - 1 John 1:5-7.

Confession of Sin 

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. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us - 1 John 1:8-10.

Obedience 

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him - 1 John 2:3-4.

Love one another

If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit - 1 John 4:12,13.

Do not love the world

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever - 1 John 2:15-17.

Consider things that were of gain as loss

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith - Philippians 3:7-9.

Abide in truth

Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life - 1 John 2:24-25.

Practice righteousness

Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God - 1 John 3:7-9.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting - Psalm 139:23–24.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us examine our ways, test them and return to You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Believe God

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die - John 11:25,26. 

                   We will see the glory of God if we believe and all things are possible to us. If you believe, you will see the glory of God - John 11:40. All things are possible to him who believes - Mark 9:23.  Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame - Romans 10:11.

Jesus Heals an Official's Son at Capernaum in Galilee

And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”  The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” - John 4:46-50.

The official believed the word that Jesus spoke to him. So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” - John 4:51.

Jesus Heals a Boy With an Unclean Spirit

So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” - Mark 9:21,22.

The father believed as Jesus told that all things are possible to him who believes. Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose - Mark 9:23-27.

Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter Back to Life

And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying - Luke 8:41,42.

Jairus believed when Jesus told him only to believe and not to be afraid even though he heard that his daughter is dead. While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.”  But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately - Luke 8:49,50,54,55.

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” - John 11:38,39.

Jesus told Martha that if you believe, you will see the glory of God and raised Lazarus who was dead. Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” - John 11:40-44.

                                                                                                

Dear Lord, Let us believe and see Your glory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Pray Continually

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. 

                     God's will for us is to pray continually. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints - Ephesians 6:18. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:6-7. 

Hannah prayed

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord - 1 Samuel 1:27. 

Moses prayed

So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend - Exodus 33:11. 

David prayed

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice - Psalm 55:17.

Elijah prayed

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit - James 5:16-18.

Paul prayed

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus - Philippians 1:3-6. 

Jesus prayed

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed - Mark 1:35.

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground - Luke 22:44.

 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” - Matthew 26:39.  

             Let us thank and praise God who hears and answers all our prayers. I will praise You, For You have answered me - Psalm 118:21. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me - Psalm 66:19, 20. 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful - Colossians 4:2.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak - Matthew 26:41. 

                                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us pray continually. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

The Blood of Christ

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? - Hebrews 9:14. 

Eternal redemption

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption - Hebrews 9:12. 

Cleanses us from all sin

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin - 1 John 1:7.

 The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin - 1 John 1:7. 

Brought near by the blood of Christ

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ - Ephesians 2:13.

Peace through the blood

For it pleased the Father that min Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross - Colossians 1:19,20.

Redeemed 

Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot - 1 Peter 1:18–19.

Justified

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him - Romans 5:9.

Forgiveness of sins

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins - Matthew 26:28. 

Church of God bought

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood - Acts 20:28.

Triumphed over Satan

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony - Revelation 12:11.

                                                                          

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for Your precious blood that is shed for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Kindness

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control -  Galatians 5:22.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you - Ephesians 4:32.

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up - Proverbs 12:25. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud - 1 Corinthians 13:4.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do - Colossians 3:12,13. 

Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another - Zechariah 7:9.

Do not let kindness and truth leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart - Proverbs 3:3.

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful - 2 Timothy 2:24.

Those who are kind benefit themselves - Proverbs 11:17.

Whoever is kind to the needy honors God - Proverbs 12:31.

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor - Proverbs 21:21.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs - 1 corinthians 13:3-5. 

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue - Proverbs 31:26.

Blessed is the one who is kind to the needy - Proverbs 12:21.

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life - Titus 3:4-7.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus - Ephesians 2:2-7. 

The Lord is just in all his ways and kind in all his doings - Psalm 145:17.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? - Romans 2:1-4.

                                                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to be kind to others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Who We Are

 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light - 1 Peter 2:9.

Favored 

Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield - Psalm 5:12.

Gifted

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms - 1 Peter 4:10.

Prosperous and Successful

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms - Joshua 1:8.

Strong and Courageous

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go - Joshua 1:9.

Victorious

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 15:57.

Anointed

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things - 1 John 2:20.

Blessed

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ - Ephesians 1:3.

Healed

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed - Isaiah 53:5.

Complete

You are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power - Colossians 2:10.

New creation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new - 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Confident

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need - Hebrews 4:16.

Strong

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me - Philippians 4:13.

More than conquerors

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us - Romans 8:37.

Loved

I have loved you with an everlasting love - Jeremiah 31:3.

Chosen

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light - 1 Peter 2:9.

Forgiven

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - 1John 1:9.

Redeemed

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace - Ephesians 1:7.

Justified

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him - Romans 5:9.

Righteous

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God - 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Free

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed - John 8:36.

Children of God

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God - 1 John 3:1.

Protected

The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life - Psalm 121:7.

Guided

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye - Psalm 32:8. 

Provided

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:19.

Renewed

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31.

Strengthened

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand - Isaiah 41:10.

Salt of the earth

You are the salt of the earth - Matthew 5:13.

Light of the world

You are the light of the world - Matthew 5:14. 

                                                                   

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to always understand who we are. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

The Lord Is Near

                                                 The Lord is near - Philippians 4:5.

           The Lord is near to all who call upon Him. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth -  Psalm 145:18. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near - Isaiah 55:6. He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them - Hebrews 7:25. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit - Psalm 34:18. You are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true - Psalm 119:151.   

                 God promises to be near to us no matter what we are facing. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me - Psalm 23:4. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand - Isaiah 41:10. And behold, I am always with you, to the end of the age - Matthew 28:20. 

               God will draw near to us as we draw near to Him. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you - James 4:8. Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need - Hebrews 4:16. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who draws near to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him - Hebrews 11:6.

                                                                                               

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us draw near to You. We thank You for being near to us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.